Dec. 28, 2008
Dear Elder Sean,
It was GREAT talking with you on Christmas! I hope you had a wonderful day. I'm still very hopeful that you will get some of the packages we sent to you. Please let us know as soon as you get anything. You sounded great, happy and it made my day.
Church was wonderful today. Our Sunday School lesson was very spiritual. We finished up studying the BOM for the year and Bro. Mason, our teacher, focused on Moroni's words about faith, hope and charity. Then we talked about miracles and gifts of the spirit. Bro. Mason shared a miracle from his mission and we talked about how these are evidences as Moroni called them and asked if any others wanted to share any miracles. It was sweet to hear the stories and evidences from a few in the room. They were all very tender. It was evident that so many of the miracles happen when it comes to building up of the kingdom and people joining the church. Bro. Mason as a young missionary promised his 70-something year old investigator in Belgium that the ocean water would be warm enough for him to be baptized in(they were on an island with no fonts and it was too far for this gentleman to travel to the mainland and he had come down with pneumonia a few years earlier when he went out in the cold water and almost died). As they were teaching him over the weeks, the weather turned quite warm and the day before the baptism the water was in the 70's, but they woke up the next day to a huge rainstorm. The investigator called and said he couldn't go out in the rain for fear of getting sick. Bro. Mason told him the Lord didn't do all this work to warm up the ocean water just to see him back out of baptism and then promised him that the rain would subside for his baptism. They met in a building near the ocean for the meeting, talks and music, etc. It was still pouring rain. Then it was time to sing the first 2 verses of the hymn that they always sang right before each baptism. As they were singing, it stopped raining where they were. They walked to the cliff to go down to the beach and could see black skies all around with a hole in the clouds letting the sun through lighting the area where they were to do the baptism. They performed the baptism, went back inside and it started to rain again.
Many others in the room had similar stories, all very powerful and evidences of a loving Heavenly Father.
Last year I remember that Pres. Olsen and his wife were Santa and Mrs. Claus. Did they do that again this year? I remember also that President came walking through your office last year, so we got to talk briefly with him. Anyway, it's always fun getting to talk with you. And Hma. Lucas was so nice and thoughtful to take such good care of you missionaries.
Just as we were trying to call you (in the middle of our various attempts at phone numbers), Sister Aleki called us. I thought it was nice that she called us on Christmas day. Since her family in Samoa doesn't have any modern conveniences, I was glad I was able to talk with her and wish her a merry Christmas. She did get to call her brother who lives in California and she was going to try one of her relatives in Samoa who has a cell phone, but wasn't sure if she'd get through to her family. She's getting transferred this week to Meridian. I'm sure all this snow is quite a shock to her system.
Speaking of snow, it just keeps coming. We've never seen so much snow here. All Christmas eve and all Christmas day it snowed, which made it absolutely beautiful. On Friday it cleared up, then it snowed all day Saturday. I've been taking the kids hookey bobbing just about every day.
There's a little break in the system and we are going to try to get to Utah tomorrow. Getting back home will be another feat. We are leaving in the morning so if your letter isn't here by the time we leave, we'll check for it when we get to Utah. Sure wish grandma and grandpa would get the internet. We'll find a signal somewhere and log in. We're going to go to temple square to see the lights, take grandpa out for dinner for his birthday (this year he wants to either go to Red Lobster or a chinese restaurant-the kids are hoping for chinese), spend new years at Steve and CArolina's, visit the girls cousin, Tani, shop, tour, go to a BYU basketball game and head home after church next Sunday. That's the plan, but we'll be watching the weather each day. School starts next Monday and dad has to work next Monday, so we need to at least make a valiant effort to get back before then.
We spent most the afternoon playing games and wrapping gifts for grandma and grandpa and Charmaine. Kirk was able to get the week off too, so I'm glad he'll be able to come with us. Travis is a nice boss and very generous.
