September 3, to September 9th, 2024

 (I am three weeks behind on sending emails and posting on the blog.  This is written on September 25th.)

Two events during the first week of September to record:

Saturday, September 7th:

We had our second Traverse City District Conference.  We opted to stay here in Cheboygan and set up the Zoom meeting in our building giving members here the ability to watch without having to drive two hours.  Some can't go on that long of a car ride for health or body issue reasons.  Some can't afford the gas money.  We enjoyed the conference a lot because several of our Branch members were involved.  Arthur Woollard, who was baptized on June 2nd, shared his conversion story at the Saturday night session.  He has an amazing gift for words.  We were so "proud" of him.  We also saw Ashley, who was baptized on August 24th, sing in the choir at the encouragement of our RS President.  

Then Elder Rogers, from here in Cheboygan, was called forward by the Mission President to share a miracle he had experienced.  He told of the miracle he witnessed when Sister Woollard said that joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints saved her marriage.  That is quite rewarding to know your efforts, combined with the Lord's hand in people's lives, can make such an impact for good for people you come to love.

We belong to a District here.  Not a Stake.  The Traverse City District is comprised of 11 Branches in northern Michigan.  We are a long way from becoming a Stake, but our missionaries are working so hard.

Just for the record, here is a picture of the District.  It includes every area above the green line.

Monday, September 9th:

Since it was our PDay, and Elder Rogers' 20th birthday, we had a District get together here.  The Sisters came over from Petoskey and we BBQ hamburgers.  Elder Gibbons thought it would be funny to give Elder Rogers prunes seeing as he was getting so old...not.  But the joke was on us because he didn't even know what the prunes signified.  That old people eat prunes to help with...well you know, right?

The Sisters brought them happy birthday crowns.

President Nelson turned 100 years old on September 9th too!  Saints celebrated all over the world.  There was a worldwide broadcast and we had a watch party at our church building.  We got our typical 15 people, which includes us four missionaries.

President Nelson is such a beloved prophet.  His kind, genuine love for us all is deeply felt.  Since becoming the senior living apostle and prophet he has doubled the number of temples the church will have once they are all built.  He has, under the direction of our Savior, made adjustments to temple presentations and words in ordinances.  He has asked us to minister to one another in higher and holier ways by changing Home and Visiting Teaching to simply Ministering.  His counsel to us in his General Conference talks, have included direction such as "Peacemakers Needed."  (Isn't that the truth?!)  He has encouraged us to "Think Celestial."  He has taught us about "Spiritual Momentum."  "Building Our Spiritual Foundations centered in the Temple."  And he has taught us about Hesed.  Meaning when we make a covenant with the Lord it binds us to Him in a covenantal love.  And so much more.  We know President Russell M. Nelson is God's prophet.