Spring is here! Daffodils and blossoms all around

Monday was the only day I walked by the river this week. 

Haven’t seen the great white egret for a few weeks until Monday. Welcome back friend.

I walked Tuesday and Wednesday in my neighborhood.

Thursday I walked the treadmill (I very much dislike the treadmill) in a Medford hotel while there for a zone conference. Friday I walked in lovely Mingus Park in Coos Bay as I was there for missionary interviews.

Saturday I hiked with Sister and Elder Crump along Wild Iris Ridge Trail.

It was foggy in the valley below

Now you have my walking history, LOL, I’ll get on with the opportunities of the week. It has been a great week. I have been blessed to see every missionary in the mission. Zone Conferences were held Tuesday in Eugene, Wednesday in Roseburg, and Thursday in Medford. Each conference begins with lunch followed by training and learning opportunities. President and Sister Cornelius speak, each member of the mission presidency speaks, and the assistants to the president and the sister training leaders all do presentations. It is quality time to feel the Spirit and to be guided to become better missionaries and servants of the Lord. 

Elder Barker gives a short informational presentation regarding cars and maintenance and driving skills.

I gave a short presentation about requirements for going to doctors and insurance and what to do if they are ill.

Morning sunrise on drive from Eugene to Roseburg

Eugene lunch and training

Singing to the Relief Society sisters who prepared lunch in Roseburg

Afternoon break time for cookies in Medford

Friday interviews were held in North Bend followed by a Restoration Devotional that evening. I didn’t get back to my apartment until after 11:00 P.M. but it was worth the late night. 

In North Bend at interviews, Sister Budge brought me some cute white flowers. Elder Wellock had a long arm so helped me get a picture of us and my flowers.

Sisters Cornelius, Davis and Sutherland waiting for interviews.

Sister Sutherland and our traditional “silly” picture

Saturday evening Sister and Elder Barker invited me to go with them to Creswell to take two elders serving there to dinner. We ate at Toxic Burger. Strange name for an eatery but the pulled pork sandwich I had was delicious. 

Elder Brown, Sister and Elder Barker, and Elder Welch

All during the week, I have been thinking about the Come Follow Me lessons for this year and the blessing of studying again the Book of Mormon. 

My goal is to read/study the Book of Mormon daily. I must confess that I fall short in this goal all too often. I read at least one chapter daily but my desire is to spend more time in this book. I have come to value the teachings and lessons I can find in the Book of Mormon. I have recently read several conference addresses discussing this book. One I liked a lot was given in October 2017 by then President of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles, President Russell M Nelson titled The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like without It?

President Nelson begins his talk with this story: 

In 1986, I was invited to give a special lecture at a university in Accra, Ghana. There I met a number of dignitaries, including an African tribal king. As we visited prior to the lecture, the king spoke to me only through his linguist, who then translated for me. I responded to the linguist, and the linguist then translated my responses to the king.

After my lecture, the king made his way directly to me, but this time without his linguist. To my surprise, he spoke in perfect English—the Queen’s English, I might add!

The king seemed puzzled. “Just who are you?” he asked.

I replied, “I am an ordained Apostle of Jesus Christ.”

The king asked, “What can you teach me about Jesus Christ?”

I responded with a question: “May I ask what you already know about Him?”

The king’s response revealed he was a serious student of the Bible and one who loved the Lord.

I then asked if he knew about the ministry of Jesus Christ to the people of ancient America.

As I expected, he did not.

I explained that after the Savior’s Crucifixion and Resurrection, He came to the people of ancient America, where He taught His gospel. He organized His Church and asked His disciples to keep a record of His ministry among them.

“That record,” I continued, “is what we know as the Book of Mormon. It is another testament of Jesus Christ. It is a companion scripture to the Holy Bible.”

At this point, the king became very interested. I turned to the mission president accompanying me and asked if he had an extra copy of the Book of Mormon with him. He pulled one from his briefcase.

I opened it to 3 Nephi chapter 11, and together the king and I read the Savior’s sermon to the Nephites. I then presented the copy of the Book of Mormon to him. His response lodged in my mind and heart forever: “You could have given me diamonds or rubies, but nothing is more precious to me than this additional knowledge about the Lord Jesus Christ.”

In 3 Nephi 11:14 we read: Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world.

I have come to love the teachings found in the Book of Mormon and the spirit that comes to me as I read and study it. It IS more precious than diamonds or rubies! I can grow closer to my Savior, Jesus Christ, as I read and ponder. I have a greater desire to be more Christ-like in my actions and words.

I would encourage you to read this conference talk given by President Nelson. At the end of the talk are several lists of what you will find in the Book of Mormon compiled by President Nelson. I know that if you will study and read the the Book of Mormon you will find greater joy in life. I would invite you to make reading the Book of Mormon a part of your daily life.

