Our New Normal

We have just finished our fourth full week in self isolation, or what I like to call 'working from home'.  That just sounds better. Self isolation is actually a terrible term if you think about it, and quarantine isn't much better.  We have kind of settled in to our new normal. I think (hope) the constant, every hour something changes, time is past and we are now just doing work in a different, but good way.  

Our missionaries are remarkable. We are so proud of them. Everyday they are out there swinging.  They are making Facebook posts to try to find friends, they are calling everyone they know to set up lessons, they are tracking down formers, and teaching people from home.  One darling sister said 'The world is now our area'.  We feel so inspired by them and if we start getting discouraged about this or that, we just have to have an interface with our missionaries and their bright, hopeful, happy attitudes are infectious. 

When this all started we had only done interviews with one zone. Then this all hit and we were swimming in deep water for a few weeks, just trying to keep our heads above water. And before we knew it, we had only two weeks before transfers and we had 10 zones to still interview.  Scott thought about doing them over video chat, but then I wouldn't be able to talk with them, plus I had a freezer full of cookies to deliver.  

We decided that, since they are allowed to go outside for walks every day, and since they haven't used any of their allotted miles on their cars because they don't go anywhere, and if we kept strict social distancing... we could have walking interviews with them at the Temple.  We got permission from the temple presidency to use the temple grounds to walk around and then we started walking.  

In order to get everyone in, we walked a lot!  We figured out our route and when each companionship would arrive at the temple, we had them stay in their cars until the prior companionship was back in their car, or at least at a good distance away.  We would meet with the companionship and say a prayer, then I would take one of them, and Scott would take the other one and we had a little figure 8 route we would go on.  We moved our Daily Devotionals that week to 6:00 p.m. so we had time to do all of the interviews.  

On Tuesday we had 20 interview with the El Dorado and East Sac Zones and we walked 7.5 miles, Wednesday was Cordova and Folsom, 24 interviews, and 8.5 miles. Thursday we did Stockton, 19 interviews, 8 miles. Friday was the hardest day because it was the warmest day, we didn't start until noon so they could have district council, we did 22 interviews and walked 9 miles and we were fasting, so no food or water.  Saturday we had two zones again. We had Elk Grove and Lodi, 26 interviews and 10 miles.  Sunday was Easter, it was great to be at the temple on Easter Sunday. We interviewed the Carmichael Zone of 14 and only walked 6.5 miles that day. Monday was P Day but we were back at it on Tuesday with the Manteca Zone, 16 missionaries and 7.2 miles.  From Tuesday to Tuesday we walked close to 60 miles and chatted with 141 missionaries.  We definitely earned our pillows that week, but it was so wonderful to actually see our missionaries face to face, even if we were 6 feet apart. As two of our sisters approached us one of the days, one of them said "I'm going to start crying, I can't believe we really get to see you in person."  I wanted to cry several times too.  It was so so good to be with them. 

It was good for all of our mental health.  The missionaries felt like they had broken out of jail to escape their apartments and drive. It is always wonderful for the soul to be at the temple, even if it is just walking the temple grounds.  It is sacred ground and you can definitely feel that.  On Monday, when we didn't go, after being there for the past 6 days, we felt a real sense of longing to be back at the temple.  Our missionaries are scheduled to attend the temple twice a year with their zones. This was the transfer they were scheduled to attend, and only one zone got to go before they closed the temple.  We told all of the missionaries that we had promised to get them to the temple this transfer. We thought we would get them inside, but this was the next best thing.  

These were some of our views from our home away from home for a week. 

We set up shop on this bench, where we met, then gave out cookies (notice how even our cookies were bagged individually to adhere to social distancing), we gave each missionary a pocket sized copy of The Infinite Atonement.  Every zone is having their own 'book club', reading a chapter or two and then getting together on zoom to discuss what they learned from that amazing book.  Also, Emily Belle Freeman so generously sent each sister a copy of her booklet 'Inklings' as a study guide. She has videos on Facebook that go along with the booklet and some of our sisters are also getting together over zoom to watch the videos and do their companionship studies on the priesthood.  We felt quite generous sending them away with so many great things this time.  

Our home away from home for a week

Elder Scholl and Elder Robbins wanted a picture with us at the temple, isn't it sad that this is the new norm for pictures? 

