All the missionaries in Mexico city, plus the CCM. Sorry I could not get them all to smile at once, and some got left out of the picture.
We went to a Mexico City Mission Conference with all four missions, north south, east, and west plus all the missionaries in the CCM (MTC Mexico). All the five mission presidents were present with their wives and families and also the Area president and three 70’s including one of the presidents of the 70’s. All in all there were over 1,000 missionaries in attendance. Our main attraction was Elder Jeffery R. Holland of the Quorum of the twelve.
We were taught by Elder Holland about the changing emphasis of our work. The church wants us to be better missionaries to teach and convert better and stronger new members. Elder Holland said the most important convert we need to make is ourselves. The church can’t afford to lose one single missionary. When we go home we need to stay strong and not crash and burn. We need to tell people how the mission has changed or lives and we need to demonstrate how these changes have made us better members of the church. He said numbers of baptisms are not as important as new members who are truly converted and stay active after their missionaries leave. If your converts don’t stay active after you leave, then you might just as well baptize sacks of sand. We need to leave our area better than when we arrived in it.
He said the only way to do the work is His (the Savior’s) way. If it’s not His way, then it’s not his work. He admonished us to read and take to heart D&C Section 50: 15-22. Elder Holland encouraged us to be better and to give the very best that is in us to give for the rest of our mission. He also referred us to and we read from Helaman 5: 17-19 with his emphasis on preaching with power and authority.
All of this was for the purpose of instructing us on why “Preach my Gospel” was introduced into the missionary program of the church. I strongly recommend to all of my family to obtain personal copies of this powerful missionary manual to add to your scriptures, and read and study and pray over it as you study, that we may all follow the guidance of our prophets and become missionaries for the church. If the ancient prophecy of Daniel which says, “Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet . . . and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth, (Dan 2: 34-35)” is to be fulfilled then we all need to work as missionaries, and help find the people for the full time missionaries to teach. We also need to help teach and nurture all the new converts that come amongst us and help them to build strong testimonies and strong eternal families. Elder Holland said the church loves to see baptismal white, but what we really want to see is more Temple white.
It made us reflect on the recent Temple blessings that our own family has experienced in this past week, and we are so grateful for this. Of course we wanted with all our heart to be there with you, but more importantly we were so thankful for the blessings of two new eternal family units within the bosom of our own family. Families are forever and we want with all our hearts and souls to see each and every member of our eternal family attending the temple worthily. We want to be united as a family in Father’s kingdom in heaven and continue our association with each and every one of you forever.
We weren’t allowed to take pictures during the conference, but you all know what Elder Holland looks like anyway. I did snap a few pictures of the missionaries as they visited with one another in the parking lot at the temple after the meeting was adjourned. I wish now that I had taken a video. My camera is so new that I sometimes forget about its remarkable capabilities.
We went to a Mexico City Mission Conference with all four missions, north south, east, and west plus all the missionaries in the CCM (MTC Mexico). All the five mission presidents were present with their wives and families and also the Area president and three 70’s including one of the presidents of the 70’s. All in all there were over 1,000 missionaries in attendance. Our main attraction was Elder Jeffery R. Holland of the Quorum of the twelve.
We were taught by Elder Holland about the changing emphasis of our work. The church wants us to be better missionaries to teach and convert better and stronger new members. Elder Holland said the most important convert we need to make is ourselves. The church can’t afford to lose one single missionary. When we go home we need to stay strong and not crash and burn. We need to tell people how the mission has changed or lives and we need to demonstrate how these changes have made us better members of the church. He said numbers of baptisms are not as important as new members who are truly converted and stay active after their missionaries leave. If your converts don’t stay active after you leave, then you might just as well baptize sacks of sand. We need to leave our area better than when we arrived in it.
He said the only way to do the work is His (the Savior’s) way. If it’s not His way, then it’s not his work. He admonished us to read and take to heart D&C Section 50: 15-22. Elder Holland encouraged us to be better and to give the very best that is in us to give for the rest of our mission. He also referred us to and we read from Helaman 5: 17-19 with his emphasis on preaching with power and authority.
All of this was for the purpose of instructing us on why “Preach my Gospel” was introduced into the missionary program of the church. I strongly recommend to all of my family to obtain personal copies of this powerful missionary manual to add to your scriptures, and read and study and pray over it as you study, that we may all follow the guidance of our prophets and become missionaries for the church. If the ancient prophecy of Daniel which says, “Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet . . . and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth, (Dan 2: 34-35)” is to be fulfilled then we all need to work as missionaries, and help find the people for the full time missionaries to teach. We also need to help teach and nurture all the new converts that come amongst us and help them to build strong testimonies and strong eternal families. Elder Holland said the church loves to see baptismal white, but what we really want to see is more Temple white.
