An amazing week as the Houston Temple has been rededicated and is open again to bless the people in the Houston area. The re-dedication was small and simple, without much fanfare, but the feeling of the Lord’s house being back among us is awesome. President Ballard spoke about how the work of salvation is accelerating both on earth and in heaven. When we did the hosanna shout Elder Nielsen said we’d be doing it Texas style and it was loud and awesome. A very peaceful, but powerful day and I truly feel that missionary work will accelerate again here in our area. The Deseret News did a brief article highlighting the re-dedication and spotlighted one of Aaron's counselors who’s home was damaged by Harvey. https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900016540/key-moment-in-hurricane-harvey-recovery-houston-lds-temple-rededicated.html We have our first new convert temple night coming up on May 18th and Aaron has organized a mission wide temple trip on May 22-24th. The missionaries are really excited and it will be a huge spiritual boost for them and our missionary efforts.
We spoke at a YM/YW missionary preparation fireside on Sunday night in League City. Parents were also invited to attend. Aaron and I shared our perspective of how the youth could prepare and how the parents could empower their kids in their effort. We highlighted the preparation that youth need in their spiritual, emotional, physical, intellectual and mental aspects and that this preparation really is in life skills. We suggested they consider where they are individually in each area and looks for small, simple ways they can prepare. We shared gospel resources, Adjusting to Missionary Life/PMG/Safeguards for Technology, in their process of preparing.
Interviews continued this week on Tuesday and Wednesday, I continued to follow up with the missionaries on the small and simple things they were implementing from zone conferences. As they shared their small and simple things, I helped them explore what their plan would include to do so. It’s one thing to say you’re going to do something different but having a “how to” makes it more likely to happen especially in their plan for their companionship "small and simple things." ;) I really do enjoy these interactions with the missionaries. I have fun with them as we talk.
We hosted our ward missionaries, their recent convert and his non-member sister for dinner Tuesday night. I was planning to make us dinner but the power went out just I was getting ready to cook. Aaron was able to get it to come back on flipping the breakers but it was out 10 minutes later and stayed off for almost an hour and half. Our back up plan was taking them to the Thai Cottage for dinner. We had wonderful conversations over dinner. As Aaron got to know the sister better, he shared a scripture with her that gave her great hope she has needed since her dad passed away a little over a year ago. She accepted the invitation to learn more from the sisters. Good stuff.
We held MLC on Friday and had a great council together on a number of topics. Aaron taught the missionaries leadership principles and the importance of not taking the weight of the issues leaders face upon themselves, but letting the Lord carry the burden. I taught on meekness and used the principles from Elder Bednar’s talk on righteous responsiveness, willing submissiveness, and strong self-restraint. We counseled on weekly/daily planning, watched a new training video put out by the missionary department on working with members, held our accountability discussion by each zone, and finished with testimonies. Aaron and I finally feel like we have figured out how to make these meetings more effective, must be why it’s time to go. ☺
End of the school testing has begun and will continue until almost the last week of school. The kids all seem to be doing well so far. We have no idea how their grades will translate back to Utah schools since they don’t use the 4.0 grading system here. Jessie is loving reading historical fiction. In the past week she has read two books on WWII, The War That Saved Me and The War I Finally Won, and one on Thomas Jefferson, Jefferson's Son. All are by the same author, Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. I'm glad she has really developed a love of reading and learning about things that intrigue her mind.
Thursday night, the kids found a nest in the garage on that had two little eggs, a baby bird that had died and a little surviving bird, Rico. Not the best place for the birds to build a nest since we only open the garage to get our bikes to ride Jessie to school and when she comes home. They really tried to help Rico survive. Researching what they could feed him, how to keep his temperature up and bringing him in at night. I’m not sure how long Rico will survive but I am proud of the way the kids are working hard to be his surrogate parents.
Our plane tickets have been booked, movers came over this week to prep us, and our list of lasts are coming fast. We are enjoying beautiful Utah-like weather. No humidity at all. This is so uncommon for so long but I’m grateful. We’re all blessed and doing great. :)