Day Seven.

Grants Pass, OR

Today we were able to go to church with members of various wards in the Grants Pass Stake. This was such a treat to be able to visit with the youth. After church we were able to visit with our homestays which is a real treat because we do not normally have that much time to visit with our home stays. It is always dance,neat, shower, sleep, eat and then get back on the bus again. It was so much fun visiting with them. They were so generous and kind to all of us. One example that is the same for all the dancers on the team is every home stay we were with let us hang our costumes up to air out for over the weekend. The show we put on is that of such high energy that we tend to sweat in our costumes…a lot! They were a little damp you could say. They also let us do some laundry. We as a team would like to thank each and every one of our home-stay families again for their kindness and for letting us stink up their homes with our smelly costumes. We appreciate you more then you know!
After we visited with our home-stay families we were able to put on a fireside for anyone 12ysrs. old and up in the Grants Pass Stake. This went over very well with a lovely turn out. The spirit was felt by everyone their, be it through song or word. Following the fireside we had a short question and answer session.
The Lord really does work in mysterious ways and we are so grateful to be apart of his missionary and to be able to help touch the lives of so many according to his will.

 

Stories and Experiences:

Kylie Brusc0:

“Pre-face: When I was 12 years old my parents were divorced. Since my parent’s temple sealing was broken, I have asked priesthood authorities over and over again what will happen to me? Will I be all alone not sealed to my family because of the divorce? Will I still be sealed to my mother who is still a faithful member of the church? With so many different answers to my question, I could not be sure any of them were correct.

I stayed with a family in Grants Pass whose situation is not too far from my own. Three boys and one girl were in the home which completed the exact layout in my immediate family (tender because I have not been home in 7 months). After a divorce and their mother remarrying a man with 4 boys, they have a combined family of 7 children; super bright and sweet kids. I loved them!!! They were happy to have two big sisters in the house.

KC, the mother of the home, was personable and outgoing. Her and I shared personal experiences while preparing dinner and could relate because of the similar situations through divorce and family struggles. I praised her for how awesome her kids are turning out and she reassured me that the Lord had always guided her in raising them. We stumbled across the topic of temple sealings and how that works out for the kids when a temple seal is broken. She shared her perspective but then felt confident in sharing a letter from the first presidency with me. This letter was sent to her in response for her request for temple divorce. I cannot share the exact words, but from that I was reassured that children born in the covenant will not be denied their birthright and blessings of a temple sealing because of their parents . Ultimately, through that sacred covenant, are we not sealed to each other but ultimately our Heavenly Father? His tender mercies would not deny his children those blessings they were born into.

My heart rejoiced to finally know the truth! I know that Pres. Monson is the Lord’s Prophet on the earth today. With his signature on the bottom of this letter I had no doubt that this was the truth. I can finally feel peace knowing that all will be well with my Heavenly Father and that although the seal no longer exists between my parents, because my siblings and I were born in the covenant we will not be denied those sacred privileges and blessings we are entitled to. "