Stake Conference

     Today was an interesting challenge.  Stake Conference is held in town but we got clearance for the soldiers to attend.  We can't transport them in our car, so we arranged for an Army van to take them.  There is a faithful member of the stake who has an Army drivers license, so he can check out the van and get them there within the Army rules. 
     We had 10 soldiers who signed up to go.  We also sent notes and texted those that we thought would be interested.  Elder Elkins waited in the parking designated as the pick-up area, and I waited in the parking lot of the chapel annex where we usually meet, just in case someone showed up there.  Five soldiers showed up for the ride.  We didn't really expect all l0 to show, so we were happy. 
     We had waited a few extra minutes and decided to go.  As the van was driving away, and we started out in our car, I said that I didn't feel good about going yet.  I was wondering why soldier "H" wasn't there.  So we turned around and drove back 1/2 block, and there was soldier "H" running to the area.  So we said, "Wait a minute while we catch the van".  We were able to stop the van before it got away, so they went back to get that soldier.  I felt MUCH better! 
     We drove on to the stake center and when the soldiers arrived, there was also another soldier with them, who hadn't signed up.  It turned out that soldier "H" told them that another soldier had signed out from his unit and they needed to find him.  They drove over to the chapel annex (where I had waited earlier), and they found him there.
     I'm SO grateful for the prompting that we needed to turn around and not leave yet. 
     So with 2 other soldiers who came with their wives, we had 9 in attendance.  It was a great spiritual meeting.  Since we had reserved seats up front, the soldiers had great seats and were able to hear everything.  One of the soldiers in attendance is an investigator.  I was so happy he could attend and feel the Spirit there.
     Afterwards we fed the soldiers, bishop and his family, the van driver and his family, Elder Pieper of the Seventy (the visiting authority), and the Stake President.     It has been a great day.  I was very stressed about the food, not knowing if we would have 10 people or 50 to feed.  One other sister helped with the food this time, and that was a great help.  It all worked out perfectly.  We fed 30.  Since the Elders were fasting, they visited but didn't eat. (very strong)

     On a more sober note, it was announced that a soldier from the stake (not one that we knew) was killed in Afghanistan this week.  We always hate to hear that, especially while sitting there with a row of our beloved soldiers.
     Then afterwards as we visited with one of ours, he cried as he told us about how his wife is talking of divorce.  This is something that happens a lot when these men leave home to learn a skill and work for the security of the very family that they have to leave for a while.  We cried with him. Elder Elkins and a couple of the soldiers gave him a blessing.  We don't know how that will turn out, but it makes our hearts heavy and sad.