20 February 2011

20 February 2011

Elder Nelson and I were just trying to figure out it is that the week has gone by so quickly yet this past Monday seems like such along time ago. Just having so much fun I guess!
This has been a busy week, everyday this week, with the exception of Saturday was very, very busy with working personally with many candidates. Not many came in Saturday so we were able to work on a few of the other things that we need to keep caught up on.
Tuesday morning was the Resume workshop so Donna was teaching that, the Phelps don’t come in until noon because they take the late shift. Elder Nelson and I were really hopping to take care of all the phone calls and candidates that came in. Of course this is the day that Gloria doesn’t come in either. We made it though. Brother Linton, a WES from the Denton Stake, wanted some additional help with his calling – he came and went to the workshop then stayed on for a while and visited with Elder Nelson.
Wednesday was another very busy day, I was helping a lady but finally at 2:30 my eyes started doing the dots and I can’t read the letters any more. When that happens I just have to take a break and rest for a little while. I went to the apartment and had some lunch and took a little break and was ready to go again.
After 2 weeks of break due to snow and ice, we had piano class once again. I think everyone was there. As typical some are doing well and practicing but then there are those that come but haven’t done their practicing. I wish they would all take advantage of the opportunity, it gets hard when it gets down to the day to day discipline of it. Soon I will need to talk with some Stake leaders to see if they want to get others in the Stake to help and have the program continue once we leave.
For Valentines Day we went out to dinner with Will & Ellie Boesewetter. We went to the Texas Roadhouse, yummy. Will was baptized a year ago in March. They have been talking going to the temple and being sealed. We told them that we hoped that they could/would go before we leave in April. They have set a date for the first part of April so we’re pretty excited to go with them. At dinner Will asked Jack if he would be his escort, they have gotten to be pretty good friends this past few months.
Also Carolyn L. will be going to the temple for the first time this coming Saturday. After we first got here she came in to the Center job searching. We helped her frequently, then we found out that she was in the same Ward that we go to, Dallas 6th, but she hadn’t been to church in years. She decided to start going back to church and we enjoyed seeing her there and she often sat by us. She has become very active and involved in the Ward and it has been great to be her friend and see her learn and grow. She has invited us to attend with her this Saturday. We are going to have to do a little juggling because the schedule looks like we will be the only ones there on Saturday and we would need to leave a couple hours before closing to make it. We’ll see how it goes, but we sure hope it works out.
Thursday is our P-day but Elder Dahl had an appointment with a lady. Since he only comes in Mondays he makes other appointments through the week as needed, often at a more convenient location for them both. They set this up at a restaurant but he invited Elder Nelson to come along just so there’s no room for accusations or problems. So we stayed pretty close by. I did grocery shopping done and a hair cut before and after his appointment.
The days have been so pleasant that we have been able to go out to Elm Fork one evening and out to Lewisville Lake another and do some hiking and biking. It feels so good to get out and more around some! Nice to see something besides the inside of the Center and our apartment.
The new Sisters arrived this week. They have different apartments this time around. They find it just works better that way. Sister Gunter is from the Salt Lake area. Her husband past away 10 plus years ago so she is used to being independent and also has done a lot in the career world. She will assimilate rather quickly I think. Sister Ruby Burgess is from Wickenburg, Arizona. Her husband passed away less than a year ago. She is most comfortable driving a tractor and working on farm equipment. I’m afraid that she likes driving in the city about as well as I do. She is a very sweet lady and will have much to offer also but she will probably have more of an adjustment. She is so willing and anxious to serve.
We had a real treat today!!! Andy Luke is here in Dallas for 6 weeks doing flight training for Southwest Airlines. He is free on Sundays and of course would like to attend Church. We picked him up this morning for Church and then he came over to our apartment for dinner and visiting. We had a great time and enjoyed his company immensely. Great to hear how things are going back home. Jack taught the High Priest Priesthood lesson today on Service. I’m sure he did a great job but I guess Andy could tell you for sure. We hope this will work out for the weeks ahead too.
