A General Authority's Visit

Zone conference this week was part of the mission tour conducted by Elder Jorge F. Zeballos of the Seventy. He and his wife (front row, next to us) conducted training with the missionaries, along with President Adams. It was a memorable conference with the Zeballos'. Sister Zeballos related how she was baptized by her future husband in Chile two weeks before he left for his mission.  

Elders Vera, Andreason, Tauala, and Blackburn sang a beautiful quartet, "I Need Thee Every Hour".

All of the missionaries were able to greet and personally meet our visiting General Authority.

Lunch is always a favorite part of zone conference, this time prepared by Sister Flake.  

Elder Magnusson took the opportunity to ask Elder Zeballos about his contribution to the new Spanish edition of the Bible, published by the Church in 2009. It was a treat to see Elders Hoskinson and Eves again (lower right), the current assistants to the president in El Salvador. Both served with us in Belize City. 

Sister Kruyer was able to enjoy a belated birthday celebration with cake, ice cream, and chocolate pudding. She and her companion, Sister Quiroz, spent the night at our house before zone conference.

We have been married 41 years. I started cutting Elder Magnusson's hair even before we got married, and it continues as we're missionaries-- that would be about 385 haircuts!  And, there's even less to cut now!

Elder Magnusson took this photo of Caye Caulker, an island about 3 miles to the south of Ambergris Caye where San Pedro is. Caye Caulker is a resort destination but also is the home to friends of ours. Its renovated, re-opened airfield is visible as a straight line on the south end of the island. The coral, turquoise-colored horizon separated from the dark blue ocean beyond is the Great Barrier Reef.

Recently we have been praying for an extended family member and a couple of family friends who have been going through serious health challenges.  This video gives us hope and peace as Elder Uchtdorf encourages and inspires us to place our trust in the loving care of our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

You can also see the video by clicking here

Hope has the power to fill our lives with happiness. Hope sustains us through despair. We learn to cultivate hope the same way we learn to walk, one step at a time. We grow in our ability to "abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost," as we more perfectly live the gospel.

We hope in Jesus Christ, in the goodness of God, in the manifestations of the Holy Spirit, in the knowledge that prayers are heard and answered. Hope teaches that there is reason to rejoice even when all seems dark around us, no matter how bleak the chapter of our lives may look today. Because of the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we may hope and be assured that the ending of the book of our lives will exceed our grandest expectations.

And to all who suffer--to all who feel discouraged, worried, or lonely--I say with love and deep concern for you, never give in. Never surrender. Never allow despair to overcome your spirit, for the love of the Son of God pierces all darkness, softens all sorrow, and gladdens every heart. Of this I testify and leave you my blessing in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.