"For the Lord shall be thy confidence." Psalm 50:5

 

The Lord continues to sustain us in our work here in San Diego. We were graced with a visit from Elder James B. Slaughter of the Seventy at the end of February. He taught us an important concept, one that continues to resonate through the mission, about confidence. He explained that while we often think of self-confidence and self-doubt as being on opposite ends of the spectrum they actually share the same, self-centered, inwardly focused side of the spectrum. He continued and explained that opposite the self-centered side we find “Christ confidence” which is outwardly focused. He taught us that with that outward focus, Christ can work through us to bless others. One exhibits Christ confidence when they choose to follow Christ without fear of man. In the New Testament, Paul is a prime example of an individual who practiced Christ confidence and there are many examples of such contained in the Book of Mormon. 

Our missionaries have many opportunities to show and practice this sort of confidence as they invite individuals they are teaching to make changes in their lives and come unto Christ. It takes courage and the ability to set aside concern of what others might think or do to have such conversations. But when they connect with someone who is seeking Christ in their life it makes their efforts worth it. We have recently fasted and prayed that we could find families to teach and have witnessed many small miracles of families reaching out to us wanting to learn and know more. 

In February we kicked off an effort that had been in the making for a number of weeks. Many wonderful people – mostly families – have immigrated from Haiti to the San Diego area. They are just getting established and many are looking for a faith tradition and church they can attend in their native language to help lift themselves and teach their children. We assigned four missionaries to learn Haitian Creole and organized a group to meet weekly. None of these missionaries spoke Creole before this effort began but they have earnestly studied and are witnessing what we call the miracle of speaking in tongues. After just a few weeks of effort, we now have a group with close to two dozen Haitians attending and more to come.

This effort with these wonderful people is a literal fulfillment of scripture. As you may recall, prior to his ascension into heaven, Christ instructed his apostles, saying, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." It is for this very reason that we have missionaries proclaiming the gospel throughout the world. Our modern scriptures teach: 

"For it shall come to pass in that day, that every man shall hear the fulness of the gospel in his own tongue, and in his own language, through those who are ordained unto this power, by the administration of the Comforter, shed forth upon them for the revelation of Jesus Christ."  (Doctrine & Covenants 90:11). It has been joyous to witness this happening here in San Diego. 

Recently, I chatted with a missionary who went home with a mysterious ailment. It took a number of weeks and some intense treatment but this missionary is doing much better and has continued as a service missionary in his home geography. As we spoke I learned that a childhood friend had reached out and asked to begin attending church with him and to receive lessons. This really helped this missionary understand the Lord's plan in the health problems and circumstances that took him home. He now recognizes the Lord needed him to be there for that particular friend. While we do not always understand our trials or the Lord's timing and methods we know we can trust His plan for our lives.  

We just finished interviewing all of the missionaries last week, something that happens every six weeks. It is wonderful to have time with them to check in and help build them and lift them. Interviews are always accompanied with some snacks for the missionaries and this month we selected a St. Patrick's day theme. We shaped green vegetables into a green shamrock accompanied with green goddess dressing. There was also a rainbow (gummy bears) with a pot of gold (pirate booty) at the end. Sister Merritt is constantly emphasizing the importance of “eating the healthy rainbow” and we make an effort to have healthy rainbow options during interviews. (Healthy was added to our rainbow description early in the mission when many missionaries responded that they ate Fruit Loops and Skittles to satisfy eating the rainbow.) In addition to the themed snacks we included information about St. Patrick and the canonization process. Many missionaries found this information interesting especially as so many friends we teach question why we refer to ourselves as latter-day "Saints". "A scripture that captures both our missionary efforts and title of "saints" reads: "Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me. . ." Psalm 50:5. 

This Tuesday is transfer day. Twelve missionaries depart for home, two sisters return to the Temple Square mission in Salt Lake City and three elders, having received their visas will, at last, report to their original assignments outside of the USA. We have five missionaries arriving on Tuesday and so if you do the math you know we have decisions about how to cover all of our areas. 

One final tidbit before signing off. We discovered that angels are not always there to catch us when we fall. While on a run with some missionaries at the beginning of this transfer, President caught a lip in the pavement and took a dive similar to Sister Merritt's November face plant. Unfortunately, however, he had bruises and abrasions to show and his mobile phone took the brunt of the fall. (Note from Norm: "It was an experiment to see what happens when you slap your phone to the pavement. Please don't try this at home!") Evidence we are still in need of your prayers. We thank you for them and feel the Lord's sustaining influence in our work here. 

May you feel the love and peace of the Lord in your life. May you celebrate and rejoice in his promised blessings as we enter Spring and celebrate His glorious resurrection.

 

                    Missionaries from Zone 8 came in to attend the temple together. 

                        Our departing missionaries - we always have a meal and share time 

                        with them before they finish their work and depart for home. 

                        

    Saint Patrick Day themed snacks. 

The not so healthy rainbow. 

A group of sisters gathered at the mission office!

Wedding day for two former missionaries who happened to meet

while serving here in CSDM!