With all the helping hands volunteers in town, each of the brethren organized three sacrament meetings to bring in as many workers to thank and show their appreciation. Aaron’s assignment was changed to be with Elder Rasband in the Friendswood Stake so we left early this morning to be with him. We laid out the program together and we had our first meeting at 8am and filled the length of the building with about 800 workers. We were all dressed in our yellow shirts and these meetings have been truly inspiring with how many have come out to serve. The next two meetings were just for the stake and I was asked by Elder Rasband to share my thoughts in the second meeting. Elder Rasband came up to me before the meeting and asked if I was still ok to participate I said, “Yes, of course but, what if I had said no?” Aaron looked at me like, “You can’t say that to an apostle”, but I did, and he said, “well, no one’s ever said that, but I’d just say please.” Would anyone actually say “no” to an apostle? Of course, not but I was curious to his response. ;) Elder Rasband spoke on the love from the brethren, the prayers directed towards Houston, the gratitude for everyone’s service, and how burdens will always be lifted for covenant keeping people. It’s our second experience being with Elder Rasband and it was great.
That afternoon instead of going out mucking houses, I invited three kids of a family in our ward to come over to our house. The mom had a little baby boy via cesarean a week or so ago and was experiencing some complications as a result. Jessie had planned some crafts and activities to do with the kids so her husband could be with her and the baby at the hospital. The husband mentioned that he hadn’t been able to get to the store and needed to go shopping for food to make dinner and lunches for the next day. I told him not to worry that I would make the kids lunch and dinner and have the needed supplies to make lunches for the next day by the time he got back. It was nice to serve in a different capacity than we have been. I am guilty of looking beyond the mark for service opportunities when they are right before me. I hope to open my eyes better to help all who need it. However, my mucking days have not ended just yet. I was back at it all day Tuesday working alongside the missionaries once again doing a complete muck job on the house of an 84 year old man that was at a loss of what to do and where to start. It was nice to tell him not to worry that we know what to do and where to start. Tears just welled up in his eyes. He had no words.
Aaron began interviews with the missionaries on Wednesday and will continue Thursday, Friday and into next week after Zone Conference. While he interviews, I hold council discussions with them on how they use the Restoration pamphlet in their teaching of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. These councils have been inspiring, insightful and motivating. I never really know how these discussion will go but following the inspiration to do so has revealed as shared by the missionaries a desire to improve. The insight from sharing best techniques and seeing how personal these approaches can be, has been amazing. The combination of the two motivates all of us, me included, to try new approaches and make the experience using the pamphlet more personal. Each day of these discussion adds to the inspiration, insights and the desire to do better that I am receiving personally.
After the interviews/discussions on Wednesday, we took our two temple square sisters to the airport for them to return to their assignment there. They have grown so close to their companions and were sad to leave. We have never had two sisters more emotional over their departure. The one sister shared that she was leaving her best friend. We love our missionaries whether they are with us for a short time or the whole length of their mission. They become ours quickly. We love and want the very best for them.
Golf keeps Zac very busy after school on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. He played in a varsity Basketball tournament all day Saturday and was a bit disappointed in his playing time. It’s frustrating for him but He just needs to keep doing his best. Bode reports he has made the freshman basketball team. I am very excited for him. Bode met up with his friends from the basketball team at the Sweetwater Club on Saturday to play basketball for the afternoon. It makes my mom heart happy.
Jessie is practicing her turns and leaps at home. She wants to improve. She has been discouraged about doing turns and leaps on the left side. I told her it takes practice and that in time she would get better. She didn’t want to hear that. Don’t I know it is hard? At the time, Allie was on the phone and reassured Jessie that she would get it in time. Listen to mom, she knows what she is talking about. As much as she didn’t want to hear advice from me at about the same age as Jessie, she was generous and kind enough to say my encouragement and knowledge was helpful. For me, this was a mom victory! My efforts in trying to help my kids grow and develop are not wasted nor do they fall on deaf ears. Happy Dance!! Tennis was cancelled this week due to rain. It hasn’t rained since Harvey although the sunny weather bounced right back the next day. Jessie and I joined other moms and daughters at Torchy’s for dinner before going to the Women’s General Conference. It was so good. I loved all the talks. They were fabulous. Life is good! :)