CELESTIAL HUMILIATION

This week we had the privilege of attending two meetings at which we heard from Elder Ruben V. Alliaud, President of the Europe Central Area and his wife, Sister Fabiana B. Alliaud.  These were perhaps their last talks given prior to Elder Alliaud’s transfer to SLC next month to serve in the Missionary Department.  Their talks on Tuesday were during a devotional for all employees and senior missionaries serving in the Area. It was a chance for them to say goodbye to everyone, many in person and a lot more online.  The second meeting was on Wednesday, a zone conference for the senior missionaries serving in the Frankfurt Area office.  While their talks at both meetings were good, their talks to our zone were more personal in nature, messages prepared for us as senior missionaries.

During Elder and Sister Alliaud’s talks at Zone Conference, I (Russell) noted four specific points that stood out to me.  The first was when Sister Alliaud was talking about their experiences in new Church positions. She referred to them as lessons in “celestial humiliation.”  Opportunities to learn, both perhaps a skill, or knowledge, or wisdom, or some other strength and humility all at the same time.  As I looked around the room, I saw my fellow missionaries, almost all whom had been very successful previously, now filling roles in which humility may be the primary thing we are learning during our service here.

The second point that stood out to me was when Elder Alliaud referred to John 15:13. He said (my paraphrasing) that while we are not called upon to lay down our lives as Christ did for us, we are asked and have responded to giving up years of our lives in His service. While there are many ways to “endure to the end,” serving God, His Church, and His children was the best way.  My thoughts went to The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25:31-46).  I need to do a better job of recognizing how and who God would have me serve and then doing so.

Elder Alliaud then referred to Jacob 5:61-63 & 70-72, the Allegory of the Olive Tree. He emphasized two words found there.  First was the repeated use of the word “Last.”  He assured us that we are living in the last days prior to the second coming of our Lord and Saviour, and that we are part of the servants laboring in the vineyard referred to by Jacob. Then Elder Alliaud noted the word “Joy” in verse 71.  He assured us that we will share in that joy in the future because of our efforts today.

The last point that stood out to me was when Elder Alliaud counseled us to always remember that experience outweighs opinion.  He said the world/others will have their opinions about what is right, but each of us has experience, and those experiences give us knowledge. 

Monday evening for FHE we had a farewell party for 5 departing couples.  Three of the couples going home are from the Welfare-Self Reliance dept.   Working with these wonderful senior missionaries has truly been a blessing in our lives.  L-R.  Silvestors (Family Services and our Zone Leaders), Johnsons  and Muellecks (Humanitarian dept).  Muellecks still have about a month left but they were honored at the party anyhow. We will miss these couples so much. 

              We also had a farewell luncheon for the 3 couples with the WSR dept.  

It has been a scorcher this week. Our AC at the office was broken for a few days.  We have no AC at our apartments. One senior missionary was admitted to the hospital with heart issues and they had no AC at the hospital.  CRAZY!

       The WSR department before 3 couples depart. The Richards and the Avillas just joined us this past week to replace the Johnsons and Silvestors.

Sister Muelleck and Sister Peterson wearing matching dresses for the Area Presidency devotional. I (Eileen) play pickleball with them both

                          Elder Alliaud speaking at our Zone Conference.

I was so excited when Sister Sylvester shared one of her last cans of A&W rootbeer from the military commissary.  Rootbeer is not available at the stores in Germany. 

Russell was asked to speak at Zone Conference about a missionary interaction he had while we were traveling.

An infield couple contacted me asking if I would buy Sister Johnson some flowers.  It was 100 degrees the day I purchased them. I hope they will last a few days. 

                       Russell and Elder Southwick kind of look like twins.