While waiting for Elder Bednar to arrive, our missionaries waited in their positions for pictures and sang hymns together.
This is the first time we have had our entire mission together. When they sang our "Oregon Mission Song", it was amazing!
Elder Bednar was entering the building as they were singing "Called to Serve". What a thrilling and proud moment. We couldn't have planned it any better. (They didn't know he was there.)
We quickly moved into position for each of five group pictures. Our photographers were so patient.This was not a normal week two for the Oregon Eugene Mission! We started the week on Monday by welcoming three missionaries into our mission on a temporary basis. Two of them are trying to get to Brazil (to two different missions) and one to Portugal, but they have been delayed for an indeterminate amount of time due to problems getting their visas. We had the normal welcome lunch with them and a very abbreviated introduction into the mission and then assigned them to three different companionships in the Eugene area. They were, of course, surprised to be coming to Eugene instead of to their assigned mission. However, when they heard that Elder Bednar was going to be speaking to the missionaries in this mission on Saturday, any potential disappointment seemed to fade away, and at least for now they are excited to be here. This is the first time we have been asked to host missionaries on a temporary basis in our mission. If they are all as good as these three, we would be happy to do it any time.
The next three days were normal enough for week two, and we enjoyed holding interviews in our three largest zones – Corvallis, Capital and Eugene on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday respectively. As I mentioned last week, we are studying articles written by Elder Bednar as we visit with our missionaries prior to holding interviews with them. We were impressed by how well the missionaries had studied these articles and understood the principles of faith captured in the articles. We believe that their faith has increased as they have focused on these subjects, and that their ability to teach and testify on the doctrine of faith has also improved.
On Friday I spent a bit of time on the phone with Sister Idiart who has been a god-send in handling so many of the details with the conference on Saturday with Elders Bednar, Ringwood, Malm and Area 70 Brinkerhoff. She has been coordinating rides with members for missionaries coming in from the far off places of the mission, as well as arranging with photographers to take pictures, and she and her family volunteered to make sack lunches for all who were coming – about 225! Yes you did read that she was released from her mission last week, but she was kind enough to take this assignment to completion rather than trying to hand it off to someone else.
The next three days were normal enough for week two, and we enjoyed holding interviews in our three largest zones – Corvallis, Capital and Eugene on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday respectively. As I mentioned last week, we are studying articles written by Elder Bednar as we visit with our missionaries prior to holding interviews with them. We were impressed by how well the missionaries had studied these articles and understood the principles of faith captured in the articles. We believe that their faith has increased as they have focused on these subjects, and that their ability to teach and testify on the doctrine of faith has also improved.
On Friday I spent a bit of time on the phone with Sister Idiart who has been a god-send in handling so many of the details with the conference on Saturday with Elders Bednar, Ringwood, Malm and Area 70 Brinkerhoff. She has been coordinating rides with members for missionaries coming in from the far off places of the mission, as well as arranging with photographers to take pictures, and she and her family volunteered to make sack lunches for all who were coming – about 225! Yes you did read that she was released from her mission last week, but she was kind enough to take this assignment to completion rather than trying to hand it off to someone else.
Friday evening I spoke to Tim Dyches, the Portland mission president, and found out how things went there. They had the same type of conference on Friday night with the same leaders in attendance with their missionaries. He was, as always, a big help in letting me know some of the things that worked well logistically in Portland, and I make no apology for regularly copying many of the good things he does.
On Saturday all the preparation paid off and things went off without a hitch. The missionaries all arrived before the cut-off time of 8:00 a.m. Since none of them stayed over in Eugene the night before, many of them had very early departure times. The two photographers also arrived early and took some test photos so when Elder Bednar arrived all went smoothly. We were even able to start our meetings a few minutes early. Elder Bauer, one of my assistants, conducted the meeting and it was a good experience for him. Elders Ringwood and Malm took a few minutes to bare their testimonies and then Elder Bednar spoke and asked and answered questions (He sometimes had Elder Ringwood or Malm answer a question). I was so proud that our missionaries didn’t ask any foolish questions and in fact, asked inspired questions. The three hours seemed to go by very quickly. At the end of the meeting each of the visiting brethren bore a brief testimony and Elder Bednar offered an apostolic blessing.
