Random stuff

Not much to report on for this week, and I guess that is as it should be.  The Elders are too busy working hard to be spending time at home.  I think they leave the house around 9:00 or 10:00 and don't come home until 10:00 pm.  I might be exagerating, because I am at work quite often and don't know when they are here or not.  Yesterday I got home from work and mom had just made bread.  My 14 year old nephew came down about a half hour later and smelled the bread and then saw only two loaves of bread on the counter and jokingly complained that "you gave our loaf to the missionaries."  Mom said that they had not even been home to smell it, and that the missing loaf was at his house.  That's kind of funny, because there's a running joke that goes on where if Elder K. gets to the bread first then he says that he is glad that he got there before Sister Paxton could steal his loaf and the opposite is true when she gets there first.  It's all good though, because when the Elders did get home, Elder B. smelled the air and told Elder K.  "I think we need to go upstairs to investigate..."  and yes, they got their loaf too.  Hey, if we had all three loaves to ourselves they would just go bad, so it's great to share. 

Since I don't really have much to say today, I thought I would tell a sort of old story my nephew told me.  He was in the car with my sister and one of his friends who live next door to him.  As they were driving by my house my nephew told his friend that they were going to pull weeds at my house.  My nephew pointed to my house and there is where we are pulling weeds, the neighbor friend asked "Why are you pulling weeds at the missionaries house?" When his friend came in the house he thought that the missionaries had a very nice house, my nephew had to explain that they lived in the apartment in the basement.

Sorry, that's about all for now. 
Oh, I almost forgot.  This Wednesday is transfer day.  Since Elder K. has been here 9 months, I don't think there is much chance he will stay here, especially since he only has 3 months left of his mission and there is little chance they would transfer him for just a month and a half, so if he stays through this transfer, he might be able to stay for the remainder of his mission... Elder B. thinks it would be fun to "kill" his trainer. (I guess that means send him home).  I would be okay if he stayed 3 more months, because He and Elder B. are the hardest working Elders we have had, so far and they are being rewarded for it.  They have the potential to have a baptism 5 weeks in a row.  They already have 3 weeks.  I know, it's important to be humble, but I am very proud of these guys. 

May the Lord bless our missionaries.  I still pray for them, I hope you are too.  Enjoy your week.  If I get any information about transfers, I will post it as soon as I find out.

Bonus Blog

I don't normally do more than one blog in a week, but I'm making an exception today. 

Yesterday I was kind of feeling sorry for myself.  I'm taking care of the animals at my sister's house -she is vacationing in a warmer climate. I had to get up and feed the animals at 5:30am in order to get to my sister's house and then be ready for work on time.  Then I had to work a twelve hour shift on a Saturday, when everyone else is off for Easter weekend.  I feel like I'm getting a cold and I was just having an "Oh, poor me" kind of day.  I got home from work, had dinner, then Mom wanted to take Easter baskets down to the missionaries apartment, fine we did that it only took 2 minutes. Then I went up to feed the animals before trying to relax for the evening.  Actually I just wanted to go home and go to bed.  I don't usually get this way, I am mostly positive, so it was refreshing to see the missionaries come up to thank us for the Easter baskets.  They had arrived home a little early, and the spanish elders were there too (Elder K. is district leader).  So since they had a little time, on their hands they asked to borrow a board game.  I had no problem with that, but what they didn't have to do was invite us to join their game.  I am probably the same age as their parents, so why would they want to play with me?  But they did.  We had a great time, it was only about an hour, but my whole outlook for the day changed with that simple act.  I went to bed last night with a much more positive feeling than I had just a few hours earlier.  These elders are doing good where ever they go.  THANK YOU to the parents of these four fine young men for raising such great examples of Christ's love for everyone.

Study it out

Last Sunday we had Stake Conference and one of the speakers used a reference out of Preach My Gospel.  That started me feeling like I should get out my copy of that manual from the closet, dust it off, and actually look at what's inside.  It looks much better on my nightstand.  So this week I have been reading in chapter 2 of Preach My Gospel on "How do I Study the Gospel..."  What a great book!  I wish they had this manual when I was a missionary, it would have made a big difference in my missionary experience.  The morning routine for these guys is to get up, exercise, shower, get breakfast and then sit at a desk and study the gospel.  Their particular study should usually focus on what they will be teaching that day.  Then after personal study, they do a companionship study of the gospel.  Oh, how I wish I could be a part of some of their companionship study sessions.  I would love to learn from their insight, especially with the two who are in my home right now.  They are working very hard and their hard work is paying off in successful teaching opportunities and even some baptisms.  I can really feel the spirit stronger when they are around.

