The Joys of Missionary Service

This Sunday I drove down to Springville to listen to my cousin share his homecoming talk. It was wonderful to hear about how he worked with such good and valiant members of the church, and how he was able to share and strength the faith and testimonies of the people where he served and of himself. I'm looking forward to hearing my other cousin in Malad speak this coming Sunday. Missionary work is a deeply rewarding experience, and like so many other gospel principles, it's the gift that keeps on giving. I returned from New Jersey 2 years and 4 months ago, but I still feel I'm being blessed for that year and a half that I set aside to serve the Lord.


About three months ago I received a phone call from some members in New Jersey to whom I had taught the gospel lessons. The couple I worked with were married and baptized while I was serving as a missionary, and a year later I was able to fly out to New Jersey and see them sealed in the temple for time and all eternity. I love this family dearly. Each time I talk to them I feel blessed that we have been able to develop a friendship and a bond through the sharing of the gospel. When they phoned, they announced that their family had a new little addition, a sweet little girl. I was excited to speak with them, and to know that they were still strong members of the church (he is a member of the branch presidency and she is a counselor in the Relief Society), and so happy!


I ended the phone conversation and told my mom how thrilled I was that they are still such a faithful little family and how they now had a new little girl. Knowing how excited and happy I was for them, my mom offered to help me make a baby quilt for the little tyke. I pieced it, Mom machine quilted it and sewed the binding on, and I just finished the binding on it. It turned out beautifully! (The pictures just can't do it justice). I'm going to send it off today.