Here’s one of my favorite recent pictures of Karen, my eternal partner in this great adventure called life. It was taken on a little side trip we took way up north to Traverse Bay over the Christmas holiday.
Can you believe that Karen and I celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary in October! Seems like only yesterday that we were 22 and in love, getting married in the Salt Lake Temple. Now, all these years later, we have 3 sons, 3 daughters, 3 sons-in-law, 3 daughters-in-law, and 20 terrific grandchildren, two of whom are also serving missions at this time (one in Chile, one in Iowa). We are so proud of all of them …and we’re even more in love.
In 2009 we took our little 11,915 mile “Roadside America” circumnavigation of America road trip. In a way it was kind of a trial run to see how it would work out with us being together 24/7 as missionaries for 18 months. It turns out that it works very well. We're having a great time!
We spend all of our time together teaching, preparing for classes, preparing meals, and – the highlight – getting to know a great many of the young members of the church in this area. A big bonus is the increase we see in our own knowledge and testimonies. We live in the Student Apartments by the Institute Building, so when we have those “below 8 degrees F” mornings, our commute is a short walk across the parking lot. Not bad!
These young folks are inspiring to be around, and very sincere about advancing not only their academic and professional careers, but also their knowledge and testimonies of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We really do believe we were called to serve here for an important reason, and as we see the institute grow and spend time with these young adults, it is becoming very clear what that reason is.
We just returned from a five stake Young Single Adult fireside here in the East Lansing Stake building. I didn’t count but there seemed to be at least a hundred young folks in attendance, and it was a fantastic meeting with really incredible talks by the Stake Presidents. President Richie, of our stake, is a fantastic leader and it is so clear that he and Bishop Robison, of the University Ward, really love and care for all the members. They are inspiring – and inspired - men to work with.
We’ve been working very hard to help build up the enrollment at the Institute. We’ve had some success, but it could be better. While most of the young adults primary focus is on their education and jobs, they really do want to be able to find the time for a spiritual uplift during the week, and that is what we offer. In the last three weeks we visited the Williamston, Lansing, and Owosso Wards, and the Charlotte Branch. We made presentations in each about the institute program, and I think that has helped. Next week we will visit the Holt Ward in addition to our own.
We are reminded of President Monson’s promise: “Think of it. Friends will be made, the spirit will be felt, and faith will be strengthened. I promise you that as you participate in Institute and study the scriptures diligently, your power to avoid temptation and to receive direction from the Holy Ghost in all you do will be increased. Divine favor will attend those who humbly seek it. That is a promise that I leave with you.”
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