A wonderful week here in the Great THSM began with more great talks from general conference. Here are a few quotes that resonated for me from conference. “Lasting joy is found in focusing on our Savior, Jesus Christ, and living His gospel. Though our daily challenges may vary in type, intensity and frequency, there are ways we can seek and receive divine help in our lives from the one that loves you as you study his life and teachings.” Sister Jean Bingham. “We shouldn’t wait to be happy until we reach some future point, only to discover that happiness was already available – all the time! Life is not meant to be appreciated only in retrospect. ‘This is the day which the lord hath made….,’ The Psalmist wrote. ‘Rejoice and be glad in it.’” Dieter F. Uchtdorf. And from Elder Zwick “Our Savior frequently opened eyes of the physically and spiritually blind. Opening our eyes to divine truth, literally and figuratively, prepares us to be healed of mortal shortsightedness. When we pay attention to spiritual “alarms” that signal a need for course correction or larger eternal perspective, we are receiving the sacramental promise to have His Spirit to be with us.” I love being filled with new insight that can bless not only my life, my families but all those I interact with daily.
Zac had his first high school golf tournament on Monday and survived He didn’t score particularly well, but learned a lot and had a good time. They qualify during their practices throughout the week and he’ll play in a couple of tournaments a month. Heck of a life. In the afternoon, I went to one of the zones preparation day activities over at one of the church buildings. Mostly, I talked with those that were emailing home and answering their random but fun questions. A nice day with the missionaries.
As a follow-up to our PMG challenge from zone conferences on comp study, Aaron and I traveled to the various districts that were victorious and took them out to eat. We went to Victoria on Tuesday to attend their district council and went to Chinese buffet. I’m not much into buffets but the missionaries were happy and they love spending time with us outside of our regular interactions. This was the area of the mission where the eye of the hurricane spent two or three days. Rather than the flooding we had across the rest of the mission, this area was wind whipped and there were trees downed and roofs ripped up all over the city. With the rain, the homes still took on water, but through the roofs. There is still work to be done in this part of the mission.
On Wednesday, we split up and covered districts in Sugar Land and our Richmond areas. Before the Sugar Land council, I did companionship study with a set of sisters prior to their council. Always a great learning experience for them as well as me. After we each attended their respective district councils, we headed to lunch. Both districts chose to go to Torchy’s. I’m not kidding when I tell you Utah needs a Torchy’s. One day, Aaron and I will get one there. ;)
On Thursday, we split up again and went to Pearland and Clear Lake. Presiden’ts group went to Chic –fil-a and I took my group to Freebird’s World Burritos. This was new to me and the missionaries. We all enjoyed what we got. After the lunch I went with the sister’s for their weekly planning. It was fun to be involved in the process of planning to help their investigators progress.
With trying to be with all the new sister missionaries that arrived in the last two transfers I did a morning companionship study and then with another companionship after the lunch. Companionship studies really are a lot of fun. I get to know my sister missionaries on a more personal level, the investigators and in doing so my love of His gospel is deepened and strengthen too. By being involved in the companionship study, I feel I can really bless our missionaries and still balance family and life at home.
For our district councils this week, we focused on the why of prophets and we had wonderful discussions on what they learned and what inspired them from general conference. It is wonderful to see how much missionaries now appreciate conference weekend. Most have never sat through all 4-5 sessions, but they eat it up now. Most shared that their favorite talk was Elder Holland’s, but we also had a lot of discussion about the focus on the Book of Mormon and how prophets and apostles still follow the counsel of the prophet. If you’re not reading the BoM every day, now would be a good day to start! I love it and I know by reading it I do make better decisions every day.
One of our elders has had a cough he can’t shake and he’s been coughing blood most mornings so his companion suggested they get him into a doctor. Which they did the next day. The doctor ordered an xray which showed he has three mega-masses on his left lung that are 8cm each. The doctor called him to share the news and they are concerned he may have testicular cancer or pulmonary cysts. The Elders then called President and he quickly started making arrangements to get him home. He called his parents and stake president, brought him to the mission home, worked with the missionary department, and he was home by the next day. We’re devastated by it as he’s 19 years old, serving in our Chinese branch, bright red hair, and a good, loving kid. We hope that whatever it is can be treated, but we weren’t going to waste any time doing tests here.
Bode has embraced high school in a big time. He stays after to support volleyball. Goes to the Sweetwater Club with friends to play basketball a couple days of week. Busy with homework and basketball training. He’ll likely be our one that struggles most when it’s time to come home as he doesn’t lack for friends.
Jess has lost three teeth this week. One of which was a molar that came out with a good part of the root on it and gum tissue. She was not happy with the pain that ensued after with. Plus, there was a lot of blood involved. I think that along with pain was almost too much for her to handle. Eventually I got her settled down by sucking on an ice cube wrapped in a paper towel. Jessie and I went to the Chinese Dragon boat races on Saturday. We watch a few races, a tug a war on water, Chinese dancing and playing in bubbles. Later that evening, we went to a movie with Aaron while the boys were with friends.
Missing Allie girl but try to catch up with her busy life through text, Snapchat and Facetime. She and Saige love their apartment and classes are going well. Work keeps her busy too. It’s hard to watch her grow up from a distance but my mom heart is happy in who she is becoming. Love that girl. Our summer weather still has the temps in the 90’s. I can’t wait for a glimpse of fall. Who am I kidding? Bring fall on in full force. I’m ready for it. ;)
Have a great week.