March 8th Week 22- Sunshine and Spring Signs: Transfers Layton Utah Week 12

皆さん!

 

Hope you all are doing well! I don't know what it's like where you all are, but here in Utah, spring's arrived in full force! Consistent 65 degrees, warm sun, a sweet smell on the breeze... it's been pretty picturesque.

 

We tried our best to make the most of it! And that meant a lot of service for others! 

 

Every single day seemed like we were doing some type of service for someone. Pruning ivy, weeding, raking, kid proofing cars, and taking out Russian olive trees... it was a lot of fun! For the most part, we were doing these things for those who couldn't do it for themselves. One sister in particular - she's amazing and wonderful! - is a little bit older, and has struggled with cancer for the past ten years. She's finally beating it back, but the treatments have left her weaker than she really would like. Her husband has health concerns of his own, as well... so they're not able to do a lot.

 

We had the privilege of being able to go and do some of the yard work she needed done - she has a beautiful backyard with terraced pathways up a hill, but it's unkempt and tree saplings threatened to break down the structures. We helped take the saplings and wild grasses out, and with a little bit of extra time, we pruned the ivy holding the walls together.

 

It wasn't a professional job by any means, but we tried our best! And to see her face when she came out to check on us, and seeing the joking smile she usually have shift to a look of absolute wonder and surprise... it made all that hard work worth it.

"No one has done this, for..." She sniffled, a small, heartfelt smile spreading across her face. "No one has done this for over five years. Thank you. Thank you so much."

 

She tried her hardest to try and give us something in return, but we had to politely decline due to COVID rules on the mission... but seeing her reaction, and knowing we had done something that truly helped her feel calm and peace and joy? That was all we could ask for.

 

That was more than payment enough.

 

We also went and did service for an older woman - a widow who, despite walking with a cane and a limp, and slowly at that, she insisted on helping us, when we were just trying to help her! I edged out her concrete trim while Elder Cope raked her leaves (with her help) and helped weed some of her gardens. Seeing her satisfied smile and laughter behind the mask made the work go quickly - and as it turns out, I really enjoyed it! Haven't quite gotten to gardening with people yet - just details around it and a little bit of weeding - but I think I'm starting to realize I've inherited a love for it from my parents... (Thanks Mom and Dad!) 

 

And then on Friday, we started helping clear goatheads from a less active member's yard (and meeting their rescue dog!) and helping spray weed killer down so they can start planting grass. After that, we ate a quick lunch and went down to help another widow in our ward with raking up some pine needles in her yard! She told us of some exciting news with one of her neighbors, and that they might be curious to hear about the Gospel, so that was cool! Immediately following that, we hiked all the way up 1100 N to help with the Russian olive tree I mentioned earlier. "Gnarly stuff," as Elder Cope said. Inch to inch and a half thorns... pierced through Elder Cope's shoe sole (and soul, apparently) and got his foot pretty good. But it was great! Two people there - Brother Miller and another one of her friends - worked together to cut out the roots and tear it out. She came out and thanked us, talking for just a bit before she had to run back inside. But I think it was good contact - hopefully if she needs anything else, we can help out!

 

And then later that night, after we had thought everything was done, one of the former Bishop's in the area asked us if we could help move a piano down to his basement. Happy and eager to help, we finished our lessons and headed there straight away. It was a five man job - him, his son-in-law, our Elder's Quorum President, and us. It was fun! Thank heavens for piano dollies - we honestly just had to get it down two steps outside and then roll it down to the door on the lower level. But it was fun! We ended up sharing a message with all of them on Jacob 2 and Matthew 15 - talking about how the things that we are given are to be used for helping others just as much - if not more - than ourselves, and then tying it into how Christ was mourning the loss of John the Baptist at the time the 5,000+ people came to him. And yet, he took the time to heal them and strengthen them, and even feed them when they could have easily turned away. (I think I've shared that chapter and context with you all before!)

 

Other than that, it was a lot of lessons! We've actually been having really packed schedules! Our Missionary Correlation Meetings, a meeting with our ward mission leaders as well as representatives from all of the auxiliary groups throughout the church (except from the young children), have really been working with us to set up lessons with these last few people we haven't been able to contact. They've also been nice enough to go on some more inspired walks with us! Really great stuff - they're amazing!

 

Oh yeah, it was also my companion's birthday, so that was cool! Go wish him a late happy birthday! 

 

In other news... tomorrow is transfers, where missionaries are shuffled around the mission based on need and inspiration from the Lord. Transfer board is posted at 2-3pm... so we don't know what's going to happen. I finish my training tomorrow, and traditionally trainers get moved out and a new missionary is put into the area. Elder Cope is a district leader, though (all the missionaries in a five area radius report to him), so we'll see what ends up happening, right? Whatever it is... I trust in the Lord. (edit: we found out - see later in the email) 

 

The message I'd like to share today is out of Ephesians 3 - one of my favorite chapters and sections of scripture in the entire standard works:

"Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God."

 

Here, Paul is writing to the Ephesians - giving them words of encouragement amidst their afflictions as newly converted saints. And yet, Paul recognized their steadfastness and faith - and seeks to strengthen them. My testimony echoes that of Paul's - that the Lord knows us. He lives! And as we look to Him, and try our best to live our lives as He did and does - reaching out to others in love, kindness, and joy, granting hope unto others... we can find ourselves strengthened, too. It's almost paradoxical - how on earth do we gain strength by using it to help others? 

As we do as He has asked, and as we show kindness to others and do those things, the Lord will bless us immeasurably. Though He and Heavenly Father want to help us, they cannot physically be with us - they reside in Heaven. And so oftimes, They ask us to be Their hands - blessing others as much as we can. 

And yet, They do not simply expect it. They want to help, so they not? And so they can strengthen us. Help us become better. Help us become stronger. And we find in helping others that we are helped in turn. 

 

I've seen that all through my mission - and besides, seeing people filled with joy? That's something that, to me, always has been and always will be priceless. 

 

I apologize for the late email today! As today is transfers, we spent almost all of today with the district. We went on a hike that was incredibly icy at parts, played four square with a makeshift court at the Compton Bench building, and went to Fiiz, as missionaries on P-Day do. Though everyone else in the district is staying, we're losing two of our missionaries here - Sister Burgin, who's going home, and Elder Brunson, who's getting ready to head back to Mexico in a week. So we spent as much time as we could together - it was a lot of fun! Going to miss them - but the new missionaries coming in sound super cool, too! But we'll always remember this band of eight we've had this past transfer - between call ins, memes, and district activities, it's been a great transfer! 

 

Here's to the bright future for all of us ahead! 

 

 

Love you all! Stay safe and enjoy the first beginnings of spring... if they've come yet, I guess.

 

You all are amazing! Take care! 

Elder Decker

デッカー長老

 

(p.s. the picture of the terrace was before we cleaned it up - my companion has the finished picture...)