Ogden Mission Blog: Happy July 4, 2014!!

Joyfully we celebrate our nation's birth today! Our country is not perfect, nor are its people, but God has blessed it beyond measure, for which we are forever grateful. Today the weather has been perfect, the temperatures perfect, the company perfect--so I guess it was a near perfect day. :) We tried to see the local parade, but we were seven minutes late for the start and missed the whole thing. Short parade! So we walked to the city park to check out the vendors and people and walked home along the river trail, stopping awhile to enjoy the peaceful day. Lovely!

Our days and weeks are pretty much the same lately, busy and fast. We attend meetings, drive A LOT, give rides, move people, teach lessons, enjoy food and more food, and throw in some fun along the way.

Lynn was interviewed by BYU Radio recently about his sports drink, XOJO. It presently is available only online, but the powder version will soon be in stores. Here's hoping it does some good for everyone. We like it, at least. :)

We were saddened this week to learn of the passing of two wonderful friends. Hugh DeHart and Ethel Grimes were part of our Provo ward for many years. They will be greatly missed here on earth, but they are welcome and busy in the next "room" for sure.

The wife of a recently reactivated member has consented to let us teach her. She is mild, friendly, and a sweet person. We are thankful for the opportunity and pray she will feel the truth of our message.

Last Sunday was missionary Sunday in our Branch. This is the policy every time there is a fifth Sunday in the month. Elder Gerig spoke on "No Effort Is Wasted", and Lynn spoke on how members and missionaries can work together. He asked three convert members to share how they had received the opportunity to learn about the Church. It was a great meeting!

A few of our friends from the Food Pantry gathered at one home in the mountains for lunch on Monday. We were served a shrimp gazpacho cold soup followed by an angel food cake filled with key lime pudding. OH MY GOODNESS!! It was marvelous! Can't wait to make it for our family! Each time we see these friends Lynn shares more of the gospel. Next visit he will ask if they would like us to teach them about the Church.

Another success in our Robbinsville FHE! Sister Lewis, a less-active member, finally agreed to let us bring her to the FHE. She hasn't had contact or been to church for many years. We hope this will be her bridge back to activity like it has been for some others.

Remember that "remember" is the most important word in the Book of Mormon. We must remember the covenants we have made with the Lord and keep them in order to receive His blessings. D&C 130:20,21 "There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated---And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated." This is true! We see evidence of it in our lives every day.

Love to all, each and every one of you!! <3

Elder and Sister Ogden