This was also the week before Easter, or Holy Week.  We had such a wonderful week with our missionaries and our family at home.  It was most definitely one of our most memorable. We wanted to study the final week of the Savior's life and each day focus on what he did on that day during his last week.  We sent out a reading schedule to all of our missionaries and every evening at 6:00 we would get home from walking, and get on zoom. We wanted to get our family involved and so we gave each of our kids/families a day to teach about that particular day; the Savior's teachings and activities and how to apply those teachings to our lives.  It was an amazing week.  We are so blessed that our kids could all join us and teach us. We learned much from each of them. All of our missionaries have commented on how much they loved that week, and how much they loved hearing from each of our kids. I believe they now love our family much more than they love us, and I don't blame them a bit.  They are much better than we are, and for that we are so grateful.  It was a wonderful Easter week and we felt so close to our Savior through the entire week.  It was also wonderful to have the worldwide fast fall during that week as well.  It was overwhelming to know that millions of people around the world, of all faiths, were uniting in faith and hope for healing. It will be a week we will hold in our hearts forever. 

Scott taught on Palm Sunday.

Bennett and Stacie taught on Monday and taught the parable of the Royal marriage, Ceasar's devotions, The Widow's mite and the two great commandments. And these darling grandchildren told them what Easter means to them. 

Alex and Allie took Tuesday and taught about Christ on the mount of Olives with his disciples teaching about false prophets who will try to deceive the very elect, signs of his second coming, and the parable of the Ten Virgins. Sweet Hannah started by singing a beautiful primary song.

Ethan and Camee took Wednesday, which is a pretty silent day in the scriptures. It's not super clear which parables were taught on which days, so they taught the parable of the talents, the parable of the sheep and the goats and the story of Simon and the woman who anointed the Savior's feet.

Preston lucked out and got Thursday, where so much happened.  He focused on The Last Supper, the commandment to love one another, the Holy Ghost as a comforter, the great intercessory prayer and Peter's experience on Thursday and his redemption in Acts. 

Mike and Andrea taught on Friday and these darling grandchildren bore their testimonies.  They taught about the stories behind the people who betrayed Jesus and those who loved Him, as well as the biology behind the crucifixion and his final moments. 

They all shared experiences from their lives and their own missions that were so applicable to our missionaries.  One of our sweet sisters said 'seeing your kids and seeing that they are living good lives based on the foundations they set on their missions, makes me want to go home and do the same.' We are most blessed and grateful for each of them.

I taught on Saturday about the feelings of the people who Christ left behind, and also of his visit to the Nephites and to the spirit world. Then Scott and I taught together on Easter Sunday. 

It was a really wonderful, sacred week for us. 

We had some other wonderful zoom devotionals and meetings this week.  On Monday we had a zoom FHE with our current and recently returned home senior missionaries. It was great to catch up with good friends, many of whom left too soon. 

Our Daily Devotionals this week have been wonderful. On Monday President Moser, a counselor in our mission presidency gave a great devotional about experiences from his mission and how those impacted the rest of his life. His stories were mesmerizing, and his message inspiring.

Wednesdays are reserved as Good News/Miracle Wednesdays where we get on and share our good news and the miracles and positive things that have happened during the week.  Everyone left with big smiles on their faces.  We love good news Wednesdays.

Thursday we were blessed to have Elder Jorg Klebingat, from our Area Presidency join us. He gave us great counsel and taught us how to memorize scriptures. 

On Friday, Sister Mair's brother and sister in law, President and Sister Gary and Julie Price joined us.  They are presiding over the mission in Liberia and he told the story of evacuating his entire mission in just 24 hours in February, the miracles that occurred then and since.  It was amazing.  Also, he used to work for the FBI and had an object lesson where his wife duct taped his wrists together and he broke out of it. How cool would it be to have your mission president as a former FBI agent? They were amazing.