During my mission in New Zealand a few years ago, I took the opportunity to get a new Book of Mormon and as I read it, I marked every reference to my Savior throughout the book. It was an amazing experience.

I am grateful for my testimony of the truthfulness of the message of the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. I know through the gift of the Holy Ghost that Jesus Christ is my Savior. That he atoned for my sins and was resurrected. He has shown me the covenant path by which I can return to my Father in Heaven and live with him again if I am worthy. Families are eternal. 

I love my Savior, Jesus Christ.

I love you my family and friends.

It is such a pleasure to work with the missionaries.

We’ve had a mixture of rain and sunshine this week but it is always “sunny” when I’m with the missionaries. They bring with them an enthusiastic spirit and a joy for life.

 Wednesday was Valentine’s Day and I gave and received a lot of hugs and love. 

It was the mission leadership training also on Wednesday. We fed 80ish people for lunch before the training began. Elder and Sister Crump made BBQ pulled pork for sandwiches. We had two salads to choose from: macaroni and potato and on the side carrots and bowls of fruit (grapes and strawberries) assembled by Sister Barker. I made brownies for dessert. I didn’t get pictures of the tables and missionaries eating but I did get a picture of Elder and Sister Barker and Elder and Sister Crump working in the kitchen.

Thursday we had Santa Clara Zone missionary interviews in the office.

Waiting to be interviewed by President Cornelius

Friday we went to Corvallis for that zone’s interviews. I didn’t get any pictures. The day was full and long. 

After the interviews in each zone we have a restoration devotional. There are musical numbers and presentations by President Cornelius and some of the missionaries along with the testimony of a recent convert. Each devotional is a spiritual experience testifying that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the restored church that the Savior created during his ministry. The Church was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith.

Saturday morning I helped clean the chapel and then I went grocery shopping and to lunch with my friend Diana Lamboy. 

I walked by the river on Monday and Tuesday but the other days I walked in my neighborhood. It is hilly so I got a good cardio workout!

3 weeks ago, I posted this picture of a bench and a tree to the side that were inundated by a swollen river.

Tuesday a picture of the same bench and tree now again on the bank with dry “feet” as the water has dropped a lot.

Not much news to share this week. It has been busy but mostly routine. Had a few cases of stomach virus, colds/flu, and monitoring of injuries from past weeks. Doctor appointment to help set up and a report to prepare for the week. 

As I said in the beginning, no matter the weather or the work, it always makes me happy to be serving here in the mission. One of my favorite hymns sums it up pretty well.

There is sunshine in my soul today,

More glorious and bright

Than glows in any earthly sky,

For Jesus is my light.

[Chorus]

Oh, there’s sunshine, blessed sunshine

When the peaceful happy moments roll.

When Jesus shows his smiling face,

There is sunshine in the soul.

There is music in my soul today,

A carol to my King,

And Jesus listening can hear

The songs I cannot sing.

[Chorus]

There is springtime in my soul today,

For when the Lord is near,

The dove of peace sings in my heart,

The flow’rs of grace appear.

[Chorus]

There is gladness in my soul today,

And hope and praise and love,

For blessings which he gives me now,

For joys “laid up” above.

[Chorus]

Oh, there’s sunshine, blessed sunshine

When the peaceful happy moments roll.

When Jesus shows his smiling face,

There is sunshine in the soul.

I pray that you will have a glorious week full of love and sunshine.

I love my Savior.

I love you my family and friends.

 

Every day brings change in one way or another.

Saturday President and Sister Cornelius invited me to attend a baptism with them on the coast in Newport. It was a wonderful opportunity to have a spiritual note and an adventure too. It is about an hour and forty five minute drive to Newport driving north almost to Corvallis and then west to Newport.. 

The baptism was for a man in his 70’s who is a Vietnam War veteran. He is a native American born in New York and is an Iriquois Indian. He was very interesting to talk with. He had a lot of stories to share.

After the baptism, we drove along the coastal highway to Florence before cutting east back to Eugene. Before leaving Newport, we stopped for lunch. I had a nice bowl of clam chowder. Delicious!

We stopped in a couple of places for pictures. 

We stopped at the Heceta Head Lighthouse. The big white building is a B&B that was originally the lighthouse keeper’s home I believe. The trees hide the lighthouse itself out on the point.

We drove a few miles down the road and looked back and then we could see the lighthouse.

It was a fun way to end a busy week.

Monday morning I walked in the rain. I never mind the rain. It is actually quite refreshing. Everything is so clean and beautifully green.

Monday evening Sister and Elder Barker came over for dinner. Afterward we played Azul. Fun game!

Tuesday morning we had the weekly office meeting to go over the schedule and plan for the week Afterward, I worked on following up with missionaries to make sure that they had the medications they needed and also continued to prepare for the new missionaries who would arrive on Friday. I was invited to lunch with Sisters Crouch and West at Gotcha Burgers. What a great way to get two rays of “sunshine” in the middle of your day!

