It's been way too long since I posted back towards the end of April. Between the mission and family life it's been very busy so here goes the Readers Digest version.
The Lord's work is moving along. On Saturday 30 April, we had a Utah Orem Mission special meeting with Apostle Elder Rasband and Elder's Todd Hansen and Christensen of the Seventy. It was an amazing meeting to be taught by an apostle. Before the meeting began Elder Rasband along with our mission President and Sister Killpack shook hands with each of us, 170 young Elders and Sisters and 52 senior couples.
Sister Killpack bore a beautiful testimony as did President Killpack. Elder Todd Hansen spoke from Chapter 11 from Preach My Gospel inviting those we teach to make commitments. Elder Christensen spoke on you and your calling and serving members. He said when President Monson announced the missionary age change in October 2012 General Conference that most who were listening missed something very important that he said, he said that for the members to work with the full time missionaries in helping their neighbors to come unto Christ.
Elder Rasband spoke telling us that this mission along with two other missions in Utah are the strongest in the church, in attendance, tithes and fast offering and sending their son's and daughter's out on missions. He also mentioned how blessed we are in Utah to have senior stay at home missionary couples, it's been a tremendous blessing in the missionary work.
He opened it up to questions and answering period the last two hours which was so good to hear the young missionaries ask good questions. He talked and asked about the worth of a soul from D & C 14,15,16,18, he invited us to be Divinely Bold and always follow the first prompting and Endure to the End.
We have had several contacts with several people within the Stake, mostly one of the spouses have gone inactive. We have taught and finished just last Friday 17 June with a couple whom he is working his way back into the church, his wife has stood by him and what love they have for each other. We taught them all the missionary lessons including the new one on temples and family history work which on that lesson their son and daughter-in-law were there and they sat in on the lesson. The son has been through the temple and one a mission but his wife has not been through the temple and is working her way to be prepared to go soon. She is very much involved with family history work. He has been out of work for several months and has been wearing on him. The following week when we visited we were told that their son had gotten a good job with an airline, they were thrilled.
During one of the lessons, I felt impressed to challenge them to have prayers together. She still works for a few more weeks so she leaves early and goes to bed early but they took the challenge and they said the spirit in their home has increased since praying together. They also took the challenge to talk to their non-member neighbor and ask them if we could visit which they agreed to. We visited with them and had a wonderful visit. They are Catholics, they love having Mormon neighbors as they are quiet and decent people, they invited us back for us to tell them about our beliefs.
We are teaching a temple preparation class in our ward on Sunday night, one of the couples who said they would come have not come which saddens us, the husband has been on a mission but both are less active, he was excited to be invited but for some reason they have not come, we have visited them and reminded them of the class, but maybe they aren't ready yet. We have had an enjoyable time with a young couple with three children come, a young man getting ready for his mission, a young lady who has received her mission call and a widow neighbor of ours. It's exciting to see them interested and doing the reading assignments.
Mixed in with the mission are family blessings as well. I was able to see my youngest granddaughter Emilie play one game of soccer which she is very good at, she is 10 1/2 and defends well. Her brother William received his mission call on 19 June but didn't open it until two days later so family and friends could be there. He didn't want to stay in the United States and wanted foreign speaking, he read his call and he has been called to serve in the Scottsdale Arizona Mission, he enters the MTC on 6 July, from that day he had just 45 days to get ready. He said for the past two weeks he had Arizona come to his mind often.
He runs track and I was able to watch him in his final track meets, he missed going to state but now can see the wisdom in not going. I have watched him for the past 6 years run cross country, indoor and outdoor track and it's been so enjoyable to see him grow.
Our May was busy with mission and end of school activities with family. Went to granddaughter Nicole's orchestra concert, she is in the Chamber Orchestra, she has one more year in high school. We had three grandson's graduate this year from high school starting with Jeremy from American Fork High on 27 May, so proud of that young man. His family lived in Korea for five years so he had not had any American schooling until he came back ten years ago, he has worked hard. I then flew to Las Vegas on Sunday night the 29th May to attend a grandson, Jarrett's promotion from Elementary to Middle School. I was able to spend time with my daughter and family which was wonderful. While in the airport I ran into Brad Wilcox and got to talk with him.
I flew home from Las Vegas on 1 June and the next day we had two more graduations, Kyle from West Jordan High, it was held at the Viviant (Delta) Center at 10:00 AM, we arrived early to see him and get pictures, as soon a his name was called and he walked we had to leave to drive to Weber State's Dee Events for William who graduated from Syracuse High. So proud of these four grandson's. If that wasn't enough, Ray's cousin whom he is close to and who he and his wife had served an MLS mission being released last summer passed away from a fall he had a few weeks earlier. I had known the family since I was young as they were in my stake and the father was in our stake presidency, I had gone to school with this cousin as well as friends with the sister my age. He and his wife had visited us in the fall when we received our mission call and had spent four hours with us showing us what they had learned on this mission and gave us so much which has been a help to us.
We have had wonderful District meetings, Zone Training meetings and Zone Conference with Elder Ringwood from the Seventy speaking to us. We have the Elders in our area over for lunch each Tuesday, this way they get fed and we can coordinate with them as well. I will miss these two when either or both are transferred. We keep reaching out to those who have strayed off the path, inviting them to come back to their Savior and receive all the blessings he has for them.
This mission is so wonderful, it was a huge challenge for me at first but as one loses themselves in the lives of others the love of the Savior comes and you know what you are doing is so right. I will do better in keeping up the blog.
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Monday, April 25, 2016
Week of 18-24 April 2016
Another great week! I so enjoy being able to attend the temple each week, we did family sealing's this past week, always sweet when you provide those sacred, eternal ordinances for loved ones. having the Elders over for lunch on Tuesday is so enjoyable, it's our time to connect with them and work out families to help them with or visit those they feel we would be a blessing to them. They are young and so full of the spirit of missionary work, they never stop.
Wednesday the 20th, we had our mission interview with Elder and Sister Van Orman who his is the assistant to the president and is over the senior missionaries. A wonderful visit with them, talking about the needs, concerns and desires of our mission call. Our little couple whom we read each Wednesday in the Book of Mormon had to cancel for a family activity and we had nothing else going so I was able to go to Syracuse Utah and watch my grandson in his track meet, he is a senior so this is his last year, I've been going for six years at his track meet. He just submitted his mission papers and was sustained to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood last night at his stake priesthood meeting with his father with him. He will be ordained an Elder sometime this coming week. He has a cousin who is also preparing to submit his mission papers. It's humbling to see our grandchildren serve the Lord and be worthy to do so.