It made us reflect on the recent Temple blessings that our own family has experienced in this past week, and we are so grateful for this. Of course we wanted with all our heart to be there with you, but more importantly we were so thankful for the blessings of two new eternal family units within the bosom of our own family. Families are forever and we want with all our hearts and souls to see each and every member of our eternal family attending the temple worthily. We want to be united as a family in Father’s kingdom in heaven and continue our association with each and every one of you forever.
We weren’t allowed to take pictures during the conference, but you all know what Elder Holland looks like anyway. I did snap a few pictures of the missionaries as they visited with one another in the parking lot at the temple after the meeting was adjourned. I wish now that I had taken a video. My camera is so new that I sometimes forget about its remarkable capabilities.
Love to all Grandma and grandpa
3 comments:
But today I have time so here goes.
I will start with Jennifer and Loren going thorough he temple because that was a great event to..
Ruthie, Don and Corinne and I left somewhat early on Saturday and we actually drove to Twin Falls first and met Loren and Jen and the kids (all of the Steevers) and we went through the new temple open house and that was wonderful. The Celestia room there is the most beautiful I have ever seen. Including the Oakland and the Navoo temples which were awesome. I think all of the Steevers children including Brandon had a good experience there and were touched. Loren and Jennifer of course were also very moved. Loren had made a service call in Twin falls for his company and had already been through and he wanted his kids to get a feel for temples so that they would have an idea of what to think.
Then we went to Logan and arrived about 2 hours before the session so we went with Jen and Loren to the Distribution center where they bought new clothing for the day and I believe that you spoke with Jen as that was happening. Then we called Billy and went to Chillies for a quick lunch before the actual temple time, and we all (Loren, Jen, Billy, Ruthie, Don, Corinne and I) had a quick meal there which was very nice. Following that we drove to your house to change. I think the girls though there would be more room at Billies and they were right. So we changed which went very quickly but it was still nice to spend a few extra moments with Billy. But that's all it really was, were were there all of about 15 minutes before we left for the Temple. But the place looks nice. Billy has keep it up better than I would have guessed a single guy would have.
So we went to the temple to go through and it was really nice. Corinne and I were escorts and they had chaperone's that were really great people. An elder couple, he told me he was in his 80's, both from Milad Idaho. So we went through the session and I was able to sit on the front row with Loren and from where I was I could see both Loran and Jennifer and it was a very nice experience. The rooms there are large and wonderful and I'm sure the two of them were both appreciative of how beautiful it was and you could tell that both of them were ready. I'm sure the only distraction at all was the thought that they need to get back there with their family as soon as possible and they both should.
Immediately following the endowment we went outside and I know Ruthie had a camera and took a picture which I'm sure you will receive soon. but I also know Ruthie is returning table and reception items plus it was the first day of school for Ruthies kids I believe. Ruthie is not to excited about having 100% of her kids in school and no one home. But this year is that year.
So Colie and Wren Colie first. Tuesday the family went through the temple with Colie so that she could receive her endowments and it was very nice. Colie was glowing and so it was hard to see all of the film butt all went well. I couldnt help but think during that time of what an impact the two of you have had on your kids. as it was we filled two rows in the temple, the first row in the women row and the first row of the mens row with folks in the Willson family tree. Before you know it we will be able to take over a whole room.
We of course went to the temple and the big ceiling room in Boise was packed. I think there were two sets of buns to every seat and lots of people standing as is the custom. Colie looked beautiful, as if anything else were even possible. She walked in to the room and of course it seemed like they turned the lights on when she entered, but it was just her and her bright smile. She had a beautiful white gown on. I dont know if you remember Danis gown but it had a lacing up her back, well Colies had something similar but heres started just below the rump where Danis started mid back. And when Colie sat down you heard a muffled Pop and visibally saw a small vibration from Colie and I was worried that the dress had torn, or that one of the cloth eyelets had broke, but there was a metal clasp that stretched and popped. No problem and following the ceremony it was easily repaired. So the sealing was done and the gentleman performing it has been Wrens home teaching companion so that was nice to have a connection. He spoke for a moment and then in short order they were Husband and Wife and they exchanged rings and a short and sweet kiss and everyone filed thorugh to give them huggs and congratulations and we were off to the side of the temple for pictures.
