Hallo...we....en Barbados! See what we did there?

 

Happy Halloween from Barbados!  We don't celebrate that holiday here, so we are just watching our sweet little grands in their costumes having so much fun celebrating all the things fall!  We also see that Winter showed up for our Utah friends.  That is also another thing that we don't celebrate here, or maybe we do but we call that Tourist season.

It's been a great few weeks as we have made some more memories, checked some things off the bucket list, and been spiritually uplifted with a visit from our Area Presidency counselor Elder & Sister Stanfill.  Doug says he reminded him of his mission president, President Brough, in the way he taught and spoke.  Sister Stanfill was just as delightful.  We were able to have a senior missionary devotional with them, as well as enjoy a feast of counsel at our Zone Conference.  Yes, we just had Zone Conference at the end of last transfer; however, it is a new transfer and he is here for a mission tour of the English side of our mission, so they changed up the order of conference this time.  Summary of some of the things that we learned and are pondering deeper:

• John 21:  What do we do now?  As we read through some of the verses, the disciples were wondering "What do we do now?"  Well, sometimes when we don't know what to do or what the will of the Lord is, we revert to what is comfortable.  For the disciples, they went fishing.  However, when they received the counsel to "Throw their net on the other side," they weren't quite sure of the source at first.  He went on to apply this to missionary work, but we started thinking about the life-long application.  When life happens and we don't know where to turn, do we revert to our comfort zones OR are we willing to follow promptings that may lead us to better things?
• Mosiah 15:  We've been pondering and praying about "Submitting our Wills."  We heard that several times in General Conference and Jesus spoke of this in his words and His actions.  What does that look like to us?  In verses 5-8, Elder Stanfill pulled out the principles of mastering our human side and choosing to use our agency "suffereth & yieldeth not", trusting in the Father with complete humility, and being one with the Father "our will swallowed up in His." Do the questions: Are you willing to let God Prevail in your life? and How do you Hear Him? also stand out?  
• Alma 17:  this is where Alma was rejoicing that the Sons of Mosiah were still his brethren in the Lord.  They had been successful but had suffered much tribulation, but what made them successful and why were they joyful?  They had searched diligently to know the will of God and they were given too much prayer & fasting which led to increased power and gifts of the Spirit of Prophecy & Revelation.  Those gifts and blessings aren't just for Alma or the Sons of Mosiah.  Those gifts and blessings are for us.  The Book of Mormon was given for our day to help us, to guide us, and to bless us!  

Barbados Zone

We had a close call with some of our missionaries a few weeks ago and you get the call that you definitely don't want at night, "There's been an accident."  Luckily, these missionaries were all fine, just a few bumps and bruises and one cut.  It was a teaching moment and the Hand of God protecting His missionaries.  Obeying the missionary standards is IMPORTANT and protective not restrictive.......kind of like the Commandments!

Check out the angle of the pole

We also had the departure and arrival of missionaries over the last few weeks.  Our APs both returned home to Kaysville and Holland, so we were able to take them out to dinner to spend a few moments of appreciation with them.  They are fine young men!  

Elders Walsh & Poulino (APs)

We also had to say good-bye for now to Elder Nelson who was in our District.  Fortunately, he is now on St. Vincent with the other Ellis' so will be well taken care of and loved!    It is such a pleasure to serve with these young missionaries.  

Elder Nelson @ Oistins District Council Mtg

We miss our grandbabies and would fill up our feed with all their sweet faces if we could, but we pray that our sacrifice will also be for their good as well.  Adam, Cami, & Hudson all just had birthdays and those are sweet milestones that we missed but we got lots of pics.  Luckily, we will be home for Sophie's #4.  Pappa says...."Soon come."  Before we left, Doug & Adam bought matching ties, so whenever Pappa wears his he has to take a pic & send to Adam so he can wear his.  It keeps us close!

Hi, Adam!

As part of our senior missionary devotional, we were also able to have dinner after with the Stanfills and welcome the Kowallis who arrived from Bluebell, Utah and to say farewell to the Fullers who will return to Arizona this month.

Office Missionaries

We are looking forward to welcoming Elder Rasband later in November to our mission.  It is a joy to have a Seventy and an Apostle speak to the missionaries before the end of our mission.  We will let you know how that goes in the next update.  

As we reflect on all of the things we have learned in the last 16 months, it far outweighs the things we missed.  We are definitely "changed" and continue to change the more we turn to our Savior.  We know this Gospel is the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His Church has been restored to the Earth in its fullness.  We know and love the Book of Mormon as the Word of God for us individually and collectively.  We are truly Children of God!  We love you, appreciate your love, kindness, and prayers, and we in turn pray for you.