Thursday, January 29, 2015

Closing Up Shop
A flurry of activity has descended upon us as we tie up loose ends with our missionary service, pack our few remaining belongings, and prepare to say good-bye to wonderful individuals, awesome spiritual experiences, and the stunning scenery of Idaho.

Our family is waiting for us and we can hardly wait to be with them again!
After just one week of settling in, Christine will board the train in Provo, Utah and be off for a week's visit with the kids and grandchildren. Super wonderful.
 
It will be something else to once again enter our home in Springville, Utah after an eighteen month separation. How can we thank our friends, Liz and Dennis Gallagher, enough for having our home cleaned for us?  What a fantastic gift. Thank you!
Million Dollar View
Driving high on Midvale Mountain in the winter often jets you on a "Million Dollar View" as you are suddenly above the fog bank prior  to descending into Midvale.
Above The Fog Bank Midvale, Idaho

Standing On A Cloud Of Fog

Serene, Placid, Exquisite  - Idaho!

Norm's Scruffy Snow Flocked Beauty  -  Midvale, Idaho

Monday, January 19, 2015



My Favorite Alphabet Letter
Sister Christine Masters, Full Time Missionary
The Church of Jesus Christ of  Latter Day Saints

As a retired kindergarten and first grade teacher, I have focused on the letters of the alphabet perhaps much more than the average person.  One of the results of this focus is realizing that my favorite alphabet letter is the letter “D”.

The letter “D” calls me to make significant character choices – choices that will define the honor, worth, and legacy of my life.

Will I work to my full capacity for a life of devotion, determination, and discipline?
Or will I choose a life of despair, discouragement, and despondency?

While our society is enjoying a high level of material abundance, nevertheless a high level of spiritual depravity also abounds.  The absence of faith in and devotion to Our Father, Our Creator, and the Source of Our Everlasting Happiness has resulted, in many instances, in religious skepticism and accompanying societal moral decline.

Our Gracious Father in Heaven is always extending His arm of justice, mercy, love, and encouragement toward us, His children. Father in Heaven is our rock, our beacon, our comfort, our inspiration, and our hope.

The English priest and poet, John Donne, testifies of Our Father’s desire to bless us at all times, but especially during the times of our greatest need. “We ask our daily bread, and God never says, ‘You should have come yesterday.’…No, He says ‘Today if you will hear my voice, today I will hear yours.’…If thou hast been benighted till now, wintered and frozen, clouded and eclipsed, damp and benumbed, smothered and stupefied till now, God yet comes to thee, not as in the dawning of the day,…but as the sun at full noon, to banish all shadows.”

Sin creates a disharmony and alienation from God.  For an uplifting, hopeful spirit, we must express a sincere sorrow for our transgressions and faults with a firm resolve to improve.  Imperfect though we are, Our Father is always present to forgive us and spiritually heal us.

We claim the blessed assurance that God will heal our sorrow, wipe away our tears, and comfort our broken hearts.  “…Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.” 
1 Corinthians 2:9  KJV

Hour by hour and minute by minute, let us recall the blessings in our life, remember our past victories, and with faith and hope be assured of even greater future blessings reserved for us from the hand of the Almighty.

Upper Country News-Reporter  Cambridge, Idaho  January 2015




Sunday, January 18, 2015

So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Good-Bye
In two weeks and four days we will be leaving our mission here in Idaho and heading back to Springville, Utah on the morning of February 5, 2015!

Our Mission President , Stuart Cannon, and his wife, Sister Elaine Cannon, invited all the  current departing missionaries to the Boise Idaho Temple. 
We then went to the mission home for dinner and a testimony meeting.

Our mission experiences always will be, for the rest of our lives, treasured and hallowed memories.

"Life is never what it appears to be; 
It is always more.
Hold on to your vision and faith."
Departing Missionaries Including Our Idaho Nampa Mission President Stuart Cannon

Departing Sister Missionaries Including Sister Elaine Cannon

Elder Norm and Sister Christine Masters  Boise Idaho Temple  2015

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

A Costly Pearl
The message of salvation and exaltation that Our  Savior Jesus Christ brought to this mortal world is called the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

It is truly "Good News" of great joy, abundant blessings, and the fulfillment of the arrival of the promised Messiah through all the prophets beginning with Adam.

The  gospel can, as Jesus suggested, be compared to a costly pearl of great price.
This spiritual treasure of knowledge, encouragement, and commandments can lead us to God, Our Eternal Father. 

The gospel can help us understand, appreciate, and emulate the Atonement of Jesus Christ through  taking His name upon us, always remembering Him, and exactly obeying all of His commandments.

Being faithful to gospel principles can help us be worthy to have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost who comforts, guides, teaches, and testifies to us of the Father and the Son.

This costly pearl of the gospel is infinitely precious and is worth our total time, effort, and dedication.
Where Heaven Meets The  Earth
We taught Millie Heavener for many months in Caldwell, Idaho before being transferred to the High Country of Council and environs.
The sister missionaries continued to teach Millie and Mille's ward family continued to support her.
Millie invited us to be with her as she attended the temple for the very first time on Saturday, January 10, 2015. 
What a wonderful, inquisitive, and gracious person Millie is!
Despite her major health challenges, she has moved forward as is evidenced by her glowing and radiant countenance.
Boise Idaho Temple   Elder Norm  Masters, Millie Heavener, and Sister Christine  Masters   1/10/15