Stake Enrichment Day; Quilts, Brunch, 10 Virgins

For those of us didn't make it to the May 2nd Stake Enrichment Saturday, boy did we ever miss out. 3-hours full of fun, yum and spirituality.

Over 200 sisters from our stake gathered to tie 60 quilts in the first hour. They were given to the Pierce County Visiting Nurses who help needy families and first time moms.

Brunch was served!

Enumclaw 2nd Ward did a fabulous job depicting "THE 10 VIRGINS" written by Emily Freeman, distributed by Deseret Book found in Matthew 25:1-13.

Nestled in a grove of trees at the top of a steep hill there was a shop. And every person who toiled up the path to the top came for the same reason - to buy oil. The shopkeeper was a young man with thick brown hair. His large hands were strong but gentle. He spent much of his time sitting at a wooden work bench, carefully sculpting small oil-burning lamps.
It was his tradition to give one of these lamps to every person who moved into the village. Each lamp was meticulously crafted, and each was different from the others. Some were round, some were oval. Some were made of ordinary clays, and others were made of terra cotta. Some were perfectly smooth, while others had intricate designs tooled into their surfaces. But all of them held oil and all of them produced light.

The shopkeeper carefully sculpted each lamp to compliment a quality he hoped each woman would develop within herself. With time and effort each could become....

1. A woman of the Scriptures
2. A woman who takes the Spirit for her guide
3. A woman who keeps the commandments
4. A woman who respects sacred things
5. A woman of humility
6. A woman who is loyal
7. A woman of service
8. A woman who diligently prepares
9. A woman of prayer
10. A woman of grace, personal conversion and holiness

With each lamp each woman was given a choice. She could use her gift carelessly, foolishly thinking she had plenty of time to prepare, or she could use her gift "at all times and in all things and in all place". (Mosiah 18:9)

The shopkeeper reminded each woman to return to HIS shop often. The tiny flame the lamp produced could not be maintained without an ongoing supply of oil and the Lamp Makers shop was the only source of oil in the village.

But the path to the top of the hill was steep and the journey took time and effort. Those seeking oil would arrive at the Lamp Maker's shop at all times of the day or night, and each was met with a warm welcome, no matter the hour. The Shopkeeper's brown eyes would light up as the lamp owner came through HIS door and HE would always set HIS work aside to visit.

Eliana - My lamp has seen me through joy and celebration, and it has given me comfort through disappointment and discouragement.

Ashira- Sometimes, I look up at the shop on the hill while doing dishes, scrubbing the floor and reading to the children and think, Today will be day.

Dina - My lamp has accompanied me through moments where I have seen sorrow and the times I have witnessed grief.

Nava - Keeping the flame is a difficult task, one that requires constant attention. I trim off the used blackened portion of the wick each time before lighting it again.

Gabriella - Every morning I make my way up the narrow path that leads to the Shopkeeper. My lamp is simple allowing those who see it to focus on the flame.

Adi - Sometimes I wonder if my lamp is as nice as the lamps he gave the others. I wish I could more with the gift I have been given.

Liraz - I visited the shopkeeper every day as he molded my lamp. The journey up the hill now, just takes too long.

Malka - I was so flattered he would have taken the time to make me such a beautiful gift. None of my friends ever use their lamp and I know the village so well, I don't need light to guide my way.

Leora - I have noticed that the flame grows stronger as the night grows deeper, allowing me to help the lost, the weary and the worn to find their way back home.

Jessa - I felt as if my heart had broken, I could barely see the pile of tiny pieces through my tears. After many days, I had known all along there was only ONE that could fix the lamp.

In time, the Shopkeeper decided to marry and chose a bride. Each of the 10 women received an invitation to attend the wedding and take part in the village's most honored customs. On the night of the wedding these 10 chosen women would use their lamps to light the doorway of the home where the wedding was held. It was a great privilege to be given this invitation, one that many women waited a lifetime to receive. They could barely contain their excitement.

The eleventh hour came and went. The entire village was quiet, under the glow of the moon. The shopkeeper watched from the top of the hill and waited. Then at precisely the darkest hour of the night, the silence was broken. The moment was at hand, it was time to trim their lamps.

Gabriella - She reached for her vessel to fill her lamp with her remaining oil.

Nava - Why didn't I think to get extra oil?

Leora - She was holding her lamp high with glistened flame.

Ashira - I have been so consumed with the necessities of my home, I put off the trip to obtain extra oil.

Dina - Her flame danced.

Liraz - It never occurred to me that he would arrive so late in the evening.

Jessa - She fell to her knees with overwhelming gratitude.

Malka - I had wondered if there would really be a wedding.

Adi - I used all my money to buy a new dress.

Eliana - Hurry, she told the others, rush out to find some oil and then return! (They never would make it back)

The Bridegroom made his way through the crowded streets. He turned the corner just in time to see the 5 foolish women running toward the hill. His heart ached for their lack of preparation. Then HE lifted HIS eyes to the doorway and took in the sight HE had waited a lifetime to see.

These 5 women had each come to know the Bridegroom. And their hearts filled with joy as they watched HIM stride through the garden gate and down the pathway that led to the great wooden door.

Eliana- HE lifted me and strengthened me.

Gabriella - HE believed in me and encouraged me.

Leora - When I was weak, HE made me strong.

Jessa- When I found disappointment, HE offered consoling peace.

Dina - When I thought I could not go on, HE made up the difference.

"And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the 10 virgins. For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived - verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day. For the Lord shall be in their midst, and his glory shall be upon them" (D&C 45:56-57)