Merry Christmas From Zimbabwe

A very Merry Christmas to everyone! 
The last two months have been very, very busy, so we haven't had much time to blog.  Christmas in Zimbabwe is a different kind of holiday.  School is out and many businesses close for a week or two around Christmas.  Because the people are so poor, there is not much gift-buying here.  But they do gather as families and spend a lot of time together.  A lot of them go to the "Rurals" (the villages where the families' roots are, generally in the Bush).  Family is very important here! 

We will see if we can give you an idea of our first Christmas in Zimbabwe.

Even in Africa the children know who Santa Claus is.  Check out the Zimbabwe Santa:

 If you look closely you can see the white string holding on the beard, right next to his dark hair. 😬  The kids who would come to this mall have families with a little money.  Most Zimbabweans would not be crowding around Santa and posing for pictures with him. 

We saw a "Christmas tree" lot.  They are few in number, plastic and colorful, and the street vendors bring them right to your car to see if you will buy one.  This vendor came to our car window and I said no thank you, but he agreed to let me take his picture:

 He is wrapped in the Zimbabwe flag.  The vendors are still selling flags and they wrap a big flag on as a cape.  It symbolizes their love for their country and the hope that they have for the new government.

Elder Theurer posed for a picture too:

The first event of the holiday season was the Christmas Zone Conference with elders and sisters from 4 zones of the mission.  It's a really big deal and a time to rejoice and have fun.  Everyone of the missionaries is invited to bake something for a contest.  We were among the 6 selected judges, tasked with tasting all of the entries.  There were some excellent choices and we have fortunately collected the recipes. 😍
After the wonderful, spiritual part of the zone conference, there was a ping pong tournament (very new to most Africans), games, and a talent show. 

Here is a sampling of the events:

 

 The ping pong table temporarily took over the Primary room in the Harare Stake Center.

Zone choir singing Christmas carols.

 

 These sisters (from Nevada, Botswana, and Utah)  kept it spiritual with their singing.

 

 A few of our Polynesians (From Tonga and then Australia) spiced it up with some dancing.

 

 And these three (from New Zealand and Australia) recited "Book of Mormon Stories" doing the Haka!

We even had several magic shows.  This one features Elder Tu'ua (from Australia) and Elder Daka (from Zambia).

This was probably our favorite of all the "talent" that day!  The Beach Ball Ballet!  You have to see this!  Two elders from North Ogden Utah and Flagstaff AZ.

On the Saturday before Christmas, all 4 of the senior missionary couples baked cookies and then we went caroling to 16 of the units in our complex.  We took plates of cookies and December Liahonas to each unit.  It was so sweet!  As we sang and gave out our cookies, the people seemed genuinely grateful, and several had tears in their eyes as they thanked us.  We are aware that a number of them don't have children or family living in the country, so they are essentially alone.  Because it is so hard to find employment here, the children end up leaving the country.

Our flats came stocked with these lovely hats, perfect for caroling. 

Many of the residents in our complex here have heard very negative things about our church, including that we are "Satanists" [unfortunately one of the popular beliefs here] and that we have many weird beliefs.  Most people think that we are paid and are very surprised to learn that we pay for our own missions. 



Last Saturday, our complex -- Grandi Lodges-- held a Christmas "Braai" (actually pronounced like Bri), which is a barbeque.  This gave us a chance to meet some of the residents, almost all born and raised in Zimbabwe.  These white natives are called Rhodesians.  They were fascinating to talk to as they gave us their personal histories of life here and their political perspectives.  Apparently they really liked President Mugabe until he started changing the constitution and taking away private property. 

We have recently learned that the talk among the residents since the Braai is that we seem like perfectly normal, friendly people.  (Well that's a relief! 😉)

Pictures from the Braai:

You can see that we live among the senior citizens.

The man is named Teini (Teeny), and he was the chief cook.  Moira, next to him is on the Board for Grandi Lodges. 

 

 Marian (also on the Board) on the left and Estelle on the right.  Most of the people who live here lost their pensions, homes, and most of their money in 2008 when the government confiscated the bank accounts.  Before the government confiscated the pensions, one of the gentlemen that we talked to had a monthly pension of around $2000 and now he collects less than $100 per month.  All of these people are very hopeful that the new government will be better.  (Marian is the one who reported to us that people now think we're normal.)


