The Great THSM is speeding along this week. Monday I spent time catching up on my blogs and preparing them to post. I go in waves on being on top of them. I also did my weekly email to the missionaries. Starting preparing for a fireside that will be held later this month in League City on how parents can help their kids prepare for missions. I have learned a lot in that area with this calling and see where I can make improvements as a parent. Mom errands for the kids specifically buying more Krave. My kids are obsessed with this cereal. I admit it, I like to snack on it too. Tuesday, I scheduled my companionship studies for this week. I started my preparations for the Mission President Seminar that is next week. Searched job opportunities for Zac and updated his resume. While I was at it, I updated Allie’s too. Which is evidence of me needing to let my kids take some ownership in that part of their lives but I rationalize in that I am being helpful. (Crazy-eyed emoji)
I headed to Wharton Wednesday morning for district council. I listened to a podcast while driving there. I am new to podcast but I think I found a winner for me, The Scripture Study Project. It is done by a husband and wife, Zach and KristaJo Horton. There tagline is it is a fresh, faithful look at scripture study. They started with the Book of Mormon and I think it is awesome. Check it out if you need a new way to read the Book of Mormon. It was a great district council because we shared our favorite talk from General Conference and the invitation we accepted from the talk. Great discussion along with how to help our investigators progress on their pathway to baptism. I then met with the sisters from Bay City for companionship study. We studied for a Messianic Jew, which was a first for me so we learned a lot and received inspiration of how we could help her in her journey to know and have faith in our Savior and His Atonement.
We held another new missionary skills and lesson review meeting and it is always insightful. The meeting is a good indication of how seriously missionaries are using the “The First 12 Weeks”. Aaron keeps us all on our toes or maybe I should say the spirit does. The meeting’s format is ever changing even though the focus is the same, to help the missionaries develop their skills in teaching to their investigator’s needs. A lot is learned by not only for the new missionaries but their trainers as well. Afterwards, I was able to do a companionship study via video chat so I could take Bode to another dentist appointment. The great news is he got his final retainer. Happy camper but he still needs to be diligent in wearing it. ;)
Friday, I filled my day with four companionship studies. It was incredible to be with the sisters and see and fill the spirit in each of the companionship studies especially with the diversity of the needs of the investigators. We had wonderful discussions on the use of the Book of Mormon in helping them increase the investigators faith to act on the invitations extended, find solution to their investigators obstacles and help them feel the Savior’s love for them individually. It was a long but amazing day seeing the gospel in action. :)
Jessie had pictures at dance this week. I really could have used Allie’s skills in this department for hair and makeup. I was going to try false eyelashes on Jessie but chickened out because I have never applied them in my life and didn’t want a disaster on my hands for pictures. For her hip hop routine, they are Eskimos dancing to “Ice, Ice, Baby!” For Jazz, all the other girls are in the ballet class before her so with their hair in buns I felt we should do the same. So I am hoping a little mascara, lips and blush will be sufficient. Crossing my fingers. Going to Activity Days and tennis is always a highlight for Jessie. :)
Zac got a job this week and is the newest employee of Rudy’s Bar-B-Q. Proud of him for taking the initiative to complete his food handlers and alcohol permit. He’ll most likely smell of BBQ every time he walks in the door but we’ll be grateful for his employee discount. Jessie had another tennis tournament today. It was a cold one with a chilly breeze but she had fun with a new friend she made from another tennis club in the area also with the name of Jessie. Aaron, Jessie and I went to the movie, I Can Only Imagine. It’s a tear-jerker but a great message of forgiveness.
Today we’re holding our 2nd Annual Virtual THSM Reunion on our Facebook page and it’s awesome to see what all of our missionaries are up to at home. We’re having them post a few pictures or a video, an update on life, work, school, dating, marriage, kids etc. We’ve asked them to share something that they cherish about their missions and it’s so good to hear them share their feelings about the Savior, repentance, obedience, Christlike attributes etc. It’s great because we don’t have to worry about arranging a building, name tags, bringing a pot luck, dressing up, or really doing anything. It’s also fun to see them reconnect with each other. We have some 370+ that are home now and in total we’ll have about 520 that we will have served with by the time we come home. We’ll probably have close to 200 participate with us today and it will be a great blessing for us to stay connected with them for years to come. Truly a tender mercy to know that relationships can be eternal.
All good things happening here in the Great THSM. Have a great week!