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#23 – Behold, the Lord requireth the heart (D&C 64:34)
I’ve
been thinking a lot lately about the heart. Although the heart is one of the vital organs
of the body, which must pump blood for survival; it has also long been
identified as the
center of the total personality, especially
with reference
to intuition,
feeling, emotion,
reason, will, intellect, or purpose. It
is the center of not only spiritual activity, but of all operations of human
life. We talk about “heart and soul,” “a
broken heart,” “a change of heart,” and
many other symbolic descriptions of emotions and personal relationships.
Eight
days ago my dear friend, Cindy had a heart attack and stroke. I know emotionally that many of us are very
tender; but her illness reminded me how vulnerable the actual heart is. Cindy has been in intensive care most of the
week. She has a blood clot that must be
dissolved. We all have prayed
continually for her survival and healing.
She was finally released to come home on Thursday to work on the healing
process. Her husband, Joe, is a
wonderful caregiver, and she will have the best care. But it has been hard to imagine that she
could be so ill. She is a lady who truly
has a “big heart.” She has spent her
days and weeks serving everywhere she sees a need. Although she worked full-time until this
fall, she always made time to help family, friends, and strangers. My heart
ached with concern, and I was sad that I couldn’t be there to help Joe and the
family. Many prayers are being said in her behalf, but I am asking of you to
join with us. I have personally
experienced the power of group prayer.
Last
Tuesday was transfer day. Oh, how we
love to hear the departing missionaries share their testimonies. So many of the Elders and Sisters shared about
their own personal journeys of growth and change. We’ve had the privilege to watch some of them
have a change of heart about the work as they learn how to let the Spirit teach
and train them. One sister said she has
seen so many individuals and families change completely, and wondered how one
little book could change lives so much.
One
cute elder said he has changed so much that he is sorry for those who knew him
in the beginning. He is grateful for the
atonement, and that, even though this mission wasn’t about him, Jesus Christ
has healed him. We saw his change of
heart, and he became a dynamic missionary.
What a blessing it is for the missionaries to have this experience to
invite, teach and baptize; and for the investigators to learn about Christ
through these incredible young men and women.
Fewer
missionaries came on Monday than left on Wednesday, so Mike and I have closed
six apartments this week, and will close three more after zone
conferences. We laugh each month because
Mike thinks we will not have much to do the next month, but the weeks just keep
getting busier. We will have nine zone
conferences in the next two weeks throughout the mission. These are the weeks we know we are no longer
young. But we love it.
As
we contemplated the messages from the testimonies, we also noted that we have
changed. We have been so blessed, not
only to work together but, to enjoy working together. We both love serving the ward members, the
missionaries, and each other. Mike is
still a morning person, and I am a night person (that hasn’t changed) but we
are both willing to give our hearts to our Savior, the giver of all gifts.
Speaking of gifts, the President asked the
missionaries to give our Savior and His children the gift of baptism in
December. We had 63 baptisms this month…gift
of joy with eternal consequences!
Mike’s
son Ryan and his fiancé Liz are getting married on Saturday. We are very excited for the love in their
hearts for each other and Reese. We will
leave our Thursday afternoon zone conference and head to San Diego for the
wedding.
We
are grateful for the daily blessing and miracles we are experiencing, and our
hearts are full of love for each of you.
Thanks for your love and support.
What greater joy for the heart?
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