Sunday, Christmas Eve, we went to church in Epworth, a very poor, high density area.  It's about a half-hour drive for us.  We wanted to meet with the bishop to see if he will call an Institute teacher for the very large group of young single adults in his ward.   

When we say "high density", that is lots of people, generally poor, crowded into a small area.  Here are a few pictures I snapped:

This is pretty typical of the high density areas -- no electricity, no water, two room houses.

 

 These houses will be for more than one family.  They build wherever they can find a spot, sometimes as you see here, among the rocks and boulders.  The missionaries told us that some of these people are being given eviction notices from the government.  The land is being given to other people and they are being given a certain amount of time to vacate. 

As we were driving down the road to the chapel we saw this ahead:

This is essentially a poor man's Zimbabwe moving van.  The hand cart probably contained all of the family possessions.  Quite a load to pull!  When we got inside the church property I snapped another picture from the side.

   

 

These are a few of the "shops" on the side of the road. 

The meeting at the church was absolutely wonderful.  The little chapel was filled with the Spirit.  The main speaker, a young man, Phillip Sigauke, (formerly the Institute teacher) didn't use any notes but he inspired everyone for about a half hour as he talked about Jesus Christ and the joy of Christmas, even when you have very little in the way of possessions and no money for gifts.  He read the quote from President Howard W. Hunter (see Gems) and challenged everyone to live more Christlike lives.  He said, "Blessed are those who do not expect for they will not be disappointed."  Be a giver not a taker.  Give love.  Make burdens light.
I have said before that the people here have such pure and deep testimonies of Jesus Christ.  It is quite a blessing to experience.

After the meeting there was a line of people greeting the visitors outside.  I snapped a couple of pictures:

 (We love the colorful African dresses and the hats )

 

Notice the "Made in America" t-shirt the little boy is wearing.  It is just clothing to him.  He didn't seem to know what the flag was or the saying on his shirt meant.  Elder Carrell, one of the senior missionaries is in the background.

After church we joined the other senior missionaries for a Christmas Eve dinner.  We read the Christmas story from the scriptures and sang Christmas carols. 

Meet our missionary friends:

And now for our recently collected holiday GEMS:

From President Howard W. Hunter, 1994, in his last public message to the Church:

⇢"This Christmas, mend a quarrel.  Seek out a forgotten friend.  Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust.  Write a letter.  Give a soft answer.  Encourage youth.  Manifest your loyalty in word and deed.  Keep a promise.  Forgo a grudge.  Forgive an enemy.  Apologize.  Try to understand.   Examine your demands on others.  Think first of someone else.  Be kind.  Be gentle.  Laugh a little more.  Express your gratitude.  Welcome a stranger.  Gladden the heart of a child.  Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth.  Speak your love and then speak it again."

(This is the link for the whole talk:  https://www.lds.org/ensign/2002/12/the-gifts-of-christmas?lang=eng)

⇢Is the kind of love we give comparable to giving used gifts and worn out toys?

                                   (Inspiration from Cristina Franco - Christmas Devotional)

⇢There once was an old man who was very selfish.  He had many possessions and wanted more.  He took whatever he could from others.  One day he fell into a hole and couldn't get out.  His grandson extended his hand and said, "Grandpa, give me your hand and I will pull you out."  The old man did nothing.  The grandson tried again.  Still no effort from the old man.  The grandson went to his Grandmother and complained that his grandfather would not give him his hand to get out of the hole.  "Oh", she said, "He does not know the word give.  He does not know how to give.  Go back and tell him to take your hand."  The boy did that and the old man was rescued.

          (A story/fable told in the Epworth Christmas Sacrament meeting by Phillip Sigauke)

⇢"The love of God is the centerpiece of the plan of salvation, and opening out hearts to receive and give it is our daily opportunity."  - Virginia Pearce (A Heart Like His)

⇢“However late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines.”     --  Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

⇢"Divine love inspires us to love as He loved.  In fact it becomes a defining characteristic of anyone who desires to be His disciple. . . . . It is not how much you have but how much you love."                                                                -- President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

⇢This Christmas song/video by some very talented Samoans from Utah was played at our Christmas Eve gathering.  I'm including the link.  I think you will enjoy the video called:       "Is There Room?"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esa56igwXh0

                                           
We miss everyone at this holiday season, but we send our love to all of you and our very best wishes for a happy, wonderful new year!  💝💖💗
From Elder and Sister Theurer

Breaking News in Zimbabwe

We interrupt our regular Blog with the latest Zimbabwe news:

We're sure that the news in America is probably breaking faster than the people of Zimbabwe can even learn about it, but I thought we should share what we are experiencing here with the surprising changes.

