A Shift in the Mission

About two weeks ago Glen and I had a shift in our mission.  Actually, I shifted months ago when they put me in as Relief Society President. My focus became helping the sisters in our little Branch. I did that through getting them back to the Temple, and by doing Familly History, and by giving them callings as teachers and visiting teachers and fellowshipping with activities.

Glen really loves proselyting.  And he is really good at it. The other missionaries actually text him asking for new referrals. Now he does a lot for the Branch too.  He figures out the music so they can have a dance. And of course he is still straightening out the membership records and teaching the Branch President how to do advancements in the Priesthood, tithing settlements and all the regular kinds of things it takes to run a branch or ward correctly.  But two weeks ago something else came up.

I help with the Bishop Storehouse food orders because of my calling.  And Glen and I went to Fresno recently for training on that.  But most of the meeting was taken up with the Church Employment Services.  We talked to the Brother in charge after and explained how the Spanish in our area have different problems than most unemployed people here.  A couple of days later Glen had a chance to speak with him again.  So the next day this man was serving in the Temple and he saw a Spanish couple walk by.  And the Lord spoke to him. Actually he says the Lord chastised him and said  "These are my children too.  What are you doing to help them?"

Without knowing this Glen was impressed to ask him to come to our church after Sacrament meeting to talk with any Branch members who needed help finding a job or a better job.  He came and was very kind and loving to our members. After, he told Glen to sign up the people on ldsjobs.org and he would contact them and help them.  Then he said Glen needed to line him up with a meeting to talk to the Stake and get them on board and get an employment specialist that could help them.  Wouldn't you know, as we were walking out the door in comes the Stake Presidency councilor. It wasn't his church building and we didn't expect him there but Glen immediately got the two men together and plans were set.

Now we realize that this is a huge undertaking. Glen has even told the Lord that he loves proselyting but if the Lord wants him to do this and work mostly with the Branch, he will.  The first Sunday Glen spent a lot of time after the meetings signing people up on the computer. He has learned how to get the people trained with the church's help and get them jobs.  I can't imagine how we are going to be able to fill this huge responsibility but with the Lord's help I know it is going to happen.