Mission Journal

December 18, 2011

T and his father-in-law were both at church this morning, also brother R, but sister R wasn’t there. L Brother P’s son is visiting from Utah, so guess who gave the talk, Yeah, Brother P’s son.  He’s a good speaker.  T did have to go to work right after sacrament, but he was there as much as he could.

This afternoon we went to Brother T P’s house, we finally got to meet his wife.  She is very nice and knows a lot about the church.  We’ll try to meet with her again.

December 17, 2011

The Spanish speaking sisters were a little late, but it takes us an hour and a half to drive from Clarksville – it’s a long drive.  We asked them to challenge T to baptism during the lesson.  They gave the lesson on the Word of Wisdom.  T hasn’t drank in over a year and said the only thing he didn’t like was not drinking tea, but his wife wouldn’t let him have any anyway, and it’s been years since he has – so no problem.  Fran and I didn’t exactly know what was going on, but everyone including T had a smile from ear to ear.  Then we learned his baptism date is January 8^th.  We’re so excited – YeHaa.

December 16, 2011

The R’s called, I was afraid they wanted to cancel their appointment but instead they wanted us to go with them to Owensboro to another Christmas party.  It wasn’t as good as a lesson, but it was something gospel related, so we went.  The Owensboro branch is much larger than Hartford’s and they actually have a building built by the church.  Some of the people at the party didn’t even know Hartford had a branch.  I did print off an Ensign article written by Elder Holland to leave with her.  I’d rather give the lesson. J

December 15, 2011

We were so tired that we rested, and of course read the scriptures together.  But we didn’t even open the door.  We fell asleep trying to read once, not just me but Fran too.

December 14, 2011

We didn’t sleep well last night.  We were in the bedroom President and Sister McKee give to General Authorities when they come.  The bed was good, but – we just didn’t sleep well.

Fran and I put together the finger foods we brought, and Fran made her devilled eggs, and then the conference started.  It was wonderful, learning from the president and his wife.  After lunch we met for two more hours and took some pictures.  I forgot my camera, so when we are e-mailed the pictures I’ll post them.

After the conference we hightailed it back to Hartford for the Christmas party, and just barely made it.  About 35 people showed up, and the food was excellent.  The primary put on a play about the birth of Jesus, and then Santa gave out presents.  When we got home – we crashed.

December 13, 2011

We are scheduled to go to the Senior Missionary Zone Conference tomorrow and the Nashville Temple tonight.  We spent the morning packing, and getting some more of the food to another sister.  But before hitting the road we stopped by Sister D’s house.  She is inactive because this branch is so small and the visiting teaching is weak.  Fran told her that the branch would continue to be weak unless more people start coming out and help with such things as visiting teaching.  We reminded her of the Christmas party – hope she comes.

We got to Nashville about 5:30 and met the other seniors at the Temple.  To our surprise we were asked to be the witness couple.  Big old tears ran down Fran’s cheeks, she was so moved.  It was sooooo good to enter the Temple again.

December 12, 2011

It seems as if we go to Owensboro every Monday, but this time it was to get ready for the Christmas party.  We picked up a few things for the children’s stockings, and some food.  Then spread the food among several of the sisters to prepare.

We went to T’s house to give him a lesson.  The trouble is that we don’t speak Spanish, and he prefers his native language when taking lessons about the Lord.  We did have a DVD to show him.  We set it to speak Spanish with closed captions in English.  We’re calling the Spanish speaking sisters tomorrow.  He is a humble man, and I believe he knows that Jesus is the Christ.

December 11, 2011

Brother C’s ten year old daughter gave the sacrament talk today.  She did a wonderful job.  Her talk was better than many adults I’ve heard – wow.  We had lunch with her grandparents after church, and when we mentioned how good her talk was, we could see buttons almost ready to pop.

We taught the R’s again tonight and could feel the power of the spirit.  I think it may have scared Sister R a little, I’m not sure if she has ever felt the spirit so strong.  We’re to come back on Friday.

December 10, 2011

We studied the Book of Mormon today.  There is beauty in the writings of Nephi – he uses Hebrew poetry and stirs the heart.

2 Nephi 4

15 And upon these I write the things of my soul, and many of the scriptures which are engraven upon the plates of brass.

For my soul delighteth in the scriptures,

and my heart pondereth them,

and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children.

 16 Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord;

and my heart pondereth continually upon the

things which I have seen and heard.

 17 Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord,

in showing me his great and marvelous works,

my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am!

 Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh;

my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.

…

26 O then, if I have seen so great things,

if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy,

why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow,

and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?

 27 And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh?

Yea, why should I give way to temptations,

 that the evil one have place in my heart

to destroy my peace and afflict my soul?

Why am I angry because of mine enemy?

 28 Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin.

Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no

more for the enemy of my soul.

…

30 Rejoice,

O my heart, and cry unto

the Lord, and say:

O Lord,

I will praise thee forever;

yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God,

and the rock of my salvation.