Men Are that they Might have JOY!

So many things to share, but we are really just trying to catch up. After Elder Choi and his wife came and we got a new Stake President. The next week Elder Kearon came. He is the newest called apostle. Elder Kearon had some leadership meetings and Brett got to go because he is the Elder's Quorum President. Elder Kearon asked all the members to stand if they had been in their calling less than a year. Most of the congregation stood up. He then said: "Good, we are all the same, because I have just barely been in a year". Then all the Missionaries had a special meeting with him. The whole mission got together. This was the first time the whole mission had been together since President and Sister Kotter had arrived. We all showed up and got sat in the chapel and then were told Elder Kearon wanted a picture with us. We stood for a long time. One Elder passed out, because he locked his knees. He was ok, we were all just glad he didn't fall off the stage. The Area Authority and his wife (Elder and Sister Bennett) came and Elder Kearon and his wife. After the pictures were taken everyone got hand sanitizer and then they shook everyone of the missionaries hands. He is from England.

Sister Bennett said: " The gospel of Jesus Christ is a true miracle today. A Young boy had the faith.... all because he had a question to know what to do. The Spirit will tell you what you need to do (take action). You will hear what the Savior wants you to hear. We have to choose to follow him.

Sister Kearon talked about President Nelson's last talk in General Conference and inviting us to make discipleship of Jesus Christ your highest priority. We can find peace in any situation. It is neither too early or too late to declare your discipleship. Now is the time to prepare for the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Elder Kearon joined the church at age 26. He said: " We do hard things and that makes us stronger. We know the plan we are all embarked on is happiness. Thrive in opposition don't fear it. Know that opposition is coming our way. For the past 3 years my wife has been battling with breast cancer. Trial of faith can be opposition. We can choose to be happy! It's a choice. His main focus was from the scripture: Adam fell that men might be and that they might have joy. Find Joy in All things."

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT US

We have been busy helping with the food for the missionaries for both Zone Conferences and Leadership Mission meeting, while the lady who takes care of everything has been recovering from a foot surgery. Talk about a small world. This lady came to Gooding, Idaho every Summer to spend time with her Grandparents. The missionaries in our District keep us busy, which we love. We still travel a lot. A location for the Colorado Springs Temple was announced. Sometimes those trips get really long and old. We missed the major snowstorm in Colorado Springs. The Springs was shut down for 3 days. Limon got 3 1/2 feet of snow. We had to take care of some business which allowed us to get to see some of our family. Currently we are knee deep in our whole Mission Christmas Humanitarian Project. Feeling the pressure now that Thanksgiving is about upon us which means we have ONE Month. We are working with 9 stakes throughout our mission. Last week 2 stakes didn't have a plan. This week one of those stakes finally came up with a plan and another Stake just cancelled the project. However that is not the plan! so we are moving forward on our own without that Stake. The idea of this plan is to have ALL missionaries busy doing some kind of service on Christmas day. They can't proselyte, but it becomes a huge day of depression for the missionaries when everyone is with their families but them. One stake will be distributing the collected coats, hats and gloves for the homeless and serving them a hot meal on Christmas Day. Others are helping Assisted Living Facilties, and Salvation Army and Ronald McDonald House. It's really going to be an amazing day. A most different Christmas that we are used too, but so much Joy will be shared with others.

Just so you know, Christmas cards will not be delivered this year, but a digital card will be sent.