tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23746467757368974452024-03-13T05:45:55.886-07:00Press ForwardPress Forward .... these words from a favorite hymn and scripture aptly introduce this narrative
of the mission and life experiences of Linda and Ray Connors.Linda and Ray Connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05947160669466637187noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374646775736897445.post-71980199383355738142016-04-02T18:45:00.000-07:002016-04-02T18:45:53.903-07:00It's Saturday, April 2, 2016. As we watched General Conference today, a question brought me back to this blog to find a name. The tender feelings of love and gratitude for our Georgia mission continue. And I realize that we still need to, and do, continue to press forward. How wonderful the youth of the Church are using this wonderful scripture as their Mutual theme for 2016. It's such an important truth.<br />
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Since I have I the pages of this blog open, it make sense to add a few updates that help explain our desire and need to continue pressing forward.<br />
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<li><span style="text-align: center;">In December 2013, our suspicions were confirmed when Ray was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. The symptoms progressed rapidly upon our return home. In fact, he had his first fall just days after arriving home. We see the Lord's love as evidenced by his protraction of the onset and progression of the disease until our mission in Georgia was complete. </span></li>
<li>Linda convinced Ray to join her for one-half of her weekly 8-hour service missionary shift at the Bishop's Storehouse in Kaysville. We stocked shelves; it was great and sometimes demanding exercise. We were privileged to serve for 20 months (and still substitute once in a while). It's been a great blessing in service, friendship, and personal health.</li>
<li>Elder Leonard Tarver from our GA mission family lived with us for six-months after we returned home. He was and continues to be a great example and support to us. He moved to Las Vegas about a year ago. We were privileged to travel there just two weeks ago to attend his wedding to Maria. We celebrated in their Spanish ward there, of course!</li>
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<li>Our family continues to be blessed with good health and success in their endeavors. Extended family and ward family members face challenges and happiness, always teaching us. A dear friend from our temple ordinance worker family has also been diagnosed with Parkinson's, deepening our bond with a wonderful couple.</li>
<li>We've enjoyed mission reunions and get-togethers with our GA senior missionary couples. Those friends, both young and old, continue to support us and brighten our days.</li>
<li>We took a first-ever cruise with Don and Zaza Clark, our dear GA friends, and were able to spend a few days in Georgia reconnecting with people there. The Clarks visit Utah once or twice a year, and we're happy to see them upon each visit. </li>
<li>As we sensed our ability to travel and play may lessen as time moves forward, we celebrated the summer of 2014 by returning to northern sights. We drove through the Canadian Rockies and on to Prince Rupert, B.C., ferried our truck to Juneau, AK, for a 3-day stay, and then ferried to Skagway and drove home via Whitehorse and Washington State. We've explored red rock & mountain trails in our Land Cruiser. In 2015 we celebrated our 50th Wedding Anniversary with our sons, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren by adventuring for a few days in Steamboat Springs, CO.</li>
<li>50 Years of marriage and 43 years in the same home also found us with some home repairs and upgrades. We've always liked DIY, but this time we had to look at outside contractors for the heavy work. Ray's great at coaching Linda on how to do things his hands will no longer allow.</li>
<li>Life has changed significantly for us in a short time. Ray has been patient and humble in dealing with many changes that have come along with Parkinson's. Physical and speech/swallow therapy have helped with some of the most bothersome symptoms. He can still drive, but prefers to let Linda take the wheel around town. Our FJ40 was sold in early 2014. Too much to handle! Two rounds of golf in our first summer home convinced him to put his clubs away for good. We were able to do a bit of boating and fishing that summer as well. Now the boat is for sale. We can still explore the back roads in our Land Cruiser. Ray's a bit nervous at first, but the old instincts click in and he does pretty well. We walk; he putters around the house. It's fine; one step at a time is good.</li>
<li>We've filled hours with overdue family history work, gospel study, and service in our ward. We love our assignment as Temple Prep instructors. It allows us to share our love of the temple with future missionaries and those who have responded to the promptings of friends and the Spirit. Linda teaches Relief Society.</li>
<li>We listen this weekend to counsel from the Lord's chosen servants. Our hearts are ready to hear how we might better serve the Lord, our family, and our neighbors as we continue to press forward. Yes, life's expectations can change quickly, but the Lord will always provide a way to do that which is truly important.</li>
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Linda and Ray Connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05947160669466637187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374646775736897445.post-86194380554167442632013-11-08T19:52:00.001-08:002015-01-24T14:59:08.643-08:00TransitionWe started this blog to share and record our missionary experiences. We're now happy to say we can continue the record. A service mission at the Bishops Storehouse begins on November 5. The details of that calling fall into a busy month and year of transition, so a new post will follow to open a new chapter in Pressing Forward.<br />
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It's been a month since we returned to our Bountiful home. Our prior entry marked the closure to our mission. However, much will always be unsaid, and we want to include memories of our last day(s) in Georgia and our trip home.<br />
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Our return flight from the baptism arrived in Atlanta about 4:30 p.m. on a Tuesday, the 1st day of October, 2013. The Atkins picked us up, and we enjoyed pizza with them before driving to the Clark's home. We now had only carry-on luggage, and were ready to pack our car the next morning. When Don and Zaza returned from teaching mission prep, we enjoyed a last night of quiet visiting on the family room sofas and retired early to start packing. We agreed to enjoy breakfast the next morning before departing.<br />
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Wednesday was the after-transfer New Missionary and Trainer followup meeting. We drove over to the Mission Office and spent an hour or so going over things with the Residoris. The mission experienced three vehicle accidents in the three days we were gone. Good timing or bad? We gave grateful, but cheerful goodbyes to our colleagues, some of whom were setting tables for the infamous post meeting formal luncheon. When we first began with the prep and table serving for this regular meeting, the participants numbered about 25. This day over 70 would have lunch! President and Sister Wolfert graciously invited us to step into the chapel to say goodbye to the missionaries during a break in the meeting. After some sweet words from the Wolferts, the missionaries stood and sang <i>Called to Serve.</i> Our tears flowed as we looked at those wonderful faces and smiles. What a sight to remember - always. I tried to memorize each face, but then remembered they were already embedded in my heart and mind from our personal interactions and the wonderful photo wall that I directly viewed everyday in the mission office. <br />
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We had hugs with the Wolferts and our senior counterparts, and we were then off to pack our car. After packing, the car ended up just a tiny bit less crowded than it was on our trip out from Utah. We enjoyed a lingering breakfast with Don and Zaza at nearby Metro Cafe. It was hard to say goodbye.<br />
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It had been a sweet morning. After a quick stop to pick up some last minute Georgia gifts (Atlanta Braves hats) for family, we made our final westbound drive on the Stone Mountain Highway, leaving the Georgia Atlanta North Mission behind. It was a bittersweet few miles! We had hoped to leave Lilburn by 11:00 a.m. since our destination for the night was Savannah, some four hours away. By the time we hit the Atlanta "perimeter" interstate, it was nearly 1 p.m. We had one last stop enroute to Savannah and before departing mission life. Because we had enjoyed frequent calls with the Georgia Atlanta Mission staff, we wanted to meet the Seelys and Huffakers in person. So we took a one hour detour to Fayetteville to shake their hands. They were as delightful and dedicated in person as we imagined, and we were glad we took the time to say hello and thank you. Over our months as office specialists, we had occasion to talk to other mission offices from time to time. We will always gratefully feel a bond with these wonderful saints who strengthened our love for the Lord and commitment to His work.<br />
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It was nearly dark when we arrived in Savannah, and we wandered a bit in the dark, driving through much of the town only return to our motel street to eat. We started the next day with a visit to Tybee Island and a sandal walk in the waters of the Atlantic.<br />
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The 2013 federal government shutdown had closed the National Monument at Fort Pulaski. We headed back to Savannah's riverfront to enjoy a stroll, some shopping, and a bistro lunch. Then we drove the historic streets to Lafayette Square to snap some photos and traveled out to Wormsloe, a state-run historic plantation with an amazing 1.5 mile lane arched by towering oaks. A last minute decision, it was a great end to our day in Savannah.<br />
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We drove a few miles out of town and spent the night in Statesboro, a college town. The rich Georgian accents of nearly every patron at the local Chick-fila brightened our evening. If we had served there rather than in suburban Atlanta, we may have acquired some lasting southern tones in our conversation.<br />
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The next day we left the freeways and took old US highway routes to Birmingham, AL. We passed miles of cotton fields and abandoned agricultural countryside. We gave Elder William Sarniquet (now released) a call in Birmingham, hoping to take him to dinner, but he and his mother were driving to Atlanta for a birthday party with one of his converts. At his suggestion, we visited Vulcan Park to end our evening and shot some sunset photos of Birmingham from the tower. <br />
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We knew nothing about Birmingham, but found its hills and history interesting. We met William at Panera Bread the next day for breakfast and had a great visit. We consider his friendship, contagious smile, and positivity as one of the greatest blessings of our mission. After breakfast we headed to Little Rock, AK for our next night's stay. Don Clark had tipped us off that Tupelo (Elvis's birthplace) was along the way, so that short detour was a pleasant travel break. It was a great "checked off the list" for a couple of our generation.<br />
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I-40 through Mississippi had few highlights but led us to Memphis where we stopped for lunch and spent an hour or so walking the redeveloped riverfront. Unlike our visits to the Mississippi River in Illinois, the river here felt open, with few trees and more industrial shoreline. The landscape changed as we entered the Ozarks. We were pleasantly surprised to see the rolling hills that bank the Arkansas River and Little Rock. <br />
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Our next travel day was General Conference Sunday. Unable to catch a radio signal, we figured out how to listen to the broadcast on our cell phone. We've always found ourselves better at "hearing and feeling" the messages of Conference through sound rather than TV, so our travel across Oklahoma and Texas to Amarillo went by quickly, uneventfully, and pleasantly. We were again surprised by the size and prosperity of Amarillo. We considered a side trip the next day to the Canyon area, but after looking at the photos of what is called the "grand canyon" of Texas, we felt we have seen similar scenery in great quantity in Utah. It was time to choose routes back to Utah- either through New Mexico or Colorado. We picked New Mexico and ended up in Albuquerque for lunch. Our goal was to spend the night in Farmington, N.M. and take the Lees to dinner. Unfortunately, they were in Utah. We learned they had been traveling with family for nearly the entire month since they departed the GA Atlanta North Mission and Hartwell, GA. Tuesday took us to Cortez. As we headed to Blanding, Linda convinced Ray to take the back road to Moab through Naturita, CO. The drive was spectacular - through farmland, red rock, and high mountain passes south of the La Sal Mountains - on a pristine fall day. It helped us feel back home as we returned through country we loved. <br />
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We lunched in Moab and drove into our driveway at home just before dark. Home. Mission behind us. Our road trip had helped us emotionally make the transition to non-missionary life. It had strengthened our gratitude for the Gospel, for our mission experience, for God's creations and our nation, and all the amazing blessings that fill our lives. We are humbled by the Lord's goodness and grace.</div>
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What's ahead? A report at Church, putting home and yard back to normalcy, reconnecting with friends and family, and a new missionary opportunity. They are topics for our future posts. The time for writing and pressing forward as full-time missionaries in the Georgia Atlanta North Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has come to an end.</div>
Linda and Ray Connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05947160669466637187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374646775736897445.post-6375024942149947922013-10-29T15:53:00.003-07:002015-01-24T14:36:16.756-08:00Endings, Beginnings, and ContinuationsOver six weeks have passed since our last post. Our lives have been filled with emotion and activity. Much has transpired and changed. Our energies just seem to run out of steam for writing with clarity and thought (despite good intentions). This will be a long post, so be prepared!<br />
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I begin to write this on a Sunday night, the night I traditionally find myself recording our missionary experiences. But now we are no longer full-time, "called" missionaries. We are home in Utah, basically unpacked, and beginning to resume a normal routine. The past weeks sped by. Our lives and spirits were significantly impacted by our mission. But ironically our mission experience already feels isolated. Like many other emotionally charged, profound events in life, it feels like a chapter begun and closed. It was real, but feels surreal. We know our missionary experiences will continue to bless us forever. We can go back and treasure and learn; we can continue to treasure and strengthen the friendships and spirit we built. We must move forward to see what the Lord has in store for us now.<br />
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Four days ago I took the plunge and friended dozens of Georgia Atlanta North missionaries and other associates on Facebook. There are others we want to stay connected with, so the list will grow. We love to see their faces, their new diversions and activities, and emerging romances. Our glimpses into their lives have removed a bit of the reluctance and writer's block for talking about endings. Missions begin, missions proceed, and missions end, and every step along the way is a shared, natural, and God-blessed event.<br />
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We found ourselves a bit blue the last weeks of our mission; a blue tinted with joy in service and the anticipation of returning home along with the sadness of leaving Georgia and our mission behind. Once we made the decision to fly home to Utah, however, we were able to give ourselves emotional permission to become eager about reunions and begin to make plans and decisions. We packed up several large boxes of clothes and shipped them home in an attempt to lighten the load for our drive home. We cleaned our apartment in bits and pieces, trying to still enjoy our Saturdays, including a drive to Marietta to have one last P-day lunch with missionaries (Sister Sanders, Sister Paepaetaata, Elder Rindlisbacher, and Elder Whedon).<br />
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We took an extended hour to visit the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Hindu temple) in Lilburn. This magnificent building awed us as we drove into Lilburn for the first time in 2012. Why did it take us so long to get there? Open to the public for self-tours, its intricate workmanship and quiet interior left us with a feeling of reverence.<br />
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We also caught a soccer game with the Obers, mowed lawns, and spent time in the mission office cleaning our work areas and finishing our now detailed desk manuals during a delightful, heavy Georgia rainstorm.<br />
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With just two weeks to go, we began our round of farewells to favorite people. We enjoyed goodbyes with Nick, our mail carrier for 18 months. His visits were a daily bright spot. He's considering moving west to Arizona or New Mexico in a year or so. We gave him a Utah calendar and Book of Mormon to say goodbye. It caught him off guard. He sent us the first "welcome home" email we received at home after leaving Georgia. We baked cookies and made a last visit to Brad and his crew at White's Detail shop.<br />
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The best of the friendliest service people anywhere, we felt like friends upon our first meeting with Brad and his crew. We found ourselves almost hoping for service time with new cars or repairs on damaged cars so we could make our car shuttles and have a conversation with Brad. The final photos and handshakes were with dear friends. More goodbyes followed, with Michael and the crew at the Lilburn post office and the team at Pep Boys. The folks in all the locations were pleasantly surprised with the donuts we took them. We have a whole new appreciation for the postal service after working with the Lilburn post office. The Nickerson family invited all the office couples to a Sunday dinner. We fed the sister missionaries and took the assistants to dinner. We bid goodbye to Sister Cefalo and two elders who departed in emergency situations. We found ourselves getting home very late and hoping we would have time to visit our investigators and converts the following week.<br />
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Our replacements, Elder and Sister Residori, arrived on Thursday, September 19. We tucked most of our items into a corner of one closet in the apartment, filled suitcases for the airplane with items that would not return to Georgia, and moved upstairs to the Clark's spare bedroom with a week's clothing. After the Residoris met with President Wolfert and enjoyed introductions that first day, we helped them unload their car. They spent the remainder of the day getting settled in the Clark's basement.<br />
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Our spirits were lifted as we knew it would be a pleasure to work with the Residoris; they are another warm and dedicated senior couple The five days of training began on Friday. They learned quickly, but like we had been 18 months before, they were exhausted after each long day. All of the office couples went to dinner at a small local eatery on Friday evening. It was the perfect quiet, linger easily atmosphere for getting acquainted.<br />
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Our last week as full-time missionaries began with witnessing a baptism after Sunday meetings for Itzees and Mortezees Walker, the 9- and 10-year old sons of Tisha Walker. Itzees entered the font eagerly. However, his nine-year old brother simply could not get in the water. Bless his heart. After several failed attempts, his family and Brother Boyd, the new ward mission leader, invited everyone except Walker immediate family to leave the room. We patiently waited back in the Relief Society room. After 30 minutes, the family returned. Frightened Mortezees would need a bit more preparation and courage before taking the "plunge" sometime in the future.<br />
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We were planning to spend every evening this last week visiting people and spending time with the Clarks. We were tiring, emotionally and physically. As anticipated, last minute invitations came, and we somehow squeezed them into the schedule and were grateful for them. We enjoyed dinner at Longhorn Steakhouse with the Wolferts and Bolts. It gave us the chance to give them a gift we had for each of our office brothers and sisters - a framed saying "When God comes first, whatever comes second will always be right," that Linda had hand stitched. <br />
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The Kotters invited us to their home for dinner, and the Halls and Atkins joined us. We visited way too late, but it was great. One evening we visited Dana Roca and the children. Dana was out of town on business, but her new friend was there with the kids so we enjoyed hugs as we dropped off some fruit and promised to send Sarai and Joanna a note when they get baptized in a year. We'll always remember those smiling faces!<br />
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We called Mercy Ansah and stopped by for a short visit. We met Mercy and her daughter, Malyssa, our first Saturday in Georgia at the General Conference broadcast. We fell in love with this sweet girl that day. Their current circumstances are one of the most heart-breaking stories from our mission. Malyssa asked Ray to baptize her, but it never happened. Temporarily away from her mom now, they will always be our prayers.<br />
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We had a great visit with the Howards, enjoying our usual laughter and love. Marcy's new job is going well; Jerry's work pressures are easing; Dale and Nick and Miriam and April are doing great. They have so richly blessed our lives; we have seen their lives blessed as they learned the fullness of the gifts available through our loving Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ.<br />
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Our office colleagues prepared a nice Hawaiian haystack luncheon on Thursday - how yummy and thoughtful. We delivered the mail to the post office just before it closed, a fitting ending to our last day in the office - busy and happy! It was dark when we left the office. Our hearts were at peace, but we had two more stops to make. We didn't have a photo of the Chase family. We couldn't leave without expressing our love to them. Tyler's recovery from his stroke is slow; Ariel is unable to work because she's at the doctor with Tyler or one of the kids almost every day. But the family is happy and optimistic about life. Victoria and Matthew, the two older children, continue to be the spiritual strength of the home. Dad makes sure they get to their Church meetings. And little Abby, who a year ago was a 3-year old in a stroller or playpen because mom couldn't manage her, has a cute new hair cut and glasses. When we shared some apples and extras from our cleaned cupboards, she went to the kitchen and brought back a potato for us. She wanted to share, too. Bless the children!<br />
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One last stop was to Lila Andriamaromana. She hadn't answered phone calls, so we just stopped by to drop off the Tabernacle Choir CD we'd been saving for her. She is an amazing woman, and we want to stay in touch with her. She is back to attending Church elsewhere with the full family, we pray she will continue to study and learn and build upon her baptism. She was at school with the oldest daughter that night, so we left our love and note with the younger children. It was good to get a letter from her several weeks later (from Europe) in which she expressed her love and appreciation for her increased understanding and knowledge of the plan of salvation. We will stay in touch.<br />
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Our last day as a mission office couple had become a 12-hour day. Sweet! We enjoyed a quiet visit with Don and Zaza upon arriving home, Yes, their home is filled with love and will always be a much appreciated, much loved home in our hearts. Don drove us to the airport on Friday morning. We arrived in Salt Lake about 1 p.m. Utah time. The air was crisp after snowfall from the prior day; it still covered the foothills. There was no fanfare, and that felt right. Son, Dave, was out of town for work; the grandkids were in school. Mike (son) picked us up at the curb. He drove us to the local shop where he had dropped our pickup truck off to be cleaned (he had been using it to haul lumber for his garage interior finishing work).<br />
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Our neighborhood and home were tidy and quiet as we opened the door. Mike invited us to share dinner with the family and left us to unpack. Wendy and Mike had made some preparations for our arrival. Our bed was clean and made; we moved boxes from our bedroom (it had been the storage area for our personal items for 18 months) with no sense of urgency. It was good to be home; but we still felt our hearts back in Georgia. After all, we would only be in Utah for three days. And a busy three days, it was.<br />
