Training in Germany
All of the countries that participated in the training with missionary couples serving the Young Single Adults!
Wow! The Lord's work is truly moving forward, especially among Young Adults in the European Central Area. There are currently 55 couples called and serving Young Single Adult (YSA) missions throughout this area and we were recently gathered together for a training in Frankfurt, Germany. It was a privilege (and a little over our pay-grade!) to be in a room with so many wonderful people. It's truly incredible to be working with the Lord over here.
During the training, we covered everything from budget management to effectively supporting young adults on their covenant path. Elder and Sister Petersen, who lead our efforts, do an incredible job! They handle all our questions and concerns, making each of us feel individually loved and heard—a true talent.
Here's a quote from the opening slide of our conference:
“Our aim should be to help the YSA have a spiritual awakening; they must understand why they were reserved for this time, so they will be fully committed to Gathering of Israel and in helping to prepare the world for the return of the Savior to the Earth- as were the Apostles after the Day of Pentecost-fearless and unwavering in their commitment to the cause of christ.”
You may recognize a few people in the photos above both from our San Diego ward and our Carlsbad Stake!
What a fantastic two days of learning! A key takeaway was the powerful assurance that we are not alone in our work We were reminded that in Doctrine and Covenants 84:88 it says: "And whoso receiveth you, there will I be also; for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up."
We discussed how to fortify and protect our Young Single Adults (YSAs) and inspire lasting change within them. It became clear that the only way to achieve this is through dedicated effort and unwavering dependence on the Lord.
The Lord is using so many many resources to accomplish His work through these valiant Young Adults. We learned loving ways to support Young Adults from Elder and Sister Petersen. Henry Kosak showed us how English Connect and BYU-Pathway Worldwide can hasten the gathering of Israel by connecting students with missionaries. Torson Cook how Family Search and Ordinances Ready unite families for eternity. And Ether Simoncini explained that Self-Reliance helps young adults become more independent through developing skills, education, and faith.
We feel so grateful to be engaged in gathering Israel. President Nelson has reminded us that there are so many ways to be involved and right now this is our way. Each of us are able to participate in gathering Israel no matter our station in life. President Russell M. Nelson declared, “Anytime you do anything that helps anyone—on either side of the veil—take a step toward making covenants with God and receiving their essential baptismal and temple ordinances, you are helping to gather Israel. It is as simple as that” (Russell M. Nelson, “Hope of Israel,”). “There is nothing of greater consequence. Absolutely nothing,” he said.
