Last week we (Jim, Cameron, and I) finished the Book of Mormon for the first time this year. The last time we finished it together was 12.29.18. Although we try to finish it 1-2 times every year for the last 45 years, doing it with Cameron by way of phone or Facebook is a very special experience. We immediately started again in I Nephi. Maybe it is age, experience, or life’s context, but we learn more each time we read. It is miraculous to me that we see within its pages counsel for our world this very day, even though we have read the same words over 60 times without “seeing” today’s counsel. It is truly a book of truth, preserved for us in these times. We also LOVE studying the New Testament almost every day as part of the “Come, Follow Me” program. With about eleven months left in our mission, we are grateful for the call to teach the Four Gospels again to seminary and institute (through December) and to teach the Book of Mormon, beginning in January of 2020. The scriptures are a great blessing and comfort to us. Cameron thanks Heavenly Father for the blessings of scriptures and the temple every time he prays. Maybe the rest of us need to be as grateful as he is!
On fast and testimony Sundays we usually attend Spanish wards because that is where our seminary students are, and we love to hear their faithful testimonies. Last Sunday, however, I was needed in the 1st Ward to play the organ for sacrament meeting, so we attended the two English-speaking wards. Though I grumbled a bit about missing our spiritual feast, we hurried from one building to the other so we could fill my assignment. Maybe it was because we didn’t have to exhaust ourselves trying to understand Spanish, but spiritual blessings flowed in the many testimonies that were shared. We were both overcome by the fervent, sweet witnesses that were born and wish we could recapture it for you. A couple of people had recently returned to activity in the Church. Powerful. That is a great work that missionaries are doing here—finding those ready to return. Another was a primary boy who told about his prayers to know if what he was doing was right. He was not getting an answer until his father told him, “It’s not how many times you pray; it’s how you pray.” He then received the confirmation, “Yes, it is right.” His dad then bore his testimony, adding to the blessings of the meeting. Every testimony touched our hearts and strengthened us.
We went to three baptisms on Sunday. Two were sons of a re-activated mom (again!) and one was a 17-year-old whose grandmother is a member. People here are humble and teachable. They find such joy in the gospel of Jesus Christ!
#4–The BEST Toy Story ever!
We would encourage EVERYONE to read INSIGHTS by Sheri Dew. It is about President Russell M. Nelson and his part in building the worldwide church. We just read the story of the attack in Mozambique and the miracles that accompanied it. We also loved the stories of how the Church came to Russia, China, Poland (Ashton!), and other places on the globe.
Friday we got to meet our new mission president and his family, Presidente Ocampo. Like Presidente Torres, Presidente Ocampo is from Honduras and is in his early 40s. His wife is a former teacher. They both speak English well and both graduated from BYU. Each family has four children and their oldest sons are serving missions in Brazil. Pres. Ocampo insists that all missionaries use Spanish all the time (except the couples—he says he will be more lenient with us).
We were able to go to the San Antonio Temple last Wednesday. That is always a spiritual blessing for us. We love you all! We will be home for a weekend when Emma gets baptized on August 31. It will be a quick trip, and we will probably fly back on Monday, Labor Day, our 47th anniversary, and Macie’s birthday. So grateful for you all and the spiritual blessings of serving in the Texas McAllen Mission!
No comments:
Post a Comment