The Whole Group
Greg, Scott and Ron singing"Though in the Outward Church Below"
Ron, Melissa and Carol Mumford
Bill and Kris Hecker
Ramon and Julie Beck
Jo and Jim Brookbank
Scott and Denise Jefferies
Jo and Jim Brookbank
Scott and Denise Jefferies
Friday afternoon, October 3rd, we headed to Salt Lake for General Conference. Earlier in the week Ron Mumford, one of Dad's dearest friends and a missionary companion of some 40 years ago, called us and asked us to meet him and his wife, Carol, and some other old Italian missionaries for dinner Friday night. Of course, we were delighted to have the opportunity, so at 7:00 pm we met at the Garden Room in the Joseph Smith Building. Although Ron was the only one of the group Greg actually served with, he had met all of the others who came out more toward the end of his mission. (Yes, yes, once again we were the "oldies" of the group! That seems to be happening a great deal these days!) It always amazes me how "at home" I feel with these missionaries and their wives when we get together even though I have not previously met many of them. And this evening was no exception! The gospel of Jesus Christ has a way of "knitting" people together in the most wonderful way! While enjoying a delicious dinner, it was such fun to listen to our guys reminisce about their missionary days! As wives, we never tire of hearing their experiences, both the spiritual and humorous! It was wonderful to meet Sister Julie Beck whose husband, Ramon, came to Italy just a few months before Greg came home. She is the daughter of Elder Grant Bangerter who was one of my Dad's missionary companions in Brazil when that country was just opened to proselyting. Wonderful people each with a great sense of humor. Oh, I just about forgot to mention that one of my favorite moments of the evening was just as we were about to leave. Scott Jefferies grabbed Ron and Dad as he began singing "Though in the Outward Church Below" there in the foyer outside the Garden Room. It was just one of those extemporaneous moments that I will never forget. Dad LOVED to sing this old hymn in the mission field and Scott remembered that! This hymn written by Mozart is not in the newest addition of the Hymnal but it is a great one! The three guys sounded so amazing together and just held us all spellbound for a minute! I know it loses something in the translation but for a moment it was a step back in time and I could just see them at a Zone Conference in beautiful Italy!
I am truly thankful for the great friendships my husband formed in the mission field and the continued desire many of them have had to stay close in spite of busy lives. It is very uplifting to get together! We cheer each other on and delight in the knowledge that we are all human...that our challenges are similar in many ways though our lives have taken many different paths. It is so heart-warming to see how the gospel has blessed our families as we have just tried our best! What a wonderful evening and prelude to a great General Conference experience!
2 comments:
Sounds like you had a wonderful weekend. I think it is amazing how close you have stayed with your mission buddies. That is very cool. I think you all better plan to go to Italy for the dedication of the temple, and Scott and I will come along. Sounds good huh!!! Love ya
Brad always comments on how amazing it is that these guys have stayed so close over all these years. I wish he had some close relationships like that from his mission. Interesting how some groups gel and others not so much. I'm sure they had some very trying times together -- maybe that's why they're so close.
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