Our Area Presidency, and then the missionary department have held a few zoom meetings with us, introducing a new online proselyting initiative using Facebook as a finding tool.  It's big and complicated and my head was about ready to explode after one of the two hour meetings.  Luckily, they had us call three companionships to be our social media specialists, who were also on the zoom meeting with us. We had the meeting one day last week, then left to go walking. By the time we got back home, these companionships had already set up Facebook pages, and they were all over it.  It made me breath a huge sigh of relief. These missionaries are so smart and savvy and we don't know what we would do without them.  Our social media specialists taught the devotional on Saturday and introduced the mission to the new directives we have received.  

Elder Hart and Elder Franz

Hermana Valdespino and Hermana Ashcroft

Sister Finck, Sister Davis and Sister Rawlings

And finally, we got our Mission Leadership Council together on Saturday afternoon for a one hour counsel meeting to discuss tweaking our daily schedule now that we have done this for a month. We made some minor adjustments and then asked and answered questions.  

One of the funniest things of the week happened at the end and after this zoom meeting. One of the Sisters asked if it was against the rules to get fast food. We were surprised at the question because it is totally legal to still get fast food. When we told them if they had the budget for it, they could go get fast food occasionally for dinner.  You would have thought we told them they just won the lottery.  They are so good, that since they are supposed to stay inside besides taking their walks, they thought getting in their cars to go get fast food was also against the rules.  They were thrilled out of their minds.  Hermana Johnson and Hermana Perez sent us a text about an hour later of them holding a fast food bag with huge smiles.  

Scott then put a message out on our council group messenger chat later that night asking if anyone besides Hermana Johnson and Hermana Perez had gotten fast food for dinner.  We got the following pictures along with about 15 other messages telling us where they all went for dinner. They are all so funny, we were laughing our heads off.  It was a very fun night.  Who knew letting missionaries out for fast food would be literally, the best news of their lives to this point.

I did have one first this week.  In all of our married life, and as the mother of three sons, I have never cut any of their hair, until this week.  Since barber shops are closed, and President needed a haircut in the worst way, we bought some scissors, I watched a few youtube videos on cutting men's hair, and I went to work.  I was pretty nervous to begin, but then I started to get the hang of it and it was actually pretty fun.  It took me an hour, my inexperience combined with my perfectionism didn't lend itself to a quick haircut. But in the end, I think I did a pretty good job.  He actually told me it is one of the best haircuts he's ever had, but he jokingly told me if I am going to make a living at it after we get home I may need to speed it up or I won't make very much per hour. ha ha.  Now I just wish he could return the favor and give me the cut and color I so desperately need. 

My first and best haircut

I feel like the only pictures I take anymore are of my computer screen, or scenery outdoors.  We spend so much of our time looking at a screen, it makes me crazy and I have to get outside, breath some fresh air and walk.  These are some pictures of the places I've been and the beautiful things I've seen.

I'm not sure if these are geese or ducks (my dad would be so disappointed in me right now), but whatever they were, this little family with all of their little babies waddling around made me smile.

 The following pictures are all from our very own yard. 

Last Tuesday after a 2 hour zoom meeting on social media and missionary work, the one where my head was ready to explode, followed by 6 1/2 miles of walking and talking, we got home, grabbed some dinner and I went out to take the garbage out.  The following pictures are of our side yard.  It is a small section of our yard between the garage and a fence, with a street, no neighbors on the other side of the fence.  No windows overlook this part of the yard and we only see it when we take the garbage out. Yet, Tuesday evening the beauty of it almost took my breath away.  Here is a section of our yard that is completely unnoticed, yet it is growing in all it's beauty and wonder.  It made me stop to think about how many times in my life have I totally overlooked the beautiful side yard moments in my life.  Being a missionary, or just a human being, during this coronavirus time could seem like a side yard moment.  A time when we are all feeling overlooked, tucked away out of sight, just waiting for life to begin again, to get back into the front yard and off again. But what an opportunity we have been given to, as my mom used to always say, 'bloom where you are planted'. We have all been tucked away in a sense and have been given an opportunity to bloom and grow into something so beautiful it might just take our breath away, if we just stand still for a moment and notice. I don't want to miss the beauty of this side yard moment. 

Self Isolation Sorrows and Blessings

After I finished my last post, I almost felt like an author, ending the chapter with a cliff hanger.  That wasn't my intention, I just realized if I kept going it would be the longest blog post in the history of blogging.  I meant to get back sooner, but it has taken a while for things to settle down into our new normal. 

