Hi Family!! We hope everyone is happy, healthy and having a wonderful summer. As we approach our three-month mark (half way done already?) I have a million thoughts running through my mind. I am in the process of compiling a LONG list of the many things I love about our little apartment and I promise to blog about that soon, but today I am thinking about the blessings of missionary service and the gratitude I feel for this opportunity. It has been wonderful to get to know and love a whole branch full of people – each one unique and interesting in his or her own way. Church members in Pennsylvania are special and this is a reality! They love each other and care for one another in a way we have never witnessed before and being in the Lock Haven Branch has touched us tremendously. It has also been our privilege to watch a recently baptized couple learn to grasp the principles of the gospel – as we teach them, they are really teaching us with their humility and childlike faith. We feel our testimonies growing daily as we struggle with the many highs and lows of being missionaries, and we have a new love and admiration for our sons who have done this with the added challenges of youth and the difficulties of learning a new language and living in a foreign country with strangers for their companions. My companion is a great missionary, and that has been the biggest blessing of all.
Saturday was the Branch Temple trip to Palmyra Temple in upstate New York. We awoke at 5:00 am and arrived home at 7:30 pm!! It was a LONG day, but Millie and Barry, the newly baptized couple, did some baptisms, and the few branch members that were able to attend, had a relaxing picnic afterwards. The scenery was spectacular and it was a gorgeous summer day! While we were in the temple, a man who we have been trying to connect with, left us a text message asking if we could meet with him this coming Wednesday! Hooray!
Life is good. There are some down days, but we have mostly good days. I have a new favorite scripture that has given me comfort and helped me get my thoughts back on track. It is Alma 26:27 and I modify it just a little to fit our life as missionaries. “NOW WHEN OUR HEARTS WERE DEPRESSED, AND WE WERE ABOUT TO TURN BACK, BEHOLD, THE LORD COMFORTED US, AND SAID: GO AMONGST THY BRETHREN AND BEAR WITH PATIENCE THY DISAPPOINTMENTS, AND I WILL GIVE UNTO YOU SUCCESS.” We testify that this has been true for us.
We continue to ask for your prayers that we will stay healthy and find the willing hearts that need to hear the gospel. We pray for each of you that you will know of our love and appreciation for the great support you are to us.
We love you, MOM and DAD
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