Unto One of the Least of These

Dear Family and Loved Ones,

We have had a very busy and productive week in Long Beach.  We were able to relax a bit on Monday (yeah for school breaks), Tuesday and Wednesday we prepared for trainings which were held Thursday and Friday.  Trainings occur once every transfer.  We gather the Zone Leaders and District Leaders in the mission office and go over the fundamentals from Preach My Gospel. The topics are: The Doctrine of Christ, The Role of the Holy Ghost in Conversion, The Process of Revelation (Revelation through prayer, through the Book of Mormon and through Church attendance), Teach People - Not Lessons, We Invite - They Commit - We Follow Up, and How to Begin Teaching. These lessons are being taught throughout all of the missions of the Church and they will soon be taught in the MTC. They are intended to help missionaries be more effective teachers and the results are becoming very evident. It is amazing to see the missionaries grasp these concepts and then go and teach them in their zones and districts.  My job, which I love, is to bring lunch to 40 hungry missionaries.  They are always happy to see me, or maybe just the food . . .

Saturday and Sunday we had our own Stake Conference for the Long Beach East Stake.  It was exceptional, we have amazing church leaders here in California.  

I continue to be amazed at the tenderness I see in missionary companionships.  There have been many examples that really stood out this past week.  One of our Elders is training a new missionary who has some health concerns and also has great difficulty memorizing. Because of his learning problems he attended special ed classes in High School and wasn't sure if he would be able to serve a mission. The Senior companion has prayerfully developed a system for helping him remember scriptures and the order of the lessons from Preach My Gospel.  By relating what the new missionary is trying to memorize to an object (like a pen, pencil, note card, etc.) he is able to make a better connection and retain the information.  Miracles are happening!  Our new missionary, who was only able to remember his phone number and address has memorized lesson outlines, scriptures and Joseph Smith's First Vision! The trainer has consistently been one of our top performing missionaries.  It is humbling to see him take on this assignment that requires him to slow his pace and exercise great patience. His willingness to serve one of the least is surely very pleasing to our Heavenly Father.

Another companionship that has touched me is also having wonderful miracles occur because of a senior companion who recommended to Ted that he and his junior companion switch roles this transfer.  The junior companion also overcame great obstacles to come on his mission, he is very unsure of himself and extremely sensitive. The senior companion rebuilt cars before his mission, one of his projects was to turn a VW Bug into a truck!  He is now rebuilding his companion, they have switched roles and amazing growth is happening.  They called last night to report that they had 21 less active members at church yesterday.  A woman also showed up who said she is looking for the true church and felt like she should come to the Mormon church! They will start teaching her this week.

I get many sweet phone calls from missionaries who want to know how to help their sick companion get better. They are tender, concerned, compassionate and patient.

There is no doubt the Savior is pleased when he sees these amazing missionaries serving one and other.  I've always loved Matthew 25 verse 40:  "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." When we serve each other, especially those who are the weakest and most helpless, we are serving our Savior. Lives are being blessed and changed as our missionaries love and serve each other.

We are enjoying our beautiful, sunny weather but will gladly put up with a few days of winter in Utah so we can be with Cristy and Scott for their marriage Friday at the Bountiful Temple!  Ben, Mari and I will get to spend a few days with family in Utah and Ted will stay here in Long Beach to look after our missionaries.

We love and appreciate each of you!
The Long Beach Buberts