Sunday, May 13, 2018

When we decided back in August of 2016 to entitle this blog Joy in the Journey, we had no idea what an amazing journey it would be or how this phrase would apply to our overall outlook on all aspects of life. We truly are enjoying to the end. When we attend branches or wards on Sundays, we are now telling people we most likely won't see them again before we leave. That's so hard to imagine. We realize we have been just a ripple in the water. Their lives will go on without a hitch, but we'll sure miss worshipping and working with the wonderful Jamaican saints.

On Wednesday,  we had the amazing opportunity to help teach a gospel lesson to a young female investigator with the Linstead elders - Elder Rich and Elder Day. We were excited to hear her testify of those things she already knows are true because of the witness of the Holy Spirit as she prays and reads the scriptures especially the Book of Mormon. She has set a date for her baptism; unfortunately it will be after we leave, but we are thrilled she has made the commitment. She has and is being fellowshipped by other young men and women in the ward which is the ideal way to help her feel loved and supported. 

We travelled to Lacovia (about 2 1/2 hours to the west) on Wednesday for Buddy to meet with the Mandeville District Presidency for a training session on the new Ministering program of the Church. We are excited to see this newer, holier approach to taking care of one another. 

Presidents Durrant, Robinson, and Piper

A Vision of Ministering

"May we labor side by side with the Lord of the vineyard, giving the God and Father of us all a helping hand with His staggering task of answering prayers, providing comfort, drying tears, and strengthening the feeble knees." 

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Mosiah 18:

8  ...and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light:

9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life -

Attending baptisms is one of the glorious opportunities we have here, and we had the blessing of  attending another one on Saturday. A sweet sister was baptized in the Boulevard Ward by one of our fine Jamaican elders - Elder Edwards. 

One of the many valiant elders - 

Assistant to the President, Elder Harrah 

We seem to have a lot of pictures of these two together; 

they definitely have a special bond. 

     The elders and sisters of the Kingston area blessed us with a beautiful song. 

"Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd"

Dear to the heart of the Shepherd,

Dear are the "ninety and nine";

Dear are the sheep that have wandered

Out in the desert to pine.

Hark! he is earnestly calling,

Tenderly pleading today:

"Will you not seek for my lost ones,

Off from my shelter astray?

Green are the pastures inviting;

Sweet are the waters and still.

Lord, we will answer thee gladly,

"Yes, blessed Master, we will!

Make us thy true under-shepherds;

Give us a love that is deep.

Send us out into the desert,

Seeking thy wandering sheep.

Yesterday, we attended the Yallahs Branch. This branch is one we've attended more often than others because Buddy has responsibility for it. It is one of the branches overseen by the Mission instead of the Stake or the District. 

Yallahs Branch Relief Society

I said, this is like a Where's Waldo picture...

but look closely and you'll see me there surrounded 

by the faithful sisters who I love so much.

We loved having the four Primary children 

come into Relief Society to sing for us for Mother's Day. 

The rest of Mother's Day we enjoyed visiting with the children and grandchildren on Face Time. We also had four elders come to our apartment to use our computers to talk with their families and afterwards to have dinner with us. We loved being able to hear about their families and the great missionary work they're doing here.

This is transfers week, so we have a couple of assignments to help with moving elders and sisters around. Hopefully, we'll have some pictures to share in the next post. 

Unbelievably, this is our last full transfer. We will leave a week after the next one. We plan to cross that finish line with heads held high and hearts filled to overflowing. 

Until next week...all our love.