Senior Missions, Senior Blessings

From the early years of our marriage, Pat and I talked about serving a mission together -- even establishing a mission savings account (which we had to use for other purposes more than once). We looked forward to being able to serve together and share experiences as missionary companions after I retired and the children were married. We had a lot of hopes and dreams..

We've learned a lot during the past couple of years and we'd like to share our experience in the hope that other couples thinking about serving a mission might benefit.We have learned that senior couples who accept the call to serve full-time missions for the LDS Church usually encounter many things they did not expect, including new opportunities to define and refine their marriages.

In reality, our mission experiences have exceeded what we anticipated, both in joy received and in the hard work required. We could not have imagined the satisfaction and closeness that would come to us as we have served. But we also did not anticipate how the many stresses of serving a mission would test our patience and our relationship. Establishing a new home and a new life with new responsibilities in a foreign country was challenging! And even though we've been married 46 years, being together 24/7 with no breaks was also a stretch!

Like many men, I discovered that I had allowed myself to be defined too much by my career and service in the community, church, and other personal pursuits.  More accurately, I was pretty comfortable with my achievements -- too much pride, not enough humility - and used to doing things on my own. Pat's identity came largely from her devotion to family as a daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother, as well as many service opportunities. She was pretty used to being her own boss, too. We both had held many and varied callings in the Church, mostly independent of each other. Most of our gospel study had also been individual, not shared.

To serve effectively as missionaries, we had to learn a whole new set of skills -- to study, plan, teach and serve together -- and we had to establish a new sense of identity as a senior missionary couple. During our first mission, teaching Institute classes to young single adults in the Washington DC South Mission, Pat and I had to learn how to share responsibilities for lesson preparation and presentation: what to include in lessons, how to develop and integrate power point materials with lesson objectives, what questions to pose, and how to divide class time and decide who would teach which principles and for how long.  It taxed us to prepare lessons for five classes taught in four scattered locations each week.  We learned quickly, but not without some pain, that to feel the spirit and be effective in our teaching, we had to take the time to work things out and to work together.  As we persisted in efforts to improve, and focused on the students, we learned humility and gained patience, unity, deeper spirituality, and felt mutual respect and new closeness.

In our current responsibility to direct the Visitors' Centre at the London Temple, we've faced a whole new learning curve. We've learned to navigate British roads, embrace a new culture, contact church and community leaders, train missionaries, coordinate schedules, and plan and develop programs and activities that strengthen members, promote missionary work, and build the image of the Church.  It has taken two minds and two hearts, knit together in a common purpose, to fill the responsibilities of this mission.  Neither of us could have served alone. Often Pat's thoughts, ideas, and skills are better than mine. Sometimes my thoughts and skills work best. We have learned to trust and rely on each other, respect our different abilities and tasks, pray and plan together, and support and cheer each other on during times of trial and discouragement. A pleasant byproduct of missionary service has been the deeper trust, respect, and love we have felt for each other as well as greater appreciation for our marriage.

The Lord has asked that we learn to live together in love (D&C 42:45) and He gave a specific commandment to husbands: Thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart, and shall cleave  unto her and none else. (D&C 42:22)   He also said neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 11:11)   In order to serve and teach the gospel effectively, we know we must have the spirit, and we've found that we cannot have the spirit unless we work together in love and unity. For us it has required increased effort, humility, patience, and understanding.  Since we believe our marriage is eternal, I can't think of a better way to prepare for living life together, forever, in peace, harmony and love, than time spent serving full-time senior missions.

As we look back on the past 20 months in England, we can see clearly that we have been richly blessed and seen many successes and miracles we never could have anticipated.  We've also seen that in our absence, all of our family members have been greatly blessed.  It's true that no matter how much you try to serve the Lord and show gratitude, you will always be in His debt.  So... to all senior couples able to serve who are wondering if the time is right to jump in and become missionaries, we say, "Just do it! Wonderful experiences await you!"
                                                                                                                                ~Don~

Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

Printed on the edge of every two-pound coin in England is the phrase "Standing on the Shoulders of Giants."  I admire the British for putting it there.  It gives us something to think about.  Each one of us stands on the shoulders of those who went before us -- our parents and grandparents, of course, but also those who brought us through the dark ages, established democratic principles, and fought and sacrificed for our freedoms, our way of life, and also our heritage in the Church.

