Visitors, Parties, and a New Mission President

It's been a great week. We do a lot of the same things - tending those who have been in the hospital, helping those out of work find jobs, visiting those who are house bound, and finding independent places for some to live. Our Provident Living Class is going great, and we enjoy doing some missionary home evenings for the families with young children. We went to the temple twice this week - a highlight. We work on Wednesday night and Thursday was ward temple night.

Bob's cousin and family came to visit. Dave and Sue Monson, and their oldest daughter, Melea Mortensen, and some of her children. They were so kind to stop on their way west after a family reunion. It was nice to see some familiar faces. We had a great visit.

The Elders helped this ward member get out her patio furniture. She's all set for her summer parties.

We promised the children of the large family that was baptized - if they came to church and read the Book of Mormon, we would host a swim party. Here are some pictures of the ones that earned the party. It was lots of fun.

The new Little Rock, Arkansas Mission President and his wife are Elder and Sister Wakolo from Fiji. Here is a picture of them at Zone Meeting. 

After Elder Monson visited with the President a few minutes.

President Wakolo taught us about the Atonement.

Before the Fall                        After the Fall                After the Atonement 

God                 +                                  -                                   ++++++

Life                 +                                  -                                    ++++++

Knowledge     -                                   +                                   ++++++

Progress          -                                   +                                   ++++++

Family             -                                   +                                   ++++++

Before the Fall, we could experience the presence of God, and we had life. But we didn't have knowledge; we couldn't progress; and we weren't part of a family.

After the Fall we were not in the presence of God, and we became subject to death. We did have knowledge; we could progress; and we had the ability to have families.

Because of the Gift of the Atonement, we can be in the presence of God; we have eternal life, we can obtain knowledge; we are able progress; and we belong to a family.

I love this concept. What an expansive way to view the Atonement. Words cannot express my gratitude to my Savior for His love and sacrifice.