The Blacks' Mission Report

I can't believe it has been more than two weeks since I last posted an entry into my blog. Much has happened since then. We sent two of our young missionaries off to other parts of the Texas Houston East Mission vinyard and received two young missionaries fresh from the MTC.  We will enjoy becoming acquainted with them.  Both are Elders.  We haven't met either of them yet. This past Saturday, we enjoyed a baptism in the Channelview Ward.  We are assigned to work in the Jacinto City Ward, but we also spend time in the Channelview Ward when we can.  I generally attend both Sacrament Meetings, but Sister Black is the pianist for Jacinto City Ward's Primary, so she doesn't visit the Channelview Sacrament Meeting unless they need her to play the organ.  Then we lean on one of the young Sister Missionaries to fill in with the Primary.  It happens occasionally, but not very often. We have had RAIN.  Not just rain like normal places get.  Thi...

Finally, after much talk and coordination, we began rehearsals for our new bi-ward choir.  We were expecting maybe 5-6 people to show up for our first rehearsal, but we wound up with 20!  I was amazed and delighted.  This choir will be a challenge.  None of the local people can read music.  They have always just sung the melody of the hymns, and have never learned to even hear the harmony.  Luckily we have a bevy of young missionaries that will help us to teach parts. Amazingly, after just 1 one-hour rehearsal the brethren learned the tenor line to "I Am A Child of God" and most of another hymn.  They didn't want to end the rehearsal after just one hour, but it was all the time we can spare at present.  Both Bishops have agreed to let the choir sing on the third Sunday each month beginning in September.  It is my belief that this choir will be beneficial to both wards.  It will bring less-active people back to church and it will br...

First, may I say that I love the Lord Jesus Christ. I love sharing my testimony.  I love visiting with others whether members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or not.  I love sharing the things I have learned along my way through this physical-mortal portion of our lives.  I love the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that teach that we are merely passing through a moment of our existence when we are born, live, and die on this world. On Tuesday we enjoyed Zone Conference with a different Zone of young missionaries than those with whom we usually meet.  It was a wonderful day with a spiritual "lift" that will live with me forever.  These young missionaries have a spiritual insight unmatched anywhere.  I marvel how spiritually mature these youngsters are.  I don't remember having progressed so far when I served as a young missionary so many years ago.  Their love of learning the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ wil...