Hi everyone! We have had a good week this week. We started with a District activity (miniature golf and lunch at a Chinese place). We are glad because three of the missionaries are being transferred. We love the young missionaries! We also attended the memorial for the soldiers killed in the month of July. Most of the lives lost are from Ft. Drum since they deploy more here than anywhere else. They have a memorial once each month to honor the fallen soldiers. This one was held outside and was so dignified and respectful and beautiful. There were six killed in July. They begin with prayer and the Star Spangled Banner then tell a short thought about each soldier given by another soldier from his unit. The general says a few words and then they play taps and have a moment of silence. They have a large picture of each soldier that the family keeps. Today in sacrement meeting in Carthage Ward they asked a soldier home on leave to bear his testimony. Bro. Solberg has five children, three teens, and is a computer guy for the Army. He spoke of his appreciation for little things coming home like green grass and trees and rain. He hadn't seen rain in Iraq since March. He then spoke of the church meetings they held in his area. He said they had about fifteen men that met together each week and his favorite meeting was fast and testimony meeting. The spirit is so strong in those meetings as they each share their testimonies. He told of the Ugandan forces over in Iraq and that they were the security guards for their area. They had been sharing the gospel with two of them and they were eager to learn more. One man named Moses wants to be baptized and then he told of the new mission opened up in Uganda and that his family was taking the lessons back there. Bro. Solgerg said that he realized that there is a bigger picture over there and that the blessings of the Priesthood are in Iraq and people are being coverted to the gospel there. It is always so great to hear the stories of those who come back. We have so much respect for these people and all they give up! We hope all is well at home. We have so much to do before we leave. We send our love to you all!! Mom & Dad
Christmas 2015
8 years ago