Welcome to the Ward

Welcome to the Ward

June 7, 2015

     We were late coming from our Temple Prep Sunday School class to Relief Society today. I ran into our young sisters who were talking to an older lady in the hall. She noticed my nametag and  wondered how many missionaries there could be in the building. Our ward has a total of 5 young missionaries and 2 senior couples, us being one of them. As we visited with her, we found out she was a member of the "RLDS church, now known as the Community of Christ". (her words) Her husband and her are disillusioned about the changes that have been made in their church. Namely, the acceptance of gays, or anyone not living the laws of God as stated in the Bible that marriage is between a man and a woman. She has three sons with families who too are wondering what went wrong in their church. One daughter-in-law is a direct descendent of Joseph Smith, Jr. so she feels a pull of allegiance to her family to stick with it.
     I pulled out my faithful Book of Mormon and turned to The Family Proclamation I have glued in the back. I started tearing it out for her to take home and read. Our young sisters remembered they had one in their arsenal of teaching materials so she got a clean copy to study. We told her President Gordon B. Hinckley, a late prophet gave that to the world from the Lord 20 years ago or so. It should answer any questions about Marriage and Family. She got excited and told us she used to love to watch "Brother Hinckley" on BYU channel give talks. She thought he was "marvelous".
During this time, the sisters left to escort a young Haitian family to the chapel. This was their first time and the young  missionaries from that ward had invited them to come check out our meetings. While they were gone, she wondered what type of a mission I was on. I told her office work. A different type of work but we were willing to do that because we loved the Lord.
     At the end of the meeting, she told me and the young sisters that she will be back. But first, her and her husband have a list of other churches in the area to visit. I say we will meet again. What do you think, my dear Blog readers? I hope this is not the end of a wonderful story.....
If were a visitor in our ward today, I would have heard a congregation singing loud and clear "I Believe in Christ"; watched  the name and blessing of the newest member of the ward done by his worthy priesthood holder father; partaken of the sacrament blessed and passed by young priesthood holders all wearing suits; heard four Samoan testimonies, a testimony from Brother Mulanozzi, a new convert with his wife and five children, and many others proclaiming that this is the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Becky Adair could not have left that building today without some kind of a feeling that we may have something she is missing in her life. One highlight today for her was to hear it from our mouth that, "No, we do not practice polygamy in any way, shape, or form today." Isn't that funny? So, Becky, welcome to the ward. Hope we meet again.

All my love,
Sister Seaman

Somebody's got to do it...

     When I left the Sierra Pines Ward, in Show Low Arizona, for this Mission 7 months ago, I was probably the best ward restroom cleaner in the Stake.  I could make it shine and smell nice.  I was proud of the job I did.  You know, shiney urinals, sparkling toilets.  Anyway, somebody's got to do it.  Here in Missouri, I deliver furniture and pick-up furniture 5 days a week.  The only thing that changes is the location.  I am getting pretty good at it.  The church sent the mission a new Chevy pick-up and so now I drive the pick-up and pull the trailer instead of the 12 passenger van and the trailer.  So much better.  I drive all over the place.  It amazes me how many miles I am putting on that new truck.  I am also getting to know eastern Kansas and western Missouri pretty well.
     Just a note about the geography.  Most of Kansas is flat plains and most of Missouri is flat plains except for our mission.  It is rolling hills with ponds and trees  along the rivers and streams.  We have been getting lots of rain of late.  The Liberty area got about 6 inches the other day.  But this country sucks up the water.  It disappears real quick.  The corn is growing about 2 inches per day (slight exaggeration.) Everything is so green and lush. 
     I digress.  I hope that the Lord is ok with the job I am doing.  I am trying to do it to the best of my ability.  But it is a lot like cleaning restrooms.  Somebody's got to do it and that somebody is me. 
     Did you know that only 10 percent of senior couples in the church serve missions.  That is way too low as far as I am concerned. There are lots of things that keep them from serving but I think the Lord is disappointed.  If you commit when you're younger to serve, it will probably happen, but if you wait and decide when your old, you won't be prepared.  Do it now.  Elder Clark was here for a mission training last week.  He said that the Lord loves his senior missionaries.  That they are receiving blessings for their families that will last through the eternities.  I believe him.
     So it doesn't matter what I am doing, as long as I am serving this mission.  I feel joy about it most days.  Remember, there is lots to do in the kingdom, and somebody's got to do it.

Sincerely,
Elder Seaman



New Chevy Truck

    




Sister Reeves and Sister Jones want
to be my personal assistants.

Love letters from Chloe and Livi.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHLOE!