Week of November 13, 2016

Sunday evening we had the elders for dinner. They were late because they thought we lived above the Conference Center. They had walked up the two steep hills, then they realized they were at the wrong place and walked back down. One of the elders walks with a walking stick, and it isn’t easy for him to get anywhere, much less up those hills. We had a good visit and they ate all the food we had which should have been enough for at least one meal of leftovers. It was good to see them eat so well. We enjoyed it.

Monday we didn’t have any classes so I did research all day at the library. I got several families put together from household records and found sources for most of the vital records. In the evening we had our Hail and Farewell dinner. We had about 25-ish new missionaries and only about 10 going home. That is just the opposite of the last couple of dinners. We also had a man speak to us about Mormons in the military and the price of our freedom.

Tuesday we began our monthly Capstone classes with a group of about 23 people. That’s a good size for teaching.

Wednesday at Mission Conference the man in charge of the Church History Library spoke to us and shared information about what is collected there. It is amazing they have any space left with all the things they have. It was interesting.

The weather turned cold during the day and the wind picked up. It felt like winter was coming at last. We have had such beautiful weather for much longer than expected, but it is still sad to see it leaving.

Thursday I taught the Partners class. We attended the temple then had a special chapel meeting at 6 pm. The Wasatch Stake also was in the meeting and the man that spoke from their stake referred to goals they’d had during the year: read The Holy Temple by Boyd K. Packer; do all the ordinances in the temple available in one day. It really touched me and I would like to do these.

Friday I taught the last 15 minutes to invite the missionaries to attend Capstone 2 next month. I was feeling a bit disconnected and was a little uncertain how it would turn out. When I played the video by Elder Renlund with his promise of strength, peace, and healing, the Spirit really touched me and I was grateful to be able to share my testimony.