OK, so here is a lil post about my mission days, or rather back in the days when I met the missionaries. Early 1990 I met the missionaries, and they were willing to teach me about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. First I met Elder Snell and Elder Schneberger they taught me about Heavenly Fathers plan for me and why I was here on earth. Then Schneberger transferred out and Elder Wade came. That is when I learned about baptism and the priesthood. In April of 1990 I decided I would be baptized a member of the LDS church. For the next several months I made many new friends and missionaries. In some ways a couple of them were like the big brothers I always wish I had had. This post is dedicated to Elder Snell, whom over the years I have often referred to as one of my missionaries. I loved my missionaries, they came along at a wonderful time in my life, and helped me. Now I am not going to lie, I do think the cuteness of our young missionaries we send out into the world helps open the doors of some investigators, and I did know some of the cutest missionaries in California, but that's not what impressed me. I was moved by their willingness to serve, and just how generous they were. Elder Snell was so humble and so positive he made being obedient sound fun. Now that being said I thank my Heavenly Father everyday for my many blessings. I know by whom all good things come into my life, but I also know that my prayers are answered many times through the acts of others lead by the Spirit. You can build a beautiful lighthouse and save lives, but with no light it is useless. The light that saves is the light of our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ. Many times I have come across good people that have been lighthouses for me. Those sweet people who have found light in their life and been willing to share it. I kept in touch with my missionaries as much as I could, but as they they continued to teach and return home I lost touch with all of them. I did date a few of them after they returned home, but I'll save that for a different post, and I can assure you they had all been properly released before I even thought of dating them. Back to Elder Snell he had sweetheart waiting for him at home, he had spoken of her often, when they were engaged to be married I got an invite in the mail, but by that time I was in Utah and unable to travel to Arizona. We lost touch after that. over the years I have wondered, sometimes worried, and many times prayed for my missionaries. I don't know if it is the same for everyone, but when life gets busy 10,15, 20 years can pass pretty quick. I just plain decided I needed to find out what happened to to the Anaheim Elders of 1990, so I headed to Facebook. Were you expecting Twitter maybe? I totally don't get Twitter, but I guess I wasn't very good at Facebook either because I didn't have much luck. Then I remembered the wedding invite, that was the clue I needed. Once I knew how to spell Jeanene there they were. We were glad they planned to come up for April conference and we got to have them over for dinner.What a neat experience to have our two families together after all of these years. Getting to talk about past mission experiences and getting to think about future ones. All of our children getting an up close and very personal look at how missionary work touches peoples lives. My heart was full and I loved meeting their family. We really didn't want them to leave, I'm counting on future visits and getting to know the family better. They have some very cute children, who I see my children have already hooked up with on Facebook. I fell asleep last night thinking how sweet it is to be a part of Gods eternal family. One day we will be blessed with the memories of just how closely we are all connected, until then I will just follow the light and do my best to share it with others.
OK, so here is a lil post about my mission days, or rather back in the days when I met the missionaries. Early 1990 I met the missionaries, and they were willing to teach me about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. First I met Elder Snell and Elder Schneberger they taught me about Heavenly Fathers plan for me and why I was here on earth. Then Schneberger transferred out and Elder Wade came. That is when I learned about baptism and the priesthood. In April of 1990 I decided I would be baptized a member of the LDS church. For the next several months I made many new friends and missionaries. In some ways a couple of them were like the big brothers I always wish I had had. This post is dedicated to Elder Snell, whom over the years I have often referred to as one of my missionaries. I loved my missionaries, they came along at a wonderful time in my life, and helped me. Now I am not going to lie, I do think the cuteness of our young missionaries we send out into the world helps open the doors of some investigators, and I did know some of the cutest missionaries in California, but that's not what impressed me. I was moved by their willingness to serve, and just how generous they were. Elder Snell was so humble and so positive he made being obedient sound fun. Now that being said I thank my Heavenly Father everyday for my many blessings. I know by whom all good things come into my life, but I also know that my prayers are answered many times through the acts of others lead by the Spirit. You can build a beautiful lighthouse and save lives, but with no light it is useless. The light that saves is the light of our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ. Many times I have come across good people that have been lighthouses for me. Those sweet people who have found light in their life and been willing to share it. I kept in touch with my missionaries as much as I could, but as they they continued to teach and return home I lost touch with all of them. I did date a few of them after they returned home, but I'll save that for a different post, and I can assure you they had all been properly released before I even thought of dating them. Back to Elder Snell he had sweetheart waiting for him at home, he had spoken of her often, when they were engaged to be married I got an invite in the mail, but by that time I was in Utah and unable to travel to Arizona. We lost touch after that. over the years I have wondered, sometimes worried, and many times prayed for my missionaries. I don't know if it is the same for everyone, but when life gets busy 10,15, 20 years can pass pretty quick. I just plain decided I needed to find out what happened to to the Anaheim Elders of 1990, so I headed to Facebook. Were you expecting Twitter maybe? I totally don't get Twitter, but I guess I wasn't very good at Facebook either because I didn't have much luck. Then I remembered the wedding invite, that was the clue I needed. Once I knew how to spell Jeanene there they were. We were glad they planned to come up for April conference and we got to have them over for dinner.What a neat experience to have our two families together after all of these years. Getting to talk about past mission experiences and getting to think about future ones. All of our children getting an up close and very personal look at how missionary work touches peoples lives. My heart was full and I loved meeting their family. We really didn't want them to leave, I'm counting on future visits and getting to know the family better. They have some very cute children, who I see my children have already hooked up with on Facebook. I fell asleep last night thinking how sweet it is to be a part of Gods eternal family. One day we will be blessed with the memories of just how closely we are all connected, until then I will just follow the light and do my best to share it with others.
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