December 31, 2013

Happy New Year!!

As we look back and contemplate the old year, we have to admit that we accomplished quit a bit for a couple of old folks: Trips to California, Denmark, Nauvoo, Wisconsin, and Utah. 

Now we are here serving a mission in Maryland, and while we still can't believe it, we know we are in the right place at the right time.  Our mothers used to say, "Where there is a will there is a way."  They were correct.  If you have a righteous desire and involve God in the process, miracles can happen.  We knew that before but not until now has it settled deep in our hearts.   Jesus said to his Father, "Here am I, send me." (Abraham 3:27).  Nephi said to his father,  "I will go and do the things the Lord has commanded me ...."  (1Nephi 3:7).  And Joshua said, "Choose you this day whom ye will serve; but for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15).  We are so grateful for the many faithful examples of service we read about in the scriptures that encourage us to help and serve others. The Lord assures us that, "When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God".  (Mosiah 2:17) 

Today we attended our weekly district meeting from 10:30 to 12:00.  We then had lunch with the other missionaries at our favorite fast food place, Ginos - burgers and onion rings.  (Oh well, we'll do better next year, right?)  We then helped a sister in the branch to a doctor's appointment and later visited a family who will be moving soon to Wyoming.  We are now planning on celebrating New Year's Eve at home with pizza and watching some of the festivities on TV.  We will not be out and about this evening.

Tomorrow is New Years Day, and we will again be helping with missionary transfers.  We have to be at the Columbia Stake Center in Ellicott City at 8:30 am where we will be assigned our jobs when we arrive.  It could be anything from inspecting vehicles and handling bicycles, to distributing gas cards. We particularly enjoy listening to the newly arrived missionaries as they share their first testimonies, and to the ones leaving - giving their last.  

"Thank you" to all of you for your love and support during this past year.  May God bless you and keep you in his watchful care. 

And like Dory always said to Nemo's dad:  "Just keep swimming!"