March 3, 2016 Patience to Persist

Reader's Discretion is Advised

Due to our daughter's recent heart surgery we have struggled lately to find peace as she takes two steps forward only to take one step backward. As parents we felt helpless and wanted to do something, anything, to help ease her pain. Then through that still small voice we were reminded as missionaries of a promise found in Doctrine and Covenants 100:1;

"Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you, your families are well; they are in mine hands, and I will do with them as seemeth me good; for in me there is all power."

Sam, and as a result Elder Busath and I, suddenly realized how truly blessed we have been by the many prayers and the outpouring of love by many of you on her behalf and we are eternally grateful, thank you!

                
                                           

On Monday it was time to bid Elder Von and Sister Sheri Sorenson, a fond farewell after honorably serving for the past 13 months in the Idaho Boise Mission Office. The baton was officially passed and it was now up to us (and the Hodgkin's)  to keep the Mission Office afloat. A humbling thought to consider.

 The Idaho Boise Mission Mission Leadership Council

"Recognizing the similarities between physical rehabilitation and spiritual rehabilitation can change our perspective and give us patience to persist." 
                                                                                         Ron Simmons, March Ensign

 Perspective

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency: “The Lord doesn’t expect us to work harder than we are able. … Our Heavenly Father asks only that we do the best we can—that we work according to our full capacity, however great or small that may be.” Our Savior, too, often gives us proper perspective on our spiritual journey, reminding us to “be of good cheer” (D&C 61:36).

 A tender mercy  

We were working like crazy after work each night to prepare the area for our shed to be constructed before Friday. Unfortunately we needed just a little more dirt and a few more hours of daylight to complete the task. It just so happened that when we arrived home on Wednesday evening a construction crew was still in the process of moving a huge mound of dirt across the street. So we mustered all of our courage and asked if they might be willing to spare some.  We even went so far as to ask if maybe, just maybe, they might be willing to drop one bucket full of dirt on our driveway to help expedite our labors. "Only one bucket?" they asked. Absolutely!!! Because of their kindness we were able to finish the job in record time.

Comparison Can Bring Discouragement

“Is this feeling normal?” is a tough question for anyone to answer. Normal, means usual, ordinary, routine, average. All of us have different personalities, different upbringings, different strengths and weaknesses, and different life experiences. How can we compare ourselves fairly to each other? We can’t. So just because we don't do everything the same way as someone else doesn't mean we are doing it wrong, right?

Elder Busath couldn't wait to show me the Idaho Boise Mission storage unit. 

I was left speechless!

Oh what I would have given to have this storage unit in Florida! I am not sure why we need all this stuff, let alone all this space, since a great majority of our missionaries live in members homes, but who am I to question our good fortune?

 

Trainer Follow Up Meeting

Humility Can Be Good

Have you ever asked yourself, “When will I stop worrying about being as good as...?” One would need to be able to predict the future. We are all different, special and unique. Son's and daughter's of a Heavenly Father who loves us each individually, differences and all.

 Healing Takes Time

We live in a world of instant results. Often very little effort is required on our part to get what we want.  Then again it might take longer than expected.

One of our Sister Missionaries, Sister Thomas, had some visitors (family) show up at the Mission Office unannounced.   Because the Mission policy is to forbid interaction of our missionaries with family and friends while serving we had to lovingly turn this family away. But do not despair, we kept them happy writing notes, taking pictures and feeding them chocolate from Elder Busath's secret stash.

It is through struggles that we grow stronger and more confident.

It's been a rough week, but we can finally see a ray of light at the end of the tunnel.

The Lord truly does hear and answer prayers!

         Wishing you a week of being able to find a little ray of sunshine even on a rainy day!

February 28, 2016 It Will All Work Out

"There will always be more blessings than burdens even if some days it doesn't seem so."

Jeffrey R. Holland

"Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he’s been robbed. The fact is that most putts don’t drop. Most beef is tough. Most children grow up to be just ordinary people. Most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration. Most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. . . .
               
It was a week of District Temple Days, so as expected the office was a hot bed of activity.

Without going in to too much detail, our youngest daughter, Samantha, was born with a serious heart condition requiring open heart surgery this week. The surgery was scheduled for early Thursday morning in San Francisco.  Unfortunately her surgeon was suddenly made unavailable due to an emergency surgery and Sam's surgery had to be rescheduled for the following day!  Bright and early Friday morning the surgery was finally performed and according to her surgeon, "things went better than expected." She is doing well, all things considered, and I know it is only because so many people were fasting and praying on her behalf, of which I am eternally grateful. 
I can truly testify that the Lord heard and answered our prayers.
 A thoughtful gift from one of my Visiting Teachers.

I pray because I can't help myself.

I pray because I am helpless.

I pray because the need flows out of me all the time-waking and sleeping.

It doesn't change God.

It changes me.

C.S. Lewis

 Missionaries seem to get younger and younger these days. 