On the evening on Tuesday, March 17, we began what we called Phase 2 or restricted activity.  That entailed basically no door knocking, no contacting face to face, no member visits or meals, no physical contact in any form, no face to face missionary gatherings with the exception of Sacrament Meeting, which we switched from a Zone to a District level to be in compliance with the no gatherings over 10 people mandate.  We pushed all other meetings to an online format, including lessons and finding.  And at this point we have now pushed even our Sacrament meetings to an online format. 

I won't go into every detail of that very long week, but suffice it to say, we continued to get more and more hard news to swallow.  We were told our senior couples who had all opted to stay, didn't have that option anymore. Only those who were critical to running the office and had no health issues were allowed to stay on.  We had to make calls and tell 5 amazingly consecrated couples, (one of whom was driving here from the MTC that very day) who had the greatest desire to serve, that their missions were over and they had to go home.  We didn't even get a chance to see any of them besides Elder and Sister Sumner before they left to go home.  How we love Elder and Sister Johnson, Elder and Sister Chen, Elder and Sister Phelps and Elder and Sister Sumner, and know we would have loved Elder and Sister Brooks had we gotten the opportunity to serve with them. I am going to sound like a broken record, but it broke our hearts to have them leave.  They were like our security net, and it had been taken away from us. We are so very grateful we get to keep Elder and Sister Mair, and Elder and Sister Bartlett.  We don't know how we would survive without them. 

Next heartbreak was learning that we were going to have to send home any missionaries who had health challenges that would put them in a compromised situation if they got the Coronavirus.  That was most difficult!  We thought telling 11 missionaries a few days before that their missions were cut short by 3 months was the hardest thing, but this may have been even more difficult.  However, I do think we were given a tender mercy with this whole experience, for which we were very grateful. 

We had a conference call with our Area President and the other Mission Presidents and wives in our area.  They kept talking about a list of missionaries with health challenges that we were supposed to look at and get sent home. The list was compiled by someone in the missionary department, after they looked over the medical section on their applications.  I feel for those in the missionary department, to do what they have done over the past few weeks is a herculean effort.  However, we hadn't gotten our list as of yet.  Most of the Mission Presidents on the call knew what they were talking about, but we did not.  Long story short, I think we slipped through the cracks for a few days, and when we finally got our list, we had a little more leeway than those who got their lists first.  

We had heard of missions sending between 35-60 missionaries home and we could hardly even process that.  I know those in foreign missions sent many more than that.  We have friends and family serving in other countries who sent 75-80% of their missionaries home, and I have the most love for them and compassion for what they had to do.  Scott and I often say we are wimps, and I have never been more happy to be a wimp in all my life.  I know the Lord sustains us all, because there is no way they could have done that without His help.  It was hard enough sending those we had to send home.  

It was a crazy weekend, once we got our list.  I immediately looked up the health history of each missionary on the list, made notes, checked it against the medical issues they have had since they have been in the field. Scott called our wonderful Area Medical Advisor to see what was a mandatory condition and where we had some leeway.  We were told some issues were non negotiable, but some were.  We gave him missionaries to look up and if he said there was no hope of keeping them Scott just called their Stake Presidents.  If we thought we had a chance of keeping them, he called them and then both he and I started calling their parents to get their input. We certainly didn't want to put anyone at risk, but we also didn't want to send anyone home who shouldn't have been on the list.  We worked for a couple of days, sent in our recommendations and waited to get word on who could stay and who had to leave.  

It was completely emotionally exhausting.  This is what I posted on our Missionary Parent Facebook page that describes how we felt at this time.  

"This has been the hardest week of our lives and we are so grateful for each of you. We can feel of your love and prayers and support.  These are difficult times for all of us.  Our greatest joy is sharing the gospel and working with your sons and daughters, whom we love with our whole hearts. 

We have cried buckets of tears as we had to inform 11 Elders that their missions were going to end early after they hit their 21 months. We thought that was the hardest thing we'd do.  Then we got word that our senior missionaries were to be sent home, besides two that can stay to keep the office afloat and the medical needs covered.  

