Week of March 28, 2016

Mark Owen Vickers	11:23 AM (4 hours ago)
to bcc: me

Howdy!

This week was sweet. We had the opportunity to serve with an local organization here called Special Angels who host a day care for adults with special needs. Aaron played Monopoly with us for most of the time and we had the chance to talk with several of the other participants. Can't really explain the joy that comes through service. Guess you all with just have to give it a try. :)

On Thursday we had a mini Zone Conference consisting of around 50 missionaries. The subject was on family history and how the work we do for our ancestors and missionary work are really one work. This training was perfect as later that day we were on campus at Lone Star teaching a family history course to about 30 people. A little intimidating, however I realized towards the end that I know more than I thought I did, so that was cool. 

We continue to work to get to know the members in this ward. Working with more than one ward has been different and a challenge, but a good one. 

Love you all, until next week

P.S. Not sure if I've sent this picture home yet. This is Elder Roper, Bishop Ryan(he's the man!, from my first 

area Spring Creek), and me on the right. 

Mission Presidents' Letter of the week

Sunday, March 27, 2016

Easter and Passover

To the Missionaries of the Great Texas Houston Mission,

We thoroughly enjoyed seeing you at our mini zone conferences this last week. We hope you found the training to be helpful and we look forward to hearing about the wonderful experiences you will have as you begin to teach others to do their own family history.

With Easter here, we have been reflecting on the significance of the Passover. The Passover is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the Hebrew exodus from slavery in Egypt. It is also the celebration that took place in Christ's day right before His crucifixion and resurrection. 

We invite you to read Exodus 12 in your personal study that explains the way that the Lord institutes the Passover. It is rich in symbolism. Unleaven bread means without yeast so that the bread doesn't spoil. There are things that we indulge in that can spoil our spirits. Perhaps the most important symbol is the blood of a lamb that is male and without blemish. The children of Israel were commanded to take the blood and, "strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses" (v. 7). The reason for this was that the Lord promised to pass through the land to smite/destroy the firstborn of Egyptians, but would "Pass over" those who had the blood of lamb upon their doors. This would ultimately prepare the way for them to be delivered from bondage by the Lord. 

We hope you can see the application of this symbolism in our day. We too depend on the Lord for deliverance. If we will allow His atoning sacrifice to permeate our lives, we will be delivered from our sins as well as those calamities foretold by the prophets of old. It is interesting to consider the counsel by Prophets in our day to observe the Sabbath in this context and the value of the sacrament as we consider its protective influence in our lives.

We love you and hope you have a very Happy Easter!

Love,

President and Sister Mortensen