Okay maybe not this young. 

Our granddaughter, Shelby, just wanted to try on Grandpa's name tag for size.

Oooh, ahhh!

 I honestly can't remember the last time I saw a missionary study desk

 look so organized and tidy!

Sister Trainer Leaders, (STL's) Rabello and Kappel (on your left) had the most incredibly neat and clean apartment (and study desk) that Elder Busath couldn't resist capturing it on his phone for convincing evidence. 

These amazing STL's also knew exactly what to do and say when Sister Dale and Sister Stalnaker came in to the office later this week when Sister Dale had to be released early due to health issues.

"There is something in each day that can bring gratitude and joy if only we will see and appreciate it. Perhaps we should be looking less with our eyes and more with our hearts"

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Spring has finally arrived in Meridian, Idaho!  

The daffodils I planted in September are just now beginning to poke their little heads through the warming soil.

One of the good things about serving a mission and living in your own home is that you get to be surrounded by many of the little things you know and love. One of the bad things about serving a mission and living in your own home is that you get to be surrounded by many of the little things you know and love and as a result when something needs to be done, guess who gets to do it?

 In closing, not long ago I was reading a quote once mentioned by President Uctdorf in the April 2015 General Conference issue of the Ensign that spoke to me. It went something like this; "Tell a man that there are trillions of stars in the universe, and he'll believe you.  Tell him there's wet paint on the wall, and he'll touch it just to be sure."

I have know for over 43 years that the Lord truly hears and answers our prayers.  But for some reason this week it just seemed too simple for me to truly appreciate its great value. So I set aside what I knew to be true and made myself, and I am sure everyone around me crazy, as I worried and obsessed only to finally realize that the peace and comfort I was desperately seeking was right in front of me if I had just taken the time to STOP, LISTEN and FEEL His love.

As President Gordon B. Hinckley has reminded us, "Life is like an old-time rail journey—delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride."

I pray that we will focus on "the simplicity that is in Christ" and take the time to thank the Lord for letting us have the ride.    

Have a great week!                                           

February 20, 2016 Sweet is the Work

Monday, February 15, 2016

                 

The Mission Office was officially closed due to President's Day so we took the opportunity to be grandparents and attend granddaughter, Sienna's, gymnastic class.

              

You will rarely see our work stations in the  Mission Office look this quiet.

                                           

30 gallons of wind shield wiper fluid, antifreeze and other essential vehicle fluids, waiting to be distributed where needed.

             
       7:30 am Tuesday morning-just minutes before and minutes after missionary vehicle                   inspections and the start of our first Idaho Boise Mission Zone Conference. 
             

The "Clean Card Awards goes to:

 Elder Monroe and Elder Masten

 

 Elder  Thompson and Elder Patterson

Sister Lehmberg and Sister Rogers

The February 2016 Zone Conference Theme

An impromptu meet and greet on their way to the chapel.

                 

 Food, glorious food...

                 

                  
Various Stake Relief Society Presidencies prepare and serve lunch at each of our Zone Conferences.  The menus ranged from pulled pork sandwiches and chips, fried chicken and green salad, and chicken enchiladas, rice, chips and salsa. In return we offer our thanks by standing and singing, "Called to Serve."
                                         

                 

It's your birthday shout hooray, we want to sing to you today! 

All the birthday boys and girls who celebrated a birthday since the last Zone Conference in November were recognized.

                                            

Sister Smith, our busy Mission Nurse

              

Afternoon mini session re-emphasize the basics, cleaning, vehicle safety, record keeping, etc.

Boise Central, Boise North and Boise South Zones

                                     

Star and Meridian West Zones

                                                                                        

Meridian Central and Boise West Zones

"My heart shall triumph in my Lord.

And bless his works and bless his word.

Thy works of grace, how bright they shine! How deep thy counsels, how divine!"

 The Mission President recently decided to move two missionaries from a three bedroom apartment which currently had housed four missionaries. As a result when the two "vacated" the premises and the dust settled Elder Busath and Elder Sorenson had a huge challenge/teaching moment before them.

"Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love, see that ye refrain from idleness."

Alma 38:12

After many hours of assistance it was time for Elder Sorenson and Elder Busath to leave for home and trust that the two remaining missionaries were up to finishing the job.

 At nine o'clock the next morning Elder Busath arrived with donuts in hand to discover that the missionaries had indeed done what they had been told to do and then some!

 Before

After

 

It is your reaction to adversity, not the adversity itself, 

that determines how your life's story will develop.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

 Before

After

                              Before                                                  After      

"Attitude can make all the difference in our lives, and we control our attitude.  It can make us miserable or happy, content or dissatisfied.  

To a great degree it can make us strong or weak."

Thomas S. Monson

                          

 Before

After

  Before

 After

 Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith you have covenanted one with another."

Doctrine and Covenants 90:24

Let's make it a great week!