It was crazy last night we were winding down for the evening, I was at the computer and happened to look up at the Whitney calendar that hangs near by and saw that Andy’s birthday was Friday. Jack ran me down to Wal-mart and we picked up a cake, candles and some Blue Bell ice cream. It was fun to have a little birthday party for him today. Nothing fancy of course but he did get to blow out some candles.
I’ll wrap this up with some notes from the afternoon talk by Elder Ringwood at last weeks Zone Conference. From his comments it sounded like he was first a missionary in Korea and then a Mission President there several years ago. In the Korean scriptures there are three or four different words used for the one English word ‘compassion.’ He wondered at what the differences were so he went on a quest where he looked up every reference in the scriptures of compassion and compared them. He noticed that every time the word was used by the Savior, what followed was a miracle.
He was speaking to his missionaries one day and teaching this principle. He randomly used Matt 9: 36-38. After he read it he realized that he had made a mistake, he had picked the one time that a miracle did not follow. However, the Spirit quickly taught him that the missionaries sitting before him were miracles; they were the laborers of the harvest.
He talked about planning and preparation and its importance. This is a place where it is evident or where you can show your compassion for the people you are teaching. The Brother of Jared when building the boats to cross the sea were told specifically what to do each step of the way, until they got to the final stages and they had two problems, no air and no light. The first problem of no air was easily fixed but they still had the problem of no light. The Brother of Jared was not given the answer but was asked to come up with a solution. He compared this to the old missionary discussions where specific lessons were outline and to ‘Preach My gospel’ now where the principles are taught but the missionaries must prepare and decide the best way to teach according to the needs of each individual, of course relying on the Spirit for guidance.
As the Brother of Jared came up with the solution, it led to his receiving revelation and a vision of the eternities.
(Note: I see our situation being different in the fact that we seldom have anyone schedule an appointment but rather they just drop in so we rarely have that opportunity to specifically prepare. However, I notice that if I study something one evening, it seems like the next day I have an opportunity to use that very information. I’m not sure which way it works, if I’m led to the information or the person who needs the information is prompted to come in – a combination of both I presume.)
He discussed cause and effect, using example the in Alma 26. In verse 22 you see the cause and effect, WHAT you need to do so the right things will happen. Those important things are 1. Repent 2. Faith 3. Good Works 4. Pray
1. Repent and the spirit will be with you.
2. Faith, You’re here serving a mission, that’s faith
3. Good Works, be obedient, follow the rules, this includes exercise
4. Pray with out ceasing
He talked about Gifts, that Elder Bednar said that gifts are ‘given.’
1. Mysteries of God are the Plan of Salvation’ and the gospel of Jesus Christ. What is taught by the Spirit of God is revelation.
2. 2. Things revealed that have never been revealed, you can receive revelation that is applicable to whom you’re teaching. It comes to you when you plan and prepare.
3. Purpose to bring thousands of souls unto repentance. In Preach My Gospel are the tools, we ask, ‘What would you have me do?’ When you plan and prepare you will receive revelation. The key to revelation is planning. The reason for companion study is to study and to prepare for an investigator. Sometime it is just evidence that you WANT revelation, but the revelation may come later.

He promised that if you will plan and prepare and you will be blessed with revelation.
See Moroni 7
These things are revealed in heaven and given to prophets on earth. Our challenge is not the message, it is the messenger – how do we look, act and feel. We have the tools to be successful.
This is focused on the proselyting missionaries but it all applies to us also. We have the tools to be successful too.
We are enduring to the end, looking forward to returning home, but not too much. We remain focused on our work here. I have set some goals to accomplish in the next 2 months so I don’t just while away the hours, however we have been so busy I haven’t had time to work on them. BUT just in case we have some down time, I have some projects to do.
Once again we come to the close of our weekly report. We are grateful for this season to be in the full time service of our Heavenly Father and his children. May the Lord bless and keep you this week and always.
Our Love,
Grandpa & Grandma Mom & Dad, Jack & Gaye
Elder & Sister Nelson


Jack n Gaye