Just two weeks ago, President Banda (our S&I Coordinator) told us that with Vice President Mnangagwa being fired from his job and from the Zanu PF (the ruling party), that it would certainly mean Robert Mugabe would win the next election.  Mnangagwa, a crony of Mugabe was known to be opposing Mugabe and wanted his job.  Slowly, Mugabe and his wife have been eliminating all of the opposition, and the people have feared that Grace Mugabe was going to be appointed to take his place at some point. 

Fast forward to last Wednesday, the 15th.  We were awakened very early by the Carrells, our senior missionary neighbors, saying that Mugabe had been removed from office and that the army was taking over the country.  General Chiwenga, one of the original army veterans, was angry about what was happening in the government, and the Mugabes trying to make the government a family business.  So, backed completely by the army, he took over the government.

 We were told to stay home, "shelter in place", but that only lasted two days because no one really felt unsafe.  This was a very peaceful takeover -- no looting, no vandalism, no rioting.  The people of Zimbabwe are truly good people.  They are patient, not reactive or combative.  Just really good God-fearing Christian people.  They have been waiting for 37 years for a change in the government.  They didn't speak up because they lived in fear.  But they are also a happy people who have learned how to cope one day at a time.

The army and the police here are not friends.  The police back Mugabe and the army defends the government.  The army moved quickly to take over the police stations so that eliminated a lot of the conflict.  The people don't like the police here because they extort money from the citizens (and all of the missionaries!).  The police would arrest, beat, imprison at will.  The people here have been so happy to have the army in charge -- at least for now.

So then, for the last few days, all of the talk has been about getting Mugabe to resign, which he has not been willing to do.

Saturday there was a huge March.  Tens of thousands of people went into downtown Harare and marched to the state house to ask for President Mugabe to resign.  Here are some pictures from President Banda:

There was a message sent around on Friday about the March.  Buses and Combis offered free transportation to people who wanted to come to the March.  On Sunday, we learned that people from our branch in Kadoma, 2 hours away, took buses to the March.  According to two of our friends who were there, the atmosphere was one of huge celebration!  There were citizens both black and white, old and young.  No anger, no fighting.  Just pure happiness for the change and HOPE.  Hope is what all of the people are talking about.

Things have been changing very quickly around here!  At lunchtime yesterday, the word was that impeachment proceedings were starting.  By the time we drove to a meeting with the Marimba Park stake presidency last night, we heard that in fact Robert Mugabe had resigned.  Apparently, if he was impeached, the things he was asking for (immunity, keeping all of his assets, a security detail, etc.) would have been revoked.  So he finally resigned.

As we drove home from our meeting, we experienced true CELEBRATION in the streets -- honking, flashing lights, flag waving, singing, dancing, and citizens lining the streets cheering as cars drove past.  President Banda, who was with us said, "This is our new Independence Day!"  The Selchos, another senior missionary couple, got home before it was so dark, and they said our little compound of older pensioners were also out in the street cheering and waving.  Today there is a huge celebration planned for Harare.  We had to stop at the store on our way to work.  Elder Theurer wore his Zimbabwe tie and all of the people loved it.  They told us how hopeful they were and how their prayers had been answered.

 

All of the members of the Church here are certain that God has answered prayers and that He is preparing the way for His temple to come to Harare.  Even though their is uncertainty about how the new regime will govern, the HOPE remains strong.  We are praying for this country and hope that others will join us.  They deserve something wonderful. 

Sending our love to everyone,

Elder and Sister Theurer 

Everyone has a Story . . . . . and we love to hear them!

As we are becoming acquainted with the wonderful people of Zimbabwe, we love to hear their stories-- stories of heartache, triumph, and resolutely overcoming obstacles.  For this post, we will spotlight some of the stories.


Our very first Sunday in Zimbabwe, we drove an hour and a half to the Chegutu Branch where they needed me to play the piano.  The chorister was "Sister Rachael", a spunky, "take charge" young single adult.