I am no historian, but this time in England has taught me how much we Americans owe the British for documents such as the Magna Carta and the early principles and processes of civil discourse and freedom that found their way into our Constitution and councils of government.

With respect to the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the re-establishment of His church on the earth, it was thousands of British converts, joined by many Scandinavians, who sailed out of Liverpool to strengthen the struggling American saints and build Zion in the mountain west.  In 1850 there were 34,000 Mormons in Great Britain and only 12,000 in America.  For a time, nine of the twelve apostles were serving in the British Isles, where the Book of Mormon and the Millennial Star were published.  The United States, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the world have been greatly blessed by those who went before us, including many people from the British Isles.  I am also particularly grateful for the efforts of William Tyndale and John Wycliffe, British scholars and martyrs who courageously exposed false doctrines and translated the bible into English, making the scriptures available to common people.

Brilliant and enlightened people come from all races, nations, and parts of the world, of course, but the more I learn about history, the more I appreciate that I was born when and where I was.  Many generations before me paved the way for me to live the life that I have. I don't know that I would have endured well had I lived in another time and place.  I certainly would not be the same person, and I wouldn't have survived the brain aneurysm I suffered 17 years ago.

I have so many blessings that I did nothing to earn, develop, or create -- electricity, air conditioning, cars and transportation, computers, advancements in health care, and all the wonders of science and technology.  I also received a rich heritage of freedom and opportunity -- access to knowledge, books, literature, music and the arts, and chances to go to school to learn about things in the world.  Through the restoration of the gospel, and the words of ancient and modern prophets, I have learned the true nature of God and my relationship to Jesus Christ, the power of His atonement, and many eternal truths I would not have gained on my own. It just makes me thankful to stand on the shoulders of so many, many giants -- both religious and secular.

It is a humbling thought that each of my children stands on my weak and faltering shoulders, and my grandchildren will stand on the shoulders of my children. I find great comfort in Moroni's words that the Savior can make "weak things" strong to those who will be humble and come unto Him, and that His grace will be sufficient for them. I am thankful to know that Jesus Christ really is the answer, and that faith in Him is the sure foundation on which we can all stand and find peace.

It is good to recognize that we are all "standing on the shoulders of giants." These are inspiring words to be placed on a coin.  The last time I checked, the phrase "In God We Trust" is still printed on American coins. This an uplifting motto for our nation.  May we always honor this motto, preserve it, and try to live by it.                                                                                                                                        ~ Don~

Today Is A Gift...

...that's why it's called the "present."

With the arrival of September, the temple has now closed for ten weeks and we expect that it will be a little quieter on the temple grounds than it has been during the past month.  The London Temple presidency and their wives, all of whom we have loved so much, will soon be finishing their three year callings and leaving to return home. We will really miss them!

President Raymond and Sister Irene Lowry

Our new temple president will be Elder Kenneth Johnson, a wonderful man and an emeritus Seventy. He and his good wife and the new temple presidency will begin their service in November when the temple reopens.

Many of the temple missionaries (senior couples and sisters) who arrived about the same time we did completed their 18 - 24 months missions last week and left over the weekend to return to their homes. Gratefully, most of the temple missionaries who are American will be staying on through the break, taking on clerical and other responsibilities until the temple reopens. Though we don't get to see the temple missionaries as often as we'd like because of our different schedules and assignments, we have grown to love and appreciate every one of them, and we miss them when they go home! It has been a joy to serve on the temple grounds with such dedicated, loving, faithful men and women. We feel privileged to rub shoulders with them and we have learned much from their example. We are better for having known them!

Barbeque for departing temple missionaries.
The Strongs, Andersons, Kiddles, Morrises, and President Cook.

The Masseys, Sister Pilgrim, and the Rouses

Talented Sister Callis

The Kiddles, Strongs, Sister Murdock, the Grays, Sister Cook and the Andersons.

The Christensens, Brother Wade, Sister Fujita (visiting), and Sister Lock.

Sister Morgan, Sister King, and me.

Today, we are left to look back on all the comings and goings that have taken place during the past month at the Visitors' Centre, too. It has been a hard time for our hearts!

• Three more of our fabulous sister missionaries (Sisters Cardona, Paulsen and Boman) finished their missions and returned home in August. Sister Cardona served her entire 18 month mission in our Visitors' Centre - the only sister to do so since we've been here. She was invaluable to us! 
• Two of our current sister missionaries (Sister Berati and Sister Watt) have just been transferred out into other areas of the mission. 
• Three new Visitors' Centre sister missionaries (Sisters Jacob, McLaws and Maddocks) arrived last Wednesday to begin their missions in our Centre. 
• Two more new sisters are scheduled to arrive in the next month or two. 