I spoke with my dad the other day and he was asking if you've gotten his letter yet. I really hope it gets to you. I don't know what he wrote, but he'd love to hear when it gets to you.
Today was Nikki's last day in junior Primary, can you believe it? Our little family is growing up quickly. She still keeps talking about getting the gift of the Holy Ghost. Also Sis. McCauley got called to be Leah's achievement day leader, so that's going to be great. There were quite a few calling changes made today especially in the Primary which is what happens at the end of the year. I'm still with the Bear Scouts though. That's good. We have a trip to Doug's Burger Den planned next week, so I can't miss that!
Cameron Dumas and Krystal Kjar got engaged last week. One of the Ray boys gave his farewell today in the 8th ward. Axel comes home next week. We just miss him coming home. Lacey Anderson and her husband spoke in our ward today. They have moved in with Lacey's parents, so it will be nice to have them in our ward. She talked about how great it will be to have the new temple in Cordoba because all the people in her mission will be able to attend that one and it will be so much closer for them. We saw the entire Shaw family at the movies on Christmas day. Tiffany is not engaged yet, but it could be any day now. Alex is still asking her out hoping that all 3 of the Thompson boys can say they dated her. So far she just laughs at him. We had a Christmas day buffet here with the Leifsons, the Kents, and the Hugentoblers. It was fun having them all here. Christmas Eve was so much fun at the Cameron's too. I would love to make that a tradition. Wish you could have seen Leah and Nikki's duet of Jolly Old St. Nickolaus. Leah did a good job playing the piano, but they laughed for so long just trying to get started that I thought they'd never do it. Stewart Jensen and his wife spoke in the single's ward today. He's a high councilor now and I guess he's over the single's ward. Kirk said they both were fun speakers.
Well, that's about all the news since we last talked. How did your meetings go over the weekend? I hope the Vallegas are still feeling the spirit. How about that neighbor family that helped you with the 12 days of Christmas? Are you teaching them? I love that story.
Here are some missionary tips for the week:
1. Always lock your car even if you'll be away for only a minute.
2. Drink orange juice.
3. When traveling to an area to tract, don't be in such a hurry that you overlook the hundreds of people you pass along the way.
4.Know the mission song by heart and sing it enthusiastically. If your mission doesn't have a song, write one.
5.Always have some money on hand.
6. Don't do a door approach with your hands in your pockets.
7. Be patient.
8. Carry a toy with you. Pull it out when young children start disrupting a discussion.
9.Create new words to Primary songs.
10. Write to perspective missionaries in your home ward.
Have a miraculous week, Sean. I love you very much.
momx0x0x0x0x0x0x0x00xx00xx0
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Christmas Letter to Sean at the Lucas Family
Dear Kathi:
Well, as you already know your son is spending Christmas with us. So I prepared some stocking for all the 6 missionaries who are coming here. I spoke to all the Moms and they are all sending a card or a letter I can print and put it inside their socks.
Do you think you can do that too? I forgot to tell you the other day we talked.
I thought it would be nice for them to receive some words from their moms on christmas time, even though you'll talk to them later.
Anyway, thanks for your time, and MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and your wonderful family.
Love,
Marcela
Dec. 25, 2008
My dear Sean,
How sweet of Marcela Lucas to think of us moms and of you missionaries. She's an angel in your life-one of many.
I hope you know how I feel about you. It's such a blessing as a mom to experience unconditional love. From the moment I felt you moving I felt love for you. Then when I finally got to see your cute face and could hold you, it became an overwhelming feeling, something every parent gets to experience. It gave me a small glimpse at what our Father in Heaven feels for us. How wise He is and how important is His plan. "The family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children."
As I sit here thinking of you, I want to share a few of the things I love about you:
Your spirituality-you seemed to know who you were and why we are all here from the time you were very small. The gospel just seemed to make sense to you.
Your faith-you never questioned the basics of the gospel or its principles. You always seem to move forward with faith.
