Missionary WORK

Just got home from Relief Society General Meeting and a wonderful salad dinner.  I thoroughly enjoyed both.  My heart breaks for our prophet and how he misses his sweet wife!  The words love and service were what impressed me throughout the meeting.    I loved seeing the missionary sisters singing.  I couldn't help but wonder if the five we are getting in 2 weeks were in the group.

Elder McOmber gave me 10 minutes warning that he was bringing these  beautiful sisters home for dinner.  It was literally the dividing of the loaves and fish. But there was plenty with some left over, just like the scriptures.  Sister Scott, Sister Okanoua, Sister Jessop  They are angels!

"I have often said that one of the greatest secrets of missionary work is work!  If a missionary works, he will get the Spirit; if he gets the Spirit, he will teach by the Spirit; if he gets the Spirit, he will teach by the Spirit; and if he teaches by the Spirit, he will touch the hearts of the people and he will be happy.  Work, work, work--there is no satisfactory substitute, especially in missionary work."  Ezra Taft Benson, Keys to Successful Member-Missionary Work, Ensign, 9/90.

President Tew getting ready for a meeting.

Sister Andelin our pianist for u\our meeting.  She is one semester away from being a nurse and chose to come on a mission.  She will finish when she goes home.

Elders and Sister ready for a Leadership meeting.  We now have girls in leadership because there are so many sisters.

Elders and Sisters in the office.  There is lots of work to do as well as their missionary work.
They all are so happy and positive all the time.

These missionaries all see to not mind all the hard work they have to do!

"The most effective missionaries always act out of love. Love is the lubricant and life of good missionary work."

Russell M. Nelson, "The Work of Salvation: Parable of a Father at Bedtime"

“None of us should be like the fisherman who thinks he has been fishing all day when in reality he has spent most of his time getting to and from the water, eating lunch, and fussing with his equipment. Fishing success is related to how long you have your line in the water, not to how long you are away from the apartment. Some fishermen are away from home for twelve hours and have their line in the water for ten hours. Other fishermen are away from home for twelve hours and have their line in the water for only two hours. This last type may wonder why they do not have the same success as others.

“The same principle applies to missionaries, whom the Master called ‘fishers of men.’ A missionary’s line should drop into the fishing water the moment he or she leaves the apartment” (Dallin H. Oaks, seminar for new mission presidents, June 20, 2000).

(PMG 153)

Fundamental to any effort to receive revelation is a commitment to do all we can with our own efforts and judgment. This means we need to serve and to work.""

Dallin H. Oaks, "In His Own Time, in His Own Way", Ensign and Liahona, August 2013

There are those words again.....Serve and work!!!!

This next quote goes along with Elder McOmber's project that he got for when he goes home, a 1950 Chevy truck.   It is his problem now to figure out how he is going to get it home to Idaho.  This was an e-mail that I  received this week:

"I grew up with practical parents. A mother, God love her, who washed aluminum foil after she cooked in it, then reused it. She was the original recycle queen before they had a name for it. A father who was happier getting old shoes fixed than buying new ones.

Their marriage was good, their dreams focused. Their best friends lived barely a wave away.

I can see them now, Dad in trousers, tee shirt and a hat and Mom in a house dress, lawn mower in one hand, and dish-towel in the other. It was the time for fixing things. A curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress. Things we keep.

It was a way of life, and sometimes it made me crazy. All that re-fixing, eating, renewing, I wanted just once to be wasteful.  Waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew there'd always be more.

But then my mother died, and on that clear summer's night, in the warmth of the hospital room, I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more.

Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes away...never to return.. So... While we have it..... it's best we love it.... And care for it... And fix it when it's broken......... And

heal it when it's sick.

This is true. For marriage....... And old cars..... And children with bad report cards..... And dogs with bad hips.... And aging parents...... And grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it. 

Some things we keep. Like a best friend that moved away or a classmate we grew up with.

There are just some things that make life important, like people we know who are special........ And so, we keep them close!"

This was just like my Mom-I grew up in a home like this.

I don't throw anything  away-especially my  family and  friends.  Thank you for sticking by me through it all!!

California State University is only 1/4 mile down the road from our office.

