OBEDIENCE

Each new missionary to the Missouri Independence Mission (MIM) is taught that we are: (1) a Christ centered mission: (2) a Preach My Gospel (PMG) mission: and (3) an obedient mission.This is the mission culture we strive for in the MIM. The third pillar of that culture is sometimes a challenge.

In Chapter 3: Lesson 4 of PMG, we learn about Becoming Lifelong Disciples of Jesus Christ.One critical part of that process is learning to be obedient to God’s commandments, as given to us through his divinely appointed prophets.  Fortunately, we live in a time when we get more of that direction at least every six months with General Conference.  As missionaries, we have the added benefit of being led by a mission president, through whom we can receive inspired direction specific to our work and needs.

By keeping the commandments and other direction given to us by God’s representatives, we can avoid the consequences of sin and error.  From experience, our own or that of others, we learn that divinely inspired rules do not restrict our freedom; but rather they enhance it, allowing us to more safely navigate the many challenges we face in life.  In a spiritual sense, obedience is doing God’s will, and not pridefully trusting in our own understanding.

This past week, two of our elders went home early.  They chose not to follow the direction that was meant to help keep them safe.  On Halloween, President Sommerfeldt asked all the young missionaries to be back to their apartments by 6:00 PM.  Between having a lot of children running around on the streets in the dark, and some adults participating in activities which make being out more dangerous, President felt it best that the missionaries be in their apartments early that night.  While just not being in by the time you are supposed to be will not get you sent home early, not being in as directed allows you to be in places where you should not be.  And some things done in those circumstances can get you sent home. I (Russell) feel sad for the missionaries and their families.  I know this was not the homecoming they had hoped for.

This past week, our daughter Shefali, who is turning 37 on the 14^th, disclosed on Facebook that she has been diagnosed with cancer.  She told us before that, but we did not want to say anything here until she made the news public.  She is in the process of getting an appointment with an oncologist.  We have been praying that she can get in as soon as possible.  Shefali is about the same age as my mother was when she was first diagnosed with cancer.

On Friday we took Sisters Devashrayee and Tippits, two of our Spanish speaking missionaries, to our favorite Mexican restaurant for lunch.  When our waiter first came to our table to greet us, the sisters, perhaps out of habit, started speaking in Spanish.  A brisk conversation started that I did not understand.  After he left us with the menus, Eileen mentioned to the sisters that if they could get him to let them teach him the Gospel, we would bring them back each week and pay for their meals.  When the waiter came back to get our orders, Sister Devashrayee launched right into a conversation that I could not follow, until they started exchanging telephone numbers. It turns out they learned that the man’s wife also worked at the restaurant and that they would be interested in learning more about the Church.  Which brings up the question, if we take the sisters to dinner at the restaurant while the husband and wife are working, and we talk to them there, is that a bona fide teaching appointment?

Sister Kington and Sister Hyde at a medical appointment.

Sister Kington told me about a miracle which happened the day previously.  She felt prompted to wear these boots while out knocking on doors.  At a trailer park, a big dog came running out to the sisters. The dog bypassed Sister Hyde (who had regular Sunday shoes on) and went and latched on to Sister Kington's boot.  If you look closely you can see where the dog bit through the leather.  She had a bite on her leg but it didn't break the skin.  It would have been much worse had she not felt impressed to wear her boots that morning. 

Sister Devashrayee goes home next transfer.  We have become very close to her and will miss her.  Sister Tippets is the blonde missionary. They are both awesome!