Happy Birthday Hermana Musser

This week was pretty fun. It started off with a special Zone Conference with Elders Palmer and McConkie. It was really sweet. Elder Palmer called the Heckmanns over to the pulpit and then had the missionaries volunteer things that they have learned from the Heckmanns. It was really emotional for them as you could just feel the love that the missionaries have for them, and that they have for their beloved missionaries. 

This week we also started getting the copies of the Book of Mormon that we are going to need for this year's celebration of San Jordi. Last year, they gave away more than 3000 books. So we are getting them by the pallet. There is an excitement in the air around the office because next week we are sending 14 missionaries home, and receiving 23. It will be totally crazy Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. 

So, we decided to take advantage of the "calm before the storm". We decided to celebrate our combined birthdays and sneak away Thursday afternoon to a place called Vic. It is a little over an hour away from Barcelona and is beautiful. We stayed in a hotel Thursday and Friday nights and came back on Saturday. There is a missionary couple who serves in Vic, the Jacox's, and they were super sweet to take us around to see the sights. Sister Jacox insisted that Brenda go to her hairdresser to get her hair done. We ate at some wonderful restaurants. One was an amazing Italian place. We thought we'd be smart and order one plate of pasta and a salad to share. We probably could have shared it with another couple as well! It was wonderful. The next day we ate at a really fun sushi place where you order your food via an I-pad and a robot brings it to your table. We ended the day on Friday by going by the town square. They told us that the community does a lot of activities there and that Saturday morning there would be a big swap meet there. We thought it would at least be worth a look. However, when we showed up it was incredible. What was a blank square the night before was now covered with booths of people selling tons of stuff. Even I had fun shopping, which is saying a lot!

Of course, we had to get back home to get our normal p-day laundry and cleaning done. We decided that Kebab sounded better than cooking. Then, of course, we were thrilled to talk to family before going to bed.

Today was a wonderful Sunday. We get to go to both wards because the other ward needs Brenda's magic fingers on the piano. They asked me to lead the singing too. I am getting the sense that they are really trying hard to recruit us over. It's fun to feel needed. 

We were forcibly reminded tonight of the importance of Heavenly Father's plan for us as we heard that my Brother-in-law Claude has taken a turn for the worse and is on Hospice. There have been many times in my life when I have drawn great comfort from knowing that I will see my loved ones some day when I step through the veil. Claude is saying that Janine is preparing a "Welcome Home Party" for him, and he just wants to get there. I am certain that there will be a sweet welcome waiting for him and that gives me comfort. The plan of the Savior is real, and the promised blessings are sweet. I have always felt bad for those who do not know these truths when they lose a loved one. To lose someone with death being the final chapter in a life with no hope for the future, must be horrible to the extreme. I love the doctrine of the Eternal Family, and look forward to many joyous reunions on the other side. It's all true!

I hope that this week brings you many reasons to rejoice. Keep smiling!

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