K-Lightful: Summer Coming On

June 10, 2014
We have had some fun filled days and a very special fireside recently. Friday one of our senior couples picked us up and took us with them to the Ribbon Cutting ceremony at the new Manchester Institute Building. We attended the dedication in March, but this was for the local dignitaries. We had a pleasant visit with the other senior couples in attendance and afterward we went to Costco together. Sunday was the last missionary fireside where President and Sister Preston will attend, because they are being released at the end of the month. It was the best one we have attended. These firesides are for new members to come and share their conversion stories. The fireside is always good, but one man's story was especially memorable. He had just been re-baptized after being excommunicated 20 years ago. It was very inspirational and impressed on all of us the importance of never giving up on people. He said that in retrospect, he can see how God was placing people in his life to help him to return. After he spoke, the mission president and his wife gave beautiful talks. These people are beloved by all who know them. At the end of the meeting, the missionaries planned a special musical number in their honor. One young missionary at a time stood up and began singing Called to Serve. They were joined by more and more until all the missionaries stood singing to them in tribute to their service. It will always be one of the highlights of our mission.
Monday, another missionary couple picked us up and took us to Wales, where we visited two castles. We saw Rhuddlan castle and Castle Conwy. We saw some great views. At Castle Conwy, the sun came out just after a rainstorm. The sun on the green hill surrounding Conway made the grass so bright green, it seemed to glow from within. I will always remember that.
Finally on a more humorous note. At zone meeting today we were playing Ninja, for a zone activity at the end of the meeting. You have to stike some awkward poses for this game. Just as an Elder in our group struck a pose, he heard the riiiip! of his trouser seam. It will be his most embarrassing moment. Everyone had a good laugh including him. Elder Whitehead loaned him his suitcoat until he could get his trousers sewn up.