So now, more of the why I do this...  Yesterday we actually had a beautiful spring day, so I took the opportunity to work out in the yard.  While I was out there, the missionaries drove up for lunch.  Elder K. got a call on his cell phone, so he just stayed in the truck for a minute.  While Elder B. was waiting for him, some of the neighbor kids rode by on their bikes and saw them sitting in the driveway.  They yelled hello to Elder B. several times, until he acknowledged them.  He went out and talked with them for a minute and I'm sure that made their day. -no, really these kids idolize the missionaries.  When he came back, I teased him about having a fan club.  But it's true, people do respect these guys and love them a lot.  They are often getting invited to lunch or dinner and the members just love to take care of them.  Their great example is one reason I love to have them here in my home, because I have three nephews who come over to my house quite often and they get the exposure to the missionaries great example.  I hope that someday my nephews will be as great missionaries as Elder B. and Elder K.

Oh, in case you are wondering why I just use initials for the missionaries names, it is because I don't want to out them in the off chance that I might say something incriminating, like when they head off to a dinner appointment and they say "I hope they don't serve us spaghetti." 

Keep a prayer in your heart for all missionaries.  I continually pray for MY missionaries.  Only two more years, before I have a nephew who will be a full-time missionary.  May the Lord bless them all.

The Work and play continues.

One day a week the missionaries get a part of that day to do laundry, write letters, clean their apartment and play.  That day is called preparation day or p-day for short.  This week for p-day, Elder B. came upstairs with his laundry and mom tells me that he looked pretty tired.  When she asked him if he was tired, he said yes and that they had a very busy week.  She asked what they were doing for fun that p-day.  He said that they were going to a place with trampolines all over the room.  When they got home and picked up their laundry Elder B. looked a lot more awake.  They were going to take a quick shower, then off to teach a lesson.  What is amazing is how serious these young men can be and then on their p-day they let loose and are boys again.  They play kick ball, dodge ball, whatever.  These guys work and play hard, but what amazes me is how quickly they transition from play to work.  When Elder B. was up getting his laundry , he told us how much fun they had, and how hard they were playing that morning.  I jokingly teased him about being all sweaty and he told me that he only had half an hour to shower and be ready to teach.  What wonderful young men. 

Something I find amazing is how people react when they learn that I have missionaries in my home.  About a month and a half ago, someone asked me how it was going with the missionaries in my home.  I told him that I was loving it, but what i found interesting was when another man heard our conversation, asked me if they paid me rent.  I said no, they don't, but the stake gives me a monthly check to cover their utilities.  This man was incredulous, he kept asking about the money aspect.  "What if you had then in the other half of your duplex?  What if you owned an apartment complex, would they pay rent then?  He just didn't get it.  I didn't know how to answer his question except to say that there are enough members (I wanted to say with enough faith that the Lord would pay in blessings) who would invite them to their homes that the missionaries would not have to pay rent.

The work does progress and I am truly blessed in having the sacred privilege of hosting missionaries in my home.  I am actually a little nervous about posting this blog, because more people will want to have missionaries in their home and my opportunity would end.  Oh well, the mission signed an agreement that missionaries would stay here 18 months (not the same elders for the whole time).  So I am just going to enjoy the time that I get and soak up the wonderful spirit they bring into my home.

May the Lord bless MY elders.

General Conference reflections

Last week I was able to watch the General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I always find it refreshing to hear the inspired words of church leaders.  It reconfirms in my mind that the church is led by Jesus Christ and not by mortal men, we always seem to find ways to mess things up. 
After watching conference, I thought about the life of Christ and His mortal ministry.  There is nowhere that I recall in the New Testament that mentions a permanent home for the Savior.  He frequently traveled to various places and it seems to me that he often needed to depend on the generosity of others to provide a place where He could rest.  I would like to believe that had I lived during His time I would have invited Him into my home to rest, and share a meal with my family. 

It is because of this feeling of gratitude to my Savior for all the blessings He has given me that I am eager to share my home with two of his servants who serve as full-time missionaries.  I live in a time of relative peace and plenty, I love the opportunity which I have to dedicate a part of my home to the service of the Lord.  How could I not look at all I have and not have a desire to share "my glowing fire, my loaf of bread, my roof's safe shelter overhead" that the Elders, too may be comforted.  I truly have been given much, so I too must give. 

