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Healing Hands


This last weekend we were privileged to have Elder Rasband, Elder Ballard, Elder Cornish, Elder Nielsen, and Elder Uceda visit the Houston area.  Elder Rasband spent the day up in Vidor and Beaumont which were hit quite hard.  He shook hands with almost all of the members and missionaries in that area and came to offer love and hope and support from the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve.

Sunday was our last "work Sunday" with just Sacrament meeting being held, then we all went out and worked and served.  Most of the homes have been mucked out and if they haven't by now we must deal with the mold that has set in.  The smell is quite........strong, to put it nicely.  Masks are definitely a necessity.  

Just when I thought that Sacrament meeting could not compare with the past two, I was wrong yet another time.  Looking out over the sea of yellow shirts is something I can't seem to describe.  The words of the songs are what touch our hearts in such a deep way.  I never knew the fourth verse of "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief" included the words floods and hurricane.  It has forever been one of my very favorites and we were asked to sing verses 1, 2, 4 and 7.  

Here is verse 4:

'Twas night; the floods were out; it blew
A winter hurricane aloof.
I heard his voice abroad and flew
To bid him welcome to my roof.
I warmed and clothed and cheered my guest
And laid him on my couch to rest,
Then made the earth my bed and seemed
In Eden's garden while I dreamed.

Tears again streamed down my face as I thought of all of those sitting in the congregation who had lost their homes and needed a "couch to rest."  What made it even more personal was feeling the deep gratitude for the Tolmans who have taken us in and shared their couch and beds with us while another mission home is found.  We will forever be grateful beyond words for Ross and Sandy Tolman.  Many also took in our missionaries and gave them a place of refuge from the storm. 

Elder Cornish of the Seventy spoke to us and let us know that we can and will make it and to have hope and courage as we go forward to rebuild what has been lost.  He said also that it's all about who we BECOME INSIDE that is most important.  His love and positive nature was very uplifting and inspiring.    

The missionaries have been such hard workers and have loved the opportunity to serve in a very different than I am sure they ever thought possible.  They are strong and courageous.  

Here are some pictures to share with Elder Rasband.

This is definitely a very refining experience.  It has been a challenging journey these last 2 1/2 months since  arriving in Houston, as it also has been for everyone here.  Having lost some meaningful things in the mission home has given us empathy for those who have lost so much more!  But we know that with God all things are possible and that all things are possible to those that believe. Thank you all so much again for your prayers and love.  There are no words to express the gratitude adequately.  

Yellow will forever be my favorite color!!!

#Liftandlove

    




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