IT'S A SMALL WORLD

VENEZUELAN CONNECTION

Nerida, Victor and Fredy Bideau

The Bideau family just moved into the ward from Venezuela. I think we will see a lot more of this since Venezuela is such a mess. Everyone that can, is trying to get out. I told them that our son, Matthew, had served in the Venezuela, Barcelona mission 2000-2002, and asked if they ever remembered seeing him. I showed them a recent photo of Matthew, and sure enough they said that he served in their ward back home. It's a small world. 

Matthew in 2002

PRESIDENT RANDY J. VEST AND SISTER KRISTINE VEST

Our mission president, Randy J. Vest, has set the bar high for all of us to try and follow. He is dedicated to this work and to all the missionaries who serve within the Missouri, Independence mission.

This weekend was the Lenexa, Kansas stake conference. President Vest attended all three sessions - priesthood leadership, Saturday adult session and Sunday morning general session. In both the priesthood leadership and Saturday evening session he gave inspiring counsel to all of us in attendance. After his remarks Saturday evening, it was the stake president's turn to speak. He told those in attendance that President Vest's mother had passed away the previous Thursday, and that her funeral was being held today, Saturday. 

In spite of his great loss, President Vest continued to lead and guide the missionary work here, setting an example of commitment and dedication. I know that everyone of the young elders and sisters in the mission would run through a brick wall for him, because they love and trust him so much. Every mission president that we have had the privilege of knowing have been amazing spiritual giants. It is another great testimony to me of the truthfulness of this work. 

Sunday evening, President Vest, in his weekly message to the mission, talked about his mother's passing. It must have been very hard for him not to be able to go to her funeral and to be with the rest of his brothers and sisters. He went on to say:

As you may know, the Brethren for a variety of reasons don’t encourage us as missionaries to return home in these situations, but to trust the Lord will care for our families as we continue to labor for the souls of men. Because of the keys I received from the hands of a living prophet, Elder Holland, to preside over this special mission, my desire to be obedient to those that preside over me and the sacred covenants I made almost 50 years ago, I did not attend the funeral.  I am grateful for the tender mercies the Brethren extended to Sister Vest to attend the funeral and represent Sister Vest and me.

LAKE POWELL PASTA SALAD, MONKEY BREAD AND BARBECUE CHICKEN 

Before the last transfers, we volunteered to feed the entire zone. We had each missionary pay $3.00 for a veggie chicken wrap lunch. Later, after totaling up the cost of the food, we realized that we should have charged a little more. So this time, when we talked to the zone leaders, we asked if they would be interested in a zone lunch again, but told them it was going to cost $5.00 per missionary. They said, "Sure," but then the next day they texted me and wanted to know what Robyn was going to prepare to see if it met with their approval before committing to a homemade meal. 

I was not in the best of moods and it rubbed me a little wrong, as you can tell from the texts that I exchanged with the zone leaders. I also think they were low balling their food budget as they get $150 per month for food and miscellaneous expenses.

I sometimes forget that these fine young elders are often still teenagers and sometimes act a little spoiled or entitled. They will figure it out someday. It is part of the refining process of a mission. 

So we decided, rather than forget it, to see if just our district would be interested in a homemade meal. As you can see from the following texts, the district leaders were more than happy to have Robyn make lunch. 

I was so irritated with the zone leaders that I told her we would also treat our district. Robyn made Lake Powell salad, barbecue chicken, monkey bread and home made cookies along with plenty of A&W root beer. She also sent them all home with a loaf of homemade whole wheat bread. I made sure to leave the door of the kitchen open so that the zone leaders, who were also in the building with their own district, could smell what they were missing. I will try and repent of my poor attitude and actions. Sometimes, I act too much like a teenager also.

We just received this text from some elders in our district.
They will be fed again. :-)

CLIMBING THE WALLS

We would like to take the young men in the Kaw River ward to a rock climbing gym. Since they had so much fun rock climbing on the high adventure trip to South Dakota, the leaders thought it would be fun to let them enjoy it some more. I decided to check out one of the local climbing gyms on our P-day and took along a few consultants to check out the facility and have them give me their opinion. Hopefully the young men will be able to try it out in a few weeks and have just as much fun as my consultants did.