#onework

Since transfers on January 8th the entire mission has had the opportunity to attend the Birmingham Temple.  Two mission districts a day came Tuesday through Friday for three weeks with an average of about 20 missionaries each day.

Our main assignment is to help coordinate, support, and keep track of the missionary's involvement with temple work. After 17 days in Alabama we've been to the temple on 9 of those days with missionaries. We are already seeing miracles as missionaries link arms with members, those they are teaching, and those beyond the veil to accomplish the work of gathering scattered Israel.

The above pictures are just a sampling of the missionaries we have the pleasure of rubbing shoulders with. The smiles are enough to tell how they felt about the temple experience.

At our district meeting this week we each had a chance to share a 30 second talent. Elder Ballard and Elder Jaszkowiak stole the show with this amazing demonstration of a companionship working together.

We had an opportunity Saturday afternoon to drive first to Jasper for a meal and then on to Fayette, which is about an hour and a half west of us. It was a beautiful drive through the Alabama countryside. Elder and Sister Price (another senior couple) were there to help the missionaries assigned in that area present a family history workshop. We went to observe their presentation and help where we could with the hands-on work shop. One young man was in tears after finding records connecting him to his grand parents.

President and Sister Allred have a clear vision of where we need to head as a mission. They collect miracles each week as individual missionaries strive to implement this vision. We would like to share just one of those miracles. 

"And then, as we were on our way the rest of the night, we went about trying to fulfill the mission vision. We ended up with what seemed like fruitless efforts. No one seemed to want to talk to us, and wouldn't let us in for a blessing. But we kept making plans, and were trying to bless their homes. Once we got home, we got a referral. A lady named Melissa had referred herself to us. We decided to call her even though it was late. She answered and was super excited to hear from us! She wanted to meet the next day, but then realized she couldn't, so we met with her Friday. It was an amazing Restoration lesson! She is so prepared! She came to church on Sunday and she is already asking questions about the temple. I know that Heavenly Father helped her to find us because of our efforts to fulfill the mission vision!"