Blog of Elder Hamish Macpherson

This last week was crazy, with me and Elder Collett rushing around to get everything ready for the Day Of Unity, which we just returned from about an hour ago. And well… I loved it! It was so much fun. And although I was just a tad stressed getting all the technical setups working, everything panned out in the end. After a brief introduction in the chapel, all 180 or so missionaries took off and began to play the various sports and games that were available. We had Volleyball, Kickball, Ultimate, Soccer, Rugby, and then the most popular of all, Basketball. For Basketball I whipped up a nice little sign up sheet, with eight teams of four players each. While the games went on (half court, so two at a time) I had the laptop hooked up projecting the remaining time for each game. The Assistants were so happy that I put that together since they couldn’t find a controller for the scoreboard in the gym. I was pretty proud of it too, if I do say so myself. I watched basketball some, and then went outside and played some Volleyball.

After sports were finished we setup chairs in the gym, facing the stage (a very quick process with about 200 people), and the talent show began. The talents were all awesome, and hilarious. I wish you could see the video of Elder Brimhall (aka Jack from Titanic) singing along to My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion when suddenly at a crescendo Elder Loar (aka Rose) bursts onto the stage wearing a dress and a wig… and well, you just had to be there. Or perhaps when Elder Roy ran onto the stage dressed as none other than Mario (y’know from the Nintendo games…) he’s short and stocky and it was a perfect match. The crowd went wild.

When the talents were finished we presented President and Sister Jardine with the wonderful picture collage of all the zones that I slaved away at these last few days, and they loved it. Then we had a delicious lunch provided by members in the Sacramento stake, including Sis. Montgomery, who I was so happy to see! She was the Bishop’s wife when I was in Laguna Creek 2nd Ward last year, and I just love their family. When we were finished, we all got together on the stage for a giant group picture. The whole mission, all at once! I’ll have to send that picture to my parents, it’s definitely a sight to see. As you may remember from last year’s day of unity, we all wore P-day clothes, so no suits and ties here.

The Day of Unity ended with a meeting in the chapel. The mission theme song, “Like a Disciple”, was played by Elder Logan. Then there was some time opened for testimonies, after which we heard from the mission presidency, including President Dalton and President Martinez. They spoke of unity in love and hope, and also of how much they loved being in this mission. They are great men, as is President Jardine, and with his concluding remarks we all got up and began the slow process of heading home… putting all the supplies back in the van, and finally making it back here to the office. *Phew!*

Now, I can’t finish without talking about a few more things. First, Cyanne’s baptism and confirmation was this last weekend! It was fantastic. We had the baptism at the Mormon Center, right next to the Sacramento temple. There were a ton of her friends and family there, and also members of the ward she lives in; it’s called the Sylvan ward, and it’s in the Citrus Heights stake, which, as previously mentioned, is out of our mission. The full-time Elders in that area, Elders Hadley and Boody were there, as well as Bishop Shields and one of his counselors, and were very happy to meet and welcome Cy into the Sylvan ward. The next day me and Elder Collett drove, with permission, out of the mission so I could confirm Cyanne a member of the church, and give the Gift of the Holy Ghost. That also went great! We stayed for their Sacrament meeting, and then went back to our own church building so Ashley could have her baptismal interview. She’s doing great, and is still really excited for her baptism. Oh, and for what it’s worth, Cy came to the Day of Unity and was taking pictures for us, since she has a rather nice camera. We’re really grateful for that.

The last thing I want to mention is something very special. You see, this last week I was contacted by two people. Both were taught and got baptized when me and Elder Groshong, many moons ago, were in the Hurley Ward, my first area. Remember the good times we had there? Well, they just got better, because both Manuel and Renae are taking their endowments out in the temple next month, Renae is also being sealed to her husband and family, and they would love for us to attend with them. I’m SO happy for them both. Manuel is well known, and loved, by the missionaries (and Mission President) in this mission, as I know I’ve mentioned before. And Renae and her family are just wonderful… I can’t wait to see them again. One benefit of being here in the office is that I’m a lot closer to the temple The 10th and 15th of June will be very special days indeed.

I’m so grateful for the blessings of being a missionary, I know this church is true, with every fiber of my being. Miracles still happen. I’ve been blessed to see many myself. Till next time brothers and sisters!

Love,
Elder Macpherson