Following the Prophet Matters

Following the Prophet Matters

This really wonderful week was topped by our trip to San Antonio to hear (and see from a distance and on-screen) the Prophet! We were staying less than a mile from the Alamodome, so we were able to walk alongside other Saints who had gathered from around Texas with their sweet families. Almost 24,000 filled the arena, with Laurels and priests on the floor closest to the Prophet. Through a tender mercy we arrived at the same time as other senior missionaries from McAllen and were able to sit together. We waited nearly two hours for the devotional to begin, so it was a blessing to share it with the Hunts and the Hunsakers (who were on their way home to Washington state). The other amazing blessing was that I got a text in the Dome from my cousin Susan, who lives in Austin, asking if we were in attendance. She asked where we were, and I replied, “Section 138.” She quickly messaged back that they were in Section 137, and we could see them when they stood. We moved into the foyer so that we could chat for a few minutes while people streamed into the meeting. It was a sweet blessing! Besides the beautiful choir music and the six absolutely stellar, inspirational talks, we were entranced by the sweet young fathers walking their babies and the patient young mothers wrestling with young children in the early evening of a long Sabbath day. Talks by Sister and Elder Ochoa, Sister and Elder Bednar, and Sister and President Nelson were faith-promoting! We were grateful to be able to walk back to the hotel and avoid the shuttles, the parking, and the traffic leaving the event.

 Monday afternoon, following an expensive trip to Costco, we picked up Cameron at the airport. If you see the picture, be sure to notice the Christmasy, San Antonio-style wallpaper behind him. The “300” refers to the 300th anniversary of San Antonio. We are thrilled to have him here an. d excited to pick up Jill at the Laredo airport in a couple of hours. While I write this, Jim and Cam are laughing their way through game after game of UNO. I have a feeling that Cameron is winning handily time after time. Cam was able to go with us to District meeting today, where the missionaries warmly welcomed him and had him give the opening prayer. He also got to go to lunch with Idalia and Elsa, the investigators Jim is helping to teach.

The story of Idalia and Elsa is a sweet and inspirational story. Since Idalia is on dialysis and needs assistance, especially on those days, and Elsa is here from across the border because her husband is in a care facility, they met and became helpers to each other to meet their needs. They read the Book of Mormon to each other, marking and studying as they find answers to their prayers. Both have committed to baptism on Dec. 8. Join us in praying for them to be well enough to enter the waters and make the covenant. They are both very excited to have found the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Thursday we had a beautiful Thanksgiving dinner with other senior couples, Presidente and Hermana Torres, and McAllen missionaries in McAllen. We took some of our “keto” holiday favorites to share. It was such a great day! President Torres and Elder Valdez (who is 83!) sang some traditional Latino songs. I’ll post the short video. Finally we sat around in a circle to give expressions of thankfulness, and then had more pictures taken. We shared the five hours on the road with our friends Elder and Sister Shaw. It is always a blessing to be with them.

We are thankful to be here, in Laredo, in the Texas McAllen Mission, to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. We feel the urgency to share the “mensajes” and strengthen each other as Laredo becomes a stake, and we all prepare for the Savior to come again. We are thankful for our amazing seven children and 25 “nietos.” We have a blessed life! Thanks to all of you for your love, support, and prayers. Have  wonderful day of gratitude on Thursday. Feel God’s love and know that we are praying for you and thanking Him for you in our lives.