More and More Mission Tales...

This is a continuation of the last post because the blogger/Mom took a break from blogging to attend the worldwide training meeting for new mission presidents via satellite. I knew that Brae was excited about it because he mentioned it in his email last week, and so it was fun to be a part of something like that, knowing that he was also watching from his corner of the middle of nowhere--the reservation. I came away from the meeting uplifted and inspired to be a part of this great work, even though I cried through most of it! 

Brae let us know the week of June 3 that he would be staying in Cameron for another six weeks. He said that if Elder Booth's visa doesn't come in the the next six weeks he will likely be transferred in mid-July, but if it DOES come he will likely stay on the reservation another twelve weeks. He is loving it there, and so he will be happy either way. He said that they are still allowed time for language study every day, and so he is hoping to become more fluent in the Navajo language. They also found some new people to teach.

He also talked more about the "stinking HOT" weather, saying, "I think I jinxed myself when I got my call and said 'it's warm there'! Oh, the irony!!!" Apparently it has been between 100 and 110 every day.

His email from the week of June 10 began, "HOLY SMOKES! IT'S HOT DOWN HERE!" I laughed when he said that they have a swamp cooler in their trailer that keeps it down to 80 degrees most of the time, so it's "not unbearable". Notice that he didn't say that it was bearable, just that it was "not unbearable"! He said that one day they went up to the mountain to teach some people who were selling jewelry at their bead stands there. It was 98 degrees, and he told Elder Booth, "Wow! It's really cooling off!" and said that it felt awesome to be up there. They had 35 people at church and five new people who have set a baptismal date. He said, "We keep finding new people/families that the Lord has TOTALLY prepared to hear the word. It's crazy. God is doing all of the work and I'm just an instrument in His hands, which I'm happy to be!" 

They also got to see the Grand Canyon with the senior missionaries, Brother and Sister Robertson. Sister Robertson texted me some cute pictures, which I will share at some future time when I become savvy enough to know how to post them on this blog! It was Sister Robertson who told me that Brae and his companion were singing my song "Bless Your Father's Name" for Father's Day, which made me really happy. (The thought of Brae singing anything makes me smile!) It is truly a blessing for Brae to be serving there with Brother and Sister Robertson! He loves them and has learned so much from them. I hope that Becky doesn't mind my sharing an excerpt of a text that she sent me the morning of June 14: "Ya'aah'tee. I wanted you to know what a great missionary you have. It has been awesome watching him grow in the gospel this past 3 1/2 months. He teaches with the spirit. The families love him. He has taught Elder Booth very well. We enjoy being around him and love him also. He is always happy. We are blessed to serve with him." Truthfully, I was having one of those "melt-down-moments", and her text came as a tender mercy for me. I am glad to know that he is growing in the gospel, serving people, and doing well, but the part that made me the happiest was her saying that he is always happy. I am always reminding him to look for the good in every person and every situation, and his happiness is evidence that he is doing just that. And I want to bear testimony that although we will experience difficult moments as part of our mortal journey, we have a Heavenly Father who knows us by name. He loves us and He is there for us. He hears and answers our prayers, often times through ministering angels like Sister Robertson. 

June 17, Elder Beck was really excited that they had taught thirty lessons the previous week, which was a new record! He said, "We're still totally being led to people who are prepared to hear about the gospel. I love being a missionary because you can see the spirit's workings clear as day." He told of singing a duet of my song with Elder Booth and said, "It was really good! I love being able to share my talents with the people here. The Lord gave me everything, so I might as well pay it forward!" As a reprieve from the hot weather, the missionaries had plans to go to Tuba City for P-day for a "Zone Water Fight". He was excited to see several of the elders who went out the same time as he because they all became such "awesome friends". 

Sister Robertson sent this update this morning via email: "Ya'aah'tee. We have a great story for you this week. We were going back to the church early in the morning, and Elder Beck and Elder Booth were closing the gate to the church yard. They said a member of the church who works at the post office 1/2 mile away from the church had a car that would not start. So she jumped on her horse and rode about five miles to the church with her three dogs following her to the post office to work. During work, the Flagstaff pound picked up her dogs and took them fifty-five miles away to Flagstaff. It cost $360 to get them out of the pound! Dedication!!! It's not every day you see a horse tied up on church property. Only happens on the Res.!" In the spirit of the Res., maybe Briana and I should ride our horses to church one of these Sundays. ??? Maybe people would stop to investigate...It could be a great missionary tool...Haha.

Ha'goo'ne!