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.
No comments:
Post a Comment