This week we welcomed Elder and Sister Okelberry from South Jordan Utah. They will be doing our callings up north in Fort Wayne when the new mission starts July 1st.
We have known we would be training for about 2 months and I have worried about training someone when I still feel like I am learning!
When we came into the mission field we had a week of training with the WONDERFUL Rowleys there was so much to learn in such a short time.
Elder and Sister Okelberry’s easy go personalities, sense of humor and gratitude has chased that fear away of ability and “we think we can”!
We will have 6 weeks together and with 22 missionaries coming the next 3 transfers it will be a blessing to have extra help here and there setting up the new mission offices. They will be 2 hours north of us.
I am reminded of a childhood story many of you probably know about “The Little Engine that Could” by Watty Piper.
In the story an engine was pulling a train filled with toys and food for children when it breaks down just before a large mountain.
A shiny passenger engine and a big freight engine refuse to help, claiming it’s not their job.
A small, blue engine, usually used for switching cars, sees the toys and food for the children and feels compassion to help, so she agrees to try despite never having gone over the mountain before.
Chugging up the hill, she repeats, “I think I can, I think I can,” it’s not easy but the little engine reached the top of the mountain and went down the other side, saying, “I thought I could. I thought I could. I thought I could.” She pulls the train to the other side, making the children happy.
This story emphasizes the power of positive thinking and giving our best even when a task seems difficult.
“Those who move forward with a happy Spirit will find things always work out.” President Gordon B Hinckley
At times all of us are called upon to stretch ourselves and do more than we think we can.
President James E. Faust said “I hope we will not be like the big passenger engine, too proud to accept the assignments we are given.”
This week was Missionary Leadership Council at the mission home, 45 in attendance.
A week ago I had decided to serve hamburgers for lunch the weather report had said clear, sunny and 80 degrees. We planned on picnic blankets on the lawn.
As time went on the weather kept changing, sound familiar😉. It was decided hamburgers would be an easy meal even if we had to barbecue in the garage.
We started the day out with a group prayer asking the Lord if the weather could stay good just long enough to feed the missionaries. We preparing all the food ahead and arrived in a down pour.
Quickly unloading in the garage we set up a couple tables and got the barbecuer going. Lunch was to be served at 12:30.
Glued to the weather report on our phones it said the rain would be stopped at 12:30 so we waited to finish set up. Just after noon the sky lightened a bit and the rain stopped we scrambled and moved tables out on the driveway and set up chairs. Organizing the serving tables and gave serving assignments and had 5 minutes to spare before they came👏🏻
The weather held off and actually the overcast was perfect, no sun in their eyes for the missionaries to be outside and enjoy lunch together and they did!
Another miracle moment❣️
President James E. Faust continues…
“Some of the most rewarding times of our lives are those “extra mile” hours given in service when the body says it wants to relax, but our better self emerges and says, “Here am I; send me.”
“Trust the Savior and engage, patiently and diligently, in doing your part with all your heart.” Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Remember: “By small and simple things are great things brought to pass.”
We LOVE each of you and pray for you daily💗. May we go forward in faith with a positive attitude because we are about His work trusting our Savior will be by our side no matter small or gigantic the mountain in front of us is we are called to climb. For He is the SURE WAY💕and with Him everything is possible!
Father, where shall I work today?
And my love flowed warm and free.
Then He pointed out a tiny spot
And said, “Tend that for me.”
I answered quickly, “Oh no; not that!
Why, no one would ever see,
No matter how well my work was done;
Not that little place for me.”
And the word He spoke, it was not stern;
He answered me tenderly:
“Ah, little one, search that heart of thine.
Art thou working for them or for me?
Nazareth was a little place,
And so was Galilee.”
❣️Skittles❣️ Elder Scott and Sister Kristy Davis