As I mentioned in my last post from Hawaii, it was with mixed emotions that we boarded the plane in Honolulu on June 13 headed for the Salt Lake airport. We really enjoyed our mission and met some phenomenal people. We loved the work we were doing and the responsibilities that we were given. I really think that the people will miss us also, at least for a few weeks until they get used to the new missionary couples. Funny how that works. You work so hard to do things in a way that you hope people recognize your contribution. Then someone else steps in and all is well again and who knows, maybe we will be forgotten. I do think we left an impact on many, however.
When we stepped off the plane in SLC and got to the escalator, the whole family was there waiting for us complete with signs of welcoming. It was so good to see all the kids and grandkids waiting with happy smiles and hugs. That was the BEST! After collecting our luggage, we all went to Leatherby's for ice cream. It was tremendous.
We were officially released by the Stake President on the 14th of June. We told him about our mission and the impact it had on us and bore testimony.
Today, Sunday June 26, we met with the high council and reported our mission to them. Our opportunity to speak in sacrament meeting is July 17 and we get to share the meeting with Spencer as he prepares to serve his mission in Portugal. So excited for him.
Since we have been home we have purchased a truck, made a trip to Lehi to see Michelle's house and visit the boys, attended the Provo City Center temple and done some miscellaneous yard work here and there. I really haven't had to do much because Ryan and Allie had it in such good shape. I was really blessed in that respect. They are still living here but they do have a house under contract so I'm sure they will be glad to get into something bigger and their own again.
They had the other parts of the house under control too.
I will admit it has been a little hard getting back into the groove of things. I have been helping Hannah with some sewing. She is a good little seamstress. She is making aprons for her friends and herself. So cute!
Well, in keeping with the things I wrote about while on the mission, I think I will write a little about church meetings today. We had a missionary farewell for Elder Colton Wilden who leaves for Modesto CA. on Wednesday. He did a very good job and will be a great missionary. President and Sister Broadbent are also leaving on their 3rd mission to Africa. Evidently he will be a field representative for 131 mission presidents in Africa. Hard to believe that there are that many missions in that country. Both of them talked of missionary work and the importance of it. Such spiritual people. If I could only have a portion of their knowledge and ability to speak of the gospel, I would be happy. Well, I am happy but I would feel better about my level of knowledge.
In Relief Society we were given the lesson I think from the conference talks entitled "Feasting at the Lord's Table." I need to re-read the talk but in essence it was talking about rescuing the Lord's lost sheep. That parable from the Bible was referred to so I need to re-read that as well. We all know family or friends that for whatever reason, have elected to withdraw from the blessings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am sure this is concerning to Him since he wants us all to return to His presence and has given us the pathway to follow to get us there. I know it is concerning to me as well. I am so glad for the atoning sacrifice of His son, Jesus Christ. Through him, we have hope in our eternal progression IF our faith in our Heavenly Father is strong enough.
Here I go again. Off on a tangent. I will close for now and go read the things I mentioned earlier in this post.
Happy Sunday!!!
Sunday, June 26, 2016
Sunday, June 5, 2016
SEVEN DAYS...MIXED EMOTIONS
Well, here we are with just one week to go before we board a plan headed for SLC. This week has gone so fast, as have the others. In each of our Prayer Meetings last week as I stood to give the training, I mentioned that that would be my last day on that particular shift. I got a little choked up each time I said it. This week we will say goodbye to all the night shift people as we train in their prayer meeting. When I came to Hawaii just a year ago I had no idea I would get so attached to some of the people here. I have so enjoyed what we have been doing here and the special interaction we have had with so many.
A couple weeks ago President and Sister Taala invited us to their home for dinner along with Brother and Sister Fry. They served Hawaiian Haystacks which were really good. I haven't had those for a very long time so I totally enjoyed the evening. We had a nice time just talking-something we don't get to do in the temple very often. Tonight we had a visit from President and sister Nihipali. They brought us a nice gift of a picture of the Laie Temple and a picture of the Chad Hawkins version of the Laie Temple. I don't have either of those pictures so I was thrilled. We have been collecting some Hawaiian pictures to put on our walls at home so these will be nice additions. Tomorrow we are invited to President and Sister Kealoha's home for lunch. I'm sure we will have a great time there also. These people have been so very nice to us and have really appreciated our service. The Fry's are going home the same day as we are so the lunch is for them too.
This week we will be busy packing our suitcases and cleaning out the apartment. It isn't to big so we should be alright. We have had to send some boxes home and still have a few boxes to go I think. Mostly because we have bought some souvenir items. Oh, alright. I have bought a few new articles of clothing but I am leaving some things here too. I have given some of my things to the sister missionaries and have left some temple clothes at the temple for the student workers. Some of our left over food will go to one of the college girls who is a coordinator at the temple, Sister Katie Kelly. I have become pretty close with her and hope we can keep up correspondence at least through FB.
Next Sunday we have been asked to speak in church so that will require some prep time this week. I was hoping we could escape that but not so. Our topic is Fathers, in honor of Father's Day the next week.
Sunday night we have been invited to stay at Keith's house since he is taking us to the airport early the next morning. We will leave about 4:00 AM for our 7:00 flight. We should arrive in SLC about 7:30 PM where all the kids and grandkids will be awaiting our arrival. If all goes well, we will go for ice cream on our way home. I can't wait to see them all.
