Oh snap, what a fantastic week! General Conference was great! The work is going, slow like the hour hand on a clock but still moving forward. On the drive to the Library today we were listening to one of my BYU Men’s choir CD's. The song had the lyrics "I feel the work reviving!" This captured my attention and my thoughts immediately went to the question that the Zone Leaders asked us last night during weekly follow up calls. Their question was: How are you and your companion going to keep the momentum now that we have had a new transfer, an all mission gathering with a visiting general authority, and now general conference? What a great question, Elder Norton and I have had little time to counsel together yet on an unified answer, but my answer would probably be: to feel and listen to the spirit of revival. We have to believe that the work is not only being hastened, but that for our area specifically there is also a revival of spiritual energy and interest in the Restored Gospel. Faith, Hope, and diligent work will make the work go forward, but by the will and power of God we know that the work will truly become hastened and revived.

Happy Easter -- by the way. Having General Conference on Easter Sunday was a real treat. The members took great care of us on Sunday. We enjoyed both sessions on Sunday at two different member’s homes. We were fed excellent meals, and we were able to have a great memorable time with them. I (and the rest of the missionaries in the Kenosha and Racine areas) was totally caught off guard by the amount of emphasis on eternal marriage and having an eternal family. It seemed as though we were being bombarded with an eternal marriage ray gun on Saturday. That was all they talked about. Of the 12 missionaries serving in the above mentioned cities, 10 of them go home this year. One of my favorite quotes from conference was from Elder Joseph Sitati of the quorum of the 70; he spoke second to last during the Sunday afternoon session. I loosely quote him, he said "set goals appropriate to who you can become" I really liked this because President Cutler has asked that I start thinking about goals for when I return home that are specific to my first full year home from my mission. This insight from Elder Sitati gives me some relevant direction as I ponder over what my goals might be.

Aunt Joanell, Uncle Mike, cousin Krista Rawlins made a side
trip from Chicago to visit me in Kenosha. HUGE surprise!!!

I had some really amazing family experiences this week. One of which was so shocking that it took me forever to write it down in my journal. It was Monday night and Elder Norton and I had just finished our nightly planning. The buzzer to the door rang and for a moment I thought we were going to have another experience like the one I had described last week with the crazy guy buzzing us on Friday morning. I cautiously buzzed back a hello, and listened as the voice specifically asked for me. My reply to that was that we would be down in a moment. I grabbed the essentials and put them in my pockets, then we walked down stairs and I had the biggest surprise of my whole mission. There before me were my Aunt, Uncle and cousin from Sacramento California. What on earth were they doing at my apartment! I burst through the door and gave each of them a big hug. They explained why they were in Kenosha, and they figured they would give my apartment a try and see what happens. We talked about the Luymes family and what the area is like; it was so great to see them -- I love my family, both Hyer and Luymes. They are the bestest! On Wednesday Elder Norton and I were coming from an appointment when we started driving by a cemetery. I asked him if he could tell what cemetery it was. We saw that it was Green Ridge and I quickly pulled off the main road and found the entrance to the cemetery. We spoke with the guy in the office who politely showed me to the location and burial of my Great Great Grandfather and Grandmother. Theodore and Cornelia Luymes, they are my relatives that moved from the Netherlands in between the two world wars and settled in Kenosha where they raised their family and eventually my grandfather was born in Kenosha before the Luymes family moved to sunny Southern California. Good move if you ask me. It was a beautiful sunny day in Kenosha so I was able to get some great pictures.

Gravesides of my great-great grandparents who immigrated
from Holland to Kenosha. My grandfather would later be born here.

Even though he didn't know about the Gospel of Jesus Christ
I'm sure Papa Theodore is proud of me now. There is a
good feeling here at this place.

Scripture for the week: 2 Nephi 33:10-12
 10 And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ. And if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good.
 11 And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye—for Christ will show unto you, with power and great glory, that they are his words, at the last day; and you and I shall stand face to face before his bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things, notwithstanding my weakness.
 12 And I pray the Father in the name of Christ that many of us, if not all, may be saved in his kingdom at that great and last day.

It was a great week, and I do look forward to this week and the many unexpected adventures that it will hold. Thank you for your prayers and love, love,

Elder Luymes