Clean hands

 January 18, 2024

 

Hello, 

I realized as I went to bed I had not written a letter on Monday. Today I have been planning a farewell dinner for are elders going home. I worked on the newsletter for 4 hours, I also did some of the medical notes. I have been answering texts, emails, phone calls and messages with the rest of my time except when I took a break to eat lunch and look at some of my letters from Kentucky. It is 4:00 in the afternoon and my to do list is shorter by just 3 or 4 things. I am grateful for my list even though it can be over whelming. If I did not write it down important things would not get done. Whenever I lose focus I look at my list and pick a task that I need to do or that will go quickly and I feel better because it is done. 

In Preach my Gospel the missionaries learn so many good lifelong habits. One those habits is goal setting. They learn that a goal without a plan is just a wish. Then they learn they need to break down their goals to monthly, weekly, daily and even hourly so they can accomplish them. Those who make pals for their goals are the most successful. They also learn that besides their personal efforts they also need faith and God to help them accomplish their goals. 

As mission leaders we set a goal for 70 YSA to be called on missions last year from Vietnam. This was an incredibly high goal. The most that have ever been called was 15 or 17 in a year. There are plenty of YSA”s to reach that goal. There are some really big hurdles: 1) If they are in school and leave for a mission they have to start over, 2) 99% are new converts and do not have the support of their families to go on a mission 3) Young men are required to serve 2 years in the military unless they are not healthy enough and then add 2 years on a mission and that really sets back schooling or a career 4) the oldest son is expected to provide his parents in the older age and the parents think going on a mission delays this support and they are not happy. So if a young adult does manage all of those concerns it is wonderful. It takes so much faith, prayers and a few miracles. So back to our goal we had 22 receive their calls and there are a few more working on their papers. We are so happy with that. It is more than have ever gone before. It is 22 more young adults becoming converted and life long disciples of Christ. Each one that comes home adds strength and knowledge to their branch and are ready to serve in callings and help. We have had 10 of our local missionaries get married since returning home. 5 of them have made it to the temple to be sealed. They are going to be foundational families for the church here. 

In the scriptures it mentions the color purple a few times. One example is found in Acts 16. Lydia was a seller of purple and she and her household were baptized. In Vietnam the color of indigo/dark blue is a highly valued color. In many of the mountain settlements they make their own linen fabric. Then they paint beautiful designs on the fabric with bees wax. After that the fabric is dyed in the large vats that have been prepared with the dye they have made from the Indigo plant. Those who dye fabric have stained hands for life. I will attach some pictures of their hands. I have purchased a large quilt top with the indigo dyed fabric. The lady I bought it from said the blanket took a year to make. It will be a treasure. I look at the blanket and I think of the stained hands, painting the designs, the woman who stitched all of the cross stitching, appliqués and piecing of the blanket. Lydia also made a living with dye and I wonder were her hands purple? Symbolically we should have clean hands and a pure heart each week when we take the sacrament. It the atonement that makes it possible. Though our sins be as scarlet he can make them white as snow. I am so grateful that each day I can try again. Each day we can learn and improve. I hope when I see the Savior I will have clean hands. 

We are so blessed to work with Missionaries! They are amazing young adults. Some of God’s very best are sent here. We love them so much. They are working hard. We hope that we can help them as they give their all in service to the Lord. We thank you for your prayers for them and us. 

Have a great week.

Love, Sister Hughes