Oregon Update

I'm not keeping a journal right now, which I should be, but this blog is where I am presently writing memories down.  As anyone who reads this blog knows I spent much of our mission wishing that I had more to do that was fulfilling and worthwhile. 

We went over to the President's place the night before we left and just before we left he paused and then said something like, "The Lord is pleased that you have accomplished what he wished for you to do."  That brought me some peace because I wasn't really sure if we had filled our purpose there.  I do believe that when an Apostle assigns you to a specific mission there is something that you need to do there. I was just praying so that we had accomplished that purpose. 

To backtrack a little--- If I were to try to list the things that could probably be checked off on a list that we did successfully there are three major things.  First, we visited most of the active families and challenged them to set a date and pray for missionary opportunities.  Second, "we" combined all of the scattered and incomplete list of visits that had been made to inactive or less active members to give a better understanding where visits were not wanted, where people did want contact, where people could not be found, etc.There were people who had been receiving home teachers for years that the Relief Society didn't even have on a list for Visiting Teachers.  There record keeping was SO messed up.   This took days and days and now is a spreadsheet that the Bishopric and Ward Mission Leader and hopefully Relief Society President can use to avoid duplication and awkward situations.  Third, we were able to work with a couple who have been inactive for over 20 years and they were attending Sacrament meeting and Sunday School when we left.

On Tuesday morning I was standing by the sink and just wondered again about those six months and our purpose and accomplishments there.

About an hour later I got the following text from the Bishop of that Ward.  "I wanted to share with you a missionary experience.  I was grateful for your presentation to my family to set a date.  It also echoed in my ears when you spoke to our ward that only one referral was made during your time with us.  You both were such a blessing to our Ward and still a strong influence.  We love the "Ellington" master list for visits.  Back to my mission experience. I challenged all in Ward council to take the lead and set a date.  I realized that started with me.  I prayed for a name.  Received one.  Invited the person and we had our first discussion with the sisters at our home.  It would take 3 pages to describe the inspiration, invitation, and lesson.  It is wonderful   Thank you, Bishop Jones.

On the way to the Temple on Wednesday we got another message and this time he said, "I meant to tell you Bro Johnston went back to the temple and loved it.  It has been over 15 years.  His wife is not yet ready but very supportive.  When I met with him for the interview it was amazing."  "Sister Johnston is doing well.  They both stay for all 3 hours now."  (This is the couple that we were able to help activate.) 

Questions gone...... confirmation given.  Things did not happen as I would have designed them but obviously the Lord had things for us to do and thankfully good came from our efforts.