So many changes!

Sisters Paulsen, Boman and Cardona were released in August. We miss them
so much but we know they have many new and exciting times ahead.

Our dear friend and mentor, Grant Neale, with all our sisters in front of the
Christus. (Left to right) Sisters Walmsley, Paulsen, Watt, Boman, Cardona,
Ylisaari, Berati, and Stewart.

Our three new sisters meeting their companions for the first time.

Sister Maddocks, Sister McLaws and Sister Jacob's first day in England!

Sisters Watt, Stewart, Maddocks, McLaws, Jacob, Ylisaari and Walmsley.

We also had a great visit with Sister Barber and Sister Maughan last week when they came to the temple grounds with a Young Single Adult Conference. What a joy! Sister Barber was only at our Visitors' Centre for two months early last year while she waited for her visa to travel to the USA. She's been gone for nearly a year and a half, but it just seemed so comfortable to have her with us again. Sister Maughan was just released here two months ago, but it was wonderful  to see her too and get caught up on what she's been doing since she was released. It was great to see them again!  Wish we could see every single one of the sisters who have served at the London Temple Visitors' Centre since we've been here! Each of them has a special place in our hearts!

Sister Barber (left) and Sister Maughan came to visit!!

During August, two of our daughters and their husbands dropped in for a few days, too. We were lucky to be able to spend a little time with them between responsibilities. Oh, how grateful we were to see them! And oh, how hard it was to see them go!

On the morning we picked Josh and Emily up at Heathrow airport, we headed
straight to Highclere Castle, where we had managed to obtain hard-to-get tickets
for a tour. We were all so excited to see where Downton Abbey is filmed!

Emily and Josh on the beach in Brighton.

Brighton Pier is one of my favorite places to go when it's warm.
Reminds me so much of the Santa Monica Pier where I grew up.

Jenn, Emily and Josh on the huge ferris wheel on Brighton Beach.

Jenn and Iain at the Wiremill Inn restaurant, a hidden treasure
just across the street from the London Temple on the A22.

With so many comings and goings at this time of our mission, it has given us pause to reflect on how fleeting time is and how quickly things can change. It is so easy (for me, at least) to get caught up in the responsibility and challenges that we have in our lives and forget to enjoy the sweet and simple moments that we share with those we love. I hope I'm getting better at treasuring the moments as the years go by. We just can't afford to take today - or any day - for granted. Each day is a gift, and so are the people who share those days with us.                                        ~Pat~

Ministering Angels

We have met so many people on our mission who have taught us what love is by their example - by the way they live their lives. It's always such a privilege to be in their presence and to feel their love. One of those people is Sister Morris.

Sister Morris is from New Zealand, though she has lived in the U.K. for a very long time. She and Brother Morris serve faithfully in the temple - as they have for many years. They are some of the most friendly, non-judgmental, unassuming, loving people we know. They practice the golden rule. It seems that they know just about everyone who comes to the temple. They live in the Lodge, just down the hall from us.

This past year, Sister Morris has fought and recently won a battle with cancer. You can see from the photo that her hair is growing back and she doesn't wear a wig anymore! She is the picture of health. She is loving life now -- but she never stopped loving life while she was sick, either. Even when she was struggling through treatment, she always had a smile and a kind word for everyone she met. And she never stopped looking for ways to help others, though she could have used some TLC* herself. At the place where she received her chemotherapy, she organized the "Happy Society of Chemo Friends." She is amazing!

Today, I was the recipient of some of Sister Morris' TLC. I got stung by a wasp...  again. Having been stung once already - a couple of months ago - I knew just what to do:  call Sister Morris. Last time I got stung, I happened to run into Sister Morris in the parking lot as we were walking home at the same time. She shared her Essential Oils with me and the sting calmed down quickly. This time I went looking for her! She came with a big smile, a hug, and a concoction of several oils. Not only did she know what to do to help me, she made me feel loved. Bless you, Sister Morris! You are an angel to me.

Sister Morris and me

In 2008, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland spoke about ministering angels in General Conference and said, "I have spoken... of heavenly help, of angels dispatched to bless us in time of need. But when we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with - here, now, every day.  ...Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind."

