8.16.25 General Authorities!!! And the Temple!!!
Retired/Missionary Life. Sunday.
And a picture of a critter at the Highland's. And a picture of Justin and the boys from last night which Hanna took. (I had no idea...) And a couple of pictures of tonight's Palouse sunset, including one big dog.
Today: Branch Council Meeting, Sacrament Meeting, Men's Meeting, Missionary Correlation Meeting. Then it was close to or past lunch time, so, we ate a quick sack lunch in our truck in the church parking lot. And then off to a lesson we went.
Back home, we took a nap, read, watched some church videos, studied, worked on Espanol a bit, and watched an episode of The Chosen.
Hope you all had a great Sabbath and got some rest. If not, let me know. You'd love going to church with us!
Retired/Missionary Life. Monday.
Old people must have food. At least a little bit. Our busy week has us being fed by the mission twice, a member once, leftovers a couple of nights, and only cooking a couple of nights. Regardless, we planned out yummy meals for the week, created a detailed grocery list. Drove to Worley. Ate salads and played Rummy at Red Tail. Drove to Plummer. Bought the groceries. Drove back home. Unloaded and put away. All's good.
It was way to hot to work outside in the yard, so I did a lot of indoor stuff. Paid bills. Submitted insurance paperwork. Set up some medical and vet appointments. And then in the evening we watched a pre-recorded football game. Oklahoma State vs BYU. Great game! And we also zoomed in to the mission Family Home Evening Meeting to get updated on what's going on. General Authorities are in town for a mission tour this week. Good times!
Retired/Missionary Life. Tuesday.
Two General Authorities (leaders of our church) are in our area this week to check out our mission. They were to select one District Council Meeting to attend and <drum roll.....> they picked OURS!! What an honor it was to be taught by them this morning. (Group picture below. The two, Elder Johnson and Elder Holmes, are in the back right, their wives in front of them. Hanna and I are next to our Mission Leaders.) Last night I was miserable. Overwhelmed at our schedule, exhausted at our pace, frustrated with Spanish. I pondered to myself why I was even being a missionary. Why was I putting myself through this? And then God sent help. In our meeting, Elder Johnson walked right over to us, and the other Senior Couple we serve with, and said some things that made us both cry. He expressed gratitude. He emphasized that we weren't asked to do this work, we "applied" for it and then said "yes" when the call came. (And the Spanish assignment too.) He called us examples of true consecration. I'm feeling much better now. And we went on to have a great night living the life of missionaries.
He also told us how the Lord is Hastening His Work. More folks have converted in the last 12 months than ever before in the history of the church. There are now 90,000 missionaries out serving. They created 35 (yes, 35) new missions last year and are looking at creating 35 more later this year. And, more folks that have left the church are coming back than ever before. Asking for their membership and blessings back. When asked why this is, he stated "because they miss the blessings of the temple." Amazing stuff. We are so happy to be a part of it.
If you have the opportunity to be a missionary, please be a missionary. If you have the opportunity to come back, please come back. The time is now!
After the meeting, we ran home, had lunch, prepared a lesson, took a short nap, read a bit, and then ran back to town to teach some lessons. Our first lesson (which included dinner) cancelled at the last minute due to a scheduling conflict they had. So, we made our way to Wendy's. And there, this complete stranger paid for our meal! Turns out, he was visiting from near Logan, Utah and served his mission here back in 1994 or so. Bonus: he had heard of Arbon Valley. We had a great Wendy's dinner sharing missionary tales.
At our first lesson, we learned that two of the ladies we are teaching have appointments to go thru the temple for the first time! They are sooooo excited!! We are sooooo excited!!
And in our last appointment, the spirit took over the living room as Hanna testified that God healed her so she could be a missionary and even come to their home and teach them. Five of us there. Not a dry eye. The gal we are teaching is really excited to go to the temple and will be there soon!
What a great time to be a missionary! No regrets! We're tired and it's late, but we are excited to get after it again tomorrow, driving to North Spokane to have a day-long conference with all the missionaries in the Washington side of the mission listening to the guidance and teaching of our two General Authorities.
Retired/Missionary Life. Wednesday.
Back home in the evening, we read a bit, took a nap, and then watched an Episode of Heartland.
Pictures of the Conference will be available later and I'll post them then. For now, here! Have some random pictures of Gus hiding under our bed, critters at the Highlands (looks to be a moose, right??), and the Palouse Harvest.
Enjoy!
Retired/Missionary Life. Thursday.