We had our District training meeting on Friday 22nd with us doing the teaching on how to work with our stake and ward leaders. It went very well, so well we never did get to the second part so that will be saved for our next time to teach.
Also on Friday afternoon we met with our couple who the husband is coming back into the church, we taught him the Restoration. He is very knowledgeable and so humble and looking forward to being re-baptized. That night, we visited our couple who are wanting another child, they had some news to share with us but also concerns. Because of the nature of their situation I have chosen not to mention what they talked to us about. We encouraged them to continue to attend church and go back to the temple as well as both of them receive priesthood blessings. They are such a beautiful loving couple and just so desire to have more children.
We had Ray's daughter from San Antonio Texas come for a visit, well, it was to help her daughter clean out her dorm at BYU, finishing her first year and return home with her mom for the summer. It was so wonderful having them with us for just a few days.
Sunday, we had another good meeting with the ward mission leaders along with the Elders and the Stake High Councilmen over missionary work. It sure helps to have open communication with these ward leaders. We were asked by the Elders to take over a family they have been visiting. It's a mixed family with four children, and when they visit just the children are with the Elders, the parents opt out of being with them so it is their and our hopes with us being a bit older that we can encourage the parents to join in. We will be using the church video's with the children and keeping the visits short.
The Lord's work continues to go forward. We might get discouraged but I heard this yesterday, don't give up, the Lord isn't finished with him or her or you. The gospel is true, Heavenly Father knows each of us, our Savior does too and oh, how they love each of us.
Wednesday the 20th, we had our mission interview with Elder and Sister Van Orman who his is the assistant to the president and is over the senior missionaries. A wonderful visit with them, talking about the needs, concerns and desires of our mission call. Our little couple whom we read each Wednesday in the Book of Mormon had to cancel for a family activity and we had nothing else going so I was able to go to Syracuse Utah and watch my grandson in his track meet, he is a senior so this is his last year, I've been going for six years at his track meet. He just submitted his mission papers and was sustained to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood last night at his stake priesthood meeting with his father with him. He will be ordained an Elder sometime this coming week. He has a cousin who is also preparing to submit his mission papers. It's humbling to see our grandchildren serve the Lord and be worthy to do so.
We had our District training meeting on Friday 22nd with us doing the teaching on how to work with our stake and ward leaders. It went very well, so well we never did get to the second part so that will be saved for our next time to teach.
Also on Friday afternoon we met with our couple who the husband is coming back into the church, we taught him the Restoration. He is very knowledgeable and so humble and looking forward to being re-baptized. That night, we visited our couple who are wanting another child, they had some news to share with us but also concerns. Because of the nature of their situation I have chosen not to mention what they talked to us about. We encouraged them to continue to attend church and go back to the temple as well as both of them receive priesthood blessings. They are such a beautiful loving couple and just so desire to have more children.
We had Ray's daughter from San Antonio Texas come for a visit, well, it was to help her daughter clean out her dorm at BYU, finishing her first year and return home with her mom for the summer. It was so wonderful having them with us for just a few days.
Sunday, we had another good meeting with the ward mission leaders along with the Elders and the Stake High Councilmen over missionary work. It sure helps to have open communication with these ward leaders. We were asked by the Elders to take over a family they have been visiting. It's a mixed family with four children, and when they visit just the children are with the Elders, the parents opt out of being with them so it is their and our hopes with us being a bit older that we can encourage the parents to join in. We will be using the church video's with the children and keeping the visits short.
The Lord's work continues to go forward. We might get discouraged but I heard this yesterday, don't give up, the Lord isn't finished with him or her or you. The gospel is true, Heavenly Father knows each of us, our Savior does too and oh, how they love each of us.
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Been too long, 21 March to 17 April 2016
Time flies! It's been almost a month since I have written anything, so sorry. Some weeks are busy and others slow down and the week of the 21 March was one of those slow weeks. We continue to read the Book of Mormon with out young family, he is a member but less active, his wife is not a member. They have a darling 18 month old boy who keeps them busy. She loves reading the Book of Mormon, she said that what the Elders have taught her combining that with the Book of Mormon has made all the difference. Truly it is the corner stone of out religion and bears such a witness of our Savior and of his doctrine and teachings.
We've been working with a young couple in our ward who has three daughters, they are living with her mother for now until they get a house sold and finances in order. We had not met the husband until Easter Sunday when they attended church, then visited with them a few days later and asked them if they would attend a temple preparation class. They have agreed and we've been asked to teach it starting in mid May, our bishop is inviting others to attend as well, with those who have never been to the temple or those who have and it's been along time. We are looking forward to teaching this class on such an eternal matter.
March has been missionary month for our ward, we were asked to participate with Elders Edlinger and Fairbanks who serve in our stake and two other stakes to be on a panel Easter Sunday with the young men and young women asking questions as well as Bishop Larsen. The spirit was sweet and had very good questions. On Tuesday of that week they youth were to go out two by two, some had to be in three's, to members home for dinner then they were to give a discussion on the Restoration. We had offered if we were needed. That afternoon we were visiting our Sister Balle who is related to Elder Morley when our bishop called asking us if we could have three young men to dinner and they give us the lesson as the family they were to go to had to cancel, this was at 4:00 PM, dinner at 6:00 PM. What a blessing to have these three young priests in our home, we served them lasagna, green salad and peach cobbler with ice cream. They then taught us the lesson on The Restoration and did so very well. They brought a sweet spirit into our home.
On the 30th March we had Zone Conference. Before it started we watched a documentary on the Provo Tabernacle when it burned down, when President Monson announced it was going to be rebuilt into the Provo City Center Temple and the completion of it, brought back the beautiful day of it's dedication. President Killpack is a spiritual giant. He instructed us very well doing out calling and inviting others to come unto Christ.
A Brother Gonzales from the missionary department spoke as well telling us that the Lord will increase u sin our calling. He also taught us well. I had a thought of our young family we are reading the Book of Mormon with in what we need to do to encourage them to attend church and to let her know she doesn't need to know everything before she is baptized. Ray and I participated with the Highland district in singing a special musical number. These Zone conferences are also nice to be able to visit with the other senior couples.
Also during this same week we were able to visit with three other families, a Sister who is a widow with a son who served a mission and has been home a year and a 15 year old daughter, they get slacked in their church attendance every so often. Another widow who is raising two grandchildren, tends three other grandchildren. We had the ward mission leader along with us and he will bring her needs up in ward council that she needs home teachers and if someone in the primary could pick up her 11 year granddaughter when she is unable to attend due to her illness that flares up. Then the last family we visited is a couple who both have been on a mission, has a four year old boy and has wanted more children but unable to, the husband has gotten upset with God and has quit going to church. We had a wonderful visit with them, they told us about their desire and frustration in trying for another child. I then told them that both Ray and I oldest daughters both couldn't have children but adopted. Ray had something he was going to tell them but when he opened his mouth the spirit spoke through him and he just said, "I feel I need to suggest and challenge you to go back to the temple." They said they would and they have gone back to church.