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We decided to do a bit of grocery shopping. While on that errand, we got a phone call from Leonard Tarver, the former elder in our mission who had been released on September 5. We had invited him to stay with us for several months while he attends sound engineering school in Salt Lake. He had been staying with a member in Lehi and was in Salt Lake and wondered if we were home. We had mail and a package for him. One of his former bishops from Pittsburgh (in SL on business) brought him out, and a bit to our surprise, they unloaded Leonard's luggage. He was here to stay! We made another quick trip to the store so Leonard could do some shopping and then all of us enjoyed dinner with Mike and Wendy and the grandkids Friday night. On Saturday we arose early to attend the baptism of our grandson, Ammon, and his cousin, Wyatt. Our grandchildren had grown and matured, but again, it felt like we had never been away. Got to love "love." It's comforting and amazing how it bridges physical absence. That is the nature of spiritual gifts! Grandma Witt gave the talk on baptism and Linda (Grandma Connors) gave the talk on the Holy Ghost. We enjoyed another family meal, and then we returned home to continue unpacking. We moved the spare bed down to the basement so Leonard had private space. He started job hunting. <br />
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On Sunday morning we met first with the High Council to report and then with Stake President David Webster to be released. We had a nice visit with him, making us late for our Sacrament Meeting. He kindly invited us to leave on our missionary tags until after our meetings were over. That made the release a bit easier. (Still after nearly a month home, we feel that we've simply taken them off for the evening (because we're home) and that they belong <i>on</i> us rather than in a drawer.) While we met with President Webster, Leonard visited with his counselors, President Gardner and President Farnes. As Leonard does with everyone, he immediately charmed them. All three of us returned missionaries bore our testimony in Fast and Testimony meeting that day. One of the best things about a mission is the way you are liberated from the fear of bearing testimony! David had been out of town for nearly two weeks and stopped by Sunday afternoon for a good visit. Leonard attended our meetings and the YSA ward that day, met David, and enjoyed another dinner at Mike and Wendy's. <br />
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Leonard wanted help buying a car, so Ray helped him on Monday morning as Linda did a bit more deep cleaning in his basement retreat. We're reminded every day of the energy and ambition of the young. By Monday, Leonard had found a good-paying security job with McDonald's and needed transportation for Tuesday. In the afternoon we made errands with Leonard to obtain car insurance.Our three days in Utah had flown by. Wendy would take us to the airport on Tuesday morning for our return flight to Georgia.<br />
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Before moving on to our truly last days in Georgia and trip home, we'll just state how wonderful it is to have Leonard with us. He's found two security jobs that allow him to work early and late and study mid-day at home or in the sound studio. He attends at least two full blocks of meetings on Sundays, FHE's with multiple Young Single Adult branches, Institute each week, dates, and hangs out with new friends. He is busy almost every evening. He has spoken in two sacrament meetings and other settings, too. With his height, color, and Cleveland accent, he loves the surprised reactions he gets when strangers learn he is a Spanish-speaking return missionary. It often gives him opportunities to continue teaching and witnessing. We enjoy our daily conversations with him; we share meals in a very casual, spontaneous way. His enthusiasm is contagious. His height and strength have come in handy for simple things like changing light bulbs and tough jobs like lifting old concrete so we can replace a broken gatepost. He's acclimating to the Utah Mormon culture, although it often surprises him how casual we are about less actives here. He gets along with everyone. It's been a blessed win/win for us. <br />
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Our story continues..... more about leaving Georgia and returning home in a few days.<br />
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<br />Linda and Ray Connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05947160669466637187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374646775736897445.post-91607759996813396652013-09-10T21:04:00.002-07:002015-01-24T13:49:41.779-08:00Home is Where the Heart IsDare we say again that our days have been very busy? However, without exception our minds turn to home each day - both our 40-year old home in Utah with family and friends and the home that is the collective of our lives' experiences and associations. For years when people asked us, "You couldn't leave your home, could you? You've put so much work and love into it," our response has been, "Of course we could, because what is truly home is in our hearts." Now that we are preparing to return to our Bountiful home, our conviction has only deepened. <br />
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Heartstrings have led us to a flexible return home plan. Our replacement couple, the Residoris from North Ogden, UT, will arrive on September 19. Our release date is September 27. Our grandson, Ammon, will be baptized on the 28th. That leaves no time to adequately train the Residoris and drive to Utah by the 28th, so we're going to fly home for the baptism, then fly back on Tuesday to begin our drive home. Our hearts want to stay here with our friends and missionaries, our work and convert baptisms. Our hearts want to be home with family and friends for the special occasions in their lives. Yes, it will be nice to sleep in our own bed, to wax the car and groom the flowerbeds, but the house is not what is drawing us. It's home, and home is the love that draws us in many directions. How grateful we are for the love that has supported us here in Georgia and back in Utah. How grateful we are for the conveniences and resources that will allow us to flex the time and travel of our mission release. In the next month we'll somehow squeeze in five days of intense training in the Mission Office (and a push to document our jobs well), a round trip flight for a baptism and birthday celebrations in Utah, a drive across this country that we love that will help us transition our minds to different priorities and shed a few tears along the way, a General Conference on the road (will bring our minds back to attending General Conference broadcasts in the Lilburn building the day after we arrived in Georgia on March 30, 2012), and speaking in Church on October 13th. Then we can focus on putting our home back into operating mode, a few early doctor/dentist appointments, and possibly having a released missionary house with us for a while. Sounds like we'll need to be flexible, and definitely we will continue to be busy. <br />
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Our office staff continues to be incredibly busy with the addition of 31 new missionaries last week; 34 are scheduled to arrive in October. Another ten visa waiters will arrive next Monday. We said goodbye to a smaller group of missionaries last Wednesday at the Farewell Fireside: Elder Baker (Marysvale, WA), Elder Johnson (Gunnison, UT), Elder Indriamiarina (Madagascar), Elder Smith (Centerville, UT), Elder Vaha'i (Tonga), Elder Yates (Utah County), and Elder Tarver (Pittsburgh, PA).<br />
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The farewell testimonies are always wonderful. We were invited to share ours. We expressed our love for our work, the missionaries, and those we met and taught. Along with deteriorating use of hands, Elder Connors voice has been shaky, and it's been hard for him to enunciate and project his voice many days. This night his voice was clear and strong as the Spirit helped him bear witness. As I listened to Tess Wolfert and another young woman on strings, accompanied by Hilary Duffield, play <i>How Great Thou Art</i> during the fireside, I reflected<i> </i>on our experiences here in Georgia. I was surprised by a simple memory that surfaced as something for which<i> </i>I am profoundly grateful. It's the privilege I had of entering baptism records into the Church's data systems that thereby creates a member records. I shared that gratitude along with my witness of the truths of a loving Heavenly Father, our Savior and His atonement, the restored gospel, prophets and scripture. Each time I process a baptism record, I look at the names and wonder about the story behind the conversion. I see children of God who have been led to the truth and families that will be blessed. While I definitely pondered these thoughts as I typed entries, the reality that I was <i>feeling </i>connection with these people hadn't really hit me until the evening of the fireside. It reminds me of the intimacy and pertinence temple work; the records are sacred and the people are real. I find myself hoping for continuing learning and growth experiences. All pieces of the missionary work puzzle bring blessings, even those that can seem routine.<br />
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Another missionary recently had to return home in unusual medical circumstances. He passed out and hit his head and has lost the recent past from his memory. It will be challenging and complex recovery. Elder Loertscher will be in our prayers. (We were sad to learn about a year later that Elder Loertscher passed away; after struggling since childhood with complex nerurological and mental health issues.) It was particularly hard to see Elder Indriamiarina and Elder Vahai go home, knowing our paths may never connect again with their distant homes. Yet again, letters arrived recently at the mission office from Sister Bulouniwasa in Fiji. Perhaps we <i>will</i> connect again. We do expect to see a great deal of Elder Tarver. He is moving to Utah to attend sound engineering school and may live with us for a while. He bore a long testimony in Spanish at the last Zone meetings. With his distinctive personality, there were chuckles and obviously what he said was more than pure testimony. But there was also love and joy in change and accomplishment. We have a new Assistant to join Elder McGary. Elder Vandertoolen will replace Elder Blake Miller. We've grown close to Elder Miller, and he will be returning home to Sandy in October. He's now hard at work in a zone leader role for his last six weeks and has several baptisms lined up. We are very grateful to have been witnesses to the growth of these modern day warriors. <br />
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This post has gone on too long, so I'll just summarize other events of the past weeks so they are not forgotten.<br />
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<li>Tisha Walker was baptized and confirmed two weeks ago along with Chineesa Harris.With a husband and young children being taught in the Walker home, there may be additional baptisms. It began when Tisha's friend, Sister Cannon, invited her to meet with missionaries.</li>
<li>The Lilburn Stake is involved in some great public awareness activities. It was the Lilburn Ward Conference this past Sunday, and the speakers were wonderful. There was a great emphasis on member missionary work. Many wards already have two sets of missionaries and could potentially gain a third. That means the ward members have lots of "finding" to do. Members find; missionaries teach. </li>
<li>President Frost has set things in motion to cut down the band of trees that hide the church's parking lots and bowery from Cole Drive. "We want the world to see that we are here, often, and that we have a sense of energy in our church." </li>
<li>Our missionaries have been involved in passing out flyers to other local church leaders about the Gwinnett Emergency Preparedness Summit. It is an interfaith, community event coordinated through the Red Cross and several non-profits. This is the first year that the event (training for 300+ pastors and congregational leaders on how to care for their congregations in the event of emergency) has been held at an LDS building. We expect additional service opportunities for our missionaries related to parking and other services during the Summit. Right now there is a training and challenge push in the mission to do more "building" tours where missionaries teach the gospel while touring a meetinghouse. </li>
<li>We took in one last opportunity to experience Atlanta culture last Saturday by attending a Braves game with Elder and Sister Atkin. We also drove through downtown Atlanta (they had not been there) and found ourselves in the congestion of the Dragoncon (super hero convention), an Alabama - Virginia Tech football game at the Georgia Dome, and other festivities bringing throngs into the city for Labor Day weekend. Congested, but enjoyable. Atlanta has a healthy community feel and pulse. </li>
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<li>Last night we enjoyed a final Empty Nester Family Home Evening at the Kotters. We'll miss these dear people. We've had much in common with this group of peers, and much to learn from one another.</li>
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<li>In early August we also took a Saturday afternoon to drive to Ellijay to attend a baptism. It was another meeting to enjoy in another corner of the mission. We had meet the Chesters (ward mission leader) when we helped deliver mattresses to the new apartment in Jasper, and it was nice to see them again. The branch is large, but they have a lovely building in Ellijay. Dad and daughter, Sean and Shyanna Holcomb were baptized, and Mom sang a lovely solo. Brother Michael was baptized two weeks later. It was a great opportunity for new elders, Elder Higginbotham (Canada) and Elder Flake (Ely, NV). Their trainer, Elder Bushaw, has been instrumental in many baptisms for the branch since assigned there several months ago. Sister Baylee Smith and Sister Megan Mitton also serve in Ellijay and were in attendance. It was a beautiful drive home after a very warm and happy occasion. Our last visit to the northwest corner of the Georgia Atlanta North Mission.</li>
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<li>And we are still working hard to get ready to leave our jobs in order and train our replacements. There are meals with friends, cookies to bake, people to visit, an apartment to deep clean, missionaries to say goodbye to, and photos to take before we depart. </li>
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All this activity can be draining, but we press forward with desire and joy because our hearts are full. This is our today home, and we care deeply about it.Linda and Ray Connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05947160669466637187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374646775736897445.post-39971331819929774342013-08-30T19:47:00.000-07:002015-01-23T17:44:12.416-08:00Sweet ConnectionsLast Sunday we attended Church in the small branch building in Madison, GA, the small tourist town just off I-20 about an hour east of Atlanta. Its streets are lined with stately pre-civil war homes. The branch meets in a remodeled old painted brick house adjacent to a trucking warehouse. When we visited with President Wolfert prior to entering the MTC, we thought we might be headed to Madison to replace the Robinsons who were soon to be released. A mid-MTC phone call from the mission department changed that destination to our mission office assignment. We felt we should connect back to Madison again (it was one of our first drives when we arrived 17 months ago) and attend a meeting block before we head home. Today was the perfect day. We met Sisters Gibb, Grimnes, Mellott, and Pabst, the sisters who serve in Madison and in Greensboro which is about 15 miles to the east. Both companionships had a baptism yesterday (Brother Allen, a grandfather with a limp and arm prosthesis, and a young mother, Katie Guyton). They are two of the few baptisms that have occurred in the branch while we've been here in Georgia. President Dale Monson (formerly of the mission presidency) is the Branch president, and the branch attendance is growing. Unfortunately, only five brethren attended the combined High Priest and Elders Quorum meeting during our visit; it will take more than the 80+ in priesthood attendance to move the unit to ward status. But the members seem dedicated and competent and faithful that it will happen. Madison is centered in agricultural countryside, old Georgia in the purest sense we have seen. There were many new converts, families with three generations of members in attendance, and a few young couples with children. We encountered happy, homespun, noisy greetings as we gathered for Sacrament meeting, and a feeling of genuine love and warmth.<br />
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Our past two Saturdays were highlighted with beautiful temple experiences with the Howard family. But before recording those events and impressions, we'll summarize Zone Conferences held this past week - our last Zone Conferences. Tuesday the meetings were held in Athens for the Athens and new Cornelia zones. Wednesday, Sugar Hill and Lilburn zones met at the Lilburn building. Thursdays took Roswell and Marietta zones to the Marietta stake center. Elder Connors, the Atkins, and Halls attended all of the meetings, inspecting cars and making short presentations. Sister Connors stayed at the mission office, putting together desk manuals and the 33 binders for the missionaries arriving in 10 days. Our office internet was knocked out for two days by a two-hour lightning storm that rumbled during the Lilburn meetings. It was nice to spend most of our time sitting in quiet safety that day and bear testimony and feelings of love for the missionaries there. Elder Connors got pretty emotional as he spoke at each meeting. We love group meetings with the missionaries, but this time it made us a bit sad, too. We're sure going to miss these wonderful young saints!<br />
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We enjoyed making a nice connection as we sat at the lunch table with Sisters Alvey, George, Carrigan, and Macedone on Wednesday. Sister Alvey led music at the meeting; Sisters George and Macedone sang "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" beautifully, and Sister Carrigan accompanied them. (BTW, Mom Macedone, here's a shout-out from your lovely daughter!) I knew I had a connection with Sister Alvey before she arrived. I worked with her dad, Jim, for many years and watched as he and her mom courted at Beneficial Life. As we conversed, I learned that Sister Carrigan is the granddaughter of other Beneficial associates - Duane and Aleen Gardner. These young sisters are beautiful inside and out, and we are blessed as these dozens of wholesome sisters with strong testimonies strengthen our mission. And their musical talents are a great addition as they perform in small groups and bolster the congregational singing! We have another 20 sisters arriving on September 2nd. <br />
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During the Zone Conferences we enjoyed presentations about the Abrahamic Covenant and learned how we are personally tied to Abraham and how our missionary work helps to close those connections for others, too. The missionary testimonies are always a highlight. At the Lilburn meeting we were particularly touched by Elder Hamer's testimony in which he acknowledged that he arrived in the mission thinking he could and would do it all. But he has learned humility through trial and has made the connection between humility and spiritual power. He expressed his gratitude for learning to lean on the Lord and be His instrument. Elder Tarver had us in tears as he shared his love for us, for President Wolfert, and for the Gospel. The stories are too long to record, but Elder Tarver truly is living reality of the cliche "the hardest and best two years of my life." From inner city life to semi-pro basketball, to 6' 8'' new convert, this capable young man had an amazing bishop who encouraged him to go on a mission. Beginning with his time in the MTC, he wanted out many times and openly vocalized his feelings. He was older and definitely more world-experienced that his peer missionaries. As Elder Tarver recounted, when he would complain or push the boundaries, President Wolfert would just smile at him. "I could never get him to contend back against me; I love that man." Both we and the President were determined to help him finish his mission. And he did it! And he says the last year of his mission was the best year of his life, and his testimony is now sure! He knows the connections! Elder Tarver hopes to move to Utah soon. His estranged father recently died, he's returning to his bishop, not his family; his mom's situation would put him back in the city and environment that he knows could be regressive. He plans to do his father's temple work in a year. He asked Elder Connors and President Wolfert to give him a blessing for his future after the conference. Father figures he never had have changed his life. We plan to continue loving and helping him become the man and priesthood holder he can be. He has so much potential. We had other missionaries express their love and appreciation to us; they know we'll be leaving soon. It was both humbling (we simply loved them) and gratifying that we were the Lord's instruments in influencing these young people. Elder Hokafonu acknowledged in his testimony that he had taken the Book of Mormon for granted until Sister Connors counseled him and Elder Tarver to exercise the Moroni 10:4 invitation personally (and periodically throughout life). The Holy Ghost teaches when we follow his promptings. So grateful!<br />
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Two Saturdays ago we enjoyed a rainy wedding celebration for Alex Ober and Matt Price, another couple who connected at BYU. Don and Zaza (grandpa and grandma) traveled to Salt Lake for the wedding celebration. Grandpa Don performed the marriage and sealing on Thursday. The family headed back to Georgia on Friday. Ward members (Kim Gibb) prepared a beautiful cupcake cake and homespun outdoor Georgia reception at a house on Lilburn's tiny historic Main Street. Unfortunately our record-breaking summer rain was not yet over, and it sprinkled or outright rained most of the candlelit evening. We huddled under the tent and had a wonderful time despite the showers and mud. Another special blessing connected with the wedding was that the occasion helped Blaine Ober to finally break his tie to Dubai employment and return permanently to his family in Georgia. Not sure why we didn't take photos of the happy day and beautiful decorations. We're disappointed we don't have any - probably because of the rain.<br />
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That same Saturday began as we accompanied a dozen plus Lilburn Ward members to join Jerry and Marcy Howard as they received endowments at the Atlanta Temple. The quiet, drizzly morning added to the sense of joyous peace we felt as we left the temple. We love the Howards and were so happy for them. A week later found over 35 ward members and missionaries (Sister Wolfert, us, and returned from Idaho, the baptizing missionaries, Elder Hanny and Elder Astel) at the temple to support the family as they were sealed for time and all eternity. The officiator, Brother Sharp, did an amazing job. His demeanor and words were riveting and exactly perfect for the Howards. Those of us who witnessed had more tears in our eyes than the couple; likely because we understand even more deeply the sacred joy of the occasion. Of course, the tears increased as Dale (14), Miriam (13), Nick (11), and Autumn (10) entered the room. What a highlight for us to observe this supreme connecting of a family we deeply love. That afternoon, friends from the ward gathered at the bowery for a cookout to celebrate the occasion. The connection of fellowship and ward kinship warms our hearts. This family we love has flourished and will continue to do so. <br />
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The wonderful connections of the past weeks are heartening, but also make us feel a bit sad that other connections have not been as successful. We have much to do to prepare to depart, but also much we want to do to encourage others to learn and grow in the gospel. On Wednesday we took the Strickland family on a picnic. It was good to get to know Sister Strickland and her three children (Rowan, Caleb, and Autumn) better. She was baptized several months ago. I remember my first time picking Heather up and driving her to join in a teaching session with Elders Edmunds, Miller, and Chugg. She was <u>so</u> nervous and anxious. Despite continued unemployment challenges, she now has an amazing sense of calm and confidence. The real Heather is emerging. And husband, Josh, who suspiciously cracked the door about 4 inches during our first conversation, now opens the door wide to missionaries! He's gradually expressing interest. Unfortunately he wasn't able to join us for the picnic (job hunting), but we hope that that the music CD we gave them will continue to increase the spirit in their home.<br />
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We enjoyed a Senior Missionary Couples' Family Home Evening on Monday, the last for the Lees (Broomfield, New Mexico), the Connors, and the Barksdales (Orem). We joined in bearing such sweet testimonies!<br />
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Yes, it's been a few busy weeks. We're tired, and our heads are swimming with thoughts and checklist of things to do. Next week is Transfer week. We'll connect briefly with another group of new missionaries. The fellowship and binding that comes through the Gospel of Jesus Christ means more than ever to us as we have witnessed its influence on lives. Yes, we marvel, and "sweet is the peace the gospel brings."Linda and Ray Connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05947160669466637187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374646775736897445.post-49301857961354262652013-08-11T18:51:00.001-07:002015-01-22T11:02:16.051-08:00A Change of Season ApproachesThe countdown is now official - we have a release date, of sorts. The past week or two found us in preparation for that event, a change of season in our lives that will coincide with the calendar seasons. And just like those seasons, we are yearning for time to slow down a bit. We just pray the slowdown will not feel like winter (figuratively and literally). We have loved our experiences here in Georgia and the mission field and will leave dear friends and relationships behind. Other changes loom on the horizon for the mission as well; another office couple, the Halls leave for home the first week of November. Elder and Sister Lee, the couple assigned to the Elberton Branch, also leave in early September, and the Barksdales in the Cornelia Ward leave in October. A new couple, the Robert and Vicki Henderson from Cedar Hills, UT, arrived three weeks ago and are sharing their service with both the Peachtree Ward and the Johns Creek Ward. We took the time to make the short drive north and took them to dinner after they arrived. While at the restaurant, we overheard the people at the booth behind speaking in LDS-speak. We introduced ourselves and discovered it was the Stake President of the Roswell Stake and his family. Always a small world in the Church.<br />
