February 18, 2024

Happy Valentines Day from the Oregon Salem Mission!

Valentines Day for us was flowers for me and chocolates for Elder Rowan. We also got to sneak away from the mission that night with the Larsons and attend the theater version of The Chosen, Season 4, Episodes 1-3. What better way to celebrate love than to watch re-enactments of the life of our Savior, Jesus Christ, right? To be honest I really didn't see the need to see The Chosen in the theater. I would have been happy to wait until I could stream it. But it was Valentines and it seemed like a fun thing to do. We were not disappointed!!! It was so good we have plans already to go see Episodes 4-6 next week!!!! If you haven't watched The Chosen from the beginning I highly recommend it.

I enjoy listening to the podcast, This Is The Gospel. This week in honor of Valentines Day I listened to the one from February, 2020, called "Love Lessons." It was really fun but what I liked the most is that at the end of the podcast it pointed me to a scripture about what true love really is. In 4 Nephi 1:15-16 it talks about the "love of God."

"15 And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people.

16 And there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness; and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God."

That is what I want, the love of God to dwell in my heart and can you imagine what kind of world it would be if we all had that kind of love in our hearts? But it is not easy. Each week I work hard at it but sometimes I fail. Each time I do, I ask my Heavenly Father for forgiveness and the strenghth to do better the next time. But I know that happiness! When I am successful nothing feels better! I am so grateful to my Savior, Jesus Christ, for his example and the love he shows to us.

This week we had Spanish Zone Conference Conference on Tuesday which is always a great time visiting with our Spanish missionaries. Elder Rowan especially enjoys the opportunity to speak with all of them. We served Chili Over Chips and Fruit Cups with Dip. It was our last time with some of the Spanish Sisters that we feel especially close with because they will be going home this transfer. We will miss Sister Finlayson, Sister Burt, and Sister Peterson. These sisters are so talented and have such a special spirit about them.

Other happenings in the office this week was the arrival of a few new cars. We picked up a new Transit Van for the mission and received the 1st of (8) Ford Maverik Trucks. The truck is really "fire" and the missionaries are going to be fighting over them. Since we are getting (8) of them and we have (8) zones we think they will go to the Zone Leaders so no one has hurt feelings.

We also spent some time in the office getting ready for the new missionary couple, Randy & Gladys Bready, that are replacing Sister Incze. They arrived on Saturday and we were grateful for the help of the Elders to unpack them. Many hands make light work and it went fast. We settled them into their Airbnb where they will stay for the next few weeks and then spent time the rest of the day showing them the office and having dinner and visiting. We are excited to have them here and get to know them. We are grateful for their service and already know we are going to love them!

Friday night Sister Incze feed the Elders dinner and invited us along. She is a great cook and always prepares a fantastic meal. We love these Elders but they can be a handful! The saying, boys will be boys, often comes to mind. The after dinner entertainment was watching them wrestle on the floor :).