General conference was marvelous, being taught by our Prophet and Apostles and other leaders, especially by President Monson when he talked on choices and the choices we make determines our destiny and to choose the hard right and not the easy wrong. We are so blessed to have the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ once again upon the earth and to have a prophet who receives revelation, to have the truth once again on the earth and the holy priesthood.
We were asked by a sister in our ward who is so faithful in her covenants, her husband who has served a mission has chosen to go inactive. She had a 17 year old daughter who is an amazing young lady, we've adopted her as our granddaughter and I get hugs every time I see her. Her son who is 12 years old has started to question the church and doubt the truth so she asked us if we would visit him. We decided to visit the three of them on Sunday 10 April after he had gone out collecting fast offerings. I talked of President Monson's talk on choices, then Ray told them of his conversion when he was 17 years old and how his mother told him that she might have to live with one Mormon, who was her husband, but not another one and she told Ray if he was baptized he was no longer welcome in the home, he was baptized and he had to leave the home, but in about 6 months her heart softened but when he accepted his mission call she again had him leave. The spirit was so strong and all three of them had tears streaming down their cheeks. I felt impressed to tell the young man how important him being a deacon is, how he represents the Savior, and how it became personal to me when I couldn't attend church for about 6 weeks and two priests came to my home and gave me the sacrament, I learned how personal the Savior's sacrifice was for me. I told him that his calling so more important than anything else, more important than even the President of the country. His countenance had changed from the first time he had sat down to when we left. We saw him this past Sunday in church and he was able to pass the sacrament to us with a small grin.
We have a new elder as of last week seeing it was transfer week, we still have Elder Fairbanks and we received Elder McHood who had been serving in the Orem area, wonderful young man. We have them over for lunch each week to coordinate who we and they visit. It is so humbling to serve with these young men and now we have two grandson's who are putting in their request to serve a mission after they graduate from high school in the next month and to know how their lives will be blessed as well as so many others.
We lost one family we had been reading the Book of Mormon with for the first two months of our mission, he has chosen his other way of life and yet he knows the Book of Mormon is true. When one submits to the desire of the flesh and the evil one, they have to work hard to break away and he is not willing to do so, so the Elders and us will walk away for now but the ward mission leader will try to still work with the family, especially the father. He was so close, had such a testimony then chose to step into the evil ones territory. We just have to move on to those who are willing to listen and want to come back to the Savior.
Last Friday t he 15th, we had our Zone training meeting, it consist of two districts, ours and Highland/Alpine. Once again, we were well taught seeing this type of mission we are on is just about 2 1/2 years old in Utah. We see the ward leaders are learning more how to use us in teaching, helping mostly the less active members of their ward. We have a wonderful, spiritual giant of a Stake President, his counselor who is over missionary work in the stake and the two high councilmen as well. We are so supported in this great work but especially supported by the Lord himself. It's a mission I had never desired to serve but I am grateful the Lord called us to represent Him and reach out to his children.
We've been working with a young couple in our ward who has three daughters, they are living with her mother for now until they get a house sold and finances in order. We had not met the husband until Easter Sunday when they attended church, then visited with them a few days later and asked them if they would attend a temple preparation class. They have agreed and we've been asked to teach it starting in mid May, our bishop is inviting others to attend as well, with those who have never been to the temple or those who have and it's been along time. We are looking forward to teaching this class on such an eternal matter.
March has been missionary month for our ward, we were asked to participate with Elders Edlinger and Fairbanks who serve in our stake and two other stakes to be on a panel Easter Sunday with the young men and young women asking questions as well as Bishop Larsen. The spirit was sweet and had very good questions. On Tuesday of that week they youth were to go out two by two, some had to be in three's, to members home for dinner then they were to give a discussion on the Restoration. We had offered if we were needed. That afternoon we were visiting our Sister Balle who is related to Elder Morley when our bishop called asking us if we could have three young men to dinner and they give us the lesson as the family they were to go to had to cancel, this was at 4:00 PM, dinner at 6:00 PM. What a blessing to have these three young priests in our home, we served them lasagna, green salad and peach cobbler with ice cream. They then taught us the lesson on The Restoration and did so very well. They brought a sweet spirit into our home.
On the 30th March we had Zone Conference. Before it started we watched a documentary on the Provo Tabernacle when it burned down, when President Monson announced it was going to be rebuilt into the Provo City Center Temple and the completion of it, brought back the beautiful day of it's dedication. President Killpack is a spiritual giant. He instructed us very well doing out calling and inviting others to come unto Christ.
A Brother Gonzales from the missionary department spoke as well telling us that the Lord will increase u sin our calling. He also taught us well. I had a thought of our young family we are reading the Book of Mormon with in what we need to do to encourage them to attend church and to let her know she doesn't need to know everything before she is baptized. Ray and I participated with the Highland district in singing a special musical number. These Zone conferences are also nice to be able to visit with the other senior couples.
Also during this same week we were able to visit with three other families, a Sister who is a widow with a son who served a mission and has been home a year and a 15 year old daughter, they get slacked in their church attendance every so often. Another widow who is raising two grandchildren, tends three other grandchildren. We had the ward mission leader along with us and he will bring her needs up in ward council that she needs home teachers and if someone in the primary could pick up her 11 year granddaughter when she is unable to attend due to her illness that flares up. Then the last family we visited is a couple who both have been on a mission, has a four year old boy and has wanted more children but unable to, the husband has gotten upset with God and has quit going to church. We had a wonderful visit with them, they told us about their desire and frustration in trying for another child. I then told them that both Ray and I oldest daughters both couldn't have children but adopted. Ray had something he was going to tell them but when he opened his mouth the spirit spoke through him and he just said, "I feel I need to suggest and challenge you to go back to the temple." They said they would and they have gone back to church.
General conference was marvelous, being taught by our Prophet and Apostles and other leaders, especially by President Monson when he talked on choices and the choices we make determines our destiny and to choose the hard right and not the easy wrong. We are so blessed to have the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ once again upon the earth and to have a prophet who receives revelation, to have the truth once again on the earth and the holy priesthood.
