MISSING EVENTS BACK HOME

As many of you know, going on a mission for our church involves commitment and sacrifice.  Not only do we pay our own way but we leave our homes, families, careers and comforts of life to go to wherever the Lord calls us to do or whatever he may call us to do.  The prophet Joseph Smith said, "A religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation...it is through this sacrifice, and this only, that God has ordained that men should enjoy eternal life."


Although a mission is not required in our church, it is something Russell and I ( Eileen) have wanted to do for a number of years. We have both worked and saved for the day when we would be able to go.  We are both grateful that the day is now here.  That does not mean that everything has been easy for us since arriving in Indonesia.  There have been many difficult times.  While I would not say our living conditions are difficult in that we have a beautiful apartment complex with access to exercise facilities and decent food, the emotional/mental toll can be challenging at times.


This week we missed three major life events at home.  Last Sunday our 11th grandchild was formally named and blessed in church.  We normally have a large family get-together following the church meeting and celebrate the joy of bringing a new baby into our family. Second, this week was the celebration of the founding of our nation.  We moved into Centerville, Utah 21 years ago on July 4th.  Every year thereafter, except for the two years that we were living in Belgium, we have always attended the local parade and festivities with our family.  It has been a great way to enjoy the patriotism we feel towards our country, to see the fireworks and join together with our children and grandchildren.  The third event that happened this past week was the passing and funeral of Russell's aunt, a dear relative that has been very close to us.


Has it been a sacrifice to be on a mission?  Yes it has.  Yet as we discussed sacrifice in our women's Relief Society group last Sunday, it helped me think about what we are doing here on our mission.  As I look at this week's events, perhaps I need to look at it from a different perspective.  I am so glad that my grandson is healthy and strong, and would gladly serve 10 missions if that meant my daughter had a son to raise.  I am grateful for the country I love so dearly and the opportunity I have had to celebrate it's birth for so many years with my family.  I am also grateful for a good, kind woman who set a great example to me by leaving 10 children and many grandchildren to serve missions in the Congo (DRC) and Russia.  She never faltered in her love for the Lord despite challenges on her missions and with health issues in her later years.  Yes, the Lord has been good to us.  The Lord has asked us for a broken heart and a contrite heart.  I think that means submitting our will to his.  I am not very good at it yet, but I hope to get better.


Last night as we watched the baptism of Brother Hardiyanto I was happy to be here.  This morning as I taught Relief Society in the International Ward and heard the stories of conversion among the sisters there, I hoped that somewhere perhaps I have touched someone's heart.  We talked about the quote "live your life so that those that don't know Him, but know you, will want to know Him because they know you."  I then went and played the piano for the Indonesian primary. I enjoyed watching a sister help the primary children learn how to lead the music as they sang.  Just maybe, I might do some good here... I hope.  Faith + sacrifice = more faith.

For those that are interested, we have updated the posting Youth Conference in Bandung.  We have included  the First Aid test Eileen gave, and also a link to You Tube with the video on Combating Pornography that was part of Russell's presentation.

ELDER KESTLER, BROTHER HARDIYANTO, ELDER MULYONO