Someday, I want to be just like the ministering angels I've been blessed to know.         ~Pat~

*TLC = Tender Loving Care

Busy

What a month August has turned out to be - and it's not over yet! We have been busy, busy, busy at the London Temple Visitors' Centre -- and blessed. We've enjoyed every minute!

In addition to what we've already mentioned in earlier blogs this month, here's what's been going on:

We had two great firesides....

President Martin Lock and his wife, Jan, spoke at our
"Why I Believe" Fireside on August 4th.

Elder Gary and Sister Rosemary Bradford were the guest speakers
at our England London South Mission fireside on August 18th.

On the second Sunday of each month, our sister missionaries teach a Missionary Preparation Training meeting. They always make it exciting and fun!

Sisters Cardona, Ylisaari and Watt teaching
prospective missionaries about good nutrition.

A fun learning activity for prospective missionaries.

Elders Wehrman, Coe and Sparks - our great Mission Office elders.
They do so much to help us!

We also have weekly Visitors' Centre training meetings. 

Meeting in the Visitors' Centre theatre.

During August, we were happy to have Brother Mark Lusvardi, director of all public programs in the Missionary Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stop by to see us. His responsibility includes all visitors' centers, historic sites, pageants and programs of the Church throughout the world. We are always delighted to meet with him and receive his counsel and direction.

Brother Mark Lusvardi, Don, me, Sister Pam Brooks,
and Elder Arthur Brooks, director of the Hyde Park Visitors' Centre.

All our our Visitors' Centre staff with Brother and Sister Lusvardi.

Brother Lusvardi gathered all of our Visitors' Centre missionaries together for a training session. He talked about the history of the London Temple Visitors' Centre during the past 20 years or so. Although there were some displays and a place to congregate in this building for many years, the official Visitors' Centre, as we now know it, has only been open since 2008, and the first director was not appointed until we were called and arrived in January 2012. Now this Visitors' Centre has taken it's place among the 16 official visitors' centers in the Church. There are plans to add several new centers throughout the world in the next few years.

Brother Lusvardi talked about the re-awakening of missionary work that is taking place in the British Isles at the current time as part of the "Hastening of the Work of Salvation" (Mission Presidents Seminar, June 2013). He talked about what a remarkable time it is to be here on a mission - a sentiment that we echo! Our missionaries are now teaching people throughout the world who are searching for truth and for a better, happier way of life. They are finding the Church in ever increasing numbers through online programs like LDS.org, Mormon.org, Facebook, Skype and blogs. He taught us the importance of living worthily as well as being prepared and spiritually in tune to receive the help of the Holy Ghost in all our teaching.

The day after Brother Lusvardi's visit, we welcomed Elder David F. Evans, who is a Seventy and Executive Director of the Missionary Department for the Church. He was the one who set us apart for this mission and gave both of us beautiful blessings when we entered the MTC the second time, in January 2012. It was wonderful to see him again and show him and his wife around our visitors' centre.

All our Visitors' Centre missionaries with Pres. and Sister Millar and Elder and Sister Evans.

President and Sister Millar, Elder and Sister Evans, and us.

August 2013

 It's been a good month on the grounds of the London Temple. And to add to our enthusiasm, the weather has continued to be fabulous!  Even the British are talking about what an amazing summer this has been. Everywhere you look, it is beautiful. We're so glad we've been here to enjoy it!                          ~Pat~

This I Believe.

Shortly after I retired from the Board of Regents Office in 2005, I took a few days and drafted a statement of my personal beliefs. Since serving these missions, I have thought more about my beliefs and modified them somewhat. At the Visitors' Centre, we have sponsored a series of Sunday night "Why I Believe" firesides, featuring members of the Church in this area.  These firesides have prompted me to share my revised statement of beliefs on our family blog.

Each of us is largely the product of his or her beliefs  Our behavior is largely governed by these. They become our standards of conduct.                --  President Gordon B. Hinckley

President Gordon B. Hinckley

I have pondered this statement of President Hinckley and believe it to be true.  I have therefore decided to put into writing my own heartfelt beliefs.  I hope that my children, posterity, and friends will know my beliefs by the way I live. By writing them down, I won't leave it to chance and can at least let them know how I feel, what I believe, and how I have tried to conduct my life. I do not claim to be perfect in living these beliefs, but my resolve to do so has increased with time and experience. The beliefs that follow are indeed my standards of conduct. They have guided and enriched my life. They are not necessarily set in order of importance.

