Senior Missionary Conference
This past week was the Senior Missionary Conference. They try to have two a year. President Heckmann really pampered us at an amazing resort in Platja d'Aro. There are 16 couples including President and Hermana Heckmann. That, in and of itself, is a miracle for any mission. It was amazing to have a chance to be around them all and get to know them a little better. However, logistically speaking, it was pretty intense to put together. We had to bring in couples from all over the mission. We had the Dyches stay with us Sunday night. They are serving in Tarragona. We started on Monday night with a family home evening at the President's house. The next morning we drove to Girona to the chapel there. We had some time for some presentations, before having lunch, and then going on a walking tour of some of the Roman ruins and Catholic cathedral. We then traveled to Platja d'Aro (golden beach) and checked into the hotel before going out to dinner. With 32 of us, we pretty well took over the restaurant. President Heckmann convinced the bar man to switch the TV to the church's Youtube channel so we could see the announcement of the new First Presidency. It was kind of fun to be watching live-stream video of the Prophet in a bar! The next day after breakfast we had more presentations as each of the couples talked about their families, and what they are doing in their individual responsibilities in the mission. Mom and I were asked to teach the senior couples the mission song. At lunch we had a bunch of finger-type foods and walking on the beach. We finished up the presentations that afternoon and then went to dinner. The next morning we drove to a place called Tossa de Mar and then to another place called Blanes to see Roman ruins, have a testimony meeting, and visit a botanical garden. At the botanical garden Hermana Heckmann showed us something amazing. There was a cactus there with some kind of white lichen or fungus on it. She reached over, and got a little bit of it on her fingers. She then rubbed her fingers together, and the white turned blood red. She talked about the scripture "though your sins be as red as scarlet, I will make them white as wool". It was a really cool object lesson.
It was all very beautiful and the best part was being able to see it all with new friends as we bonded as couple missionaries. I believe that we have been making lasting friendships that we hope to continue after our mission. We then drove home.
The Dyches stayed with us again that night before heading home on Friday. They are one of the newer couples in the mission. We have been trying to get them a piso, but they have had to stay in Airbnbs until now. They were able to pick up the keys to their new piso on Friday, but the place is unfurnished. So, we went to Ikea on Thursday evening to get them a couple of mattresses to sleep on until we can get them some proper furniture for them. They are good people.
On Friday we went to a place called Vilanova to check out a piso. To get there we drove down a costal road that had more twists and turns than any roller coaster! It was a little over an hour away. The piso turned out to be a dump, and so we turned around and drove home. On the way home, as we were back on the roller coaster road, we saw a pretty big storm rolling in. As we kept driving we realized that there was a tornado coming out of the bottom of it. There was nowhere to stop, turn around, or passing traffic. We just kept driving. It hit the ocean and became a "water-spout". I don't think it pulled any sharks up though (nod to Sharknado). As we kept weaving in and out of the different canyons we were getting nervous and my sweet, faith-filled, companion suggested that we have a prayer. Her sweet, simple, prayer was "Heavenly Father, please help us to be safe". As we came around the next turn to where we could see the storm again, the tornado was completely gone. It was as if the Lord just said, "OK, I'll just reach down and pluck that storm up" as a direct answer to her prayer. When we then hit the storm, I started to wish that she had asked to temper the rains a little, as it was dumping buckets on us. It's not very often when the fastest setting on the wipers isn't fast enough. However, we got home safe and sound.
Yesterday, we went into the office again (p-day?, what p-day?) to catch up. We're still a little behind, but we feel like were at least closer to being caught up. Last night we were able to attend a baptism, which was sweet. We will get to go to another one later today. This next week we will get at least 20 new missionaries, so the work continues. This is the hardest job we will ever love!
We hope you all have a great week. We love you billions!
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