Legacy

 We didn't set out to spend time on the road again today, but somehow ended up doing that.  We set out with a very normal Saturday ahead of us....thinking we had time to do some of the things on our "to do" list.  We still have over five months left, but I don't want to be spending the last weeks desperately trying to clean out cupboards and closets.

When we have our morning prayers, we always ask the Lord to help us know where and how to serve.  I felt strongly that we ought to do something for Elder Day and his new companion.  So we purchased the things for BBQ Chicken Pizza - Erin gave us that recipe, which is so easy!  We packed up plastic bags with Naan Bread, Baked Diced Chicken, a Red Onion, Grated Mozzarella Cheese, Cilantro and directions for assembling it and baking it.

We delivered to three sets of missionaries, which took us about 3 hours.  On the way home, our young sisters called (they are on a 10 day isolation lockdown), wondering if we could pick up some things for them at the grocery store.  Since we were out and about anyway, we were happy to do that.  

By the time we got home, we were ravenous....and threw together our pizzas post haste.

We finished in time to watch the funeral of Gene Taylor, Derek Taylor's grandfather.  Bethany played the piano....she does such a beautiful job.  Derek and his brother Brian sang a duet.  Derek's voice just keeps getting purer and stronger.  We enjoyed that music more than I can describe.

Bethany is at the piano, Melissa is leading, Derek and Matthew are in the center, second row from the back, and David is standing next to Matthew.

The funeral was a lovely tribute to a very dear man....I believe he was in his mid-90's.  His wife passed away a few years ago, and before that he cared for her.  She had Alzheimer's for several years.  She was with him at all of the family gatherings, looking lovely.  He dressed her, combed her hair, applied makeup, and stayed nearby in case she became uneasy.

All of his children talked about his devotion to their mother.  Their marriage must have lasted well over 60 years.  Of course, he had a life outside his marriage. He was a dedicated father, and an excellent business man.  He built his business from scratch.  In the early years, and his wife had very little, but he built a large, successful business.  He was well-respected, and loved.  His was a life of service.  I believe it was announced that he had 8 children, 36 grandchildren and 86 great-grandchildren and counting.

His funeral was so very inspiring, as several of his children paid tribute.  He led a good life.

I hope that can be said of me someday.  My influence will never extend as far as his did, but I hope that in our small sphere of loved ones and acquaintances, we will have said or done something that may have had an impact for the better on someone.  Isn't that what everyone wants?

Our Saturday night Mission Call was also the transfer training....which normally would have happened at the Hyde Park Chapel, and it would have lasted all day  With lockdown still in full force, it was an hour and a half meeting this night.  We had about 5 young missionaries give talks, one of them was our own Elder Hill.  After they spoke and after a beautiful number by four young sisters, Deb gave a marvelous training, with a challenge.

By then the hour was late, and Dave began to speak.  I could tell he was upset.  He introduced his message by reading a letter from a stake president addressed to several European mission presidents.  He told of two black missionaries who had recently returned from missions, and who had experienced racism...not from people they were teaching, or from leaders, but from white companions.  It was a lengthy letter.  Dave was emotional.  He said, "You will not stay in this mission if you do anything to say or act in a prejudicial way to anyone."  He read a message from President Nelson, and he talked at length about how we are all alike unto God.

He spoke then about now is the time, and this is the place and we are all where it must begin to fully purge those feelings from our hearts - if they are there.  It was pretty strong and direct, and I think would persuade anyone to change if they leaned in that direction.  If one has strong-leaning prejudices at age 18, it is probably a legacy from someone somewhere.  

I hope those things happened in our mission!...although it is awful if it happened in any mission.  We have the finest young men and women anywhere (we are an international mission with missionaries from 54 countries).  I just hope and pray that if there is anything like that, it will come to a screeching halt.  How on earth can you teach about Jesus Christ and then treat someone badly because they are of a different race?

Three of my favorite young missionaries are black.  They have taught me much about dedication, being of good cheer and hard work.  They will leave that legacy on this mission, as will many others like them - of all races.  If this generation will be the one to welcome back the Savior - as 30-year olds or 90, then we are headed in the right direction.