Oh my goodness!! 2 full weeks have passed. Full of Zone conference and interviews. What a delight it is to meet with these missionaries every transfer! We love them. We love their spirit and enthusiasm and energy. We learn from them. We even love their struggles, challenges and honesty.
We had 20 new missionaries this transfer. What a beautiful thing to see new life. These missionaries are here to teach and the light they bring radiates! REALLY radiates.
One of these sweet sisters is from PNG .... thats Papua New Guinea. Humble. Grateful. FULL of light. She has taught me much already. No regular mail delivery, no wifi/computer/cell phones or regular communication with family. Just sweet simple, humble gratitude to be blessed to be on a mission serving. I learned much from her in the sweet short time we visited together.
I love the focus on the celebration of the restoration of the gospel. 200 years ago God the Father and his son appeared to a young boy who was seeking and pleading for answers. And just as Heavenly Father promises us he'll answer our prayers, he answered young Joseph. The simplicity and beauty of that message and revelation that has flowed since then is awe inspiring and humbling.
I have read and studied this account written and given to different audiences, at different ages, and in progressive increased spirituality and wisdom from the Prophet Joseph. This synopsis is a great resource:
I Saw the Lord:
God the Father and His Son, did visit this young prophet. The restoration of Christs church is for us. It teaches us and gives us knowledge of our divinity. We will live with them again. They love us and have provided a plan to help us be our spiritual souls that we yearn to recognize, seek and become.
One of our former missionaries came back to visit with his family. It is a amazing to see him again. Our hearts are lifted by the good individuals we associate with.
And these cute sisters in our district came over to make netting necklaces to hold the jade greenstone that is traditional in New Zealand. We love them and their desire to spend any of their free time with us. We love their energy and laughter. What a great day!
Sometime in the past 2 weeks we visited Mclaren Falls, where the release water from a dam several times a year to allow for "recreational activity" and let kayaks head down the river with the extra water level. The opening and rising of the water was fun and gorgeous. Just a couple weeks earlier, we watched divers and jumpers jump from rocks into a big pool below. This picture shows the pool higher up and surrounded by the foliage and beauty of New Zealand.
Just to make the mission more real for you, I got to spend a ladies night out with some other senior women to see a movie and celebrate two birthdays. The men were more than happy and relieved that we went together and didn't subject them to "Emma". Their friendship and laughter was a lot of fun.
This week, we're delighted, overjoyed and immersing ourselves in a visit from our daughter and her family. Such a balm to our souls that yearn for them daily. They are a delight! Our Joy is Full.
We will continue to serve, and be grateful for the things we learn and appreciate each day.
