Renewing Relationships

We had several visitors today in church from America.  It is great fun to greet people and find out where they come from and why they are in this enchanting land.  I am surprised at how many over the last month are here on a cruise and stop in at church.  A family today came from Nampa, Idaho and have ties to the Thornes!  There was also a young man from Colorado who is on the last lap of his architectural studies which require a 2-month study program study abroad.

In the afternoon we went to the center to compile some statistics for the student council meeting at 5:30 which we attended.  There were about a dozen young people in attendance as well as our high councilor.  There was much enthusiasm about the upcoming month.

One thing happening is a fireside with S. Michael Wilcox.  Yes....and I am possibly more excited than the YSAs.  He is an amazing speaker.  The first week of July many of the young people will be at EFY in Sweden as counselors and administrative staff.  It will be a wonderful experience for everyone involved.

The end of the month is Festinord....the biggest thing of the year.  It is a week in Finland packed full of classes, activities, dances and getting to know some of the hundreds of YSAs who will attend from all over the world, but especially Scandinavia.  SK and I will be attending too and are looking forward to it with great anticipation.

After our student council meeting, we had our YSA sacrament meeting.  They are always always always very spiritual.  I love the singing and I love the speakers, and I especially love to partake of the sacrament in the company of those great young people.

Tonight the Telfords spoke.  They both were very articulate about their message which was spiritual health.  Their love for these young people shone through everything they said.  That love is most assuredly returned.  We had over forty in attendance and many more who love Brother and Sister Telford who couldn't be there tonight.

The handwriting is on the wall.  With a little over 14 months left on our mission, I can see it will be very very difficult to just wave goodbye and board a plane.  I didn't think about that part of a mission.  I have heard returned missionaries talk about how much they loved the people they served....heard those messages all my life.  But I never connected it with having to say goodbye.

It was comforting tonight to see that those relationships formed by the Telfords continue and the love and respect shared with the YSAs are still very strong.

It is wonderful how a mission can expand your life and heart in so many ways.