Sheltons in the Sun: January 2015

Sunday, January 25, 2015

#7 The Badge

A few years ago as I served as a Guest Service Missionary at Temple Square and the Conference Center, I noticed that my pink missionary badge let everyone know that I could direct patrons where to go or sit, I could answer their questions about the event or facility, and I could show them the way. It was a wonderful assignment for four years, and I loved the spirit of the work.

Now, I notice that our black missionary badges still give us the privilege to show others the way; but it seems to say much more to those who observe us. Wearing this black badge is a curious event for some, a prick of the conscience for others, and a moment of recognition for many. I’ve had some interesting connections in the past couple weeks.

My first encounter was at the mall. An 11-year old by came up to me and asked me if I was a Mormon. When I said “yes,” he asked what ward I was in. When I told him, he said he was in the same ward, but his family only comes every few weeks. He said his name was Andrew and I should watch for him. I have seen him once.

Next I was in Walmart, the lines were long, and I asked if I could pass through to get to the other side of the aisle. A man jokingly told me I could not butt in line, and I begged, so he let me pass through. Then, later I saw him in the parking lot. He came up and asked if I am a Mormon. “Yes.”

“So am I he said,” then sadly he said “but I’m not exactly active.”

“Why Not?”

“Well, my life’s been kinda hard.”

“That’s when we need the Lord the most.” I replied.

“I know,” he said sheepishly, “I gotta go.” And away he went.

After a couple other unusual experiences, Friday night at dinner a cute waitress (in her late 50’s) asked what ward we are in. I asked her what ward she is in. She said she didn’t’ know because she hasn’t been to church for years. I offered to pick her up …She says she works on Sundays. I offered for us to teach her…. She said she didn’t think so. We laughed a lot and made friends, but no teaching appointment. We hope to see her again.

My heart aches when I see how many once active members have lost their way and cannot, or will not, get themselves to find the peace the gospel can bring. The badge brings glimpses of a person’s experience, and our prayer is to get to help those members remember why they joined the church in the beginning.

When we visited Mike’s kids last weekend, 3-year old Ethan wore Mike’s badge the whole time. Sunday the primary president had him lead I Hope They Call Me on a Mission. After church, as we were leaving for Bakersfield, Ethan said, “Grandpa, I’ve got to have my missionary badge, please don’t take it!”

Another things I was reminded of this last month is that I must listen to those promptings that make life easier. For three years, as I contemplated a mission, I considered things I must do to prepare. Often I thought I should practice the piano (I hadn’t played since high school) in case there was no pianist. I was secretly relieved when we arrived and learned that the office secretary is a concert pianist. Well, two weeks ago President Wilson asked me if I play the piano. Of course I said, “Not, well.” He said that there were no pianists in two of the zone conferences and would I play the opening and closing songs -- and that “not well” was better than nothing. So, I reluctantly played. Unfortunately, with the piano, every mistake can be heard.

Also, this last year, in the 1^st ward, I had the opportunity to write the Relief Society News letter (thanks, Cathy Glade.) All year I kept thinking that I should take the time to learn a computer program that would contain the letter so when I sent it I wouldn’t lose the graphics and photos. But I never quite got to it –- three weeks ago Sister Wilson asked me to take over the mission newsletter. Now I’m trying to figure out how to do a program I wanted to learn a year ago (I struggle with making aging and technology compatible.)

The final prompting was to learn Spanish. I tried when I picked up Ryan from Honduras. I wasn’t successful. I’m still not successful, and there is a great Spanish speaking population here.

On the other hand, I’ve had the opportunity to see my cute companion working tirelessly as a businessman. He knows how to work with apartment managers and how to get things done. When he doesn’t know something, he finds out. We are working hard, learning a much, and having fun. We are so blessed to be here. We appreciate the prayers, love and concern you send our way. We are grateful to serve and pray that we can make a difference.

The BADGE (Seth)

The Fresno Temple

Melody Taylor - home from New Zealand

Zone Conference(above) Taylors visiting us (below)

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Saturday, January 11, 2015

# 6 Zone Meeting . . . a time to focus

I’ve always heard that Zone Conferences were a special time for missionaries. I know it has certainly been a powerful week for us, the senior missionaries. This time, President Wilson decided to work with one Zone at a time, so we could work with the missionaries in smaller groups. We have seen just under half of the missionaries this week, then, we will work with the others next week. We started in Ridgecrest, then Esperanza, Palmdale, and finally Lancaster and East Lancaster. Each conference we had between 22 and 30 missionaries. Each group seems to have a personality of its own, but all missionaries show evidence of the power they’ve gained from serving the Lord full-time. So many of them reminded me of the wonderful youth I worked with in the school setting all those years. I loved watching them grown in talent and ability then. Now, these young men and women have developed amazing leadership skills, become articulate, and are willing to do whatever it takes to serve the Lord. My heart is so full of love and admiration for them. I know their task is not easy, but their commitment and willingness to work is helping them transform in to amazing servants of the Lord. In some ways, they are still kids, and pretty young, and in other ways they are spiritual giants. It is a wonderful time.

The zone conference consists of talking with the missionaries about issues and concerns with cars, apartments (our particular concern), health, etc. Then, the zone leaders conduct training with the missionaries. And finally, both Sister Wilson and President Wilson give inspirational talks. The meeting is motivating and spiritual; and, it is evident that President and Sister Wilson know and love these young men and young women.

Of course our presentation is on housing issues. Our motto is “ Cleaning is a process, not an event.” We showed the missionaries how to clean their vacuum filter, how to use a Magic Eraser, and we talked about the standards of cleanliness we expect. Of course, this was nothing new, but we tried to present with a different view. And, true to my style, I threw candy to those who answered questions correctly.

In every housing area we have inspectors, who are senior service missionaries, who visit the missionaries about every month to make an apartment check: they inspect, help, teach, and nurture. Then they send the report to us. We take care of the issues that they can't take care of. We are so lucky to have them on our team. These are dedicated people who are wonderful to work with -- so happy to be doing this job and so helpful to us and to the missionaries.

We saw a great quote buy Pres. Ezra Taft Benson on a desk in the MTC, and we use it with our presentation: “When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes a quest, at that moment God will endow us with power.” Surprisingly President Wilson also used it in his talk, and so did one Zone Leader.

The holidays are over, and they were most unusual for us. We moved some missionaries on Christmas Eve day, and also on New Years Eve. In fact, after the move on New Years, we stopped and bought some pizza and salad and came home to celebrate, just the two of us. I’m grateful for such a good companion.

Fortunately, this month has been a time of some family. Saturday is our day off, and Mike and I drove on the weekend of Dec. 27th to San Francisco to see Ed and Susan and their family. And we were able to hold Michael and Ceci’s darling baby, Leo. It was a wonderful visit. We stopped Sunday to see Aaron’s family, but at that point the flu was hitting both of us, so we left for home early. Then last Saturday Mike had the opportunity to baptize our cute granddaughter, Reese. Becca, Aaron’s family, Ryan, Liz and Jared were all there. What a special time that was.

As we serve here in Bakersfield, we are grateful for the many blessings we feel. We are doing a work we couldn’t have imagined. Yet our hearts are filled with gratitude and love for the opportunity we have to work with such wonderful people, and to feel the Spirit of the Lord as we stretch ourselves to meet the needs of those around us.

We are grateful for the love and support of you, our family and friends. And we are grateful for the testimonies we have that our Savior, Jesus Christ, lives; and because of Him, we will be able to live with Him and each other again.