We were asked by a sister in our ward who is so faithful in her covenants, her husband who has served a mission has chosen to go inactive. She had a 17 year old daughter who is an amazing young lady, we've adopted her as our granddaughter and I get hugs every time I see her. Her son who is 12 years old has started to question the church and doubt the truth so she asked us if we would visit him. We decided to visit the three of them on Sunday 10 April after he had gone out collecting fast offerings. I talked of President Monson's talk on choices, then Ray told them of his conversion when he was 17 years old and how his mother told him that she might have to live with one Mormon, who was her husband, but not another one and she told Ray if he was baptized he was no longer welcome in the home, he was baptized and he had to leave the home, but in about 6 months her heart softened but when he accepted his mission call she again had him leave. The spirit was so strong and all three of them had tears streaming down their cheeks. I felt impressed to tell the young man how important him being a deacon is, how he represents the Savior, and how it became personal to me when I couldn't attend church for about 6 weeks and two priests came to my home and gave me the sacrament, I learned how personal the Savior's sacrifice was for me. I told him that his calling so more important than anything else, more important than even the President of the country. His countenance had changed from the first time he had sat down to when we left. We saw him this past Sunday in church and he was able to pass the sacrament to us with a small grin.
We have a new elder as of last week seeing it was transfer week, we still have Elder Fairbanks and we received Elder McHood who had been serving in the Orem area, wonderful young man. We have them over for lunch each week to coordinate who we and they visit. It is so humbling to serve with these young men and now we have two grandson's who are putting in their request to serve a mission after they graduate from high school in the next month and to know how their lives will be blessed as well as so many others.
We lost one family we had been reading the Book of Mormon with for the first two months of our mission, he has chosen his other way of life and yet he knows the Book of Mormon is true. When one submits to the desire of the flesh and the evil one, they have to work hard to break away and he is not willing to do so, so the Elders and us will walk away for now but the ward mission leader will try to still work with the family, especially the father. He was so close, had such a testimony then chose to step into the evil ones territory. We just have to move on to those who are willing to listen and want to come back to the Savior.
Last Friday t he 15th, we had our Zone training meeting, it consist of two districts, ours and Highland/Alpine. Once again, we were well taught seeing this type of mission we are on is just about 2 1/2 years old in Utah. We see the ward leaders are learning more how to use us in teaching, helping mostly the less active members of their ward. We have a wonderful, spiritual giant of a Stake President, his counselor who is over missionary work in the stake and the two high councilmen as well. We are so supported in this great work but especially supported by the Lord himself. It's a mission I had never desired to serve but I am grateful the Lord called us to represent Him and reach out to his children.
Monday, March 21, 2016
Week of 14 March to 20 March 2016
We took Monday the 14th off to do things around the house and to do planning for the rest of the week. Tuesday we attended the temple and did family sealing's which are always so special. I am grateful we are able to attend the temple as it is such a blessing and helps to be more in tune spiritually.
We visited a daughter-in-law to her in-laws who are living with her and their son, they have used their health as an excuse not to attend church but they are able to shop Wal Mart, their son is concerned. We have tried contacting them several times and the last time Ray talked with them they told him that they would call us. We wanted to visit with the son and his wife to let them know what we had done and what was going on. I have learned what enduring to the end means in many ways and this is one way I have learned, continue with your activity. I see one in our ward who can hardly walk with a cane but he comes and teaches the High Priests. I see those who can hardly walk or in wheelchairs attend the temple regularly, they are great examples to me to Endure to the End.
We met with our you family in our own ward, we talked about she and her husband taking the temple prep class. Her husband wasn't home but she would talk to him, I told her that there was no obligations, it's a great way to be taught what they can teach in preparation in becoming temple worthy and receiving their temple blessings, that made her more at ease as her husband doesn't like to be pushed into anything. We visited with her a few days later and she had talked with her husband and he is willing to take the class, she also invited us to visit when he is home which is a big step for him. Even though he serves in the ward, he is sporadic, great couple with three beautiful children. Our bishop is going to call a teacher to teach the temple prep class and invite others to attend.
We also had our monthly meeting with our Stake President, the counselor over missionary program in the stake, the high councilor and one of the full time elders as they were on splits. Poor Elder Fairbanks was so sick he just sat there, his companion was with a ward mission leader at a family's home in the stake, he was also sick. This is the first time they have been sick being away from home, so he as sat away from the rest of us. I love our Stake President, he is so amazing with such spiritual insite.
That same night on the 15th, we met with another couple in another ward in the stake, they have both served missions, have one 4 year old boy who is darling. They have gone inactive as at least the husband has become angry and upset over them not being able to have another baby. In our conversation they opened up to us and really poured their hearts out. We were able to tell them about both of our oldest daughters who couldn't have children but adopted. I told them of Elder Neal A Maxwell's council to my daughter which was to continue to pray, read scriptures, stay active and attend the temple often which they did and they were blessed with their daughter. They asked us if we would keep them in our prayers which we will be so happy to do. Ray had some thoughts he was going to say but the spirit guided him to council them to become temple worthy again and attend the temple. The spirit was so strong in their home, beautiful couple just hurting.
On Wednesday 16th we were able to meet our new grandson, number 29, Ray's oldest son and his wife. He is so beautiful, so new from Heavenly Father. We then had our neighbors kitty corner from us over for dinner, they are non-members, have had some bad experiences when they lived in Park City but the two years they have lived in this neighborhood they have so enjoyed it and have a different perspective of Mormon's. They have two daughters and one son. He use to work for a garage door place until last December when he had an accident and his one foot and ankle was crushed. Ray and the other neighbors have helped them with snow removal, getting garbage cans out, yard work. The Lord sure does provide opportunities to serve others. We then read with our young couple afterwards, she is loving the Book of Mormon now she has some understanding and we help her to understand it.
We had a great District Meeting on Friday 18th, the couple who gave the training lesson did it on the Proclamation on the Family. Took each paragraph and read an explanation by Elder Merrill J. Bateman from a talk he gave. It was suggested that we use this to teach families when prompted to do so, it's such a powerful proclamation.
Saturday we were able to gather with my kids and their families for our Easter family party, not all were there but who was there, it was wonderful being with them. This mission gives us this opportunity to spend time with family which I am grateful for, for this is what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is about, eternal families.
Sunday the 20th was the day the long awaited Provo City Center Temple was dedicated, what an out pouring of the spirit. It is like our own lives, we sometimes have parts of our lives in ashes but our Savior can rebuild it through the Atonement and His Grace. I am so grateful for temples, for eternal families, for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for my testimony and membership, for our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ and for the Holy Ghost.
