Transitions and Tender Mercies

17 February 2018

We were reminded this week of the many tender mercies we (and others) have experienced over the years. I decided to look up the term “tender mercies” in the scriptures and was surprised at how many places it is used. It's such a sweet term. Not only does our Father in Heaven have mercy upon us, he does so with all the tender love of a kind father to his children.

We were sorry to hear that our friend, Penny Oman, has been diagnosed with stage 3 endometrial (uterine) cancer, and is undergoing chemotherapy. The goal, at this point, is to shrink the tumor enough to remove it surgically – with more treatments after that. We are praying for her and hoping for many tender mercies in her behalf.

There is a brother on a mission here, Elder Larry Faria, who spoke at a fireside this past Sunday — and he has the most AMAZING conversion story. He was raised in the Jewish faith and became a Latter-day Saint when he was in his early 20s. Of course, initially, he wanted nothing to do with the Church. Nothing. And, because of his upbringing, he thought it was a sin to even say the name of Jesus Christ (and to profess any belief in Him.) But, after a series of events, with him fighting against it all the way – he came to know it was true. (The way he tells it, the Holy Spirit pretty much nagged him into the Church.) His wife (who was raised Baptist) was baptized the same day he was, but, once his family of origin learned of his baptism, they would have nothing more to do with him. He was treated as if he was dead to them. Any of his belongings that remained in their home were buried and no one was allowed to speak of him or to him. But, he said, he couldn’t turn back no matter what, because he had such a sure witness of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (i.e. Even as he was baptized he was filled with a degree of skepticism, and was thinking, “Alright, I’ve done this initiation ritual. I don’t see the point.” Then, as the water dripped off him in the changing area, he saw a vision open on the floor beside him. In the vision, he could see, in detail, every sin he’d ever committed — and at the same time, he saw each of those sins literally being washed away. He, then, understood to his core that baptism was a valuable, saving ordinance and he never doubted again.) Remarkable!

Now that we are in the 18^th month of our mission, quite a few missionaries we’ve gotten to know are going home. Three other zone leader couples are leaving this month, as well as one of the young elders, Elder Kellogg (who, btw, is from Battle Creek, Michigan).

We can tell that our thoughts are beginning to turn toward home, also. We’ve begun to make lists of things we need to do, as well as sites we want to see before we leave – and have put a few of those on the calendar since that seems to be the best way to insure we get it done.

Because Bob is a zone leader, we’re invited to a special luncheon next week where we’ll have the opportunity to receive instruction from Elder Kevin R Duncan, who is a General Authority Seventy. Then, Elder Duncan will also speak at our Mission Conference.

At the end of the month, and the first three days of March, we get to attend the big RootsTech Conference at the Salt Palace. Last year, I went to a lot of different classes, but, after a while, I was kind of over-saturated, and didn’t remember much. This year, I decided to focus my class choices on only two things: a.) improving my research and documenting skills, generally, and b.) learning more about British research, specifically. 

Elder Dallin H. Oaks and his wife, Kristin, will present at the conference, along with several guest speakers. Olympic skater Scott Hamilton will speak one day. Another day we’ll hear from Brendon Stanton (creator of the photoblog “Humans of New York”) and, on Saturday, the featured speaker will be Henry Louis Gates, Jr., director of African, and African-American Research at Harvard, and host of the PBS series, “Finding Your Roots.” We’re really excited to hear from all of them!!