Nov 28- Dec 4, 2021

SUNDAY

After attending church in our ward, we drove to Gilbert and loved having dinner and playing games with Matt, Mary, Ethan, Lydia, Sawyer, Cecily, Nate, Ryan and Brianna. Lydia made a beautiful and delicious cake for dessert!

MONDAY-STAURDAY

This week we have spent most of our time between Zone Conferences and the Giving Machines. The Elders and Sisters assigned each day to the Giving Machines greet people as they come to donate through the Giving Machine to one of the local or global charities. They answer questions about how the Machines work and who are the beneficiaries. As they mingle with others with the #LightTheWorld banner in the background, I am reminded how they each bring the Light of Christ to everyone with whom they interact.

Ribbon cutting ceremonies. Elder Schmidt (Area Authority Seventy) speaks to the crowd

Elder Tappen, Elder Turley, Elder Glauser, Sister Glauser

We bought donuts, juice, fruit and milk for our morning Elders and Sisters.

Zone Conferences are a highlight every six weeks. We have been taught by President and Sister Goaslind,  local Stake Presidents, and leaders in the mission.

(I insert some of the notes from the Zone Conferences because this Blog doubles as a mission journal)

Some of the local Stake Presidents were invited to join us and answer questions from the Elders and Sisters about how we better serve the people in our assigned wards and how we can work together with the members. President Johnson (Tempe Stake) shared an experience he had a while back. He had had a bad day and didn't even WANT to change his attitude. It was a hot summer day, about 105 degrees. As he drove into his neighborhood, he saw for just a moment (about 2 seconds, he said) two missionaries riding their bikes. They likely did not even notice him. But just seeing them, realizing they were serving Jesus Christ, brightened his mood. He immediately felt grateful and happier. The message of this experience is that even when we don't realize it, we can influence someone for good.

President Hansen (San Tan Stake?) talked about how the missionaries can gain the trust of the members by being obedient. He said one day he was driving past a church building in his stake and out of habit glanced over to check and make sure things looked ok. He saw ONE missionary car in the parking lot. No other cars around. No other people. And he saw one Elder standing behind the car 'backing' the driver. (A mission rule is that whenever the car is in reverse, one person stands behind and makes sure the path is clear.) Even when there was absolutely nothing that would have been hit, the Elders were obedient. Exact obedience! He said it brought tears to his eyes to witness this exact obedience.

Part of the training was a role-play of a companionship teaching the Restoration in 4 minutes or less. Even though it was a role-play, the Spirit bore witness that the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true. One day, a trio companionship taught the lesson. Elder Bosworth has been in the mission for only two weeks. He shared his testimony and did so with power, conviction, emotion.  He is a powerful missionary. He talked about how he knew that he was loved and valued by Heavenly Father. no matter our circumstances, we can feel of God's love.

Another role-play was with Sisters McEwen and Linford. As Sister McEwen told the story of Joseph Smith's First Vision and used Joseph's own words, it was clear that SHE KNEW this event happened and opened the heavens in our day.  It was given with power, conviction, and emotion.  It was real and sincere.

Sister Willardson (left) and Sister Perez (Sister Training Leaders) teaching at Zone Conference

Sister Perez and Sister Glauser

WEDNESDAY, we joined Elders Turley and Tappen as they taught Mike and Amber again. Note that these two Elders are the Assistants to the President and have so much responsibility during Zone Conferences, yet they continue with a full teaching schedule in the evenings. As the lesson continued, there were many questions about random things. But the discussion was definitely Spirit-led. Elder Glauser brought it back to the basics and the four of us worked off each other to bear testimony of a living prophet with authority from God on the earth today. She may never change her mind, but my own testimony was strengthened as I told her I knew for sure that the authority of God was restored to the earth and there is a living prophet on the earth today to guide us and help us find our way back to Heavenly Father.

We transported Elder Shields from San Tan to Mesa because of changes related to visa-waiters. It is so nice to get to know these fine brothers, even if it's just for a 30-minute ride to his new apartment and companion. We picked up a bike at that apartment and delivered it to the mission office. We dropped off some church magazines to Noemi Miranda and had a short visit with her. Amelia (her 3-year-old) seemed very happy to see us since it's been a couple weeks. We feel like we have a good relationship with this good family. 

The night Ryan and Brianna came to town last week, we stopped for dinner at Pita Jungle. Our server was delightful and engaging, was attentive without hovering, just excellent! She told us she was having some struggles, but we did not really offer any help. After we left, we felt like we should have said something about being missionaries. We have been back to the restaurant a couple times hoping to meet our server again. THURSDAY, we went again, and she was there! We requested that she be our server and we were able to talk to her again about her life and struggles. Doug told her we were missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and we have a message of hope. He gave her a pass-along card with our phone number on it and an invitation to call us if she ever had a desire to talk with us.

FRIDAY

Birthday flowers!

We like to go to the Giving Machines each day the Tempe missionaries are assigned to be there. We love helping alongside them as they set up get started for the day. Across the street from the Gilbert Water Tower Plaza is Topo. They serve tacos and a few other lunch-type things but mostly soft-serve ice cream. This delicious flavor is Prickly Pear with a Lime shell. We've been celebrating my birthday all week. 😉

We had the opportunity to go to the Millennial Choir and Orchestra Christmas concert. Elder Kaufman has sung with them for many years, and we were able to get tickets and go with some other Senior couples. It was a great way to begin the Christmas Season!

Sister Kaufman, Sister and Elder Glauser, Elder and Sister Jones, Elder and Sister Anderson (recently released), Elder and Sister Thorson

Sister Jones, Elder and Sister Kaufman, Elder and Sister Glauser, Sister and Elder Thorson

SATURDAY

Between our time at the Giving Machines, we joined Elders Tappen and Turley for a lesson with Martin. He has been reading the Book of Mormon and praying morning and night. It was a wonderful hour with him as he recognized the good feelings he has been having especially when the missionaries are teaching him, as the Spirit. As we were leaving, a lady in the same apartment complex was trying to move a bookshelf into her place. Elders Glauser, Tappen and Turley helped with that. She was so grateful! Then a 10-year-old boy came running and said, "come teach me and my dad!" He was so excited to see the missionaries again. I love being associated with these fine Elders who are exemplifying Jesus Christ's love for all.

 Child Crisis Arizona is a charity that focuses on keeping kids safe

These young ladies are volunteering at the Giving Machines along with our missionaries. It is a pleasure to partner with other organizations doing good things in the community

The best part of the day, however, was when Mike, Joanna, Lilah and David surprised us with a visit! They decided to take a 3-hour detour on their way to the Polar Express, stop by the Giving Machines and take us out for my birthday dinner. Seriously, the best!