We visited a daughter-in-law to her in-laws who are living with her and their son, they have used their health as an excuse not to attend church but they are able to shop Wal Mart, their son is concerned. We have tried contacting them several times and the last time Ray talked with them they told him that they would call us. We wanted to visit with the son and his wife to let them know what we had done and what was going on. I have learned what enduring to the end means in many ways and this is one way I have learned, continue with your activity. I see one in our ward who can hardly walk with a cane but he comes and teaches the High Priests. I see those who can hardly walk or in wheelchairs attend the temple regularly, they are great examples to me to Endure to the End.
We met with our you family in our own ward, we talked about she and her husband taking the temple prep class. Her husband wasn't home but she would talk to him, I told her that there was no obligations, it's a great way to be taught what they can teach in preparation in becoming temple worthy and receiving their temple blessings, that made her more at ease as her husband doesn't like to be pushed into anything. We visited with her a few days later and she had talked with her husband and he is willing to take the class, she also invited us to visit when he is home which is a big step for him. Even though he serves in the ward, he is sporadic, great couple with three beautiful children. Our bishop is going to call a teacher to teach the temple prep class and invite others to attend.
We also had our monthly meeting with our Stake President, the counselor over missionary program in the stake, the high councilor and one of the full time elders as they were on splits. Poor Elder Fairbanks was so sick he just sat there, his companion was with a ward mission leader at a family's home in the stake, he was also sick. This is the first time they have been sick being away from home, so he as sat away from the rest of us. I love our Stake President, he is so amazing with such spiritual insite.
That same night on the 15th, we met with another couple in another ward in the stake, they have both served missions, have one 4 year old boy who is darling. They have gone inactive as at least the husband has become angry and upset over them not being able to have another baby. In our conversation they opened up to us and really poured their hearts out. We were able to tell them about both of our oldest daughters who couldn't have children but adopted. I told them of Elder Neal A Maxwell's council to my daughter which was to continue to pray, read scriptures, stay active and attend the temple often which they did and they were blessed with their daughter. They asked us if we would keep them in our prayers which we will be so happy to do. Ray had some thoughts he was going to say but the spirit guided him to council them to become temple worthy again and attend the temple. The spirit was so strong in their home, beautiful couple just hurting.
On Wednesday 16th we were able to meet our new grandson, number 29, Ray's oldest son and his wife. He is so beautiful, so new from Heavenly Father. We then had our neighbors kitty corner from us over for dinner, they are non-members, have had some bad experiences when they lived in Park City but the two years they have lived in this neighborhood they have so enjoyed it and have a different perspective of Mormon's. They have two daughters and one son. He use to work for a garage door place until last December when he had an accident and his one foot and ankle was crushed. Ray and the other neighbors have helped them with snow removal, getting garbage cans out, yard work. The Lord sure does provide opportunities to serve others. We then read with our young couple afterwards, she is loving the Book of Mormon now she has some understanding and we help her to understand it.
We had a great District Meeting on Friday 18th, the couple who gave the training lesson did it on the Proclamation on the Family. Took each paragraph and read an explanation by Elder Merrill J. Bateman from a talk he gave. It was suggested that we use this to teach families when prompted to do so, it's such a powerful proclamation.
Saturday we were able to gather with my kids and their families for our Easter family party, not all were there but who was there, it was wonderful being with them. This mission gives us this opportunity to spend time with family which I am grateful for, for this is what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is about, eternal families.
Sunday the 20th was the day the long awaited Provo City Center Temple was dedicated, what an out pouring of the spirit. It is like our own lives, we sometimes have parts of our lives in ashes but our Savior can rebuild it through the Atonement and His Grace. I am so grateful for temples, for eternal families, for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for my testimony and membership, for our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ and for the Holy Ghost.
Monday, March 14, 2016
Week of 7th March to 13th March 2016
We had a busy week in visiting those we had met before, reading the Book of Mormon with our young couple and meeting and visiting new people in the stake. On Monday the 7th was my oldest son Mark's birthday. Tuesday 8th, we attended the temple which was very sweet, we were asked to be the witness couple which is always special. Had the Elders over for lunch, they did splits so we had one of them, Elder Fairbanks and his District Leader Elder Evans. We met with a member then was able to go to our grandson Nathan's band concert that night in Riverton, he plays the sax and oh, he is good, he's in the 8th grade, plays in the Jazz Band as well as the Symphonic Band.
We were able to meet with out neighbor who lost her husband three weeks ago, she's such a dear friend, we miss her husband as well. Met with a member couple who are friends with a family who lost their 19 year old daughter last August in a car accident. They have not been active for years and they were so touched by how the ward members came forward to help. They are still struggling with her death. so the neighbor will invite them to dinner and ask if it's ok if we come as well to just meet them. The gospel of Jesus Christ and the Plan of Salvation teaches us that death is not the end. i also met with a three new families, one is a single mom with three boys living with her parents. She knows they ought to attend church, her sister lives in the next ward over and is active as are her parents, it's just going and being single. I was able to tell her about me being single with five children. She wants us to come back and give her and her sons a message.
Friday the 11th, we had a great Zone Training Meeting.. It's always nice to be able interact with the other senior couples in the Zone. That night, the Orem Utah Mission held it's semi annual music fireside at the Alpine Tabernacle in American Fork, Utah. The Young Ambassadors from BYU sang several numbers as did some of the Elders and Sisters, a couple of them bore their testimonies. The highlight was listening to Brad Wilcox who spoke on \why we believe in Jesus Christ. He said that we believe in him because Joseph Smith saw him face to face, talked with him face to face. All Christians are taught to Follow Him but we are Lead By Him as it is His church, He is the head of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The place was packed with missionaries young and old and with investigators and members, etc. Was a wonderful, spiritual day.
Saturday, Elder Morley was dressed in his suit, looked out our front window and saw our neighbor kitty corner from us raking his front yard. In December he had an accident which crushed his foot, he is to be off of it with no weight on it yet and yet he was out there raking, oh, he has a walking boot on. Elder Morley changed his clothes and helped him rake, he wouldn't stop so Ray just raked faster. We invited them over for dinner this coming week which they accepted. They are not members and when they moved here they didn't want anything to do with Mormons as they had moved from Park City and didn't have a good experience with Mormons there which is way too sad. But, they have found out that we are like we say we are, they have come out to neighborhood block parties. Ray and the Bishop have kept their driveway and sidewalk clear of snow along with doing it for other neighbors. They are a wonderful young couple with three children, they just need friends and love.
Sunday the 13th, we had our regular meeting with the ward mission leaders then attended a ward conference which have been so powerful in the talks on the Sabbath Day and the Sacrament which our Stake President brings in with his talk. We visited two families that afternoon, one in our ward who are living with her mother for now with their three children. The wife is excited to have us work with her and her husband to help them get to the temple. The other couple is a young couple, he's been on a mission, they have one four year old son and have not been able to have others and they has been discouraging to them so they have gone inactive. They are a delightful couple, she teaches guitar at her home. We will be seeing them again this week.
