Baptisms, Transfer Meeting & MLC

Saturday, we kept busy by attending two baptisms.

This young man is stationed at Fort Carson. His Girl Friend is LDS and was serving a mission when he decided to read the Book of Mormon and listen to these sweet sisters teach the things she was teaching. He studied, pondered, prayed and asked insightful question. And decided to be baptized. His girl friend is home from her mission and was able to be at his baptism and confirmation. It was such a sweet morning.

Two of our Elders with one of their investigators (and refreshments) at the baptism.

This sweet lady has been searching for the Christ that she read about and knows from studying and praying about him and knowing for her self by personal revelation who he is. She went from church to church and has been baptized many time looking for the Christ she sees in his words. She found it in the place she least expected it. In the Church that her sister in law has attended--The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The place she was sure she wouldn't find it. She lived in Utah for a while and almost investigated the church 12 years ago but talked herself out of it because she thought that the Mormons don't believe in the same Bible and Christ as everyone else. She moved home to Colorado. 12 years later She found out that we do believe in the same Bible we just have additional scriptures that teach us more of Christ and who he is. When she was taught by her "sweet little Boys," She found the Christ she knows from the scriptures, Jesus the Christ, the Son of God. She told me He was trying to show me where he was all those years ago by the kindness of the people around me and I wouldn't look. I'm so thankful for "my little boys" who came on a mission to share what they know. Her husband was baptized with her. We attended sacrament meeting in her ward the next day and were there for her confirmation. (President Stevenson happened to have another meeting in that building.) We got to hear her bear her testimony. What a sweet experience.

These Elders and Sisters Helped with the baptismal service, helping with the music, setting up the chairs, and passing out cards for those in attendance to record their thoughts and testimonies for these new members. 

Doing the Perrins' Ponder

We were feeling a little home sick, the rest of our family was in Nevada for our granddaughter's Baptism. We were at the second baptism at exactly the same time she was being baptized.

      

We were watching Baptisms here but our hearts were there with this beautiful girl on her special Day. She read the Book of Mormon before her 8th birthday to prepare for her baptism. We love our sweet grandchildren so much. (Cool photobomb by Marcus.)

Sunday evening, we attended a Work of Salvation Fireside with our Missionaries, their investigators, their recent converts, and members, The last Work of Salvation Fireside was actually on our first Sunday as Mission President and wife. It was a blur of new faces and meeting many of our missionaries.  This time it was wonderful to watch the interactions of our missionaries with the people they have taught and are teaching. There were so many hugs and thank you's. it was amazing to watch. The experience is completely different when you're not nervous and wondering if our new missionaries would like us and wondering how am I going to remember all of these new names and get them with the right faces. Then we got to listen to the conversion stories of 3 converts and listen to their amazing testimonies. We also heard testimonies from a few of our missionaries and people in attendance of how they gained a testimony of the gospel.  

We also learned about a Mission tradition. The Elder at the right is training these two new Missionaries. He got them all matching ties so that they would remember training together. They're matching companionship ties. 

Tuesday, was Transfer Meeting. All of our Mission Office Staff: Elder and Sister Beier,  Elder and Sister Stoker, the housing and Referral Elders, The Assistants, and President were making sure everything was ready for the New Missionaries arriving on the 11th. New Areas, Apartments, transportation, furniture, companions...

When all the work is done, we celebrate with a Potluck Lunch.

Elder Beier grilled some amazing chicken, we also had fresh strawberries, broccoli salad and rolls.

My contribution was 2 fresh peach pies made from Palisade Peaches from the Farmers Market. We are so in love with Palisade peaches. They are absolutely delicious. None of the pie made it home. Can peach season last forever? 😋🍑 The peaches really made the pie. 

Boys will be boys. They missed their morning workout because of their early morning drive from Alamosa...So lets do walking lunges after breakfast while carrying your companion. He's just as heavy as a Barbell. 

The Serious Mission Leadership Council Photo

and the fun ones.

A pano photo of the whole council. These are our awesome, Assistants, Zone Leaders, and Sister Training Leaders.

We spent Thursday in Castle Rock doing interviews with these  awesome Sisters and Elders.

After interviews, President Stevenson had a meeting in Pueblo and I had the pleasure of driving out to Peterson Air Force Base to join the Hammonds at the monthly Community Dinner at the base Chapel. Sister Hammond does such an amazing job planning the Menu. This months theme was a Football Tailgate Party. The crowd was a little lighter but it was wonderful to see everyone enjoying themselves and hanging around to visit and get to know each other better. There was chili and all kinds of tailgating food to go with it. I also got to visit with two of the Hammonds Neighbors  who joined in the preparation and serving the meal. They enjoyed it so much they will be there to help next time. Thank you Elder and Sister Hammond for all your amazing service.

Friday Evening we tried a new Restaurant for Date Night. We really loved this place.

"One plants, another waters, but God gives the increase."

It's super cute inside and out. This is their Pizza and Bread Oven.

It's farm fresh to your table. The food was Healthy and tasted amazing. It's one of our favorites that we've tried thus far. Every item on the menu sounded wonderful...we'd like to go back and try them all.

...and I loved their attention to detail... they carried out their theme even as you walk out the door.

We are really loving and enjoying Colorado Springs.