From Dad 7/28
Hi everyone,
Mom and I let our hair down for a while last n night and watched “Fiddler on the Roof”. It is a great movie. There are some perks senior missionaries have which are not available to young elders and sisters. We felt so many heart strings being pulled. Especially when they were leaving Anedevka. The Jewish people have paid a terrific price for the legacy of being those who crucified the Son of God and yet have remained more true than any other people. Their being gathered has not come without much pain and sorrow. We are thankful for faithful forefathers who gathered with the Saints through many hardships as well. The trek Jason and Cathy and crew experienced with their ward has renewed many good feelings about the price our pioneer forefathers gave so we can enjoy the bounties of life. To day I am also thankful for mom as a present day pioneer working out a life from day to day among a people and a lifestyle far from what is familiar and dear.
Anne Berner, who taught religion in the Catholic schools for 35 years, surprised us on Thursday. We had forgotten she had studied for a while with the Jehovah Witnesses. She said, “With God, Jehovah, why was it necessary for there to be a Son of God?” When sister Kempe met with the Catholic priest at the café for informal conversation and answers earlier in the week, he expressed to her he was unsure if the Bible was written for our day. So much of the world has turned away from Jesus Christ, as the Son of God. Without Him there is no way for us to return to God. The adversary knows this. He has no problem with people believing in a god, as long as it is not the true and living God who sent His Son to open t he door to return to Him. Anne indicated this could be our last meeting as she had no interest in changing churches. We asked her what she knew about where she was before she was born. There was a complete blank look on her face. We began teaching the plan of salvation with answers to: Where were we? Why are we here? and Where are we going when we leave this life? She was amazed and at first wanted to reject everything. We kept moving back and forth between the Bible and things revealed in our days and she stayed with us. When we finished we planned to leave a brochure talking about the plan of salvation with a few illustrations and questions and answers. After our explanation of the brochure she asked, “What is my reading assignment in the Book of Mormon?” We gave her Alma 32. Then she asked, “Who is Alma?” Mom suggested she read Mosiah 27. When we asked for another appointment there was no hesitation giving us one next week. Mom will prepare some help for her to better understand why Jesus Christ as the Son of God is so important in our lives. When she gave the opening prayer we felt the Spirit very strongly. We feel she does want to know the truth and continues to overcome feelings and reservations keeping her from making the effort necessary to know (not just believe) that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He lives and because He lives the promise that we too will one day be resurrected will also be true.
Each week we see mom participate a little more including with the language. She is even willing sometimes to venture words she is unsure whether pronunciation or spelling is correct but the word is always right. Outwardly I don’t know she is comfortable making the steps to learn the mechanics of the language. This too is a blessing for our generation. Young elders and sisters of necessity know the only option for them is to learn and use the language as best they can. From a comprehension level and moms common sense she has learned much of the time to know what is going on as we speak and work with families. Sometimes she will nudge me with a scripture or a suggestion of what needs to be done next that is just what needs to happen. I am a little slow and sometimes it takes a while for her suggestions on time and what to do next is a little slow in registering but nevertheless helpful and correct.
Abuse is more far reaching in people’s lives than we ever realized before coming on a mission. Not passing judgment on those who have caused injury in the past in order to leave the door open for them too to repent and change is a very big and important step for someone who has been abused. Such a mountain can only be climbed on step at a time. The view at the top is so awesome all the effort to get there and experience the relief and vision of where you are and what you are capable of doing is well worth it. As we see healing start to come into people’s lives and they begin to build their own eternal families are hearts are warmed and we feel content with what we see and experience.
We hope you have a great week. We love your letters, blogs, prayers, and everything else you do to build and strengthen your own families as well as our growing family.
Love always,
Dad
Mom and I let our hair down for a while last n night and watched “Fiddler on the Roof”. It is a great movie. There are some perks senior missionaries have which are not available to young elders and sisters. We felt so many heart strings being pulled. Especially when they were leaving Anedevka. The Jewish people have paid a terrific price for the legacy of being those who crucified the Son of God and yet have remained more true than any other people. Their being gathered has not come without much pain and sorrow. We are thankful for faithful forefathers who gathered with the Saints through many hardships as well. The trek Jason and Cathy and crew experienced with their ward has renewed many good feelings about the price our pioneer forefathers gave so we can enjoy the bounties of life. To day I am also thankful for mom as a present day pioneer working out a life from day to day among a people and a lifestyle far from what is familiar and dear.
Anne Berner, who taught religion in the Catholic schools for 35 years, surprised us on Thursday. We had forgotten she had studied for a while with the Jehovah Witnesses. She said, “With God, Jehovah, why was it necessary for there to be a Son of God?” When sister Kempe met with the Catholic priest at the café for informal conversation and answers earlier in the week, he expressed to her he was unsure if the Bible was written for our day. So much of the world has turned away from Jesus Christ, as the Son of God. Without Him there is no way for us to return to God. The adversary knows this. He has no problem with people believing in a god, as long as it is not the true and living God who sent His Son to open t he door to return to Him. Anne indicated this could be our last meeting as she had no interest in changing churches. We asked her what she knew about where she was before she was born. There was a complete blank look on her face. We began teaching the plan of salvation with answers to: Where were we? Why are we here? and Where are we going when we leave this life? She was amazed and at first wanted to reject everything. We kept moving back and forth between the Bible and things revealed in our days and she stayed with us. When we finished we planned to leave a brochure talking about the plan of salvation with a few illustrations and questions and answers. After our explanation of the brochure she asked, “What is my reading assignment in the Book of Mormon?” We gave her Alma 32. Then she asked, “Who is Alma?” Mom suggested she read Mosiah 27. When we asked for another appointment there was no hesitation giving us one next week. Mom will prepare some help for her to better understand why Jesus Christ as the Son of God is so important in our lives. When she gave the opening prayer we felt the Spirit very strongly. We feel she does want to know the truth and continues to overcome feelings and reservations keeping her from making the effort necessary to know (not just believe) that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He lives and because He lives the promise that we too will one day be resurrected will also be true.
Each week we see mom participate a little more including with the language. She is even willing sometimes to venture words she is unsure whether pronunciation or spelling is correct but the word is always right. Outwardly I don’t know she is comfortable making the steps to learn the mechanics of the language. This too is a blessing for our generation. Young elders and sisters of necessity know the only option for them is to learn and use the language as best they can. From a comprehension level and moms common sense she has learned much of the time to know what is going on as we speak and work with families. Sometimes she will nudge me with a scripture or a suggestion of what needs to be done next that is just what needs to happen. I am a little slow and sometimes it takes a while for her suggestions on time and what to do next is a little slow in registering but nevertheless helpful and correct.
Abuse is more far reaching in people’s lives than we ever realized before coming on a mission. Not passing judgment on those who have caused injury in the past in order to leave the door open for them too to repent and change is a very big and important step for someone who has been abused. Such a mountain can only be climbed on step at a time. The view at the top is so awesome all the effort to get there and experience the relief and vision of where you are and what you are capable of doing is well worth it. As we see healing start to come into people’s lives and they begin to build their own eternal families are hearts are warmed and we feel content with what we see and experience.
We hope you have a great week. We love your letters, blogs, prayers, and everything else you do to build and strengthen your own families as well as our growing family.
Love always,
Dad
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home