A Merry Heart Doeth Good - Laughter
Elders Huaytalla, Platt, and McCollum
Last Monday evening at the end of our “Miracle Monday” Zoom call, President Quinn made an announcement. He opened his phone to read an email letter saying, “I received notice from the Church’s General Counsel that Amazon deliveries are attracting a criminal element to steal packages from porches. In order to keep missionaries safe, missionaries can no longer order from Amazon or accept packages sent to them from Amazon.” We could feel a hush of disbelief settle over our missionaries. They, like all of us, rely on Amazon deliveries. So, I felt their pain. I asked if there were any questions. One missionary asked, “What about packages that are already on their way now, can we accept them?” “If you do, you’ll have to go home!” President Quinn said. At that point I couldn’t hold it in any longer and laughed out loud saying, “April Fool’s!” I love a good April Fool’s prank. Our missionaries thought it was pretty funny and they were also very relieved that it was a joke!
The next day, Tuesday, April 1st, my granddaughter Lily called to tell me she and her kindergarten class sang “Jingle Bells” in their music program that afternoon and called out April Fool’s at the end. Another granddaughter, Lydia, set an alarm for the middle of the night so as to get up and put make-up on the face of her younger brother, Matthew, while he was sleeping. “April Fool’s.” she said as the family laughed. He was a good sport! April 1st offers a day to have a good laugh. I love it! Playing pranks is a fun family tradition, since it is also my birthday.
Matthew Black - Make-up by Lydia Black - April Fools
I’ve been thinking about how important humor is. I don’t see Jesus as a jokester, yet I am sure He has a great sense of humor and wit. As he dealt with the Pharisees and Sadducees some humor would come in handy. Sometimes reading between the lines I can see it. I can see Jesus smiling, even laughing. Proverbs 17:22 describers humor well, “A merry heart doeth good like medicine!” Laughter is healing!
Missionaries at the Badger building parking lot - Transfer Day.
April Fool’s Day was also transfer day. Transfer day is always a lot of fun. The missionaries being transferred and their companions come together at the mission office to make the changes. I love watching them talking and laughing together, if only for 30 minutes.
When in the mission office they enjoy staring at the advancement board on a wall seeing how their picture has been moved forward now in the new transfer. I added a few extra photos to the advancement board to put a smile on the faces of those who noticed. April Fool’s!
Here is a section of the board with two new photos on it. - April Fool’s!
Because Tuesday was also my birthday, Sister Nate and the other office missionaries surprised me with a banner, a sash for me to wear, and a cake for everyone to enjoy. The senior missionaries also passed out note cards for each missionary to write me a birthday greeting. What thoughtful and kind gestures! Thank you! Everyone sang happy birthday to me. It brought tears to my eyes. It was a sweet birthday! Here are some photos from Tuesday’s transfer day:
Birthday cake!
Sister Quinn (birthday sash) with Hermana Richins, Sisters Kai, and Steinfeldt, Hermanas Brimhall and Miles.
Mission office.
Enjoying birthday cake at transfers.
Sisters Tolman, Breshears, Freeman and Hermana Ramirez.
Elders Averett, Jackson, Szymanski, Grambo, McIntyre, Metcalf.
Elders Fay, Griguhn, Hall, and Woodruff.
Elders Hayes, Hart, Wilson, and Oh. (Elder Wilson is one of our senior missionaries.)
Elders Gulbranson, Martin, and Becker
Sister Hankins and Hermana Richins
