What a blessed, wonderful week we have had! We picked up Cameron at the San Antonio airport on Monday and drove back to Laredo. On Tuesday we took him with us to District Meeting, and he was asked to give the prayer. All the elders and sisters made a big fuss over him, and Cameron was thrilled to meet the missionaries here. Jim took him and went to lunch with Idalia and Elsa, who also thought he was the bees’ knees. Cameron loved their soup and again was asked to pray. Late on Tuesday we picked up Jill at the Laredo airport. The best thing about the week was to have Jill and Cameron with us!
Wednesday was sight-seeing day in Laredo, and we were shocked to see the new razor wire all along the river as well as extra border patrol and police. Every store and parking lot in the city was packed in preparation for the holiday season. I hate lines! We did not do much shopping except for last-minute dinner supplies for Thanksgiving.
We were happy to welcome four young elders for Thanksgiving dinner! Because we eat a very strict diet to control Jim’s diabetes, other ailments, and weight, we hoped they would like what we had fixed for our sugar-free, grain-free, fruit-free meal. The ketogenic food was a big hit because, luckily, we CAN eat whipped cream, butter, nuts, and our own style of rolls, sauces, and desserts. We counted our blessings again and again during the week. It is especially wonderful to be here in Laredo, serving the Lord.
We spent Friday and Saturday in beautiful San Antonio. Sea World was absolutely magical—decked in millions of holiday lights with traditional Christmas music dancing on the air. The animals (particularly the whales, dolphins, and penguins!) were breath-taking. We really loved our visit there. We always love the River Walk by boat, the history lessons of the Alamo, AND the weather. We met a few families who stopped us because of our missionary badges to say “Hello” and ask how our mission was going. Cam and Jim met a man with his son who had Down Syndrome. They had a joyous visit.
At the hotel on Saturday we shared the elevator with a grandmother holding her young granddaughter. The woman asked us if we had been there for the weekend meeting (looking at our badges). We assured her that we had, thinking she meant President Nelson and company. As it turned out, she meant a world conference of some kind for Christians, mostly from India and that area of the world. She told us that she and her family were there because great-grandma had fallen and broken her neck. They had gathered with her at the hospital and taken 5-generation pictures. Then she told us that the great-grandmother was Sophie, and would we please pray for her? And please pray that she will find Jesus so she won’t meet her Maker without faith. So, we added them all to our prayers this week. The power of a badge with Christ’s name on it!
Idalia and Elsa are still on-track for baptism on Dec. 8. Elsa has asked Jim to do the baptism, so he is learning the baptism prayer in Spanish—since she doesn’t speak English. This weekend is the long-awaited formation of the Laredo Stake! We are truly grateful to be here for this historic day. The Lord blesses us to be able to get up at 4:30 every morning and begin our day in prayer, scriptures, and lessons with our seminary students. Every day is filled with spiritual blessings. Please continue to pray for us and the people of Laredo. We love you all very much. See you soon for Christmas and Colton’s wedding.
No comments:
Post a Comment