Sister and Brother Hintze: 3/20/23

 

Happy Monday, everyone!

Last week was a very busy and very fulfilling week. On Wednesday evening, we attended a

wonderful dinner with all of the other senior missionary couples, the Mission President and

Sister Farias, his wife, and a visiting general authority, Elder Shayne Bowen, and his wife,

Lynette. Sister and Elder Bowen spoke to us about the promises of the Abrahamic Covenant and

the wonderful blessings that God promised to Abraham and his posterity that remains in effect

for us today. It was very deep and meaningful. Then we moved into the cultural hall for dinner

and socializing. It was a great opportunity to talk with the other senior missionaries and share

ideas. We came away with a few exciting new ideas that will help the people we are working

with.

Also, this past week we had our first experience as apartment inspectors! We were assigned to

do a cleanliness inspection of the apartments of three Elder companionships and one sister

companionship. We were pretty lenient and passed them all even though they were far from

clean. We have this assignment every six weeks, so the next time we are going to adopt a great

idea that was given to us by our friends, Norm and Karla, that they used on their mission. We are

going to turn cleaning day into a friendly competition by offering the GOLDEN BRUSH

AWARD!!! We will spray paint a toilet brush gold and the missionaries with the cleanest

apartment will not only get bragging rights to display the golden brush for six weeks but will be

the proud winners of a gift certificate to Subway! We know that food will speak to these always-hungry young Elders and Sisters.

I got to attend my first ward Relief Society activity. Sister Cairns, the Relief Society president, is

amazingly talented. She created a game based on the game of Clue, setting up different

ministering situations. Just like in the game of Clue, we had to solve the puzzles figuring out

who did it, where, and with what tool (instead of a weaponѡѢѣѤ). We ate, we played, and we

laughed. It was a really fun night. And the best part is that two of the sisters that we’re working

with that have not been coming to church, came to the activity.

So, I’m sure you remember Latrice. I told you last week that she decided to quit her lessons with

us and the Elders. We were all really disappointed, but I was especially disappointed because we

had begun to develop a friendship. So, I decided that I would try to continue the friendship even

though she said she was no longer interested in continuing the lessons. So, I invited her to lunch

on Saturday. She was happy to join me and Elder Hintze for lunch, and we had a really great

time. We did not talk about anything church related. But at the end of the visit, I decided to

simply ask her if she would like to attend church on Sunday. She said she had to do her laundry,

but if she could get it finished Saturday afternoon, she might. Boy, was I surprised to get a text

from her an hour later saying that she was doing the laundry and that she would like to come to

church. She really enjoyed herself and even found two members that she already knew. Megan,

our miracle from last week, also came to church on Sunday with her daughter. Many people

were so happy to see her and offered her a very warm welcome back. We had a “linger longer”

after church, which is a big potluck and everyone stays and enjoys good food and great

conversation.

Our COME FOLLOW ME lesson this week included Chapter 11 of Matthew. We discussed how

our burdens and challenges become easier when we yoke ourselves with the Lord. There were

times in my life when I absolutely could not carry the weight of my burdens alone. I kept a

copy of this scripture close at hand so that I could read it continually to remember to yoke myself

with the Lord. He certainly carried me when I could not do it alone.

Matthew 11:28-30

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke

upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your

souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Much Love,

Elder and Sister Hintze