An awesome week here in the Great THSM! For Mother’s day, Aaron made a feast of my favorites, steaks, sauteed mushrooms, corn on the cob, zucchini, asparagus. It was a nice dinner and a wonderful way to celebrate my motherhood with my family. I was missing Allie but I was able to enjoy paradise virtually through her as she is vacationing with friends in Hawaii.
We were invited to go on an air boat ride on a small lake that was covered with wild birds and alligators on Monday for FHE. We have never been on a ride like it and we were amazed by the amount of wildlife just an hour from the mission home. Surprisingly it was more adventurous than I would have thought. I didn’t know air boats could go over land so it was a little like four wheeling over the water, islands and such. We enjoy dinner at a cute little restaurant in downtown Richmond.
I went to lunch date with a great friend I've made while in Houston. We caught up on each other’s life. She recently returned from Utah visiting family. It was great hearing about “home” and her experiences. She actually was visiting friends and family in the North Ogden area. She and I have always have wonderful, thoughtful conversations that inspire me to have greater love like the Savior, faith in Him and an increased appreciation for the plan of salvation.
Our district councils this week focused on the blessing of prayer and how as we invite people to pray they can connect to heaven. The meeting I attended was really great and was full of discussion and experiences in helping those that have never prayed vocally. I’m so grateful for missionaries who prepare and strive to give their best. One of the approaches Aaron has emphasized with the missionaries is to invite in the Savior’s name. We want people to know that although we represent the Savior, the invitations we extend them actually come from Him. There is so much more power when a missionary says, “the Savior would have you pray to know if Joseph Smith is a prophet, if the Book of Mormon is the word of God,” and we can then testify in His name that they can receive a witness by the power of the Holy Ghost.
I had a wonderful opportunity to teach an investigator with one of our sister companionship’s this week. I had contacted them about studying together after district council and they suggested I teach with them at an appointment scheduled at that time. Their investigator is amazing and seeking to make significant changes in her life. She has already made many which is why I think she is so prepared to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. The lesson was spirit and tear filled. As we invited her to pray, she was hesitant because as she explained has said memorized prayers. Using the skills we reviewed in district council, we taught her how to pray vocally with sincere desire to be heard and answered. She did amazing and committed to continue to pray about knowing that she was a loved daughter of God and that what she was being taught would help her overcome her challenges. She committed to continue to read the Book of Mormon. It was Awesome!!
We held our new missionary skills and lesson review meeting with our missionaries that arrived 8 weeks ago on Thursday. Although Aaron and I don’t think this meeting is ever the same. We try to follow the inspiration and teach to the missionaries needs. Aaron spent more time up front teaching on the importance of always having the Spirit and that regardless of the missionary skills they obtain. We spent a good part of our time teaching how to do effective morning planning, asking inspired questions and identify needs, lesson plans, teaching simply, and commitment invitations. Aaron is trying to make sure my assistants can run all these meetings and be of great help to the Guthrie’s until they are inspired to conduct and lead the mission as they are directed.
Another highlight of our week was the new convert temple trip last night. It was so good to be back at the temple with our newest converts, 25 joined us. The missionaries and members were able to help most find their own family names and it makes such a difference in their experience. We had a little Hispanic man named Jose Angel that was baptized for his grandfather, father, and brother. We had our newest Baptist minister convert, Delethia baptized for her grandmother. So many good experiences and we had forgotten how good these monthly trips are. For many of our missionaries they’ve never been able to even see the temple since Harvey and it was a great experience for them as well.
Kids are wrapping up end of the year projects and preparing for tests they will have last week of school. Jessie has been busy preparing for the talent show with 5 other friends each Friday after school. They are doing a skit based on the “tape man” from You’ve Got Talent. Jessie is the host. She is also wanting to sing a solo, Titanium, but is very nervous about that. I know she will do well if she chooses to do it. She has been singing it nonstop. ;) Zac has a video he has been working on for his history class and an English project that has been time consuming assignments thus he didn’t go on the air boat trip with us. Bode is staying on top of his school work but I'd love it if it was with a little more zeal and determination. He definitely has a differing perspective on what constitutes best effort and work. I love this kid!
Elder Christofferson was our visiting authority for the Houston South Stake conference. We were invited to sit on the stand but given no indication of speaking or sharing a testimony. The speakers all spoke on the topic of ministering and did so well from differing perspectives. Then Elder Christofferson got up to speak but decided to invite us to share our testimonies because it was our last conference with the Houston South Stake. It was sweet of him to do so and it wasn’t nearly as stressful as knowing beforehand. ;)
All great things happening in the Great THSM. Have an amazing week.