called to serve and we are all enlisted!

Today is Sunday, September 29, 2019

Area Training in Rochester and Palmyra was one of the highlights of September BUT then we started our Zone conference circuit, beginning with New Brunswick Zone in Moncton, which was another highlight, and then last week we had our Mount Royal Zone Conference on Wednesday which we added to the September highlight list. Thursday first thing we were back at our Montreal Airport hopping the plane bound for Halifax for our Nova Scotia Zone Conference, as well as their Stake Conference, and the highlights of the month continue!! With only one more day in the month the list will almost be complete!! Being with our ‘stripling warriors’ always makes us in awe of their diligence, commitment, enthusiasm, knowledge, and testimonies. Our trainings require much participation…so we see and hear their wisdom, and depth of their testimonies.  With so many of our army in the ‘nethermost parts of the vineyard,’ we cherish every minute we get to spend with them at Zone Conferences. 

Two simple, sweet examples of how humble and charitable our missionaries are….Today after Stake Conference we gathered our zone leaders, district leaders, and STL’s for a District Council meeting to process what we had discussed and learned at Zone Conference yesterday. 

One Elder shared the story of an exchange he had had with his sensitive, inspired District leader. This Elder was distraught and concerned about things at home, as well as his abilities as a missionary. He said that all his district leader did was just listen. What a lesson for all of us…don’t hop in and give advice…unless of course you are asked for advice…but learn to be a listener! So often as leaders we think that lecturing, and giving our two cents worth is what we need to do, but really listening is often what is really needed. 

The other example of thoughtful charity was yesterday. Elder and Sister Wilkinson who serve in Sydney, Nova Scotia in Cape Breton prepared an amazing homemade ‘everything’ feast for us..sloppy joes, etc, and scrumptious buffet of squares, and cookies. Elder Wilkinson was being a great waiter trying to get rid of the remaining sloppy joes and one sister took a second, and then realized she was the only one who had taken a second, and immediately broke down into tears…(she is a bit fragile) We were at the table beside, and as quick as she started crying, another sister, who figured out real quickly what had happened…said “I’ll split that with you,’ which stopped the tears, and the negative emotion. Such a simple act of kindness, but a great example to me, as well all the other sisters at her table. 

Dartmouth Stake Conference Saturday night session we got to team speak! Since we shared the same topic of ‘Family Scripture Study’, and ‘Family Prayer,’ it made perfect sense to stand at the pulpit together, with our power point behind, and teach together. We certainly did not preach like we had been experts on the subject, but we told it how it was!! Hopefully the congregation will be motivated to try a little harder to do better. We shared the following President Benson, and President Marion G. Romney’s powerful quotes…ones that we had on our fridge for many years..maybe you remember them:

President Ezra Taft Benson:

“There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and and narrow path.”

President Marion G. Romney:

“I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. ….The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charity - the pure love of Christ  - will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy and happiness.”

Stake Conference was amazing…totally all about Missionary Work!! Great talks, but the very best was our entire Nova Scotia Zone singing a gorgeous arrangement of ‘Called to Serve’ and ‘We are all Enlisted.’ I wish our little recording could be added to this blog so you could hear!!

Brother Robert Wilhelm is a musical conducting wizard who created this instant choir; in fact yesterday was their first practise!! We didn’t have dry eyes!!

Last Sunday we had a lovely dinner with Eric and Kathryn Jarvis.  In 1977 and 1978 while living in Edmonton, Eric was one of my Blazer Scouts, and then when he turned 12 he was in Dad’s Deacon’s Quorum!! Kathryn is a GP, and Eric is the head of Psychiatry at the Jewish General Hospital, and they are stalwart kingdom builders in the Mount Royal Ward, and Stake. He served as the previous Stake President, and currently they serve as the North America North East Public Affairs team. We had a great discussion on what we can do to help that. 

After our meal with the Jarvis’s we drove to St. Jean (a French ward) to speak in a fireside.  Dad translated my talk as I spoke, but I bore my testimony en Francaise. Translated, my talk into French was 20 pages long.  My tongue and brain would not work together..so I was grateful for Richard’s brilliant mind, and his gift of tongues!! At the end of the fireside, we were presented with a beautiful hardcover photo book about the Richelieu River Valley. The Vaillaincourt family who Richard helped find and teach 45 years ago, and who are an active, contributing, awesome family attend the St. Jean ward. St. Jean actually is where Richard and his companion found the Vaillaincourt’s!! A wonderful reunion!!

Our year living in Nova Scotia zipped by so fast, leaving in its wake many wonderful memories, and many dear friends. Getting to return every six weeks is lovely, and being there when it is Stake Conference gave us a chance to see so many of our friends…even for just a few minutes!   Choo’s, Melissa O’Conner, Joanne Chatham,  Jim and Vicki Campbell, Green’s, Vienot’s, Smith’s, Glanfield’s, are just a few of our treasured new ‘golden’ friends that we got to visit with!!

Lineup for this week…Sister Mau is finished her mission,  so tomorrow we have her departing supper here at the Mission Home, and then I will drive her to the airport on Tuesday while Richard interviews the Montreal Zone missionaries. Montreal Zone conference is Wednesday, and Thursday we drive to Quebec City for their interviews, with their Zone Conference on Friday. We will drive to Chicoutimi after Zone Conference to visit with Rosiare Martel…another man Richard taught long ago!!

And now it is time to bid you all farewell!

We feel your love and prayers..thank you!!

Have a wonderful week, all of you!

Much love,

Richard and Gayle, Dad and Mom, Grandpa and Grandma

CTR and Keep Smiling!!