31 January 2016 - Missionary opportunities

Another quick week and many more blessings to be thankful for in our lives.

Monday was was fairly normal until the night time when we were dressed for bed and I received a phone call from one of the sisters that I visit teach. She was very distraught and needed a ride to the UW Medical Center. Her daughter, Kim, was being transported there from the hospital in Enumclaw. Of course, I told her I would be right there and your dad got dressed and we drove to her house to pick her up. She knew that it was bad and that her daughter would probably be close to death but by the time the ushered us into the room where her other daughter, Virginia, and her family were sitting they told us that she passed away during transport in the ambulance. There were many tears and a very upset husband (not a member) and finally some resolution of what to do next. We got home around 1:00.

Tuesday, I had a class at the hospital on post-partum hemorrhage. It was a fun class because it was all pretend…essentially a drill to prepare for the actual emergency. After I got home we got ready to go to  Samuel’s game at KM. He actually got to play for the last 2 minutes but he didn’t make any shots since the little guy guarding him stole the ball. We still won by a significant amount. That night he played BB for the church league also. The eeked out the win over Clarke Lake.

Samuel went in when this was the score.

Wednesday, there was no school due to the end of the semester and we’ve not had any snow days. It was a nice break. We worked outside in the yard, moving the remaining trees and pruning the apple trees. We still have a lot to do… ;-) That night I was invited to go to an investigator’s home with the Spanish speaking sister missionaries in Renton to give a lesson to the sister that we met at Baja Fresh. The lesson was on the “Gospel of Jesus Christ”. They asked me to say a few words and I tried to remember my Spanish. Hopefully I made sense. The sister’s name is Yenesia and she cares for 4 little children (not all hers). I don’t think there is a husband involved but she is very sweet and she had read the Book of Mormon through Alma 13. She knows the gospel is true. Her mother and younger sister were baptized in Mexico and she is scheduled to be baptized next Saturday and she asked if Stephen could perform the baptism. It was an amazing meeting.

Sr. Yost, Sr. Huhem, me and Yesenia

Thursday, I taught Seminary about the anointing of David to be King in 1 Samuel 16. It contains the scripture mastery of the “the Lord looketh upon the heart.” It was a fun lesson. Samuel had an orthodontic appointment on Thursday and I thought they were going to take his braces off. Well not that day and not until the middle of May. We were both disappointed. That night there was a big competition between KL and KW at the Show-ware Center. It was a double header of the boys and girls varsity teams and a “spirit competition.” Samuel played in the pep band. He came home pretty disappointed that KL lost the boys game and the spirit competition.

At 9' 9", Goliath was pretty tall.

 

Friday started out with a lesson on David and Goliath in Seminary. I had drawn a huge poster of Goliath and the students were suppose to write on him something that is challenging in their lives. They didn't seem interested. I didn't get a lot of participation. I was pretty bummed after the class was over. I just need to have more of the spirit and less of the artwork. 

That night Samuel had his last basketball game of the season against KW. They beat them by one point the last time the played so KW was out for blood. The beat us by about 20 points. We just couldn’t hit the basket and they played a tight defense. It’s actually been nice for Samuel and he’ll miss the games. He got in pretty good shape and could walk better so we’ll have to keep doing something so he stays in shape.

On the defense with hands up in the air. Go Samuel 

Coach Karim making strategy.

Friday night was our Stake Temple night. Stephen and I made the 7:00 session. The Maple Valley Stake also had their RS temple night that night so I saw people that I know from there too.

Saturday, I went to a funeral in the Sumner Stake Center for the daughter of the sister that I visit teach. She will be buried in the Arlington National Cemetery on Tuesday and your dad was asked to speak then. There were a good number of people there even though the daughter was inactive and married to a non-member.

Saturday night was the adult session of Stake Conference. They had a panel of a police office (Br. Sumpter in uniform, gun and all), a fire chief (a brother from the Renton stake in uniform) and a nurse (Sr. Lindsay works at Valley in the ER and she was also in uniform). The panel was facilitated by President Stroud on the topic of community service. The whole evening was “Coming closer to Christ through service in the family and community.” After the panel, the mayor Suzette Cook and the Kent School District Superintendent Calvin Watts spoke about Community Service opportunities and Leadership in Learning. Both did a fine job but it was apparent that they thought they should receive an applause after they finished. They both left after they spoke and then President Stroud finished up. Stephen conducted that meeting and gave the introductions.

Today at Stake Conference, Stephen was the first speaker. He did a great job speaking from his heart and using just a few notes. Just before he spoke the choir sang a number and the conductor needed the lift to stand higher. Later in the meeting the Mission President quipped that he forgot the choir was performing before Pres. Ralph and he thought the lift was for him to “stand taller”. His message was on standing tall for the gospel of Christ. The meeting was very inspiring with the topic of “Coming to Christ through Righteous Living.” Stephen spoke on the importance of Scripture Study not just reading. Br. Thacker spoke on prayer, Sr. Cox spoke on the temple and Br. Oxborrow spoke on fulfilling your calling. A sister about to leave on her mission spoke on the influence of friends and being willing to live the covenants you have made even when no one else does. Sr. Tyler spoke on the importance of family and Pres. Stroud finished it up by bringing it all together.

FYI - There were some sustaining also. Sr. Carrie Manning was put in as the Stake RS president and Kelly Johnson was called as her 2^nd counselor. Br. Wareham in the Lake Sawyer ward was called to the High Counsel to take Br. Williams place.

Stephen is back at the stake center for temple recommend interviews and a baptism then I’ll pick him up and we’re going to Yesenia’s home for another missionary lesson on Temple marriage. It should be good.

It’s been a great week!