Mission Journal

January 12, 2012

I had a dream last night.  It was about one of the members of the branch.  He’s trying to get a better job to support his family, but he won’t study the materials that were given him and fails the test.  

Well, in the dream – this member hired a man to dig a ditch two feet wide, four feet deep, and twenty feet long.  He showed the man where to dig and gave him a shovel.  He went back inside to do his work and after a while he looked and the man was sitting on the ground with his feet inside the ditch.  He thought ‘He’s taking a break,’ and went back to work.  In about fifteen minutes he looked again and the man was still sitting.  He thought maybe he needed some water and went outside with a glass of water.  The man thanked him for the water and got up and began working like crazy.  The member thought he was working too fast, but didn’t say anything.  In about five minutes the man was sitting down again.  At this time in my dream I asked the member what he should do with this man.  He said that maybe he should let him go.  I asked if the man had a family.  He said he did.  If you let him go, would his family have food to eat?  That’s his problem.  Has he ever done this kind of work before? No.  Could you teach him how to work?  Well, yes I could.  He went out and taught the man to work in a steady pace – one shovel full at a time.  He taught him to use his feet and how to use leverage.  He taught him to take useful breaks, but go back to work in a reasonable amount of time.  He taught him to work smart, as well as hard. 

In this dream I taught this member that he was the man and his study materials were the ditch.  That he had to learn one thing at time as if it were the shovel full of dirt, but he had to keep moving and not give up.

After I woke up, I realized that I am the man and this mission is the ditch – That I must keep moving and learn the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I must learn the lessons that I teach like the back of my hand.  I need to be trusted by the Lord.

January 11, 2012

Today… we had a zone meeting in Clarksville.  I really didn’t want to go, but I had promised Elder R that I would.  Fran said, “You told him you would!”  She was right of course.  A man’s word should be his bond.  I gave my word; I got ready for another long trip.

After we got there, I was sooooooooooo glad we went.  The meeting was one that I had been praying for.  Isn’t it wonderful – when we are obedient how things work out for the best?  There was one down side, my nose started to run and my throat started to itch. L

January 10, 2012

We got an early start today because we had to be in Nashville by 11:00 am.  We met with President McKee and the other missionaries at the Stake Center next to the Temple.  It was a good meeting, we met the new missionaries coming in, and said goodbye to those going home.  The sisters at the Stake Center feed us – Hawaiian Haystacks, and they were good.  We were able to converse with the other Senior Missionaries; we hardly get to see them.

Next we had the opportunity to go to the Temple!  The Nashville Temple is very much like the one in Lubbock – very beautiful and spiritual.

When we take trips like this we listen to Church History CD’s.  They have been put together very well, coming home we learned the history of BYU.

January 9, 2012

Fran had another Doctor’s appointment related to her diabetes.  Her labs are looking good he said.J  She is still coughing and hoarse.   The doctor gave her permission to be with other people.  That’s a good thing because we are supposed to go to Nashville tomorrow.

January 8, 2012

I went to church alone today – that felt funny. L  Fran is still having trouble talking.  I went with Br. P and visited three people he home teaches.  One of the sisters is as sick as Fran.  We gave her the Sacrament, she didn’t want a blessing.  Br. and Sis. R brought by some soup while I was with Br. P, now wasn’t that thoughtful.

January 7, 2012

We hibernated – hoping Fran would get well soon.  She was coughing, couldn’t speak, nose running, and felt lousy.

January 6, 2012

The Spanish sisters came to our apartment and we were waiting on the Zone leaders to meet with T for a baptism interview, when they called and said they would meet us at the church.  I drove over and picked T up and meet the sisters and Zone leaders.  I was the only one with a key to the church, but that is OK.  After the interview, the sisters met with the new family we found on Tuesday, they went to G’s house and G wasn’t at home again.  But they met with G’s son E, and they said he was excited to meet with them.

By the way – before the sisters left Hartford they brought Fran some cough drops and a get well card – wasn’t that thoughtful?  They are special people.

January 5, 2012

Fran woke up really sick this morning, she could hardly talk.  I called everyone we were to teach and canceled their appointments.  I took her to the Doctor’s office; we saw the Practitioner and she gave her some meds.

January 4, 2012

We had district meeting in Leitchfield this morning.  I taught a lesson on goal setting and Fran gave a spiritual thought.  It was a great meeting – each one of us centered our lessons on becoming more Christ like.  We didn’t collaborate with one another, but it was as if we had been assigned our lessons.  Isn’t it amazing how the Holy Ghost works, when we are willing to listen?

On our way back to Hartford, Fran said her throat was hurting.  We went to B’s house and had a good lesson with her.  She promised to come to church this coming Sunday.  Hope she makes it.

January 3, 2012

We were supposed to meet the Spanish speaking sisters at T’s house at noon, but they were delayed and won’t be here till 2:00 pm, so we moved BB time to noon, T to 2:00 pm and K to 3:30 pm – did you keep up with all of that, I’m not sure that I did.  BB was having trouble with her bank, so she wasn’t home.  When we called K, she was sick and didn’t want visitors. L  Anyway, T was ready and willing; their little one year old daughter has decided that we are OK.  She sits in our laps the whole time we are at T’s house.

After we left T’s house we decided to try BB again, this time she was home and the sisters participated in her lesson.  I’m worried about BB – I think I’ll bring a video next time.  We had an appointment with G at 6:00 pm.  When we arrived G wasn’t home, but his wife R was there.  R is reluctant to speak with us and we stood outside in the cold wind while the Spanish sisters scheduled a new time to meet with her husband.  Since the sisters were there anyway we took them to another Spanish family nearby.  Again we stood in the cold wind while the Spanish sisters spoke with that family.  They were able to set up a time just ahead of G’s time on Friday – that’s a good thing.

January 2, 2012

Ah – P-day – What would we do without it.  Our living room lamp was broken so we went to the hardware store to get a new part, but the hardware store was still closed for the holidays. J  The joy of a small town.  We’ll fix the lamp later.

January 1, 2012

Brother C’s son was visiting from Utah today, so instead of having Fast and Testimony meeting the Presidency chose to have Brother C’s son speak.  He’ll be going back home soon and we’ll have Testimony meeting next week.  Virtues of a small branch!