And finally, we got word that the missionary department is looking at all of the health and emotional issues of young missionaries and taking steps to ensure they are kept safe. We will be getting word on their decisions in the coming days. Based on their decisions some will be sent home. We want you to know that our first inclination is to fight to keep all of them here. However, it is out of our hands and we are trying to practice what we preach and support inspired decisions that are being made for the safety and welfare of these dear young missionaries.  

The tears have not stopped and will not stop soon. But we are trying our best to move forward with faith and hope. We know there is purpose and that God in indeed in charge of this work. 

We will move forward and become stronger in the process. I have shared this favorite scripture of mine with our missionaries on so many occasions, but it has never been more relevant as it is now. 

'Therefore, dearly beloved brethren (and sisters) let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for His arm to be revealed.'  D&C 123:17"

On top of all of this, we got word that we had to start sending home many of our foreign missionaries.  We had to work quickly to figure out flights for several missionaries who were scheduled to go home at the end of April and their countries' borders were closing and flights were going to be cut or stopped altogether.  

During all of this, Ethan, Camee and Preston, drove over to cheer us up, and to escape their own self isolation for a few days.  I felt bad because we were pretty unavailable while they were here, but it was wonderful to have them here to at least eat dinner with and to have a little time with them.  They came on Thursday night, and left on Tuesday morning.  We did have a really special experience with them on Monday night.  We were feeling a very heavy load on Monday, Scott had called all of our medical releases and we got word that church travel was too overloaded and it was up to us to get flights for all of these missionaries that needed to get home.  I have to give SO. MUCH. THANKS. to Sister Mair and Sister Sumner in our office who worked tirelessly, not only getting their packets ready to go, but also booking flights, and rebooking cancelled flights I can't even tell you how many times.  They were amazing.  

But, Monday night it started getting to both of us. We were feeling very unequipped to carry the load.  Our sons, Ethan and Preston, asked us if we would like them to give us blessings. It was a sacred experience to have Ethan give Scott a blessing, and Preston give me one.  It is one of those parent paydays that will never be forgotten.  And, how wonderful is the priesthood and priesthood blessings. Almost immediately, we felt renewed strength and hope and knew we were here at this time for a reason, God knew this would happen at the end of our mission, and he knew we were equipped to navigate this challenge.  We were so grateful for their visit, that even though we were pretty unavailable to help them, they helped and ministered to us.  

We got out twice while they were here. Camee found a great little hike that the four of us went on one afternoon.  Since we have been here we have heard of a place called 'Mormon Island' where a lot of the members of the church who were part of the Mormon Battalion settled.  We didn't ever know where it was.  The first day we went on this hike, we met some members there and started a conversation. They told us we were at Mormon Island.  It was fun that we stumbled upon a place on my bucket list without even knowing it. We loved it so much we took Scott back with us the next day.  It felt wonderful to get away from our screens and out of our house to get outside and enjoy some beautiful fresh air and a beautiful place.  

This is our attempt at social distancing

For many of our friends around the world sending missionaries home, they sent so many all at once which would have been so extremely difficult.  For us, it was like a long, slow leak, we just kept seeing them roll out of here, one by one, or a few at a time.  They just kept going. We had about 10 trips to the airport in about 9 days.  And it broke our hearts each and every time. 

We had a new banner that we were going to have all of our currently serving missionaries sign when we leave the mission, but times are different and so we took the new banner to the office and had everyone leaving sign the new one.  

Within 12 days we said goodbye to the following missionaries

 Sister Weckesser to Canada                                                Elder Honey

            Elder Cody                                                                  Elder Barr back to Australia

 I can't tell you how many times we have been to the airport and have never seen this many spots available. The parking garage was empty and quite eerie. 

 We sent a large group of 11 home in one day. This was our attempt at social distancing, and also to record the cause of these great missionaries going home.  We had a zoom call with them the night before they left where Scott gave them parting advice and I tried, but cried through most of it. 

The next morning, I thought it would be ok, because we had lots to do.  We got them all to the church, had them sign our banner and our mission scriptures. I gave them all their birthday gift and their interview cookies and we were heading to the airport when they called us into a room. Sister Fifita said they had something for us, and they all started singing God Be With You Til We Meet Again.  Just when I thought I was done crying.  It was a tender moment that we will never forget. 

 Elder Hobbs and Sister Roberts were on different flights, but we did get pictures with these 9 that all left together. Social distancing pictures at the airport are just completely awkward!