Pat and I at the beginning of our mission.

1.  I Believe in God as our Father and in his Son as my Savior 
     and the Savior of the World
       I believe in the sacred writings of past prophets that testify of God 
            and Jesus Christ and contain divinely given teachings, principles, 
            and commandments to guide our lives and bring lasting happiness. 
        I have faith in living prophets of The Church of Jesus Christ of 
            Latter-day Saints, and I endeavor to follow their teachings 
            and counsel.
        I worship the living Christ and have faith in the power of his 
            atonement.
        I believe that the best way to know Jesus Christ is to serve Him.  
        My faith is not blind; it is bound by sacred covenants and 
            personal experience.

2.  I Believe in Seeking for Truth and Wisdom, and I Enjoy 
     Reading Good Books
        I seek truth through study, faith, prayer, and the application of true 
            principles.
        I believe there is a heirarchy of knowledge -- that knowledge is not 
            mere information, and that some truths are more important to 
            learn and master than others. 
        I seek for understanding and wisdom -- the application of 
            knowledge that leads toward development of Christ-like behavior 
            and character.

3.  I Believe in the Power of Prayer
       I try to maintain a close relationship with God through regular 
            communication with Him.
        I feel God's love and know He has answered my prayers in my best 
            interest.
        I love God, listen to his counsel, and try to follow his promptings.
        I have come to trust God's timing and believe He knows me and 
            my needs better than I do.

4.  I Believe in Obedience -- in Living What I Know
       I strive to show my love for the Savior by keeping his 
             commandments.
        My creed is the 10 Commandments and the Articles of Faith, not the 
             Nicene Creed.
        I try to honor my covenants, pay a full tithe, and sustain the law of 
            the land.
        I know that obedience always strengthens faith and disobedience 
            weakens it.
        I also know that knowledge without faith and obedience is 
            insufficient and can be empty.

5.  I Believe in Repentance -- I Must Repent of My Mistakes, 
     Forgive Myself, and Others
       I know that Christ's atonement is real and that it works for me and 
            for everyone else. 
        Jesus Christ is our Savior -- we need his atonement and grace 
            because we all make mistakes.
        I allow myself to make mistakes, but I try to repent and learn from 
            them.
        I forgive others easily and allow room for second chances.
        I know that true repentance always leads to greater faith and 
            happiness.

6.  I  Believe that Honesty is Always the Best Policy
      I seek to cultivate integrity and honor in my life.
        I believe honesty produces a clear conscience, inner peace, 
            self-respect, and makes prayer more powerful in our lives.  Like 
            Huck Finn discovered, I believe "you cannot pray a lie."     
        I know that honesty is essential for good family and interpersonal 
            relationships.

7.  I Believe in the Strength of Family
       I believe the family is central to God's plan for his children and that 
            marriage between a man and a woman fulfills his purposes.
        I believe the greatest joys of life are found in happy family 
            relationships, based on teachings of the Savior and principles of 
            love, trust, forgiveness and respect.  
        I seek to show consistent love, respect, and support for my wife, 
            children, grandchildren, and extended family.  

8.  I Believe in the Healing Power of Music, Laughter, 
     Good Humor, Healthy Recreation, and Sports  
        I enjoy a variety of good music -- it soothes my spirit and warms 
            my soul.
       I like a good joke and believe that good humor enriches life. 
         I believe healthy recreation is essential, and I enjoy the excitement
            of competitive sports.
       I have a passion for life and try to keep a positive outlook and 
            disposition.
         I seek to make others smile, be comfortable, find joy, and be happy.

9.  I Believe in Being Grateful 
       I deeply appreciate the many positive things in my life, including life 
             itself.
        I am thankful for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and its impact 
             on my life.
        I appreciate my heritage and the example and teachings of goodly
             parents.
        I am grateful for a beautiful and faithful wife, and view my decision 
            to marry her as pure inspiration, good fortune, and the best 
            decision I ever made.
        I am grateful for five terrific daughters, and I feel honored to be their 
            father.
        I also appreciate five awesome sons-in-law, and each one of my 
            grandchildren. 
        I am very thankful for the influence of wonderful friends, family, 
            and associates.
        I appreciate my good health, opportunities, freedoms, blessings, and 
            privileges.

