Time Flies When You're Having Fun
We are having a marvelous experience here in the Jacinto City Ward of the Summerwood Texas Stake, and of course in THE mission.
Last Thursday we attended the first class of the Spanish Language Institute program. The teacher is Brother Briggs, but he asked me to substitute for him for tonight's class. What a wonderful experience. More on that later.
On Friday we went to the the temple to help with the "Friends meet Family" program at the temple. It is when new members and returning members can use limited recommends to enter the temple and do baptisms for the dead. It is such a wonderful experience for them and for us. I was privileged to serve in the confirmation room because we do both Spanish and English ordinances there. There are only two of us Senior Missionaries who speak both languages. So I spent 2 hours working in the confirmation room and then doing recording at the font while the other bi-lingual Senior Missionary served in the confirmation room. It seems that my eyes leak more readily these days.
Then Saturday night my back began to spasm. I was laid low for the night and morning. Leading the singing on Sunday was painful, but we were able to take care of all of our Sunday responsibilities.
On Monday we spent the day taking care of our shopping and some of our apartment cleaning chores. It seems that we can only do about 6 hours of stuff before we both collapse.
On Tuesday, Sister Black enjoyed the invasion of needles in her knees. She gets to do that every Tuesday for 3 weeks. The claim is that those injections will help relieve the pain she has in her knees. We're trying to avoid surgery until we return from our mission.
On Wednesday, we attended the morning session of Zone Conference. My back was still spasming and Sister Black's knees/back were letting her know they are still there, so we left during the snack break at 11:15. Then we went to do our choir rehearsal Wednesday night. Our choir sings on Sunday for the first time. It will be interesting to see how it goes and who actually comes to sing.
Tonight I had the privilege of teaching the Spanish Language Institute class. What a GREAT experience. The spirit was strong there. These people have such a thirst for gospel knowledge. Most of them have no Latter-day Saint traditions and are anxious to learn of the history of the Church. Our topic of study this semester is the book Saints: The Standard of Truth. It has been more than 46 years since I last taught a 90 minute class in Spanish. We did okay, I think, and we all understood each other. When I get to do these things, my heart is full and great is my joy. Teaching basic gospel understanding where those receiving these things are so intent is wonderful! And seeing the light of understanding come into their countenance is delightful.
Last Thursday we attended the first class of the Spanish Language Institute program. The teacher is Brother Briggs, but he asked me to substitute for him for tonight's class. What a wonderful experience. More on that later.
On Friday we went to the the temple to help with the "Friends meet Family" program at the temple. It is when new members and returning members can use limited recommends to enter the temple and do baptisms for the dead. It is such a wonderful experience for them and for us. I was privileged to serve in the confirmation room because we do both Spanish and English ordinances there. There are only two of us Senior Missionaries who speak both languages. So I spent 2 hours working in the confirmation room and then doing recording at the font while the other bi-lingual Senior Missionary served in the confirmation room. It seems that my eyes leak more readily these days.
Then Saturday night my back began to spasm. I was laid low for the night and morning. Leading the singing on Sunday was painful, but we were able to take care of all of our Sunday responsibilities.
On Monday we spent the day taking care of our shopping and some of our apartment cleaning chores. It seems that we can only do about 6 hours of stuff before we both collapse.
On Tuesday, Sister Black enjoyed the invasion of needles in her knees. She gets to do that every Tuesday for 3 weeks. The claim is that those injections will help relieve the pain she has in her knees. We're trying to avoid surgery until we return from our mission.
On Wednesday, we attended the morning session of Zone Conference. My back was still spasming and Sister Black's knees/back were letting her know they are still there, so we left during the snack break at 11:15. Then we went to do our choir rehearsal Wednesday night. Our choir sings on Sunday for the first time. It will be interesting to see how it goes and who actually comes to sing.
Tonight I had the privilege of teaching the Spanish Language Institute class. What a GREAT experience. The spirit was strong there. These people have such a thirst for gospel knowledge. Most of them have no Latter-day Saint traditions and are anxious to learn of the history of the Church. Our topic of study this semester is the book Saints: The Standard of Truth. It has been more than 46 years since I last taught a 90 minute class in Spanish. We did okay, I think, and we all understood each other. When I get to do these things, my heart is full and great is my joy. Teaching basic gospel understanding where those receiving these things are so intent is wonderful! And seeing the light of understanding come into their countenance is delightful.
I know that God lives.
I know that Jesus is the Christ and lives also. I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is
taught in its fullness today. I know
that a young man, only fourteen years of age, inquired in solemn prayer in an
isolated grove of trees as to which church he should join. I know that God, our Heavenly Father, and His
Son, Jesus Christ appeared to the boy Joseph.
I know that he was instructed to join none of churches because they
“draw close to me with their lips but their hearts are far from me.” I know that Joseph Smith was called as a
prophet. I know that over the following
years many of the prophets of old appeared to Joseph giving him Priesthoods,
powers, authorities, and the keys of the Kingdom. I know that Jesus Christ organized His own
church through Joseph Smith just as He did His church in the meridian of times
with prophets, apostles, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth. I know that Joseph Smith translated an
accounting of ancient peoples that came to the American Continent as much as
2000 years B.C. through the power of the Lord Jesus Christ. I know that this account is known today as
The Book of Mormon.
This is my testimony.
The doctrine of the Plan of Happiness is available to all if they will
but seek it. I know these principles are
true and I confirm them to you in the holy Name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Comments
Post a Comment