Thursday was transfer day where the missionaries are moved to various areas around the mission. Not everyone moves every transfer (transfer period is 6 weeks) but a good number of people change locations. 

The office becomes a lively place as missionaries wait for the change and incoming companions. Others wait in their areas too far away to come to Eugene.

Waiting in the parking lot 

Sister Barker prepares bags for the new missionaries who arrive on Friday. Each bag contains a mattress and pillow cover and a blanket.

Thursday evening was dinner at the mission home where President and Sister Cornelius live. They provide a dinner for the departing missionaries who have completed their mission. This transfer only 4 missionaries went home. They will be missed!

Me and the departing missionaries:

Sister Hadfield

Elder Hansen

Elder Nelson

Elder Varty

Friday we received 12 new missionaries. 5 of the 12 will be here temporarily while they wait for visas to go to their assigned foreign missions. As you may recall, we serve them lunch and then the president interviews each missionary. I interview them also to get a current health history from each one. It is exciting to meet these new missionaries who are so enthused (and I think a little frightened) at a new beginning.

Tables set up and training missionaries waiting for their new companions

Lunch – meatballs, garlic bread and salad

Sisters Cornelius and Crouch waiting the arrivals

Sister Sutherland and our traditional “silly” pictures that happens when we see each other. LOL

The newly arrived – finally!!

Sister Barker says “Let’s get the food on the table”

Sister Ables (new arrival) and Sister Maile (trainer) already giving service

Lunch is served

This week I was talking to a missionary and as we chatted, a BYU devotional speech that I had read some time ago came to my mind. We all struggle. That is a given. We all need to heal. That is our desire. Healing is not always a physical ailment that we are healing from but can be a spiritual or mental ailment that needs to heal. 

“Healing is much more than “getting better” or “having our problems go away.” Healing is growth, development, and maturation. In a word, healing is change. It takes time and energy and struggle, but healing teaches us.” 

Jonathan G.Sandberg was a professor in the BYU School of Family Life when this talk was given in 2014. It is titled Healing = Courage + Action + Grace. 

He begins: 

That brings me to today’s topic: healing. We all need healing. For some of us that need is great today. There are likely among us those who are brokenhearted because a relationship has ended badly. Others are in pain because their parents have decided to divorce or a loved one has renounced the Church. Some have learned recently that they have a chronic illness, and others have just relapsed into addictive behavior for what seems like the hundredth time. I would guess that there are some today who have wondered if depression or anxiety will always be a suffocating influence in their lives, while other students are going through a loss that seems both unfair and unrelenting. Others are drowning in loneliness and isolation while still others are constantly placed on the margins.

My hope today is to encourage you that healing is possible if you apply the principles that lead to healing. I will try to explain clearly—and I ask for your prayers that we can understand one another by the Spirit—three principles that can lead to healing and to knowing that all healing is a gift from Jesus Christ, for, as Isaiah said, “with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

My talk is entitled “Healing = Courage + Action + Grace.” And in honor of Martin Luther King Jr., who was recently listed in Ted Stewart’s The Mark of a Giant2 as one of seven people who changed the world, I start with an example from his life that so clearly highlights these principles. Look for courage, action, and grace as I read his words:

Almost immediately after the [bus boycott] started we had begun to receive threatening telephone calls and letters. They increased as time went on. . . .

One night . . . I couldn’t sleep. It seemed that all of my fears had come down on me at once. . . .

. . . I had heard these things before, but for some reason that night it got to me. . . . I went to the kitchen and . . . I sat there and thought about a beautiful little daughter who had just been born. . . . I started thinking about a dedicated and loyal wife, who was over there asleep. And she could be taken from me, or I could be taken from her. And I got to the point that I couldn’t take it any longer. . . . With my head in my hands, I bowed over the kitchen table and prayed aloud . . . : “Lord, I’m down here trying to do what’s right. I think I’m right. I am here taking a stand for what I believe is right. But Lord, I must confess that I’m weak now, I’m faltering. I’m losing my courage. Now, I am afraid. . . . I have nothing left. I’ve come to the point where I can’t face it alone.”

It seemed as though I could hear the quiet assurance of an inner voice saying: “Martin Luther, stand up for righteousness. Stand up for justice. Stand up for truth. And lo, I will be with you. Even until the end of the world.”

I tell you . . . I heard the voice of Jesus saying still to fight on. He promised never to leave me alone. At that moment I experienced the presence of the Divine as I had never experienced Him before. Almost at once my fears began to go. My uncertainty disappeared. I was ready to face anything.

Can you see in this example the pathway to healing? Courage to face a difficult situation and stand for truth, acting in faith by turning to God in prayer, and peace and strength from the Lord through His grace—courage, action, grace.

This talk has a wonderful message full of instruction and hope. I would encourage you to read it. 

I pray that you will have a great week ahead 

I love my Savior.

I love you my family and friends.