11 Days in the Field

Ward Meetinghouse

We have been very busy.  We have a new elder (in addition to the other two).  We went to District Meeting this morning.

Sunday night there is a missionary fireside scheduled at the church for our ward.  The speaker is Diana Hoelscher.  She is supposed to be a dynamic speaker, and has written books on how to be a good member missionary.  She has her own website.

Taking some refreshments to the fireside

We have been getting to know some of the less active members.  We are working with Andrew (his wife in a non-member). They were married about a half a year ago.  He is interested in his Smith family history line - so I am helping with that.  Hopefully Andrew and his wife will come to church Sunday.

We also met Marco, who was born in Chile, emigrated to New Jersey at age 14, served a mission in the state of Washington.  He has a small music production business he operates from his home.  He works nights delivering pizza to help make ends meet.  Hopefully he will come to church Sunday.

We've been going through the various paperwork that was handed to us, marking on the ward map the people we need to visit (about 50).  We visited with the EQ president to get better acquainted with the members.

There is a lot of work that needs to be done here.

Alma 28:14, "...we see the great call of diligence of men to labor in the vineyards of the Lord;...."

"Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd"

Dear to the heart of the Shepherd, Dear are the sheep of his fold.
Dear is the love that he gives them, Dearer than silver or gold.
Dear to the heart of the Shepherd, Dear are his "other" lost sheep;
Over the mountains he follows, Over the waters so deep.

Out in the desert they wander, hungry and helpless and cold;
Off to the rescue he hastens, bringing them back to the fold.

Dear to the heart of the Shepherd, Dear are the lambs of his fold.
Some from the pasture are straying, Hungry and helpless and cold.
See, the Good Shepherd is seeking, Seeking the lambs that are lost.
Bringing them in with rejoicing, Saved at such infinite cost.

Out in the desert they wander, hungry and helpless and cold;
Off to the rescue he hastens, bringing them back to the fold.

Dear to the heart of the Shepherd, dear are the "ninety and nine".
Dear are the sheep that have wandered Out in the desert to pine.
Hark! he is earnestly calling, Tenderly pleading today
"Will you not seek for my lost ones, Off from the shelter astray?"

Out in the desert they wander, hungry and helpless and cold;
Off to the rescue he hastens, bringing them back to the fold.

Green are the pastures inviting; Sweet are the waters and still.
Lord we will answer thee gladly, "Yes, blessed Master, we will!
Make us thy true under-shepherds, Give us a love that is deep;
Send us out into the desert, Seeking thy wandering sheep."

Out in the desert they wander, hungry and helpless and cold;
Off to the rescue we'll hasten, bringing them back to the fold.

Hymn #221