Blog #46 3/14/15
This past week has
been one different day after another. Some good and some not as good. I guess
we have all these types of days in our life.
We had classes: The Life and Teaching of the Savior on Monday
and Wednesday and the Old Testament on Thursday and Bro Patrick teaching the
Last half of the Doctrine and Covenants. The students walked out of class
grateful that they have had the spirit teach them correct principals. It is
hard to teach classes during the early evening because so many are working or
going to class, but those that are able to come really enjoy it. Thursday is a
very busy day with the two classes, one right after another, and then dinner. After
that, we played volleyball—where do they get all that energy? That is the main
question. It makes for a very long day, but we enjoy talking and mingling and
watching the interaction of all these special YSA’s. They are so wonderful and we know that Heavenly Father loves these
young people.
Thursday was a fun
dinner.( In addition to being fun at night I only had to spent 2 hours
purchasing the food this week now that
was fun) We had Chicken Roll Ups with gravy, beans, and lemon, key lime,
chocolate icebox cakes. We made over 128 rolls ups and they enjoyed every one
of them. I had one of the elders come up
and said I have not had any of these since I left home “My mom used to make these all the time,
Thank you so much.” I thought that was so special that he would say that. We
had about 50 YSA tonight. We were thinking that when the weather changes we
always have a few less people but so far we are doing ok—each week is
different.
We have been blessed
to have the missionaries come by every day. Since this is the building for 3
wards we have at least 4 sets of elders and sisters, plus all the other
missionaries from the mission office and all the other meetings that bring in
missionaries. The Institute rooms are on the back section of the building and
our office is on the corner of the classrooms and the back entrance of the
building. So that is why we have a lot of missionaries come by. It is fun to
ask them if they are having a good day, who they are teachings or where they
are going, etc? The YSA has two sets of missionaries –Elders Hawks and Lloyd
and Sisters Torres and Foderero. Both do a great job and find great joy in
finding people to teach the gospel to.
Elder Judd: Thursday began
with a busy morning of students and missionaries. A pair of sister missionaries
came in to talk with us and seek some counsel on a concern they had. Sister
Judd and I had a great experience encouraging them and feeling of their
dedication and focus on doing the right things. That has been one of the great
joys in this service for us. We have the privilege to see the missionary work
first hand and to feel the power with which these great young people do the
work. We also are able to see first hand the fruit of their work by meeting and
getting to know those they teach and baptize. One such young man is Syd. He was
so typical of many YSA who have been dis-enfranchised by today’s organized
religious groups that focus on social and political issues. He had not found
fulfillment in their teachings and focus and so wrote religion off as not
important or helpful. Then he met the missionaries. Right away he felt
something very different and so he wanted to know more. It was awesome to see
the light come on in his eyes when he felt the Spirit testify to his soul of
the truth of the Restoration of the Gospel. Since then Syd has been coming to
Institute and is excited to be a part of the discussions and learning. I have
seen this kind of thing happen many times while here on our mission. It truly
is one of the highlights of our experience.
Elder Judd and I have been working with a Young man who will be moving to Utah to live with his grandfather for a while. He will be working and hopefully going to school. He is one of Heavenly Fathers children that is without guile. He has a love for everyone and the gospel. He is always so positive and giving. We look up to him although his height is only 5’3”.He knows his scriptures front ward and backwards. Elder Judd helped him complete his federal income taxes today and was so appreciative. We wish him success in his new adventure. It is great to know these young people. They reminds us of our own grand-daughters that are growing into that YSA age. We hope that someone will love them too.
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