Sunday, January 29, 2017

Sister Mackenzie Malm


Mackenzie Malm
We had a sweet reunion with Sister Mackenzie Malm at the Historic Liberty Jail last Monday evening. She arrived in the Missouri, Independence mission a few weeks ago and is currently assigned to the visitor's center in Liberty. I believe that this is a tender mercy for Mackenzie.
Our connection to Mackenzie began long before she was born. Almost 30 years ago, my folks served a MLS mission in Scotland. While they served in the Livingston ward, they met Angie, who was taking the missionary lessons. Angie was baptized and mom and dad took her under their wings and fellowshipped her and loved her unconditionally. Through my folk's persistence and love, Angie thrived in the church. The bond between my folks and Angie continued strong after their mission. She emigrated to the U.S. where mom and dad helped her to get settled and continue to progress. Angie lived with Robyn and I for a while when she came to California and we became very close and grew to love her. She met a wonderful young man, Greg Malm, and they were sealed in the temple. Soon thereafter, Mackenzie was born.
Unfortunately, Angie and Greg divorced after a few years and Mackenzie was raised by her father in Utah. Due to circumstances beyond her control, she really never got to know her mother very well. We met Mackenzie once when she was about 10 years old. We look forward to visiting with her more and reminiscing about her mom and the times we spent together. Hopefully this will fill in some of the blank spots in her life and she will come to know her mother better.
Angie passed away a few years ago, but I have to think that her influence and love had something to do with her daughter's desire to serve a mission. Mackenzie took us on the tour of the 'Jail' and we can see that she already is a wonderful representative of the Lord.
Every connection we make with someone during mortality can bless their life if we are worthy of the Spirit. The connections that my folks made 30 years ago, continue to have had a profound impact on others today. We also hope and pray that the connections we make here on our mission will likewise bless the lives of the people we have grown to love.



Mackenzie's mom, Angie - 1988

FAMILY HOME EVENING AT THE 'JAIL'


For family home evening, we took the Gamez family to the Liberty Jail. Karol and the kids had never been here and so they learned a lot about the history of the church in Missouri and the many spiritual experiences the Prophet Joseph had while incarcerated. We are so blessed to be able to serve where so many amazing events took place in church history, and where many more are yet to happen. There is such a sweet spirit to be found at these historical sites. We love serving here. 




ELDERS QUORUM PRESIDENCY INDEXING TRAINING
This week as I met with the elders quorum presidency, I felt that they needed help in understanding indexing and to get them started. With a little training, they picked it up quickly and hopefully they will be able to model this family history work with the rest of the quourm. Any activity or service that ultimately connects members to the temple can have an eternal effect on their lives.

SATURDAY MORNING TEMPLE TRIP
Daniel Hernandez with his stepfather's paperwork
Daniel joined the church almost two years ago. He is now preparing to serve a mission. We accompanied him to the temple for the first time so that he could do the baptism for his stepdad. I know that this experience has increased Daniel's desire to do missionary work not only for the living but for those that have passed on. 


PINEWOOD DERBY #2

One of the first family activities we were able to enjoy last year after we arrived in the mission field was to attend Luke and Josh's pinewood derby competition in their ward. It's that time of year again. James' unbeaten streak as the 'crew chief'' continues. I think after Noah as an eight year old, didn't place well in his first race, James decided to research the matter and spend the necessary funds and resources to ensure a 'better outcome'. His boys, Noah included, have taken home the first place trophy every since. This was the second year in a row that Josh took first place. With his dad's help, he designed his car for speed. Luke on the other hand is into 'heavy metal'. Last year his car was an army tank and this year he told his Dad that he wanted a Humvee with a machine gun on top. Although his car didn't finish first, the rest of the boys were impressed with his design.



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