On Saturday all the preparation paid off and things went off without a hitch. The missionaries all arrived before the cut-off time of 8:00 a.m. Since none of them stayed over in Eugene the night before, many of them had very early departure times. The two photographers also arrived early and took some test photos so when Elder Bednar arrived all went smoothly. We were even able to start our meetings a few minutes early. Elder Bauer, one of my assistants, conducted the meeting and it was a good experience for him. Elders Ringwood and Malm took a few minutes to bare their testimonies and then Elder Bednar spoke and asked and answered questions (He sometimes had Elder Ringwood or Malm answer a question). I was so proud that our missionaries didn’t ask any foolish questions and in fact, asked inspired questions. The three hours seemed to go by very quickly. At the end of the meeting each of the visiting brethren bore a brief testimony and Elder Bednar offered an apostolic blessing.
During the meeting when one of the others were answering a question, I leaned over to Elder Bednar and asked him if he would have time to greet one of our missionaries, Elder Lopez, since he already told me he would not have time to shake hands with all of them. I explained that this young elder’s mother had passed away a few months ago, and that his father had met Elder Bednar recently at a stake conference in Texas. He said he would be happy to. When Elder Lopez came into the room where we were visiting, Elder Bednar told him “You can do this.” After visiting with him he gave him a big hug and Elder Lopez wept. As he was leaving Elder Ringwood also told Elder Lopez that he could do it. This was a great lift to him. We were so happy to see this ministering to the one that the Savior did so well.
The rest of Saturday we were privileged to enjoy lunch and dinner with the visitors as well as attend a young single adult fireside that evening. I also attended a meeting in the afternoon with all of the stake presidencies and bishops from the 15 stakes in our mission. These meetings followed a similar format as our missionary meeting with a large portion being Q&A. Elder Bednar did well with all of the questions even though some of the questions asked by the young single adults were clearly not as inspired as the questions our missionaries asked. Again I was impressed with the local leadership who are so willing to travel great distances to listen to an apostle. Saturday night we were pleased to have President and Sister Wright from the Central Point Stake stay at our home so they wouldn’t have to travel home late. We enjoyed visiting with them and are grateful for their friendship.
On Sunday the three visitors each went to a different stake and held a two hour meeting in the morning. Elder Bednar went to Roseburg with Elder Brinkerhoff, we went with Elder Ringwood to Monmouth, and Elder Malm went to Corvallis. We enjoyed our time with Elder Ringwood and that good stake. Afterwards we met back in Salem with Elder Bednar and Brinkerhoff so that they could take Elder Ringwood with them to the airport in Portland. They arrived at the designated chapel meeting place a few minutes before us, and since the timing was right Elder Bednar went into the sacrament meeting and bore a brief testimony. I am sure that will be a pleasant memory for those members.
In our personal journals, and many others I am sure, are recorded many thoughts and feelings related to all of these meetings we attended. Most important, I am assured that there are modern day apostles and that this church is led by inspiration. I pray that I will lead this mission through inspiration and that Sister Macdonald and I will both lead our lives the way the Lord would have us.
The rest of Saturday we were privileged to enjoy lunch and dinner with the visitors as well as attend a young single adult fireside that evening. I also attended a meeting in the afternoon with all of the stake presidencies and bishops from the 15 stakes in our mission. These meetings followed a similar format as our missionary meeting with a large portion being Q&A. Elder Bednar did well with all of the questions even though some of the questions asked by the young single adults were clearly not as inspired as the questions our missionaries asked. Again I was impressed with the local leadership who are so willing to travel great distances to listen to an apostle. Saturday night we were pleased to have President and Sister Wright from the Central Point Stake stay at our home so they wouldn’t have to travel home late. We enjoyed visiting with them and are grateful for their friendship.
On Sunday the three visitors each went to a different stake and held a two hour meeting in the morning. Elder Bednar went to Roseburg with Elder Brinkerhoff, we went with Elder Ringwood to Monmouth, and Elder Malm went to Corvallis. We enjoyed our time with Elder Ringwood and that good stake. Afterwards we met back in Salem with Elder Bednar and Brinkerhoff so that they could take Elder Ringwood with them to the airport in Portland. They arrived at the designated chapel meeting place a few minutes before us, and since the timing was right Elder Bednar went into the sacrament meeting and bore a brief testimony. I am sure that will be a pleasant memory for those members.
In our personal journals, and many others I am sure, are recorded many thoughts and feelings related to all of these meetings we attended. Most important, I am assured that there are modern day apostles and that this church is led by inspiration. I pray that I will lead this mission through inspiration and that Sister Macdonald and I will both lead our lives the way the Lord would have us.
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