SAll unday, October 27, 2013

I have been trying to figure out how to get a picture from my e-mail to this blog.  We had 75 in our week of training for "seniors."  We had an amazing week studying and teaching to prepare for our assignments in various parts of the world.  We made really good friends with a couple from Wyoming (kindred spirits, I guess).  They are going to Ghana and will be spending another week here learning the office work.  Since we don't have our visas we think we will join them in the office training this week.  We aren't assigned office work but it never hurts to learn everything you can.

This morning all the "sister" missionaries, those young women preparing to serve and we "seniors" had a wonderful Relief Society meeting.  This is the women's organization throughout the world that looks after the welfare of all people.  As we studied the 25th Section of the Doctrine and Covenants the young women commented on each verse and why and how it is important to their lives.  All comments were valuable and uplifting.  One that causes us all to pause and ponder is v. 10.  "And verily I say unto thee that thou shalt lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better."

As I ponder on the things of the world that I so love, teaching children piano and sewing beautiful things,  I know that these things are also be a part of building up the Kingdom of God on earth. Each little talent developed, each little child loved, each parent encouraged,  is part of doing what my Father in Heaven would want me to do.  As I teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to others I pray for  happiness and unity in families.  That is probably the most important part of our work, and it comes as people accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and change their lives for the better.

Second Day

We have just finished 2 days of training here at the Missionary Training Center.  There are 75 couples here this week going all over the world,   Ghana, South Africa, Thailand, Iowa, Nauvoo, New York, Philippines, Australia, Texas, and that is just a start.

We are studying Preach My Gospel and doing some role playing.  Our teachers are young returned missionaries and they are amazing.

Tonight we attended the weekly Devotional.  There must have been over 2,000 missionaries in attendance, all in various stages of education.  Two young ladies going to Japan were telling us about the 4 alphabets they need to learn.  We ran into Sara Eskelsen, who says Mongolian is hard.  She looks fabulous.

Elder Robbins spoke to us tonight and told many wonderful stories of the miracles that have happened as missionaries open their mouths.  We know there is a special purpose for each of us in our callings.  We love the Gospel and are grateful for the opportunity to share it.