No Empty Chairs

Dear Family and Loved Ones,

Can it possibly be the end of August?  This summer has passed by so quickly!  We have had the joy this past week of having all of our children, except John, visit the mission. It has been wonderful to share the mission home with them! They were able to meet all of our missionaries because we were doing mission training (we divided the mission in half with a morning session and an afternoon session).  They had a chance to see why we are always saying "our missionaries are the BEST".  We have had fun showing them some of the sights, the port, Long Beach, Seal Beach (it was Pearl's first time at the beach and she loved it!) and tonight we plan to go to Signal Hill for family night.

Despite how much we are enjoying every minute of having the family gathered it is obvious that we are missing John.  Every time we load the huge 12 passenger mission van I feel like someone is missing.  We have a family theme (borrowed from President Benson's family) "No Empty Chairs".  It is a reminder that when we get to the Celestial Kingdom someday we don't want anyone to be missing. I certainly have been reminded this week that we want to do all we can as a family so we can be the eternal family we long to be.  The Gospel blesses families, it provides the only means, through temple ordinances for families to be eternal.  More importantly the Savior is the Way for each of us to return to our Heavenly Father. We all want to continue to work and prepare to be a "Forever Family".

Ted and I get many opportunities to speak and of course we usually speak about missionary work, which is getting to be second nature to us.  We had a challenge this week when we were asked to speak about families in a combined Relief Society - Priesthood meeting.  The Sisters in the Woodruff Ward had planned, with the Ward Council, a "Bring a Friend to Church" program.  Each member was to give the sisters some names of friends or family that the sisters could invite to attend the three hour block - great idea! 

Ted shared thoughts from Elder Holland's talk "A Prayer for the Children".  It is a wonderful talk and would be a great one to review.  I especially love what Elder Holland says, "In such times as we are in whether the threats be global or local or in individual lives, I too pray for the children.  Some days it seems that a sea of temptation and transgression inundates them, simply washes over them before they can successfully withstand it, before they should have to face it.  And often at least some of the forces at work seem beyond our personal control.  Well, some of them may be beyond our control, but I testify with faith in the living God that they are not beyond His . . ."

I used thoughts from a talk by Elder Anderson, "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus".  A couple of thoughts from Elder Anderson are, "If a child is not listening, don't despair.  Time and truth are on your side.  At the right moment, our words will return as if from heaven itself.  Your testimony will never leave your children."  And, "As you do your best, the testimony of Jesus will gently distill upon your children's hearts.  They will go to their Heavenly Father in humble prayer and feel His influence through the power of the Holy Ghost.  A stronger personal faith in Jesus Christ will prepare them for the challenges they will most surely face."

When we got to the meeting we realized that there were very few young families, the ward is mostly made up of mature, retired couples.  We wondered if we had prepared the right messages but several sisters and couples came up to us afterwards and said that the messages were just for them.  Hopefully they were given comfort and courage from the words of living prophets.

We have seen more miracles in the mission this week, angels watching over our Elders and Sisters, serious health issues avoided, testimonies and baptisms .  Two Elders were saved from harm by a complete stranger who came to their aid.  One of the Elder's expressed his faith that they were protected because of your prayers and ours for the missionaries safety.  PLEASE KEEP PRAYING!

Ben and Mari start school Weds.  They need your prayers too.  They are excited but very nervous.

We love you all!
The Long Beach Buberts