10.  I Believe that People from all Nations, Races, and Faiths are 
       Basically Good 
         I look for the best in people, I can learn from them, and I love to 
            serve them.
         I concentrate on the good traits of others and appreciate their 
            unique qualities.
       I think people will soon forget what we say or do but they may not 
             forget how we make them feel, especially if they feel our love. 
        I have concluded that God will assess my life not by possessions 
             acquired, or by the level of prominence achieved in career, 
             community, or church; rather, by the way I respect, honor, and 
             treat the people I meet.    

                                                      ~Don A. Carpenter~
         






      
        
        

Every Nation, Kindred, Tongue and People

Last year in Relief Society we studied the life of George Albert Smith, who was the prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1945 to 1951. President Smith was a forward thinking prophet. "He was a strong proponent of the aviation industry and saw it as a way to fulfill his travel assignments as a General Authority more efficiently. He also supported the Church's use of radio and television to take the word of the Lord to a broader audience. He said, 'We ought to regard these [inventions] as blessings from the Lord.'"

One Sunday morning, several months ago, the Relief Society teacher in the ward we were visiting read a quote that astonished me. She quoted a General Conference address in 1946, where President Smith prophesied: "It will not be long until, from this pulpit and other places that will be provided, the servants of the Lord will be able to deliver messages to isolated groups who are so far away they cannot be reached. In that way and other ways, the gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord, the only power of God unto salvation in preparation for the celestial kingdom, will be heard in all parts of the world, and many of you who are here will live to see that day." (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith, Chapter 15: Advancing the Work of the Lord)

My astonishment was that I have lived to see the literal fulfillment of that prophecy! I have heard since I was a child that the gospel would spread to every nation, kindred, tongue and people. I have always wondered how that would happen. President Smith had already seen this day and spoke of it over 65 years ago, before I was born. Many who heard President Smith that day are still alive to see it's fulfillment. Through the miracle of technology, the gospel is now being taught in nearly every corner of the world. That's amazing!

During our mission here in England, we have watched this miracle unfold. On June 23rd, this year, a worldwide missionary fireside was broadcast from the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah. It was held in conjunction with the Mission Presidents' Training at the MTC. Most English speaking members of the church throughout the world have had a chance to view the fireside online, either at home or during regularly scheduled Sunday church meetings.  Elder L. Tom Parry. an apostle, announced that missionaries will now be using computers and IPads to teach lessons and gospel principles using Mormon.org, Facebook, blogs, email and text messages. Our sister missionaries have already been doing that!

For many months, our mission had already been part of a pilot program where the visitors' centre sisters (as part of the ELSM media zone) were encouraged to develop missionary Facebook pages and blogs, along with the Chat and email teaching they were already doing. They have also been teaching the gospel by Skype to people in many different parts of the world. The results have been exciting! This year, our missionaries have seen about fifteen of the people that they are teaching online join the Church in various parts of the world. Three more have made the decision to be baptized later this month. It is privilege and a joy to see how peoples' lives change for the better as they come to know their Savior, Jesus Christ.

Sister Cardona, Sister Stewart teaching online
with Elder Carpenter in the background in our makeshift office.

Because of all the time that our sisters are now spending teaching online, we have completely outgrown the small work area in our visitors' centre. We have been needing a more efficient place to work for several months. It seemed like there were laptops and teaching materials strewn everywhere during the week - not a very welcoming sight to those who came to visit. When we recently received approval to purchase a new reception desk, we immediately went to work and ordered one. It took about a month - a very long month - for the desk to be delivered to us. All of us visitors' centre missionaries were counting the days. It finally arrived just last Friday. We were all so excited!

Elder Carpenter got the first look at the new desk.

The first piece is wheeled into the visitors' centre.

Unwrapping the pieces.

Assembling the new reception desk.

Our temple engineers came to help.

Mic, Wayne, Neal, and Neal's cute wife Nora
are always available to help us with anything we need.

Do you remember "Motel" in Fiddler On The Roof when he received his new sewing machine and the whole village came to admire it?  That's how we feel!  So proud of our new acquisition - and so grateful for the new work space that will keep us more organized and able to teach the gospel.

Sister Cardona and Sister Stewart are the first to check it out.

Sister Berati and Sister Walmsley

Sisters Ylisaari, Watt, Berati and Walmsley checking out the new space.

Ready to go to work.

The Church is growing. The work is progressing. The gospel is being taken to every nation, kindred, tongue and people. Prophecies are being fulfilled. It is such a blessing to be able to be a part of this great work!          ~Pat~