Mission update 8/17/2025

Hello Family and Friends!

Sunday (August 17) kind of got away from us so we didn't even attempt to get this started yesterday. So, the date above is not correct, but that's life. Of course we're working on the Christlike attribute of integrity this week so we'll need to work on repenting...

We had our oldest son, Jeremy, with us for a few days at the beginning of the week and it was wonderful. We also got to go to South Jordan a couple of times to see the rest of the family who were staying at his in law's home while Jeremy was at the Small SAT conference. We got to celebrate our daughter in law's birthday and it was great to see the whole family for a bit (except their oldest son who is on a mission). 

The bald head to the right is Jeremy, we didn't plan that picture well

We are working on organizing the training for the missionaries who will be replacing us. We don't officially know who they are yet but want to be ready. They'll be combining what the three groups of Chaplains do all under one umbrella which will be wonderful. That should actually work as the student numbers continue to grow. 

We had almost half our students this week end up being members who joined the church after they started Pathway. One woman who is 42 and has several children was just so excited about all the peace she feels in her life since joining the church. She was also thrilled that her children, who never wanted to go to church in her previous church, are now ready before she is on Sunday and anxious to get to church. What a blessing!

Thursday evening we had dinner with Elder and Sister Dye from our mission and Brian and Susan Alldredge. Gary and Brian are cousins and Elder Dye and his first wife were neighbors of the Alldredges as they were raising their children. It was a great dinner with lots of fun memories and stories. 

Cheesecake Factory

We went to the Friday night concert in the park again and is was a really good Acapella group this time. The weather was perfect and the sky was beautiful. Fun evening all around with a big crowd.

We spent time with two of our Murray grandchildren on Saturday and got ice cream so it was a great evening!

Ice cream from a cute little store near their home

Sunday was the first practice for the multi cultural conference choir for October Conference and we got to help direct everyone up to the choir loft. This got just a bit tricky since the stairs going straight up to the loft were not there. We thought maybe some rope climbing would be great but sadly, we just led them up the back stairs :)

Sunday evening we had dinner with a family from our ward here in Salt Lake. Their middle son is in our primary class and the Dad is in the bishopric. They are from Mongolia and have been in Utah for about 4 years while Dad works on getting his degree, hopefully in engineering. 

The Batmagnai family

From Gary:  We are going to miss the Ward we have been attending for the past nearly two years when we return home.  It is a unique situation where we have people from many different countries and continents that attend here.  So many are converts to the Church who have come here to seek education and better employment in the US.  Their testimonies and the love they share with each other is inspiring!  We have really loved working in the Primary and helping the children learn more about the gospel!  

This coming week I get to do a Zone Devotional on Integrity, which is one of the Attributes of Christ that we are studying in Preach My Gospel (Chapter 6).  We are studying one of these Attributes each week until General Conference.  Anyone reading this should think about joining us in this effort for the next few weeks!  Integrity is one of those difficult subjects that make us feel like we are inadequate because of the perfection it takes to have complete integrity.  Then we have to remember to just work hard every day to be a little bit better and move forward toward so many of these things.  

As I was thinking about the Devotional, I was reminded of the hymn True to the Faith that was sung by the youth choir in April 2025 Conference.  I love that song!  It reminds me that I want to remain true to the faith that my parents have cherished, and that my biggest dream for my children, grandchildren, and friends that they will find this faith too and stay true to it forever!  See this song here:   https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/music/music-from-april-2025-general-conference/2025-04-true-to-the-faith?lang=eng

Have a glorious week!

We love you!

Elder and Sister Pack