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It's going to be a busy and emotion-filled seven weeks before we depart. We expect our replacement couple, the Residoris from North Ogden, Utah, to arrive sometime the week of September 16-20. We plan to spend time training them before we leave and have set our release date as September 27. Stay tuned to learn when we'll actually begin the drive home. We're looking at the activities and places we want to pursue in the weeks ahead as well as thinking a bit about cleaning and packing. It feels strange to grocery shop cautiously. It's also easy to tell we have moved infrequently in our lives as we have to think through the process. But there isn't really a lot to do; we've tried to minimize our nesting and shopping while in Georgia.<br />
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We celebrated the 24th of July with another Transfer Day. We had to do some serious logistical planning to efficiently man the two Church 12-passenger vans, a mini-van and a rented van, a pickup and two trailers for luggage during the airport pickup and shuttle run to and from the Mission Home/Office. To that we added shuttles to and from the 16 rooms we rented at the nearby Holiday Inn Express on July 23. This transfer meant single seniors in the vans and lots of missionaries! Since the Atlanta Temple was closed for cleaning, the departing missionaries substituted service at the Tucker Bishops Storehouse (one of the largest in the U.S.) in lieu of the normal temple outing.<br />
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Things ran well; it was a good trial run for a repeat in September and October. Our November numbers are still unknown. There could be no MARTA run for these large groups. The president needs every minute he can get to do his arrival interviews and make final companion assignments. It was the last airport run for Sister Connors. The Halls will begin driving in September and October along with the Atkins. Bicycles have become a huge job. When we arrived in 2012, only English speaking elders were required to bring/buy and use a bike. Now the pickup of purchased bikes at our recommended bike shop in Duluth, storage, and then bringing them out of storage and having the bikes and helmets ready, along with bike racks forall trainer cars has become a big job for Elder Atkins.<br />
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He is training to back up Elder Connors' vehicle job and may have to let go of his other materials and library jobs to take it on. Our vehicle numbers have increased 40%, just like our missionaries. If and when the incoming numbers of arriving missionaries go back to the dozen + rather than three dozen, duties related to bicycles, airport runs and the like will return to a two vehicle task rather than a fleet-feel event.<br />
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With the pending changes in office couples, we've been working in the office to look at future responsibilities and workflow. Sometimes we wish we had a crystal ball to see how things will look in 5-6 months. But we felt the same when the announcement came out about the age change and predictions of increased numbers. We've adapted and succeeded. Yes, we may have spent more hours, but the rewards have been well worth it. Elder Stanley G. Ellis encouraged the Assistants to the President to be the examples of hard working missionaries and to get out of the office and away from administrative work. Somehow we graying seniors have picked up the slack. The Lord is helping us succeed beyond our expectations. We pick up and deliver mattresses and shuttle cars throughout the mission. Sister Connors took over all of the spreadsheet reporting of numbers to the mission and stake presidencies nearly a year ago. (When we arrived the assistants would be in the mission office until 11-12 p.m. on Sunday nights to gather the numbers and prepare the reports). We hold a Training Followup Meeting with the new missionaries and their trainers about a month after they arrive. Sister Wolfert used the lunchtime as a formal etiquette teaching opportunity. When she first started, she purchased the food and Sister Weiler (the stake president's wife) helped to cook. We stepped in for a few minutes to help wait tables with food service for about 25 people. We'll have that event again this week, but we'll be serving 60 missionaries and trainers. Seniors are now buying and cooking all of the food, along with Sister Weiler and our new stake president's wife, Sister Frost. See several trends here? We're hoping we can train the Residoris in one week when we now do double what we were assigned when we first arrived. Thank heavens I had lots of practice at Beneficial Life in documenting how-to guides. We're starting on the Vehicle Coordinator's desk manual already.<br />
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With all of the labors that now bless us, we have fewer opportunities to teach, but we try to stay involved. The Lilburn Stake goals this year are for members to complete study of the Preach My Gospel, spend more time with the full-time missionaries, and get involved in temple work. The Lilburn Ward, where we reside, is really focusing on member involvement with missionaries by sponsoring splits with the young sisters and elders. Occasionally we are included, but we've come to see the wisdom. These members and ward missionaries are the long-term fellowshippers of these investigators and converts. And in looking back, those baptized here are still attending (except those who have moved). Bishop Baron is inspired, indeed. We've enjoyed working with Brother Sanders; the former Ward Mission Leader and a great instructor of the Gospel Principles class. He was recently released. Brother Boyd is the new Ward mission leader, and we look forward to getting better acquainted with him and his family. They have six children, and have lived in the ward less than a year; his wife is in the RS Presidency. They are great examples to everyone of Christ-like action and dedication. </div>
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Okay, I'm rambling. It must be triggered by the long list on our minds of things we need and want to do. The daily rain finally came to a stop in late July, but this may have been the wettest July in a long time. We heard flood warnings nearly every day. Now it rains only 3-4 times a week. Between showers we've been able to mow lawns and help the Clark lay additional pavers and finish up a few other yard changes that came after they had a new partial driveway poured and their house trim painted. We just put our patio back together last weekend after two months of projects. It's nice to finally be able to sweep it and keep it dry and clean for at least a day or two.<br />
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A North America Southeast Young Single Adult Conference was held at the Lilburn Stake buildings this weekend. There were over 900 attendees. Our dear senior friends, Doyle and Eulalia Kotter, were heavily involved in the planning and arrangements. The Conference meant the Lilburn Ward would have only a late afternoon Sacrament Meeting today. We used the opportunity to drive up to the Peachtree Corners Ward for Church. We have been promising Todd and Heather Benson that we would attend Church there for many months. We've seen them a time or two at departing missionary firesides (Todd was a former Ward Mission Leader). Their son spoke in Sacrament Meeting today; it was good to see them and learn they became grandparents two months ago! How does that former Cub Scout of Sister Connors' become a grandfather? It seems that relative time and age gaps compress in our youth and expand with aging. Most curious! And the Hendersons attended the Peachtree Ward today, so it was fun to continue to build on the dinner date we had with them a few weeks ago. </div>
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We'll end this entry with the beginning of a future entry. Our dear friends, Jerry and Marcy Howard and their children, will soon launch a blessed season of their lives. The parents will receive their endowments on August 17, and the family will be sealed on August 24. We are so grateful for their example and love. I can still remember sitting next to Marcy on the first day she attended Relief Society as an investigator last spring. We have picnicked with them, gone apple picking in the Appalachian foothills, and shared testimonies in their living room as Elder Astel and Elder Hanny taught them. Yesterday we took Jerry and Marcy to the Distribution Center on the Atlanta Temple grounds to purchase temple clothing. As Marcy stated, it feels like waiting for Christmas! She's been looking for work for nearly a year and has found a substitute school janitor job that is a perfect fit and will help them financially. Her goal is to back to school and obtain a degree. She loves photography and wants to study that. Both Marcy and Jerry have Church callings. They are eternal friends and testaments to us of the blessings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. A thought just occurred to me. Marcy's name is really Marcelia. We shouldn't forget to mention that Ray's Aunt Marcella celebrated her 101st birthday on July 22. What blessings!<br />
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All of the sister missionaries serving the Lilburn Ward were asked to share a few minutes in Relief Society two weeks ago and explain how to prepare for a mission. My suggestions were simple: Just do it! Commit; be flexible (your call and experiences may not be what you expect); and exercise faith. The Lord is in charge and will help you succeed in the ways He needs. We are so grateful that we had the opportunities to spend time inviting others to come unto Christ early in our mission and that we can now devote the necessary time and our talents to help support the swell of work associated with a swell of arriving missionaries. We look forward to temple experiences with the Howards over the next two Saturdays. We gratefully acknowledge the Lord's hand in their lives and in our lives and service! </div>
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Linda and Ray Connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05947160669466637187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374646775736897445.post-61204889730889852042013-07-14T18:02:00.002-07:002015-01-22T10:39:40.803-08:00MemoriesWith a post title like "Memories," one might think our mission has come to a close. That will be an unfortunate fact in just two months or so. For now, however, "Memories" fits the odds and ends that we want to record today. We don't want to let these current-moment memories fade into the forgotten.<br />
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We just returned from making a Sunday afternoon visit to the Howard family. Marcy and Jerry will receive their endowments on August 17, and they will be sealed with Dale, Miriam, Nick, and Autumn on August 24. We are so excited and happy for them! It's been a challenge and goal they accepted early in their conversion process. Once they first experienced baptisms for the dead they became more motivated, and it's clear they are approaching the upcoming events with faith and obedience. We are grateful for their invitation to be there with them on both Saturdays. We're also happy that Elder Hanny and Elder Astel will return from Idaho to be there with them also. What fine young men and close friends they are. They were great assistants to the president.<br />
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Elder Hanny extended one month to spend time in several zones completing one-week assignments to mentor other missionaries in proselyting skills. He returned home on July 2 and is now in Idaho rising at 5 a.m. to help his father on the potato farms. He and several other of our missionaries will attend Utah State this fall. We plan to stay in touch.<br />
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Several other memories stick out from the past week. We take photos of each arriving missionary, and it is posted on a large magnetic board across from Sister Connors desk in the mission office. What a treat to look at the faces of these wonderful young people (and couples) every day! It's a favorite pastime of missionaries who visit the office as well. We give the missionaries their photo when they go home. We've had four missionaries here since last transfer who been waiting for their travel visa so they can fly off to the Australia Brisbane Mission. President Wolfert doesn't spend a lot of time in the mission office, working mostly from his home office and car. However, Friday afternoon he was there as we waited out yet another cloudburst so Elder Connors and I could give him a ride to pick up his car at the detail shop. Because he was taking the Australia-bound missionaries to the airport on Sunday, I took down their photos and gave them to him. While the rain poured, President Wolfert began looking at the photos as we exchanged casual conversation about the personalities of the various missionaries. Then in what to me was a very tender moment, he quietly re-positioned the photos of the ten missionaries who are going home on July 25 to a tidy little row at the bottom of the board. "What a great group of missionaries; we're really going to miss them," he said. While to him it was a simple conversation as he was passing time, I could feel the tender love and respect he has for our missionaries - the deep love of a mission president. I don't think either the President or Elder Connors noticed what I noticed, but it was a very sweet and telling moment for me.<br />
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President Wolfert has begun sharing portions of the weekly missionary letters with us in our Monday morning staff meetings. We often cry together over the tender mercies, faith, and testimony that evidence the Lord's hand and love for these young missionaries and those they meet and teach.<br />
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Speaking of rain - it started on July 1st and is still going on July 14. Many mornings we have fog. It rains every afternoon and evening. Last year we experienced record heat; this year it's record rain. On Wednesday, we attended the Lilburn Ward mingle at the stake bowery. It's a weekly event in the summer months. The ward provides the hot dogs; members bring pot luck for the rest. Fortunately, the bowery is large and secure so we could enjoy our conversation (what little we could hear of it) in a 40-minute thunderstorm. Children were out running and splashing in muddy puddles (despite the active lightning); nothing like warm rain to entice play. Yesterday we mowed a very long and wet lawn, laid out some of the pavers we picked up several weeks ago, and helped Don trim apple tree branches. It was a good four hours of hard work; it felt great! <br />
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Last Saturday we drove to Hartwell, GA (on the South Carolina border) to spend the afternoon with Elder (Larry) and Sister (Annette) Lee. They will be released on September 10 after two years serving in the Elberton Branch. Bloomfield (near Farmington), N.M. is their home; Elder Lee had been a bishop for just over a year when his Stake President called him in and told him he felt strongly impressed to release him and invite them to go on a mission. Now Elder Lee is in the Branch Presidency and Sister Lee is holding down the YW program for three young women. They are down to earth and delightful. We visited,<span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 11pt;">, checked out a potential new apartment for sister
missionaries in Hartwell, </span>took a short ride to view a few area highlights like the Georgia Guidestones (a monument to conservation with inscriptions in eight languages) and Lake Hartwell (a Savannah River reservoir) and enjoyed dinner on Saturday afternoon.<br />
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On Sunday we drove to Elberton, the granite (monument) capitol of the world and attended Church in the small branch (again, we were there last June) with the 60 or so attendees. There are challenges and amazing dedication in branches within its 2600 square mile boundary, and the congregation is made up largely of retired people. We really enjoy seeing how faith and testimony work in the lives of people from varied backgrounds. It was really sweet to visit one-on-one with Katina, a young mother of three. She sat in her wheelchair, with IV and other support tools attached. She just moved closer to family after release from Shepherd, Atlanta's premiere spinal injury rehabilitation center. She was in a rollover accident in February and in a coma for weeks. She was taught and baptized during her recovery. A beautiful young woman both physically and spiritually, her emotions are very tender. The Gospel is very new to her, and she has many questions. The sisters in the branch are very sweet with her, and I received a call this past week the President Rowndy wanting to be sure her records are transferred to the Elberton Branch. I had to refer him to the Atlanta mission since she was baptized by elders there. She'll be in our prayers and thoughts as with so many others we have encountered while on our mission.<br />
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Thirty-three missionaries are arriving in July; 33 by September; 31 and counting in October. About 30 missionaries will go home in those three transfers. Our December 2012 total count of 155 missionaries with only 14 sisters will be 223 by October (despite losing 31 missionaries in the mission boundary change). By end of year we expect our sister count to be 90+. It's made us ponder about what needs (both now and in the future) the Lord is filling with this revitalized invitation to preach the gospel. The list of possibilities in our minds is growing:<br />
<ul>
<li>Of course, increase the number of invitations to come unto Christ and prepare for His second coming</li>
<li>Prepare future generations by strengthening the future fathers and mothers of those generations</li>
<li>Bring more citizens to Christ to refocus the course of America and other nations back to traditional values so that promised-land blessings may be preserved</li>
<li>Strengthen sisters and families to enable the work of priesthood leaders and power around the world.</li>
</ul>
In the future, we'll be able to look back and see some of the answers. For now, we love these missionaries. And we testify, with no hesitation, the Lord is directing His work! What a wonderful, historic time!Linda and Ray Connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05947160669466637187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374646775736897445.post-32554869640173002302013-06-30T14:20:00.000-07:002015-01-19T16:49:04.399-08:00Change and TestimonyTomorrow will be July 1st, and Independence Day celebrations are scheduled on July 4. Happy Birthday, America! July 1st also marks the transfer of 31 of our young elders and sisters from the Georgia Atlanta North Mission to the Georgia Atlanta Mission. That transfer has kept us busy the past two weeks preparing for a farewell zone meeting, prepping database and paper files for transfer to the Atlanta Mission, and trying to spend a bit of quality time with these departing missionaries while we're able. <br />
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Last Saturday we drove to
Jonesboro to take five elders to lunch. (Elders Sarniguet, Popp, Gunnerson,
Beus,and Wadsworth). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Yesterday, we drove back there again to take our boxed-up files to the Atlanta Mission Office staff. On Thursday, a meeting was held at the Conyers Stake Center for the transferring missionaries. We even closed the mission office for the afternoon (we've never closed it before for more than an hour). The meeting included short messages from President and Sister Wolfert, testimonies from the missionaries, and a great lunch. There was a sense of reverence we've never seen at a group meeting as these marvelous young people contemplated their role, responsibilities, and opportunities in historic changes in mission work. Sister Connors felt impressed to share her testimony (along with the love all the office staff have for these young people). Some of the missionaries were anxious about the change. We reminded them that the Lord will bless them with the capacities and strength they need. The testimonies were sweet and strong, as was the spirit of love and commitment to serve where the Lord calls. The luncheon was happy and included lots of hugs and photographs with the seniors.<br />
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The Conyers Stake has been the anchor of our baptisms recently, so we will miss these missionaries, but we know they will bless their new complement of missionaries and investigators in the Atlanta Mission. The Atlanta Mission is the host mission for the new Macon mission, so the staff's tasks have included training the new office staff in Macon, letting go of two Stakes, and assuming one. We've been busy with just one stake and its missionaries leaving. We can only imagine how hard it's been for the Atlanta Mission staff. They've had to make use of young elders in the office on a regular basis. It's been a blessing for us to have enough senior power to keep our proselyting young missionaries doing that preaching work. Our housing couples, in particular, are challenged with opening seven apartments for the last new group and 14 for the upcoming July group. All in all, the increased numbers are increasing everyone's work. Most office days now end at 7 p.m. We lost 31 missionaries in the Zone transfer and another three who had medical releases. Down goes our 200 missionary count, but it will zoom again to nearly 215 net missionaries by October. Truly we are seeing miracles.<br />
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Last Sunday night we enjoyed a world-wide broadcast for ward councils, missionaries, and members about missionary work. More changes are in the works as missionaries will soon spend part of their day/week using internet social tools to proselyte and fellowship. They will also give facility tours. We don't know all of the details yet, but hope we'll be able to learn and help implement this change before our September release date. An increased need for member assistance in missionary work was also emphasized by our leaders. We already see actions taken in the Lilburn Stake to increase member involvement. We had a baptism today for Chinesa (Sunshine) Mason. She's reactivated her less active mom. Her ultra soft, delicate voice befits her sweet spirit. Ward members gave the talks and performed the baptism. Exactly what we need! These new converts desperately need immediate ward friends and not just missionary friends who will be gone as is the nature of their call. This ward member willingness has probably already been there; it just took counsel from local and Church-wide leaders to help them step up to this critical challenge. With more involvement at the ward level and more missionaries serving in each ward and branch, amazing things are going to happen. We feel joy and humility as we find ourselves living and laboring in the fulfillment of prophetic promises about the Gospel spreading to all the world.<br />
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We've had some missionaries protected from harm in some serious car accidents the past week; others had to return home for medical care. We found ourselves back in Jonesboro again to get a damaged car out of compound for repair. On that P-day trip, we stopped by a small Confederate cemetery where we read the headstones reverently and admired the enormous magnolia tree that shaded the grounds.<br />
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Our son, David, surprised us with a text announcing a broken arm. His Facebook post of a lovely motorcycle ride with friend above our home in Bountiful was followed by our mutual gratitude that he was not hurt more seriously several minutes later. It sounds like the healing has not been fun for him, however.<br />
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Weather patterns this summer have brought rain nearly every day. Some days it's a few sprinkled raindrops; other days bring thunder, lightning, wind, and fury; all of it happening in a flash with sun re-appearing and then disappearing again. There are no extreme high temperatures yet, so life is bearable. On Friday evening, June 21, we enjoyed dinner with Elder and Sister Atkins and hiked part-way up Stone Mountain. However, our late getaway from the office and evening clouds hid most of our planned longest-day-of-the-year sunset. We gave our son, Michael, a call for his birthday from the mountain and crept down by moonlight. Ray found the footing difficult (signs of a diagnosis to follow when we returned home.) Granddaughter Faith's birthday falls on July 2. We'll see what we can do to give her a novel birthday call as well. Linda and Ray Connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05947160669466637187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374646775736897445.post-63848289715710627952013-06-16T17:24:00.002-07:002015-01-19T16:21:05.497-08:00The Lord is Hastening His WorkIt's Father's Day. We're back in our apartment, resting after a long and busy week and hoping to hear soon from Mike and Wendy. We enjoyed a nice phone visit with Dave a few hours ago. We also have a call in to Elder Tarver. His father was found dead on the couch this morning. Elder Tarver has not been close to his father, but despite his assurances to President Wolfert that he will move on without interruption because of the news, our hearts go out to him. He had to grow up so early, leaving home as a teenager. He calls us at least once a week to check on our health and well-being. We just love Elder Tarver and are happy to hear he is putting plans together to attend school in Utah and "date" a sister he met when they were both in the MTC. The Gospel can change lives and families and future generations! <br />
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We can't believe it's been a month since we made an entry. Where has the time gone? It's been hastened as the Lord has hastened His work with the surge of missionaries that are flooding the world. We've just ended another transfer week, highlighted with the arrival of 24 missionaries that include Elder Poole returning from surgery, four short-notice Australia-visa waiters, 12 sisters and 8 elders. Our missionary count hit 200 for the first time! It was a dry run for the 30+ who will arrive on July 23 and again on September 3.<br />
