Spiritual Feast


Tis the season of feasting and we started our week with a spiritual feast.  Monday morning devotionals are always inspiring, but this week especially so.  It was presented by the Support Services Zone where well over a hundred missionaries support paid employees with such tasks as creating security cards, organizing interpreters, answering questions from prospective senior couples, supporting humanitarian missionaries, maintaining mineral and water rights on church property, overseeing Church farms and ranches, reaching out to those who in correctional facilities, establishing indexing programs in prisons…to name a few!   Listening, I was overwhelmed by the magnitude of the job--and magnitude of the blessings.  Especially touching, were the thoughts expressed by the elder who oversees the outreach to correctional facilities.  Blessing broken lives. 
            Monday evening, our MTC group gathered to hear Herbert Klopfer, a member of the Church Music Committee and talented pianist.  He didn’t, however, speak about music, but about miracles.  He was a young boy in Germany when Hitler went to war.  His father, forced to serve in the German army, died in a Russian POW camp.  In 1950, he, along with his mother and brother escaped from East Germany. Miracles and mercies. Find his story online.
            Tuesday morning, Elder Kevin Hamilton, a member of the seventy and chair of the Family History Department spoke at Mission Conference.  He laid out the 125-year history of the department, filled with challenges and changes.  Boy, have we seen both!  I was particularly impressed that he emphasized “all” in the mission statement: “We create inspiring experiences that bring joy to all people as they discover, gather, and connect their family…”   Really? All?  Latter-day Saints are a small fraction of the world’s population.  In answer, Elder Hamilton quoted Boyd K. Packer, “If the numbers seem staggering, we will move ahead. If the process is tedious, we will move ahead. If the records have been lost, if the obstacles and opposition are overwhelming, we will move ahead anyway. But now we must adopt a different attitude, different procedures, and technology. We must redeem the dead, all of them, for we are commanded to do it.” 
            Tuesday morning, we watched Jaynie’s kids so she and Ki could go to the Temple.   Thursday afternoon, Jim watched Luke and Elle while Lindsey and I participated in sealings.  One name, one person at time.  That’s what it will take to reach all. 
            Friday evening, we enjoyed the Bell Choir at Temple Square Holiday Concert in the Tabernacle with Brent and Lindsey, Christopher and Melissa, Annette and Bill.  I’d like to know who can write music for a bell choir?  Seems so intricate and complicated. Amazing. 
            Happy Thanksgiving! 

A smiling place 

How many jelly beans does it take to make a giant octopus for the Macy's window display?  
I love to see the temple; I'll go inside someday...



             

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