When Rachael was 15 her mother died, leaving Rachael and an older sister.  Rachael's father decided to remarry and moved away, so Rachael and her older sister were now completely alone.  To survive, they rented out their small house, all except for one room where the two sisters stayed. Rachael coped by getting very active in the Church.  Besides being the chorister, she is the seminary teacher, and does anything else they need.

Rachael has a lovely singing voice and her goal is to sing in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. She has heard that they practice every Thursday evening, so every Thursday she practices singing so she can try out for the Choir some day. 🎶   This is such a good example of the determination that we see in many of the people here.

Rachael recently received her mission call.  She will leave in December for the Mission Training Center in Ghana, and then on to Sierra Leone for her mission.



We have already talked about Gibson, our guide in the Bush.  There is more to his story.

The movie Freetown was about six elders who miraculously got out of Liberia during a Civil War in the 1990's.  Gibson was serving in Liberia in 2012, still part of the Sierra Leone Mission, when there was another uprising, a clash between students and the government. When the government soldiers started shooting anyone who looked like a student, Gibson and his companion were saved by a UN soldier with his own big gun and a large truck that drove the missionaries to safety.  The UN soldier turned out to be a member of the Church, a returned missionary himself.

Gibson's father had multiple wives (without divorcing any of them), Gibson's mom being the 4th.  His father did not do much to support the family, and when Gibson was 16, his father died.  The first wife, somehow convinced a judge that all of his (the father's) possessions belonged to her, and so when Gibson was 17, a truck came to collect everything that was in their house.  After that, Gibson, his 8 year old sister, and his mom slept on the floor and basically had nothing.  Gibson took over the role of breadwinner and did whatever he could to earn money.  He started with cleaning toilets and the boss was so impressed with his industry that he hired him to do other things.  Later, he was offered money to go to school, and when he came back with the extra money and a receipt for the school costs, the owner of the company was amazed.  He said that no one had ever returned money before.  Gibson continued to be blessed because of his honesty, his hard work, and his service.  Even though the economy here is terrible and most people are unemployed, he continues to be able to find work to support his family.



One of the Branch Presidents (and a part-time seminary teacher), President Rogers Makosa, is an excellent example of a good man who was blessed for just living his religion and following the programs of the Church.

President Makosa was a police officer in Harare (not the kind that pulls you over and extorts money, --more like a constable, but still poorly paid).  When they have important parades in Zimbabwe they always begin it with a prayer service.  A few years ago, an important parade was ready to begin.  One of the country's Vice Presidents, VP Mnangagwa, was touring the parade.  It was time to start the parade devotional but the Chaplain who normally conducted the service was not available.  VP Mnangagwa did not want to start without the devotional and prayer and asked if there was someone else who could do it.  President Makosa was able to step in.  He conducted the service, and using his scriptures, gave a thought, then offered a prayer.  The VP was quite impressed with the young police officer and wanted to know more about him.  When the VP learned Rogers Makosa was a policeman and not a chaplain, the VP told him to "go see the person over chaplains", and "he will give you a station."  When the commander over the chaplains asked him about qualifications, President Makosa explained that he'd graduated from four years of seminary, four years of institute, and had served a full-time mission for two years (and he had two diplomas and a ministerial certificate to prove it!) . The commander was so impressed that he gave President Makosa an important post as a chaplain, assigned to a big unit in Harare.  (This story came through President Banda because President Makosa is very humble and doesn't talk about it.)

Rachael Mkandla, the quiet, unassuming lady on the left, is one of our seminary teachers.  We visited her home on our first seminary class visit.  She is the one who walked with her class for over an hour to come to our doctrinal mastery activity.  About 5 years ago, Rachael was in the hospital, close to death (which is a common outcome for people who have to go to the hospital here, but I digress).  With death approaching, she realized her life wasn't in order.  She told God she would like some time to make things right, and that if He would grant that, she would do whatever He asked of her.  She told God that He could take her later if He chose to, but she fervently prayed for a little more time.  She survived the hospital and the issues that put her there (although her health is still not great) and was called to teach seminary.  She felt completely overwhelmed and incapable, but obediently accepted because of her promise.  I think because she is so humble, the Lord can use her as an instrument.  She has a LOT of students, and they are doing great!