As for things I learned or was reminded of in church today. Our SS lesson was on the conversion stories of the Sons of Mosiah and Alma the Younger. They were rebellious and speaking out against the church until they were visited by an angel and chastised. Alma the younger was even struck down for a while. After he regained his health he became a great missionary for the gospel of Jesus Christ.The question was asked "when were you converted to the church"? I pondered that. I have been a member all of my life and probably relied on the testimony of my parents and my husband to some extent. I am not the kind to question authority and have always known that the teachings of the church give me a better life. I know that as trials have come to me through the years that I was strengthened through prayer and reading the scriptures. I know that my testimony of the atonement and temples and families has truly been strengthened this past year as I have been away from family serving in the temple most days. So for me, my conversion has been a gradual process-one that could have been challenged because of any number of difficult trials in my life. I am so grateful I have chosen to let the Lord and His son Jesus Christ help me through those times and heal me rather than distance myself from them and let adversity and the adversary win. I know that when the time comes that I have another huge trial or devastating circumstance, I will find myself in the temple to find solace and answers rather than try and figure them out myself.
One thought to go along with this. After Carl died, I found that I needed a crutch to help me get through some pretty tough times. Yes, I prayed and read scriptures and asked questions but sometimes I just needed a diversion. I shopped. And I shopped. Almost to the point of an addiction. I didn't need the things I bought but it made me happy. I have now come to realize that those things were a false sense of security. I really only needed the gospel of Jesus Christ and the comfort I receive from earnest prayer and study to make me happy. I have come to appreciate that so much this year.
Yes, I know this has been long but I had lots to say. I may not get to write again until after we get home but I will continue this blog.
A couple weeks ago President and Sister Taala invited us to their home for dinner along with Brother and Sister Fry. They served Hawaiian Haystacks which were really good. I haven't had those for a very long time so I totally enjoyed the evening. We had a nice time just talking-something we don't get to do in the temple very often. Tonight we had a visit from President and sister Nihipali. They brought us a nice gift of a picture of the Laie Temple and a picture of the Chad Hawkins version of the Laie Temple. I don't have either of those pictures so I was thrilled. We have been collecting some Hawaiian pictures to put on our walls at home so these will be nice additions. Tomorrow we are invited to President and Sister Kealoha's home for lunch. I'm sure we will have a great time there also. These people have been so very nice to us and have really appreciated our service. The Fry's are going home the same day as we are so the lunch is for them too.
This week we will be busy packing our suitcases and cleaning out the apartment. It isn't to big so we should be alright. We have had to send some boxes home and still have a few boxes to go I think. Mostly because we have bought some souvenir items. Oh, alright. I have bought a few new articles of clothing but I am leaving some things here too. I have given some of my things to the sister missionaries and have left some temple clothes at the temple for the student workers. Some of our left over food will go to one of the college girls who is a coordinator at the temple, Sister Katie Kelly. I have become pretty close with her and hope we can keep up correspondence at least through FB.
Next Sunday we have been asked to speak in church so that will require some prep time this week. I was hoping we could escape that but not so. Our topic is Fathers, in honor of Father's Day the next week.
Sunday night we have been invited to stay at Keith's house since he is taking us to the airport early the next morning. We will leave about 4:00 AM for our 7:00 flight. We should arrive in SLC about 7:30 PM where all the kids and grandkids will be awaiting our arrival. If all goes well, we will go for ice cream on our way home. I can't wait to see them all.
As for things I learned or was reminded of in church today. Our SS lesson was on the conversion stories of the Sons of Mosiah and Alma the Younger. They were rebellious and speaking out against the church until they were visited by an angel and chastised. Alma the younger was even struck down for a while. After he regained his health he became a great missionary for the gospel of Jesus Christ.The question was asked "when were you converted to the church"? I pondered that. I have been a member all of my life and probably relied on the testimony of my parents and my husband to some extent. I am not the kind to question authority and have always known that the teachings of the church give me a better life. I know that as trials have come to me through the years that I was strengthened through prayer and reading the scriptures. I know that my testimony of the atonement and temples and families has truly been strengthened this past year as I have been away from family serving in the temple most days. So for me, my conversion has been a gradual process-one that could have been challenged because of any number of difficult trials in my life. I am so grateful I have chosen to let the Lord and His son Jesus Christ help me through those times and heal me rather than distance myself from them and let adversity and the adversary win. I know that when the time comes that I have another huge trial or devastating circumstance, I will find myself in the temple to find solace and answers rather than try and figure them out myself.
One thought to go along with this. After Carl died, I found that I needed a crutch to help me get through some pretty tough times. Yes, I prayed and read scriptures and asked questions but sometimes I just needed a diversion. I shopped. And I shopped. Almost to the point of an addiction. I didn't need the things I bought but it made me happy. I have now come to realize that those things were a false sense of security. I really only needed the gospel of Jesus Christ and the comfort I receive from earnest prayer and study to make me happy. I have come to appreciate that so much this year.
Yes, I know this has been long but I had lots to say. I may not get to write again until after we get home but I will continue this blog.
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