Then to end the Sabbath day, Elder Morley received a text with two pictures with it from his oldest son, their little boy was born that afternoon, a few weeks early but he's healthy and so beautiful, lots of dark hair. This is their first one, makes 29 grandchildren for us.
This week has been a very blessed one, I guess each missionary has their good and not so good weeks but I will dwell on this one and go forward this week to make it just as good or even better week. I am including a quote from President Heber J. Grant which I came across this past week. We as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are all missionaries, we don't need to preach, we just need to live the gospel as we have been taught. Show kindness to others, reach out and help
We were able to meet with out neighbor who lost her husband three weeks ago, she's such a dear friend, we miss her husband as well. Met with a member couple who are friends with a family who lost their 19 year old daughter last August in a car accident. They have not been active for years and they were so touched by how the ward members came forward to help. They are still struggling with her death. so the neighbor will invite them to dinner and ask if it's ok if we come as well to just meet them. The gospel of Jesus Christ and the Plan of Salvation teaches us that death is not the end. i also met with a three new families, one is a single mom with three boys living with her parents. She knows they ought to attend church, her sister lives in the next ward over and is active as are her parents, it's just going and being single. I was able to tell her about me being single with five children. She wants us to come back and give her and her sons a message.
Friday the 11th, we had a great Zone Training Meeting.. It's always nice to be able interact with the other senior couples in the Zone. That night, the Orem Utah Mission held it's semi annual music fireside at the Alpine Tabernacle in American Fork, Utah. The Young Ambassadors from BYU sang several numbers as did some of the Elders and Sisters, a couple of them bore their testimonies. The highlight was listening to Brad Wilcox who spoke on \why we believe in Jesus Christ. He said that we believe in him because Joseph Smith saw him face to face, talked with him face to face. All Christians are taught to Follow Him but we are Lead By Him as it is His church, He is the head of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The place was packed with missionaries young and old and with investigators and members, etc. Was a wonderful, spiritual day.
Saturday, Elder Morley was dressed in his suit, looked out our front window and saw our neighbor kitty corner from us raking his front yard. In December he had an accident which crushed his foot, he is to be off of it with no weight on it yet and yet he was out there raking, oh, he has a walking boot on. Elder Morley changed his clothes and helped him rake, he wouldn't stop so Ray just raked faster. We invited them over for dinner this coming week which they accepted. They are not members and when they moved here they didn't want anything to do with Mormons as they had moved from Park City and didn't have a good experience with Mormons there which is way too sad. But, they have found out that we are like we say we are, they have come out to neighborhood block parties. Ray and the Bishop have kept their driveway and sidewalk clear of snow along with doing it for other neighbors. They are a wonderful young couple with three children, they just need friends and love.
Sunday the 13th, we had our regular meeting with the ward mission leaders then attended a ward conference which have been so powerful in the talks on the Sabbath Day and the Sacrament which our Stake President brings in with his talk. We visited two families that afternoon, one in our ward who are living with her mother for now with their three children. The wife is excited to have us work with her and her husband to help them get to the temple. The other couple is a young couple, he's been on a mission, they have one four year old son and have not been able to have others and they has been discouraging to them so they have gone inactive. They are a delightful couple, she teaches guitar at her home. We will be seeing them again this week.
Then to end the Sabbath day, Elder Morley received a text with two pictures with it from his oldest son, their little boy was born that afternoon, a few weeks early but he's healthy and so beautiful, lots of dark hair. This is their first one, makes 29 grandchildren for us.
This week has been a very blessed one, I guess each missionary has their good and not so good weeks but I will dwell on this one and go forward this week to make it just as good or even better week. I am including a quote from President Heber J. Grant which I came across this past week. We as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are all missionaries, we don't need to preach, we just need to live the gospel as we have been taught. Show kindness to others, reach out and help
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Week of 29 February to 6 March 2016
i wrote in my last blog about taking our neighbors to the temple open house on Monday 29th February. That evening, we met with the Jenkins family, we had stopped by earlier and had talked with Sister Jenkins father whom they live with, he is quite the story teller but an interesting one, he is single, his daughter and husband with four children are living with him for now as they had hit hard times. Her husband has health issues, she works full time with a son 17, daughters 15, 11, 8, beautiful family but we have not met Brother Jenkins yet. We visited later that evening with Sister Jenkins and the girls, her son was at work. Sister Jenkins is an amazing, positive woman. They are members but with her having to work on many Sunday's the children won't go to church without her and the dad's health is not where he is able to go most times. She voiced her desire to attend the temple open house seeing it's the last week of it. After we had a delightful visit, Elder Morley sent an email to our Stake President as he works for the church in the temple department and one of the secretary's takes care of the open house tickets. He requested so many tickets for Wednesday at 3:30 PM, within one hour we had the email with the tickets to print out from the secretary. We have an amazing stake president.
Tuesday 1 March, the full time Elders had lunch at our home as they do most Tuesday's, this is a good time to plan with them and to catch up with families they need us to visit or to report to them of those we have visited. We then visited our sweet widow, Sister Balle who she and Ray are cousins and I knew her years ago as we were in the same stake in Kearns. We gave her a copy of a recording Ray did with a Vicar in England while he was a missionary there. The Vicar had been doing research on the Morley line as they were one of the first families in that area in that church. Thanks to Ray's son Dan several years ago who was able to copy it off from the old reel to reel and put it onto a CD for him. As usual, we come away being lifted by Sister Balle.
Wednesday 2nd March, we went to the Provo City Center Temple open house with the Jenkins family minus their father who didn't feel that he could walk around that much. It touched each of them. Sister Jenkins realized that she needs to get back attending the temple and she needs to talk to her boss and arrange for her to have Sunday's off to go with her children to church, he said it will take a lot of praying but she knows this is what she needs to do to keep her family together an on the right path.
We were to have read with our young couple who has one darling 16 month very active boy but they had sickness but we did visit the Peterson's who were going to move this coming Thursday to their new home. He served a mission in Taiwan, his wife is also from there. With all the move in's from all over the world here in Lehi, there are several from China who speak English but the vocabulary of the Mormon faith, they don't understand sometimes so the Elders and ward mission leaders need help and even though the Peterson's are moving out of the area, he is still willing to come and help when needed.
On Friday the 4th of March, we had our District Meeting and the training lesson was on Listening, how often we talk too much and not listen to those we are teaching or visiting. Brother Byers also took us through the time when the sons of Mosiah met up with Alma after their mission and how they were instruments in the Lord's hands in bringing many of the Lamanites into the Gospel, unto their Savior.
