Winter Loveliness

Invalids, Institute, Zone Conference & Friday Forum

Transfers, A Wedding & A Birthday

We absolutely love and admire Elder Clark and we are so happy that he is our new District Leader. He is an amazing missionary and one of the nicest people I have ever met. Elder Burri is from Switzerland and he will be a great co-senior companion with Elder Clark.

The Family Home Evening we had on the 11th was amazing. It is good to have Jess back and to have Ben meet with us, a pleasant surprise. Luc taught the lesson, always a treat, on Elder Holland's article in this month's Ensign, "The Best is Yet to Be". He used as discussion topics, "Remember Lot's wife." and "Faith builds on the past but never longs to stay there. Faith trusts that God has great things in store for each of us." As each of us shared our feelings and experiences I realized that almost every one of these students were suffering hardship in one way or another, yet their faith was firm and they felt the comfort of the Holy Ghost in the midst of their struggles. These young people truly inspire me.

January Comings and Goings

With the joy of having our Institute students returning, though a few at a time, we are also experiencing one of the hardest parts of our mission. Just as you get really attached to someone, especially the missionaries, they leave. Elder Halaufia has only been in Rhiwbina for six weeks and he and Elder Clark make an awesome companionship. They work so well together, they teach with the Spirit, they are both dedicated missionaries and they are so much fun. Just as we become attached, they transfer missionaries. We are so thankful that Elder Clark will be here, but Elder Halaufia has gone to Nottingham. I would like to share a story he shared with our Institute class last Tuesday.

We asked the Elders to talk on some specific things to solidify the principles in the Institute lesson (Alma 17-24) which was emphasizing missionary work. Elder Halaufia said that after he finished his time in the MTC, while he was waiting for his visa to come through he was assigned to a three-some in Salt Lake City. He was excited to be a missionary and wanted to do his best and work hard. They lived in a member’s home and he said, “Let’s go knock some doors. I’m ready.” The other two Elders said, “This is Salt Lake City. We don’t knock doors in Salt Lake City.” Elder Halaufia wanted to know how they found people and the Elders said, “We go to the home of a member and they give us a referral, then we go teach that person.” Elder Halaufia was still excited and wanted to knock some doors because he had always thought that was what missionaries do. So the Elders condescendingly said, “Okay. Let’s let Elder Halaufia feel like a missionary. Where do you want to go?” Elder Halaufia said, “Well how about here, right in our neighborhood.” So they went across the street and knocked on the door. They could see someone coming toward the door. That was when Elder Halaufia got nervous, wondering what he would say, but he was determined. When the door was answered, it was a woman who said, “I have been waiting for three years for one of you to knock on my door. Come in.” So they went in and started teaching her the Gospel. You’ve got to love Elder Halaufia. He truly teaches with the Spirit.

A New Year Begins - 2010 is a Lovely Number