Hola All!
Fun week celebrating the birthdays of Elders Bassett and Fankhauser! (Pictures on the blog.) We are so blessed to be able to work with such amazing young people! They are happy, dynamic, and good, and very patient with us viejos! With changes coming Monday, we start to miss them even before we know which of them might be transferred, but then love the new ones who come. Go figure! Change day is usually hectic and early! Gearing up!
Great opportunity to drive down to Dario to do a Noche de Hermanamiento for their branch. Elder K gave a great lesson, and then we played the water game (details not to be disclosed until after we have played it with our grandkids) and served Galletas Americanas (Homemade chocolate chip cookies) and soda. Such a fun group that we met our first Sunday in Nicaragua. They also had 5 investigators and several less actives attend. They send their love to the Lees, who helped build and strengthen their branch sooo much! Elder K also did a great job for our Branch Hermanamiento on Thursday, as he was called up from his seat to do it. That's Nicaragua! We really have to pay attention to the person conducting, because he just calls people out of the group or congregation to lead the music, pray, and sometimes speak. Never a calm moment. Always have to be ready to participate!
Had a wonderful visit Friday with a man we have been working with to get his life in order. He has been working a lot of overtime at work, so we haven't been able to visit with him for a few weeks. The Hermanas didn't go with us because they were having a Zone Project, so it was only the 3 of us. He told us how much happier he is, now that he has overcome most of his weaknesses. He thanked us for visiting him, being interested in him, and for helping him to see the things he needed to change and for giving him ideas of how to succeed in making those changes. The spirit was strong, and we were truly humbled that we had received the inspiration to keep visiting and of what to say and do with him. He gave a beautiful and heartfelt prayer before we left. You never know when something you say or do is going to touch someone's life for the better. We pray regularly to be instruments in Heavenly Father's hands. Definitely a tender mercy for us!
We had Branch Consejo on Tuesday, and the new Branch President read John 21:15-17, about one of Jesus' visits to his disciples after His resurrection. After dining together, He asked His head apostle, Simon Peter, "...Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep."
The BP was trying to encourage the leaders to visit and show love for those they have stewardship over. This is a new concept to some. As latter day disciples of Christ, He has asked us to feed His sheep and His lambs. These sheep and lambs are our brothers and sisters, especially those in our families and in our wards and branches. If we truly love our Savior, Jesus Christ, we will love, serve, help, forgive, and teach those around us, His sheep and His lambs. Each one of us can make a difference for good in the lives of those around us, and in doing so, we are demonstrating our love, not only for them, but for our Savior. We are so grateful for all of you who have served us and our family, as lambs and sheep through different phases of our lives! Thank you for your examples, goodness, and love! We love you all!
Love,
Elder and Hermana Koelliker
No comments:
Post a Comment