Zone Conference and God's Tender Mercies

    Pres. Gary and Sister Juliene Judd asked for the Senior Missionaries to assist with zone conferences. We helped on Friday, June 9th, with the lunch and clean-up. We love meeting with the full-time young elders and sisters. They have a wonderful spirit and testimony. Pres. and Sister Judd are amazing mission leaders. They are in their element! 

    Bruce and I picked up Chang Thai, Thai food for lunch. We served buffet-style delicious rice, chicken massaman curry, and beef pad thai. I made 3 batches of brownies; Thursday I made one set at 04:00 a.m., the only time we had zesa "electricity" to run the oven. One of the Lord's tender mercies, when we got home from the temple site Thursday afternoon, we had zesa! I was able to make 2 more batches and cook the brownies from 4-6 p.m. instead of waking up at 04:00 a.m. God is even in the details of making brownies for zone conference.

The missionaries discussed technology safety techniques, emotions, and the importance of obedience. Elder David A. Bednar taught, "The Holy Ghost withdraws from us when we are disobedient. Wickedness never was happiness. Obedience is a capstone law that brings clarity to all gospel truths." Choosing to be obedient to God because you love Him is living a higher law. Several missionaries soon to be going home also bore their powerful testimonies. I'm amazed at the faith and diligence of these young 19-21-year-old disciples of Christ. Pres. Judd asked if we all wanted to become more spiritually connected and converted to the Lord and we all raised our hands. We do this by living the mission standards and laws by being obedient with exactness.

Christ is watching over the missionaries during their discussions.

Sister Day and Mbabazi

Bruce's daily nap at the Judds; they brought a recliner from home.

Sister Keim and Makura at zone conference

I love the sister missionaries! We have a lot of sister missionaries in Zimbabwe.

Dessert time! 4:00 a.m. brownies were a success! Sister Judd even gave me some Hershey's cocoa. We loved being with them. Many are teaching our friends from the temple site.

Sister Banda & Jovennah enjoy my brownies

    Bruce's mom, Doris, has been put on hospice. She is not eating and drinking very little. We told the kids and they all, but William (in Virginia), have gone to visit and say their goodbyes. After discussing things with our oldest son, William, he felt strongly we should come home to help "mourn with those that mourn." Our children are extremely close to Grandma Anderson since they grew up across the street from her and Grandpa. They love her so much! She says she's ready to pass on through the veil and has lived a good and fulfilling life. She will be missed. She's still coherent and hospice advised putting her in an assisted care facility since she's requiring total care now. We are planning a trip back home to Utah for the funeral.

     Another miracle happened on Tuesday at our home in Utah. Ian and Rachel have been running the two treehouses on Airbnb. The west treehouse had guest staying but the east was vacant. It is more popular and is usually booked daily. In fact, Tuesday was the only night the east treehouse wasn't booked. There was a very windy storm and a giant tree fell over right on top of the east treehouse. The treehouse was absolutely obliterated! In fact, the roof was crashed in and the queen-sized bed fell down into the rubble. If guests would've been in the treehouse they would've been killed. We feel so blessed that God was watching over us that night. How scary! Now Ian is trying to clean it all up with a chainsaw and cancel all the bookings. We are so grateful to him! His guests in the west heard the crash and were too scared to stay in the treehouse. Fortunately, they agreed to stay in the basement and it worked out well. Ian had to cancel the other bookings. Airbnb does have an insurance policy so it may cover the damage and loss. It was terrifying! We are so grateful that no one was hurt! The tree house, before and after. Ian called it, "The tree of mass destruction!"