Volume 2: & A Tidbit More or Two

Our first week at the MTC as a recap.

 Dear Friends, Family, and Beyond, 

        We have had the most amazing time this week. Beyond the details in the newsletter, I can just say that we have learned so much from being with each other all week. It has been a very sweet experience. We never have had the best communication skills with each other. We are both the oldest in our families and can be very stubborn and set in our ideas. We are navigating this with the help of the Lord. I can say for myself that I have learned to be more specific in my answers, and I am learning to really stop and take time to listen to Jeff and take in the details of what he is expressing. Jeff is learning to be more patient and has been so caring the entire time we have been here. It is hard for him to focus on reading and lessons so it has also been fun for me to keep him awake in classes. 

 
  I really enjoyed seeing him serve as our District Leader. Many of you who know Jeff well probably can't believe he did this. But, he was incredible. He was prepared with songs for each morning that I swear were inspired and went right along with the lessons. He was thoughtful in who he asked to pray. When he received the call on DAY ONE, he immediately sat down, created a text list, and reached out to everyone on our list. On the last day, he had us all sing "God Be With You 'Till We Meet Again" in the languages we would each be serving in. It was a sweet moment. We had a sister from Tonga, a couple going to serve in Alaska who spoke Chinese, we had a couple going to Romainia who were learning the language on their own and English. It was beautiful. I have loved watching him rise to the calling. 

 

   There were two times we got to sit by murals and study the Book of Mormon. As an artist that spoke to my soul. The first mural was of Joseph Smith in Carthage Jail. It was coupled with a statement and question. "Joseph. All these things shall give thee experience and shall be for thy good. How will I allow my experiences to help me grow." The picture shows Joseph in a way that looks like God is speaking to him. D & C 122:7 goes along with it. It describes in earnest all the things that could go wrong, and to try to look at life with a positive perspective because we came to earth to be tested and all our trials and experiences are to help us grow and gain strength. We also know that God is ever with us in these trials, if we but turn to him. 

I have to tell the story of what happened after the mural study. We did a mural walk in the same
building. We basically went to all the floors and walked around to see ALL the floor-to-ceiling murals that the building had to offer. I was taking pictures of them all because I wanted to remember them. On one floor we happened onto a district that was deeply engrossed in speaking Portuguese. They were deep in the immersive side where they are not allowed to speak English. Several of the Elders noticed I wanted a picture of the mural and moved but one Elder did not. The others were trying to communicate that he needed to move but he wasn't understanding. I took a picture of him standing there and said you are now in my pictures. In English, he said, "That's okay if I am in your pictures." Immediately the rest of the Sisters and Elders began pointing at him and laughing. He now had the punishment of doing push-ups because he didn't speak Portuguese to me. Big No No. It was fun to see their smiles, hear their laughter and see the comradery they were enjoying as they shared in the difficulties of learning a language. 

We were able to go to the Provo temple this week as well. We went with a couple we made friends within our district. They are going to be serving a mission in Africa as Communication Specialists. It sounded like such a different sort of mission. They are used to working the business scene and were very classy, kind, and knowledgeable. I especially got close to the Sister because she shared that on the very first day, she was NOT happy to be going so far away from her family, children, and grandchildren. I immediately appreciated her candor, as I was feeling the same sort of discomfort. I hadn't been to the temple in a while, and it's been even longer since Jeff and I were able to be there together. We were so busy before we left. It was a wonderful spirit felt there. It added to the comfort and calmness that entered my heart since being on these hallowed grounds. I cannot express how wonderful here. The spirit is strong. The world is all around us but it isn't felt in here. If I could I would take up residence here forever. Alas, we must enter the world and do his work very soon. These days will hold me, us together. I cannot express all the humility and gratitude I feel for this experience. 

We have said goodbye to so many family members and friends over the past two months. We want to express our gratitude to you for your support. Even if you are not a member or not a practicing member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints you have still been there for us. You have loved us through this transition. We want you to know that we know what we are doing is the work of the Lord. We know that Jesus Christ died for our sins. We know that as we serve and pray for you, he will protect and bless your lives because we are serving Him. We serve for this reason, and to share the LIGHT and LOVE of Jesus Christ with our brothers and sisters in Arkansas and Springfield. God be with you till we meet again. We love you.