This last weekend has been packed, but wonderful. Elder Mervyn Arnold from the first quorum of the seventy spent three days in our mission. There was a conference with stake presidents, high counselors over missionary work, ward mission leaders and ward missionaries in Moscow Id on Saturday, followed by a dinner and young adult fireside. Then he and Mark drove the two hours back to Spokane, arriving after 11:00pm. The next morning we met up with Elder James Perry and attended the Spanish branch, raced home for lunch, attended the young single adult ward, then a conference like the big one in Moscow, then raced home for dinner. Elder Perry went home and Elder Arnold and Mark then drove the almost two hours to Moses Lake and spent the night there. They had a meeting with all district and zone leaders in that half of the mission for three hours, drove back here to Spokane and had another one with this half of the mission for three+ hours. They left at 5 to get Elder Arnold to the airport for his 6pm flight (the airport is 30 minutes away). He did make it on the plane.
So---some thoughts of the weekend.
Those who serve/lead in the church give, give, and keep giving of their time. The big meetings were the only ones Elder Arnold was "assigned" to do, he really wanted to visit the Spanish and young single adult wards-the rest he did because we asked and he thought he might be able to bless our mission.
He talked of his wife being at home sick and how when he had called her she told him how happy she was that he could be here with the missionaries and to tell them that she loved them too. There has to be a very unselfish wife who is truly committed to the gospel to stand at the side of each of these men.
For me it was a very uplifting time---he was very direct, very sure of how he felt and how things should be done, but everything was said and done with so much love and testimony. I really felt I got a glimpse of what it really means to consecrate our lives to the Lord and His work. He talks to everyone everywhere about Jesus Christ and His restored church. He gives out 20-30 pass along cards everyday. He lives what he talks.
He talked to Geoffrey quite a bit, and at dinner he looked at him and said what a great young man he was and how he could feel of his goodness and desires for righteousness and how he knew he would always be a valiant man. It was very powerful and very touching.
Another thing that is a bit funny, but interesting...I really struggle with giving all these talks-especially so extemporaneously-I have been really praying that I can get over my nerves and learn to appreciate the opportunity. I mean I do feel I have something to say, but I struggle getting out of my mouth what I feel in my heart. Well, of course I haven't mentioned this to anyone-I also hadn't mentioned to Elder Arnold that I speak Spanish. (Mark did touch on that a second before the Spanish meeting started.) Anyway, he called me up in the Spanish Branch (the only person he called up) and also in the single adult ward (me and one other) to speak/share my testimony. I of course had no choice--I may have told Mark I would leave a stake conference if he ever called me up cold, but I couldn't do that now. Elder Arnold said that he hadn't planned on me speaking the second time, but my name just kept coming to him. Maybe this is how my prayers get answered!
So---some thoughts of the weekend.
Those who serve/lead in the church give, give, and keep giving of their time. The big meetings were the only ones Elder Arnold was "assigned" to do, he really wanted to visit the Spanish and young single adult wards-the rest he did because we asked and he thought he might be able to bless our mission.
He talked of his wife being at home sick and how when he had called her she told him how happy she was that he could be here with the missionaries and to tell them that she loved them too. There has to be a very unselfish wife who is truly committed to the gospel to stand at the side of each of these men.
For me it was a very uplifting time---he was very direct, very sure of how he felt and how things should be done, but everything was said and done with so much love and testimony. I really felt I got a glimpse of what it really means to consecrate our lives to the Lord and His work. He talks to everyone everywhere about Jesus Christ and His restored church. He gives out 20-30 pass along cards everyday. He lives what he talks.
He talked to Geoffrey quite a bit, and at dinner he looked at him and said what a great young man he was and how he could feel of his goodness and desires for righteousness and how he knew he would always be a valiant man. It was very powerful and very touching.
Another thing that is a bit funny, but interesting...I really struggle with giving all these talks-especially so extemporaneously-I have been really praying that I can get over my nerves and learn to appreciate the opportunity. I mean I do feel I have something to say, but I struggle getting out of my mouth what I feel in my heart. Well, of course I haven't mentioned this to anyone-I also hadn't mentioned to Elder Arnold that I speak Spanish. (Mark did touch on that a second before the Spanish meeting started.) Anyway, he called me up in the Spanish Branch (the only person he called up) and also in the single adult ward (me and one other) to speak/share my testimony. I of course had no choice--I may have told Mark I would leave a stake conference if he ever called me up cold, but I couldn't do that now. Elder Arnold said that he hadn't planned on me speaking the second time, but my name just kept coming to him. Maybe this is how my prayers get answered!
I have ALWAYS loved listening to you! On and off the "record" :) Oh, how I would LOVE to hear you again!!! You always say just the right thing. Fear not friend! You are a builder. Speak your heart with the Spirit, and you will never go wrong. Thanks love!
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