Homecoming Talks Completed

And we're officially officially released! :)

Yesterday was our mission "homecoming" talks. Didn't notice anyone dozing off so that felt good!

Did our EBYSAs feel their "ears burning" Sunday afternoon around 3:40 - 4:00 p.m. cuz' we were singing your praises! :)

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!

A Good Read

I enjoyed "Letters in the Jade Dragon Box" by Gale Sears on so many levels. It taught me things about China under Mao Tse-tung's suffocating control. It also taught me about the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Hong Kong. I highly recommend this book. It might be the best book I've read in years! I couldn't put it down!

Personages in the Godhead

Yesterday we invested in "Answers to Gospel Questions" by Joseph Fielding Smith for our Gospel library. First Q&A in Volume 1 regarded "Personages in the Godhead." President Smith's two scripture references in John 17:3, 5, 11, 22 and John 20:17 clearly point to Father and Son.

"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou has sent....And now Father, glorify thou me with thine own self, with the glory which I had with thee before the world was....And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are....And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are." John 17:3, 5, 11, 22

Then there are the words to Mary at the tomb, so distinctly declaring the separate Personages of Father and Son: "Jesus said unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say to them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God."  John 20:17

D&C 20:27-29 declares the three Personages in the Godhead are separate yet united in purpose: "As well as those who should come after, who should believe in the gifts and callings of God by the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of the Father and the Son. Which Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are one God, infinite and eternal, without end. Amen. And we know that all men must repent and believe on the name of Jesus Christ, and worship the Father in his name, and endure in faith on his name to the end, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God."

7 a.m. Stake High Council Mission Report

Early Sunday morning we joined
our Stake High Council members and Stake Presidency
to give our shorten version of our mission homecoming talk.

Sister S outnumbered!

Our Stake President gave us our mission release certificate
filled out by our awesome NJMM Mission Pres Jeppson.

PS Received this picture of Sister Mendez & Hermana Mendez
several days ago and just remembered to include...
two IMPRESSIVE (real-life) sisters serving in Virginia!
One English-speaking missionary and one Spanish-speaking missionary.

What Happened Today?

Thanks, former Laurel advisor, Liz!



Honorable Discharge!

Stake President Bowden with Sister & Elder S....er, Sister and Brother S

4 Days, 12 States, 2500 Miles

Last Supper

New Jersey Multi-Stake YSA Potluck & Fireside

EB YSA Branch President Eck presents us with journal
for our next adventure signed by our YSA!

Today was our last EB YSA Branch block meetings. And this evening was our last EB YSA Branch "break-the-fast" potluck.

Our last multi-stake YSA fireside featured Elder Anderson's thoughtful presentation on laws.