July 30, 2023

This has been a quieter week for us as we gear up for next week when we have transfers and departing and arriving missionaries. We will send 26 missionaries home next week and on to the next chapter of their lives. We love these missionaries and getting to know them and love them has been a true blessing in our lives. They are such an example and light to us. Those going home that have lived in our area include Elder Williams, Elder Hyde, Sister Lynam, & Sister Womack. We had a farewell dinner for the sisters living near us on Monday night. Sister Lynam & Sister Womack couldn't be more different but are both such powerful missionaries! Sister Womack is quiet, steady, and more reserved while Sister Lynam is bubbly, outgoing, and very talkative. But they are a good example that the Lord loves each of us and qualifies each of us for his work using our individual personalities and talents. These are both incredible missionaries and we love each of them!

We have especially loved reading Acts this month in Come Follow Me. Our missionaries tell us they love Acts too because it is so much about missionary work. It has taken on special meaning as we have seen Paul & Peter rise to the occassion of taking the gospel to all the world. I have marveled to think that 2000 years after the Savior walked the earth we are still following the teachings of our Savior Jesus Christ. In District Council this week Sister Womack shared this scripture from Acts 4:13, "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." She shared that in her reading that week, and as she pondered going home next week, that she hoped people would be able to say the same about her, that "she had been with Jesus," these last two years as she served her mission. That is my goal too. When I go home I want to say I have spent this time learning more about my Savior through prayer, study, & service until I feel I can say, "I have been with him!"

Last Sunday we got to celebrate my birthday with Tracey & her family. They gave me the perfect birthday present! I love to do jigsaw puzzles but since we have been on our mission I have neither the time nor the space to do them. So Tracey found these cute, small 250 pc Dowdle puzzles that came in a pack of 4. Finished they are 7 x 9 inches and can be done in an hour or two. Thank you sweetheart!

In our part of Oregon there are groves of Hazelnut trees everywhere. We have watched them bloom and wondered what they would look like as the nuts grew. We finally stopped the other day near a grove to look closer. This is what a hazelnut looks like on the tree. Who knew! Now I know where the nuts come from on my favorite Multnomah Falls Lodge entree, Hazelnut Crusted French Toast :).

Yesterday we were able to go on a date for our "P" day. We went to see the movie, "Sound of Freedom," and then to Mod Pizza after. They just opened Mod Pizza this week here in Newberg so we had to go check it out. So yummy! People seem surprised that we can go to the movies. I am telling you, Senior Missionaries can do anything they want pretty much. Of course our work comes 1st but after that we have a lot of flexibility.

Today we are waiting to find out if the baptism of Alejandro is going to happen. The Spanish Hermanas have been teaching him and he is the person that Elder Rowan got to go to a lesson with. If the baptism happens then Elder Rowan will give the opening prayer in Spanish. He has been practicing. If it doesn't happen today then it should be sometime in the weeks to come. We are praying for him!