November 4, 2012
Dear Family and friends,
Another week has passed rather quickly for us in North Carolina. The
leaves are falling and cooler weather is definitely moving us into
winter. We fortunately were not affected by hurricane Sandy. We are so
concerned about our neighbors to the north. Wow-what a storm. Thanks
for your prayers and concerns in our behalf.
We had a busy as usual turn of the crank week. We are preparing for 13
missionaries who will arrive tomorrow. That is always a busy time for
the office staff. We are mostly background; however the paperwork and
logistics are incredible. We do all we can to support and help our dear
President and his assistants accomplish what Heavenly Father desires
for His children in North Carolina. They spend hours on their knees
seeking revelation to move the missionaries where they should be. It is
a marvelous experience to stand back and watch it all come together.
It is truly a testimony builder for Sister Andrus and I to be a part of
this great process.
As I
believe I mentioned in our last communication, President and Sister
Craven returned from a mission Presidents Seminar last week-end. Much
of what they were told cannot be shared other than they told us to just
fasten our seat belts. Missionary work in the future will not be what
it has been in the past. The Lord’s work is hastening and final stages
of preparation for the second coming are moving forward in a rapid way.
I don’t think that message is new—rather just a continuation of the
urgency of the work in these the latter-days. It is so important for us
as individuals and as families to make sure our lamps are full of oil
and that we have some put away for the bride groom is coming. Personal
and family prayer and scripture study continues to be so important.
Having regular Family Home Evenings and being active in the main stream
of Church activity and service is vital to our preparation to be eternal
families. We are so blessed to have living Prophets and Apostles who
see the enemy from a far and are counseling us daily on which course we
should follow to avoid the cunning evils of Satan. The thrust of the
Duty to God and Personal Progress programs are to prepare our young
people for missionary service and Eternal life. Isn’t it amazing to
look back just a few years to see the evolution of these inspired
programs and see a portion of what Heavenly Father knew was coming. We
must embrace these programs in every way as they are the source of the
oil mentioned above. I believe it is not only for the young people but
for the world. It teaches correct principles in goal setting and
personal behavior so necessary to feel and recognize the spirit. One of
the biggest challenges of missionaries is being able to stick to it.
We are struggling for answers on how to keep our missionaries from going
home early. They are giving up and throwing in the towel. Fortunately
most are obedient and are focused, however it seems we are always
struggling with more than we should. The rite of passage activities
like the “rim to rim” and the “kings peak” and “pioneer trek” , the
Willard peak APTC hike, and most high adventure and good scouting events
are so vital in the preparatory activities of our young men and also
our young women. Whatever you can do to help these types of events
happen and to be successful is so necessary in missionary preparation of
our young people.
We are proud of you Shelby
to have made the swim team. We know it is not easy to attend all of the
practices, but look what it is helping you to become. We are proud of
all of our grandchildren who are being successful and working hard to
develop their talents. The real winners are those who are around for
the last lap or the last inning or the last quarter or the last
concert. We have to learn to finish the race at all costs. The score
has little to do with who is the winner. It is those who have paid the
price to finish what they start and to do their very best that
determines who wins. Heavenly Father is the best coach anyone could
have. He has blessed us with the Holy Ghost to help us choose the right
and to be where we are suppose to be at the right time. What a
privilege we all have to be on the Lord’s team. Everyone on the Lord’s
team can be the winners. He gives us the rules we have to follow and if
we keep them and do our very best we win!! Wow what a dream team.
Please know that Grandma and Grandpa are striving to be the very best
missionaries we can be. We are not perfect; however we are working
every day to be better. We pray for each of you every day. We are
studying the scriptures and striving to be of service to everyone we
can. We miss being with you but are so grateful for the computers that
let us see and talk to you. You are all so beautiful and we are so
proud of you.
As we enter into the holiday
seasons of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years—let us focus on the
many blessings we all have—especially the blessing of belonging to the
true Church of Jesus Christ that allows us the opportunity to be Eternal
Families. Let’s all commit as members of the Lord’s team to finish the
race we have all began. It is the greatest event for which we can
participate.
We love the mission field and appreciate the support we feel from you all. Have a good week
Elder and Sister Andrus, Dad and Mom, Grandpa and Grandma, and Don and Ruth.
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