That evening we joined the 4th ward in their table game night. Members bring many board games and you just pick a table which game you would like to participate and play and for us it was getting to know the ward members of that ward better. We met a couple of non-members who loves to mingle with the saints but doesn't want to join the church, not yet anyway. This is a perfect example in reaching out to all in our neighborhoods not matter if they are members of the LDS faith or of another faith, we are still all children of God. Very enjoyable evening with lots of snacks.
Ray's daughter from San Antonio Texas, along with her husband and oldest son flew in on Saturday 5th March to visit their daughter who is going to BYU, she needed a little support in life, she's doing great at school, just life. They stayed with us Saturday night, attended our three hour block with us then visited her mom until dinner time then ate with us and flew back home. Was nice to have them here even if it was a short trip.
Sunday afternoon, we visited a Sister who is single, she has home a son who served a mission and has been home for a year, he's going to school and needing a job, so we asked the ward employment specialist to contact him. She also has a 16 year old daughter. They are active, their Bishop thought just a visit from us and a message would be nice for them. We showed them a short video of President Uchdorf talking of our worth as sons and daughters of Heavenly Father and don't let anyone tell you you have to be this way or that way. That message was what they needed to hear. The mother grew up in the stake we just moved from in Orem, we know her parents. Beautiful family.
It's been a wonderful week. I am so grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I know it is true, for it ws upon the earth when our Savior lived and it was restored again in its fullness through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Thomas S Monson is our modern prophet today, called by God to receive revelations for not only the church but the world. I know God lives, I know Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer, he sacrificed his life for us, I am humble and grateful for his perfect love for us.
Tuesday 1 March, the full time Elders had lunch at our home as they do most Tuesday's, this is a good time to plan with them and to catch up with families they need us to visit or to report to them of those we have visited. We then visited our sweet widow, Sister Balle who she and Ray are cousins and I knew her years ago as we were in the same stake in Kearns. We gave her a copy of a recording Ray did with a Vicar in England while he was a missionary there. The Vicar had been doing research on the Morley line as they were one of the first families in that area in that church. Thanks to Ray's son Dan several years ago who was able to copy it off from the old reel to reel and put it onto a CD for him. As usual, we come away being lifted by Sister Balle.
Wednesday 2nd March, we went to the Provo City Center Temple open house with the Jenkins family minus their father who didn't feel that he could walk around that much. It touched each of them. Sister Jenkins realized that she needs to get back attending the temple and she needs to talk to her boss and arrange for her to have Sunday's off to go with her children to church, he said it will take a lot of praying but she knows this is what she needs to do to keep her family together an on the right path.
We were to have read with our young couple who has one darling 16 month very active boy but they had sickness but we did visit the Peterson's who were going to move this coming Thursday to their new home. He served a mission in Taiwan, his wife is also from there. With all the move in's from all over the world here in Lehi, there are several from China who speak English but the vocabulary of the Mormon faith, they don't understand sometimes so the Elders and ward mission leaders need help and even though the Peterson's are moving out of the area, he is still willing to come and help when needed.
On Friday the 4th of March, we had our District Meeting and the training lesson was on Listening, how often we talk too much and not listen to those we are teaching or visiting. Brother Byers also took us through the time when the sons of Mosiah met up with Alma after their mission and how they were instruments in the Lord's hands in bringing many of the Lamanites into the Gospel, unto their Savior.
That evening we joined the 4th ward in their table game night. Members bring many board games and you just pick a table which game you would like to participate and play and for us it was getting to know the ward members of that ward better. We met a couple of non-members who loves to mingle with the saints but doesn't want to join the church, not yet anyway. This is a perfect example in reaching out to all in our neighborhoods not matter if they are members of the LDS faith or of another faith, we are still all children of God. Very enjoyable evening with lots of snacks.
Ray's daughter from San Antonio Texas, along with her husband and oldest son flew in on Saturday 5th March to visit their daughter who is going to BYU, she needed a little support in life, she's doing great at school, just life. They stayed with us Saturday night, attended our three hour block with us then visited her mom until dinner time then ate with us and flew back home. Was nice to have them here even if it was a short trip.
Sunday afternoon, we visited a Sister who is single, she has home a son who served a mission and has been home for a year, he's going to school and needing a job, so we asked the ward employment specialist to contact him. She also has a 16 year old daughter. They are active, their Bishop thought just a visit from us and a message would be nice for them. We showed them a short video of President Uchdorf talking of our worth as sons and daughters of Heavenly Father and don't let anyone tell you you have to be this way or that way. That message was what they needed to hear. The mother grew up in the stake we just moved from in Orem, we know her parents. Beautiful family.
It's been a wonderful week. I am so grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I know it is true, for it ws upon the earth when our Savior lived and it was restored again in its fullness through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Thomas S Monson is our modern prophet today, called by God to receive revelations for not only the church but the world. I know God lives, I know Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer, he sacrificed his life for us, I am humble and grateful for his perfect love for us.
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| With the Jenkins family |
Monday, February 29, 2016
Week of 15 February through 29 February 2016
We had a slow week 15th February. Our family we have been reading the Book of Mormon with came down with the flu one at a time. On Friday 19 February, my grandson William turned 18, will graduate this June and is planning on a mission this summer.
We attended our District Training meeting in the morning on 19 February, we were the teachers this week. We taught on the Grace of God. Most people believe that the Lord makes up after all we have done but that is not so. He has already paid the debt, he paid it all, there is no after all we can do He makes up the difference, Jesus makes ALL the difference. We in turn are to show appreciation for what Jesus Christ did, by using it to live our live like His. It went very well as there was a great discussion among the other couple missionaries.
We then attended the funeral of our neighbor and friend the afternoon of Friday 19 February, it was hard to say bye to him but because of the Plan of Salvation we know we will see him again and still have this friendship we had here on earth. His death has touched many lives of his wife's family as they are not members. Her parents are grateful that she belongs to "our" church as she has seen the outpouring of love and support towards her daughter.
We met with our neighbors in back of us and to the east of us, an older couple who have been active all their lives but due to health they now are unable to attend church. The Johnson's are a delightful couple, very attentive to each other. We had a wonderful visit with them, they told us they use to serve at the MTC for the senior missionaries playing the roll of investigators, we asked them if we could practice on them and they were happy to do so, this way they will get some gospel lessons.
