The passing of time

We arrived in Provo on March 24th 2014 to enter the Missionary Training Center. November 24th will mark the eighth month of our mission. Each Sunday I find myself thinking "How can it be Sunday again so soon". Then again, there are days that can be long and challenging and when we return to our little apartment I find myself longing for home and it seems as if time is standing still.

Today after a beautiful Primary Program I found myself filled with gratitude for this amazing opportunity to be a part of the Orange Farm Branch. When we returned to the Primary room after the children had recited their lines perfectly, and sang like Angels I found myself studying their sweet faces as they laughed and played together. I hope they remember the tender feelings they felt today as they sang songs that testified of eternal families. I hope they know how much Heavenly Father loves them. I hope they can withstand the temptations of Satan and grow to be strong leaders in their church and the community.

Today was one of those days that I didn't want to end. It was the kind of day that left me feeling sad that we won't have more time here. I wanted to continue to feel the warm peaceful feeling in my heart that I felt as the children gathered after the Primary Program and began to bear their testimonies. One by one each child anxiously came to the front of the room and bore a tender heartfelt testimony. Then the leaders stood before them and bore their testimonies. The final testimony was given by the a Stake Primary leader. She said, through tears that she has been to many Primary Programs, some that were held in beautiful chapels with the children's singing accompanied by a beautiful organ, but she had not felt the spirit as strong as she did today in our little classroom in Orange Farm as the children sang without any accompaniment. I  bore my testimony and told the children how much I loved them. I told them how I prayed that they would stay strong and hold fast to the teachings they had been taught so that they could be part of an eternal family. When I concluded on testimony a sweet young man, whose baptism we attended a few months ago stood up and led the children in, " I'll seek the Lord Early."

" I'll seek the Lord early while in my youth, and he will help me to know the truth.
  I'll search the scriptures and find him there then go to our father in fervent prayer.
 I'll seek the Lord early and  I'll  obey his living Prophets in all they say,
 I'll keep his commandments his love will abound,, I will seek the Lord early and he will be found."

It was such a touching moment. The tears began to pour down my cheeks as I felt such a deep love for the children and their leaders of the Orange Farm Branch. One little girl brought me a tissue and a little boy crawled into my lap. There are no words to describe how I was feeling at that moment.

A few days ago our children returned to America after a 10 day visit to South Africa. We loved every minute of having them here. It was very difficult to see them go. As I held my daughter in my arms before they boarded the plane I could feel the tug at my heart. I wished we were walking down that runway with them and boarding the plane for America. The idea of spending 10 more months away from them was heartbreaking.

Attending the Primary Program today was a tender mercy. I  was reminded of the blessings of serving a mission. I know that our Heavenly Father is mindful of us. I know that he is aware of the challenges we face as we leave our homes and our children behind to serve him. Today I was reminded me of the blessings that follow obedience. Today as I sat in that tiny school room in Orange Farm surrounded by these sweet children who I have come to love with all my heart, I reflected on our first mission to Ukraine. I remembered how Heavenly Father filled my  heart with the love for the missionaries we served with, the love for our sweet interpreter, Olga and for sweet Anya, Marina, and Nastia and Masha and all the members of Donetsk Centrale Branch.

Today I was reminded that Heavenly Father is aware of the sacrifice we have made and that he has blessed us as we have come across the world to serve the people of South Africa. Today I was reminded that the time will pass quickly and before we know it we will be leaving all these amazing people we have come to know and love and our lives will forever be changed.