"We work together in faith and unity faith that the Lord will guide our steps and unity with each other and with the missionaries, always motivated by our love for Him, our love for one another, and our love for those we serve."

Neil L. Andersen, "A Spiritual Work"

Day 2-5 after chemo, I did not feel so well, my stomach was upset.  I was still able to take calls and go into the office a couple of days, but the worse day, I had very few calls or problems--the Lord and my missionaries are good to me!  I am feeling much better now, just in time to have the second round this Friday.  For my P day, I was able to sew some scrub hats and beanies to wear.  I will have one for every outfit.  :0)  Sewing is always so comforting for me.  God is Good!!!

Nurses

      

     Today we had a Southern California Mission President Wives and Mission Nurses' Seminar.  It was wonderful with a lot of good information.  It was fun and informative to talk with other mission medical people to see how they do their jobs and where we can improve.  I presented how I interview every new missionary into our mission and find out medical concerns and medications.  It helps me in assisting them to be the best missionaries that they can be and to serve with all their heart, might, mind and strength.  

Dr and Sister Peterson organized a wonderful luncheon and Seminar

There are 11 missions in our Southern California area. These are some of the Mission President's wives and nurses.

     I am so thankful for the spirit and the way it leads me in asking questions and trying to help the Elders and Sisters when they have health concerns.  I can testify that I have been prompted on many times and been able to be of more service to the missionaries because of the promptings.   

This is from a newsletter from Salt Lake City Nursing Committee this month.

As of August 27^th, the current numbers for medical and nurse professionals serving in individual missions:
There are:
34 nurses and 72 doctors (Church Service Volunteers and Church Service Missionaries)  serving from home or office part-time.
148 full-time mission nurse specialists (both senior and junior) serving infield
9 nurses (volunteers) serving part-time on the MNS committee in the Missionary Health Services Department in SLC.  This does not include all of the nurses and doctors serving as screeners, committee members and in specialty fields.
The 106 part-time nurse and doctor volunteers/missionaries and 148 full-time mission nurse specialists  serve in 252 missions.  Since there are 405 missions in the world, we are still recruiting nurses! 
Those numbers do not include all of the physicians serving full-time as infield Area Medical Advisers or Area Mental Health Advisers.

"There is a way for everyone . . . to participate in this great work. We can each find a way to use our own particular talents and interests in support of the great work of filling the world with light and truth."”Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "A Word for the Hesitant Missionary"

Elder McOmber took me and helped with the luncheon for the Seminar.  Dr Peterson and Lonnie love talking old cars and trucks.  The ear bug has become Elder McOmber's best friend.  It is a $450. fine for talking on your phone in California while driving.

Elders in the office, someone is always on the phone.

Elder McOmber teaching the missionaries how to use his shirt garters. The elders love them and the only place they know to get them is from Elder McOmber(who gets them on base).

Elder McOmber is getting good at fixing bicycles.  Here he is adjusting the spokes of a bike wheel.  He uses his manual to learn new things.

     I have so much to be thankful for!   I want to tell everyone how much I appreciate their prayers, thoughts and gifts.  Each and everyone of you are so dear to me.  I want to follow your examples and "pay it forward" by helping others.    
     I definitely have felt angels both here on earth and those not of this earth helping me through the last couple of months!  I know your prayers and thoughts have helped me!
     I started chemo Friday.  I have done exceptionally well since, just tired.  I was able to go and stay for the entire Medical Seminar.  The Lord has blessed me with so much, but most of all, He has bless me with special family and friends like you!

     My son gave me this link that brought tears to my eyes.  If you have a few minutes watch it, good.  I like it because it has the medical, military(Air Force-my husband's service), and emergency as well as being about breast cancer.

http://supportthefightagainstbreastcancer.com/pink-power-dance-pink-ribbon-norway/?utm_source=social&utm_medium=bcsfan&utm_campaign=pink-power-dance-pink-ribbon-norway&utm_term=20130915

This last link shows how you can affect some one's life and you never know what you do that "goes around, comes around".
http://gawker.com/this-three-minute-commercial-puts-full-length-hollywood-1309506149

Elder McOmber was diagnosed with Adult onset diabetes this month.  We had already been adjusting our diets to be more healthy, but he loved candy and has done a good job of giving that up.  We will keep working on it and he sees a doctor Monday to see what else they are going to do with him.

