The couples, the Zone and us with Elders Thiemann and Roper. We have known Elder Thiemann and Roper longer than any other Indonesian missionaries because we first met them when they were in the MTC. Sister Tippetts was their evening teacher and our language teacher.
01 May 2008 – Thursday
A good day! We had one of those mornings when we could not get on some sites so we were not able to check our mail until we got to the office. However we were able to visit Cindy’s blog and see more of the places they visited in France. It sounds and looks like they had a great adventure. It is nice that they got off by themselves for a few days. We also read from the A&P – it is really a learning experience.
Today was Zone Conference so it was a day for learning and sharing. We went early so we could check our mail. I count it a blessing that the internet work well at the office. We could check our mail and read. I got a birthday greeting from Ed – it was still April 30 in the U.S.
I got a couple of opportunities to speak in Zone Conference. First the President asked me to talk about challenging the missionaries to spend the time to get to know the area right around their houses. I got some help from the sisters. They had gone to the local Arti and got the names and addresses of all the Christians in the area. It not only gave them 70 plus leads, they also got to tell the Arti about their purpose and let him know that they were there to serve. I mentioned to the missionaries that they had to show their love to the people before they would listen to their message. I told them that they could not fake love and concern, they had to develop a true love to be successful. If they do that, their light will shine and people will want to be like them.
Later all of the missionaries who would go home before the next Zone Conference bore their testimony. We were happy to see Elder Rigby before he heads home. We had the pleasure to serve with him for a number of months before he transferred to Manado for the last 5 months. Mary and I and the Kanes got to share our testimony. Since I already had a chance to speak, I just bore my testimony. I hope that each missionary could feel the spirit as I did as I bore it. In looking at them, it seemed that many of them could. Our personal testimonies are powerful things if they are based on the testimony of the Holy Ghost to us. I know I do not bear mine often enough. I was impressed with Elder Kanes testimony that he gave completely in Indonesian.
Since it was the last time we would probably see some of the missionaries, I took lots of pictures. During our time at home, I hope to make a number of slide shows with commentary about the experiences we had and the people we met. That reminds me that part of the program today included two slide shows. One by Elder Smith about Indonesia that was sent to the Indonesian Mission Reunion in SL before April Conference. Another one was about some Saints in Solo who have small businesses or other work. It showed their humble homes and how hard they worked for a small amount of money. Yet they were active in the church and happy to be working. It was done with great love, but I wish that the same idea could be done more professionally and more time was spent on perhaps fewer examples. I think this is a powerful message that needs to be told.
It brought to mind the book we bought about the small business people in Jakarta. It tells the stories of about a dozen people and what they do to make a living. Everything from trash men to sex girls are shown and their stories are very interesting. Many of the men work and live in Jakarta while their families live in the villages. Some only see their families 2 or 3 times a month.
I find myself listening to and reading more conference talks. Some resonate more than others and when they do they are powerful testimonies of the truthfulness of the Gospel. They also often remind me of things that I need to work on as well as the blessings that come from keeping the commandments.