THERE IS SPRINGTIME IN MY SOUL TODAY (Hymn 227)

Dear Folks at Home:

When we get pictures like this from the farm in Idaho 

it makes us a little home sick.

Sheila and I have found a walking path by the Allegheny River. This is a beautiful area. The path goes for at least 2 miles. Which is plenty. 

 It has been a good week. I wasn’t feeling well the first few days but we’ve made up for it these past 3 days. On Wednesday evening the Meadville Elders had an appointment fall through and they were a little bummed. They decided to not give up. They started tracting an apartment complex close to the church. There was a fellow who was just moving in and they offered to help him. He was a little hesitant because he didn’t want to impose on them. They insisted and when they finished he invited them to stay a while and tell him about our church. They taught him the first lesson on the Restoration. And he’s invited them back. There’s something to be said for not giving up. They kept trying and good things happened. 

 We had a service project on Thursday for Sister Schafer.Rich, Bill, the Elders and Sheila and I. We cleaned up her yard. It took about 2 minutes into the job to establish that Sheila knew more about yard work than the rest of us combined. So she became the Supervisor. If seeing pictures of our farm make me miss home, digging in the dirt makes Sheila feel that way. Although this was a small part of our day it was time well spent. Sister Schafer’s neighbors on both sides came over to see what we were doing and we had the opportunity to leave a gospel message with them. 

  General Conference was wonderful and I do have one story. Our Ward Mission leader is an attorney and he took to heart the counsel from Elder Uchdorf about sharing the gospel. He had a couple in his office Monday morning taking care of a property deed. The fellows name was Raymond L Evans. He told Raymond that he was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and Raymond's name  reminded him of a church leader in the past named Richard L Evans. Raymond’s face lit up and he told him that he had been baptized when he was 8 and went to church until he was 14. His wife is Catholic. They had moved here from California in October. If Brother Martin had not spoken up we never would have known about the Evans’s. Sheila and I made a visit to their home this morning. They are really nice people. They weren’t looking for the gospel but they are certainly not running away. They’ve asked us back and good things are going to happen. All because Brother Martin spoke up. That’s the news from Pennsylvania. Have a good week. I know we will.

Ye Who Are Called To Labor And Minister For God

Dear Folks at Home:

           It has been another eventful week in Pennsylvania. There is a genuine excitement for General Conference. I am not sure how I can best explain the feeling. It is an adventure being a member here. Distances and small congregations present challenges. But for two weekends a year they hear a prophets voice just as soon as the Saints in the West do. For one weekend they feel a unity with the rest of the church. Sheila and I have also had a unique experience lately. We go walking in the mornings ( her idea not mine) and listen to the past Conference on our phones. I have listened to the talks in a completely different manner as a missionary than I did at home. It’s as if every one who spoke at the last General Conference stood at the pulpit at the Franklin Ward building and spoke directly to the members here. It has been a rewarding experience which we are grateful for. Another observation I’ve had as I’ve listened is I’m able to identify which of the Preach my Gospel missionary lessons each speaker is teaching from. We truly love being missionaries.

When we first arrived here and began making visits it became apparent to us that many of the members had not had contact with the church for a while. Until we started making visits in the Titusville area. And there we found a higher level of activity and strength and a different attitude. Even among the members who were no longer involved. There were always two names mentioned as we talked to these members. Gordon Sutton and Michael Welter. They have been home teachers and now Ministers to these members for a long time. Over and over we’ve heard the same story. “ We know we can call on these Brothers.”” They are always checking up on our family.”” We know they care.” They are currently assigned 6 families. But on their own they visit an additional 6 or 7 families. So about 13 families total. Multiple times a month. With the energy and enthusiasm of youths.

They are pictured below.

 

Brother Sutton is on the left with Brother Welter on the right. Pretty impressive. But  they are no longer young. They both battle health problems and I’m sure it hurts to go out some days. But out they go and lives are changed because of them. One example from a week ago shows what they do. A members husband was in the last week of his life. He had battled cancer and was able to sit in his recliner enduring the long days and even longer nights. These two ministering Brothers stopped in to visit.This good man was slumped down with his chin resting on his chest. Brother Sutton said “ I need to tell you a story “. He then told a joke. The Sister noticed a grin come to her husbands face. Brother Welter then made a comical remark. The grin got wider. And for the last time in his life he raised his head up and smiled. They both expressed to this good man their heart felt love and appreciation. They departed with a blessing on the home and on the family.As the Sister later told Sheila and I it was as if for that time the Savior himself had been in their home. And when we hear of Ministering in a higher and holier way I can think of two older brethren who have bad knees and arthritis who have set the example of what this really means. It is wonderful to serve the Lord in the Mission field. Have a good week. I know we will.