Saturday, January 28, 2017
It was a good day to settle in. I continued unpacking everything and about noon I headed out to Wal-Mart to buy groceries and other misc. items like bathroom scale, laundry cart, and so forth.
In the evening, I attended Stake Conference. I am a member of the 6th Ward in the Highland Stake. I happened to sit down next to the 4th Ward’s Mission Leader, Barry Smith. He indicated the missionaries in his Ward are Elder Mauu and Elder Frizzle. He hoped I could teach with them at some point in time.
Sister DeWitt was in the meeting also and I was able to talk to her afterward. I also met Sister Loring who is from the Reservation in Arizona. She went to Lehi Elementary School. She said the school secretary was a Mrs. Shill.
The meeting was centered on Missionary Work. A young woman spoke who is currently working to get her mission papers in. She spoke about the power of example. She told an experience of keeping Church standards at a friend’s party, where one of the girls approached her and asked her how she was so strong in the face of temptations. They became friends and the girl has since met with her bishop and is transferring to BYU Idaho.
A woman who has just returned from serving a Temple Mission in London. She told of meeting souls she was sure she had known in the pre-existence. They met people who had come for their temple blessings from Burma, Saudi, Dubai, and many other distant places around the world.
The second counselor in the Stake Presidency spoke on member missionary work. “It is God’s work – when he says that people are prepared to hear the gospel it is our responsibility to open our mouths. There are not good or bad missionaries as long as we do the work.”
How to invite others to Christ
1. Pray seeking missionary experiences.
2. Serve others so they can see the light of Christ in you.
3. Make home a sacred place with pictures of the temple, Savior, and family. Then invite others to your home to feel the spirit there.
4. Open your mouth about your activities, things you read, FHE, how our lives are centered on Christ.
The first counselor compared the Jaredite trip to the new land with Lehi’s family’s voyage. The Jaredites were of one heart and trusted in the Lord. The Lord was able to lead them to the seashore in a pillar of fire. Contention caused problems for Lehi’s family that struggled in the wilderness.
The Stake President, Scott Barfus, spoke on the matchless Character of Christ. He wants us to become what he has always been. Repentance releases the good in us. The Holy Ghost will refine us line upon line. Attributes of Christ are faith, mercy, charity, love, hope, obedience, patience. Like the Savior, we should be more observant to know when we should lay aside our agenda to show love to someone in need. Love your enemies, avoid contention, be kind. Identify the quality you most need and pray for it.
Last Sunday was our Stake Conference. Sister DeWitt spoke and encouraged other seniors to serve missions. Another Couple got up and spoke together about teaching their family to do Family History. They took their family on a Marathon temple trip. They started in Payson and visited all the temples up to Idaho Falls, but they took 48 hours instead of the Linford's single day.
Monday I helped Sister DeWitt send the mission newsletter, she taught me how to forward mail. Tuesday, she trained me in keeping baptismal records and referrals. I was late getting to the office on Tuesday because of the enormous snow storm in the night. It isn't often that they close schools here in Idaho, but they did Tues and Wed. Even the snowplow got stuck in front of my apartment and I had to wait for another plow to come pull the first snow plow out of his predicament. I am so glad you talked me into snow tires. I have really needed them since I arrived.
Wed. Sister DeWitt got the flu and couldn't come to the office again before she left for Arizona on Friday. I hope I can figure out what I am supposed to do tomorrow.
I went to a Stake Center on Wed for a World wide Missionary Broadcast from Salt Lake. The missionary committee with Elder Oaks, Bednar, Nielson of the Seventy, Sister Oscarson taught wonderful principles of missionary work. Unfortunately, our connection to Salt Lake broke off and so we didn't get the last part until we got back to the office. The assistants showed me how to get it on the Church site. It told of the new changes in missionary schedules so they are flexible to meet needs in other cultures. They also simplified the key indicators.
Thursday was slow in the office. Some of the other Senior missionaries still can't get in because the snow plows keep shoving snow back in their driveways.
Friday was MLC (Missionary Leadership Council) held in the same building as our office. I was able to help in the kitchen and eat with President and Sister Hancock during their lunch break.
Saturday my key to the apartment laundry room didn't work. I wanted to get my wash done early so I just drove to a laundromat and did my wash all at once.
In the afternoon, Karen Miner, her husband, and Cherie drove up to Pocatello and brought me Sarah's quilt plus some things I wanted from home. I had made some Taco soup for the Elders and there was plenty to serve them a late lunch. It was fun to visit with them and Sarah's quilt is amazing. Karen was trying out all the patterns in her new computerized quilting machine. Wow! I will get it in the mail tomorrow if the day goes all right. Please pray I can get the newsletter out by 10 a.m.
Today, was my first Sunday in my own Ward. I like my Bishop - he is a big jolly man. I have a great R.S. Presidency. They are young and enthusiastic. I met two senior women who have served missions. And a lot of very young women complaining about sending their sons off on missions. Its not that they don't want them to go, it is just every time they sit down to the computer to work on their papers they start to cry.
Well that is about it for me tonight. I love you all and wish you were with me to feel the amazing spirit that accompanies missionary work. This is Christ's church and he is at the head. President Monson is his prophet for our day. Hope you all are reading in your Book of Mormon. The theme for this stake this year is Come Unto Christ through Daily Study of the Book Of Mormon. Good goal for all of us.
I love you all tons
Love and Hugs Grammie
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