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Each group of missionaries that arrives amazes us with their resolve and competence. And somehow, all of the logistics work for the many of us teaming together to welcome them:<br />
<ul>
<li>Arranging extra vans and drivers for the airport run</li>
<li>Having a stranger (a young woman chauffeur for the Walking Dead production team) with the right skills in the cell phone lot at the airport unlock one of the vans when poor Elder Tewalt closed the door unintentionally by taking off a car antenna and inserting it into the door lock; that meant we didn't have to leave new missionaries stranded at the airport waiting for transport</li>
<li>Finding a great price at a convenience Holiday Inn Express to lodge the new missionaries since we've over-run the capacity for sleeping in the Mission Home</li>
<li>Opening seven new apartments on short notice (they are hard to find and negotiate in short time periods)</li>
<li>Having wards and stakes happily help find and furnish the apartments</li>
<li>Feeling more confident that we can open and furnish fourteen new apartments for July and again in September</li>
<li>Coordinating the pickup, delivery and distribution of bicycles</li>
<li>Adding 14 new vehicles, hitches, and Tiwis to the mission fleet</li>
<li>Dealing with several "fender-bender" reports and repairs each week</li>
<li>Preparing letters and 100-page mission binders and the luncheons for the missionaries coming in and the eleven missionaries who returned home this week</li>
<li>Saying good-nights with love to our co-office couples when duties keep us in the office until summer twilight.</li>
</ul>
We see the Lord's hand in all that is happening. He is directing the efforts and the resources. Our capacities are stretched, yet it all comes together.<br />
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And, we also add "change" to the surge. On July 1st, the Macon Mission will re-open as one of the 58 new missions opening world-round. The Conyers Stake will move under the Georgia Atlanta Mission, and that mission will turn over two stakes to the Macon Mission. So we have a project with a June 30 deadline to complete and transfer database, paper records, and business requirements for the missionaries assigned to the Conyers Stake who will transfer in that change. Linda's become the project manager (recognizing more and more each day how the Lord blessed her with professional experience we need to fill in the technical gaps with our senior-only office team). We also have a luncheon to organize, a binder of memories to prepare, and other items for these 30+ transitioning missionaries that we need to squeeze into a very busy last two weeks of June. So we will have long days in the weeks ahead, but our collective energies will be motivated by love for these wonderful young missionaries who will leave our ranks a bit sooner than planned. We can feel the sense of urgency and are so grateful to be part of the team responding. <br />
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While there has been lots of joyful work, there have also been spiritual moments and fun times, too. Heather Strickland was baptized two weeks ago. Sister Connors was able to help the elders with some teaching sessions. In our first meeting with Heather, her acknowledged anxiety about life and coping was very evident. After her confirmation, she bore sure testimony of her trust in the Lord and the rightness of her decision. She does have a new sense of calm; her husband has been open to our short interactions and is letting the children attend church with her. When investigators receive witness from the Spirit and act upon it, many tender mercies happen. The challenge now is to help them fully "convert" which is to change the lives to new patterns as they continue to grow in knowledge and faith. This is evidenced as new members no longer solely rely on "missionaries" but on their own testimony. Linda visit teaches a sister who continues to have problem after problem. A recent widow and former foster parent, she recently fell and has not been able to work. She has only the resources to rent a "room" in a widow's home. It's not an ideal situation, but they make it work. However, the sister says she has difficulty trusting anyone except "missionaries." Prayers are that she can feel the trust she needs to lean on ward members, too. Today we had no new converts or investigators in our Gospel Principles class. It was because of Father's Day, we suppose. Many of them come from non-supportive relationships; many work multiple jobs. However, some were at the Bishop's office door today, needing help from him. <br />
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Several investigators we've worked with were at the fireside for the departing missionaries on Wednesday. It's a sweet one-hour meeting where the departing missionaries bear a final testimony, followed by refreshments. The guest missionaries invite investigators and recent converts; other missionaries are not allowed. The room was as crowded as a Sacrament meeting. The testimonies at this week's fireside were particularly insightful, mature, and poignant. Three of the twelve, Elder Hanny, Elder Edmunds, and Elder Chugg, have been assistants to the president and we have worked closely with them. All twelve of the departees (also including Elders Cole, Owens, Phillips, Thompson, Rogers, Clark, Ball, Spear, and Sister Waterworth) are wonderful, and we are so grateful for our association as we humbly learned from them and served with them.<br />
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Now we need to do our part to insure those they taught become fully engaged in activity. Our goal as we wind up these next few months is to spend family home evenings and other opportunities with the converts in the Lilburn Ward to bear testimony and to encourage them to take another leap of faith and fully engage themselves in activity. Today started off on a spiritual note as we enjoyed some of the best talks we've had in Sacrament meeting here. All of the speakers introduced themselves as "poor speakers", but they were living examples of how the spirit fills mouths to teach and lift. They nailed it!<br />
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We've also enjoyed a couple of fun outings in the past month. We worked in the mission office for part of Memorial Day and then all of the office couples drove to Social Circle where we enjoyed dinner at the Blue Willow Inn with Sister Iketau and Sister Markowitz. It was the first trip there for the other seniors. They, too, enjoyed the intimate, historic feel of this small town.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We drove the long way home,
circling south and east to Monticello and Greensboro. We now appreciate the
huge boundaries of the Monroe Ward. We added two sets of missionaries in the area
over the past two transfers.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Two weeks ago we took another long drive after a Saturday of mowing lawns, grocery shopping, and cleaning to see the Etowah Indian Mounds near Cartersville in northwest Georgia. We arrived shortly before closing, but fortunately had enough time to view the displays and learn the story, then walk out and climb to the top of the highest mound (a constructed, earthen flat-topped pyramid) and view the complex defensive trenches. The area conjured images of Book of Mormon stories. Like many sites in the Mississippian plains, a sophisticated culture thrived in the Etowah Valley for centuries before discovery by the Spanish explorers like Cortez in the 1500s that eventually led to disease and decline.<br />
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As we exited the state park, we checked out a lovely golf community and then spotted large cooling towers and smoke stacks a few miles away. We drove to Stilesboro to catch a photo. We checked the spot out online when we arrived home and discovered that it is Plant Bowen, the largest coal powered power plant in North America!<br />
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Last Saturday we loaded up the mission trailer with the Atkins and delivered mattresses to five apartments in a 200-mile loop so new missionaries arriving this week would have beds. Our highlight was lunch from the Subway at the Walmart in Jasper.<br />
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Yesterday? It cooled a bit from very hot, humid temperatures earlier in the week, so after the lawn-mowing we took our the shoes and enjoyed hand-washing the car in our bare feet. The soaking was badly needed and helped both the car and our spirits. It's good to be young-at-heart. Minor errands and house-cleaning wrapped up our preparation day. It was a busy day that fit right in with a busy week and month. And with our release date now on the horizon, we surely need to hasten our efforts. (We can't keep up with downloading, uploading photos from the camera, so someday I'll go back and add some photos to these entries.)Linda and Ray Connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05947160669466637187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374646775736897445.post-11008551301921323362013-05-19T16:25:00.003-07:002015-01-19T14:27:45.847-08:00Daily Footsteps of FaithHere we are in mid-May, realizing that our 18 months is winding down. One summer, only four months remain, and we realize how much we yet want to accomplish. Each day finds us with tired feet yet wishing we had energy to do more. The weather has dried, and we've mowed the lawn a few times. It feels good to get out and work outdoors. Temperatures, however, have been pleasant. Friday we felt the first hint of the sweltering summer days that lie ahead. We feel better acclimated, however. Today is Sunday, and we were wakened at 6 a.m. by thunder and flashing lightning. Heavy rains brought the torrents of rain sheeting across the lawns and overflowing gushes in the flood control ditch outside our bedroom window. It goes from a trickle to a 3-ft. deep and 6-ft. wide gush in about 15 minutes; then back again to a small flow quickly as the rain ends. A spring cold has hit the mission office, and we've passed the runny nose and cough around. Ray's having a hard time kicking the cough; still miserable after three weeks. We've had to slow our footsteps a bit as we try to get the bug out of our systems. However, considering all of the missionaries we interact with, it's surprising we've all stayed as healthy as we have. Last Sunday was Mother's Day. Jackie Ober invited us to brunch after Church with her mom and dad (Zaza and Don). We enjoyed wonderful calls with our family. We are so grateful for the Lord's blessings and care for them as we've been away. Of course, He is the greatest caregiver, and we trust Him in all things. As we learned on Friday of the passing of Sister Monson, we know President Monson is in His care in a most intimate and special way. <br />
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Two weeks ago we handled our largest group ever of arriving missionaries - twenty-two. We have 50-55 more scheduled to arrive by July 23. Subtract only 28 going home by that month, the 70+ will net us nearly 50 additional missionaries! It's wonderful. These missionaries seem so willing, ready, and capable to walk in faith and knock on doors. We read and learn about the many tender mercies and miracles that are helping Church administrators deal with the missionary surge. It's likely we will lose some of our missionaries in July as they realign Georgia to re-open the Macon mission. Even with that change, our numbers will exceed our December levels. Obviously, the transport, paperwork, orientation, departing fireside, and support efforts for the missionaries both coming and going have kept us very busy. We've picked up 25 new cars that we will transition into the fleet.<br />
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Elder Connors and I worked an extra seven hours at the office last Saturday to stay on top of the paperwork. In the evening, we traveled to the Monroe Ward to attend a Ward luau planned and executed by the Loganville, Monroe, and Social Circle missionaries. Sister Iketau (Spanish Fork) and Sister Markowitz (Hawaii) sang and danced and conducted the program that included other island members who also shared their singing and dancing talents. The entire ward family participated (a luxury of a smaller congregation). The food was great. The ward loves their black bishop, islander counselor (who also is a Church FM employee), and tons of kids (something we don't usually see in the wards in Georgia). It was a great evening that ended with a beautiful sunset ride home. <br />
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This week has been highlighted with some soccer thrills and some wonderful meetings of the Saints. Maddie and Izzie Ober play on the Parkview High School soccer team. Tuesday evening we took a few hours to watch them play in the state soccer semi-finals. Since the playoffs began, their team has held 3 opponents to only one goal and won handily. Tuesday's game was defensively tough on both sides, ending with a 2-1 victory for Parkview. The championship game was held last night. We weren't there because we attended the Lilburn Stake Conference evening session. Good news! Parkview won the 1-1 game in penalty kicks after two overtimes. They ended up with a 20-3 season. It's been an exciting soccer year for the Obers and for Grandma and Grandpa Clark.<br />
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We did squeeze in a trip to Gainesville yesterday to take four elders to lunch and deliver a package. It was Elder Tarver's birthday, and we used the occasion as the focal point. Of course, we took the long way home through the back roads of the Georgian hills. We drove through some of the most humble areas we've seen in Georgia. Our GPS had a hard time finding our location, and we got turned around a couple of times with the winding roads. But we no longer worry about getting lost; we feel confident that we'll eventually see a name or road we recognize. Unfortunately with narrow, winding roads, traffic, and light rain, we weren't able to stop or pull over to capture many snapshots. The rural images will have to stay in memory.<br />
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Elder Stanley Ellis of the Seventy was the visiting General Authority for Stake Conference. A new stake president was chosen, President Thomas Frost. President Frost lives in the Lilburn Ward and is a wonderful example of living charity. We worked side by side with him and Sister Frost in cleaning up a tree he felled for a member. We also love and highly respect outgoing President Weiler and his sweet family. Sister Weiler helps us with some of the mission meals. She is spiritual and down to earth and full of humor. President Samuelson, one of the new counselors in the Stake presidency, is a black brother who has been president of one of the two Spanish branches in the stake. Both the Saturday evening and Sunday sessions were filled with strong spirit and inspired instruction. We accepted the assignment of driving the two 12-passenger mission vans as shuttles from the overflow parking at Parkview High School back to the Stake Center Annex for the Sunday general session. Many of the members walked the three blocks, but we helped transport dozens of faithful Lilburn Stake members. With record turnout, it was a fun service to provide; Ray driving one van, Linda the other. <br />
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Elder and Sister Ellis were in Lilburn for more than Stake Conference. We feel like friends with them since they also completed a 4-day Mission Tour this week, and we've spent time with them each day. On Tuesday they spent 3 hours in the Mission Office, visiting with each of us and interviewing the assistants and enjoying lunch with us. Then we had a Marietta/Roswell zone conference Wednesday (Linda stayed in the mission office that day), Athens/Sugar Hill on Thursday (we both attended), and Lilburn/Conyers on Friday. Elder Ellis repeated some of his mission tour themes in the Stake Conference meetings. We will work to internalize and remember much of his counsel. We felt the power of his allusion to the Savior in his directive to accept change and assignments as did the Savior. Raising his hand, he said, "Here I am, I'll do it! Send me!" In our staff meetings, Elder Ellis said that senior couples, especially, are examples of that willingness since their call does not come by assignment or priesthood responsibility. We saw work that needs to be done and stepped up. That's how our efforts should always be, and especially now as all Church members will need to step up and open their mouths to help these surging new missionaries stay busy.<br />
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Elder Ellis reminded us over and over in many ways that this is the Lord's work and that He will fill in the blanks in our work after we do our <u>very</u> best. Moroni 6:4: "...relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith." At each meeting he talked about how we exercise faith and prepare, participate, and learn through the Spirit when we meet together (such as zone conference and stake conference). D&C 44:2: "And it shall to pass, that inasmuch as they are faithful, and exercise faith in me, I will pour out my Spirit upon them in the day that they assemble themselves together." Elder Ellis emphasized the "pour" and talked about ways in which the Spirit teaches, reveals, comforts, guides, helps us remember, warns, and purifies us.<br />
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He mentioned three rules for accomplishment: 1) If you've done it before, you can do it again. 2) If they've done it, we (I) can do it. 3) With God, all things are possible. Thinking of goals in short terms; not ten baptisms per mission; not one per month, but one per week can help us increase the number of baptisms. But more importantly, we can better help the Lord harvest the elect. Like calls from the Lord in the past for sacrifice and action (e.g., the Mormon pioneer sojourn to the West), this surge in missionary work is a call for today, an urgent call to share the Gospel and build the Kingdom. We will discover all of the "hows" (many miracles have already occurred) as we engage and get to work.<br />
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We closed our zone conference sessions by singing <i>Faith in Every Footstep</i>. We've found most of our mission days require willingness, faith, and problem solving. Ray daily recommits despite frequent functional challenges with his hands and stamina. Yes, our mission has required faith, but we see it only as blessing and joy. The Lord helps and directs us each day. This week has been special as a servant of the Lord helped us better recognize the eternal principles that underlie our daily footsteps of faith. When we exercise faith, He does pour out his spirit, and we see Him make up the difference when we fall short.<br />
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<br />Linda and Ray Connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05947160669466637187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374646775736897445.post-37653075665115043162013-04-28T15:31:00.003-07:002015-01-19T14:10:25.603-08:00A Treat for the SensesIt's spring in the Southeast. Sunshine, rushing wind and pattering rain, along with fragrant, beautiful flowering trees and shrubs have filled our senses. We've been told that every plant in Georgia flowers openly and abundantly.<br />
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A film of pollen continues to coat our cars each day. And then every few days the quiet is punctuated with thunderstorms and heavy rain. Tornado warnings have sent our missionaries to "shelter" three times in the past month. Several weeks ago we had driven to Alpharetta to take Elder Jackman to his apartment. He had just returned from Utah after knee surgery. When we arrived, we picked up Elder Sarniguet and Elder Astel and took the three to dinner (Elder Jackman had been all day without food). While in a wings' restaurant, we saw the sky change color; then flashing warnings popped up on the restaurant's flat screens and Elder Sarniguet (Zone Leader) received a "take shelter" text from President Wolfert. He began texting the missionaries in the zone to take shelter immediately. Pouring rain and thunder stormed for nearly an hour, but fortunately we had no hail where we were. Several zones in our mission saw hail, and areas outside our mission experienced serious tornado damage. It's a quiet Sunday afternoon today. After fixing dinner for Sister Ferguson who had fallen and injured herself (must have been those very high heels this tiny, ex-military single sister wears), extreme weather warnings are out again. We see only steady rain here in Lilburn; hope all is well elsewhere.<br />
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It was nice to be back to six weeks between transfers; it was a breather and catch-up for Sister Connors. Elder Connors, however, had a half-dozen fender bender reports from our missionaries. Most of them were not the missionaries' fault, but the paperwork and repair hassle is the same for him. The Halls, Tewalts, and Assistants have been very busy preparing five new apartments for the 20 missionaries that are joining our ranks on Tuesday. Twelve are sisters, and until our proportions change, there will be multiple sister trios and "twins" for training as we absorb these wonderful boon of sister missionaries.<br />
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Last Sunday we drove to Athens for Church. Elders Hanny, Vandertoolen, Brown, and Owens had baptisms - Chris Burton and Ewart Leslie. Brother Leslie had family travel all the way from Brooklyn to support him. The Gospel Principles class was moved to the Relief Society Room to accommodate everyone. What a wonderful problem! Upon returning home we visited the Chase family. Brother Chase is doing relatively well. His speech is back, but he is still having trouble getting his arm to work. We're optimistic that his determination will get him back to productivity soon. We were comforted to see a greater calm in the home and especially with his wife, Ariel. She has been blessed through her conversion and faith and her more calm influence will bless her family. Today we were delighted to see Lila back in Church after her travel. AND, her husband attended Sacrament Meeting with her! That is so promising. Brother Boateng and Sister Okuko are at Church every Sunday, tired from their long night shift at Walmart, but dedicated. The elders are now teaching Brother Boateng's girlfriend and another co-worker that Elder Connors and Elder Atkin split with the Assistants on Friday to teach. Brother Boateng may bring his entire Walmart stocking team into the Church! These dear people have spiritual eyes and gifts that are such blessings to those around them.<br />
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Yesterday we accompanied the Halls and Atkins on an outing back up to Cornelia where we picked up Elders Bowers and Yellowplume. They had permission to visit a Yonah Mountain Cherokee pow wow near Cleveland, GA. Elder Yellowplume is from the Washakie reservation outside Green River, Wyoming. He was optimistic that they could make some teaching contacts at the pow wow. And they did successfully schedule three return appointments. He was also excited to eat a Navajo taco again! Unfortunately, it was a drizzly, muddy day, and the turnout was small. We visited the craft booths and watched four dances, but gave up into the 4th hour.<br />
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Since we were only three miles from Helen, we drove there for a short visit before heading home. This Bavarian inspired community is a tourist hot spot in northern Georgia. The cool weather made it the perfect day to visit. The rain had stopped so we senior office couples strolled the shops as the young elders contacted for about an hour.<br />
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From Helen we headed back to Cornelia for dinner. We had an interesting conversation over dinner with Elder Yellowplume. He is Sioux and Arapaho; his family joined the Church through his great-grandfather, Chief Red Cloud. Brigham Young and a companion sought out the chief to warn him of military troops coming to massacre the tribe. The stories passed down say that once the Chief received the priesthood he felt his duty was to lead his tribe in the Lord's way, and most of the tribe was baptized. Because of his heritage, Elder Yellowplume had to choose between the opportunity to become medicine man in his tribe or go on a mission. He testified that after pondering and prayerfully studying the Book of Mormon, he found the scripture holds the same truths that his people tell in legend. Elder Yellowplume felt the Spirit tell him to follow in his grandfather's example. That's why he is in Georgia, to share his testimony of the commonality and consistency of native cultural tradition with the eternal truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He shared many feelings and observations that we have not heard before because we've never had an in-depth gospel conversation with a Native American.<br />
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After dinner, we stopped by to visit with the Barksdales, Ruth and Glen. They are new senior couple in Cornelia, and friends of the Halls. They were not able to go to pow wow for the longer day with us. Wonderful people! This is their fifth mission, but the other missions were CES callings. They find Member Leader Support very challenging! We encouraged them to be patient. They've been in Georgia only two weeks (and one Sunday was Stake Conference). They'll find their niche as promised, we're sure. (And they did, both as fellowshippers and for Elder Barksdale's skilled teaching in the ward.) We were so glad we spent a rainy day getting to know yet again two wonderful young missionaries and another dedicated couple. Yesterday was another memorable treat for our natural and spiritual senses.<br />
