Mission Conference

This was a very busy week for us, a week we will never forget. Monday was Veteran's Day, and because he served his country in the US Air Force, Elder Mundell elected to suspend his usual missionary activities that day, and instead take advantage of the generosity offered by several local restaurants by enjoying a free meal for veterans.  He went to Buffalo Wild Wings for boneless chicken wings and fries before noon, stopped at Little Caesar's for four slices of pepperoni pizza and a drink in the early afternoon, and topped it off by taking the bus into Honolulu to eat chicken strips, cole slaw and fries at Dave & Busters in the early evening.  There are two days in November when Elder Mundell enjoys eating as much as he possibly can -- Veteran's Day and Thanksgiving.   

A little more than a month ago, our mission president was told that Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles would be in Hawaii this weekend, and wanted to speak to our missionaries. So plans were made to have all of the mission gather together in the Honolulu tabernacle to hear his counsel for us. This meant all of the sisters and elders from the neighbor islands would have to fly into Oahu the day before and spend the night crammed into whatever missionary apartments we could find. But it also was an opportunity to them to all go to the temple together and have a devotional the night before Elder and Sister Renlund would speak to us. On top of that, our Mission President decided it would be an excellent way for all of the senior couples to have their own time together in the temple and have a devotional as well.  So plans were made, and then the assignment to coordinate all the various elements involved in such a huge undertaking was given to Sister Lee and Sister Mundell. They had many meetings with our mission leader Sister Andersen leading up to the conference, and they had to make arrangements to feed and support the missionaries.  The Hawaii temple doesn't have large ordinance rooms, so our mission reserved 5 sessions on Thursday, and shuttled them between the Mililani stake center and Laie an hour away throughout the day, a logistical headache. Sister Mundell was extremely busy -- working the phones, answering questions, making assignments and solving problems -- day and night all week long.

We were asked to host a senior couple from Waikaloa on the big island of Hawaii, Elder and Sister Shim. We picked them up at the airport and then dragged them wherever Sister Mundell was needed to help setting up for the conference.  It was a very long day for them, but they never complained.  They are a wonderful couple and we became fast friends.  That evening the entire mission met together for a devotional. All of the departing missionaries bore their testimonies, the counselors in the mission presidency gave talks, as did President and Sister Andersen.  It was an overwhelming experience for us to see the chapel completely filled with elders and sisters from all of our islands, and to feel the power of their spirit in one room together.  

Our day began very early on Friday.  Dan and Elder Shim went to Costco to pick up the cakes we'd ordered for lunch, then hustled back to make it in time for a group photo and get in line to shake Elder Renlund's hand.  We really enjoyed listening to him and his wife speak to the missionaries.  He assured the elders and sisters that Heavenly Father loves them, is aware of them and what they are doing, they had been called of God by prophecy and endowed with power to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ, and they can accomplish miracles through faith and trusting in God and the atonement of Jesus Christ.  What we will remember the most about what we felt that day was the apostolic blessing he gave us.  He promised us that God will protect us, and that our families at home will be blessed because of our service.  We heard an audible gasp from the other senior missionaries sitting around us when he pronounced that blessing, as we realized an apostle of Christ was giving us a promise that our wayward children and grandchildren who've chosen to step off the covenant path will return and be united with us in love and happiness. 

On Friday night, the seniors met together at the institute building for dinner and socializing.  We took the opportunity to talk to everyone we hadn't met before because they're serving on the other islands, and also get to know those we serve with on Oahu a little better.  Each couple got up and shared something about what they are doing and the miracles they've witnessed as they serve others.  We are all serving in many different ways; some are member support, others work with the military, teach institute classes or trying to organize small branches.  But together we are making a difference -- in the lives of the members we visit in our respective wards, with those seeking to learn more about Christ and his gospel, and the young missionaries who teach them. 

On our last day of the mission conference, we attended the temple together, had another meal, and heard the testimonies of those couples who would be returning home before Christmas. It was a very special, spiritual and emotional moment for 20 of us to surround the altar in a prayer circle.  We became very close to our fellow senior missionaries this weekend, especially the Shims.  They are from Cincinnati Ohio and have a deep spirituality about them.  Elder Shim was a stake patriarch before he left, and you can tell he has a special gift for seeing into the heart and soul of people.  We thoroughly enjoyed having them stay with us, and we hope to spend some time with them again before our mission is over. 

Our new best friends, Paulette and Errol Shim from Cincinnati.