Lesson in the Vineyard

This week we got to experience the following:

- Started working with the Ward Council to prepare the ward itself to continue ministering to the people we have been ministering to the past several months. Our exit plan. We are down to six weeks left in our mission.

- Answered prayers. We have been praying that our community will be protected from fires. October is the month where fire has the highest risk. So far, no fires this year, after having fires the last six or so years. One more week………..more prayers.

- We met up with two other Senior Missionary Couples who are serving in Northern California. We hiked around in the Redwoods and also had a great lunch at an old-fashioned diner. We shared a lot of stories and counsel and advise. It was so good to meet with them. And, I must tell, even though three of us were highly trained Wood Badge Staffers with years of scouting skills, we still did lose track of the trail and get lost. No worries though, we used said skills to find our way back to civilization.

Today, our beloved Elder Jones was transferred out of Clearlake. We are heartbroken as we love this young missionary and his diligence and obedience and especially his musical talent. Below are some journal entries from this week regarding Elder Jones:

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Today was transfers by the way and the former Greenie Elder Jones is being transferred to Ukiah to be a trainer and District Leader and is whitewashing too. He can handle it. Great missionary. But the entire ward was in knots because he is so loved. And he plays the piano, which brings a huge spirit into the ward. No one in this entire ward plays the piano. Before Elder Jones arrived, we were accompanied by taped music. Ugh. Bishop had him bear his testimony and he told about how he cried when he watched how well the six primary kids sang while he accompanied them last week at the Primary Presentation. He told us how strong he felt the spirit and how he loved Clearlake. I was bawling. Sister S-L was bawling. Everyone was bawling. We’re gonna miss him.

Tonight we had the Elders and Sisters over for dinner. It was Elder Jones’ last dinner with us and he gave us his last dinner message, which was on Jacob 5.

President Meservy started this tradition thingy when he arrived here that Elder Jones got to participate in but none of the rest of us got to. The new greenies arrive from the MTC and last thing before they go to bed that first night at the mission home, when they are exhausted from spending the day in vans and airplanes and interviews, he asks them to find a quiet place in the mission home and read Jacob 5 and take notes on anything that stands out. And also mark every time the word “I” is used. (It is used around 100 times in that chapter.) First thing the next morning, they are all taken to a vineyard that is owned by a member in Santa Rosa. And there the vineyard farmer answers questions about his vineyard. Points he made with Elder Jones’ group:

The use of the word “I” so many times indicates that the vineyard is clearly the Lord’s. Our mission is really the Lord’s.

The product is not just grapes. It is the highest quality grapes possible. The Lord wants us to have the best converts possible.

The grapes are harvested overnight because that is when the juice is the sweetest. The Lord knows when each convert is totally ready to be taught.

Each plant had a colored flag marking it. The flag represented what kind of help or nourishment that particular plant needed. The Lord knows exactly what everyone’s weaknesses and needs are.

The farmer at one point even teared up as he talked. It was clear he loves his vineyard and it is his life. The Lord also loves His vineyard.

The farmer then tied in D&C 4 to Jacob 5 and made it even more relevant.

Very cool stuff! And a great way to start a mission, especially here in vineyard country. We were thankful to Elder Jones for sharing his experience with us.

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We are having such a great experience as missionaries and are learning so much from these young Elders and Sisters. We absolutely love our mission!