Your sly smile-you have a cute imp-like and sly smile that I always love to see.
Your talents-you're always open to learning new things (a trait I hope you keep throughout life)
Your intelligence-you have an ability and gift in this area.
Your strength-not just physical, but in your ability to stand up for what you believe and have the courage and strength to be true to yourself.
Your wit-you have a quick mind and pick up on any nuances I tried to throw at you.
Your musicality-this is a gift from heaven to you and you use it well.
Your generosity-you have a generous heart and this I have learned about you as you have served your mission.
Your sense of humor-you have a dry humor that I understand well and it comes through in your letters sometimes too. I love it.
These are only a few and sometimes I get frustrated with the English language for its lack of verbiage that would enable me to write how I feel more eloquently. But I hope that I'm always able to let you know that I love you through my words, my actions and my prayers.
Have a beautiful Christmas day, enjoy the peace you feel being with the Lucas family and we will pray that you can find families who are ready for this same peace and joy in their lives.
I am always here for you. I love you very much.
mom xoxoxoxoxooxxoxo
Well, as you already know your son is spending Christmas with us. So I prepared some stocking for all the 6 missionaries who are coming here. I spoke to all the Moms and they are all sending a card or a letter I can print and put it inside their socks.
Do you think you can do that too? I forgot to tell you the other day we talked.
I thought it would be nice for them to receive some words from their moms on christmas time, even though you'll talk to them later.
Anyway, thanks for your time, and MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and your wonderful family.
Love,
Marcela
Dec. 25, 2008
My dear Sean,
How sweet of Marcela Lucas to think of us moms and of you missionaries. She's an angel in your life-one of many.
I hope you know how I feel about you. It's such a blessing as a mom to experience unconditional love. From the moment I felt you moving I felt love for you. Then when I finally got to see your cute face and could hold you, it became an overwhelming feeling, something every parent gets to experience. It gave me a small glimpse at what our Father in Heaven feels for us. How wise He is and how important is His plan. "The family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children."
As I sit here thinking of you, I want to share a few of the things I love about you:
Your spirituality-you seemed to know who you were and why we are all here from the time you were very small. The gospel just seemed to make sense to you.
Your faith-you never questioned the basics of the gospel or its principles. You always seem to move forward with faith.
Your sly smile-you have a cute imp-like and sly smile that I always love to see.
Your talents-you're always open to learning new things (a trait I hope you keep throughout life)
Your intelligence-you have an ability and gift in this area.
Your strength-not just physical, but in your ability to stand up for what you believe and have the courage and strength to be true to yourself.
Your wit-you have a quick mind and pick up on any nuances I tried to throw at you.
Your musicality-this is a gift from heaven to you and you use it well.
Your generosity-you have a generous heart and this I have learned about you as you have served your mission.
Your sense of humor-you have a dry humor that I understand well and it comes through in your letters sometimes too. I love it.
These are only a few and sometimes I get frustrated with the English language for its lack of verbiage that would enable me to write how I feel more eloquently. But I hope that I'm always able to let you know that I love you through my words, my actions and my prayers.
Have a beautiful Christmas day, enjoy the peace you feel being with the Lucas family and we will pray that you can find families who are ready for this same peace and joy in their lives.
I am always here for you. I love you very much.
mom xoxoxoxoxooxxoxo
Sunday, December 21, 2008
4 More Sleeps
Dec. 21, 2008
Dear Elder Sean,
Time is really flying by this December. I can't believe that it's only 4 more sleeps until we get to talk with you and oh yeah, it's Christmas too. So I won't make this letter very long since we'll be talking.
We had our Christmas sacrament mtg today and it was mainly choir with 2 solos-Casey Hancuff and Mary Thompson. I saw the 8th ward coming in after us and they were carrying what seemed to be a boat load of different instruments for their program. But I thought to myself, simple is often times much more spiritual. We had a wonderful meeting. Alex and I were both in the choir and it was enjoyable as usual.