  Elder Bonzo                                                                            Elder Bradt

          Elder Watson                                                                 Elder Larsen

           Elder Grant                                                                   Elder Sasser

            Elder Wells                                                                     Sister Fifita

        Sister Peters                                                                    Hermana Williams

           Sister Graham back to England

We thought we were sending Elder Geng back to China, he had several flights cancel and we thought this one was going to be the one to get him home.  We dropped him at the airport and sent him on his way one evening. We got a call from him around midnight that he couldn't board his flight in LA for reasons I won't go into.  Scott got church travel (bless their hearts) on the line and we were told he couldn't get in to China so they would just fly him back here.  He spent the night in the LAX airport and we picked him up the next morning.  His companions were happy to have him back after his little vacation in L.A.  

Sister Kim to Korea

We had two days last week where we had missionaries on 6 a.m. flights, which meant leaving our house about 3:30 to pick them up and get them to the airport.  The hardest part about that, and all of these goodbyes was not being able to hug these missionaries goodbye. 

Hermana Speas

Hermana Udall

                 

                                  During all of the goings, we did have one wonderful 'coming'. 

Hermana Smith was in the MTC for 2 weeks learning Spanish when they decided to clear it out.  She got to come here a bit sooner than she was planning. We were grateful to say hello in the middle of all of our goodbyes.

Elder and Sister Sumner (middle) stayed until all of our missionaries were safely on their way and then they left us as well.  

In the middle of all of this people moving we were trying to figure out how to keep the work moving forward and our missionaries engaged and happy, hopeful and focused on their missionary purpose. They have been using social media more than ever before and teaching as much as they can over social media.  We hope to keep their teaching skills sharp. I had some missionaries do video lessons with our kids at home who are also cooped up with their little ones and they loved it.  

We also started a Daily Devotional over zoom that we do every morning with the entire mission.  Scott and I have done some of them, but we are afraid they were going to  get bored of just hearing from us... 

and so we have had some wonderful friends step up and help us out.  It has been fun to share our missionaries with so many wonderful people. Our hearts have been so touched that people just want to help out any way they can. But, who wouldn't want to spend an hour sharing thoughts and looking at a screen full of bright, happy missionary faces?

 Brother and Sister Ron and Becky Craven

 Emily Belle Freeman and David Butler from the Don't Miss This podcast joined us to do a special video for missionaries.  Emily is the mom of our dear Hermana Freeman. 

My cute parents, Elder and Sister Sheldon and Joan Child

President and Sister Scott and Robin Kanzler

Brad and Shay Robins (from the singing group GENTRI)

 We bought all of our missionaries the book The Infinite Atonement by Elder Tad Callister so each zone could have a little book club discussion every week. Imagine our delight and gratitude when one of our missionaries called and told us she had a connection and could get Elder Callister and his wife to join us for one of our devotionals to teach us about the atonement of Jesus Christ. 

Elder and Sister Patrick and Jennifer Kearon

This coming week we are studying the last week of the Savior's life together and we are having our kids all take a day.  I'll post pictures of this week in my next blog.  

We also started a weekly institute class that we do on Wednesday afternoons.  Our daughter in law's dad, Stephen Clark is an institute teacher and graciously agreed to teach our class once a week.  It has been amazing. 

We have become quite proficient with Zoom Meetings.  Last week we held Zone Conferences Tuesday through Friday over zoom.  

This picture was one of our devotionals, but it is what we see every day, and it is what our zone conferences looked like.  

It's amazing that, although we can't gather in person, until now, we have rarely had our whole mission join together all at the same time. It has been a blessing to connect with them each day, and although it is through technology and isn't maybe as personal as we would prefer, it has been a wonderful blessing to all of us.  We all look forward to seeing each other every day, and have loved learning together.  I am SO grateful for the technology we have that allows us to move forward in this way. 

We've also been able to connect with our family through technology. We have been able to attend virtual primary for the past few weeks with our kids and grandkids. And we even had a virtual game night with our kids last Friday night. 

During this time I also had my birthday. I was so blessed to hear from friends from home, friends from here, and of course my wonderful family.  It was a beautiful day of connecting with those I love. 