Now on to the Elders this week.
I am really growing attached to these two Elders living in my basement.  We have had other Elders who work (some more some less), but the two living here right now are exceptional.  You can tell that they were taught well by their parents.  They are always very respectful.  Elder B. always thanks my mom for doing his laundry and tries to do at least some of his laundry (when he gets to the machine before mom does).  He must have a terrific mom to teach him such respect and gratitude.  It's a good thing they both have good parents, 'cause I want to adopt them.
The really exceptional thing is how well these two Elders work together.  Elder K. had two consecutive brand new Elders prior to Elder B (also brand new) and they worked hard, but ever since Elder B. got here they have been putting in many long hours and they just seem to be getting it right.  They work great together and seem the perfect match for each other and for this area.  Everyone in the area just love them and want to help then out whenever they can.  A few weeks ago they didn't have their truck, so they were getting around mostly on their bikes, but members would seem to be dropping them off in their trucks or cars all the time, they just want to help these wonderful missionaries.  March 21st was transfer day and we thought that Elder K would be transferred out of the area, but the Mission President must have seen the great work they are accomplishing here, because they both stayed and their hard work seems to be paying off.  They are teaching quite a few people interested in the church and seem to be having good success.  I work full time and will quite often put in 45hr work weeks, yes to most people that might seem whimpy, but these Elders never seem to be home.  They must put in 75-90 hour work weeks easy.  Now I really feel whimpy. 
The church must be true, because who would believe that a 20 year old guy would give up 2 years of his life to go talk church to a bunch of people they don't even know. 

A loaf of bread, a warm bed and clean clothes

Okay, so my mom is totally in love with the elders.  Yesterday mom made bread and as soon as it came out of the oven she had to call the elders to come up and have a slice of hot homemade bread.  When they left she sent the rest of the loaf with them.  She is funny that way, she insists on doing their laundry and is always trying to do things for them.  One funny thing that happened was when we had a new elder, fresh from home and he had a new white shirt just out of the package.  It was very wrinkled, so he came up to ask if he could borrow the iron.  Mom would have none of that and insisted that she iron it for him.  When she told me this story I teased her about it, but she just said "they have better things to do than to be ironing clothes!" 

It will be a very sad when the elders leave.  When they asked me to house the missionaries, they asked me to commit to 18 months.  My mom is already asking if we can go longer than that.  This is actually a great thing, because it gives her something to do. 

Why?

Last spring I was sitting in a meeting at church where one of the stake leaders explained that the missionaries were in need of an apartment to live in. No sooner had the words left his mouth than three hands pointed at me saying that I had a vacant basement apartment.  That's how it all started. 

Yes, I do have an apartment in my basement and I had been renting it out on occasion.  When I first moved in, a newlywed couple I know needed a place to live, and I allowed them to stay in my apartment.  It was close to his work, and the rent was not too expensive.  This lasted for about a year and a half when they bought a home and moved out.  The next renter lasted about a year, he was a divorced man and my mom (who lives with me) was always uncomfortable having a single man living in the house.  When he moved out, I decided not to rent again. 
That lasted about a month and a half.  So I guess the Lord directed this whole empty apartment thing for me, to give me the opportunity to host missionaries in my apartment. 

You might ask, why I am doing this?  The answer is not an easy one, but the decision was easy. 
Your first thought might be, "Why would you let irresponsible teen-age boys live in your apartment?"  I thought that too, at first.  But then I thought of the great blessing of dedicating a part of my home to the service of the Lord Jesus Christ.  How could I say no to that?  I couldn't. 
It has been a great blessing to have the missionaries live in my home, the increase in the spirit is palpable.  These young men in their early twenties will generally stay about 3 months before getting transferred to another area in the mission.  I love to see their different personalities and their desire to serve the Lord.  I did have a companionship living in my home who had a few health problems and they were not able to get out much.  It was very sad to see the work slow to nearly a stop while they lived here, but the two who live here today are fantastic and they are working very hard.  They are having difficulty getting to their appointments on time, because they are so busy.  They are being blessed for that effort, and have a few convert baptisms to show for their hard work.  (More on these two later).

I have had missionaries from Canada, Washington state, Arizona, North Carolina, Mexico, Japan, and South Carolina.

Just Getting Started

Yesterday was the General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and I really loved it.  One of the speakers was President Dieter F. Uchdorf and he spoke of the importance of sharing the gospel by opening your mouth about the gospel.  He indicated that not only should we speak out verbally, but we can also share the gospel through blogs and twitter.  So here is my first attempt ever at blogging.

The purpose of this blog is to share with others the experiences and blessings I have had since inviting the Full-time missionaries of the church to live in my home.  This is just a start, and I have been keeping notes in sort of journal form for a while, so some of this blog will start out a little out of sequence, but eventually I would like to just post periodic, timely thoughts and stories about what is like to have missionaries live in my home.