A GRATEFUL HEART….

So much time has passed since I have written and it is a little frustrating to me because I know I am missing things and events that I want to remember.  Hence the blog, Verlinda.  But honestly, I feel that I have so little time to spare.  Today is our preparation day.  Last night after work, we went to Burlington to get supplies for my hat to be made.  Then to our weekly Wally World run and lo and behold, I found the yarn to finish Taryn’s blanket.  Today I slept in.  I am not ashamed of that, by the way;.  Then I cleaned our amazing little house, the laundry was done by Richard, I have finished my paper on the Atonement. (Yes, we get homework on the mission), and am trying to catch up on a few things. 

Last week was so hectic and stressful.  Richard and I were in charge of the training meeting.  We get to do that frequently, along with conducting meetings, training missionaries and a hundred other responsibilities that come with being zone leaders.  We agonized over our training, but felt strongly about putting on a meeting, letting the missionaries know what an amazing job they are doing and how much each and every one of them is valued.  We got so many compliments and cards and gratitude, I know it was needed and the right thing to do.  We started out talking about Hyrum Smith and how there is not a home here of his, no tours.  Why? He was vital to the restoration and to the Prophet Joseph.  Then we discussed some of his attributes and phased into discussing the attributes of the missionaries here and how they are an important part of the “puzzle.” We are not always in the spotlight, but we each have our own value and worth.  We then showed a cool you-tube video that starts with one trumpet player alone and turns into an orchestra.  Then I recited my “Parable of the Ingredients,” and it was a huge hit! Ended our presentation by passing out chocolate chip cookies with a little tag that Jerianne made for me.

  All in all very rewarding. I hope people feel loved and valued.

These are a few of the nice cards that we received……

This is the front of their card.  He is a national silversmith. Mark Dahl from Elko, Nevada.

This is actually a horse bit?

I have been thinking a lot about being a missionary.  I am not like some of the others here.  I am not good at getting referrals, not so good at being able to quote scripture, and I certainly haven’t personally given a Book of Mormon.  But I do think that I am good at loving just about all kinds of people and making them feel loved.  I do believe that it is maybe the “one,” gift I have been given and so I go forward trying to do my best with who I am.