September 11, 2013

       Hello family and friends. Greetings from the California delta. It's amazing how it can get so hot here in the daytime and then suddenly in the evening the gentle (sometimes not so gentle) breezes come in off the delta and make it quite pleasant. As Sherrie mentioned last week we are teaching these three marriage classes. As with most teaching and speaking situations the one giving the presentation tends to learn as much as if not more than the recipient. It's amazing to watch how the Bishops of these congregations have felt inspired to determine which couples could gain the most from attending the classes. We have such a blend of young and old ages, newly weds and oldie weds and extreme differences of personalities all brought together for 1 1/2 hours once a week in this six week course. In one case this means an older couple recently married to each other after each has had several previously unsuccessful marriages themselves. Another example is a young newly wed couple who have "taken in" her Vietnamese family of 20+ while they themselves are finding time to take college courses. The matriarch and patriarch of this family who speak no English are in the process of opening up a Vietnamese restaurant here in Sacramento. Wow!
      Some of the couples haven't stuck with it and have dropped out for various reasons, while with the others we've seen some amazing changes occur within their marriage just because they are applying these wonderful principles in their relationships. And as Sherrie said there is always room for improvement in our own marriage of 47 years due to our class involvement. Another one of the many blessings that have occurred while serving on this mission.
     Well recently my old megaphone funnel that I put up to my ear to hear better gave out (son-in-law doctor says welcome to the old age realm of life). I was wondering how to go about getting tested and looking at the cost of hearing aid, when low and behold my 20 years of military service and retirement have paid off again. I "heard" about a "Hearing aids at Cost" program that is being offered to AF retirees and that Travis AFB, which is an hour away from us, is one of the few military bases that offers such a program. So I've been fitted and will pick it up in a few weeks at a mere fraction of the cost they normally are. So soon Sherrie can quit using sign language or holding up large posters to communicate with me.
     During our sojourn here we have done some family research and have been able to find, connect and study the names of more than fifty ancestors. It is such a satisfying pleasure to be able to do this research.
     In conclusion, Sherrie and I have just started reading the book entitled "Infinite Atonement" written by Tad R. Callister. This book talks about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and states "it is the central act of human history, the pivotal point in all time, the doctrine of doctrines". Bruce R. McConkie pays fitting tribute to this noblest of all deeds by saying: "Nothing in the entire plan of salvation compares in any way in importance with that most transcendent of all events, that being the atoning sacrifice of the Lord. It is the most important single thing that has ever occurred in the entire history of created things". What a powerful statement. We both look forward to further reading of the book.  I want you to know of my love for our Savior and all that he has done for us. That testimony burns within my soul and always will.

Take care,

Elder John