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Linda and Ray Connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05947160669466637187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374646775736897445.post-2360633357782561752013-04-14T17:40:00.000-07:002015-01-17T11:08:42.916-08:00Learn, Step, Crunch....and PrayWe will miss watching General Conference with the group of missionaries serving in the Lilburn and Centerville Wards in Gwinnett County, Georgia. Last weekend was our last opportunity to enjoy the setting, and it was a spiritual feast as we listened, took notes, and felt the spirit. The dynamics were the same - principally missionaries in attendance on Saturday and a few additional members on Sunday. We served Publix subs to the missionaries during the Saturday break. Florence Okuku and Obiri Boateng attended on Sunday; that was happy news. The investigators that we had hoped would attend did or could not. The Conference messages were powerful and testified of truth. Sister Weiler bore her testimony in Sacrament Meeting today. She and her husband, who is the president of the Lilburn Stake, attended Conference in Salt Lake at the Conference Center. She indicated that the spirit was no stronger there than when their family sits on the front row of our darkened chapel for other General Conference sessions. That's because the Spirit is the teacher. We, too, testify that the spirit was strong and spoke of truth with our small congregation. Can't wait for the Ensign to come out so we can study and learn more! <br />
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The mission office couples prepared lunch for all of the missionaries between sessions on Saturday. After our short meal, the young elders and sisters eagerly traveled to nearby Mountain Park Park and came back with several viable contacts! They have only Sunday to complete and report their weekly goal of 70 meaningful contacts per week (10 a day). Zaza had a few tough days after her shoulder surgery. Her daughter-in-law, Laura, came from Austin for several days to help out, and it was a big boost. Don was able to go to Priesthood Session with Ray. Held from 8-10 p.m., it feels very late. Linda finished filing income taxes to end her day. Zaza is doing much better and is able to get out a bit, but must be very careful. She won't begin physical therapy for 8 weeks.<br />
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In the past two weeks we've kept busy at the mission office. Two days of leadership training for nearly 40 missionaries brought them to the mission office before and after meetings. New vehicles arrived to complement the increased number of missionaries, but a few weeks earlier than we would like to have received them. It's kept Elder Connors pretty busy. We need to fit them with hitch mount bicycle racks and Tiwi monitoring devices, so they will be ready for the next group of missionaries coming on April 30. Two missionaries had to leave for home for medical treatments. Elder Kampton Youd (Orem, UT, and son of my Aunt Merle's home teacher) re-injured his knee and moved his release up three weeks. He's a great elder who will be missed. Elder Poole hurt his elbow and will return in about 8 weeks after surgery. Another emergency departure got Elder Connors and Elder Atkin up at 4:30 a.m. to get that missionary to the airport. The Halls and Tewalts are busy trying to get six new apartments leased and furnished before next transfers. The paperwork and database work continues to expand with the increasing number of missionaries. We've had lots of phone calls to the mission nurse (especially with extreme pollen counts in Georgia this year - 3rd highest in history). And now it's bicycle mania for Elder Atkin (and his trainer Elder Connors) as they pick up new bicycles in Duluth (usually a 2-hour round trip) and find places to store them. Sweetly there is no rest for the mission office couples.<br />
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Well - almost no rest. Yesterday we finally realized a goal we made to have all the senior couples go on a P-day outing. We picked Tullalah Falls State Park, northeast of Cornelia, as the destination. The ten of us took photos and hiked the rim trails. A few of us walked the 320 stairs down to the suspension bridge and then back up. We couldn't go across the bridge because the south rim was closed for kayakers only so they could transport their kayaks down to the river. A water release is scheduled periodically into the canyon to accommodate kayak sporting, and we fortunately had hit the lucky day. It made for wonderful sounds and photos. The extreme river scenes in Deliverance and several other movies have been shot at Tallulah Gorge.<br />
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After our Gorge adventur<span style="font-family: inherit;">e, <span style="font-size: 11pt;">we enjoyed a picnic along the gentle upper
stream and then drove about an hour to an artist and tourist studio near Clarkesville
called </span><i style="font-size: 11pt;">Mark of the Potter. </i><span style="font-size: 11pt;">There we
snooped around the old mill nestled on the banks of the Soque River, watched
potters, and shopped. </span></span>A restaurant dinner was followed by a peaceful two hour ride home on a beautiful evening after a beautiful spring day. The exercise, conversation, and camaraderie were good for our spirits and souls. However, the stair stepping made it a bit more difficult for some of us to get up and down at Church meetings today! We love and admire our senior missionaries so much!<br />
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The crunch from two reports of car damage today followed another expensive repair last week. And why is the damage always to the new cars!? Two accidents involved rear end bumps, and were fortunately not our missionaries' fault. More fortunately, there were no injuries. Today an unsecured lawn mower rolled off a utility trailer onto one of our missionary cars. It's always something. We're heard that Georgia has some of the highest accident rates in the country. Sounds right to us!<br />
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Our prayers this week will include our increased supplications for Brother Tyler Chase. We love the Chases, one of our recent convert families.They have so many challenges, and now Brother Chase had a stroke this past week. He was in our hearts during our fast today. Victoria (the 11-year old) bore a sweet testimony of prayer in our Fast and Testimony meeting today. She got a big hug from Sister Connors after the meeting. The Chase's home teachers and the RS President have really shepherded this family. We are grateful and will add our prayers now and help once visitors are allowed. Linda and Ray Connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05947160669466637187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374646775736897445.post-63169892332545389422013-04-01T18:51:00.000-07:002015-01-17T10:52:32.102-08:00March Concludes with a Wonderful EasterThe last day of March ended in a beautiful way - with a lovely Easter Day. We had a wonderful Sacrament Meeting to start the day (despite our early 8:30 a.m. start time for 2013). Sister Connie Hutchins talked about the hope provided through the Atonement and Resurrection. Brother Karl Brandau shared insights into how the Passover and other Jewish traditions occurred on the same calendar days as events in the Savior's life and acted as types of things to come. The ward choir sang a simple version of <i>He Is Risen</i> that was so joyful, particularly because of the skilled and powerful accompaniment of Sister Merrill. The highlight for us, however, was the confirmation of Lila Andriamaromanana (yes, we can pronounce the last name). More on that later on.<br />
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After Church we returned home to finish preparing a nice Easter dinner with the Clarks and Obers. We enjoyed turkey, ham, and all the accompaniments. After dinner, Ray helped Don and David Paulikalitis give Zaza a blessing. She is having rotator cuff surgery in the morning. Ray then gave Don a blessing; he's had a bronchial infection for weeks that just won't go away. We enjoyed laughing with the Ober girls, Maddie, Izzie, and the Cami as they shared distorted photos of us all on Don's I-pad with their Instagram application. After two busy weeks and a heavy, happy meal, we took a long nap. We then had another highlight with a family phone call. We so much enjoy talking with the grandkids. They are happy and busy. It's great to talk to Faith about her observations on life; she's such a grown up. Hailey is always so positive, and they are both busy studying for AP exams (9th and 11th grades). Noah proudly reported that he found nearly $40 in his Easter egg hunt and is reading at 9th grade level (in 4th grade). He takes after his sisters, and it was good to hear that he's more interested in school now. Ammon is <i>always</i> happy. They <i>always</i> make us happy. It was a great way to end the day.<br />
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What else has the past two weeks included? Let's go backwards a bit now. We enjoyed a slightly chilly 90 minutes watching Izzy Ober's last season soccer game at Parkview High. The high school is adjacent to the Church property and is one of three schools we pass during busy school bus hours when we make our afternoon post office runs. Seniors, Elder and Sister Lundgren, were released. They plan to travel about on the Eastern Seaboard visiting family before heading home. Another group of 8 sisters and 8 elders arrived on March 19. As always, they were happy and tired after arising early at the MTC, traveling, and then riding the MARTA for their first chance to approach strangers in the real mission world.<br />
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We have several missionary trios teamed up as we work to train enough sister trainers to welcome in all of the new sisters arriving through summer. Our farewell fireside honored five departing missionaries. There was an exceptionally sweet and reverent spirit in this particular fireside. We'll miss them all, especially Elder Astel, a former Assistant to the President who has such a strong testimony, is a baptizer, and delights us with his child-like personality. The only sister leaving was Sister Bulouniwasa from Fiji. We volunteered to take her to the airport since her flight left 6 hours after the other departing missionaries' flights. She would have 22 hours of airport/airplane time before she arrived home. She is a strong and mature sister, but she knows she is returning to a home country with little opportunity. She was pretty tearful. She actually lives with her uncle and aunt and has little parental support. She was on our minds all night; in fact, we tossed and turned thinking about her. On Friday morning I arrived at the office to hear a tearful voice mail from her. She was stranded in the LA airport; her connecting flight out of Phoenix arrived late and she missed her connecting flight to Fiji. We were so relieved when we heard from her in person a few hours later. Our prayer and prediction that the airlines would provide her with comfortable lodging was realized. I gave her the LA Mission Office phone number. She sent an email a few days later to let us know all was well. The mission staff in Los Angeles took care of her for the two days she had to wait there until another flight departed for Suva. We love Sister "B" and pray only the best for her. Perhaps we'll have to visit Fiji sometime!<br />
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The Friday night after transfers we joined the elders when they met with Lila and conducted her baptismal interview. We feel such a special connection with her; it began the first day she attended Church. She and her family had moved into the Atlanta area several months ago and live only a few blocks from the Stake Center. She self-referred herself to the missionaries. Her first day in Relief Society the lesson was about temples, and I sat next to her and tried to clarify a few things. Mormon jargon can really mystify investigators! After working in France for three years, the Andriamaromananas moved their three daughters (one in high school, Yari, who is twelve, and Tiki, who is 8) to Atlanta. Yari and Tiki have attended and love YW and Primary, but right now dad won't give permission for their baptism. Lila struggled for several weeks with her baptism decision because she didn't want to split the family. She and I had a short conversation in which I reassured her that as missionaries we have no desire to break up families and that she should continue to study and pray and the spirit would guide her. We were happy to see Yari and Tiki at her baptism. They enjoyed the service. Lila had asked me (Linda) to give the baptism talk. I was very honored. There was a special reverence (even others noted that), and Lila bore an amazing testimony as a new convert.<br />
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A week later, Lila again asked me to join with the elders as they met with her to discuss the confirmation and the gift of the Holy Ghost. There is such a sweet spirit as these young missionaries explain principles and bear testimonies with confidence and simplicity. The best moments during any mission! Ray was privileged to stand in the circle when Elder Chugg confirmed her. Lila is so anxious to continue learning; again we told her that will be a lifelong pursuit. Unfortunately no family attended on Easter when she was confirmed; the girls were at Church with their father. Lila will be in Toronto for two weeks on business and asked for information about where to attend and how to watch General Conference. She has been a highlight in our spring, and we look forward to getting to know her and her family better.<br />
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We finished up our two shorter 5-week transfer periods. Now we're back on regular 6-week cycles. That will give us a bit of breathing room. With warmer weather and longer days, we hope to have less office time and more energy to get out and about to spend more time with our recent converts and investigators. Today is Monday, and we just enjoyed another pleasant senior missionary couple FHE. We brought soup and salads. Elder and Sister Lundgren will be released this week. At age 84 and wrapping up their 5th mission, they are amazing examples to us. They exude happiness and energy. Zaza's shoulder surgery today was pretty complex, but the prognosis is good. We're grateful for that and for every wonderful minute.<br />
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<br />Linda and Ray Connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05947160669466637187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374646775736897445.post-66888524077520302692013-03-17T19:44:00.000-07:002015-01-16T11:56:20.722-08:00Spring is HereEverywhere we look blossoms are popping out. A hint of the green pollen that will mask our car each morning is beginning to appear. It's spring in Georgia. After a few weeks of chilly, windy days accentuated with frequent rainy days, it's been a beautiful, warm weekend. The changeover to daylight savings time has lifted our spirits despite the fact that we lose track of time and don't get out of the office until 6:30 or so. Nice walks in the park the past two days have led to sounder sleep.<br />
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Sister Connors started her Saturday with a wonderful Lilburn Stake Women's Conference. Ray mowed the lawn. Then in the evening our one-hour car ride to Jackson, GA ended after three hours with a beautiful sunset as we drove back to Lilburn. We intended to spend our evening supporting Sister Waterworth and Sister Markowitz and Elder Grimm and Elder Auaea in a fireside they presented in Jackson. <span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We were running late, so checked the Church's
website on our cell for the Jackson Branch address as we started our drive. Add
to that a 30-mile construction backup on the freeway and we arrived after the fireside's start time.</span></span>We arrived in Jackson but couldn't find the building! Add to that a 30-mile construction backup on the freeway that caused us to arrive after the fireside's start time. Feeling lost and old-age foolish, we decided to enjoy the sunset and just drive home on back roads. Part way home the thought occurred to us to text the missionaries, but the feeling of calm after a hectic week kept us heading home. We stopped at McDonald's for a shake since we had skipped dinner. Because the shake was overfilled, Sister Connors was blessed with sticky fingers, a large puddle of melted ice cream in her lap, and the need to suck madly to lower the overflowing vanilla foam. We had a good laugh and returned home with smiled on our faced. Life is sometimes just a bit out of sync, but oh, so wonderful!<br />
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Postscript: After this post, we learned that the branch was a half block from where both our GPS and cell phone were directing us in Jackson. We simply could not see the sign in the window of the strip mall due to all of the cars parked around the adjacent burger shack. Fortunately the sisters gave us a CD of the fireside so we were able to enjoy it later. It was a branch and missionary pre-Easter outreach with a wonderful outpouring of both member and missionary testimony given in word and music.<br />
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Zone Conferences and a disciplinary court in which Elder acted as recorder filled the last week of February. Preparations for incoming missionaries filled the first two weeks of March. We also had another emergency medical release. It's amazing to see the humility and obedience and love that surrounds unplanned departures. The Spirit of the Lord is truly with these young people and sustains them. In two days we will welcome another group of 18 new missionaries; next transfer it will be 24 missionaries and a similar group in June; about two-thirds are sisters. Sister Hall, our Housing Coordinator, and Elder and Sister Tewalt, the local service missionaries from nearby Snellville are very busy locating, leasing, and furnishing apartments. As the missionaries call it, we have lots of "twins" right now - trainers training two new missionaries and several threesomes in companionships/ areas. We are excited to meet and feel the enthusiasm of our next group of new missionaries.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Missionaries Departing MARTA at the Doraville Station</td></tr>
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Our Lilburn missionaries, Elder Miller and Elder Edmunds, are working with several great investigators. We especially love Lila, a bacteriologist with the Center for Disease Control here in Atlanta. She is from Madagascar and exudes love and warmth. She was schooled in Switzerland and her family has lived in France for three years. Lila and the three daughters meet with the missionaries; she is so ready to be baptized but her husband and children are comfortable with their current Church. We've enjoyed our opportunities to help teach and bear testimony to Lila. She feels very conflicted. We are praying the family will soften and that Lila will stick with her baptismal commitment for next Sunday and be an example to her family. We know they all will be blessed.</div>
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Last Tuesday we fed three sets of elders; two of those companionships had baptisms this weekend. After a new year lull, the work seems to be picking up. Elder Scothern and Elder Hansen from the Mountain Park YSA branch baptized Robert Meyers yesterday. The Stake Women's Conference and drive to Jackson prevented us from attending the baptism, so we promised to attend Robert's confirmation today. We attended the YSA Sacrament meeting after the Lilburn Block. Robert lives just over the fence from the Lilburn building and spent many hours on the grounds as he grew up when he needed a quiet place. He said he always had a special feeling here but never investigated inside the building until the elders talked to him several months ago. Now he is a very happy member and his once resistant mother is now reading the Book of Mormon. Never give up! Never assume someone understands or is not interested. <br />
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A week ago we took the afternoon of our Saturday to drive to Loganville to take the sisters there to lunch. Sister Bulouniwasa will be flying home to Fiji this week. Sister Sanders who had gone home for medical reasons has returned. Sister Crane is the new sister in the threesome. We decided it was time for a celebration. They had always wanted to eat at the popular Blue Willow Inn in the small town of Social Circle where they occasionally work. So off we went to the historic home reputed to have the best authentic Southern buffet in the area. It was a busy place. The mac and cheese, fried chicken, collard greens, desserts, and other assorted delectables were, indeed, yummy. Favorites for us were the fried green tomatoes! The beautiful mansion was built by one of two brothers; the other brother built a twin home across the street. It is said that Margaret Mitchell had a fling with one of the two brothers and the town inspired her to write <i>Gone with the Wind.</i> Truth or town tale, we don't know, but it was an interesting story. So is the tale of the origins of the town name. Long before the Civil War, travelers found a group of locals standing around a fire and sharing conversation. They greeted them with the phrase "My, this is a social circle." Thus the community of Social Circle was formed. </div>
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As if we hadn't had enough food, we drove to Monroe after returning the sisters to their apartment.. Roy and Millie Coe, our prior counterparts in the mission office live outside Monroe. We had promised to visit them for months, and it felt time to follow through. Surrounded by beautiful farmland and ranch homes, their home sits on a portion of what was once 300 acres belonging to Millie's grandparents. Roy restores and paints cars, and Ray was anxious to see the 64-1/2 Mustang in his garage.<br />
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I was impressed with the long-bed truck that was once a rusted relic with no engine that Millie purchased as a flower planter, Roy decided to restore it. But Millie's decorative hand was apparent everywhere. We love this couple! They've fulfilled two service missions, helping both the Atlanta and then Atlanta North Missions. They are now coordinating the Athens Stake Addiction Recovery Program. </div>
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Our Social Circle and Monroe visits made for a great Saturday. We are celebrating one year in the Mission Field; spring has arrived, and we feel a new energy in our hearts!</div>
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Linda and Ray Connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05947160669466637187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374646775736897445.post-43020179623863336902013-02-24T18:30:00.000-08:002015-01-16T11:49:34.315-08:00Sweets and SorrowsThe past two weeks have been filled with many happy and busy minutes, along with moments of reflection on death, that bittersweet event that is part of our eternal progression. While we acknowledge that we're in the "associates are dying" stage of life, we certainly feel we have sent a greater number of condolences during our time as missionaries. Neighbors have lost parents; in the past month nieces Laura and Michele have both lost a parent-in-law, Tom's mother and Dave's father. One of our missionaries lost his mother unexpectedly this week! A week ago yesterday, our former bishop, George Wall, was particularly on our mind. Then the next day we learned by email that he passed away after weeks of hospice ending a valiant fight against pancreatic cancer. We remember vividly the ward fast over two years ago in which Bishop Rapp led the ward prayer and pronounced that Bishop Wall would be healed despite the 2-week to 2-month prognosis physicians gave when the cancer was diagnosed at an aggressive Stage 4. Several months later, Bishop Wall bore testimony of pure faith and witness from the Lord that he would survive. There was no doubt that he trusted fully in the Lord. We're not certain we have ever witnessed a greater example of personal humility and pure faith. A year later, he had amazed the experts at Huntsman Cancer with a miracle remission. The year allowed him to prepare his home and family for future possibilities. He even had the energy to travel and see grandchildren enter the world. The cancer was surfacing again as we prepared to leave for our mission. He blessed our Orchard 6th Ward family so much with his example! Ray was so grateful to have been home teacher to the Walls for several years, to share in their highs and lows, to spend a few hours each week with neighbor Gary Thorne helping at the Wall home before we left for Georgia. Our shared knowledge of the plan of salvation has helped our ward family back home rejoice in faith and lessons learned, and it has made comfort available along with immense gratitude for knowing this great man.<br />
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We had an excited fourteen missionaries arrive on February 12, and Sister Sanders returned after her long medical release! Only three missionaries went home this month - two by schedule and one with a bit of sorrow again. Next month we have 18 scheduled to arrive and only five going home. Our numbers are climbing, and Elder and Sister Hall and our local service couple, the Tewalts, have been busy working on new apartments and furnishings to help us grow. Then sweet surprise, just this weekend the Church announced 58 new missions to accommodate the increase in missionaries! One of those missions includes the reopening of the Georgia Macon Mission. Time will tell what that will mean for the Georgia Atlanta North Mission. Another big change for us is that Elder Hanny, the 1st Assistant to the President, was transferred to Athens after six months in Lilburn. We learned so much from him, but it's a blessing that he can spend his last months free to preach full-time. Elder Chugg is the new 2nd assistant along with Elder Edmunds. We surely love our assistants and missionaries!</div>
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Last week included a Valentine's surprise It was to be a simple day for us because it was a busy week. However, about mid-day on February 14 a young mother and two sweet young sons walked into the Mission Office. She introduced herself as Natalie Ormond, Mike and Wendy's dear friend from the Yonker's Branch in New York. Her husband is in residency at Emory in Atlanta, and she came bearing roses and candy to wish us Happy Valentine's! What a sweet and happy expression of Christ-like love. Then we had a carrot cake surprise in the office and elders singing Feliz Cumpleanos for Sister Connors birthday. Later flowers came from the Clarks after attending a somewhat cold evening double overtime winning soccer game with them for granddaughter Maddie. More gifts arrived by FedEx from our children. Sweet February! <br />
