Monday, January 20, 2020

grandma talk

email to granddaugher Acadia who is serving a full time mission in Oregon for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

I confess to being somewhat distracted during Stake Conference watching baby Jacob coo at father Benjamin and smile at mother Bethany.  I also got to hold him. 
IMG_20200119_110325221.jpg

IMG_20200119_110036705.jpg

It was, of course, a good meeting.  You will appreciate the new member testimony.   D's brother-in-law was "less active."  When his nephew went on a mission, nephew gave b-i-l a Book of Mormon and asked him to read it.  B-i-l set it aside.  Sister became curious, picked it  up, and started reading.  She had questions.  The sister missionaries came to help her find answers.  B-i-l avoided them at first, but soon became re-activated.  He baptized his wife in February.  D went to her sister's baptism two hours away.  The spirit was so strong that she wanted to get baptized. She asked her sister to ask the sister missionaries to send sister missionaries to her.  She went home and waited for the knock on the door that never came.  One day she saw sister missionaries in her apartment parking lot.  Joyfully, she ran to them.  "Are you here for me?"  "No but we could be."  D was baptized in the summer.   Strained relationship with her mother improved.  Mother was baptized in November.  They have plans for "Come, Follow Me" with the children to hook in Grandpa. 

Is it a missionary thing to pray every time you get out of the car?  One of the talks was about the importance and power of prayer, including beyond the more formal set pray times of meals and family prayers, but throughout the day.  He mentioned at least one missionary praying every time he got out of the car.  I think that's just before getting out of the car.  I also think it's a good time to pray when you get IN the car.  He mentioned for some, seeing the sky reminded them.  Different things.  I think of it somewhat as Tevye prayers.  Tevye is my prayer hero.  I know, it probably should be Nephi, or Moses, or Enos, but I love how Tevye chats with the Lord all the time about everything as well as doing his formal prayers. 

I recently got myself a Garmin Yes.Fit tracker to help me remember to move more.  Perhaps it can also help me remember to work on spiritual fitness.  (and hope I do better at it than at getting my steps)

I understand that you are having some trying times.  Well, you know you wouldn't have the full mission experience without the challenge area.  Your MP says he feels strongly that is where you belong.  That means there is someone there that needs you.  You will help the Lord change at least one life.  My prayer is that you will get to know about it.  Sometimes one doesn't, you know.  You may not find out until the next life even.  But it sure does help fight discouragement when you do see it.  Whether or not you get to see the  miracle you help bring, believe it and hang on to it.

You are nearing the end of your mission.  Don't get trunky.  Now is the time to really renew your dedication.  Make every last bit of time count.  Relish all of it, even the trials and challenges.  There will probably never be another time in your life quite like your mission.  BE THERE the whole time.

Love you so much and very proud of you.
Not trunky, but looking forward to seeing you the end of April. 

Love,
Grandma Barbara

No comments:

Post a Comment