Drinking from a Fire Hydrant - of Spirituality

It’s the Gospel’s super bowl, it feels like Christmas, it’s like drinking from a fire hydrant of spirituality for two days. This is how missionaries describe General Conference weekend of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I enjoyed visiting with many missionaries this week as we anticipated General Conference and the beautiful and inspiring messages that would be given to us.

President Quinn and I traveled this week through the mission interviewing missionaries. I told the missionaries as we visited this week that we would most likely see a new First Presidency of the Church formed during conference. I was wrong. And that’s okay. The Lord has made it clear through revelation that His Church can be led by the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles until a new First Presidency is organized. I love the peace and order in that knowledge. There are no debates, no votes, no contention, just divinely guided and unwavering stability. President Oaks is the leader of the Church.

Conference itself was magnificent as always. Tender tributes were offered to our beloved former prophet, President Nelson. The music was beautiful and the messages were outstanding. We had missionaries over for cinnamon rolls Sunday morning. I was once again amazed by the spiritual strength and eagerness to learn by our missionaries. They soak in every word, diligently taking notes and seeking the Spirit.

*Elders Wiseman, Beard, Valle, Sagers, Whitman, Martin, and Griguhn*

I have many favorite talks from the conference. President Oaks’ talk left a sweet impression upon me. As a mission leader, I was happy to hear Elder Evanston’s talk about service missionaries and how they are God’s hands in bringing people to the Gospel. Overall conference left me with a deeper love for my fellowmen and a desire to reach out to others who may feel wounded and can be invited back to the love of their Savior and the fullness of their covenants.

*Sister Pilling, Hermana Richins, Risser and Sister Allen*

President Quinn and I enjoyed going to a baptism this evening. We then came back to meet with our AP’s. We meet with them every Sunday night in what we call “Return and Reports.” This is an opportunity for us to learn how our missionaries are doing across the mission.

It has been a wonderful Spirit filled Sabbath Day.

During interviews this week, I was able to read many of the thoughtful and Spirit filled journal entries of our missionaries. I will share more about this in a later post. The missionaries tell me they are excited each Sunday to see what the journal prompt will be! I really pray hard to have a thoughtful prompt each week. Here is this week’s prompt - #13.

Thank you for reading this week’s update. Tonight I am excited to tell you that my 91-year-old mother is in route to visit me this week in Santa Rosa. My sisters Rebecca and Jean are driving her here from her home in Salt Lake City, Utah. I can’t believe she is really coming. She is excited to be able to visit me on my mission! Have a great week. Elaine

Enjoy more photos from this week - See all the way down for a visit from Trey Dixon!

Drinking from a Fire Hydrant - of Spirituality

The Mission Conference - A Reminder of Who We Are