Sunday 21 February we had our usual 8:00 AM ward mission leaders meeting along with the Elders and was given a few names from some of the ward leaders to visit. It always boggles my mind when it's a couple who has been married in the temple, taken those sacred covenant's and the husband has served a mission and they have gone inactive. Just don't understand, but they are the ones we reach out to and help t them to understand those blessing that await them if they come back to Christ and honor those sacred covenant's. We attended a ward conference at 9:00 AM, The theme of all of the ones we have attended so far has been on the Sabbath Day observance. Our Stake President spoke and this time he spoke to the females about knowing who they are and not to compare ourselves with others. Also, it's ok to say NO, don't over schedule so much that we are frazzled. Know that they are daughters of God who loves them and knows them. The spirit was so strong while he spoke. We spoke at 11:00 AM in the first ward which went well as we had three people come up to us and gave us names to visit including the bishop.
The following week was a bit more busy, we visited a couple of widows, they enjoy having the senior missionaries visit. One sister had served a mission in England where Ray had served but a few years earlier, they had much to talk about. Our visits went well that week. We are reading with another young family, he's a member, she is not, they have stopped the Elders from coming for a while, she felt rushed but enjoys us coming once a week and reading the Book of Mormon with her and her husband.
Our other family we've been reading with since the first week in January has had to cancel for various reasons but one is that he went back into his old ways, back into a club and now he is not sure of anything he's been taught, trying to find excuses for his actions, he said he missed the atmosphere and enjoyed it. The spirit about him has left him, it was there up until he went into Satan's territory. One cannot have the spirit and step onto the evil side as well, one cannot serve two masters and I have seen this so clearly now. We are sad over this, but it's about making choices and having agency but any choice one makes, one does not have control over the consequences. I hope some day he will and his wife will put their desire to be an eternal family ahead of the worldly ways.
Our visits this past week has included a young man from the Marshall Islands who has been a member for a year. He lives with a wonderful family in his ward. We are working with him to get to the temple for his endowments. He enjoys performing baptisms for those who have passed on.
Sunday 28 February, we attended our own ward for the entire three house block, we nice to be among our ward members. At 1:30 PM we attended another ward conference which was another spiritual feast.
Today, Monday 29 February, we took our friend and neighbor who lost her husband recently, her daughter who lives with her and our neighbor to the Provo City Temple open house this morning. The daughter is a non-member, she was really touched by it. We had planned on taking her step dad as well a few weeks ago but that is when his health declined with cancer rapidly. It was a sweet moment with them. I am including the picture of us.
The gospel is so true. I am grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ, for the Atonement and His grace. For eternal family and friends. Grateful for the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon which testifies of our Savior and of his doctrine. I am grateful for a living prophet, even President Thomas S. Monson and the Twelve Apostles who are called to witnesses of Jesus Christ.
We attended our District Training meeting in the morning on 19 February, we were the teachers this week. We taught on the Grace of God. Most people believe that the Lord makes up after all we have done but that is not so. He has already paid the debt, he paid it all, there is no after all we can do He makes up the difference, Jesus makes ALL the difference. We in turn are to show appreciation for what Jesus Christ did, by using it to live our live like His. It went very well as there was a great discussion among the other couple missionaries.
We then attended the funeral of our neighbor and friend the afternoon of Friday 19 February, it was hard to say bye to him but because of the Plan of Salvation we know we will see him again and still have this friendship we had here on earth. His death has touched many lives of his wife's family as they are not members. Her parents are grateful that she belongs to "our" church as she has seen the outpouring of love and support towards her daughter.
We met with our neighbors in back of us and to the east of us, an older couple who have been active all their lives but due to health they now are unable to attend church. The Johnson's are a delightful couple, very attentive to each other. We had a wonderful visit with them, they told us they use to serve at the MTC for the senior missionaries playing the roll of investigators, we asked them if we could practice on them and they were happy to do so, this way they will get some gospel lessons.
Sunday 21 February we had our usual 8:00 AM ward mission leaders meeting along with the Elders and was given a few names from some of the ward leaders to visit. It always boggles my mind when it's a couple who has been married in the temple, taken those sacred covenant's and the husband has served a mission and they have gone inactive. Just don't understand, but they are the ones we reach out to and help t them to understand those blessing that await them if they come back to Christ and honor those sacred covenant's. We attended a ward conference at 9:00 AM, The theme of all of the ones we have attended so far has been on the Sabbath Day observance. Our Stake President spoke and this time he spoke to the females about knowing who they are and not to compare ourselves with others. Also, it's ok to say NO, don't over schedule so much that we are frazzled. Know that they are daughters of God who loves them and knows them. The spirit was so strong while he spoke. We spoke at 11:00 AM in the first ward which went well as we had three people come up to us and gave us names to visit including the bishop.
The following week was a bit more busy, we visited a couple of widows, they enjoy having the senior missionaries visit. One sister had served a mission in England where Ray had served but a few years earlier, they had much to talk about. Our visits went well that week. We are reading with another young family, he's a member, she is not, they have stopped the Elders from coming for a while, she felt rushed but enjoys us coming once a week and reading the Book of Mormon with her and her husband.
Our other family we've been reading with since the first week in January has had to cancel for various reasons but one is that he went back into his old ways, back into a club and now he is not sure of anything he's been taught, trying to find excuses for his actions, he said he missed the atmosphere and enjoyed it. The spirit about him has left him, it was there up until he went into Satan's territory. One cannot have the spirit and step onto the evil side as well, one cannot serve two masters and I have seen this so clearly now. We are sad over this, but it's about making choices and having agency but any choice one makes, one does not have control over the consequences. I hope some day he will and his wife will put their desire to be an eternal family ahead of the worldly ways.
Our visits this past week has included a young man from the Marshall Islands who has been a member for a year. He lives with a wonderful family in his ward. We are working with him to get to the temple for his endowments. He enjoys performing baptisms for those who have passed on.
Sunday 28 February, we attended our own ward for the entire three house block, we nice to be among our ward members. At 1:30 PM we attended another ward conference which was another spiritual feast.
Today, Monday 29 February, we took our friend and neighbor who lost her husband recently, her daughter who lives with her and our neighbor to the Provo City Temple open house this morning. The daughter is a non-member, she was really touched by it. We had planned on taking her step dad as well a few weeks ago but that is when his health declined with cancer rapidly. It was a sweet moment with them. I am including the picture of us.
The gospel is so true. I am grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ, for the Atonement and His grace. For eternal family and friends. Grateful for the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon which testifies of our Savior and of his doctrine. I am grateful for a living prophet, even President Thomas S. Monson and the Twelve Apostles who are called to witnesses of Jesus Christ.
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| Provo City Center Temple open house with Rita, Kristie and her daughter Bonnie, Sister and Elder Morley |
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