8/26/2007

3rd blog –
Mom wants to share her thoughts on the conference we attended with Elder Zwick. Tuesday, the 21st was an early start. We went and picked up the Zone Leaders at 8:15 and went to the Tepacalpa chapel for our zone conference, 4 zones attended, about 80 people total. When Elder and Sister Zwick arrived with President and Sister Castillo they went straight to the front and then invited each of the missionaries to come forward, sort of like a receiving line. Elder Zwick (who is fluent in Spanish) conversed with each of the missionaries, in Spanish, as did Sister Zwick then President Castillo, Sister Castillo and the Assistants to the President. When it was my turn, Elder Zwick took my hand and switched to English. He expressed great gratitude for our service. Sister Zwick was just as gracious and appreciative.
The meeting started at 10:00 am with the usual D&C 4 (Andrew, you need to memorize these) and the Missionary Purpose from Preach My Gospel. Then Elder Zwick spoke for about 10-15 minutes about how each missionary is called to their area of service. It is truly an inspired calling from God via his living apostles. Elder Zwick described a day that Elder Eyring and Elder Scott were assigning missions. They of course use the technology of computers and every missionaries picture and application come up on the screen. Elder Eyring was having difficulty with one assignment and decided to put the application at the bottom of the list. Elder Scott finished his list and said to Elder Eyring that someone was missing from his list. Elder Eyring then brought up the application that he was having difficulty with and Elder Scott said that that was the one missing from his group and the assignment was made.
After hearing from Sister and President Castillo we took a break for about 30 minutes and had muffins, granola bars, yogurt (all yuck) and water. During our break, Elder Zwick came over and chatted with us and the Anderson’s, the other senior couple in our mission. Just small talk, like he was a real person and we were his friends. Pretty impressive.
Sister Zwick was our next speaker. They have 4 children and 11 grandchildren. She referenced Chapter 1 of Preach My Gospel and 3 Nephi 13. She emphasized the importance of Pure Faith. Citing D&C 78:19 she reminded us that it is a privilege to serve and to be thankful for all things.
Then Elder Zwick took the stand and taught and counseled and encouraged us for the next 2 hours. “Teach true principles in the same way you learn them.” “Knowledge is light.” He talked about work – work is tough (duro) and it requires obedience, intelligence and confidence in being able to get the work done. He spoke about amor perfecto, perfect love and then referred us to D&C 132:47-51. He also quoted Helaman 3:35 and told us that this scripture is Elder Richard G Scott’s favorite scripture because it is all encompassing or all in one scripture.
Then he talked about basic foundations (I believe he is an architect) and how critical they are. He taught much more from the scriptures and you will have to go to my journal on page 42 for a full diagram and explanation of what he referred to as the Circle of Spirituality. Elder Zwick said that the law of the gospel in which we claim to believe is sacrifice. The law of sacrifice for missionaries is …making perfect use of the Lord’s time.
Elder Zwick talked about President Packer’s study of the scriptures. Elder Eyring and Elder Packer were on a 2 week trip to Japan. Elder Eyring asked Elder Packer what he would like to do in the extra time they had. Elder Packers response was that it would be a perfect time to study the scriptures. We must study the scriptures always. (See Alma 13) In conclusion Elder Zwick counseled us to always give credit to others, never forgetting to credit God and to expect miracles.
My favorite story that Elder Zwick told was about the first meeting he attended after being called to the Seventy. It was in a meeting room in the Salt Lake Temple. It took a while for the participants to assemble and President Hinckley was about the room greeting the bretheren. Then it was time to start. The room grew quiet as President Hinckley moved to the podium and smiling said, “I love the missionaries.” He didn’t welcome the bretheren or use the often heard, “My beloved bretheren,” but …”I love the missionaries.”
I know President Hinckley loves us. I know he is a prophet of God. I know the Church is true and has been restored for our benefit. I am thankful for my testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel. I am thankful for my companion for eternity. I am thankful for my family. My love for them has no boundaries. I am so incredibly blessed. I am thankful to be a missionary and pray many times each day that we will be instrumental in teaching the Gospel to many of the people of Mexico. It is a true privilege to serve God and to acknowledge the support of our family and friends, without whom this incredible experience would not be possible.
Elder Zwick said, “Don’t purr.” Or never get too comfortable. I am treasuring the opportunity we have to serve the Lord. He also said, “Expect miracles.” My miracle was to be able to understand just about all that was said during our meeting. It was entirely in Spanish.

Amen to everything Mom has said here. We love this experience, and it will be one of our fondest memories for years to come. It amazes me that Mom understands so much of what is said in the meetings we attend and I understand so little, yet she is still struggling with her speech. I can make a door approach, share a mini lesson about the restoration, and then the person at the door responds and I only get an impression as to whether they are interested or not. If they don’t seem interested but listened to what I said I invite them to church and give them a little map I made so they can find it, and no when we meet. I can usually tell if we get a flat rejection, and then we just say buenos tardes and leave.
When we get home I’m going to write a book about the Senior Missionary Experience. Maybe, if I get it published it will motivate more senior couples to get off the couch or their backsides and go on a mission.

Love to all,
Mom and Dad.