From Dad 2/3/2008
Good morning everyone,
Mom is such an inspiration. We attended live by satellite the funeral for President Hinckley. Then mom listened to it on the internet. And yesterday we watched it again in its entirety at the rebroadcast at the Church. The last hour showing his life was new for us. Just as the leaders of the Church were beginning to leave the cemetery Tim Palmer walked in. It was 5PM our time. We were happily surprised. It all started with our meeting with him on Thursday. In our previous discussions there have always been feelings of holding back, of not being ready or wanting to commit himself to keeping the commandments. Wednesday afternoon late he called to confirm we were still coming on Thursday. He said he needed to make a change in his life that the time had come for no looking back. Thursday he shared the feeling he no longer had any reservation about any of the commandments. He was now prepared in his heart to be loyal and faithful.
Sunday was the mother of their three children’s birthday. He was to Church and on time. He said as he was driving to Church he kept asking himself, “Why am I doing this?” There was so much sickness in the ward yesterday there were not enough people to conduct primary and hold all of the other activities. Tim sat and talked for two hours at his request. We said if he comes next Sunday that will be the key. Three times in a row begins to establish any habit – good or bad. We are excited.
We began working reading in the Book of Mormon with two Iraqi’s on Friday. They are really good and amazingly open people. There was no reservation about reading in German and then for them to turn around and read in the first chapter in Arabic to know what they are reading about. If this continues three weeks in a row we will see what the new couple will choose to do. These people are very family oriented and rarely do anything unless there are at least two or three of them together. It was a fun time.
We had an n awesome experience with David Stoppel on Saturday on the phone. We called to make an appointment. He had two of his three children with him for the weekend and yet was in no hurry to end the conversation. We made an assignment to pray every day for a few seconds only for the few days before our coming appointment. The last time we were together a few weeks ago we knelt and he said the prayer in Russian. We talked about how our Father in Heaven knows everything. He said, “That’s the point. He doesn’t need us to pray because He already knows what we need and want.” We discussed he was right. There is a second part to prayer. It is a time the Lord can teach us and give us answers to questions and challenges we face day to day. David broke in an said, “I am feeling something I haven’t felt for almost 20 years when I was first baptized. It is almost like I am on fire!” What better way is there to describe the presence of the Spirit bearing witness to us that what we are doing, what we are feeling is true? David asked if we could come sooner than next weekend. We set a new time. We talked about President Hinckley’s funeral and helped him walk through the steps so he could listen in Russian later that evening. The Lord is busy at work. We feel His Spirit working with people and we love it.
We look forward to an awesome family gathering the weekend of Cathy’s birthday. It should be one fantastic birthday party! We look forward to answering questions about our mission and sharing experiences. Mom is quick to emphasize this is no official report. As you know, “official reports” have been done away in the Church. Missionaries are invited to speak in sacrament meeting and are given a topic and an opportunity to share a couple of missionary experiences. We will love the opportunity on that weekend to be with family. We know there will be fun and lots of food. We hope to share some of the feelings we have been blessed to have during this time away from all of you.
Have a great week. Today the new First Presidency in the Church will be announced and we are excited to learn more about that. It will be during our family home evening and we will miss it but will catch the news later. We love you guys.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is true.
Love always,
Dad
Mom is such an inspiration. We attended live by satellite the funeral for President Hinckley. Then mom listened to it on the internet. And yesterday we watched it again in its entirety at the rebroadcast at the Church. The last hour showing his life was new for us. Just as the leaders of the Church were beginning to leave the cemetery Tim Palmer walked in. It was 5PM our time. We were happily surprised. It all started with our meeting with him on Thursday. In our previous discussions there have always been feelings of holding back, of not being ready or wanting to commit himself to keeping the commandments. Wednesday afternoon late he called to confirm we were still coming on Thursday. He said he needed to make a change in his life that the time had come for no looking back. Thursday he shared the feeling he no longer had any reservation about any of the commandments. He was now prepared in his heart to be loyal and faithful.
Sunday was the mother of their three children’s birthday. He was to Church and on time. He said as he was driving to Church he kept asking himself, “Why am I doing this?” There was so much sickness in the ward yesterday there were not enough people to conduct primary and hold all of the other activities. Tim sat and talked for two hours at his request. We said if he comes next Sunday that will be the key. Three times in a row begins to establish any habit – good or bad. We are excited.
We began working reading in the Book of Mormon with two Iraqi’s on Friday. They are really good and amazingly open people. There was no reservation about reading in German and then for them to turn around and read in the first chapter in Arabic to know what they are reading about. If this continues three weeks in a row we will see what the new couple will choose to do. These people are very family oriented and rarely do anything unless there are at least two or three of them together. It was a fun time.
We had an n awesome experience with David Stoppel on Saturday on the phone. We called to make an appointment. He had two of his three children with him for the weekend and yet was in no hurry to end the conversation. We made an assignment to pray every day for a few seconds only for the few days before our coming appointment. The last time we were together a few weeks ago we knelt and he said the prayer in Russian. We talked about how our Father in Heaven knows everything. He said, “That’s the point. He doesn’t need us to pray because He already knows what we need and want.” We discussed he was right. There is a second part to prayer. It is a time the Lord can teach us and give us answers to questions and challenges we face day to day. David broke in an said, “I am feeling something I haven’t felt for almost 20 years when I was first baptized. It is almost like I am on fire!” What better way is there to describe the presence of the Spirit bearing witness to us that what we are doing, what we are feeling is true? David asked if we could come sooner than next weekend. We set a new time. We talked about President Hinckley’s funeral and helped him walk through the steps so he could listen in Russian later that evening. The Lord is busy at work. We feel His Spirit working with people and we love it.
We look forward to an awesome family gathering the weekend of Cathy’s birthday. It should be one fantastic birthday party! We look forward to answering questions about our mission and sharing experiences. Mom is quick to emphasize this is no official report. As you know, “official reports” have been done away in the Church. Missionaries are invited to speak in sacrament meeting and are given a topic and an opportunity to share a couple of missionary experiences. We will love the opportunity on that weekend to be with family. We know there will be fun and lots of food. We hope to share some of the feelings we have been blessed to have during this time away from all of you.
Have a great week. Today the new First Presidency in the Church will be announced and we are excited to learn more about that. It will be during our family home evening and we will miss it but will catch the news later. We love you guys.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is true.
Love always,
Dad
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