All the missionaries got to go to the Devotional and it was so fun to be there in person. The music was beautiful and the talks were great. Now we can officially begin the Christmas season. We especially loved seeing President Nelson come in person, he is such an example to us of a lifetime of service.
With our fellow Chaplains, the Johnsons
Monday we spent part of the day in Logan, visiting my Dad who is living in an assisted living facility and starting on hospice this week. Being my Dad, he is very matter of fact about the whole life and death thing so he's very much okay with whatever happens and ready to stay or go, whichever the Lord wants him to do. I really appreciate his attitude because it makes it so much easier for me to face it as well. He isn't suffering any particular illness, just wearing down.
Monday night we went to the Millennial Choir and Orchestra concert and had fun speculating on how much work it was for so many people to corral all those kids and keep them where they needed to be. My favorite was the littlest group of singers who reminded me very much of a primary program.
Tuesday we got to do sealings in the Bountiful Temple with several other missionaries from our Zone. Some of the sealings were for families with several children and that was just wonderful! I love being able to help families have the chance to be eternal.
Thursday night we had a mission fireside with Elder Rasband. He referred to his conference talk asking for more senior missionaries and sort of apologized for all the extra work he was causing the zone in our mission who works with senior missionary applications. It was a wonderful fireside and the choir sang so we had seats up front which is always good.
Our interviews for Pathway this week have continued to teach us how amazing people are. We've heard so many of them share their gratitude for their Savior, and how much they appreciate being able to learn more about Him through their Pathway classes and gatherings. We attended a Zoom gathering in Ghana this week and actually got to see what happens in the program. We were so impressed with the young returned missionary who was leading the group. It is also quite humbling to realize how much these students need and desire this education.
The registration deadline for the next semester is coming close and we're doing pretty okay at getting through our interviews but then the students get stuck by other issues, like getting in the right portal (member, non member, continuing student, new, etc). All the normal things students go through but add in the random power shut downs, trying to find a place with internet and having English as their second language and it becomes quite a challenge. We just want to hold their hands and walk them through the whole process, knocking down all the obstacles in their way, but all we have is our small piece of the process so we pray for them.
Yesterday we got some lunch in the City Creek food court on our way to the daily Tabernacle concert and it was so good. We ran into nephew, Reggie Pack, daughter in law Marie (Tyler) and grandson Jason. It was the best lunch break ever!
Last night was our Zone Christmas party, planned by our new Zone leaders of less than a month. They did a great job, delegating lots of it to capable people and doing lots of work themselves. It was fun to see who all is in our zone. We are not a normal mission with only senior couples and sisters but it sure is fun to get together.
We're looking forward to meeting more wonderful people in our interviews this week, more great music in the daily concerts and more time spent with fantastic, dedicated missionaries.
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