One side note here, I was standing opposite of Loren and Jen and you could see the anticipation and the longing to be part of that ceremony. Both were clearly touched and Im sure it will only be a matter a days or weeks before they get their kids to the temple with them.
This day was the opposite of the Ducketts wedding picture day. It was on the HOT side. Somewhere in the mid 80s or so I would guess. So the photographer did a everybody in the picture kind of picture which was cool because there were a lot of people there. Then for most of us it was off to the lunchen.
Colie and Wren of course had to stay for more pictures at the temple so most of us were at the chaple when Wren and Colie arrives and Colies was so cute she came in in a rush and hurried right to the table and waived to everyone and said Im starving Lets eat. But I dont think she knew we were waiting for them before we started so they called on someone to say the prayer and everyone started to eat.
The lunchen was done by some of the Bushes ward members and others and it was done very well. Colies colors were Pink on Pink and whoever made the bread had made it Pink which was a neat touch and there were salads and sandwiches and punch and it was nice.
During the wedding Don got up and spoke and said some nice things about the two of them and so did Wren father. Then they kind of opened it up to everyone on there and many people said nice things about them because of course they are an awesome couple. I stood and said some nice things and then promised Wren If he ever hurt Colie that he would be dealing with me straight away and I reminded Levi that he was still under the same instructions. But it went really nice. and Immediatly following the lunchon we went to the reception.
The reception was in the back yard of someone that I understand was a friend of Wrens family, I believe. But they had a wonderful back yard with a beautiful garden and swimming pool and several umbrallas for shade and a tent with a dance floor and it was as pretty an outdoor reception as anyone could ever have. Lots of people, food and I think everyone had a good time. There was no receiving line, they simply mingled with everyone which I think made it a bit more casual and kind of nice because people stayed around. I dont know how many showed up but If i had to guess it would be between 300 and 400 people. Hard to know. But it was really nice. When it got later in the evening two of their friends had prepared a song for them which they sang and that went well. It was a tongue in cheek tribute which I though went over really well, sang by their friends Chad and Brett who each had chorus where they admonished the couple to name their first son Chad, or Brett. It was well done. Then they did the cutting of the Cake. A white number with two tone pink on pink circles over that white frosting. Three tiers, two styrafome and the top chocelet with chocolet pudding which they each rubbed in each other faces while laughing and receiveing the same.
Then there was the boquet toss by Colie with the traditional scramble by the women and the garter toss with the men dodging that thing like it was cursed. One of Colies friends caught the flowers and TIM caught the garter, just like at Jessicas wedding. Then there was the traditional first dance. The the traditional Father Daughter dance and then the traditional Uncle and father of the bride dance followed quickly by the brother of the father of the bride and the father of the bride dance. It was all very touching. Once it got dark Wren took his bride and drove off into the night and the rest of the family started putting things away which went very fast with tons of help.
Saturday was also a wonderful day. All of the Bushes, Steevers, and Riches and their families and friends spend the day eating and trying to splash all of the water out of the pool which was warm and wonderful. I counted at one time we had 37 people in the pool and it was a blast. It was nice to have Dons brothers and family at our house. They have always been super nice to us and it was nice to have them around like family.
We've not heard from Colie or Wren but Im sure they are doing well.
I will write again soon, Cordell
Thanks for the update Cordell, we really appreciate the time you take to be a spokesman for the family. I take it from your report of the weekend events that Billy didn´t make it to the wedding; that´s too bad. We had hoped that he would want to participate in the joy.
We are worried about Corinne and the pain she is experiancing. Our prayers go out each day for all the family, and now an extra measure for her.
Thanks again for all you do.
Love dad
Billy was there. So Im sorry for not mentioning that. He was there and had a great time with the family for most of the time. He stayed with Samantha and her boyfriend. He was there for the reception and stayed all night and was great. I should have been more specific but he was really good. He also attended the lunchen that day with all of the family and I know he had a good time and that Colie got to see him and she was glad he was there.
Now this coming weekend we are going to logan to participate in Loren and Jen and the families sealing. Ruth will be going but Don has to take the kids to soccer, football and something else. Jessica will also be going. And Corinne and I will be attending with Danni and Preston. I understand that they will be sealed at 1000 am (Thats on the 6th) and following the sealing the ward is helping with a lunchen for the family and visitors.
Love ya
Cordell
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