Twenty Fifth Week

Salt Lake Temple Square Mission
November 24, 2013

This week was filled with music!  “The Bells on Temple Square” concert was presented and we were able to attend.  I had tried to sign up for tickets online but was unsuccessful and so at the Organ Recital I met up with one of the participants in the Bell Choir.  She graciously gave me some tickets, so we were able to go.  Many people were there and it was lovely, but we really prefer the Tabernacle Choir and its performances.  Also, we went to another event that was interfaith in nature.  Mark Burnett (producer of “Survivor” and “The Voice”) and his wife Roma Downey (star of “Touched By An Angel”) are greatly involved with the Christian movement and Bible study.  They were there reading scriptures and various choirs throughout the community participated.  Elder D. Todd Christofferson also participated and gave some opening remarks.  The concert was to reinforce the concept of daily Bible study and Christian values.  We so appreciate those that are faith oriented and Mark Burnett and Roma Downey who make good movies and films.  They are currently the producers of a new movie coming in the spring entitled “Son of God.”



Cesar

We also had an opportunity to go to a missionary devotional where Cesar spoke.  He is absolutely amazing to us and his commitment to the Gospel.  It was a very faith promoting fireside with newly converted young men participating, including Cesar.  He has such a strong testimony of the Gospel and we are so proud of him.  Today, he returned to Temple Square with great news, his bishop called him to be a ward missionary!  Just think, one month ago he was a non-member.



The Village in Africa

We continue to search for another individual to teach.  As we mentioned before, we go to the Call Center and get on LDS chat there.  It is really an interesting experience for us because most often people are not sincere and just plugging in various questions for us to answer with no real interest in the Church.  However, there is one missionary, Sister George on Temple Square, who had a different story.  She met a man from Africa on chat and began to teach him.  He was converted to the Church but lived in a small village there.  He went to a larger city within the country and was given Books of Mormon to take home with him.  He went back to his village gave out the Books of Mormon and converted all that lived there.  Now a branch is being organized in that area.  You have to weed out many to find the one!  What an amazing story.

 

This week we did write a letter to Tressa in hopes that she would respond to us.  However, several days have gone by and still there is no response from her.  We know that all missionaries have these experiences of losing golden contacts, but for us it is a tragedy because she was embracing everything we said.  Hopefully the spirit will convey to her the need to repent and be baptized.  She is always in our prayers.

Because we are celebrating Thanksgiving with the sisters, we went to April’s house for a pre-Thanksgiving dinner.   Ken’s mother was there visiting because little Derek had his tonsils out this week and she was helping April.  Also, Ken picked up Becky so she could be with us too.   We had our traditional dinner, with turkey and all the trimmings.  Thanksgiving is really not Thanksgiving without some of the usual fixings.  This next Thursday we will have a Thanksgiving to remember because two hundred people will be attending (all the sisters and senior couples).  There will be much to write on this subject after the event.



"Music and the Spoken Word"
Sisters who are leaving the Mission
In attendance was President Monson


 



Our Zone on a Sunday morning at the South Visitor's Center

One last word…….We went to “Music and the Spoken Word” today as usual but today President Monson was in attendance.  What a thrill to be near a Prophet of God.  We are just sooooo lucky to be serving in such a special place!