Week 13: Solution Resolution

Elder Webster and Elder Hadlock

Ben indicated in his email on Monday that he was going to get to stay in Lakeland, TN. We think his companion is still Elder Webster. They have worked hard and finally have some promising investigators. They had seven come to church a couple of weeks ago. We are praying that Ben gets to see the fruits of his labors. This is a photo taken by Christine Caldwell Thomas (her father was raised in Vernal) who is a member of the ward where Elder Hadlock is serving. His address is: 9345 Triumph Circle #203, Lakeland, TN 38002. I know he loves letters.

Our week started off with a baptism. Monday after work, we attended the baptism of Israel Jesus Blancos, Jr. His wife, Cheyenne, was baptized the first week we were here. They both serve in the military. Israel has been in Korea, but has been home on leave for a couple of weeks. He was also confirmed on Monday because he had to return to his post in Korea before Sunday. They have a daughter who is about 7 months old. Cute family. It will be fun to watch them grow and progress. I think this is the fourth baptism in our ward since we’ve been here. We are grateful to be a part of these events. We love our service in the mission office, but don’t often see the “fruits” of missionary work

On New Year’s Eve we invited four other senior missionary couples over for dinner and games. Our neighbors, Elder & Sister Quillon loaned us their dining table and chairs and we had room for all. Our apartment is small, but certainly big enough to gather, eat, and laugh. We even made it to midnight.

 A trip to the temple fell through on Saturday so we spent the day catching up around here, but we did make a memory in the Sears store at the mall. As we spoke to a salesman there, he noticed our badges and recognized us as missionaries. Then he snidely said: “Well, I hope you get over it.” Well, that set Van off. Welcome to a scene from “Van Meets the Anti-Christ.”  It’s usually me who gets “fired up” and ready to pounce, and Van has to calm me down. Different story today.  One thing led to another and we soon found ourselves in a rather heated discussion – going nowhere. What this fellow was trying to tell us we believed was so off the wall and ludicrous. I’ve not seen Van this upset in a long time. Well, of course, this was a battle that no one would win, so we made our exit, but we didn’t like leaving mad and upset. A learning experience for sure.

 On a more pleasant note, I just couldn’t let the holidays pass without indulging in a jigsaw puzzle. This one was special. It is titled “Pioneer Trek” -- an Eric Dowdle depiction of the Martin’s Cove area. Martin’s Cove has been the setting for some wonderful memories and experiences with youth and people we love. This puzzle is a “keeper” for sure. Only problem is that the puzzle was completed all too quickly. 

Then, Van and I, have also been indulging in Word Searches and Crossword Puzzles each evening. – thanks to Christmas gifts from our daughter Heather who is concerned about keeping our minds sharp. We started with the “very easy” crosswords, but …. we’ve had to sneak several peaks at the solutions in the back. Ah .. there’s a lesson here:

 I supposed navigating life can be “puzzling”, but we are given solutions They are found in holy writ and the words of modern day prophets. And it’s OK, even recommended, that we peak at the solutions--often. Though it may take a lifetime to put all the pieces together, there is greater progress and more joy in the journey by following the plan of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. 

So ... one of my resolutions is to seek for solutions -- in the scriptures, through words of living prophets, and by listening more carefully to the Holy Spirit.  Can't go wrong there.