Afternoon was spent driving clear up to North Spokane (again) this time for a doctor's appointment. The traffic was horrible and we ended up being late and having to reschedule the appointment. Very frustrating.
In the evening, we met with a group of about 20 or so other Senior Missionaries from our mission with the mission leadership and visiting General Authorities for dinner. Always a good time to meet up with these faithful colleagues to compare notes and encourage each other. Some of these folks are becoming our best friends. Elder Jones, the General Authority, instructed us and answered some questions. Very intimate setting with a great spirit. Great day to be a missionary! (Photographer was there.....pictures later!)
We were invited to ask our friends to some join us in missionary service. So, if you are a member of our church and are retired (or could...) here's your official invitation. LET'S GO BE MISSIONARIES!! Just like all of life, there are good days and there are tough days. But the work is soooo fulfilling. Miracles happen. And you will witness those. So, just don't sit there gawking at FB. Sign into the church's Senior Couple Missionary site and look for a place that you would like to serve where you are needed. Because you ARE needed! He told us that 52% of the requests for Senior Missionaries are not being filled right now because there is not enough missionaries...
We came across more farm equipment being moved on our way in to town. And here! Have pictures of Frivvy and Gussy tonight! The best dogs ever!
Elder Jones told us that the two main reasons Senior Couples struggle to serve missions are health issues and not wanting to leave their pets. Thankfully, we are able to serve "from home" to be close to Hanna's cancer team (health = CHECK) and living at home allows us to be with our dogs (pets = CHECK). Where there's a will, there's a way! We are blessed and happy the Lord found a place for us to serve and that needed us close to home.
PS - Gussy isn't really sad. He's just wondering if there's going to be seconds.....
Retired/Missionary Life. Friday.
The day started out with a semi-emergency Zoom Meeting called for everyone in the entire mission. There its was announced that our Mission President's wife, Sister Kerr, has some serious health issues requiring an intense surgery, and both her and President Kerr will be leaving the mission for a time in September to deal with this. The news was shocking and traumatic for everyone. We all love the Kerrs and feel so bad. But, they, along with the visiting General Authorities testified of God's will and plan for us, of Christ's atonement and doctrine that can provide peace and healing, and these three things that really touched me: 1. Nothing is incidental. 2. Jesus knew all along. 3. He trusts us, now we need to trust Him. I usually only post a Jesus Picture on Sundays, but one is called for today. Here! Enjoy! And be reminded that He atoned not only for all of our sins, but for our infirmities, weaknesses, hurt, and pain.
Please join us missionaries in praying for the Kerr family, including a special fast for them on Sunday, September 7th. Her surgery is on the next day.
In the afternoon, we handled medical appointments. I got a PSA test. Do I need to do a PSA about PSA tests? Later this year I will celebrate six years being free from Prostate Cancer. I survived because of early detection. Detected early, the medical team (with God's help) was able to eradicate the tumor before it spread to other parts of my body. Guys, if you are aged 40 or older, get a PSA test annually. Its a simple blood test. Mine today cost $69 and I ordered it myself on-line via Lab Corp. There you go. PSA.
And then I went to Walk In Chiropractic - Spokane Valley, and had my back decompressed and adjusted.
In the evening, we went to our Congregation's BBQ. The Latinos know how to party! Tons of food. Tons of fun.
Also, please enjoy a couple of pictures of the boys. They kept wrestling during the Zoom meeting (typical, it's like they sense we are busy on-line and thus act up), so we separated them. So sad. But the fact that they like each other and were sad together thru the glass is a definite good sign! And another picture of them tonight just before bed time. All smiles.
Retired/Missionary Life. Saturday.
The absolute highlight of today was worshipping in the temple. We were able to be there with a lot of members or our congregation as two ladies we have been teaching went thru the temple for the very first time. It is so fulfilling and joyful to help bring folks closer to our Savior, Jesus Christ. Today is a day we'll never forget! If there was any doubt that God had people here waiting for us, today expels all of that doubt...
Before that, we declared it "old folks go to breakfast" day and drove over to Red Tail. They had their breakfast buffet going. Hanna got a huge omelette (including jalapenos) and I filled up on a cinnamon roll, breakfast meats, taters with gravy, and eggs benedict. We brought the boys with us because is was cool and even rainy out and took them for a walk on the Trail of the CDAs. Bought cheaper gas. And then back home.
We also had an extended weekly planning meeting (we've got soooo many things on our calendar...) and put together a lesson that will be needed twice this next week, did a little bit of reading......and that was the day.
And then pics of the boys. Frivvy is trying to figure out if he likes wearing my hat or not. And Gus is laughing at him!
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