Last year on our blog entry of September 3, 2023, I (Russell) wrote about an experience with an elder who had lost his car’s key fob. Elder Wunderly returned home this last week after having served a great mission. Because of the experience we had together, I wanted to make sure I saw him at transfers on Wednesday before he and his group of missionaries left. On Tuesday we received 24 new missionaries. Wednesday morning Eileen did some training prior to the missionaries receiving their new companions who will be training them. I accompanied Eileen so that I could see Elder Wunderly and say goodbye prior to his departure home. While welcoming the new missionaries to our mission, Eileen said something unexpected. She spoke about receiving our call to the Missouri Independence Mission and how we anticipated we were going to be called somewhere else. She then related how this mission has turned out to be her favorite of the five full-time missions we have served together.
While I have known that Eileen has been happy serving here, it was still a surprise to hear her say it so confidently and publicly. Eileen’s statement and my hope to say goodbye to Elder Wunderly in the next hour caused me to reflect on the event with the lost key fob over a year ago. In the blog entry over a year ago, I mentioned how early in the morning, the day after the key fob was found, I was prompted to recognize that both of us missed the greater blessing: that the key fob did not work that one time! What I failed to disclose about that prompting was something that I have not told anyone, other than Eileen once a month or so ago. As I was thinking that morning about how I had missed the greater blessing of the car not starting, another thought came: that I was missing a lot of God’s interventions on my behalf, including being assigned to this mission. I remember feeling/thinking, “Do you know how much effort it took to not have you assigned to one of the missions you had requested?” The six preferences we had put down in our missionary papers were all good fits for us and for the needs of the prospective missions. But none were what God wanted for us at that time. God knows what is best for us and He will lead us if we are willing to follow. One again I’m being taught that lesson, I’m just a slow learner.
The Sheffields invited us over to dinner. The wives sat at another table across the room. The wives were mentioning that occasionally members of our church mistake our husbands for General Authorities. L-R, Bishop Causse (Elder Sheffield), Elder Uchtdorf (Russell), Elder Bednar (Elder Dennison).
Sister Williams went home this past week for medical issues. I (Eileen) sure love this sweet sister. The flowers she gave me 2 weeks ago are still alive on my desk. I keep thinking they will soon be dried flowers.
We had the wonderful opportunity as a senior missionary district to watch the broadcast for President Nelson's 100th birthday. He is such a remarkable man with so many great accomplishments. He seemed to be especially chosen for this time leading the helm of the church during the pandemic and leading with love at a time when there is so much conflict associated with politics, gender and race.
Sister Parker told the remarkable story of a newly returned missionary from Mexico who was in Kansas City helping his sister move. The truck they were using ended up getting stolen. His precious scriptures were in the truck. When the car eventually was towed for illegal parking, it was full of beer bottles and drug paraphernalia. The police were contacted and they found this young man's scriptures in the truck. The police officer recognized the scriptures as being something very personal and brought the scriptures to the Independence Visitor Center. Sister Parker was then contacted. She tracked the owner of the scriptures down on Facebook. He was no longer in Missouri however his sister came to pick them up. I wonder how many angels it took to make all these miracles happen?
The Ranes are going home this week. They have been serving doing Records Preservation. Sister Ranes keeps all of us at the office supplied with plenty of treats. We love them and will miss them.
This week we had transfers. There were 24 new missionaries who arrived, all but 4 were elders.
We love our amazing APs Elder Hymas and Elder Timpson
Elder Wunderly has been a great missionary. We will miss him and wish him well on his pursuits in the future with his education.
Sister Creer and I took a walking tour on Saturday of historical sites in Independence related to the LDS people. This mural showing the trails of those going west is on the side of a building here in Independence.
This is another mural painted on the outside of a building. It shows scenes of Harry Truman. It is difficult to see in this photo but it shows his quote "Its good be back home in what I call the center of the world-Independence. I think it is the greatest town in the United States."
This building was the first courthouse in Independence. It was built in 1827 and eventually moved to this location. A gentleman on our tour was actually a descendant of the man who built this courthouse.
President Forsyth who is the mission president of the Historical Sites Mission led our walking tour. He is standing in front of the current courthouse for Independence. It is estimated that in the mid 1800s, 1000 wagons left/month to head west from this location. In 1833 Bishop Edward Partridge was tarred and feathered in front of this courthouse.
Elder Hamas and Elder Timpson took the time to get Russell his favorite treats and bring them to the office for his birthday. They even hand chose the Disney bag specifically for Russell.
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