God's Fireworks!!

For 3 hours during the night of July 3rd, we were treated to a thunderous lightning show that rivaled any we've seen at Stadium of Fire!  Wow!  Explosions of light and ear-splitting thunder followed so close that I wondered this morning if I would see fallen trees on my hike up the hill.  Nothing had changed in the forest but what a spectacular display of Heavenly Father's power!  It was exciting and unnerving at the same time to lay in bed in the dark and have the room light up over and over and hear those explosive blasts!  We unplugged our computer and printer and phones hoping to protect from possible power surges.  (We had a computer fried in an electrical storm years ago in Lindon.)  All was well the next morning.

4th of July night, we gathered with a few thousand others at the Sandpoint city beach to watch fireworks.

It was spectacular out on the lake, brilliant and loud, but still no contest with Heavenly Father's magnificent display the night before!

I've been thinking about
a video we watched at the MTC of a past missionary devotional by Elder Holland.  He recounted places in the Book of Mormon where God's power was manifested...the ground shaking, walls of a prison falling, fire encircling disciples, the strength of Ammon..."and the people began to be astonished."  Indeed!  Elder Holland with his unique power and thunder testified that we, as full-time missionaries, possess power and authority from God.  We are essentially apostles with a small "a."  He concluded by saying, "Now go out and astonish someone!"

As we dive into this work of finding and gathering our young single adults from the wards and branches of this very spread out Stake (stretching from Montana to Washington, inviting them to come to Institute and YSA activities, we're really inviting them to "come and see."  (President Uchtdorf)  As they do, maybe a little of the Almighty's power and thunder and spiritual fireworks will penetrate their hearts.  Then our prayers will be for them to "come and stay" and "come and help."  If they choose so, it could be gloriously astonishing!

This is on our way to meet with Bishop Roos, one of our wonderful Bishops in the Stake to discuss his YSA's.  He lives in a beautiful spot...Sunnyside Drive.  His sweet wife made us lunch.  Elder Partridge actually ate a grilled cheese sandwich!  Will wonders never cease?  Bishop Roos's parents who live there, too, joined us for lunch.

We found out that they just celebrated their 75th Wedding Anniversary.  That's right 75 years together!  They are President Nelson's age.  We made another trip back to bring them a little treat to congratulate them...milk shakes from their favorite burger dive in Sandpoint.   Aren't they adorable!  We want to grow up to be just like them!

This is the view outside their living room window.  No wonder they've lived so long!

Side note.  Elder Partridge needed a haircut.  No room in the little house in the woods for a chair in the "one cheek" kitchen nor bathroom, and the 2 other rooms are carpeted...so it was "out to the front porch we go!"

Methinks he may never want to be inside for a haircut again!  Well...we shall see this winter!

Love to all our dear ones!  All is well with our souls!

Elder and Sister P