Coming Home July 2011

"TO EVERY THING THERE IS A SEASON AND A TIME UNDER THE HEAVEN." ECCLESIASTES 3:1

Working on new material for the blog!

It has taken me awhile to decide what to do with the blog. I felt lost not posting pictures of the missionaries and I've felt lost with not having my missionary routine. We are starting to settle into a different routine and I have decided to start blogging again. It will take me a little while to get things squared away but we are rolling into the next phase of our journey in life - recovery from the best experience of our lives ( the mission), knee surgery( Tim's), physical therapy for my back, and the economy with our business. We look forward to continuing our growth spiritually and preparing for what comes next!

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Thursday, June 24, 2010

Donetsk Zone Conference

WOW!! This has been the a very powerful zone conference!! Last time it was on the HEART and this time it was on the SPIRIT. Soften the HEART and let the SPIRIT into the HEART. E. Moore & E. Howard: Teach the things that the SPIRIT puts in your HEART. We are not the true teachers - the SPIRIT is. We prepare the way - we are the instruments in the Lord's hands. E. Richardson & E. Valverde: Change of HEART when we put the Lord's desires before our own - then we are ready for the SPIRIT. We are like a catalyst when we are teachers. We help make the reaction possible between the HEART & the SPIRIT. E. Hess & E. Jones: Be believing and pray - the SPIRIT is given by the prayer of faith. Create an atmosphere were the SPIRIT can preside. Then the SPIRIT edifies what is being taught is true. E. Beus & E. Duffy: Sometimes we don't see things the way they really are but the SPIRIT does. Help our investigators to feel the SPIRIT and then help them to act on it. Pres. Fry: The SPIRIT yields fruits. Know what to do. Have the capacity to carry out what the SPIRIT has instructed you to do. Put forth the effort to magnify your calling. (THIS NEXT PART IS THE MOST POWERFUL ADDRESS I'VE HEARD PRESIDENT FRY GIVE. THE SPIRIT WAS VERY STRONG AND HE WAS VERY BOLD IN DELIVERING WHAT THE SPIRIT DIRECTED!!!) He talked about Moses delivering the HIGHER LAW and the Israelites were not ready. He proposed a "HIGHER LAW" for those who are ready. He discussed the white handbook and the promise at the beginning from the Prophet and the Apostles that if we follow these standards they will help us magnify our calling and protect us physically and spiritually. Then he went over Mission Policy that has been put into place to: 1. help the missionaries bring others unto Christ and 2. help the members stand on their own to become a Stake(they rely heavily on the missionaries for everything). He quickly went over the policies and most of these are in the white hand book - some are mission policy to help missionaries use time more effectively and for members to help each other more. Now I'm sure you are wondering what is the HIGHER LAW - it is taking these policies and standards to a higher level if they choose. The Zone Leaders & Assistants discussed theses in Zone Leader's Council and were so positive and excited about them.(They totally opened up and it was the first time that everyone agreed and talked so positively - giving more suggestions etc. The SPIRIT was so strong there too!). - OK what is the "HIGHER LAW?" 1. Only listen to Tabernacle Choir Music to invite the SPIRIT more. 2. Emails to President Fry every week. Two of the zone leaders immediately(after zone leaders council a week and a half ago) started living the HIGHER LAW and in one day they handed out 35 Books of Mormon, taught 42 lessons on the street, received 19 contacts and 2 referrals! That is more than some do in a whole transfer!!! They were so excited and reported their success right away. Now when President presented this in zone conference he gave them a very powerful promise which is - if they live the HIGHER LAW - they will have the success they've wanted and their Baptisms would increase. They will be so busy they won't know what to do, their families lives will be blessed because of their service and they will have the SPIRIT brought into their HEARTS and will be taught by it daily. They will flow with the language and those being taught will feel of the SPIRIT also. They will be brought to a higher level of commitment to serve the Lord the rest of their lives. If they choose not to follow the HIGHER LAW they will have no promise. Now that seems simple and in reality it is but the whole purpose is to help the missionaries learn to serve the Master - to live the white hand book and be obedient and sacrifice, which brings humility and then the miracle within them happens! They feel and want to live the HIGHER LAW in every aspect of the gospel. They put the Lord first and serve Him and their fellowman instead of serving themselves. The HIGHER LAW is living by the SPIRIT of the law having experienced the letter of the law and knowing the difference. I'm so excited to work harder to live the HIGHER LAW in all my doings. I've got to re- think my goals so that I'm serving others and trying to make a difference in their lives instead of just trying to make a difference in my own life. It's hard to express the feelings I felt during the meeting and convey them to you because I was really overwhelmed with the spirit. I know what I felt and what I need to do to make a change in my heart. I bare my testimony that the work here is the Lord's and I recommit myself to doing His will. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Friday, June 18, 2010

New Missionary June 2010


Elder Thornburg is from Coto de Caza( Orange Co. ) Calif. He likes mountain biking, wake-boarding, snow boarding and backpacking. He also likes computers and he was a web designer. We are happy he is serving here with us in Ukraine.

Missionaries Leave June 2010

The very first group we met at the airport in 2008. We also met them at the MTC. This was a hard group to say goodbye to. Elder Beus(with the phone) will not go home until July but we miss you Elders Brinton, Williams, Steele and Whitehead!!!!!

Elder Whitehead's parents came to pick him up. They live in our Stake in St. George UT. although we did not meet them until Elder Whitehead got his call. We went to his farewell and his setting apart. We appreciate all the support Brother and Sister Whitehead and all of our parents have given to us. We love you all!!!

Elder Steele goes home to Preston Idaho. We miss you and wish you the best!!

Elder Whitehead goes home to St. George, Utah. Say Hi! to everyone for us.

Elder Williams goes home to Draper Utah. We are grateful for his service here in Ukraine. We love you!

Elder Brinton goes home to Fremont Calif. We love you and appreciate your service here in Ukraine.

Even hard working missionaries need a nap every now and then.

Ukrainian eggs. A lady in Sumy makes these and does an excellent job!! Many Elders take these home as souvenirs.

Yoo-Dachie-vam! Good Luck and thank you for all the great work you've done here in Ukraine! We love you!!!