Will work for nothing!

January 23, 2022 

Dear Family & Friends, 

This week started out a bit discouraging. Due to bad weather, church was cancelled on Sunday, and our Come Follow Me study group was cancelled Monday.  On Tuesday, I went over to the food pantry, but they already had enough volunteers and didn’t need me.  

No one showed up for our Tuesday Come Follow Me discussion group.  My companion was sick, so it was just me, and I told God I felt like getting a piece of cardboard and writing on it “will work for nothing” and standing on a street corner.  Just then Sheri called.  Sometimes she calls and participates in our study group over the phone because she is blind and doesn’t have to be there physically.  She asked if I would like to come teach the class at her house.  This turned out to be a wonderful opportunity because Sheri had a non-member friend named Tyla there.  I picked up some lunch on my way and we enjoyed lunch, a lesson, and then Tyla and I cleaned Sheri’s house. I don’t know which of these activities lifted my spirits most, but I love working for nothing! 

Tuesday evening the enjoyment continued because I was able to give Hermanas McHenry and Morales a ride to the temple.  They had arranged to meet three of their newly baptized members there to do baptisms for the dead.  It was a wonderful evening! 

On Wednesday I helped at the Bishop’s Storehouse and then went to our District Council meeting.  It was very uplifting, particularly because we all knew that transfers were coming.  I love these young missionaries.  If any of them transfers to another area, I will miss them dearly. 

We started with the hymn “Hark All Ye Nations.”  Elder Hogan shared a scripture that was perhaps aimed at the Elders, but it was just what I needed to hear.  He read from Alma 29 where Alma is wishing he could be an angel and use God’s trumpet to do more missionary work.  Maybe Alma is comparing himself with his friends, the sons of Mosiah, who converted a whole nation, and scolds himself saying, “…I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me.”  I have told myself this many times.  But Elder Hogan pointed out that Alma resolves his feelings in verse 16 where he says, “…when I think of the success of these my brethren…great is my joy.”  And I knew then that I need to feel joy in the work of everyone.   

Wednesday evening, I was able to go with Hermanas McHenry & Morales to two teaching appointments.  To hear these young ladies teaching (in a language they did not speak prior to their missions) was moving.  They listened, they understood, and they explained the gospel of Jesus Christ in plain and simple terms, using the scriptures, adjusting their teaching to meet the needs of the individuals--in a language they did not speak prior to their missions! (I had to say that again.)  Truly the gift of tongues is alive in the church today.   

On Thursday I was able to go with Hermanas Sonnenberg and Kelsch to teach.  They are amazing missionaries also.  They work together with such unity and love.  Sister Sonnenberg surprised me by asking me to explain “albedrio” (free will.)  I guess I did ok, but I know I could have done a better job in English.  I think I understand a little bit how Moroni, one of the prophet/historians of the Book of Mormon felt because he had to write the history of his people in a foreign language on metal plates. “…we…stumble because of the placing of our words; and I fear lest the Gentiles shall mock...”  (Ether 12:25) 

My opportunities to serve continued Thursday afternoon when I received a phone call from the President of the Raleigh Temple asking me to serve as a temple worker!  

On Friday my serving was curtailed a bit because snow was expected and our leaders told us to not drive.  I complained to one of my friends, “They must think that people from Utah don’t know how to drive in snow and ice.”  But she explained, “It’s because the people from North Carolina don’t know how to drive in snow and ice.” 

On Saturday I came to understand my friend’s comment when I woke up to about 3 inches of snow and went outside where a couple of my neighbors were trying to clean off their windshield with rubber kitchen spatulas!  I retrieved my snow brush & ice scrapers from my car and we easily cleaned off their car.  Then I helped a couple more neighbors with their cars.  They all told me that this weather was unusual.  Needless to say, most folks stayed home.  There wasn’t anywhere to go anyway because all the businesses were either closed or closed early.   

But the weather did not deter our friend Andres from getting baptized Saturday evening.  It was great! Several people came to show their support.  Our friend Armando (whom we had invited when we taught him Wednesday) also came! And he recognized Andres as a friend from work! 

However, today, Sunday, church was cancelled again due to the weather.  But the blessings of technology made it possible for me to attend sacrament meeting today in my home ward in Provo, Utah.  Interestingly enough, the theme of the meeting was missionary work.  The speakers reported on family members who were serving missions, and my son Daniel had been asked to report on me!  He didn’t know I was in attendance (virtually) and it reminded me of when Tom Sawyer & Huck Finn hid in the church and listened to their own funeral.  Haha.   

Keep working for nothing! I love you all

Sister Manwaring