I subbed for Nikki's class today. She was very excited about it, but her teacher had asked me to do a craft project with them and dropped off the stuff to me. There were so many little pieces of things to glue and staple, it quickly became overwhelming. I had asked Kristina to come in with me to help and it was a good thing I did. We could have used about 4 more adults in there to help out. I much prefer giving a lesson.
It snowed virtually all day today. It's been very pretty to look at, but tomorrow when everyone goes back to work, it will be a mess. It's supposed to snow again tomorrow. Looks like it might be time to go hookey-bobbing!
I spent most the afternoon making cookies and putting together our cookie platters. We'll give them out tomorrow. I tried a couple new things ( as usual), some with success and some not so great. I even tried a variation of the gooey butter bars where you put chocolate chips, walnuts, and coconut on top of the crust before you add the top batter. They are very rich and good.
Dad is working quite a bit these days since we are taking off after Christmas to go down to Utah for a visit. His next day off is Christmas. Kirk is also working a lot which is great. The big BSU bowl game is this Tues night so Blue and Orange sales are going great. BYU lost in their bowl game over the weekend.
We had a fun visit with Andrea the other night. She was leaving for the bowl game the next day-a long bus ride down to San Diego. Here's a picture with your loving brother-
Also here are the girls making gingerbread cookies (thanks to a little gift from Andrea to the girls).
How did transfers go?
Were there a lot of missionaries on their way home? You're probably very busy. I hope you're able to stop for a moment and take in the season although being on a mission probably feels like the spirit of Christmas every day.
I'm trying to organize a Christmas day buffet for some of the neighbors. We'll see how it goes. I don't want it to be a stress for anyone, just fun and relaxing.
I hope all our packages have made their way to you by now. Can't wait to hear what you thought and what you ended up doing with everything. Kirk is going to help me translate a couple letters I'm sending off tomorrow to my Argentine friends, Maria Carranza Castro, Susana Paez and of course, Marcela Lucas.
Your stocking is hung on the chimney, the map of Cordoba is on our wall, your pictures are in every room. You're always in my thoughts and prayers. I love sharing a little bit of your mission with you through our letters. I'm so grateful for your mission president and his wife and for the members who love you and watch over you. It brings me peace. I am also grateful that you understand what this life is really all about and how each soul is important. May you see each person you meet as Heavenly Father sees them. That is what I always pray for.
Have a wonderful day and enjoy being on the Lord's errand.
I love you and can't wait to talk with you.
momxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxooxoo
Dear Elder Sean,
Time is really flying by this December. I can't believe that it's only 4 more sleeps until we get to talk with you and oh yeah, it's Christmas too. So I won't make this letter very long since we'll be talking.
We had our Christmas sacrament mtg today and it was mainly choir with 2 solos-Casey Hancuff and Mary Thompson. I saw the 8th ward coming in after us and they were carrying what seemed to be a boat load of different instruments for their program. But I thought to myself, simple is often times much more spiritual. We had a wonderful meeting. Alex and I were both in the choir and it was enjoyable as usual.
I subbed for Nikki's class today. She was very excited about it, but her teacher had asked me to do a craft project with them and dropped off the stuff to me. There were so many little pieces of things to glue and staple, it quickly became overwhelming. I had asked Kristina to come in with me to help and it was a good thing I did. We could have used about 4 more adults in there to help out. I much prefer giving a lesson.
It snowed virtually all day today. It's been very pretty to look at, but tomorrow when everyone goes back to work, it will be a mess. It's supposed to snow again tomorrow. Looks like it might be time to go hookey-bobbing!
I spent most the afternoon making cookies and putting together our cookie platters. We'll give them out tomorrow. I tried a couple new things ( as usual), some with success and some not so great. I even tried a variation of the gooey butter bars where you put chocolate chips, walnuts, and coconut on top of the crust before you add the top batter. They are very rich and good.
