Thanks Giving

Relief Society was really good Sunday. In fact, all our meetings were quite remarkable. The main theme that ran through out all our Sunday meetings was GRATITUDE.

I love the discussion part of our RS lesson because I learn so much from these good sisters. One sister remarked she had hit bottom in her life due to death in the family, loss of a job, and health issues and was in the throws of deep dark despair and had to seek medical help. 

After her exam and while waiting for the doctor to return to make out an RX the nurse gave her a remarkable piece of advice. The RS sister said it was too simple but it leaded to her getting better. It is this: “Before your feet hit the floor in the morning think of two things you are grateful for and then get on your knees and thank God.” Our sweet RS sister testified that that one simple procedure helped her get better and continues to help her today.

Another RS sister shared that every Sunday morning and evening during her personal prayers she never asks for any thing. Her prayers are only on giving thanks to Heavenly Father for her blessings. She also said her Sunday prayers are the longest and sweetest prayers of the week. A third sister reminded us that we must be specific in what we thank Him for.

This morning while reading in Luke 17: 12-19 the story of the 10 Lepers was unfolded to me. Vs 19 the grateful leper upon returning to Christ to thank him is also forgiven of his sins because of his faith and gratitude!

I am grateful for these dear sisters for sharing these reminders with me about being more grateful and for Luke recording the tender story of the 10 Lepers and Christ. I too want to become whole inside and out.

Mom

Road Kill and Fishies

Hello family,

Last week while you were freezing we had a reprieve with 70° weather. It was a real blessing due to the car inspections taking place. Dad inspected 75 cars in two days. I was allowed to help him one of the days and it was great to be out in the sunshine and in Levis! Yahoo!!!

Our latest mission car crash took place way out in the country. The elders did exchanges and a Jr. Companion called and asked permission to be the driver for the day. Elder Earl Okayed it and warned him to use caution since it was his first time driving on the roads out here. Long story short he took a curve too fast on a gravel road, jumped the ditch and ran the front corner of the car into the embankment. He called and told your dad it only broke the one light and everything else looked OK.

The quote to fix it came back at $2000. It was an expensive driving lesson!

We have a new little sister in our mission. She is 4’ 8” high. She is as cute as a button. She told President Jensen she passes out when she sees blood or gore. She can’t watch scary movies or hear scary music.  President is pretty worried about her. We are in prime “road kill” season right now. Every morning there is something new squished on the road from the night before . . . deer, possum, raccoon, skunk, and things I don’t even recognize.  We are praying she doesn’t see it!

One of our speakers today at Stake Conference was a new convert. He gave a powerful testimony and had such a fun sense of humor. He and his wife are both deaf. A dear sister translated while he signed. What a beautiful language sign language is. It was proof the spirit knows no boundaries.

We are expecting quite a wonderful group of 15 missionaries the 8^th of December. I have had lots of visits with them on the phone the past two months getting their paperwork straight and answering questions. One Elder by the name of Asher from Texas is so excited to come. He wanted to know if it really gets as cold out in Ohio as they say. I asked him if he had ever been out West in the winter and he said, “NO.” I told him to bring a warm coat!

Another Elder from Rupert enters the MTC the same day as his parents. The parents’ old Stake president has been called as a mission president and asked them to serve with him. They will go for 23 months and get home just before their son returns. Pretty neat plan!

While studying Chapter 8 in Mark I learned something:

In this chapter the Lord blesses the 7 loaves of bread and a few fish. After pondering the story I realized the bread and fish represent our individual talents. Before Christ served the people he blessed the bread and the fish.

Each of us is blessed with talents. Most of the time we think they aren’t of much value compared to others’ talents. Our Savior just asks us to use what we have and go out and use those talents to serve others and give our all. At the end of our lives our talents will be greater than at the first (like the left over baskets of food): more character, more virtue, more compassion, more charity, more substance to our lives. When I think of older people who have spent their lives giving and using their talents, Tess Peck and Grandma Earl come to mind. What wonderful examples to us.

May we all use what loaves/fish the Lord has given us no matter the size or shape. He knows what to do with them. May the Lord keep you all safely in his arms this week.

Love to all,

Your missionary mom and dad

PS Thanks for all your prayers