Thoughts of a crowded mind - Don would say, "Oh No" she's thinking again. That is scary.

I have been thinking a lot lately about missions as a whole.  When we have sons and daughters, one of the things we always think about is hoping and praying that they are worthy and willing to serve a mission for the Lord.  Growing up is hard, especially in these technological times. So much STUFF bombarding us all the time.  We don't think very much about ourselves being worthy and able to serve when the time comes.  We too must have kept ourselves spiritually fed, morally clean and physically able.

I have been thinking about the things I would have missed if we hadn't come on a mission.

• I would have never known a darling, black-haired girl from Mongolia who will remain in my heart forever.
• I would have never heard a young man, raised as a Muslim, bare his testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel and his love for our savior, Jesus Christ.
• I would have never known how much I would  love the Polynesian people.  They are so faithful and have such strong testimonies.
• I would have never tried quilting.  I am not saying I love quilting, but I have completed one and two more on the way.
• I would not know that I could do so many great things at my age.  I am still learning every day.  The brain is a miraculous thing.
• I would have never heard a young man from Africa tell his conversion story or how he met the missionaries in Russia.
• I would never have met kids and gotten to love them  from, Cambodia, New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Korea, Italy, Tonga, France,Viet Nam, Mainland China, Mongolia, Kiev Ukraine, India, and many more

• I would have never had an "adopted" Chinese Family  Connie and I served together at the Mission home.  She and her family are back in Hong Kong now. I miss them.
• I would have never known how much the Church needs senior missionaries.
• I would have never gotten to talk with soldiers who are in Hawaii on R&R and to thank them for their service.
• I would not of had the experience of seeing people of75 different nationalities work together in peace and harmony.  If the world would just use BYUH as a training ground there would be now wars.
• I would have never know that Fiji has 332 islands of which 110 are populated.
• I woudl have never known that in Samoa the men cook the food.  Go Samoa men!!

What a blessing at my age to still be learning and growing.  Well, that growing part could relate to dress size. :).  One thing they do over here is feed us.  There is always a reason to eat.  Eating is a celebration.  I wondered when we got here what are all the piled up picnic tables doing in that yard.  Now I know - family dinners all the time.  Even Halloween was a reason for a big family party and dinner outside in the driveway.  

There are always huge family camp outs at the beach with many, many tents and big canopys set up with lots of those tables I mentioned.  Sundays are fun, because you will see everyone dressed in their white shirts and ties and the ladies in dresses leaving the beach camp out to go worship the Lord on his day.

     Our "adopted" daughter, Connie Lo with framed quilt she made just for us.

Well, I know that I have bored you all to death by now.  Just so many wonderful things to share from our mission.  God Bless you one and all