Rain, rain, rain, then a moment of sunshine just in time to take a picture! There are days I think we are all going to float away. These are our newest. They will see plenty of sunshine this summer.
It was a beautiful day at the temple--chilly, but beautiful.
We found some elders from the Portland Mission. The elder on my left (on the far right) is new and came from my cousin's stake in Texas. Their families know each other well--another small world experience.
This is the Oakridge Building.
This is the view from the Oakridge Building. Wow!It was great to see the enthusiasm and excitement of another group of brand new missionaries, and sad once again to say good bye to a group of faithful missionaries who had completed this portion of their service in the Kingdom of God. The love that comes into our hearts for these elders and sisters that we are just meeting is sometimes difficult to understand and the love we feel for these faithful ones who are finishing, after having given their all, is overwhelming. We so enjoy going to the temple with the departing group and seeing them enjoy the things of the Spirit.
Sunday we were able to speak at the branch in Oakridge along with the sister missionaries serving in that area. It is a quiet, small town of less than 4,000 people and is nestled in a beautiful area up the canyon. These smaller units have such a nice feeling about them. It was good to be there. This branch has been active in doing missionary work. We hope our talks helped inspire them to continue the good work they are doing.
One of the unpleasant experiences of being a mission president is that from time to time I am the one who is called upon to share bad news from home. Last Sunday I received a call from a stake president of one our elders. The elder’s mother has had cancer, but it had now spread to her liver and she had been given only a couple of months to live. The elder, and his sister (who is serving in the Colorado Denver North Mission) were very committed to staying in the mission field. I suggested to the elder that he arrange to make a Skype call home to his family which he did on Saturday. He was grateful, but sadden to see his mother so ill. This Sunday another call came with the news that his mother has passed away already. We went up and visited with him and tried to comfort him. He was so very solid, doing more to bring comfort to all around him. I am glad he was able to speak with her, and am strengthened when I see the depth of his testimony and his conviction to the work. I hope that the peace of the gospel will continue to come to him and his family and that this hurt can be manageable for all of them.
This week we also had a pleasant visit from a missionary who had returned home over a year ago. He brought by his fiancée and we enjoyed the visit with the two of them. One of the dividends of serving with all of these good missionaries is being a part of their lives moving forward. It will be fun to watch them over the years as they continue in their life’s journey.
Sunday we were able to speak at the branch in Oakridge along with the sister missionaries serving in that area. It is a quiet, small town of less than 4,000 people and is nestled in a beautiful area up the canyon. These smaller units have such a nice feeling about them. It was good to be there. This branch has been active in doing missionary work. We hope our talks helped inspire them to continue the good work they are doing.
One of the unpleasant experiences of being a mission president is that from time to time I am the one who is called upon to share bad news from home. Last Sunday I received a call from a stake president of one our elders. The elder’s mother has had cancer, but it had now spread to her liver and she had been given only a couple of months to live. The elder, and his sister (who is serving in the Colorado Denver North Mission) were very committed to staying in the mission field. I suggested to the elder that he arrange to make a Skype call home to his family which he did on Saturday. He was grateful, but sadden to see his mother so ill. This Sunday another call came with the news that his mother has passed away already. We went up and visited with him and tried to comfort him. He was so very solid, doing more to bring comfort to all around him. I am glad he was able to speak with her, and am strengthened when I see the depth of his testimony and his conviction to the work. I hope that the peace of the gospel will continue to come to him and his family and that this hurt can be manageable for all of them.
This week we also had a pleasant visit from a missionary who had returned home over a year ago. He brought by his fiancée and we enjoyed the visit with the two of them. One of the dividends of serving with all of these good missionaries is being a part of their lives moving forward. It will be fun to watch them over the years as they continue in their life’s journey.
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