I was able to meet more of the missionaries in person.

Sisters Chaddock and Cummings in Roseburg

I’ll just run through the week for an overview.  Unfortunately, I didn’t get a lot of pictures to document the experiences of the week.   Monday President and Sister Cornelius invited me to go with them to meet and have lunch with the counselors at Family Services who help our missionaries with mental health issues.  It was a nice lunch they offered us (You know I love food!) and we were able to discuss and learn ways that we can help each other to better help our missionaries.

Tuesday I was in the office all day with a weekly planning meeting in the morning to go over the meetings and conferences to be held during the week and to work out any logistical problems in doing the work.

Wednesday was leadership training for the sister training leaders, the zone leaders and some of the district leaders.  I helped with the luncheon set up and some prep prior to the training.  Sister Cornelius made gallons of white bean chicken chili and we had toasted Italian bread, chips, and ice cream.  

Missionaries in the office after training

Thursday, I had a missionary in Roseburg (1 ½ hour drive) whom I felt I needed to see.  President and Sister Cornelius were there for interviews so I got in my car and drove down.  It was nice to see the missionary in person and to help with the needs there.  It was also good to visit with the other missionaries in that zone while they waited for their interview with the president.

At the end of the interviews, Elder and Sister Hopkins came to discuss some things with President.  The Hopkins live near Roseburg.  They oversee the young service missionaries in the area.  I served with the Hopkins in my New York Mission.  I had seen them week before last in the office but it was fun to see them again.

They invited us to dinner at a Mexican Restaurant so the assistants to the president took their vehicle back to Eugene and President and Sister Cornelius rode back with me.  

It was such a great experience for me and Sister Cornelius to visit with the missionaries that I was invited on Friday to go with them to interviews in Coos Bay District in North Bend which is on the Coast about 2 hours from Eugene. It is a beautiful drive over the coastal mountains to the ocean.  I rode in the mission van with President and Sister Cornelius and the assistants to the president.

Ocean views from the van window

A lot of lumber mills and stacks of logs in North Bend

Even though it was late afternoon and summer, it was still misty in some areas along the coastal range

President pulled the van to the side of the road to capture this view

Loved the flowers!

And the big black bees flying all around the blossoms

The bushes were loaded with berries about to ripen

Suislaw River along the highway going through the coastal range

Saturday I attended a three ward pioneer day celebration.

Dinner in the park

Evidence of the brownie that was really tasty  LOL

I have had some beautiful morning walks and the blessing of seeing the sunrise and the wonderful world in which we live.

Dancing sticks along the river bank

Friday morning I walked with Sister and Elder Crump through the wetlands

Amazon Creek

Sunday dinner - Chicken, cranberry sauce, yam, wild rice mix and green beans.

As I’ve walked and with drive time this week I have had a lot of time to ponder why it seems that some people have trials and problems more than others and yet they often hold their heads high and trudge through without complaint.  It makes me admire those who have this ability.

With his permission, I want to tell you about my son-in-law, Jeremy.  He has a rare and recently recognized neurological illness that causes him constant pain. His body temperature regulating system doesn’t function properly.  He is always hot. This has been going on for 5-6 years.  It is difficult for him to work. It is difficult for him to see an end to this trial.  He has been to Mayo Clinic and sees a specialist at the University of Utah but because the disease is relatively new, there are few known treatments.  His doctors are at a standstill in knowing how to help him.

But because of his faith and trust in the Lord, he does not complain.  He has told me at times he is afraid and worried but he never gives up.  He is a true hero in my book.  I know that whatever Jeremy has to face, he will be able to do so because of his faith and trust in the Lord.

I have faith and trust in the Lord.  I have felt and seen the hand of the Lord in my life in so many ways.  Please, if you are struggling with health, a trial or a weakness of any kind, pray and find comfort and strength in the Savior.

On the Church website, I found this information about adversity:

“As part of Heavenly Father’s plan of redemption, you experience adversity during mortality. Trials, disappointments, sadness, sickness, and heartache are a difficult part of life, but they can lead to spiritual growth, refinement, and progress as you turn to the Lord.

Adversity comes from different sources. Adversity may sometimes come because of others’ poor choices and hurtful words and actions. You may at times face trials as a consequence of your own pride and disobedience. These trials can be avoided through righteous living. Other trials are simply a natural part of life and may come at times when you are living righteously. For example, you may experience trials in times of sickness or uncertainty or at the deaths of loved ones. 

Your success and happiness, both now and in the eternities, depend largely on your responses to the difficulties of life.

An account in the Book of Mormon illustrates different responses to adversity. The prophet Lehi and his family had been traveling in the wilderness for several days, using their bows and arrows to hunt for food. The family encountered difficulties when Lehi’s sons lost the use of their bows. Laman and Lemuel’s bows lost their spring, and Nephi’s broke. Hungry and tired, Laman and Lemuel began to complain against the Lord. Even Lehi began to murmur. Nephi, on the other hand, refused to be discouraged. He went to work. He recounted: “I, Nephi, did make out of wood a bow, and out of a straight stick, an arrow; wherefore, I did arm myself with a bow and an arrow, with a sling and with stones. And I said unto my father: Whither shall I go to obtain food?” Humbled because of Nephi’s words, Lehi asked the Lord where they should go for food. The Lord answered his prayers and led Nephi to a place where he could obtain food. (See 1 Nephi 16:15–31.)

When some people face adversity, they are like Laman and Lemuel. They complain and become bitter. They ask questions like “Why does this have to happen to me? Why do I have to suffer this now? What have I done to deserve this?” But these questions have the power to dominate their thoughts. Such questions can overtake their vision, absorb their energy, and deprive them of the experiences the Lord wants them to receive. Rather than responding in this way, you should follow Nephi’s example. Consider asking questions such as, “What am I to do? What am I to learn from this experience? What am I to change? Whom am I to help? How can I remember my many blessings in times of trial?”

Different kinds of adversity require different responses. For example, if you are stricken with illness, you may simply need to be patient and faithful. If you suffer because of others’ words or actions, you should work toward forgiving those who have offended you. If you are a victim of abuse, you should seek help immediately. If trials come because of your own disobedience, you should correct your behavior and humbly seek forgiveness.

Although some of your responses to adversity will vary, one response should be constant—your trust in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. The prophet Alma taught, “Whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day” (Alma 36:3).”

I testify that the Lord loves each of us.  He wants us to be happy.  I know that the trials and hard things I have experienced in my life have brought me closer to my Savior.  Were they easy??  No.  But I love my Savior more than ever.  I have grown closer to my family.  I try every day to be grateful for the experiences I have been blessed to have in my life.  I know my Savior lives and that he loves me. 

I love you my family and friends.