Tender Mercies

As you may know, this semester, I have been teaching a class without Peter. I say that cautiously because we discuss many ideas days before my preparation, yet, he is usually busy doing his own responsibilities while I'm teaching. My class is the first half of the Book of Mormon, and I've thoroughly enjoyed the study and students. Nephi says it better:

"...For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and
my heart pondereth them, and writeth them
for the learning and the profit of my children."
(2 Nephi 4:15)

"Delighteth" is an exhilarating word and therefore, emits an extraordinary feeling - even more than an "aha". What I have learned is what I experience from reading the scriptures is largely determined by what I bring. Where I am in my thinking at that hour, the experiences I am having, my attitude, my recent conversations, and my gospel study all influence my interpretation and how much I will gain. I love the scriptures! I not only treasure the truths but I receive comfort. I am always overwhelmed and reassured of the Lord's love and patience with me! This is better than an endorphin rush... even delightful. As I "pondereth them" throughout the day, I receive direction, motivation, strength, and oftentimes answers. I feel more peaceful in tackling my day. Unlike Nephi, I am not writing scripture for my posterity. However, since obeying my own homework I gave my students at the beginning of January, I have been writing my "tender mercy" experiences daily. I am experiencing even more enjoyment from the scriptures. Nightly, I write down blessings that I witness in the scriptures, in my life, or others just as President Eyring encouraged us to do ("Remember, Remember"). Sometimes, I'll notice a "loving-kindness, consolation, support, and spiritual gift" (Elder Bednar - April, 2005 Conf.) towards me or Peter. Sometimes, it's a new perspective to a familiar scripture. When I record these incidences or feelings, consistently, my life is brighter; and once again, I feel reassured of the Lord's love for me. And the added blessing is that my testimony is growing daily which enables me to press forward with cheerfulness no matter what tomorrow brings. I believe my students will feel this delight, as well.
You are among our tender mercies, for sure! We look toward more delightful days with you...and the scriptures.

Happy New Year!

There is something refreshing about a new calendar tacked strategically in the center of a bulletin board. You are reminded of a new year with 12 months of clean boxes. It reminds us of our mind and choices; that is, we have our agency to make our days count for something. We think about doing better, for ourselves and others. One of the great blessings of the gospel is that our days are already prioritized. Our choices are centered around doing good...for ourselves and others. So the feelings of glad tidings of great joy experienced during Christmas linger easily as we contemplate magnifying our callings and filling our days with worthwhile endeavors as a mother, father, wife, husband, daughter, son, neighbor, teacher, etc. as we set about doing good. And if we struggle in any of our callings we have the assurance that our Father in Heaven is eagerly waiting to help us. We can be an instrument in His hands. Who could ask for anything more? May the new year bring you and yours even more good choices and fullfilling days for your days ahead!
Love,
Peter and Sharon

Closing out the year

We can't believe that we were in the MTC just one year ago! Time flies when you're being blessed! And blessed we feel! Our family support is a major part of those blessings, and we do feel loved and supported. Our Christmas was a blessing, as well, even receiving 2 inches of very rare snowfall. With the cheerful dispositions and willing hearts of 3 sister missionaries, 5 elders, and new members; we could write a song that would compete with the "Twelve Days of Christmas". While we did feel some nostalgia when we thought about our children and grandchildren, the missionaries were a delightful substitute.
And our blessings continue.... Our study and preparation for the next semester has begun, and while classes don't begin until Jan. 11th, there is new curriculum to absorb. We love learning from ancient as well as modern prophets! Our study of the Doctrine & Covenants and Pearl of Great Price will shift now to the Book of Mormon and "Teachings of the Living Prophets". We're going to leave this mission with a lot more knowledge than we came with. And that is very satisfying. Our only prayer is that we are communicating that knowledge and testimony that will fortify our students and friends as they mature.
On the social/romantic scene...that is flourishing, also. Seems there will be a wedding in February (just before Valentines) at the Nauvoo Temple and 3 engagements before June. The Institute provides many facets to a person's life. The Winter Formal at the end of January may even bring more surprises! Among our married students, there will be 3 new babies in the spring...so Zion is growing in many directions !
Daily, we see the Lord's hand in our lives and pray that you do as well. We can't believe that within 6 months we'll be leaving this rich experience in search of a new one.
Love,
Peter and Sharon