Dad is working quite a bit these days since we are taking off after Christmas to go down to Utah for a visit. His next day off is Christmas. Kirk is also working a lot which is great. The big BSU bowl game is this Tues night so Blue and Orange sales are going great. BYU lost in their bowl game over the weekend.
We had a fun visit with Andrea the other night. She was leaving for the bowl game the next day-a long bus ride down to San Diego. Here's a picture with your loving brother-
Also here are the girls making gingerbread cookies (thanks to a little gift from Andrea to the girls).
How did transfers go?
Were there a lot of missionaries on their way home? You're probably very busy. I hope you're able to stop for a moment and take in the season although being on a mission probably feels like the spirit of Christmas every day.I'm trying to organize a Christmas day buffet for some of the neighbors. We'll see how it goes. I don't want it to be a stress for anyone, just fun and relaxing.
I hope all our packages have made their way to you by now. Can't wait to hear what you thought and what you ended up doing with everything. Kirk is going to help me translate a couple letters I'm sending off tomorrow to my Argentine friends, Maria Carranza Castro, Susana Paez and of course, Marcela Lucas.
Your stocking is hung on the chimney, the map of Cordoba is on our wall, your pictures are in every room. You're always in my thoughts and prayers. I love sharing a little bit of your mission with you through our letters. I'm so grateful for your mission president and his wife and for the members who love you and watch over you. It brings me peace. I am also grateful that you understand what this life is really all about and how each soul is important. May you see each person you meet as Heavenly Father sees them. That is what I always pray for.
Have a wonderful day and enjoy being on the Lord's errand.
I love you and can't wait to talk with you.
momxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxooxoo
Sunday, December 14, 2008
First SnowStorm '08
Dec. 14, 2008
Dear Elder Sean,
This storm kind of came out of nowhere, but the kids are loving it. It's supposed to snow on and off for about 3 days, which is kind of weird for this area. Luckily Kirk made it home just before the snow hit. He brought Jan and Jeff with him since they came up to Rexburg for Mary's graduation (yes, she finally graduated after 6 years of college). Actually, she's not sure if she'll pass one of her classes, but we'll see. Mary and David drove straight home from Rexburg and Jan and Jeff came here for the weekend so Jeff could visit with his dad. They'll be here until Tues and will fly home from here.
The kids spent the Sabbath snow shoveling for our home and for some of the neighbors. It turned into a bit of a neighborhood snowball fight however. Tonight we played games together (always remember that the family that plays together, stays together!) We read scriptures and discussed Amalakiah and Lahonti and read from a Christmas book where I read about one Christmas virtue each day before Christmas.
Today at church we had a return missionary speak (he was from another ward and his family had recently moved here from Missouri). One thing that stood out for me in his talk was what he said his mission president told them. Their president told them to not look at the people they were teaching dressed in white for baptism, but rather they should look at them dressed in white ready to go to the temple. He said that that really made a difference in the way he taught when he thought of it that way. It didn't become about the numbers then, it became about saving an entire family and helping them prepare to get to the temple.
Friday night dad and I went to a white elephant party at the Shaw's. It was very fun. They had about 8 couples there, most of them from the 2nd ward. We played some other games too, ate, talked and laughed. The Shaws are such a great couple and I've often thought how fun it would be to live next door.
Yesterday was the EHS Christmas concert. They had 2 performances because the crowds are so large. I worked the snack table during the first concert and our family went to the 2nd concert. Kirk and Jan and Jeff managed to get there halfway through and joined us. We have reserve seats this year, so we sit front and center 4 rows back. I love it!!! Well worth the money. Alex had a solo this year and he did an awesome job. He sang Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas with Premium Blend behind him. My heart was pounding so hard when he stepped out front and forward to sing, you would have thought I was performing. It was a difficult rendition and the range he had to sing was from low D to an A and he hit it with perfect pitch. We videoed the whole thing and have put it on Youtube for the world to see (ok, most likely just our friends and family). We also put it on our Trumbo blog. It's fun to be able to show the family even when they can't be there.