However, It was a crazy time and both Scott and I forgot it was even my birthday until just a few days before.  There were no stores open and no time to online shop, and I don't need anything anyway, so I told him not to worry about anything.  But he gave me the best gift I could have ever asked for.  He got in touch with a few of our former missionaries and asked them to pass the word along that it was my birthday and he would like my phone to blow up with texts on my birthday.  I was overwhelmed with 100s of texts and messages from former and current missionaries.  A few of them had the idea to send out a call for video messages to me.  One sweet former sister compiled all of the video messages into one, and sent it to me.  There were the sweetest video messages from over 60 of our former missionaries telling me something they learned from me, and sent such heartfelt messages of love.  I was overwhelmed with such love, it was amazing.  About halfway through the day there was a knock on the door and a sweet sister from one of the wards here was standing at my door with hundreds of roses and a card that said 'Happy birthday from your missionaries around the world, those who no longer wear a name tag'.  Another sister had somehow gotten word to everyone to donate to the flower fund, and got ahold of this sister here to purchase and deliver them to me. To say I was overwhelmed was an understatement. I felt like I was in a movie!

I also had a knock on my door and opened it to these darling sisters who serve in Folsom. They practiced social distancing but sang happy birthday to me and left me flowers and chocolates, dark chocolate no less.  It doesn't get better than that!  They also heart attacked our door during all of this.  How we love them!

What a beautiful sight to open my door to these darling, smiley, happy faces!

I also got the sweetest gift ever from Sister Hamilton and Hermana Freeman.  In one of our devotionals I talked about Joshua and how he had to do things in a different way than had ever happened before.  He had to follow Moses, but was told to be of good courage, several times along with some other really great advice. Then I talked about how God told him to take the city of Jericho.  They circled the city, carrying the arc of the covenant, 1 time every day for 7 days. Then on the 7th day, they circled the city 7 times and then blew their horns and shouted and the walls fell down. They had never taken a city that way before, but they trusted in God, they had courage and they followed his commandments and saw miracles. We are no different. We are doing missionary work in a way we haven't had to in the past, but as we have courage and do it, we will see miracles in ways we haven't before.  

In the next devotional we did, I taught about the middle part of that story.  About how the Lord told Joshua, and Joshua told his people to 'sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you'.  As God was with Moses, he promised to be with Joshua and he doesn't fail to keep his promises.  Then God has them do something unusual.  The priests took the arc of the covenant and waded into the Jordan River. They were told to stand firm on dry ground. This was a story of covenant. And the waters parted, just like they did with Moses. The miracle wasn't of the magnitude it was when the Red Sea parted.  It was a river, not a sea, but it was the miracle they needed, and 2-3 million people walked across on dry ground.  

Joshua then had the head of each of the 12 tribes get a stone and put it on the spot where they had crossed over on dry ground. Joshua 4:21-24 are some of my favorite scriptures in the Old Testament, well, in besides all of my other favorites because I really love the Old Testament.  Anyway....  

"When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones? Then ye shall let your children know saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land. For the Lord your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over. That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty; they ye might fear the Lord your God forever." 

They placed stones in a place where miracles happened. They were to remember the miracles.  I told our missionaries that in time to come, their children may ask what it was like to be a coronavirus missionary, and we will tell them of the miracles that happened while we were here.  We need to look for and remember the miracles, because we worship the same God that parted the Red Sea and the Jordan River, and as we sanctify ourselves, stand firm on dry ground, keeping our covenants, and remember the miracles, we will be able to testify that we saw the hand of the Lord and that He is mighty. 

So, these two darling sisters, who are serving at the very bottom of the mission, got permission to go to, or through, all 11 of our zones, where they got out and collected a stone from each place, wrote the name of the place on the stone where they got the stone, and on the 12th stone wrote Cal Sac Mission with the Joshua scripture reference. They put them in a jar and left them for me with this note for my birthday.  

This gift meant more to me than I can ever say because when these are displayed in my home for years to come and someone asks me 'what mean these stones?' I will not remember the sorrows of the past few weeks, I will remember the miracles. I will remember how God carried us, I will remember how he parted the waters for miracles to happen, I will remember that the hand of the Lord is mighty. And I will be grateful.