News Item: Christmas Message - 2007
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In October of 1996 my husband, Michael G. Harris, made a decision that that would be the year for him to retire. Several years prior to this he had been asked by Elder L Tom Perry if he could serve as a mission president for a Mandarin speaking mission. The answer was, “I would love to but I am a teacher and can not stop mid-career.” So he was placed on a list for possible future assignment. Following that conversation as General Authorities came to our stake his name was reviewed and so when the time came for retirement, I talked to our Bishop who in turn talked to the Stake President, who in turn informed Salt Lake. In November we had an appointment with a Seventy in Orange County, California. On a Sunday morning, before his stake conference assignment, Elder Kree L. Kofford interviewed us. He spent some time inquiring about our lives, family, church assignments, worthiness, were we debt free? and were we ready and able to serve for three years? Following the interview he said, “I can not say you have an assignment, but I can say go home and get your affairs in order to serve.” We went home and did as instructed.
Not long after that President Monson’s secretary called to speak to Michael. We negotiated a noon phone appointment. As a teacher at Camarillo High School he had a lunch break that would allow him the needed time to be interviewed by President Thomas S. Monson by phone. I drove to the school to let Michael know of the appointment, and at the appointed time the phone rang. The one sided conversation that I heard went like this: “yes sir, yes sir, I will try to sir, thank you President Monson, good bye.” We knelt in prayer and off he went back to the business of teaching and preparing to close up an art class room after thirty-six years. It was a bitter sweet experience, but a new beginning a time to follow through with our long held goal of serving the Lord full time.
The following June we were packed, had our farewell in Camarillo, California and with my family in my ancestral home in American Fork, Utah.
We entered the Missionary Training Center and spent five days being instructed, prepared, encouraged and loved. Elder Boyd K. Packer gave us council, “I don’t know what it is that you will do, but go and see what needs doing and do it.” Elder Joseph B.Wirthlin set President Harris apart and I was set apart by Elder Earl C.Tingey, we were both given council, direction, talents, and comforts.
This past June 30th, marked the tenth year anniversary of the beginning of our wonderful Taipei Taiwan Mission experience. We think of you often. We receive correspondence from you on occasion. We love you still, and hold you in high regards. You are wonderful dedicated people. We pray you continue to reach to move forward.
Recently President Harris was called by one of our missionaries Clark Everett. Brother Everett called to ask President Harris if he would ordain him a High Priest in preparation to be sustained as the new Bishop of his ward. He further invited us to visit with him on the Saturday before to share with him and his sweet wife about what to expect in this new assignment. We spent two hours sharing experiences and giving council. The next day during Sacrament Meeting Bishop Everett was sustained and the ordination followed.
That privilege has been on my mind. I have had many thoughts that I want to share with you.
When we were preparing for the MTC and Taiwan, our son, Nathan, came into our bedroom one evening and was talking to us. He gave me council, now Mom, each morning when you get up make a list of the important things to do. Next he said, “I do not want you to make birthday cakes for each missionary. Instead, spend your time getting to know the missionaries, and share your testimony with them.” I did it.
Now for the insight that I have gained from Bishop Everett’s new call; As I stood visiting with the brand new Bishop I could look him in the eye and say, “You have done this before; love the people, teach correct principles, use your handbook of instructions and the scriptures, and as you do the Lord will guide you.” The smile of confidence came and with a hug off he went to work.
From time to time we reach a new plateau, a time to review who we are and where we want to be, and where we are going. The scriptural council given, “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord”, gives great comfort and eternal direction. This is a busy time but I hope you will make that renewed commitment. It will be worth it!
Much Love to you and your families,
Sister LindaGay Harris
Merry Christmas to the missionaries of the Taiwan Taipei Mission:
Sister Harris said, “It is my turn to write the missionaries this year.” And so you see she has. I could not let the opportunity to go by and not reflect on the wonderful blessings that the Lord has provided me and my family with this year. You can see from the small photos of our family that we used the excuse of my seventieth birthday to get together. This was a nice time to also reflect on our family blessings. We hope for your best, we hear from some of you sometimes and from some of you more often. Remember we are only an mghandlgh@hotmail.com mouse click away. We love you and think of you often.
Michael G. Harris
p.s. This year I have tried to get a few paintings done. The color photo is one of these paintings. I have done about a dozen more. I don’t know what got over me.
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