Dad's been a little busy with tithing settlements still and we have a few more events this week to attend. Tis the season. I need to start baking for our cookie giveaways too. We've got all the packages sent to you now. There should be 5 in total. Only one says Do not open til Christmas, but the other 4 are to open now and have many things to give away. Let us know as you get them and which one it is, etc. We send these out in faith hoping they get there in tact and into your hands. We had a lot of fun putting them together for you. Hope you enjoy them.
It was great hear about your mission conference. Can't wait to see your customized jerseys too. I'm sure the whole thing was very motivating for all involved. We passed your letter on to Bro. Shaw so he could read about your ideas of using the Book of Mormon in contacts and teaching. He said he really enjoyed the letter and was definitely going to use it in Missionary Prep classes.
How are the Villegas coming along? It's made me think about adults joining the church coming from a lifetime of habits, both bad and good, coming from families who taught them with love of other and often times very conflicting values and traditions, and then I remember how here in our ward how dad is always telling the young men to make those simple "deacon decisions" now that will carry them through their whole lives. As a beehive, my teacher asked us to do the same thing and I can even remember her giving us a few moments of silence to make a commitment to the Lord and His gospel. These adults didn't have the opportunity to make those beehive/deacon commitments, but they need to make that same type commitment now in their lives, a commitment that will carry them through to the end, one that doesn't have to be remade at every crossroad of life. The phrase that sticks in my mind is, now you don't have to make that decision ever again, you've made it now move forward in faith and hope. Even though they are adults, it's still a plain and simple decision. Somewhere in their soul they hear the whisperings of the spirit testifying of the truthfulness of the restoration and say to themselves, no matter what happens from now on I have made a decision to stay on the Lord's side because of what I have felt and I can't deny it. It also seems almost imperative that the new convert should bear testimony, no matter how simple, because that will become such an integral part of the conversion process. Saying and making a commitment out loud, bearing testimony, always builds testimonies. The bearing of testimony solidifies the physical act of baptism by immersion. I hope that new converts everywhere are given opportunities to put voice to what they are so powerfully experiencing and feeling. I know that you as a missionary must hear many beautiful, heartfelt testimonies of souls as they have experienced the spirit for the first time in their lives. There is nothing more tender to my heart than hearing the first prayer of a friend taking the lessons.
You sound great in your letters and I can't wait to talk with you on Christmas day. Nikki says she loves Christmas the best of all but why does it take so long to get here. Her pure joy of life and her natural love for all people has taught me much needed lessons. Continue to learn, Sean, no matter how old you get. There are lessons everywhere.
Have a spirit-filled week.
Love you,
momxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Dear Elder Sean,
This storm kind of came out of nowhere, but the kids are loving it. It's supposed to snow on and off for about 3 days, which is kind of weird for this area. Luckily Kirk made it home just before the snow hit. He brought Jan and Jeff with him since they came up to Rexburg for Mary's graduation (yes, she finally graduated after 6 years of college). Actually, she's not sure if she'll pass one of her classes, but we'll see. Mary and David drove straight home from Rexburg and Jan and Jeff came here for the weekend so Jeff could visit with his dad. They'll be here until Tues and will fly home from here.
The kids spent the Sabbath snow shoveling for our home and for some of the neighbors. It turned into a bit of a neighborhood snowball fight however. Tonight we played games together (always remember that the family that plays together, stays together!) We read scriptures and discussed Amalakiah and Lahonti and read from a Christmas book where I read about one Christmas virtue each day before Christmas.
