The beginning of this week has marked a first in the
mission. Zone conference was on a Monday, the typical preparation day. We have
been given opportunity to have our p-day on Tuesday the following day.
The mission president’s wife, Sister McCuistion, is decorating
the cultural hall when Elder Miller, Elder Horton, and I arrive at the church.
She is disappointed there is no star on the small Christmas tree surrounded by
many wrapped presents addressed to missionaries in the Wichita and Hutchinson
zones. Curious! Eager to learn more about the circumstance, Elder Miller and I
offer to procure a star for the Christmas tree. After a quick hunt throught the
church we find popsicle sticks, scotch tape, and tin foil. As we are creating
our star, we hear the meeting begin. Elder Miller and I quickly throw the star
together and place it on top of the Christmas tree before bustling into the
chapel wherein a spiritual meeting was had.
Like elementary schoolchildren, the missionaries hustle to
the gym at the announcement of lunch. I am blessed to see much of the Grant
family from the Rolling Hills ward who so graciously helped prepare the zone
conference meal. It’s so great to see them!
After lunch is organized a small 12 Days of Christmas
activity. Missionaries are organized into groups. Each group enacts one
assigned day of Christmas while all of us sing the song. My group is assigned
‘5 Golden Rings’ so we dance like Justin Timberlake in Beyonce Single Ladies
SNL every time our turn comes to present as the song is sung. When the activity
is over, President McCusition laughs and says “Elder LaMont I never want to see
your hips move like that again.” I guess he didn’t like the sister missionaries
reaction to my dancing. Good thing it’s my last zone conference!
I am given opportunity to bear departing testimony. I say it
is difficult to leave Kansas. I reference a story called The Prophet written by
Kahlil Gibran - the change to leave Kansas and to end my ministry as a full
time representative of the Savior is “not a garment I cast off... but a skin
that I tear with my own hands.” It is not a simple and easy thing to do. Kansas
is to me as the waters of Mormon are to the people of Alma, the renegade priest
of King Noah. “How beautiful are [the waters] to the eyes of them who there
came to the knowledge of their Redeemer” (Mosiah 18:30).
The time finally came to open the gifts addressed to us
encompassing the Christmas tree, mine and Miller’s redneck star glistening at
the top. The gift is a Kansas Wichita Mission shirt with ornaments upon which
are written single words our families use to describe us. Mine are
‘Magnanimous’ and ‘Diligent’. Thank you family!
Later in the week the three of us respond to a small plea
for a blessing at the local hospital. As I write, I remember a latter-day saint
woman asking me if it is wrong to request many blessings in times of trial.
This woman was once victim to a man’s impatience to an additional request of
hers to receive another priesthood blessing. Though as imperfect as the
impatient man in this memory, I always remember my answer to the woman’s
inquiry: no worthy priesthood man should ever hesitate to exercise the power of
God to the benefit of another soul. It is an honor and a privelege to serve.
My dear friend Elder Horton chose to go home to Pueblo,
Colorado. There he will await his visa so he may have more time in his assigned
mission. It has left a great void in our former trio, now companionship. The
news left each of us in a very dejected mood so we decide to lift our spirits
by service. We go to the Baker family home to hang Christmas lights on the
house and the Christmas tree. It was a great time!
On Saturday Elder Miller and I are trying to get along in
the area without Elder Horton. We become lost and find ourselves in an old area
of mine. Very close to the home of Billy and Amie! I can’t resist directing him
to the house to say hello. Vaida insisted Elder Miller and I take her wagon for
a spin. Her baptism is scheduled Saturday the 23rd at 11:00 am! Vaida has asked
none other than Ian Englebright to perform the baptismal ordinance. I am
looking forward to being there.
The same evening is the ward Christmas party. It was a great
opportunity for Elder Miller and I to acquaint ourselves with more members of
the ward seeing as how we are in a near white-wash situation. Santa was there!
Perhaps I’m a little too old to sit on Santa’s lap and didn’t want to take any
opportunity away from the little ones. Had to get a picture at the least!
Sunday is a great day. Before sacrament in Priesthood
Executive Council our Ward Mission Leader Brother Farthing, who I love dearly,
throws me under the bus to fill in for an assigned speaker who had fallen ill.
“How about we get our soon-to-depart-for-home-missionary to speak?” He says
loudly, eyebrows raised, as he dramatically leans forward to look me in the
eye. The decision is made. I know when I am ‘voluntold’. It was such an awesome
occasion to both bless the sacrament and give a short talk with ten minutes of
preparation. Hogging the blessings!
It’s a wonderful time to be alive! Love you all! Thank you
for your support and prayers!
Light the World!
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