Back to School

   So it's back to school for our Institute/ Pathway students. We kicked it off with an opening social with Food, Fun, and Friends. We had invited the two other institute programs of the stake to join us. One is from Martin, KY ( 2 students) and the other is from Marshall University, on campus (4 students).  The YSA's had a great time playing silly games and enjoying each others company. We were happy to be back with our regular Thursday teaching responsibilities. We had missed them during the month of August while we were between semesters.
  Sept 9-10 were privileged to have Elder Cook, Elder Nielson and Elder Dudley as visitors to the West Virginia Charleston Mission.
  Our first meeting was at 9 AM Saturday as an all West Virginia Mission conference. The missionaries were all so excited to see each other as past companions and friends. We had the blessing to be taught by and receive an Apostolic blessing from Elder Cook. He blessed us "that our families would be blessed an all those we love". What a wonderful promise.
  Then Elder Cook, as a special witness of Jesus Christ, testified that he "knows our Savior's voice and he knows our Savior's face". What a powerful witness.
  We had another great Institute/Seminary inservice on the 16th. The main message there was to strive to see our students as our Heavenly Father sees them, their potential, their spiritual gifts, and the way they handle life challenges that they are dealing with. This also applies to our spouses, children, grandchildren, folks in the ward, business colleagues, neighbors and all those we come in contact with. We can love them as He loves us.
  Another highlight of the month was our Zone conference on the nineteenth. It is always a pleasure to learn from our mission President Lindhardt.
I had 2 great take away messages. The first is to "pray each day to have the spirit to be with us and then follow the promptings". I will try harder each day to "listen" for the promptings of the Spirit. Sometimes I get so caught up in busyness that I miss out on the still small voice trying to get my attention.
The second message is 4 questions.
 1- Do I believe that God loves me?
 2- What evidence do I have that God loves me?
 3- Do I love God?
 4- What evidence have I given God that shows Him my love?
There is a lot to ponder in these 4 questions.
Our Heavenly Father gives us commandments because He loves us and we can strive for exact obedience to show our love for Him. We obey to qualify for the Spirit to be with us. Therefore, "If ye love me, keep my commandments".
  All is well here in Huntington WV, we love these people and this country.
Almost Heaven, Traynors