Today at church we had a return missionary speak (he was from another ward and his family had recently moved here from Missouri). One thing that stood out for me in his talk was what he said his mission president told them. Their president told them to not look at the people they were teaching dressed in white for baptism, but rather they should look at them dressed in white ready to go to the temple. He said that that really made a difference in the way he taught when he thought of it that way. It didn't become about the numbers then, it became about saving an entire family and helping them prepare to get to the temple.
Friday night dad and I went to a white elephant party at the Shaw's. It was very fun. They had about 8 couples there, most of them from the 2nd ward. We played some other games too, ate, talked and laughed. The Shaws are such a great couple and I've often thought how fun it would be to live next door.
Yesterday was the EHS Christmas concert. They had 2 performances because the crowds are so large. I worked the snack table during the first concert and our family went to the 2nd concert. Kirk and Jan and Jeff managed to get there halfway through and joined us. We have reserve seats this year, so we sit front and center 4 rows back. I love it!!! Well worth the money. Alex had a solo this year and he did an awesome job. He sang Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas with Premium Blend behind him. My heart was pounding so hard when he stepped out front and forward to sing, you would have thought I was performing. It was a difficult rendition and the range he had to sing was from low D to an A and he hit it with perfect pitch. We videoed the whole thing and have put it on Youtube for the world to see (ok, most likely just our friends and family). We also put it on our Trumbo blog. It's fun to be able to show the family even when they can't be there.
Dad's been a little busy with tithing settlements still and we have a few more events this week to attend. Tis the season. I need to start baking for our cookie giveaways too. We've got all the packages sent to you now. There should be 5 in total. Only one says Do not open til Christmas, but the other 4 are to open now and have many things to give away. Let us know as you get them and which one it is, etc. We send these out in faith hoping they get there in tact and into your hands. We had a lot of fun putting them together for you. Hope you enjoy them.
It was great hear about your mission conference. Can't wait to see your customized jerseys too. I'm sure the whole thing was very motivating for all involved. We passed your letter on to Bro. Shaw so he could read about your ideas of using the Book of Mormon in contacts and teaching. He said he really enjoyed the letter and was definitely going to use it in Missionary Prep classes.
How are the Villegas coming along? It's made me think about adults joining the church coming from a lifetime of habits, both bad and good, coming from families who taught them with love of other and often times very conflicting values and traditions, and then I remember how here in our ward how dad is always telling the young men to make those simple "deacon decisions" now that will carry them through their whole lives. As a beehive, my teacher asked us to do the same thing and I can even remember her giving us a few moments of silence to make a commitment to the Lord and His gospel. These adults didn't have the opportunity to make those beehive/deacon commitments, but they need to make that same type commitment now in their lives, a commitment that will carry them through to the end, one that doesn't have to be remade at every crossroad of life. The phrase that sticks in my mind is, now you don't have to make that decision ever again, you've made it now move forward in faith and hope. Even though they are adults, it's still a plain and simple decision. Somewhere in their soul they hear the whisperings of the spirit testifying of the truthfulness of the restoration and say to themselves, no matter what happens from now on I have made a decision to stay on the Lord's side because of what I have felt and I can't deny it. It also seems almost imperative that the new convert should bear testimony, no matter how simple, because that will become such an integral part of the conversion process. Saying and making a commitment out loud, bearing testimony, always builds testimonies. The bearing of testimony solidifies the physical act of baptism by immersion. I hope that new converts everywhere are given opportunities to put voice to what they are so powerfully experiencing and feeling. I know that you as a missionary must hear many beautiful, heartfelt testimonies of souls as they have experienced the spirit for the first time in their lives. There is nothing more tender to my heart than hearing the first prayer of a friend taking the lessons.
You sound great in your letters and I can't wait to talk with you on Christmas day. Nikki says she loves Christmas the best of all but why does it take so long to get here. Her pure joy of life and her natural love for all people has taught me much needed lessons. Continue to learn, Sean, no matter how old you get. There are lessons everywhere.
Have a spirit-filled week.
Love you,
momxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
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