I love and appreciate all of you!

The Wave of a mission

As Elder Russell M. Nelson said in his talk "Catch the Wave"....
"I thank God and His Son, Jesus Christ, for the Restoration and its power to propel a magnificent wave of truth and righteousness across the earth."

     Just as  the Elder Nelson talks about the "wave" of new missionaries going out, a mission is constantly in motion and fluid.  Experienced elders and sisters go home, new ones come.  It is impressive to see the growth of  these young people over time.  We have been here to see much growth in many of our missionaries.  And in that fluid movement, our mission opens new apartments and closes others.  That is Elder McOmber's job.  Today we moved sister's from a member's home  into another apartment.  I sat and talked with a wonderful lady who will be 90 in November.

Betty Mae Adams and myself.  She wrote poetry when she was younger and she shared it with me. She never published any according to the missionary sisters.  I would like to share one with you:

          My Journal

Why am I keeping a journal?
Why do I spend so much time
Writing the things that happen
In such a plain life as mine?

Sometimes I ask that question
To myself when I'm weary and tired-
Then I think of the words of the Prophet-
Words that were truly inspired.

"Please," said he, "Write in your journals-
Every woman and child and man
This is your duty-I urge you to start,
And if you but try-you can.

It's a way of counting your blessings
As you write them day by day
And your posterity will praise you forever
For sharing your life this way."

Sometime in a hundred years or so
When I've long been gone from this sphere,
And people have all but forgotten my name
Will anyone know I was here?

Perhaps someone will chance to read
These books that were written by me
And realize that I am a link
In a chain of eternity.

I picture myself in heaven
On a bright and beautiful day
When appears a lovely young lady-
And I can hear her say-

"That's her-that's who I've been looking for
My great grandmother-I know
For I've read about her so many times
And she loves me-she's told me so.

She told me about her own life
And her family that paved the way
For me to follow the footsteps
That have led me here today.

She said that she prayed for her loved ones-
Every one-on her family tree,
That we would all live worthy
To be together eternally.

I've read this in her journal,
And what a great help it has been
To me, in choosing the path I should take,
It has kept me from trouble and sin.

I love to read her journal
And the stories she would tell
And I'm sure that's my great grandma
For I know her very well.
 *****************
Good incentive to keep up journals!!

The sisters and Elder McOmber moving furniture out.



Sisters helping move furniture.

           

Sisters studying while others are moving.

                       

Sister Bueur and Brown

I inherited the 4 foot tall nutcracker that no one else wanted.  Elder McOmber told them I loved Christmas, so he is now sitting in my office until Christmas.  He has been around the mission for a while.  I think he was picked up out of some garbage.

Sisters Okanoue and Scott with Japanese money.

Elder Wright is showing the correct way to use this devise.  He is from Hawaii--Aloha!!

The Butler's, wonderful friends on a Senior mission as well. The work with the Cambodian ward and another ward.  They have meetings all day Sunday.

Elder Jesperson is a life saver, he helps in the office a couple of days a week and he helped me fix my computer so I could get in to do my nurse's notes after an"update". 

Elder's checking out the areas on a map of the Greatest Mission on Earth!  
California Long Beach Mission.

This week I was blessed again.  Had a doctor appointment, but my Dr.  was tied up in surgery. He wanted to make sure that "things" were progressing as needed and they were not going as fast as I or my family wanted.  We saw the nurse practitioner--if you want something done, a nurse can do it!!!
She talked to the right people and I was able to get my power port for chemo placed on Thursday.  It was amazing, and again, I can see the Lord's hand in all of this.  A nurse, 3 nurse anesthetist (one a previous NICU nurse) could not get my IV--thank goodness I was getting a port-I definitely need one.  It took 11 sticks (both feet and hands) and finally got it in the antecubital.  I guess I should not have exercised that morning since I was fasting for surgery.  (my fault) I was awake during the entire procedure and visited with the Dr.  She is a cute 28 year old who is in her last year of internship.  She was the first person I met in surgery back when all this started and she just happened to be in vascular surgery now.  Another hand of God-someone we knew and trusted.  She will be doing a fellowship in plastic surgery when I get to that point and gave us her number to call as she wants to help.  The fact that I was awake and did not get restless or panic during the surgery was another blessing.  I know there were angels around me comforting me!!  Thank you for all your prayers, I know they are heard and answered!   I felt good after surgery and Dr Martin arranged an appointment with Hem-oc that same day.  Chemo starts next Friday.  Dreading it, but want to get it over with. 

