I am considering Jim’s birthday video as last week’s post, but I want to go back to fast Sunday and share a little story about Jackie. Jackie was sustained as assistant ward chorister that Sunday in 1st Ward. It brought tears to Jim’s eyes because we love Jackie, a young adult who has Down Syndrome. We have shared stories about her before—watching her lead the singing with heart and power, eyes toward heaven and arms outstretched. That day Jackie bore her testimony, and that is really something as she often uses sign language and might be considered non-verbal. Like Cameron used to do, she read her testimony. Even though we couldn’t understand many of her words, we did understand their spirit. As she came back into the congregation, she stopped at our row and threw her arms around me. So sweet! Our hearts were connected through the spirit. It was a special moment for us, though it made us miss Cameron. We were sure he was bearing testimony at our home ward as he does every month.
Jackie has a fabulous mother (and father) who also bore her testimony that Sunday. She told how thankful she is that Heavenly Father sent her this beautiful, smart, sweet girl. Mom served a mission as a young adult, speaks two languages, and became a mother later in life. We come to know so many inspiring people here!
It is interesting to see how the Lord sends some very special people to Laredo at this time to strengthen the saints and inspire us all. This last Sunday a young couple spoke in the 4th Ward and told the story of how they came to move to Laredo. They recently moved from Washington, D.C., with a new job assignment as an attorney for the U.S. government. At the same time they were devastated by her mother’s diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s and a 20-week miscarriage. (The road is never easy, right?!) When they got here, they found themselves in an expensive move with no paycheck because of the government shutdown. Their talks were absolutely great reminders of Elder Holland’s counsel to “Keep trying. Keep trusting. Keep believing. Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow, and forever.” One reason these talks had such an impact was that they were the second couple to speak in the same circumstance! Another couple also came for his job as a government attorney. They also had faced difficult trials, arriving here at the same time as the government shutdown. These two faithful couples assured us that they were strengthened through the hard times. I am sure that they (along with couples who were brought here to work different jobs, play basketball for TAMIU, start a pediatric dental practice, work for border patrol, etc.) were brought here for reasons they might not even recognize yet. It is our testimony also that WE are here because the Lord sent us here to Laredo for His specific reasons.
Saturday we were blessed to be at the baptism of a young family the Sisters had been teaching. It was so exciting to see Jodie and three of her children covenant in the waters of baptism. Her husband should soon follow. I couldn’t figure out why her 9-year-old daughter was crying and grumpy, but Mom later explained that Nicole was upset that the baptism jumpsuit was so ugly! She was much happier to be confirmed on Sunday in a sequined, sparkly sea-green dress. Girls! You gotta love ‘em.
We love our calling to teach! The real work is the hours of preparation every day, but the payoff is grand! Our seminary students are such a blessing! They work hard to learn and love the gospel. Everyday the young men leave us with a smile and a handshake, and the girls embrace us with that hug and cheek kiss that belong to the culture of this warm, loving people. (They don’t hug Jim—it’s a handshake for him.) We love them all so much! Each week we leave Institute with full hearts, professing what marvelous young adults bless the Laredo Stake. Our beloved Ingrid is the new YSA president. Elias is a new Elders’ Quorum president in his ward. All of the others have callings, even the newly-baptized. They are leaders and teachers in the Church, and we love them for their faith and service. This is God’s true church. His gospel is the good news the world craves. We are here to help build the kingdom and gather Israel. If this is the time for you, volunteer to be part of this great work! Senior missionaries are needed everywhere. Come and be blessed!
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