Week Ending December 19, 2010 Week # 4

The relief society sister who provided lunch at one of the zone conferences, set up a sugar cookie decorating station for the missionary's dessert. They really had fun decorating their cookies. What a great idea! Thanks sisters!

Cookies and ice cream! What more does a hungry elder need?

This is a storm we watched roll into shore. Such beauty even in a storm.

Some of you parents have commented on the Christmas present your elders and sisters received from us. Here is a picture of it.

The biggest news for the missionaries this week was that I received notice that they could Skype home for Christmas. Some had already asked and I had told them they couldn’t Skype. Everyone is happy with the change in the rules. The biggest news for me for the week was that Sister Macdonald made it home again. As I was talking with Elder Patrick Kearon of the Seventy last week, he joked that I should let him know if she disappears and doesn’t come back. I was happy to report when I spoke to him on another matter this week, that she did come back and that the mission was sure to run better with her here. She returned late on Sunday and we left early Monday afternoon to get to the first zone conference in Medford.

On Monday evening we were invited to have dinner at the home of the Johnsons who live in Central Point. They had served as full time senior missionaries in Brookings until October 2008. They also invited the senior couples, who would be coming to zone conference, serving in Lakeview and Brookings as well as the Idiarts. The Lakeview senior missionaries didn’t end up coming over as they were fearful of driving in potentially bad road conditions (which thankfully didn’t materialize) but we had a delightful time getting to know the Higginbothams who are currently serving in Brookings.

At this round of zone conferences one of my counselors spoke first and started the meeting with a Christmas message. They were followed by Sister Macdonald who wove a Christmas message into a parallel of the Sons of Helaman and the fact that they carry their mother’s heart with them, and she did a great job. I led two discussions in the morning. During the first discussion we made a list of things that lead some to believe the gospel is not true, and another list that leads people to believe the gospel is true. As we discussed the differences, we concluded that the Spirit can and will direct us to the truth, if we are open to the belief that the Lord does live and that he will direct His children to the truth. During the second discussion I showed a picture of a horse pulling a heavy load and we discussed how that applies to each of us in our duty as missionaries. The insights the missionaries shared were so wonderful. I was impressed with their wisdom and sensitivity to the spirit.

The assistants then led a great discussion entitled “finding through mining.” They showed ways for the missionaries to find new investigators through referrals like Elder Evans had taught us over a year ago, and through other ideas recorded in Preach My Gospel. The afternoon was split between testimonies from various missionaries and some closing comments from me including sharing the story “A Brother Like That.” I later commented to Sister Macdonald that I had felt the spirit more during these three days than I had ever felt in any other three day period of my life. I enjoyed leading these discussions and testifying of the Savior over and over again.

At the end of the week I received a pleasant call from the Leucks who own a place out in Depoe Bay. They asked if we would like to use it. I had work to do on Saturday, so I mostly stayed in and worked (with the BYU football game playing in the background) but we had the office senior missionaries with us and they hit the town and saw the sights. On Sunday we went to Sacrament meeting in Lincoln City, and to Priesthood and Relief society in Newport. We enjoyed seeing the missionaries and members in both wards. It was also nice because Sister Macdonald’s nephew lives in Newport and we enjoyed seeing his family. One sister told Sister Macdonald how much one of her talks in a previous stake conference had meant to her, which made them bond instantly.

Sunday evening upon our return to Eugene, one of our great missionaries, Elder Crandall, stopped in for a visit with his sister and some friends who were traveling with him. It was great to see him and feel great feelings of love for him and all missionaries we have come to know over the past few years. He reminded us again of the long term benefits that come from our service here.