       A conference talked that helped me through some "rough" patches this week was from the April 2011 General Conference:  "More Than Conquerors through Him That Loved Us"    Paul V. Johnson of the Seventy.             

But these trials are not just to test us. They are vitally important to the process of putting on the divine nature. If we handle these afflictions properly, they will be consecrated for our gain.

Elder Orson F. Whitney said: “No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. … All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable. … It is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire.”.....

After recovering from serious health challenges, Elder Robert D. Hales shared the following in general conference: “On a few occasions, I told the Lord that I had surely learned the lessons to be taught and that it wouldn’t be necessary for me to endure any more suffering. Such entreaties seemed to be of no avail, for it was made clear to me that this purifying process of testing was to be endured in the Lord’s time and in the Lord’s own way. … I … learned that I would not be left alone to meet these trials and tribulations but that guardian angels would attend me. There were some that were near angels in the form of doctors, nurses, and most of all my sweet companion, Mary. And on occasion, when the Lord so desired, I was to be comforted with visitations of heavenly hosts that brought comfort and eternal reassurances in my time of need.” .........

Our Heavenly Father loves us, and we “know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day.”Someday when we get to the other side of the veil, we want more than for someone just to tell us, “Well, you’re done.” Instead, we want the Lord to say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

The entire talk is awesome!  Read it!

Questions from Missionaries

Isn't it interesting that things that we go through and the things we are studying can also  help others.  I had two missionaries this week call me (one call and one text) with the question, to quote one of them, but both had the same question.   "How do we go out (to do missionary work) and forget ourselves when we're not healthy...sorry its kind of a deep question"  I, with my recent health concerns and what I have been studying, could answer them. 

 



The September Ensign, had a wonderful article from President Uchtdorf.  "Saints for All Season's".  It was perfect for me and a good article that I  referred the missionaries to read .   My favorite quote is "The question is not whether we will experience seasons of adversity by how we will weather the storms.  Our great opportunity during the ever-changing seasons of life is to hold fast to the faithful word of God, for His counsel is designed not only to help us weather the storms of life but also to guide us past them." I highlighted most of the article--please read, it is awesome! 

I love reading my scriptures and have found many answers and encouragements from my scriptures.
D & C 24:8

 

I said more to these missionaries, but will not include it here.  I have many interesting questions, everything from ingrown toenail to helping Crohn's disease to insurance questions.  I am thankful for computers where I can look up those things that I do not know or check drugs that I have never heard of.  I am also thankful for a loving Heavenly Father that helps me in my calling.  I could not answer many of the questions without saying a prayer first and listening to the Spirit!!!

 

This week was Labor day.  Missionaries do not realize when it is a holiday, but we were invited to our friend's home for a supper picnic inside. 

Amen!!

The Edgars, Trish and Dave with Trish's parents.  Her mother is Jewish and she and Elder McOmber had an interesting talk on Jesus and the Jewish religion.

Today, Lonnie and I went to the Nethercutt Collection Museum.(Owned by the Merle Norman owmers)  I had gone with Liz and kids, but he could not go.  I knew he would love the cars and music machines.  They have 260 antique automobiles and many other collections.  It is free, even better.

An Imperial grand piano with 97 keys.

 

This week was great.  I am feeling better and better, I was able to exercise everyday this week.  Elder McOmber worked his long hours, as usual and I take calls all hours day and night and went to the office to visit with missionaries three days this week.  We love our mission!

 

"In a world where the moral compass of society is faltering, the restored gospel of Jesus Christ never wavers, nor should its stakes and wards, its families, or its individual members. We must not pick and choose which commandments we think are important to keep but acknowledge all of God's commandments. We must stand firm and steadfast, having perfect confidence in the Lord's consistency and perfect trust in His promises."L. Tom Perry, "Obedience to Law Is Liberty"