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On Sunday we drove to Cornelia and attended Church with the Lundgrens. They will be released in April. This is their fourth mission, one as mission president in Norway. Elder Lundgren is 82 years young! We stayed and joined Sister Lundgren as she led choir practice and watched Elder Lundgren, the skilled CES instructor, lead Gospel Principles class. We toured the tiny town a bit, and enjoyed dinner together. It was a surprisingly cold day in Georgia (frozen fountains are rare), and a great Sunday. </div>
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We worked in the Mission Office on the President's Day holiday to help with the mission audit and then left a bit early with Elder and Sister Atkins. We drove to Kennesaw to visit the Southern Civil War and Locomotive Museum. It's great satellite museum under the Smithsonian's oversight. The jewel of the museum is the General, whose factual story was told by Disney in <i>The Great Locomotive Chase.</i> The visitor's center at the Kennesaw Nat'l Battlefield was closed after our hour at the nearby locomotive museum, so we decided to return there another day. A light dinner killed some rush hour traffic delay time and ended a nice day.<br />
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Yesterday we attended a baptism in Roswell. We love Elder Astel and Elder Sarniguet and promised to visit them there before Elder Astel is released. They taught and baptized two Haitian families and five individuals after two months in the area. The Joseph family simply walked into the building one Sunday morning looking for a Church after the family had joined Dad who was already living in Georgia. Young Finley, a member for only a month, bore powerful testimony. Yesterday, the Pierre family (grandma and grandpa, 86 and 83, and in the US only two months) joined their daughter and two grandchildren in a truly "sweet" baptismal ceremony. Sister Connors enjoyed visiting with them a bit; they were pleased to meet someone who had been in their homeland. It was a time I wished I could remember my college French; but only words here and there surface. So many people in Georgia speak two languages that we often feel inadequate; hopefully as Utah becomes more diverse, the general population (and not just return-missionaries) will be bi-lingual. Wouldn't that be great?!<br />
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Busy days, heavy rain, sun, and wind filled our week. Daffodils and a few pink blossoms hint that spring is on its way. Like life, our mission is web and flow, pace fast and slow, emotions sweet and sorrowful. All provide good and blessed gifts from our loving Savior. </div>
Linda and Ray Connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05947160669466637187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374646775736897445.post-75729737685351232862013-02-10T18:58:00.002-08:002015-01-14T11:48:48.491-08:00Warm HeartsUtah has experienced its coldest January in 65 years. The Northeast US was hit by Hurricane Sandy and now a strong nor'east-er dubbed Nemo buried them this weekend. After a sunny Saturday, it's a "rainy night in Georgia," and Atlanta expects 4-5 inches of rain in the next two days. Our lives and hearts, however, are warm with the love we receive and give each day. <br />
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As our day-to-day office assignments continue to keep us busy, we relish those moments of spiritual uplift. Now that we have several senior missionaries in the office when the work day begins, we have been blessed as we offer a group prayer to start off our day. It brings calm and direction. Just three days ago, our prayers were very specific and answered quickly. Here is the setting: On Wednesday we helped again with preparing , serving, and cleaning up the meal served as part of the Trainer Followup meeting. New missionaries are assigned a trainer, and both the new arrival and trainer follow a Church published "learning" curriculum for 12 weeks. Four to five weeks into the program, they come together for a day of debriefing and additional training with the Mission President. A nice luncheon is prepared (Sister Weiler, our stake president's wife, helps us with the luncheon). Sister Wolfert uses the luncheon as an opportunity to teach the missionaries a bit about etiquette and manners, giving tips that are helpful to many missionaries. So we set up a complete table service, serve and clear the courses, and help Sister Weiler clean up. Sister Hall woke this Thursday morning to realize she had left her wedding rings and bracelets in the ward kitchen after the luncheon. When she checked there upon arriving at the office, the rings were gone. Prayers and phone calls helped us quickly learn they had been found the evening before by the adjacent ward and were in a bishop's office; safe. Tears of gratitude were shed. <br />
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Last Monday evening, Len and Darlene Holladay (originally from Pocatello, ID but Georgians for nearly 20 years) invited the three office couples and several other friends to their home for dinner. The feeling around them is like that with lifelong friends from home. Holladay, UT, is named after Len's family. They just celebrated 80th birthdays. and their family gave them a cruise to the Yucatan as a gift for their 60th anniversary, on February 13 - their "lucky" day. Their home is filled with their own original art, and they can tell stories that will keep a group laughing for hours. They have the most generous and warm hearts. The elders in the Centerville Ward are bike only, and the Holladays are their primary chauffeurs, dinner providers, and helpers. They are marvelous examples of living life to the fullest, in simplicity and generosity. The same characteristics we admire in the Holladays can be found in so many of the friends we have made here.<br />
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A week ago we traveled to Jonesboro to have lunch with Elder and Sister Stowell and Elder Chambers (Woods Cross, UT) and Elder Miller. After lunch, we went to the local D&G Mens Store. It's a cross between Mr. Mac and Ross. Elder Connors found an affordable suit to fill in the gap between the one that's too small, the one that fits, and the one that's too large. Elder Chambers started looking (his buttons are so stretched to the limit on his shirt and jacket). It was sweet to see Sister Stowell coach him like a mother. The group dynamics helped Elder Chambers commit to something he had been putting off for weeks. His request for a 42R turned into a good-looking and affordable 46L. Physical growth doesn't stop on a mission! Again, our hearts were warmed by the love the six of us shared in those brief two hours.<br />
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Yesterday we were blessed to spend our Preparation Day by attending a training session led by Elder Ulisses Soares, newly called as one of the presidents of the Seventies and the area authority over the Southeast Area. The meeting was in Atlanta, and only about 30 of the elders from the GA Atlanta North mission were able to attend with the many Atlanta Mission missionaries. We are grateful that President Wolfert included the office couples in his list of invitations. We have four Brazilian elders in our mission. Elders Gomes, Moraes, Santos, and Freitas were so elated to be instructed by a fellow Brazilian.<br />
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Elder Soares spoke with positive love and energy, counseling about many things. Four of his insights stood out:<br />
<ol>
<li>Our callings are from God; we are where he wants us to be.</li>
<li>We are representatives of Jesus Christ, as if we carry his power of attorney. Is what we do each day truly represent Him? </li>
<li>Using God's perfect example as he "created all things" in spirit before He created them on earth, we, too, should plan and work every hour of every day, and also prepare back up and contingency plans.</li>
<li>Be obedient; the Lord always keeps His promises. The work will be hard; but obedience brings blessings. The missionary handbook holds 150 years of experience! </li>
</ol>
Another heart-warming outcome of the day was to know that Elder Soares is the long-time friend of Don Clark. In fact, he is Don's protege. Don and Zaza are close friends with Elder and Sister Soares, and when Don heard where we were going, he told us their story. Don convinced Elder Soares to leave the private sector (after joining the Church) and trained him up in Temporal Affairs work. As we helped the Brazilian elders take a photo with Elder Soares, he asked us to tell the Clarks that he would call them at 9 p.m. Although he would have liked to meet them in person, he didn't have enough time for a face to face visit during this, his first, visit to Atlanta in his new assignment.<br />
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Now, we saved the best for last in this entry. We participated in another sweet baptism today. Sister Florence Okoku was baptized. She admired the work of the Church when she lived in Ghana and had several online chats on Mormon.org when she arrived in the U.S. She works at night at Walmart with Obiri Boateng, who was baptized about two months ago. He invited her to meet with Elders Hanny and Edmunds, and she quickly recognized intellectually the truth of the Gospel. As she bore her testimony after her baptism, Florence described how the Spirit bore witness to her as she came out of the waters of baptism. She now knows truth in mind and spirit. Sister Connors was sitting next to another investigator, Lila Andriamaromanana (from Madagascar). Tears were flowing down her cheeks as she listened to the talk on baptism given by Brother Matthews. He is another convert from Ghana and a new member of the Lilburn Ward. He has such a strong and articulate testimony. Baptized as a youth in Ghana 21 years ago, he was just received his US Citizenship a week ago. Lila has family we'd love to convert along with her. They will be in our prayers.<br />
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Warm hearts today, indeed! The Gospel of Jesus Christ blesses us in so many ways. Linda and Ray Connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05947160669466637187noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374646775736897445.post-91330608819976185802013-01-22T18:12:00.001-08:002015-01-14T11:19:34.047-08:00Winter Speeds AlongIt's mid-January. It's been two weeks since transfers, and we are still busy trying to catch up on the tasks that follow. As we transition into a new transfer cycle for 2013, the next two transfers will last only five weeks rather than six weeks. We think we'll stay busy indefinitely with all this wonderful growth. We have a very large group of missionaries arriving in February (projected at 16 rather than a usual 8-10). About 50/50 sisters and elders. In March, the fourteen arrivals will be mostly sisters, and they will be the first group to arrive after a shortened training timeframe in the MTC (13 days rather than 3 weeks and 2.5 weeks for those learning a new language rather than 6 weeks). Only seven missionaries are going home through March. All this means our Housing Coordinator will be very busy signing leases for new apartments and furnishing them. We're grateful that Bill and Ann Tewalt from the Snellville Ward have been called as local service missionaries. They will spend 10-15 hours a week assisting in mission office and housing work. The "younger" missionaries responding to the prophet's call for 18-year old elders and 19-year sisters will start arriving with our March and April groups. We are all very curious to see what changes and adaptations the age change will bring.<br />
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Elder Connors and Sister Connors oversaw the cleaning and preparation of office space for the Atkins, the new full-time nurse and specialist missionaries. Two poorly used rooms (mostly storage of outdated supplies) in the office are now a tidy office and book room. Sister Atkin has been busy with medical calls from the day they arrived on January 4. Elder Atkins is helping incoming missionaries make arrangements for bicycles which is becoming a full-time job as we add more missionaries and ask sisters to also ride bicycles. We've also helped him learn what is needed to manage and order the missionary supplies (books, pamphlets, and the like). The Atkins will take one leg of the airport runs during Transfer Week, too. When you throw in Sister Connors taking responsibility to implement the new phone system and hardware and networking a new copy/fax machine along with helping all the new folks access and learn the software, systems and tools, things have been very busy. Once we get fully organized in our space and everyone can work independently, we'll be able to offer first class service and have time to breathe and enjoy our assignments in a very rich and enjoyable way. Next week we have the quarterly Senior Couples Family Home Evening at the Mission Home. There will be sixteen of us! It's always a delightful, pleasant evening.<br />
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January in Georgia is a daily surprise. It rains like crazy; warms up again; gets gloomy. We've experienced heavy frost on the cars in the morning and wind chills in the teens. We've had several shirtsleeve days while hearing reports from home in Utah of 20-inch snowfall and near zero or below temperatures. We think we picked a good winter to be away from the Wasatch Front. It's winter there for sure! Two Saturdays ago we took the Halls and Atkins in the mission van for a loop tour of the northern parts of the mission. We saw the mist hiding the waters of Lake Lanier, enjoyed a great lunch in Dahlonega, and looped through the foothills to Ellijay and back.<br />
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Last Saturday we traveled with the Atkins to a baptism in the John's Creek Spanish Branch. It was Elder Tarver's first baptism (we've taken him under our wing), and we promised we would attend. The entire service was in Spanish, but we totally enjoyed it. We plan to attend more Saturday and Sunday baptisms on a regular basis. From time to time we'll attend our Sunday meetings at another Branch or Ward. It's hard to believe we only have 8 months left, and we want to continue to bond with our missionaries at every opportunity and feel more a part of the "whole" mission and its work.<br />
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While it feels there is not too much else that is unique to report, our days are busy and happy. We had more sad, but Christ-like love filled, confidential experiences as more missionaries left for home this past month. We also had an awesome group of very prepared and motivated missionaries arrive.<br />
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After a few emergency tests to be sure Elder Connors wasn't having acute gall bladder problems, his health is stable. The tests were part of a frustrating, doctor had no news but sent us to the emergency room for extra tests experience. It felt like a classic TV drama. The hospital was over-crowded; his needs were not urgent, but he was old, with white-coat elevated blood pressure. A simple physician follow-up appointment after an ultrasound lasted from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m.! Tests have ruled out all the bad things. He also saw a hand doctor who can't find anything definitive about his deteriorating dexterity. Other symptoms have settled down. We miss our Utah health network! At least we left the passing of a kidney stone this month to our son, Michael, back at home. Ouch! Old age or otherwise, we've resolved to postpone further non-fruitful testing until we get home. Through it all, however, we are happy and very grateful for the many blessings that have kept us safe and healthy and able as senior missionaries. We see the Lord's blessings and care every day!Linda and Ray Connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05947160669466637187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374646775736897445.post-8101565383706966072013-01-13T18:27:00.000-08:002015-01-14T10:47:03.809-08:00A Memorable Winter Day<br />
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There is always so much writing to catch up on! We just completed another Transfer Week, bidding goodbye to eleven missionaries and welcoming seven. We also welcomed another couple in the mission office. The Atkins are from Frenchtown, Montana. We love them already. Sister Atkin is our mission nurse and Elder Atkin will assist her and help us as a specialist by learning and helping us improve many of our services. We continue to organize and gear up for a 50% increase in missionaries.<br />
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Today's entry, however, is intended to share a story of personal blessing. Missionaries are frequently counseled that their family will be blessed as they serve their mission. We express gratitude for the fulfillment of this promise every day. Yesterday in Georgia we enjoyed a balmy 70 degree day (unseasonably warm). Back in Utah, however, our family members along the Wasatch Front were digging out in frigid temperatures from 20+ inches of snow. They also participated in a blessing that was not one we anticipated when we left for our mission. A long-time family wish was fulfilled. Here is the account we've pieced together from emails and a phone call from our son.<br />
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At 9 a.m. on January 12, 2013, a dozen or more Petersen and Christensen family members gathered at the Mt. Olympus trailhead parking lot on Wasatch Blvd in Salt Lake City to dedicate a plaque at the base of Pete's Rock. The plaque honors Linda's father, Christian O'Dell Petersen. The three-day storm made travel dangerous statewide. Brother Thyce was unable to get up from St. George, but Brother Ron had left Arizona earlier and arrived safely Thursday evening. He led the family as spokesperson while representatives from the Wasatch Mountain Club (WMC) and Salt Lake County led the dedication ceremony. It was snowing and about 15 degrees from what we hear. Dad's grandchildren braved the storm to attend and each shared a short memory. The family included Ron, our son, Michael, Wendy and family, our son, David, and Petersen cousins, Michelle Erickson and two of her children, Steve Petersen, Christine Petersen, and Laura Andersen. Cousin Vickie Smoot was also there. We are now anxiously awaiting a copy of the video Ron and television station KSL took so we can see, hear, and enjoy the happy occasion!<br />
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Our blog entry today is a thank you we emailed to Julie Kilgore, the Wasatch Mountain Club member who coordinated the event. This entry is more a bit of personal history and an expression of appreciation for the work done by others. The thank you message follows this photo of the plaque. Generations have been blessed in a way we did not anticipate when we left nine months ago.<br />
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Linda Petersen Connors here. Thank you for all you have done
to bring together the honorary plaque at Pete’s Rock! It looks marvelous
in the photos I saw today. Dad loved a cold, winter day. I can
see his smile and watering nose now. (I mentioned to my brother how Dad loved Dr. Zhivago. He thrilled many, many times about the sense of cold in the movie and the
crystallized winter scenes.)</div>
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My husband, Ray, and I are currently serving an LDS mission
in the Atlanta Georgia area. We are sorry that we were not able to attend
yesterday’s dedication, but our hearts were there with our family and
community. Our sincere and deep appreciation to you, to the many within the WMC
who have tossed around this idea for years, and to Salt Lake County for making this
happen. Coordinating such an effort brings many challenges, and we see
patience has resulted in a lasting solution improved by new technology,
government cooperation, and improved perspective. Undoubtedly your
professional engineering background helped you
facilitate this wonderful result. Thank you. <o:p></o:p></div>
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With our personal records back in Utah and missionary duties
that require our full attention for most of every day, I had to rely on my
capable brothers to represent our family and give you information about dad. I so
appreciate and love them. I just learned by email on Thursday evening that family
members would make remarks at the dedication. I’m sure Ron spoke well. Since I couldn't speak publicly, and for my personal record, I’ll make a comment here. If there is anything of
value, please feel free to pass it along to Club Members and your contacts at
Salt Lake County.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I am the baby sister who had far fewer opportunities than my
brothers to be “on the trail” with my father and the Wasatch Mountain Club. As I grew into
capability, my father’s abilities slowed. My brother Ron spent many hours
with the Club, but has lived outside Utah since college. He passed along Pete
stories and shared the family passion by facilitating mountain adventures for his children. Thyce, too,
lived out-of-state for many years. His daughters were able to enjoy their early
years around grandma and grandpa, learn of their active past, and take their turn at a make-hiking-fun experience craftily conceived by Pete as he took them hiking below ski lift chairs one spring to search for breakfast money. Our two sons were privileged to spend
their full childhood with my parents, inspecting the photo walls in the shoe
shop and hearing Dad’s stories firsthand at home, and as he patiently led us on
many a family hike. Each of our sons has been inspired by their
grandfather to explore mountain and trail and life, in their own way, with
passion and adventure. Too bad we weren't able to get Dad to also share our
family's love for the red rock and deserts of Utah, too! He was an alpine
man through and through!<br />
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In looking back, I don’t have as many specific Pete’s Rock
and childhood trail memories as my brothers, but my parents’ obvious passion
for the sport of rock-climbing, the WMC, and Pete’s Rock left a lasting
impression on me. I enjoyed visits to Pete’s Rock mostly because of my
parent’s enthusiasm. My strong impressions are that it was not only about love
of rock-climbing, and teaching, and a resourceful use of location, but about
friendship and social ties. Pete’s Rock was a connecting link between
valley and mountain, between working life and avocation, between friend and
stranger. My more frequent experiences with Dad were on the hiking trail
where he shared his love of mountain and his associations with the Wasatch
Mountain Club. The connections he described on these outings were more of those between man and God.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Pete and Pinky (as the Club members knew my mom) passed away just three months apart from each
other in 2001 and early 2002. I recall my cousin, Vickie, contacting me
after their death when she learned the county was considering removing the climbing route numbers painted on the rock. I immediately wrote Salt Lake County with my
concerns. The concerns were not because the numbers were on “Pete’s” Rock, but because the rock and its
numbers and story of how they were used and taught are history; they stand as tribute to a generation of
recreational pioneers. I wasn’t sure anyone would care at that point in
time, and after a very stressful year, I had energy to do no more than share my opinion. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Time has passed, and someone else has cared. Thank
you. Thanks to the Wasatch Mountain Club for continued community
outreach. Thanks to Salt Lake County. Thanks for sharing the story of Pete’s
Rock with future generations of outdoorsmen and passers-by. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Linda and Ray Connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05947160669466637187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374646775736897445.post-26788767750992441142012-12-25T11:16:00.001-08:002015-01-12T15:33:28.337-08:00Christmas 2012: Merry, Bright, and Joyous<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Merry Christmas! It's a quiet, rainy Christmas afternoon. We'll be preparing dinner for some elders later, so will take the opportunity now to catch up on events. We have been so busy the past few weeks. This quiet morning is allowing us to enjoy some peaceful reflection on our blessings and the birth and life Christmas celebrates.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Elephant","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Elephant, serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Thanksgiving Morning at Stone Mountain Lake</span></span></div>
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To begin, we'll share our Christmas greeting sent by email and letter to friends and family:</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Elephant","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>Sing the Song of Redeeming
Love… </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</w:wrap></v:imagedata></v:shape><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">The Christmas season
draws our hearts and minds to our Savior and to the remarkable events that
fore</span><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">told and announced His birth. The songs of Christmas describe a humble
birth, unnoticed by a sleeping world. But to those who were seeking, the
alleluias of the heavenly hosts rang out in joyous refrain, “Glory to God in
the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men.” Do you ever feel like you
have been in those choirs? Do you aspire to be? The heavens have shouted for
joy many times. The morning stars sang together at the foundation of the earth.
The Prophet Joseph Smith acclaimed the restored gospel in psalm:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">Let the mountains shout for joy, and all ye valleys cry
aloud, and all ye seas and dry lands tell the wonders of your Eternal King! And
ye rivers, and brooks, and rills, flow down with gladness. Let the woods and
all the trees of the field praise the Lord; and ye solid rocks weep for joy!
And let the sun, moon, and the morning stars sing together, and let all the
sons of God shout for joy! And let the eternal creations declare his name
forever and ever! And again I say, how glorious is the voice we hear from
heaven. (D&C 128:23)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">Our experiences as missionaries for Christ’s restored church
have deepened our understanding and gratitude for His birth, His life, and His atonement.
