What, no mustard?

Dear Family and Loved Ones,

     This past week was incredible in every way.  It was wonderful to hear reports from around the mission of the results of our mission wide fast, prayers and testimony meetings.  We know that many of you also prayed for us and those prayers were felt – thank you!  Testimonies and faith have been strengthened.  One of our newest Elders admitted struggling with homesickness and in a tearful testimony he told his fellow missionaries that their testimonies and his knowledge that this is the Lord’s work and that He would be with him gave him courage and strength.  He and many others now know they can do it!

     We had some great training on Wednesday and Thursday. Our Zone Leaders and District Leaders gathered to learn about the Doctrine of Christ and The Role of the Holy Ghost in the Conversion Process.  It is always amazing to hear the comments, questions and thoughts of these young men, they are remarkable.

     My Sister Tonya, her husband Dave and their adorable daughter Blythe spent Tonya’s 40th birthday here in Long Beach.  Tonya was hoping for some beautiful weather, a day at the beach and some relaxation, she came to the right place!

     Ted and I went to Huntington Beach North Stake for Stake Conference Sunday.  It is a great Stake with amazing leaders.  The Stake President, President Markham, is a dentist who donates many hours taking care of the dental needs of our missionaries.  He is also a Preach My Gospel expert.  Their Stake has provided all of their youth with a Preach My Gospel Manual. 

      President Markham always teaches from PMG, yesterday he taught about Gratitude.  He had wonderful insights about the story of the ten lepers, he commented on the fact that they were healed as they were going to show themselves to the Priest.  President Markham instructed us that by doing (obeying the Savior, going to the temple, to church, to seminary, doing our duty  we will be healed.   

     I especially liked this story that President Markham told:  the Markhams take a lot of road trips to visit family in Idaho. They make it a point to take quick potty breaks and to bring along picnic supplies so they can get back on the road quickly.  A few years ago they were going to visit family and stopped at a gas station in Nevada.  Sister Markham had purchased a variety of deli meat, cheese and their favorite bread (a loaf of sheepherder bread).  At the gas station their boys noticed a homeless man digging though the garbage, looking for food.  One of President Markham’s sons quickly made the man a delicious sandwich, loading it with sliced ham, turkey, roast beef and cheese.  It was so big and heavy it took two hands to deliver it to the man.  The homeless man took the sandwich, lifted the top slice of delicious sheepherder bread from and said, “What, no mustard”?  You can imagine how deflated the Markham’s son was.  Their family has used this experience to remind each member to have gratitude and to look for the good in every situation.

    President Monson taught, “This is a wonderful time to be living here on earth. Our opportunities are limitless. While there are some things wrong in the world today, there are many things right, such as teachers who teach, ministers who minister, marriages that make it, parents who sacrifice, and friends who help:.

     “We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues”.

      This Easter season we are especially grateful for our Savior Jesus Christ and the great gift of His life, Atonement and Resurrection.  Through Him we can overcome the challenges of this life, live in joy and look forward to the blessings of eternal life.

Thank you all for your love, prayers and support – we are grateful for you!

The Long Beach Buberts