To the Missionaries of the Great Texas Houston Mission,
On October 3, 1863 President Abraham Lincoln issued a Thanksgiving proclamation establishing the last Thursday of November as an annual national holiday to remember and give thanks. The interesting part of that proclamation is that it was extended in the midst of the American Civil War; a war that took it's heaviest toll on American lives and families. An inspired President at the time, instead of focusing on the problems that were so obvious to everyone, focused a country on the "gracious gifts of the Most High God." He admonished, referring to these gifts that, "they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens."
We read about similarly inspired people in the Book of Mormon, who in the midst of tragedy all around them never forgot to praise God and give thanks to Him. These people were blessed and remembered by Him. This is a talent that must be cultivated in each of our hearts. As we spend more time counting our blessings and less time counting our problems, we will find greater happiness and peace in the midst of challenges.
So it is in this Spirit that we give thanks for you. We are grateful for your faith, for your sacrifice and your love. We are most especially grateful for the privilege we have of serving with you. What a wonderful miracle it is to be among the few who have been selected to be the "light bearers" to the world. We have the opportunity to experience just a glimpse of what the Savior experienced of whom it was said by Isaiah, "he was despised and rejected of man, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief." He has given us the great opportunity to become like Him. If that is the blessing, should we not embrace this experience in spite of its difficulty?
We love you and wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving.
Love,
President and Sister Mortensen
We enjoyed having Elder Packer and Sister Packer in our mission last week. We had a special MLC with them and then held two mission tour conferences with them. It was wonderful to have so much of the mission together and to hear the words of a general authority. The Packers were very impressed with our missionaries and the spirit they possess. Here are some pictures taken those two days.
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| Elder and Sister Packer |
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| Monday's Conference |
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| Tuesdays Conference |
