Have I done any good in the world today?

We have been singing that this week and it makes you reflect on what you do each day. Are we helping some one in need?  Have we cheered up the sad?  

It has been an interesting weekend. Today when I got home I learned that Pete, our next door neighbor. Passed away this morning. Audrey is very sad. He was so fun to know and amazing to watch. I feel for her and the difficulty she is dealing with. I hope we always can have charity for those in hard times. 

Saturday was also interesting. We went to the baptism of a new convert. She is in a wheelchair and has little to no use of the left side of her body. She has loved the message of the doctrine of Christ and has changed her life to prepare. I was blessed to perform the baptism and it was a challenge but a great experience. And today we confirmed her in church and it started off a remarkable sacrament meeting. It really was a great day. We take much for granted about what we know about the great plan of happiness and yet it is treasured by those who learn of it now. 

After the baptism we took a sister back to the assisted living place and helped her get back in. We found that the facility was not addressing the problem in her bathroom where there are plumbing leaks above and the ceiling, light fixture etc had fallen down. Mom and I fixed the light, picked up all the ceiling tiles, and mom washed and dried all the towels she had on the floor to catch all the dripping water. But the place still had no one coming to fix the issue. It's a sad state. But we did what we could and she was so appreciative. It's amazing that she also is illiterate and yet tried to write mom and I a note today to say thanks. She gave us a picture colored by her from a Disney child's coloring book. 

Please realize how blessed you are to have what you do. Give thanks to God for the knowledge, learning, bodies, and health we have. We really do have so much. 

We have another sister missionary going home this week from our Ward. As the finish up here I keep trying to help them focus on finishing well and giving full proof of their ministry. So we will have a shared sister for a week until formal transfers. 

Work continues to be a real challenge. There is so much going on, and so little time to do it all. I did get the new manager in place so transitions will begin soon. That will help. It's amazing how the coaching and leadership at work are so intertwined in the ways that the bishop guides. I work with people to help them rise to their best, and by so doing, accomplish more that if I tried to do it on my own. And I also try not to own their problems, but to help them work through the issues so they can emerge stronger than before. In both places it's about helping people become more, not just do. It's so nice to be able to learn in both circumstances and then use that in each place as I work each day of the week. 

The more I live the more I see the patterns that last, those that really affect lives, are wrapped in the great gospel plan. I hope you see that in your life. 

Love your forever, really. 

Dad

3 John 1:4

So the lady we helped with her bathroom took the time to share a thank you with us. Please be grateful for the education gift you have all been given. This was a lot of work for her. 

Dad