A Heart Full of Joy

This is my mission photo taken when I was preparing to go in 2006.

I am especially thankful this day to have attended our Church meetings. I look forward each week to be among those who are there and prepare to receive and embrace a witness of the Spirit that we have the truth.

Ron and I were reading in the scriptures while our lunch was baking. We read in II Nephi 9: about the Infinite Atonement, and the prophecy of "the true Church." That phrase really stood out to me as never before. I was comforted to know what God knew so many centuries ago, what we have been given "the true Church" in the Restoration of his Gospel on the Earth today. That is amazing and credible to my mind.

I stand all amazed at the Love Jesus offers me, and embraces us (all) in the arms of His Love. I appreciate so much the messages that were spoken in the talks given. We heard from a young man who is embarking on his mission this week. He gave an excellent, well prepared talk about Testimony. His mother must be very pleased to see her oldest son at this point in his life and the effort that it took for him to be there. I know I would be, and have been when each of my sons and daughter chose to serve their missions.

My heart is so full of gratitude and with the love that God and Savior have for us. We are so indebted for everything we have, are and are yet to become. The principles of the Gospel give meaning to everything we do.

Just this week I had a "missionary moment" in visiting with a young man that works at the same company as Ron has been working there the last two years. He is a young father, who is twenty-nine years old. His ancestry came through Mexico and connects to Spain. He told me his mother has done their genealogy and found where they are linked to Spanish ancestors. He attended seminary as a youth, but chose to get married instead of going on a mission. His wife is still not a member, but they have two children and he expressed a need and desire to go back to church.

He wants me to get to know his wife better and answer her questions since he doesn't know the answers to them yet. I see in him a lot of potential to come back into the fold and become the father and husband he hopes to become and knows the need for him to get there. He really admires Ron and has a high opinion of him. The times I have met this young man and interacted with him he's always been so kind and willing to get to know me and visit with me. I was really giving him the "business" about getting active and taking his children to Primary. He said he appreciated what I said after I apologized for coming across so strong. But he said he felt the opposite. He said "I MADE HIS DAY!"

I was just being a good neighbor and letting my testimony come through and took an interest in him. He appreciated it and it gave him a lot to think about making some changes in his life to bring his family into enjoying the blessings of the temple someday. He gives much credit to his mother for teaching him in his growing up years. I encouraged him to get active and prepare to go to the temple. He has a twenty-five year old brother who is a returned missionary and is seriously considering getting married in the temple in seven months. His brother went to BYU-Idaho and met a young lady there. I told him and encouraged him that he could be there to see his brother get married in the temple. I meant it too. But, it was at least food for thought.

We look forward to serving the Saints here in the Kennewick mission and work with the Spanish speaking wards/branches. This young man's parents are very active and attend one of the branches in the area. So our work is cut out for us to work with those who need a little prodding to be activated and work toward their temple blessings and bring part member families together to be forever families.