The first penny!

About three years ago, my son Mason was preparing to serve an LDS mission in Romania.  During the weeks before he left, we would run together in the mornings.  This time became very precious to me knowing he would be leaving soon for two years.  We would have long talks as we ran and discuss life, dreams, and of course Mason's upcoming mission.  My husband, Curtis, and I served a mission in Chile for three years with all of our children when Mason was 11-14-years-old.  Curtis and and I were responsible for about 225 missionaries over 500 in all over the  three years.  So teaching and helping a missionary was a joy to me and I loved sharing ways for Mason to serve his mission in the best possible way.

Curtis and I on the right with some of our amazing beloved missionaries

One morning we were running and talking and I remember trying to explain how God's merciful hand is in our lives.  I told Mason he should expect miracles and then give thanks when the miracles occur.  I told him that God wants to bless his children, and that he orchestrates situations or circumstances to better our lives or invite us to draw closer to him.  Most of us just chalk these times up to "chance" or "luck."  But I believe these are miracles from heaven.  Just then we ran by a penny on the street.  Of course we just ran on by...but then I stopped and turned around and ran back and picked up the penny.  Mason stopped also and was just watching his crazy Mom, wondering what I was doing.  I came back to Mason and held out the penny, "It is like the old song, "Pennies From Heaven," we see pennies on the ground all the time and very few people stop to pick them up or even notice the pennies, they just get kicked and stepped on and scratched and marred.  "From now on, Mason," I said, "Whenever we see a penny or a coin on the ground, we are going to pick it up and know that it is going to be a MIRACLE DAY!!" 

A wonderful family Mason taught in Romania.  

 

 

 

Elder Mason Bennett in Romania

When we returned home that morning, I found a "Mason" jar and wrote, "Mason's Mission Miracles" on the jar and placed that first penny inside.  From then on and for two years, every coin I found, I placed in "Mason's Mission Miracle" jar.  It was a reminder to me that God loves each of his children.  He wants to bless us and IF we look, we can see miracles all around us.  The pennies I found helped me to remember to look for the miracles.  They reminded me to see God's hand in my life and the lives of those around me.  I have found much joy in the simple reminder of a penny on the ground. 

We were able to visit Romania at the end of Mason's mission.  Sydney, Sheri, Tanner and Elder Bennett.  Tanner is now serving an LDS mission in Ecuador.

Elder Mason Bennett

Beautiful Romania