A Sisters Conference

We held a Sisters Conference this week and it was wonderful and left everyone with a good feeling inside.  SISTERHOOD…..a bond that endures forever.

In 1979…..46 years ago…..President Spencer W. Kimball made a profound prophecy about the impact that covenant-keeping women would have on the future of the Lord’s Church. He said, “Much of the major growth that is coming to this church in the last days will come because many of the good women of the world…..will be drawn to the Church in large numbers. This will happen to the degree that the women of the Church reflect righteousness and articulateness in their lives and to the degree that the women of the Church are seen as distinct and different.....in happy ways.....from the women of the world.” President Nelson has gone on to say more recently, “my dear Sisters, you who are our vital associates during this winding-up scene.....the day that President Kimball foresaw is today.  You are the women he foresaw! Your virtue, light, love, knowledge, courage, character, faith, and righteous lives will draw good women of the world, along with their families, to the Church in unprecedented numbers!  We, your brethren, need your strength, your conversion, your conviction, your ability to lead, your wisdom, and your voices.  Boyd K. Packer offered his thoughts when he said, “We need women who are organized and women who can organize.  We need women with executive ability who can plan and direct and administer; women who can teach, women who can speak out….we need women with the gift of discernment who can view the trends in the world and detect those that, however popular, are shallow and dangerous.” 

When we held the sisters conference this week, it was very easy to see the amazing, very strong and faithful testimonies and personalities of these great young women and how dedicated they are in their responsibilities as full-time missionaries.  They will go home someday and continue to be strong leaders in the church and influence many lives for good.  Their testimonies are incredible.  Their conversions are even more powerful.  Their courage is amazing.  Their will and desire to spread the good word of our Savior is very inspiring.  It is such a joy to be around them and see their enthusiasm and love for each other. I love their smiles.

I reflected upon the wonderful women in my life that have shaped who I have become.  My Mother, my Mother-In-Law, my amazing Wife, and my three Daughters who I love and who have always been a joy in my life. I learn from my kids each and every day and I am grateful for their testimonies.  “Old dogs can learn new tricks” and my kids help to remind me of ways I can improve who I am.....and who I am becoming…..and they are trying to help me be better at living life. We can all improve and all we have to do is just try.....each and every day.

Jill and I continue to love the people of Ghana and the way they do things.  The women here are also pillars of strength and so very faithful in their commitment to the Lord.  They are not “luke warm”…..they don't sit on the fences.....they are not wishy-washy....which describes someone indecisive, weak, or lacking firm principles. There is one choice for them and they have made it…..one way back to Heavenly Father…..and once they have chosen this Church, they are all in! I love that about them.....stalwart and steadfast and immovable are the women of Ghana.

The pictures and videos below will show some of the faces and people that we came across this week.  The Sisters Conference was a highlight.  And I love the missionaries coming to the Office to visit. I always have to take a picture or two. Notice a couple of the videos that  show where we drive for some of the things we do.  One is driving down a dirt road trying to find where we send the missionaries for their dental work. It is pretty crazy, but they are good dentists.  Another video shows Jill and I trying to find a print shop where Jill will go every six weeks to get 5 by 7 pictures of the missionaries taken with their mission leaders to be given to them when they go home. We would never have found it had it not been for Patrick going with Jill the first time.  When I saw the path she took, I had to take a video.  You don’t even see where we parked and where we came from.  Lots of fun.  And finally, sometimes I get in a mood where I like to turn up the music loudly and “kind of dance around” and just reflect on how grateful I am for the blessings that have come into my life…..and how much I love my wife…..and how much I love each of my kids…..and all of my beautiful grandkids….all 37 of them and soon to be 3 great-grandchildren. The blessings are overwhelming at times……and "YES, I Know Heavenly Father Loves Me”.  It is my favorite Primary song…..and maybe my favorite of all church songs….. and the one that I have sang to all of my grandchildren many, many times when I rocked them as little babies.  Please forgive my moving around in the video…..just enjoy the beautiful music…..it is a wonderful song.

Have a great week.  I know that I will. Ghana is unique to any place I have ever been !!! 

Jill was in charge of the beads and making the bracelets and necklaces. They loved it. They love being around Sister Blodgett. I think you all know what I mean. She's the best !!!

The bonds and friendships formed on a mission last forever.....even though they might not see each other for a very, very long time. They will remember.....and they will have sweet reunions.

Both of these beautiful young ladies are from the Congo. Neither one knew English before they came here.....only French. Notice their bracelets they made for each other.

Sisters united from many, many countries. They have one purpose....share the message of Christ. And it is so easy for them to love each other because they know that what they are doing is very difficult and very hard at times.....but very purposeful and rewarding and very Christ-like.

There was a lot going on this day. It began with breakfast at the Blodgett's. And Jill is showing of her new dress that was made here in Ghana. Beautiful purple material.

Lots of hugs as many hadn't seen each other for many months. Some were companions before.

This is Georgina..... she cooks wonderful meals for our Mission Leaders and for all the mission gatherings. She knows many of us love BYU.....so she came prepared.

We couldn't do our jobs without our tech Elders.....they help us out and Jill fixes them some yummy food and lots of deserts. The other Elders are so jealous.....the perks of working in the office.

The Tech Elders.....Cid from Chile and Williams from Idaho. All the work they do for us is rewarded with a pasta meal and mango fruit. They immediately sent this picture to the AP's.....who missed out because they went home earlier.

These Elders live 3 hours to the North and came in for some dental work. They have to come by the Office before hand because it is just a "fun" place to be. Riding in a Tro to get here is no fun.

Great missionaries and great friends.

These missionaries and our mission leaders, The Campbells, met with 17 chiefs of Tribes two weeks ago on a Sunday after Stake Conference. I posted a picture in last week's Blog.

This video is from coming out of the print shop after Jill picked up the pictures she ordered. You can't believe where we are and how we found this place. I just had to share a video.....but the work is well done. It's just not a place where we would normally think to go to get some quality work done.

This video is showing the drive on a dirt road trying to find the place where we take our missionaries to get dental work done. I should have showed the outside of the building.....the road and area is another crazy experience of a place we do business with here in Ghana.

I guess I was in a "mood". Sorry. I love the music and it was so peaceful at 8:00 at night with just Jill and I at the Office and Home. Kind of silly, but not afraid to share my world with my friends.