Next to Rachel is Ruth, a young single adult, and also a seminary teacher.  Her identical twin is the institute teacher.  When we arrived at the branch on the day of the activity, we found Ruth in a hat and apron, almost finished with cleaning the church, all by herself.  She does it every week, "because it needs to be done", she says.  She is shy, quiet, sweet, and very unselfish-- completely unconcerned that no one helps her clean.  Oh, and she is also the Family History Coordinator.

Keeping with the seminary and institute category, meet Tawanda Jokonyia, an excellent seminary teacher.  After our visit to Tawanda's early morning seminary class, we gave him a ride into downtown Harare where he works selling plastic bags.  Prior to his early morning assignment, Tawanda would try to arrive in town by 6:00 AM to start selling and return home at night around 9:00 PM.  A long day's work to earn a meager living.  But he has a plan!  He has almost reached his goal of $150 so he can buy a frozen dessert machine, adding on another $50 or $60 for the chemicals and flavorings (and this is after months of work).  This will bring in more money (than selling plastic bags) and then hopefully he can go to school.  

His determination also showed up in his mission.  He had to wait a year for his mission call and another long wait for his visa.  While waiting for the visa, he served for two transfers (12 weeks) in the Harare mission and then he served for 2 years in the Capetown, South Aftica mission.  He is a wonderful, insightful teacher with broad gospel knowledge.  We have never heard him complain.

This is Sister Muronge, an Institute teacher.  Not one of our teachers, but she attends at the Stake Center where we have our office so we visit with her frequently.  She has two  children, both living and going to school in America.  (We don't know what happened to her husband; we just know he's been gone for some years). A very talented woman, she holds an important position in her company, which (like most of the companies that are left in Zimbabwe) is currently struggling financially.  She has been working for two years without a salary. She continues to go to work every day, hoping that soon things are going to turn around.  

We wondered how she was surviving, but we found out another chapter of her story.  Her mother died when she was very young, and her father died when she was 18. As the oldest of 9 children, she took over the role of mother.   She worked and supported each one of her siblings.  They all, with her help, graduated from college and have become successful.  So, they are now in a position that they can help her if needed.  

She is delightful!  She takes piano lessons from Elder Selcho and she knows how to ride a motorcycle. She loves to tell us stories about visiting America.  Her most dramatic adventure in America was having to drive through a Wyoming winter white-out blizzard!  That's a terrifying experience for an African!  Her favorite stories, she will proudly tell you, are about all the temples that she has visited (mostly when she was in America, and if we remember right it is 24 or 25).  She LOVES going to the temple! 

This is Shinga, a YSA and an aspiring chef.  We had to go speak at a Youth Retreat for the Mbare 1st Ward in the Harare South Stake.  At lunchtime, they brought us HUGE plates of food -- the staples: rice, potatoes, sadza (yes they eat these all together on the same plate), but also a good salad, and "stew"--the kind that goes with sadza.  The Stew was really good and I went in to the kitchen of mostly older women, and asked who made the stew.  The main cook, the one directing all the older women, was Shinga.  And, she made the stew.  I asked her where she learned to cook.  She said: her grandmother, her mother, Google, and Food Network!  😁

These are a few of the youth and leaders at the Retreat.  The requirements for the youth to attend the retreat were:  have a personal interview with the Bishop, be working on Personal Progress for the girls, and Duty to God for the boys, be attending seminary regularly.  

We did an activity with the youth where we put up about 35 different statements from prophets and apostles, and asked each youth to pick one that meant something to them personally -- and then a number of them spoke about why the statement was important to them.  On the front row is a young man standing with a statement taped to his shirt.

He picked "Believe in yourself, and then live so as to reach your possibilities." by President Monson.  He said he was going to wear it so he could always remember it and asked us to tape it on him.  

A couple of other things to note:

Africa is in bloom right now!  There are Jacaranda trees blooming everywhere and the ground is carpeted with lavender petals, like snow on the ground. 

 These trees are huge.  We love the twisty branches!  This one is right in front of the little market where we buy food.  But just picture these trees everywhere, mixed in with green and a few other blossoms.  It really is a beautiful country!

 This one is a little blurry, but I was standing on the median as the cars whizzed by me.  This area, Milton Road is famous for the canopy of Jacarandas.  It's gorgeous to drive through when the blossoms are full.  But the trees canopy all over the countryside.

