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