Writing and learning in the Fall

"and thy time shall be given to writing, and to learning much." (D&C 25:8) Learning I can identify with...but writing is a struggle. At least when it comes to writing on our blog. Yet, I do identify with Emma Smith a lot when I realize ALL the learning that must be "learnt". Mostly our learning comes from the scriptures and conference talks (hours and hours of study). However, there are a few days, I need to get a recipe or two for our weekly lunches on a website, and I have discovered a host of people, clubs, restaurants, and famous chefs just waiting (well, maybe not waiting) and eager (did I say, eager?) to bail me out with yet another yummy recipe we can serve to 45 (yep, the numbers are increasing this semester over last). And the learning continues....
Last weekend we had 4 extra hours in Oklahoma City, so we decided to visit the art museum and botanical gardens there (remember kids, how we would drag you to yet another gallery or museum on our vacations?). We experienced God's creations at the gardens as we walked through a large tube-like indoor tropical garden (more than a city block long and about half as wide) with thousands of exotic plants from all over the world. The man-made 30 foot waterfall made me a little lonesome for home, especially when we spotted the gold fish in the pond below. We experienced man's creations as we walked and admired the art sculptures of glass blowing genius, Chihuly. The museum is home to the most comprehensive collection of Chihuly glass in the world which includes a 55 foot tall glass tower in the atrium (similar to the sculpture at Symphony Hall in Salt Lake). We were surprised that there were so few people enjoying these marvels. The exhibit has a limited time period, so we were grateful for the time we spent there.
The leaves in Arkansas in the Fall are spectacular!! I always loved looking out from the kitchen window in Salt Lake at the Wasatch Range at the leaves changing, yet, these leaves here are even more VIBRANT and intense. Perhaps, the trees are different or it's the enormous amount of water Arkansas receives. We're not sure, but we feel very blessed to enjoy these beautiful leaf changes as we leave the apartment each morning. If I were adept, I could post some of our pictures. See, it always comes back to MORE learning...and we LOVE it! Just like we love you!
Sharon and Peter

Blessings in the Mission Field

Whew, whish, and wee!! Sounds like something from Dr. Seus, yet that's how we feel about the month of June! While the summer months seem less busy as far as number of classes are concerned and lunches to prepare, we have been very active in assisting the missionary effort. A week's trip to California and the purchase of a new computer monopolized much of June. So here we are just past the middle of July...almost one month before another new school year begins! Dr. Seus had the answer: "Oh, the places you go and the people you meet!"
We have a new mission president. What an enlightened leader! We spent the day with him in Zone Conference today, and we feel humbled to know how the Lord has once again provided and blessed us with a stalwart of faith and leadership.
These mighty young elders never cease to amaze us. Surely these are the last days because of the quality of men (already at 19!) that are serving in His vineyard. They have understanding, compassion, and love for truth like we have never witnessed before. We feel very blessed and motivated to be surrounded by this strength!
It has occurred to us just recently that unlike our home ward, the mission field has given us a new perspective and appreciation of the recently converted. Their sacrifice for accepting the truth is monumental in some cases! Not only do they have a new vocabulary to assimilate, a new code of health, a new wardrobe to acquire (in some cases), a new activity on Sundays (3 hours NOT at the lake), new friends and the loss of old friends, and (in some cases), the rejection of family. What courage, what faith...what an example to us!
Recently, we have been involved in teaching investigators from other countries, like Haiti, the Congo, China, and Peru. Besides learning something about sign language (our own invention, of course), we have gained a greater appreciation of our country...which is quite appropriate to do in July considering our nation's birthday and Pioneer Day! When we hear about their governments, living conditions, and lack of opportunities, we feel a rush of gratitude for our American way of life. Some may say that we haven't listened to the news lately, and they would be right. Yet, who would want to leave...permanently!
We love our country! We love our mission! We love the Lord! and We love YOU!
Sharon and Peter

New beginnings and new seasons

As we close one semester and begin a summer session of teaching, we realize more profoundly, that change is good for both refreshing the mind and evaluating performance towards improvement. We took a few days to enjoy our mission's landscapes into Missouri as we traveled to Joplin for a Senior Missionary Zone Conference. There were twenty of us...all laboring for the Lord in one capacity or another. For instance, besides two couples that work in the mission president's office there are couples that proselyte door to door, in a prison, on a military base (conducting meetings, too), and a couple that spend their day in county clerk's basements photographing records for genealogy work (they wear Levis and sweat shirts!). We heard stirring testimonies from a wonderful army of dedicated saints striving to make a difference, just like us! As we left and continued our travels, we tested President Seal's challenge of closing our eyes, opening the Book of Mormon to any unknown page, pointing to any verse, and then opening our eyes to read and expound on the verse before our eyes. Wow! It's true, every page, every verse has a nugget of golden inspiration. We now challenge you and our students to unlock the treasures spontaneously. Seminaries around the world get the blessing of studying the Book of Mormon next year, and it is thrilling for us to think that our older grandchildren will be receiving these great truths.
The beauties of this mission landscape are breathtaking, as we witness the season's change. LOTS of rain and water have forced us to sing "Spring is here, the grass begins to wake up, birds appear with a joyful song, trees that were old and gray are putting on new makeup, spring is here". The rolling green hills, small streams, and multiple wild flowers, are everywhere! We enjoy them as we drive, walk, and soon participate in a float trip (we are required to be there). We realize more than ever how dry Utah really is!
Many of our regular students have returned to their parents' homes to earn money for next fall semester's curriculum. While some students from BYU, Provo and Idaho, have returned for the summer to the University Ward, most are working during the day. Therefore, our daytime schedule has changed with less classroom teaching and more proselyting, studying and visiting ward members. The variety is more than enjoyable, and we have met many new people that challenge us and add to our testimonies. It is all about extending ourselves: emotionally, physically...lovingly! Which we do towards you, too!!
Love,
Peter and Sharon

Sunset in Arkansas!