“LASTS," FAREWELL MEETING, AND SETTING APART

 

“LASTS," FAREWELL MEETING, AND SETTING APART

Who knew that going on a mission feels like preparation for death?! (In the best of ways!)  Only at this time we get to hear tributes and feel the outpouring of love BEFORE lying in a casket!  

So many beautiful outreaching gestures of love in the "lasts".......nice temple time and lunch with Mom, lovely book club good-bye party, friends coming by to wish us well, beautiful written notes, wonderful dinner with Jim's office team, temple and smoothies with Jerrie, three weeks in a row of incredible family dinners (Spencer & Kyla then Jon & Emily then Logan & Annie).  Such a great outpouring of love given!!!  A special highlight was having a family temple night together at the Draper Temple doing sealings of family names.  This brought a very special joy to my heart!!

We were able to speak in church on August 24th.  I was amazed at all the support of friends and family!  Because of a baby blessing and an extra long sacrament time, our speaking time was actually much less than expected.  Jim was kind enough to tell me to go ahead and give my talk (he had spoken that morning in stake priesthood and the previous Sunday in a different ward), and he would take the shorter time.  And Jim's message was great, even with a very short allowance!!  Still, I was cutting parts out here and there!  But I felt good with my message because is an important topic that has become a defining spiritual "hinge point" for me, that of the enabling power of the Savior's atonement.  

A few years ago when the missionaries lived with us, they asked me one night if I had any experiences with this that I could share.  They needed something for their zone training the next morning.  That was a big topic for so late at night, but I promised I would think about it!  And as I pondered, I realized I needed to define it better.  As I did, all kinds of experiences came to my mind, and I saw that I had this power from the Savior in my life frequently.  Here's my definition:  (and it's certainly not all inclusive....just what I came up with that night)

-personal revelation - know truth; know what to do

-peace in anxious times

-strength to do and endure very hard things

-ability to manage time when overwhelmed (time-stretched miracle)

-help in overcoming weaknesses

-do/say things beyond our natural abilities

-burdens eased - sometimes can't even feel them

-feel like we're not alone

This concept of the enabling power from the Savior has become something I now reflect upon every week during the sacrament.  I have a little card with those ideas written out that I ponder. I always have times come to my mind from the previous week that fulfill this and show me that Heavenly Father and the Savior are very aware of me personally.  Life is full of tender mercies if we learn to recognize them.

My very favorite part of the meeting was the JOY of Jon and Annie playing a cello/piano duet of "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief,” Such depth of feeling! And Jon’s broken finger has not completely healed right, so he was adapting in big ways. I am so very grateful for the testimony shared through their talents. A true gift.

SETTING APART

9/7/25

Being set apart as a full-time missionary is about as good as it gets! There was such a beautiful, sacred spirit present. We met in the stake high council room with Pres. Lincoln Peters, Pres. Dave Duffin, Bishop Ricky Wagner, Spencer & Kyla, Jon & Emily, Logan & Annie, and good friend Jerrie Kanamu.

Jon opened with prayer, and then the bishop stake presidency shared special thoughts. It was a joy to reflect over many special memories shared with this leadership as we have served together over the years. Then Jim and I were asked to shared our testimonies with the family. We loved the chance of feeling the importance of the moment.

After this, Pres. Peters set me apart and then Dave set Jim apart. It was a unique opportunity to have a brother set a brother apart. Deep love shared. Many specific blessings were bestowed on each of us. They are sacred and personal - better shared in our own journals - but there was such a feeling of Heavenly Father's love for us and a special blessing of personal revelation as we continue forward. The spirit felt was beautiful and so very inspiring. I feel endowed with a special missionary power.

Spencer closed with prayer. Lots of teary hugs and pictures followed.