September 3, 2023

"And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.

And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions." -- Mosiah 24:13-14

One of our missionaries shared this scripture when he bore his testimony today. It goes along so perfectly with how I have been feeling this week--a little burdened with all that has been going on at home --and just the reminder that I needed to remember that my Savior, Jesus Christ is always there for me. Shortly after I finished my blog last week we received news that Roger, our brother-in-law, passed away. I know it was a happy day for Roger as he was united with Lana and all his brothers and sisters. But I have felt surprisingly sad that we are so far away and couldn't attend his graveside service. I really miss having the opportunity to honor him and give love and support to our neice and nephews as well as all the other extended family that were going to be there. Rachel and Amy were able to go in our place and I am very grateful for that. They said it was a beautiful service. We are also saddened when we hear of the challenges and hardships those we love and care for at home are facing. There have been deep depressions, car accidents, and serious medical conditions. Our love and prayers go out to all that are suffering.

The water main in our front yard was finally fixed so that is one less thing to worry about. I was able to call Sandy City and confirm that water is not running continuously so that should help our water bill a little :). It even looks like the damage to the landscape was minimal!

Just because I mentioned it last week I will mention that we were able to get the printer fixed in the office and all is well there. We had a busy week. Tuesday was our Spanish Zone Conference and we fed 40 people. We put the menu to a vote and Cafe Rio was the winner! No surprise there. It was the 1st time Sister Larson and I have made Cafe Rio ourselves and it was a huge success! Wednesday we spent 9 hrs in the car. We drove to Salem and back to pick up a set of missionaries to take to Portland. One of our newer missionaries has Crohn's Disease and needs to have an infusion every 6 weeks. This 1st time they wanted to do it at an Infustion Center but hopefully going forward a nurse will be able to do it locally for him. Then on Thursday we sadly drove an Elder to the airport who was leaving us. Hopefully we will not have to do that very many times (because we don't want them to go home early). We hurried back for District Council because we had a special guest that we zoomed with. One of the missionaries kidnapped in Russia in 1998, Andrew Propst, lives in our mission. Our District Leader served in his ward and they became good buddies. The movie Saratov Approach is about the kidnapping. He talked to us and the young missionaries and gave them lots of good council about serving their companions, having hope, and serving joyfully. Later that day Elder Rowan and I were invited to go with the missionaries to teach a sister. It was a special experience to be with the young missionaries. I continue to be in awe of them! The knowledge they have of the scriptures is truly amazing! Those hours of study they have every day really pays off as they teach the gospel of Jesus Christ and so easily turn to scriptures that fit whatever is being discussed. On Friday we senior Sisters were invited to go with the Sister missionaries to give a new member lesson. She is a young girl, 19-20, living in our apartment complex while she attends George Fox University. We discussed how we see the light of Jesus Christ in others. I told her I see it in her! Her excitement and enthusiam for the gospel was contagious!

Saturday we were able to go out to Tillamook to spend the day with Tracey and her family. Every year on Labor Day there is a large cross country event out there. We went to it 6 years ago too when Hayden was still in high school. Part of the course is a large mud hole that the kids have to run through. It was fun to see Tracey in action as the coach and to watch Danica run. Afterward we went back to their campsite to hang out, play cornhole, and watch the kids swim in the river.

Danica preparing for the race and running through the mud.

Swimming in the river.