This was a week of what felt like blessing after blessing.
On Wednesday, April 10th, at 2:01 PM Arizona Time our newest grandchild was born to our youngest son, Ammon, and his wife, Sarah. Meet Hudson Ammon Gibbons. We are so grateful he and Sarah are both doing great.
BLESSING
BLESSING
On Sunday, April 14th, we celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary. After church yesterday we sat on the couch with the warm sun coming through the living room window and remembered all the ways we have been blessed to serve together, the places we have been able to visit together and the family we have been able to share together.
Eleven children (along with their spouses.)
Now 36 grandchildren.
13 Great Grandchildren.
Here's a throwback picture.
Here is a board on a wall back home of all our grandchildren (except Hudson, of course). Most of them are grown up now and some are married and have children of their own.
THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS AND BLESSINGS
A mission is all about people and there are good people in this world. It is a blessing to serve with, and alongside, them.
* Making a Happy Birthday book for one of our sisters who loves turtles, Camille. She lives alone and mentioned it has been years since she had a birthday celebration. Well we couldn't throw a party for her, but I did make her some cookies and took her the little, 8-page book with different pictures of turtles with her as the main character. She is a blessing to many people, including us. I think she liked it!
* We spent several hours helping a brother in our Ward set up his login for Family Search (the genealogy website of the Church.) He is going to the Detroit Temple on the 27th for the first time to do baptisms for his deceased ancestors, starting with his Dad (see 1 Corinthians 15:29 to see reference to these baptisms during Jesus' time.) I was able to help him print the cards needed for him. This will be a life-changing time for him as he blesses his family. It truly deepens one's faith and connects us to them and to eternity.
* Saturday was a blast. Two young Sister Trainers from an area about 45 minutes south of here asked to come spend the day with us. As trainers they are to watchover the other sister missionaries, train as needed and support efforts in our assigned area. I loved knocking on doors and talking with people with Sister Wilson and Sister Noble who served here in Cheboygan for six months last year. It was such a blessing to have her here because she was able to introduce me to friends she had been teaching. Like a dingaling, I forgot to take a picture with them. Also, If anyone knows Sister Harley Noble, let me know. I recall someone in the Gilbert Temple telling me to watch for her because they know her and I cannot remember who it was!
* This Sunday was our monthly Fast and Testimony meeting. I realized as I listened to the simple, sweet testimonies of some of our Branch members what a blessing they are to me. One might think I am here to bless them, but in fact they are a blessing to me. So many of them (most of them in fact) have more trials than seems "fair." One sister in particular yesterday deeply touched my heart. To be honest, to see her it would be easy to overlook her potential (and I mean that with kindness.) But the sincere words that came out of her mouth showed her love for the Savior and the Father.
* We finally met our new Senior Missionary Couple, Elder and Sister Nixon. We will see them each Wednesday at our District Councils in Petoskey. They are from Utah...imagine that. They are a happy and fun couple. They will be a blessing to Sister Froelich and Sister Radmall (both also from Utah) in Petoskey.
* We have mission-wide devotionals usually three mornings a week. Sorry if I have already told you that. This last week we played General Conference Jeopardy via Zoom and the questions and answers were from General Conference talks we listened to a week ago. I'm telling you these young Elders and Sisters are sharp. We didn't win. LOL. But we are used to that! Once a week we play Scripture Mastery Kahoot in an evening with our Zone by Zoom as well. Sorry if I told you that already too. We won't even mention how we are on the bottom of the scoreboard every week. Hasn't Zoom become such a blessing?! Who would think something good came out of Covid? But the opportunities we have as a mission to meet together this way helps us all keep focused and minimizes discouragement.
Here's to another wonderful week! We hope you know how much we love you and how we hope you are all doing well. We invite you to remember (in the words of a song)...
"When upon life's billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings; name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done."
Gratitude goes a long, long way if you are seeking joy in your life.
No comments:
Post a Comment