TMM Connections Matter

Matters of Fiasco 10.01.19

When we met two weekends ago with senior couples in McAllen, we made arrangement with the Thompsons (who teach institute in Corpus Cristi) to join them in Corpus on Friday night for a theater production of the musical Matilda. At the veterans’ memorial with the wind blowing and the sunset glowing, Jim made arrangements online for tickets. Or so he thought! Through last week he repeatedly asked me to remind him to print the tickets. We left it until Friday morning after seminary, and Jim tried and tried to print the tickets. He is a little technology-challenged, so I finally took the computer and coaxed the new printer into action. When I picked up the tickets from the printer, however, alarms started going off in my head. What??!!?? The tickets were to see a Broadway touring company production of Matilda in WILMINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA! Jim called the ticket company, but they stood firm on their “no refund/treat these like cash” policy. Jim was crushed but seemed willing to lose the $160. He contacted Thompsons to tell them that we would not be able to come and explained the ticket fiasco. I was not so willing to lose the money (duh!!)and insisted that he call American Express where he had charged the tickets to see if they could/would do anything to help us. They were great! The charge was removed. Thompsons called, saying to please come anyway because they would call (the HARBOR PLAYHOUSE in Corpus Cristi!!!!!) and get tickets. So, we went and enjoyed a community-theater production of the Ronald Dahl story.

The couples retreat was also wonderful as we listened to counsel from Presidente and Hermana Ocampo AND Elder and Sister Katcher. We had a chance to talk with Elder Katcher at dinner. I thought I remembered him from three years ago in Ankara, Turkey, as he spoke to Sean’s little ward conference. It was he! I had been so impressed with his talk about the Lord’s work. He said, “You may think it was your job that brought you here, but it was not. It was the hand of the Lord that brought you to Ankara, Turkey, and it was with the purpose of doing His work.” There are always connections in the Church!

We had four more baptisms this last Saturday in Laredo. One was Lucy, who enthusiastically accepted the gospel and was taught over the past three weeks by the young elders and Elder Flanagan. At church on Sunday it was easy to see more blessings ahead. Second Ward (Spanish) had twenty investigators there who are being taught by the missionaries! Today is transfer day, and we are losing about half of our young missionaries. Some elders (4) called yesterday and wanted to have lunch with us before they go. Elder Flanagan is kind of their hero (and cook), so he fixed them a good spaghetti dinner. Tomorrow we will do Waffle Wednesday to welcome the newbies. We love working with the young missionaries! They are amazing.

We love teaching every day! We love our students! We miss you all and autumn in Utah. Jim had to see a chiropractor for tingling in his arm and had his first chiro-adjustment yesterday. He probably has 18 more bone-crunching treatments. His numbers are all out of whack today, so include him in your prayers. We are in a cool snap—only 98 degrees yesterday! We love you all. You are in every prayer—and we pray a lot!