When the Jacarandas start losing their leaves, these orange trees start to bloom.  While they are not as prolific as their lavender counterparts, they are still bright and gorgeous! 

They are just starting to show up.  We haven't figured out what they are called yet.

I think I might love this tree almost as much as the Jacaranda.  This tree, called Frangipani, looks dead for much of the year, without even a single leaf.  We would pass by this tree every day on the way to work and I would wonder why they weren't cutting the tree down.  Then all of a sudden these blossoms start coming and they are like gorgeous little bouquets!

These blossoms, like bouquets, are about eight inches across, all over the tree.  And the tree goes from looking dead to simply stunning!  We didn't know the magic that was hiding inside this tree.  I think there might be an object lesson here.

We have mentioned I think that I have been teaching piano here.  I thought I would introduce you to my current students:

Eve - 8, on the left, and Elsie - 6, on the right.  They are the daughters of the stake president of the Harare Stake.  They are bright and very fun.  Elsie, actually is the better pianist.  They both attend a private girls school in Harare.  They are the exception here.  Most don't have the privileges that these girls do.

These are my "piano guys" in the Kadoma Branch, our two-hour-each-way trip on Sundays.  The mission president has assigned us to this branch for support.  
From the left:  Innocence, 17;  Allister, 18;  Paddington, 17;  Clemence, 16;  Killian, 14.  I love these boys!!!  The Branch President wanted me to teach a large group but we capped it at 5.  We have only one keyboard, so I made them each paper keyboards to practice on at home, and at the church when it is not their turn.  They are taking their lessons very seriously!

Fourteen year old Shmily Banda (our CES Coordinator's daughter) is the last student.  She is eager to learn and has already mastered most of what I have given her.  I mentioned in a previous post that she is an honor student at her school and a national junior champion in ping pong.  (Yes, that is becoming a sport in Zimbabwe!)

I think I will end this blog post showing the delight of Elder Theurer when he managed to discover "American food" in Zimbabwe [or their best imitation]:

{No advertising intended  . . .}

Only one "GEM" this blog post . . . .
This is long but powerful! (from Chad Webb in our S&I 2017 training):

"A significant element of faith is to learn to align our lives with the Lord's will.  An experience from a young mother of three illustrates this:

This young mother was struggling with feeling that her prayers went unanswered, which caused her caused her to want to better understand prayer and why she wasn’t being blessed with relief. She learned from the Bible Dictionary that “we pray in Christ’s name when our mind is the mind of Christ, and our wishes the wishes of Christ. … We then ask for things it is possible for God to grant. Many prayers remain unanswered because they are not in Christ’s name at all; they in no way represent His mind but spring out of the selfishness of man’s heart.”

So she decided to make a list of the things for which she had been praying. By making this list, she realized that her prayers primarily consisted of asking Heavenly Father for what she wanted, which was for Him to change her circumstances. She then decided to make another list, writing down those things that she was certain Heavenly Father wanted for her. Of course the two lists were not entirely incompatible—He loves us and wants us to be happy. But this little exercise teaches an important truth. While she wanted to change her circumstances, He wanted to change her. 

So, she decided to adjust her approach to prayer in order to better align her will with Heavenly Father’s. 

She wrote:

“I came up with a little formula to help me in my prayers. It is simply this—whenever you ask for something you want and you’re not totally sure if it’s something God wants for you, tack on the phrase ‘but if not’ and then add something you’re sure God would want for you.

“For example: ‘[Heavenly Father], please help me get some sleep tonight, but if not, help me to have enough energy to be pleasant and hardworking anyway.’ 

 ‘[Heavenly Father], please bless that I will be included in my group of friends, but if not, even if I feel excluded, help me to be kind and generous.’” 

She continued:

“I’ve tried this out for about a year now, and I can say my rate of prayer success has skyrocketed. …

“I feel like I’m finally fulfilling the real purpose of prayer, which is not to negotiate my desires, but to align myself with God. …

“An unexpected benefit has been that I don’t fear hard situations or not getting what I want nearly as much as I used to because I’ve seen and felt God answer my prayers—both my desires and my ‘but if nots.’”

As always, we send our love and gratitude for friends, family, and prayers of support!
Elder and Sister Theurer