We work with a couple in the office from Utah-the Spuhlers. They have a daughter-in-law from Brazil. She recently returned to Brazil for about a month to spend time with her Father. He is very ill, not expected to live much longer. When she first decided to go her passport had expired, so it took her a while to make all the arrangements to get to Brazil. She did make it on time, and was able to spend lots of time with her Father. When she had been there over two weeks, she realized she wanted her Father to get a blessing, so she started looking for the local branch/ward. She found a ward page on Facebook. She sent a message to them and explained her situation and asked if someone could come and give her Father a blessing. Within five minutes, someone had responded. It was the first counselor, and he told her he would come over right after work. He did come, driving all the way across the city. He stopped at home, and changed into his suit. He sat down with her father, and asked him what he wanted to know. He told him he would answer any questions he had. They talked for a long time. This man was able to talk to him not as a young elder might have been able to. Finally he gave this man, who a few hours before had been a stranger, a blessing. It was a very sweet blessing. The man's wife was weeping so much that she had to leave the room. As he left, he told him he would be back.
Sister Spuhler's daughter found the location of the ward and the following Sunday went to church. She was warmly greeted by the members, who knew of her situation, not realizing how much she had missed her own ward family.
We often talk about being a world wide church. No matter where we go we will hear the same lessons, go through the same process for meetings and ordinances. It is all familiar to us. But, we also have perhaps an even greater blessing to be surrounded by disciples of Jesus Christ, who are often ready and willing to extend love, comfort and support. We are so blessed to be part of this world wide group of caring, loving individuals, who genuinely care about their brothers and sisters.
Sunday afternoon we taught a young woman from Japan, and another young woman from Korea. Following this, we went to teach a man, Prince, from Ghana. He came here via Ohio, where he earned a Master's in Public Health. He is now getting his PhD,at UBC and hopes to work for the United Nations to help others countries with food/health related issues. His fiancee is in Sandusky. David mentioned that that's where that movie with Chris Farley was based. It didn't appear that the elders of the investigator knew about Tommy Boy. Anyway, it was an inspiring lesson, and he sincerely wants to find truth. I felt his sincerity. However, it is sometimes so difficult to make the changes that truth requires in our lives. I hope he has the strength to make those changes. He is a really, really nice guy. The missionaries made a follow up appointment. We are praying for him.
Warm weather in British Columbia. They need some rain. Lawns are turning brown. The strawberries came on early, and didn't last too long. The fresh fruit here is so delicious. One other thing--they don't do pennies in BC. If you have credit or debit charges, they do pennies, but you don't get them in change. They just round up or down. Leslie, Lola and Mila come tomorrow. Alex comes the next day. We are going to the island on Friday. This is transfer week. Lots of changes as your former missionaries know--sadness seeing missionaries go home, but lots of excitement as the new missionaries arrive. Life is good. The church is true. Jesus Christ has all the answers.
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