Countless numbers of Heavenly Father’s children are still slumbering, unaware
of the joyous news. We are grateful for our opportunity to help spread the word
throughout the world. What better time than Christmas to invite us all to (again)
come unto Christ, to experience a change of heart, and to <i>sing the song of redeeming love.</i> (See Alma 5:26) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">May He bless you and yours this Christmas and in the year
ahead. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Viner Hand ITC";">Elder and Sister Connors<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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We can only describe the past weeks as joyful and busy. We'll recount in reverse from our Christmas greeting to the events preceding. We've enjoyed visiting some of our convert and investigator families the past few days, sharing with them a Christmas message and a "whenever" breakfast goody bag. The Chases, the Howards, Sister Roca (who has returned), and a special visit last night that we will remember for a long time. Several others we want to see are working draining holiday jobs, and we will catch up to them when they can recover. One, Ibiri Boateng, was baptized on December 16. Unfortunately, he had to postpone his December 23 confirmation because he was working for 36 straight hours - Walmart's gift to their stocking employees! Born in Ghana, Obi (as he's known) has been in the U.S. for 14 years. With most of his family in DC, he's been in Georgia for about 2 years. He immediately recognized the truth when Elders Hanny and Edmunds taught him and totally turned away from old habits to new. We enjoyed having dinner with him at the Lilburn Ward Christmas Party. He speaks French and is delighted that Sister Paepaetaata from Tahiti is now serving in the ward and he can speak his favorite language with her! We feel blessed that we'll be able to continue working with and getting to know him better.<br />
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We had a bittersweet visit last night with Mercy and Malyssa Ansah last night. Merci is from Ghana, too. A single parent and member, she's been delaying the baptism for her 9-year old daughter, Malyssa. Malyssa is a cutie with lots of energy who charms everyone she meets. We called ahead and arranged a 7 p.m. visit. A secret Santa from the ward had dropped off a large box of gifts to the mission office for us to deliver along with our goodies. As Mercy invited us in, we noticed the pile of boxes and the unassembled bed frame in the living room of the tiny apartment. The stack of boxes have been there since Sister Connors first met them. With no storage, they can only keep their extras in the boxes. However, the borrowed sofa they were using previously had been returned to its owner, so there was only one computer chair to sit on, a sofa table, a small desk and a television. There were only those items, and a sad Malyssa wrapped up in blankets on the floor. Sick with the stomach flu, she had little desire to do more than say "hello" and "thank you." There was (by mom's choice) no tree, no decorations. This little girl who is usually ready with a big smile and hug and curiosity about what you have to offer was having a sad Christmas. We had to hold back the tears until we closed the door behind as we left. It will be an image we'll keep in our hearts and minds. We hope another visit from Sister Allen and Paepaetaata who were arriving at 8 p.m. helped to cheer them, too. Our Christmas Eve ended with prayers for this beautiful child and struggling mother, and a commitment to find them a small sofa or chairs. It was a blessed humility experience for our Christmas Eve. We know the Lord knows and is aware and will work the experience to their benefit.<br />
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Today, Christmas Day, we learned about a mission vehicle with a vandalized windshield. The incident reports can come at any time of any day. We are helping to filter some other disobedience distractions that may end in more early missionary departures (the 2nd time this month). Satan works so hard to tempt these missionaries into disobedience. We can't tell the story; it breaks our hearts when we hear and even more when we are the sounding board. But we have to recognize the challenging realities that exist in a mission right along with the joys.<br />
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Our son, David, texted us the week before Christmas to ask when was our Preparation Day. He surprised us with a one day visit as our Christmas gift. He flew in on Friday evening. We picked him up at the airport and spent a chilled windy Saturday with him, going to see the view from atop Stone Mountain (didn't stay long) and then to downtown Atlanta to visit the World of Coca-Cola and Olympic Park.<br />
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Then it was tacos at Los Hermanos, that favorite local taqueria, and a nice visit with Don and Zaza Clark. Sunday morning he picked up a rental car, rendezvoused with a former Alaska missionary friend, and then drove 560 miles to Mobile, AL where he is picking up a car to drive it back to Utah for friend Darren Webster. We so enjoyed a relaxed low-key day with him. He looks good, is eating healthier, and recovering well from some major dental surgery. It gave us great joy and peace of mind to spend time with him. We love him and are proud of the person he is. His Christmas gift to himself was to be another "solo" trip on the road. Last year he celebrated by hiking to Delicate Arch on Christmas morning to watch the sunrise after we shared family Christmas on Christmas Eve. He's celebrated the holiday in Panama, Alaska, and elsewhere. The life of a bachelor. He's now driven every state except Hawaii. However, his Christmas Day driving plans have been foiled. FedEx didn't get the purchase check to the dealer, so he's held up in Mobile until Wednesday. He'll make a discovery somewhere today, we're sure.<br />
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Speaking of FedEx, we still have about 50 missionary Christmas boxes in the mission office that arrived on Monday. We couldn't get the USPS boxes and 100 cards and letters re-addressed before the Post Office closed. We will probably get more on Wednesday, so it will be another all-day mail marathon and multiple trips to the Post Office. We have the best mail carriers. One day we received four deliveries, one of them with nothing in the truck but our missionaries' boxes! No, you can't wait until a week before Christmas to get a package to a missionary! But many loved ones tried! After Thanksgiving we started storing all packages in the mission office, leapfrogging the older packages back into delivery once we were assured we would have at least once package for each missionary for our Mission Christmas party. We ended up with hundreds of packages of all sizes saved at the Mission Office and hundreds more forwarded on. Packages everywhere! Why didn't we take a photo of all those gifts!? Too busy! Mail and packages have been the primary focus of the month, along with helping our new couple, Elder and Sister Hall, learn and adapt into the mission office routine. Some days we felt like we were sinking and have some catch up to do to be totally afloat again. However, it has brought great joy to bring these wonderful missionaries happiness.<br />
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We had our mission party on Wednesday, December 19, at the Stake Annex next to the Mission Office. It's the only time of year that all of the missionaries get together. We had a great catered turkey and stuffing dinner. The Halls helped us provide and put together little candy bags and a summarized bookmark of Elder Ballard's talk about Be Anxiously Engaged. A bee theme in the talk led to the Bee Merry and Bright greeting tag and Bits of Honey mixed with other candy. We saw a wonderful slide show of life in the mission for 2012. We we had an amazing talent show: Sister Paepaetaata performed island dances; Elders Dennie, Boman, MacDonald, Hemsley, and McConnehey created a happy rhythm and rap "I Get No Mail for Chistmas" parody; Sister Waterworth played her flute; Elder McConnehey gave an amazing jazz piano improv rendition of "I Hope They Call Me on a Mission"; Elder Rallison juggled; Elder McAllister balanced everything from a music stand to a full size banquet table on his chin (and got down and up on the floor while balancing); senior Elder Lee shared some favorite country songs; Elder Beenfield created a movie trailer sound effect number; senior Sister Lundgren sang The Lord's Prayer; Elder Fetuli played his ukulele as he sang "How Can I Become Like Him?", a touching reflection about dozens of Book of Mormon prophets and the Savior. It brought tears to our eyes. Elder Campbell concluded with a reverent and beautiful "The First Noel" vocal solo. The program ended as President and Sister Wolfert expressed their love, and it was time to finally find and open the many gift(s) we had transported from the mission office. It was a wonderful four hours! Unfortunately our camera battery went dead and our few photos of the event are lost in action!<br />
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Other December highlights include:<br />
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<li>Welcoming Sister Kathleen and Elder Richard Hall from Orem, UT. They replace Mike and Rosemary Bolt as the Finance Secretary and Housing Coordinator. We already love them so much!</li>
<li>Soccer playoffs on Preparation Day with the Obers and Clarks and our first visit to a Chick-fil-a Dwarf House</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li>The Lilburn Ward Christmas Party; it was your typical Ward Christmas Party, but very enjoyable.</li>
<li>A great empty-nester Family Home Evening. Len and Darlene Holladay (yes, Holladay, Utah is named after his family) shared their infamous and great hand-drawn and wonderfully told recitation of "The Grinch That Stole Christmas." They started the tradition with their family in the 1960's, after seeing the book in the Spokane newspaper (before its mass publication).</li>
<li>A lovely senior missionary dinner at a local Italian restaurant. </li>
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<li>A visit to one of two well-known Nativity Celebrations in the Atlanta Area. We attended the event in Roswell with the Halls. Another was held the week before in Gainesville. It was a great community missionary event that draws thousands to see nearly a thousand amazing nativity displays and enjoy musical numbers from local talent. It was beautiful and spiritual. </li>
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<li>Catching the amazing nutcracker collection window display in tiny, downtown Lilburn.</li>
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<ul>
<li>Shopping for sub-for-Santa events.</li>
<li>Helping Zaza and her granddaughters decorate the Christmas tree.</li>
<li>Attending the Sugar Hill Choir Christmas Concert. It was another wonderful community event and tugged at our hearts already missing being part of the Orchard Stake Concert at home.</li>
<li>Working two preparations days: one driving to Jonesboro to get a totaled car out of impound; another deep cleaning and organizing the mission office in preparation for another new couple (mission nurse and husband) who will arrive in January. That effort is still in progress. So much to do!</li>
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<ul>
<li>Helping the Halls transition into their jobs.</li>
<li>Improvising with copy and fax machines down and installing a totally new phone system and hardware two days ago.</li>
<li>AND...notifications of new missionaries are arrive at an amazing rate, so comes the handling all of the correspondence, paperwork, and logistics that come with it. January arrivals will be a fairly standard seven. February? Seventeen and counting (mostly sisters). March? Thirteen and counting; they will be among the first group to enter the mission field after only 10 days in the MTC. April? Eight and counting. Our collective minds are spinning thinking about what it will be mean in terms of expansion as we may gain 100 additional missionaries in our ranks. It will be an especially busy time for the Housing Coordinator. Furniture donations have started and every week we have people dropping housing items off to the office of the storage unit. How many new areas will we open? Everyone needs to bring a bike. Where will we store the bikes until their owners arrive? How will we find 12-week trainers for 30 sisters when we only have twelve sisters right now? It's exciting, and there couldn't be a better Christmas and New Year gift.</li>
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The Halls are cooking dinner for the sister missionaries. It's time for us to cook dinner for some hungry elders. Then we'll call the "kids" for our family Christmas. They sent us wonderful gifts, and we are so grateful the Lord has them in his gracious and bounteous care. </div>
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<i><b>Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, one and all</b></i>.<br />
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<br />Linda and Ray Connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05947160669466637187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374646775736897445.post-82053245562560859082012-12-12T19:27:00.000-08:002015-01-12T15:00:13.508-08:00A Day in TimeSo little time; so much to do. It's been a very, very busy two weeks and no time to write about it just now. Holiday events, new office couples, equipment failures, Christmas preparations, Stake Conference - all have filled our minutes and hours. We'll catch up soon. But it <i>is</i> a special date - 12/12/12. Something similar won't happen again in this century, so it seems appropriate to post something just for today. <br />
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Also, congratulations, Sister Aubree Scott, on your marriage today to Joshua Browning. Denying until the day she left the mission in August that she would marry quickly, we all knew better. And she managed to reserve the special date for a joyous day. </div>
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Only 87 years and 20 days until 1/1/1!</div>
Linda and Ray Connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05947160669466637187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374646775736897445.post-73423559619251727462012-11-25T19:24:00.002-08:002015-01-12T14:56:17.852-08:00For Thy Bounteous BlessingsWe love Thanksgiving and the stately cadence of many of our thanksgiving hymns. A favorite is the Primary round <em>For Thy Bounteous Blessings</em>: <br />
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(1) For thy bounteous blessings,<br />
(2) For thy wondrous word,<br />
(3) For thy loving
kindness,<br />
(4) We give thanks, O Lord.</div>
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The words of this round pretty much summarize our deep gratitude for our many blessings and for the grace and teachings of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We just finished Thanksgiving Week, and we have much to be grateful for. Among the most important are our testimonies, our mission, each other, ours sons, Michael and David, our daughter-in-law, Wendy, and our grandchildren, Faith, Hailey, Noah, Ammon, and Elizabeth (Lizzie). Then we can continue on to brothers, Ron, Thyce, Kenneth, Michael, and Jeffrey, parents, aunts; all of the extended family. Add our dear converts and investigators and friends here in Georgia and back home in Utah. We can't leave out our health, this country, and the beauties of nature. The list goes on and on, and it includes scriptures, prophets, revelation, temples; again, on and on our blessings go. All of them come to us through a loving Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ. <br />
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Our blessings and activities the past two weeks have been many and varied. Each and every day in the mission office is a blessing. We love serving the elders and sisters. We've had a big baptism month, and we experienced a slight change in the schedules for Transfer Week. Because of Thanksgiving, the released elders went home on Tuesday morning, the same day we picked up a new group of elders in the afternoon. That meant two trips to the airport with the cargo trailer behind us. We were fortunate to avoid the heavy holiday traffic which seemed to jam in the opposite directions we traveled through downtown Atlanta during the day. Elder Williams, one of the Assistants, was among those departing. We look forward to working with Elder Edmunds (from Ogden, UT) who will now work with Elder Hanny. More changes lie ahead this week. Elder and Sister Bolt, our volunteer missionaries from Lilburn, who have been the Finance and Housing coordinators, will be released at the end of November (after extending for 7 months!) Elder and Sister Hall from Orem arrived in Georgia on Friday. They are a delightful couple, and we know we will enjoy working with them. There will be training this week, and then we'll bid the Bolts farewell. We will miss their talents and Elder Bolt's "tales." But since the Bolts live in the Lilburn Ward, we will continue to enjoy their good company. We hope they can slow down a bit and will be able to now spend weekdays at their ranch in South Carolina and weekends at their primary home with their ward family (it's been the opposite during the mission and very tiring for them.)<br />
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We took the Halls to dinner on Friday evening to Dos Hermanos, our favorite authentic Mexican food restaurant, and helped them settle in a bit. On Saturday we introduced them to their assignments as we met a U-Haul truck at the Mission Office. It was filled with furnishings for missionary apartments donated by the Collins Hill Ward, about 15 miles east. We escorted the truck to the mission's commercial storage sheds and helped with the unloading. The three storage units are pretty much filled, and we are accepting donations from five stakes over the next five Saturdays and anytime donations from the Lilburn Stake as they arrive. Why all the donations? President Wolfert has been working with the six stake presidents in the mission on strategies for integrating 70-100 additional missionaries in the next 6 months. Potentials include 70 new sisters; we now have only 14. What does a potential 60% increase in missionaries mean? Lots of new apartments and furnishing and supplies for them, additional vehicles, increased correspondence, paperwork, and mail, creation of new mission areas, nearly every missionary becoming a trainer, and logistics for leaders at ward, stake, mission, area, and Church levels to anticipate and administer. It's going to be great fun! As of today, however, our January arrivals are at normal levels. Where do we store all the "stuff" in the meantime? When will we know for a certainty how many, who, and when? We smile as we ask these questions and look forward to 2013 with anticipation and a commitment to work together.<br />
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Lisa Kotter, the Ward Relief Society president invited several investigators and new converts who did not have other family plans to her home for Thanksgiving dinner. Many of their children are friends, and it was a great fit for the families. (Lisa is the daughter of Elder Cornish of the Seventy.) The Clarks headed with the Obers to Texas for dinner with their son's family. After talking to the Stowells, a wonderful senior couple serving in Jonesboro, we decided to invite them to share Thanksgiving Day with us. They, too, couldn't find a good "we'll cook dinner for you fit", and had hit that point where a change of view felt welcome to them. So they became our Thanksgiving project. Rather than cook a meal, we spent the morning at Stone Mountain Park.<br />
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The park was not as crowded as it may have been on an earlier fall weekend, allowing us to enjoy a few highlights, some photos, and the tram ride to the top of Stone Mountain. We definitely need to take one of our Saturday exercise outings to take the hike to the top! We then joined the senior Kotter family (all 35 of them) for dinner. It was a full house, but the feeling was relaxed and informal. We then parted to our various apartments to connect with family by phone. Mike and Wendy and the kids were enjoying dinner in Arizona with Wendy's sister's (Jacque) family. Dave didn't return our voice message until Friday. He spent Thanksgiving alone at home - resting and giving thanks and finally posting online some enriched comments and pictures for what I'll explain next about Canguro Racing's November achievement.<br />
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I'll use David's words to tell the history of Canguro Racing: <i>Canguro Racing formed somewhere in the mountains of Northern Utah. Or maybe amongst the saguaros of Baja, Mexico. It might just have happened on the slickrock mesas of Moab. The truth is that there is no exact date when Canguro Racing was created. Ten years ago the six of us were complete strangers. Through a shared love of the venerable Toyota Land Cruiser we all became friends. Each of us has been active in the off-roading community for over 15 years, traveled thousands of dusty, washboard miles and have served in local and national leadership positions for various volunteer organizations. Sometime over the past 18 months the timing finally worked out so we could join together for our Baja 1000 adventure. We’re excited for what lies ahead of us and are grateful to all our friends, family, and supporters, without which this would never happen</i>.<br />
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Dave and our mutual friends, Ryan Davis, Darren Webster, Kurt Williams, Marc VanTassell, and Dave Helm (sitting in for original team member, Will Carroll) completed their goal to run and cross the finish line in the 2012 Baja 1000. The race: Started about 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time on Thursday, November 15; about 200 miles for each driver; 1100 miles in all; 42 total hours; one broken power steering belt and voltage regulator; rough track conditions from rain and hurricane damage; sheer joy in their faces in the photos on the grandstand. Only one in three starting cars finished the race - the longest off road event in the world. We watched (when we could) by checking in periodically on the internet to see the marker for car #1404 (Mathilda) move along the tracker application's map route. The GPS updated their location about every two minutes. We held our breath when they stopped at places other than check points; we cheered after check point stops and as they changed drivers and continued on. And we did all this while we slept and did our mission work. Somehow in our periodic checking we hit the highlights of their movement even though we missed hours at a time.<br />
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We were at a soccer game with the Clarks (Izzie's last game of the season) on Saturday morning. We watched Mathilda jump to the finish line on our cell phone's browser about 8 a.m. The Clarks were mildly appreciative; they were much more engaged in the soccer game. But we knew what a big deal this was; a difficult challenge physically, mentally, and financially. It was the culmination of the hard work of dozens of friends. And these men are our friends, too. They finished - safely and successfully! It was cold and windy at the soccer game; Linda lingered in the backseat of the car after the others stepped out to watch the game. They thought I was hiding from the wind; I was actually crying a prayer of gratitude for the accomplishment and for the competitors and their families that I love. Our prayer (many prayers) for their safety and success were answered. There will be much online chatter and pictures about their adventure. We'll miss most of it; but hopefully we'll be able to catch up when we get home (or watch them do it again another year!)<br />
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The satisfaction in David's voice was tangible as we talked to him after Thanksgiving. Our feelings of gratitude for the race success was stronger than we expected. It was not what we anticipated would be a 2012 thanksgiving highlight. But it is. It's more than pride in achievement; there is something noble about the friendship, and sacrifice, and determination that was part of the effort. Like the sacrifice and dedication our son, Michael, gives and receives in his role as husband and father, it is evidence of God's gifts to his righteous sons. Good comes in many forms; we see and hear of God's love every day. It's important that we acknowledge, both privately and publicly, our "bounteous" blessings.<br />
<br />Linda and Ray Connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05947160669466637187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374646775736897445.post-81571435971403150462012-11-11T19:44:00.000-08:002015-01-09T15:35:00.663-08:00The Lord is Ever With UsThanksgiving is just a few days away and there is much to be thankful for, including the Lord's watchful care over the past two weeks. Let's start at the ending.<br />
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Aeriel Chase, Matthew, and Victoria were confirmed today, two weeks later than expected. Unexpected illnesses led to emergency room visits and sidetracked them on two Sundays. After their baptism they moved into a rental home near the Lilburn building, but it was exhausting for them. First mom, then Matthew and then Dad all fell ill. We learned today talking to Mom that Matthew (extremely dehydrated and not able to walk while in the ER), was telling everyone he was a Mormon and sharing his disappointment that he was supposed to receive the Holy Ghost rather than be in the hospital. He is a natural child-missionary! The entire family was so happy today. In Gospel Principles class, Brother Chase testified about the blessings that have come to the family since they committed to the Savior and His church. And Sister Chase was laughing with a happy smile when she explained that they had to get ready for Church at grandma's house because their septic system backed up yesterday. You can see the joy of the gospel in their faces and understand why Elder Williams felt so happy at their baptism. We're excited to be able to continue to get to know and help them more. We're already thinking about a way to enjoy a family experience with them during the holidays ahead. The other happy event from today was to turn around in the hall after Sacrament Meeting and see Dana Roca, our beloved convert who left Georgia in an urgent situation, leaving no contact information. We wondered months ago if we would ever see her again. She's back, doing well, and attended Church while in New York. What joy filled our hearts. No one in the ward knew she was back until she appeared today! The Lord has been with her. Today was a joyful end to a busy week.<br />
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The week before last, Ray had a bout with the flu. Halloween came and went quietly (we shared our candy with the Clarks so they could give it out). Hurricane Sandy hit the upper Atlantic Seaboard; we donned our Helping Hands t-shirts and helped several dozen Lilburn Stake members at the Tucker Bishop's Storehouse to pack food boxes for relief efforts. It's wonderful how willing hands work so quickly to help the Church to be ready in advance. The hurricane was so devastating, and yet a sense of resilience and determination surfaced, too. On Saturday morning, we learned that two elders had been in a serious accident about 9 p.m. on Friday night. A woman, DUI, collided with them nearly head on; both vehicles were traveling nearly 50 mph. Another set of elders were traveling in the next lane and witnessed the accident. The woman's car went airborne after the initial contact, rolled on its side, and ended upside down. The four elders got back to their apartments about 4 a.m. after Elder Jones was checked out in the ER. Fortunately he was okay. It was a miracle the elders were not more seriously hurt. The Lord was with them.<br />
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We began our Saturday morning with housework, raking leaves and mowing the lawn (exercise felt so good). We then enjoyed an hour watching Cami Ober play soccer, and we got to know her father, Blaine Ober. Blaine came home for a week from Dubai (happens about once a year). Jackie and the girls were so happy to have him home. It was good to see them all together, even Alex flew home from BYU to spend time with them. After the soccer game we drove down to Jonesboro to see Elder Jones and Gisseman. President Wolfert was at their apartment when we arrived; letting the elders call their parents to assure them they were okay. After a prayer of gratitude for the missionaries' protection and a plea for blessings for the reckless driver, the president left and we took the elders to dinner. They looked tired but were excited for a good meal. Unfortunately, Elder Jones, the driver, was on some medications and had to take most of his dinner home. It was only 7:30 p.m.l when we dropped them off, but we assured them it would be okay to go to bed after an exceptional 24 hours. We saw the elders on Tuesday at Zone Conference, and they are doing well. What a blessing!<br />
