Sister and Elder Duncan: 4/15/24

 Laie Mission April 2024

Heavenly Father puts people in our path, letting us know He is there watching over us! 

Easter Sunday, we went to church and as we walked past another missionary couple. They introduced us to their friends, the Henningson’s. I was excited to hear that name and said I am related to the Henningson‘s in Manti. I asked if he was related to Henry Henningson. He said that was his grandfather, I said, that was my great grandfather. 

He is Fred’s son Brent and was here at church. Then he went on to say how he and the Gammon’s had served together in their last mission, one of three they had served in.

Brent asked if any of my family members were active in the church. I said yes, they all are. I told him all of my siblings have been married in the temple. He asked which temple we had been sealed in. I smiled and said the Manti Temple, of course! It is special because I had a great grandfather who lived close to it and that is where my parents were sealed.

We took a picture so I could show it to my siblings, and I got his phone number. As I went into church, I sat there shocked thinking of our conversation. We were both shocked to see other Henningson's at church! I was thinking of course our family is active. My Grandma Thorpe went to church every week, but as I thought about it, I remembered our family reunions. I don't think many were active or even members. We had a smoking section at our family reunions.

We called them and asked if they wanted to go to dinner with us later in the week. I wanted to know more about him and his family. He told us of how his parents divorced and he went with his mom to Odgen. How a friend's bishop had asked if he was going to serve a mission. It got him thinking about it and he made an appointment with his own bishop and served a mission. He is the only active member in his family. 

I thought of how blessed we are to have the gospel and the blessings of our families. We want our siblings to know how much we love them and look forward to seeing them. My siblings are coming to see us for my birthday next month and Dan's sister Dianne and her family are coming in July. We are so grateful for our families!

Aloha Nui Loa,

Elder & Sister Duncan

Dan & Stacy