The Busy Month of May

We spent the month of May doing a variety of things with the Military Families with whom we work. We gave a total of 15 Family Home Evening lessons.  We try to strengthen families and set an example of what a Family Home Evening should be like. We also spent time going out to find those whose names are on the Ward lists but no one in the ward knows them. We usually find that these people have moved but occasionally we find someone whom we can encourage.  We attended the “Break the Fast” activity for the 3^rd Ward and socialized with the members many of which are in the military.  We were able to attend the Temple with a couple who received their endowments and attended the baptism of a child whose parents recently joined the church. We also attended the baptism of 2 children whose families are active military families. Elder Mauerman was asked to speak in Sacrament Meeting on the topic of missionary work. Sister Mauerman attended night RS with both wards to mingle with the Sisters and offer encouragement and friendship. Sister Mauerman also attended a surprise baby shower for one of the military wives. We also volunteered to teach a Primary class for a young couple who had been on leave and didn’t make it back in town in time to teach. We attended bi/monthly missionary correlations meetings and Ward Councils in two wards and one YSA branch. We helped to inform the wards/branch of any in coming and out going military families and single soldiers that we learn about through the Military Relations Missionaries serving around the world or that we notify of their coming to a new area.

We volunteered for a few activities this month with the USO. These activities included helping with crafts and visiting with moms at the Story time Hour on post. We filled “runners bags” for the Run for the Troops and we helped with the Carolina Panthers Kids Field Day Camp.  Sister Mauerman also helped sew two quilts for children whose father is deployed. The patchwork quilts had a variety of pictures with dad and the kids. We also attended a volunteer’s breakfast where we were able to mingle with other volunteers and talk about the service each of us (them and us )offers and why we are here in North Carolina.

We held a Resiliency Class for 3 couples in the Fayetteville 3^rd Ward during the month of May.

We are so happy to be serving in this way and continually pray that we are doing all the Lord wants us to do.   

I know this work is what Heavenly Father wants us to be doing.  Some days are slow for us but then we come upon some days where we can really see that the Lord led us to that door at the right time.   As the time of the Second Coming draws ever closer we feel blessed to encourage others to renew those spiritual feelings they once had. We see a difference when they take time to read the scriptures (and we read the scriptures) the spirit is able to work with us to stir us up to a remembrance of the Lord and his atonement for all mankind.  His atonement will work in our lives and can bless us everyday when we allow it.