The week that will not be forgotten

September 27, 2015

Some weeks are hard to describe.  We have just completed one of “those” weeks. 

It was a week with little joy – although when we would find something funny we would “over” laugh because we were “over” tired.  It was a week with many difficult interviews, short nights, and worry about missionaries.

The behavior that we found in a few was termed “out of the normal.”  Because we love each of these missionaries, we had to try and find out how many were “out of the normal.”  We then had to protect and re-direct their efforts.

We are just two.  We often have to rely on a few of our missionaries to do some “other than missionary” work.  Someone has to pay bills, arrange for VISA’s, gather referrals, and order supplies.  These missionaries split their time between both duties.  We have to rely on our Assistants to go with us to teach, make myriads of phone calls, and be examples of righteousness.  They do this along with missionary work.

This week was one that we taxed the strength of these missionaries.  Elders Olson, Orchard, Hixon, and Cuscagua – here is a shout out to you!  We love and appreciate all the time you stood by us this week.  In years to come, this week will always be one of those that we will remember!

Anniversary Dates

September 12, 2015

An Elder posed an interesting question to me yesterday.  Since our male missionaries (Elders) serve for 24 months, and mission presidents (us) serve for 36 months, he wondered how we felt at the 1 year mark.

At the 6 month mark, missionaries will sometimes “burn” a tie.  At a year, they will sometimes burn a white shirt (I refuse to tell you about the one who was wearing it when he lit the match….).  This is their way of marking their service.  Since we are serving for 36 months, the missionary that posed the question asked:  “At the one year mark, did you a President celebrate, or did the two of you just feel bad that you still had 2 years left?”

Wow – how to answer that?  I told him that we are fully aware of how much time we have left.  I even know by percentages of time (I know, it’s just me).  However, we can never dwell very long on that number or we become sad and start to miss home.  So we usually mention it and move on quickly.  Do we miss Oroville, family, and friends – you better believe it!  But with all things that are tough, we try to just keep pressing forward.  We will never burn a tie or a shirt, but we may kiss the ground we walk on when we return home!

Book of Mormon Challenge

September 12, 2015

We are doing a Book of Mormon challenge in the mission.  We have handed each missionary a new copy of the Book of Mormon (in their native language), a 90 day reading schedule, colored pencils and a pencil sharpener (no excuses allowed!).  We started the challenge a week ago.

With their colored pencils, they highlight the following:  Words of Christ-yellow, Doctrines and Principles –red, References to Jesus Christ – Blue, and Attributes of Christ – green.

It is fun to see everyone carrying around their Books of Mormon.  It is more fun to look inside and see how differently we all see the book.  Personally, I am using a lot of red.  I looked at Elder Shumway’s yesterday and he has used half of his yellow pencil.  Every page has numerous colors and it adds some fun to reading the Book of Mormon.  It certainly reteaches you about the breadth and depth of this wonderful book!

Try it – you might like it!

The blessing of good care

August 30, 2015

Each week at church, we have the opportunity to receive the sacrament.  This bread and water represents the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ in Gethsemane and upon the cross.  It is blessed and passed by young men, usually 12-18 years old.

As a young man brought the bread to me today, I noticed he was not looking directly at me but to the side.  I hadn’t noticed him walk towards me..   Therefore, when he returned to the front to prepare to pass the water, I watched more closely.  I watched him make his way down the row of chairs by keeping a hand placed on the chair in front of him.

This young man probably had a severe case of lazy eye.  Both of his eyes turned outward and he only had vision in one little corner of one eye.  This condition would have been treated and corrected if he lived where there was care.  I have a granddaughter Brooke, that has been successfully treated for this condition but the treatment has to start young.   But now, because of no care, this young man was mostly blind.

How thankful we should be for small blessings such as where we live or are raised. As I watched this young man, big smile on his face, maneuver his way around a large room with many people, I admired his courage and thanked my Heavenly Father for the care my little Brooke has received.

Numbers

August 29, 2015

We are not about numbers.  When we arrived in Mexico City, we felt our mission had been so focused on the "number of baptisms" that all other things such as obedience and true growth of the church had been over looked.  We wanted the missionaries to find converts that were truly looking for a change to a better life.  The number of baptisms was not nearly as important as changing the life of a person and bringing them closer to God.

Unfortunately numbers have to be used to measure progress and achievement.  Parents want to see numbers from their children's teachers.  Knowledge is measured by numbers.  I am a person who built a successful career out of numbers and what they mean.

So with caution, and with great respect for my missionaries, I was excited to see that out of 35 missions in Mexico, we are #8 in the number of baptisms year to date. That speaks to the hard work of our 170 missionaries!  Now that we have had our 5 minutes of fame, we can get back to work.

P.S. I won't be sharing this information around the mission to much....it's that "focus" thing.

A visit from an apostle.....really!!

August 26, 2015

A visit from an apostle..really?  Keith was surprised when that call came from the states.  There are over 400 missions in the world.  There are only 12 apostles, and some of them are not in good enough health for travel.  What are the odds of our little mission getting selected?

And yet we were.  For two weeks we prepared.  The missionaries were given reading assignments.  The church was given special attention by church maintenance.  Missionaries were told to arrive one hour early, fasting and ready to be feed by the spirit.  We even took a few minutes of that hour to "practice" a quick mission photo in case there was time.  And then we waited, listened to music, and prepared ourselves.

Elder Christofferson was worth the preparations.  A beautiful musical number by seven of our missionaries set the stage for 90 minutes of learning.  He took questions and turned them into sermons.  He used scriptures to further our understanding.  He shook everyone's hand and spoke with great kindness and insight.  And when there was just 6 minutes left before he had to leave for another speaking appointment, our "practiced" missionaries got the cherished picture of all of us together.

Many of our missionaries have not even been in the same auditorium or city as an apostle of The Lord Jesus Christ.  This day left a lasting impression!

Simply stated, it is not of this world.

August 10, 2015

When this whole missionary adventure began in October 2013, I was saddened to read that the Mexico City temple would be closing in January 2014 for renovations.  The temple is very important to us Mormons.  It allows us deeper commitments to our Heavenly Father.  It also brings such blessings.

Even though I was sad, I knew we would be in Mexico City for the Open House and re-dedication of the temple scheduled for the summer of 2015. Having helped at the Open House of the Sacramento temple, I knew how exciting it would be!  I also hoped that some of our missionaries would be able to help.

The day has come!  Our sweet 17 sister missionaries will serve as greeters, showing the intro video, and answering questions in the reception area.  We have been practicing.  Today was the final training and tonight it opens for VIP's.  The sisters were told that they are the face of the church.  They will be watched and some life changing decisions may begin because of them.

Our little group of 19 (counting Keith and I) were the first group taken on the tour this morning.  Our tour leader was Elder De Hoys of the First Quorum of the Seventy.  As we walked through those sacred doors I was overcome.  Tears filled my eyes and I even made several small gasps as the spirit within those walls filled my heart.  The temple is exquisite, filled with crystal chandeliers and beautiful paintings of Christ.  Each room further confirmed my testimony of the existence of my Heavenly Father and His son, my brother, Jesus Christ.  No wonder we love the temple so much. Simply stated, it is not of this world.

Our sweet sisters saw the baptismal font, ordinance rooms, the Celestial room, rooms for the sealing of families and of course the bridal dressing room.  Tears flowed freely, many hugs were given, and we all walked out with our spirits celebrating.  What a blessing temples have been to my family and what a blessing this temple will be to Mexico City.