We had some wonderful training, a big focus was on elevating baptism in the minds of our missionaries. Much of the training was pretty specific to missionaries, but there were several inspirational stories that apply to all of us. One was told by Elder Pingree. He talked about raising the vision of our missionaries to turn to the Savior. He told a story of a Sister missionary that came to their mission in Houston. She was a convert of just one year and had suffered every kind of physical and emotional abuse you could imagine before joining the church. When she came into the mission she told him her history and then said “The Savior has got me this far, I know he can help me get through this mission” Every week her letter to him would start out this way: “This week Jesus Christ and his atonement helped me to…” and then she would go on to say how Jesus had helped her that week. She ended up being a powerful and effective missionary because she knew who to turn to as her source of help and strength.
Whatever our calling or circumstances, we know the source of our strength and how we can continue doing the work to which we have been called. It is through our Savior Jesus Christ. It seems simple, and it should be, but we just need to place the Savior at heart of all we do. We need to give him our hearts and our will and a little bit of our effort and He can transform us into all He knows we can be.
We got to LA a few hours before we had our first dinner together on Thursday night. We stayed in a hotel close to the airport and all of our meetings and our dinners were right at the hotel, so we figured if we had a few hours we should get out to the hotel that we would be in for the next few days. We got an uber and took a short ride to Manhattan Beach. We got sandwiches from a local baker and took them down to the pier to eat lunch.
It was a beautiful day, but the beach in missionary clothes is not quite the same as being there on vacation. We also realized we don't really know what to do with a few unscheduled hours. We finished lunch and watched some people play volleyball for a bit, then walked out to the end of the pier. We were going to walk around the town but most of the shops were beachwear stores, which we have no need or interest in at this point. After a few minutes of aimlessly walking around, we both looked at each other and decided to go back to the hotel and get some work done. We have turned very boring, or at least very focused!
Our son Ethan got engaged the Friday night that we were in LA. That was kind of hard to miss, but we couldn't be more thrilled to be getting another daughter. We love Camee so much are are so happy she is going to be in our family.
Luckily he had a break in between school and his summer internship and so he was able to come to Sacramento on Sunday morning and spend a week with us. We got a little wedding shopping and planning done, and it was great to have him here. He flew in on Sunday morning and we had to speak in Stake Conference in the Folsom Stake, so Elder Gunnell went to pick him up for us and brought him to the Stake Conference. Prior to the Sunday general session of Conference they had a New Member/Investigator meeting. It was for friends looking into the church and those who had been recently baptized. It was an incredible meeting, and was one of those times when the reason we are here is glaringly clear. As we looked into the faces of those who have recently joined and listened to their testimonies one thing was consistent between them all, and that was joy. I have never been a very good member missionary because I have always been nervous to impose on people. The new perspective I have gained since being here is that we have a precious gift to give to people, it makes their lives better. I think sometimes we don't understand the magnitude of the message we have to share, the value of that message that enables people to better their lives and make them happier. It was incredibly touching.
Then in the general session of conference a recent convert who happens to live in our ward and has become a sweet friend spoke just before we did. She told of her life, and was very honest. She told of coming from a very disfunctional family, and how she struggled to pull herself up and out of that environment. She became a teacher and always admired the Mormon kids she taught and their moms. She was always drawn to them, and was never surprised when they finally admitted they were Mormons. She wondered why they kept that to themselves. She wondered how her life would have been different had someone invited her earlier in her life. She wondered if she would be accepted based on her past and her background. She told of the joy the gospel had brought into her life. Then she said something I will never forget. She said "please don't be afraid to share the gospel and to cast a wide net to catch people like me". We felt honored to say a few words after she spoke. We almost didn't even need to say anything after Nancy became the example of why we should open our mouths and share what we have with others who really, really need and want something better in their lives.
We were also able to have a sweet experience at the temple this week with another amazing lady. Sisters Lund, Tatafu and Mitchell asked us if we would be willing to meet them and their friend, Tish, who is getting baptized this coming Saturday. Tish is another amazing woman. She told us of her journey that began with her son marrying a Mormon girl and joining the church. She had grown up without a mother and knew some Mormons, but unfortunately didn't have a great experience with them. She felt very judged, because in the day people were suspicious of what happened in a home without a mother and so therefore, many mormon kids weren't allowed to play with her. After childhood experiences like that, I was surprised at her open attitude and the forgiveness she had, completely understanding the reasons for being shunned. Anyway, her son had invited her to dinner with the missionaries and she loved their message. She didn't even know who those missionaries were who gave an inspirational dinner message that pricked something in her. (We later learned it was Elders Woodward and Anderson). She started meeting with the sisters in her ward and was like a sponge. She made connections with the ladies in her ward who welcomed her with open arms. She made the comment that she loved being involved in service. There is a family who has a child in a hospital in San Francisco and they are taking in dinners. She was so grateful for the opportunity to chop vegetables and help with dinners. It made me think that I have grown up taking dinners to people, I don't think a thing about it, but people outside of the church also have desires to serve, to minister, but don't have the vehicle set in place like we do in the church to know how to do it. That really impressed her. She will be an amazing member and asset to the church. Again, I saw the joy that has come into her life because of the gospel. I am so grateful for the new perspective I have gained out here and hope to never lose that.
At the temple with Tish and the Sisters. We were taking Ethan to the airport right after the temple and so we had to snap a photo with our boys as well.
We had to say goodbye to another wonderful Senior Couple. Elder and Sister Gukeisen have worked as MLS missionaries in the Cordova Stake and have been the means of doing so much good for the ward members and the missionaries they have served around. They kind of become the missionaries' go to when they need some extra help and they have loved that. They will be missed.
Preston was able to come into town on Wednesday morning. We felt blessed to have two days with both of the boys here. It might be the last time it's just the four of us so we really made the most of it. Especially since it was Scott's birthday this weekend as well. We kind of celebrated all weekend. We went out to dinner on Thursday night before Ethan had to go back to Utah.
Saturday was his actual birthday and we were able to go to the Midtown Farmer's Market where there is a booth with Argentine Empanadas that we love. We also got THE most delicious local strawberries. If you haven't had a Sacramento strawberry, you haven't had a strawberry!!!
We had a traditional Argentine dinner today for his birthday. It was fun to have Elders Murphy, Forte, Yorgasen, Ravsten and Nelson, along with Elder and Sister Gunnell come to celebrate his birthday with us. It was all pretty traditional Argentine food, (an homage to his mission) besides the coconut cake that is his favorite.
We spent a fair amount of time last week getting ready for transfers, which start tomorrow. We get 3 new missionaries in tomorrow and send 3 home on Wednesday. Tuesday is transfer day and this is a big moving day. It seems like some of them are bigger than others, but we planned with the next few months in mind. We lose about 25 missionaries between the June and July transfers and will be getting 50 from the Modesto mission the first of July. We wanted to get everyone in place as much as possible as we look ahead to those big changes that are coming. We are excited to welcome all of the new ones we will be getting tomorrow and throughout the summer.
Actually, I am going to finish up with a scripture I have been studying as we have been focusing on the Christlike Attribute of Patience for the past few weeks. It's the Lord's instructions to the Sons of Mosiah prior to their leaving on their missions.
"...yet, ye shall be patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good examples unto them in me, and I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls."
I love in the scriptures how the Lord always gives his counsel/commandment, the reason for it, and then the blessing. This is not easy work, and oftentimes takes much patience, but the blessing of being an instrument in the hands of God unto the salvation of many souls is a blessing I have been eye witness to and for which I will be forever grateful.