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The first of three Zone Conferences was held in Lilburn on Tuesday - election day. It rained much of the morning, making car inspections fun. We experienced the same rain and colder air on Wednesday in Marietta. Ray followed the Assistants to the Stake Center in Marietta; they leave about 6:30 a.m. to be there by 8 a.m. Without traffic, it's a 45 minute drive; but there is always traffic in Atlanta. Thursday was a beautiful, but cold day for the last conference at the Sugar Hill Stake Center in Suwanee. We scraped serious frost from our car windows in the morning; a first for us in Georgia! Ray enjoys the associations and messages at Zone Conference and also speaks during a session. The Bolts made presentations, too, so Linda was left alone at the Mission Office until they returned about 4 p.m. each day. On Tuesday evening we subbed for Don and Zaza and taught Mission Prep class.<br />
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We averaged more than 10 hour days at the office the past week. So when Saturday arrived, we did a quick housecleaning and started a loop through Cleveland, Helen, and the mountains to do some shopping for some locally produced gift items. We realized that Christmas is around the corner. We learned Cleveland is the home to Cabbage Patch, so we figured it was time to visit the Cabbage Patch Hospital to pick up a newborn for our granddaughter, Lizzie.<br />
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The fall leaves had peaked, but we did catch one breathtaking moment as we rounded a corner on the winding road to see brilliant red and yellow leaves glittering in the sun and gently dancing in the breeze like a soft veil along our path. The Lord was blessing us in those few seconds. It was a nice afternoon drive and we missed the crowds that clogged the roads the weekends before. We have now traveled the beginning of the Appalachian trail and highway.<br />
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Ray's hands have been getting worse, and the discomfort and frustration is wearing him out. The fear that he was having additional problems with his neck keeps nagging at him. He's back to doing his computer work with one finger typing. He felt impressed to again call Dr. Smalley, the Area Medical Advisor, to seek counsel. Dr. Smalley is an orthopedic physician and we met him at Zone Conference. We obtained a copy of Ray's pre-cervical fusion MRI from Utah. It was good to hear from Dr. Smalley after he looked at the MRI. He feels surgery is not needed and is convinced something other than pinched disks may be causing the tremors and weakness. In the short term, Ray is trying medications for muscle spasms, and in the one day he's taken them, they seem to help. He's also going to schedule another nerve conductivity test. The Lord is helping us stay here in the mission; he is with us!<br />
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The 2012 Presidential elections have been both intriguing and exhausting. Georgians like to talk politics - conservative politics. As missionaries we try to keep our conversations neutral and short, but it was hard to avoid talking about the events. Often it was a conversation starter about the Church; but so much of the talk felt like doomsday, either, or. As a precaution, mission presidents were counseled to sequester or move missionaries in areas that could be prone to possible rioting if election results caused controversy. We moved a few of our missionaries and asked the others to stay in their apartments for the night. Throughout this political year, we stated and prayed with faith that the Lord would direct the election outcomes in His wisdom for what we, as a nation, need to receive and learn. Who should we trust more than the Lord? We will come to learn and see His hand by looking back in the future. We certainly came to respect the Romneys as individuals, even more than candidate and family. They showed such great fortitude and character in the cause.<br />
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There is much talk of the "Mormon Moment" in the press. Will the momentum continue? Has it peaked? The SE Area Mission Presidents were recently counseled by Elder Rasband. He affirmed that the Lord is in charge of His work and will move it forward. We have been told to expect a 50% increase in our missionaries by mid-year 2013. Missionary applications increased ten-fold in the weeks following the General Conference announcement that elders can now serve at age 18 and sisters at age 19. We are excited to do our part to prepare for, welcome, and build up those missionaries. Elder Rasband explained that sometimes we simply need to get out of the way. The words spoken by Joseph Smith - the Standard of Truth - say it all. The same knowledge and determination should be ours, because the Lord is and will ever be with us and directing His work. <br />
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<i>"The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.”</i>Linda and Ray Connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05947160669466637187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374646775736897445.post-60068437473562377182012-10-28T19:28:00.002-07:002015-01-09T15:09:48.551-08:00What a TreatIt's Sunday evening, and we find ourselves very tired. It's been a very busy two weeks - all part of the blessings of missionary service. A rare quiet afternoon has allowed us to finally get the balance of our missionary photos quickly labeled and a link for them placed on this blog page. That's a treat! In looking back at Transfer Week, we realized it really was a big month. We had our first experience towing the utility trailer and driving the 12-passenger van to the airport to pick up missionaries. It was delightful. The ride <span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">on MARTA for a first contacting
experience in Georgia usually takes the Assistants and new missionaries 1-2
hours. Elder Bolt convinced us to stop in downtown Atlanta for a quick lunch at
the landmark Varsity in the 12-passenger van with the tow trailer behind. The
Varsity is an indoor fast food franchise with drive-in atmosphere of long time
renown. </span></span>We can now say we've had our experience with the Varsity hot dog and hamburger. Sorry Georgians, the atmosphere was great, the food was school lunch quality. It was another Atlanta experience checked off. We then drove to the Doraville Station to pick up our load of missionaries, just in the nick of time.We're going to love this new assignment, and the driving is no problem. It will be a treat!<br />
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Another new task for Sister Connors is to edit the photos that we take of the new missionaries at the mission home on arrival night. We print them and post them on a large board in the Mission Office. It's a favorite stop for all visiting missionaries to see the faces that go with the names of missionaries they hear about but rarely or never meet. The editing process was a bit stressful since I'm not an expert and had to learn new software, but next time will be easier. After editing the photos, I then take down, add, and re-arrange all the photos on the board in alphabetical order. Followed by that, I add the photos and baptisms into the Southern Star newsletter, publish it, mail it, and email it. The final step with the photos is to print two passport size photos of each new missionary and create index-sized magnetic transfer cards for each missionary to go on the transfer boards at the mission office and mission home.<br />
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Last Sunday was the baptism of Aeriel Chase and 11-year old Victoria and 9-year old Matthew. Dad, Tyler, prepared his worthiness to do the baptisms. Mom and dad were nervous, but there were few corrections and all went well. Elder Casey Williams gave a talk before the baptism and did a great job. He bears a strong, yet quiet testimony in a confident and assured way. You could tell that this family had really touched him. His mission will be over in November. "I've never been happier than I am at this moment," he said. And he was sincere. He had us in tears.<br />
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The Chases bore their testimonies after the baptism. Victoria read scripture with confidence, and from her words and spirit we know she reads daily. Matthew was grateful for the Book of Mormon; that God gave us another testament of Christ. Mom is sweet (probably experiencing the biggest life change). And Dad, from Brooklyn, is a talker who retold the following story Matthew had shared with us during our car ride the week before. Matthew had recognized the spirit when he heard the missionaries, and told the family who had struggled finding a Church that worked. "I think God is giving us one last chance." I was so touched by the spirit of the baptism that I actually posted Matthew's observation on Facebook. If we look at it personally, or as a society, Matthew listens to the spirit as we all should. He is the most amazing young man. Typical is most ways, he is blessed with a special spiritual awareness and curiosity. The family just moved from an apartment to a rental home this week. It puts them closer to the meeting house, which is good. They struggle, as do many, with finances in today's world. They will need our support. Mom was ill today so they could not be confirmed. We plan to visit them this week and share a Primary CD as a baptism memento.<br />
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We enjoyed another spiritual treat connected with the spreading of the Gospel today. With the Presidential election now just 9 days away, the Mormon Moment continues to gain momentum. We get invitations to talk about politics everywhere we turn. We politely listen but hold back engaged opinion (we are missionaries), but it is everywhere. My Visiting Teacher is a Public Affairs Coordinator for the Southeast Region. She has been very busy helping the Priesthood Leaders to organize public affairs callings over the area, train leaders, and screen requests. In just the past two years, the Public Affairs assignment has grown from a newly created calling to become a major responsibility and opportunity. <br />
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The Bolts had a family vacation planned for early October because they thought they would be released, so we held down the office solo that week. Sister Connors has a big spike in tasks and correspondence associated with the week of transfer and the week after. We added some new assignments, had a routine medical screening, flu shots, and much more! Last week we had four new cars to pick up and more fun with vehicles and bicycles. Elder Connors phone rings constantly. We drove to Athens last Saturday to deliver a new bicycle to a missionary.We were treated to the most beautiful week of fall weather. Temperatures are in the 70's, with clear skies, and colorful, falling leaves. Friday night we enjoyed the Lilburn Ward and Stone Mountain Spanish Branch (Halloween) dinner and trunk or treat. It was great fun and a well-attended traditional event! And for a change, my chili was a big hit; it was an on-the-fly recipe I'll need to save. <br />
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Yesterday we attended the BYU / Georgia Tech game in downtown Atlanta with the Clarks. We saw many ward members there and a large contingency of BYU fans. BYU played well, winning 41-17, and it was a fun experience. We're glad we agreed to buy the tickets and go along. On the streets and in the top rows of the stadium we saw several dozen missionaries from the GA Atlanta Mission. They were definitely noticed by the fans, and they represented their role and the Church well to the crowd. We went incognito of sorts, a senior missionary preparation day exception with our president's encouragement.<br />
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Tomorrow we'll return to a more normal routine in the office. The weather has cooled significantly. In missionary life, not-normal is the normal. Love it! May the Lord treat any and all who read this blog with His love.Linda and Ray Connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05947160669466637187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374646775736897445.post-68871588669451919702012-10-14T17:38:00.000-07:002015-01-07T16:18:06.679-08:00The Holy Ghost TestifiesWe enjoyed wonderful General Conference meetings last week. Like that weekend we arrived in Georgia, we enjoyed the meetings along with the other missionaries meeting in our building and several members and President Weiler's family (stake president). On Saturday just a handful of members were there; on Sunday more members attended the early session; fewer in the afternoon. The conference messages were memorable. As missionaries we will remember with a smile Elder Nelson's invitation, "Need ........(name the need)? Ask the missionaries!" Elder Ballard's honey bee object lesson was great, and Elder Holland again was a master in "likening the scriptures to ourselves" as he opened our eyes and hearts to those experiences of the first apostles and invited us to consider how we would answer the Lord's question, "Lovest thou me?" We really felt the spirit as we watched and listened in that quiet chapel. Truly, it was a much greater spiritual experience than we have watching from home. <br />
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As we sat in the Saturday morning session along with the two Lilburn Ward elders, the Centerville Ward elders (one just recently arrived from Brazil), the YSA elders, and the Spanish Branch elders, Sister Connor's conscience ringed "Why didn't you prepare a lunch for us to share between the a.m. and p.m. sessions?" So we did the expedient thing, ran to the nearby Little Caesar and grocery and bought pizza and salad. The visit and food hit the spot. After the lunch, the missionaries had a bit of time for calls and missionary followup. Another image we will remember from this conference weekend is sitting behind a group of elders. Elders Amaro (from Mexico City) and Elder Evans (Idaho), both small in stature, were sitting on either side of Elder Hokafonu. He could put both of them inside the broad shoulders of his suit coat. It was a sight to remember, especially because we love these young men so much.<br />
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On Monday evening, we attended an empty nester Family Home Evening hosted at the Kotter's home. We accepted the invitation to join the monthly event. For this first FHE, we enjoyed time with Eulala and Doyle Kotter (he is now stake patriarch), Don and Zaza Clark, Darlene and Len Holladay, Ann and Elmer Baumgart, Susan and Scott Foster, Pat Montana, and Don Wood.<br />
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This Tuesday, we had eleven new missionaries arrive. Finalizing transfer plans in IMOS (the Church's mission software) was a challenge as two additional missionaries we expected were not able to enter the field after the President and Assistants had already communicated transfer information. Elder and Sister Bolt are preparing to be released, so we will now take their place in driving the mission van and trailer to pick the new missionaries up at the airport. Elder Bolt was our guide this week. President and Sister Wolfert are inside the airport to meet the arriving elders and sisters; they bring them out to the curb so we can pick up the missionaries' luggage; then the Assistants give each new missionary a handful of Book of Mormons and pamphlets and take them on the MARTA train for a first contacting experience.<br />
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We drive the van and trailer north from the airport through downtown Atlanta and pick the missionaries up at the Doraville MARTA Station about 2 hours later. It was heartwarming to see and hear the new missionaries enthusiasm after the experience! They then spend the evening at the Mission Home. Wednesday morning begins with three hours of orientation starting at 8 a.m. with our presentations about mission office and vehicle support, followed by the Finance and Housing Coordinators, and then instruction from the President. After a very stimulating first day and in a new time zone, the new missionaries are usually very quiet on orientation morning. By 11 a.m., they are ready to meet their new companions. It is a busy day at the office with many missionaries coming and going to their new areas. Many of the exchanges happen at other buildings in the mission to cut down on travel and lost missionary time, but it's always a happy zoo on Transfer Day at the Mission Office. On Wednesday evening we had another fireside for four departing missionaries. Two sang (Sister Hinckley from Delta, CO and Elder Decker from Prescott, AZ, his new home; he left from Nampa, ID), and all of them bore testimony (Elder Rogers from Mapleton, UT and Sister Charlotte Smith from Boise, ID). The spirit was very strong in that meeting, and the testimonies were pure and confident. <br />
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Friday night brought the baptism of Michael Dentyi. He received special permission for the Friday baptism and font-side confirmation as he flew to Utah for employment on Saturday. From Kenya, Michael recognized truth quickly and literally "immersed" himself with scripture and testimony. Elder Hanny and Elder Williams were so grateful to have taught and baptized him. We also enjoyed our first real interaction with the Chase family. We helped transport 9-yr old Matthew and 11-year old Victoria to observe the baptism. They will be baptized next Sunday with their mother, Ariel. Dad was preparing to go to work at his security job, so only the children could attend. Brother Chase is a convert from Brooklyn who had slipped away from activity. One day he saw the elders on the street in front of their apartment and sent Matthew out to give them a bottle of water. The Chases appear to be another "golden" family; the spirit quickly testified to them of truth. The children are so open and clear about what they have seen. Sister Chase feels something good and special. What a blessing it is to see how the spirit operates with those who have childlike faith, regardless of age. As we drove the children home, we were able to talk with mom and dad just as Tyler was leaving for work. He is leading the family with faith and renewed testimony of truth. It occurred to us how important the role of priesthood and fathers are in leading their families. Conversions seem to proceed so much more directly when the father leads the family in righteous pursuits. That was the case with the Howard family as well. <br />
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We spent our preparation day with the Howard family, minus Dad who had to work last minute. With permission to use the mission van, we traveled to Dahlonega to check on a damaged mission car and then took the drive west to Ellijay. We stopped at Amicalola Falls for sandwiches and a hike to the falls. We patiently followed the stop and go traffic that started about 5 miles outside the popular u-pick apple farms in northern Georgia and eventually picked a farm for our hour of over-priced apple picking. We then headed home. It was an enjoyable 7-hour excursion. The Howards live on a tight budget with an unreliable car; it was a fun service experience to help them have a day out in the mountains (which reminded them of their home in Tennessee.) <br />
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As Linda considered the spiritual experiences of the week during the sacrament today, she thought about the wonder of the gift of the Holy Ghost. Whether to apostle, prophet, missionary, or child, the Holy Spirit testifies of truth when hearts are open and worthy. And no matter how articulate or sophisticated the words, bearing testimony of truth is pure and true; it is a blessing and gift both from and to our Heavenly Father. Both Ray and Linda, Elder and Sister Connors, bore testimony at this Fast and Testimony meeting. Linda shared her impressions about the spirit. Similar feelings were shared in Bishop Baron's testimony as he conducted the meeting. He pondered Elder Holland's conference talk and the uncertainty the twelve felt about their next steps after the crucifixion of the Savior. Many disciples decided to return to their labors. How could that be? In his consideration, Bishop Baron recognized that they had not yet received the gift of the Holy Ghost. After they received the gift they rose to their callings, even unto death.<br />
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As worthy members of Christ's church today, we have been graced with the companionship of the Holy Ghost. We should have no question about our next step. It's our invitation live the gospel and to let the spirit speak to us and through us. The sure witness comes through the Holy Spirit. It testifies of truth. We show our love and appreciation to the Savior when we, too, testify of what we know to be true. Linda and Ray Connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05947160669466637187noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2374646775736897445.post-74826357986589159462012-09-30T15:48:00.003-07:002015-01-07T15:56:14.561-08:00A Hint of Autumn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's another Sunday for catching up on our mission blogging. We took a couple of hours to venture out on new roads yesterday morning. Unfortunately freeway construction pushed us off the I-285 north perimeter. We tried to rely on an overview map and found ourselves quite disoriented and heading back east rather than west as we had planned. That doesn't happen to us often, but in suburban Georgia with no vistas and snaking roads, it's easy to do. Once back on track, we took a short loop to see Lake Allatoona. It's an older reservoir; the shoreline is bordered with older homes, including many molding, derelict mobile homes. Unfortunately with traffic and a narrow, winding road, we couldn't snap a photo - some residences were right out of a "scary" movie. We also couldn't snap a picture of our latest favorite Church marquee quote: "Eat of the bread of life, or you're toast." We're cheered nearly every day in Georgia by a clever catch phrase. Once at Red Top Mountain State Park on the lake, we saw a lovely deciduous forest with its natural floor blanketed in leaves and ferns. It was a contrast to residential forests which have become choked with attractive, but invasive weeds and vines.<br />
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September has not felt much like autumn. The days have cooled a bit, to be sure, and we've enjoyed lovely days with little rain and temperatures in the 80's. There has been some reddening and falling of tree leaves. The yellows will surely follow, and we expect it to be quite spectacular. Sister Connors enjoyed Women's Conference last night. It really feels like fall now. It was a wonderful meeting. I took Sister Howard (other investigators were unable to commit to the long evening that ran from 6 to 10 p.m.). We enjoyed a Relief Society dinner, half hour local program, and then the televised conference at 8 p.m. Members had tried to explain to Marcy what a general conference meeting would be like, but she really didn't understand until she participated first hand. She really enjoyed it and mentioned that she could feel the strength of the prayers lifted up by such large numbers of women around the world. As we sang hymns, I had to remind myself again to sing melody and not my usual alto. There's so much for converts to take in all at once, they should at least be able to hear the melodies of our hymns! We are looking forward to enjoying next Sunday's General Conference meetings at the Stake Center as we did last April just after we arrived. Where has the time gone?!<br />
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Last weekend was busy. We traveled to Roswell Friday evening and attended the Festival of Nations hosted by the Cumorah Spanish Branch. All of the Elders from the Zone (and a few from the Marietta Zone) were there. Members served generous servings of yummy ethnic food from six Latin countries; loud music and mariachi dancing provided great energy and happiness. Nearly two dozen GANM elders stood on stage and sang Joseph Smith' First Prayer, alternating English and Spanish. They spent the night greeting, visiting, hosting, and eating! So glad we made the effort to attend.<br />
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We really enjoyed our outing to Stone Mountain with our senior friends. Stone Mountain is the most visited place in Georgia, and we now understand why. In addition to the recreation offered there, thousands attend the laser light shows that run nightly during summer and Saturday nights in spring and fall. The carvings on mountain come alive with a half hour or more of patriotic, popular, and Georgian cultural music and images, along with lasers and fireworks. Georgians love the American flag, and as the show reunited the North and South into a single flag mid show, the crowd roared. Like the many families and dating couples there, we carried in lawn chairs and blankets and ate our picnic before the show. We could see hikers atop the mountain, and they looked like specs at the top of the 1000 foot wall.<br />
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We definitely will get back to make the one-mile hike to the top and see the viewpoint from that perspective. It was interesting to compare the carvings of the Confederate leaders to Mt. Rushmore (especially since creator Borglund started the Stone Mountain project and relief before moving on to the Rushmore area). Stone Mountain's relief is about 50% higher than the figures at Rushmore but broader in scope. It was hard to believe when we heard that a man could stand inside the forward horse's nostril. Next time we visit, we'll get closer to appreciate it more.</div>
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Sister Sanders had to return home to recuperate from an aggravated leg and foot; she is determined to return as soon as possible.<br />
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So for now, the Lilburn Ward is without sister missionaries. I've helped the elders with teaching and reaching out to Cerus Martin so she can continue to have a female friend. She is from Liberia and is a home seamstress with a middle-of-the-night part-time job. She is very curious, but has so many questions. We will need to be patient so as to not overwhelm her. We enjoyed taking Elder Frietas (Brazil) and Elder Goodman (Mesa, AZ) to lunch during the week. Elder Freitas is learning English and doing a great job. Elder Goodman is an English speaking missionary who made the effort to learn a bit of Portuguese when he was housed with Portuguese speaking elders. He will leave the mission speaking Portuguese and training a Portuguese elder. They are blessing each other and have such a great attitude. Elder Freitas is learning English so quickly and is so enthused. We are so impressed with our missionaries who dedicate themselves and stay so happy. We had four elders to dinner last Sunday, the Young Single Adult branch missionaries and those from the Stone Mountain Spanish Branch. Elder Amaro is from Mexico. We invited Don and Zaza "down" to dinner to join us, and the elders enjoyed so much speaking in Spanish with them. The Clarks plan to have Elder Freitas to dinner soon and nurture him with some Brazilian conversation. </div>
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The missionary highlight from the past weeks was the baptism of Jim Grayless. Brother Grayless has serious health issues due to diabetes and will be transitioning to assisted living soon. His legs are tenderly wrapped, and he can't bear slacks or shoes. Elders Hanny, Astel, and now Williams have taught and served him with devotion, helping him dress and get to Church where he sits in his wheelchair with a blanket over his bared lower legs. He was baptized on September 23. A member of the ward who is a nurse carefully wrapped his legs in plastic wrap. Prior to the baptism, Brother Grayless bore his testimony that he recognized truth when the elders explained he needed to be baptized with the proper authority. The program was short, ending with the baptism itself. Using a chair in the font and many helpers to help him into the font, it was a sweet moment and humbling for the young elders who assisted him. Brother Hoskinson, Jim's neighbor, performed the baptism last week and also confirmed him today. Elder Connors has been able to help teach, transport, and fellowship Brother Grayless and was honored to be a witness at the baptism. </div>
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It's so important for these young elders and sisters to have these missionary paychecks. We know the Lord has blessed us with a calling to "support" the young missionaries as they grow in skill and testimony. We see them acquiring the skills and experiences that will serve them as future leaders of quorums and auxiliaries and congregations. It all works for good. </div>
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Linda and Ray Connorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05947160669466637187noreply@blogger.com0