Brothers

We are grateful for our children and grateful that they have brotherly relations that are supportive and uplifting. Grateful for opportunities and challenges that bring them together. Evan has valiantly completed what he was called to do in serving the Lord and serving a full-time mini-mission. He had a busy day returning and reporting.

With siblings in tow we convened with the Stake High Council for Evan’s official accounting at 6:45am. He stood and gave a simple accounting of working hard, studying, zone conference, and his companions, teaching, and participating in a convert baptism during his service; and included a simple testimony. Then President Peterson (and isn’t it interesting what divinely inspired and in-tune Stake Presidents are; in-tune not only with the Spirit but with people within their stewardship) asked him a few questions that created a teaching opportunity on multiple levels; one of which was asking if Evan would share with this group his missionary scripture. Once again, Rindy and I held our breath, as Elder Evan directed them to open their scriptures to the New Testament, then to Romans 15, then to versus 20 – 21, and then he read it aloud. Yes, bringing the message to “those that have not heard might understand”.

Naperville 1st Sacrament meeting was the next venue on the schedule. The return talk based on a section about Jesus Christ out of Preach My Gospel. As only Elder Evan can and would he spread his talk, which he had typed out, on the podium and surrounding the podium so he would keep them in order. He did a great job – on task, on message, and parts incredibly clear.

Leaving Naperville 1st early, we drove off to the Aurora Spanish Speaking Ward where Evan spoke in companionship with the High Councilor visitor, Taylor Manning, who had asked Evan to speak. Elder Evan did well as he gave his talk a little slower and a little clearer. The twist this time was that Parker was the interpreter. Parker went line by line in Spanish sharing the message. Not only a great experience having the one son report but even better with the brother coaching, helping, and translating side-by-side.
The culmination of the day was as we left the Chapel an Hispanic sister came up to us in tears saying how her husband’s sister had down syndrome and they had never imagined the possibilities, and never any vision of what could be the potential until seeing and hearing Evan. That alone, that by itself, even if there were no other associated miracle, of which there were several, made the mission of Elder Evan worth the twenty years in becoming.