Atlanta Georgia, Here We Come!
Two weeks ago we received our new assignment to the Georgia Atlanta North Mission. While we are disappointed at not being able to return to Cape Verde, we are just as excited about serving the great people of Georgia. Among other things our main area of emphasis will be member and leadership support. And, to top it off, we will be Portuguese speaking and work in a Portuguese speaking branch! We even get to use the same name plaques.
Today we were set apart again by our stake president as full time missionaries.
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| During our stay at home, I built a new grape arbor that also serves as the entrance to Sister Erickson's tremendous garden. |
As a senior couple working in the United States, we have to provide our own vehicle. Since we had sold our car before going to Cape Verde, we had to quickly buy another car. Tomorrow we start the long 2,000 mile road trip to Atlanta. That is exactly one year since we left for Cape Verde.
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| Sister Erickson still likes me, but then again, it may be my tie from Cape Verde or the new car. |
On a personal note, I feel that it is appropriate to share a special experience that happened shortly after our arrival home. In Cape Verde we had reached a point where we felt very confident with the work we were doing on this little country that we considered one of the beautiful ends of the earth. We had established great contacts with city and business leaders, enjoyed our association with the fantastic people and church members, and cherished our relationship with the other missionaries. Then, because of my illness, our departure from Cape Verde was abrupt, unplanned and totally unexpected. We were left frustrated, confused, dejected and forgotten (or so it seemed).
One day, as I sat alone at home in the depths of despair, I received an email from a longtime good friend who lives in Mt. Vernon, WA. He is a presiding Elder in the Jehovah's Witnesses. He referred me to the Bible, specifically Isaiah 41:9-10, which reads as follows:
Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my aservant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.
10 ¶ aFear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Those verses had such a powerful effect on me that I just sat and wept and wept, having received an overwhelming comfort.
We do not always know why certain events happen in our lives and often we are confused and do not understand why they happen. But the Lord is in the details and He knows exactly what is best for us and how He wants us to serve.
The Gospel is true! Take care everyone.
Until next week.
Wow, great story, Elder Erickson, and what a marvelous scripture, which is so incredibly applicable and true of you. Thanks for sharing that. That was very nice of that man who is of another faith to carefully pick that out and send that to you. You were in our prayers each day while you were in Cape Verde, and you two will continue to be in our prayers while you are in Georgia. We have especially been thinking of you this weekend. Best wishes to you.
ReplyDeleteI am happy to hear you will be continuing to serve and in Portuguese, no less! We loved the Southern hospitality we found the two years we served in Florida, and I feel confident you will find the same in Atlanta. You will be a wonderful asset there as you were in Cape Verde. Please keep the blogs coming.
ReplyDeleteDan that scripture helped when I was in my early 20's and shared by my older brother when I was discouraged. Since you and I were same year class mates it was a blessing for me to play it forward almost 5 decades later. That type of thing never gets old. Your brother and friend in our mutual belief in Jesus as our Savior, Gale
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