The Four Seasons

From March 2, 2009, email:

We've just about had all four seasons here in Rhode Island this past week. First we had the bitter wind of fall, then springtime rain, afterwards sunny weather in the 50s (that feels like summer), and now today...a couple of inches of snow! I thought we were done with all this white stuff! I guess not. (Ironically, our apartment complex is called the "Four Seasons".)

I'm excited to see the [DVD of] the Youth Cultural Celebration when I get back. It sounds like it was very good. I remember when President Monson talked about it in conference. Of course I had to share with other missionaries that he was talking about "my temple." I bet it's handy to have a temple so close. Are you keeping up with your monthly temple attendance? Speaking of President Monson, Sister Pehrson told me of an experience they recently had at the Canton/Avon Wards. She & President Pehrson were making their usual rounds to the different wards. When they pulled into the parking lot, they saw a lot of parking spaces blocked off by traffic cones. They wondered what could possibly be going on at the Canton/Avon building. But they caught wind that President Monson was visiting his granddaughter & her family who lives in the Avon ward. He was able to attend his great-granddaughter's baptism & then attend the Avon ward that Sunday. He spoke a little bit in sacrament meeting, say that he had many talks to prepare for before conference so he didn't have a specific topic to speak on that day. All the missionaries stayed to meet him...I missed meeting the Prophet by a few months! I'm glad that the Prophet isn't too busy to attend special family functions!

Tuesday we had interviews with President Pehrson. He said he didn't have any specific plans for transfers just yet. Sister Jones has just one transfer left before she "dies" but she's been in East Providence for six months. So basically we have no idea where we could possibly end up next week. Anything could happen!

Saturday we participated in a move for a lady who is a non-member. It's an interesting story as to how the church got involved. This lady is a member of an on-line quilting group & had made it known to other members of the group that her apartment was being foreclosed & she was getting kicked out. Someone in the quilting group was a member of the church in Florida & contacted the Central Falls bishopric to help out. We brought along an investigator (so he could get to know other members of the ward) and the Portuguese Elders brought an investigator also. A couple of young men & some of the Elders quorum showed up & we created a pass-along train down the stairs & into the truck. We moved TONS of boxes in a matter of minutes. Then we delivered them to her new apartment. Everyone enjoyed the selfless act of service for someone who couldn't do it on their own. The next day, Seth, one of the young men, bore his testimony about how much he enjoyed the move. He's a recent convert of just one year. Actually tomorrow will be his one year mark. We're having a party on Friday for him. He's such a wonderful addition to the ward!

This is a portion of the happenings this week. I hope everyone had a great week! Always remember that obedience + diligence = blessings! Keep doing what's right & keep that firm grip on the iron rod.