Many years ago, Sister Dalton and I lived in the small
community of Stanwood, Washington. It was a wonderful small town that all kinds
of characters and memories raising 5 small children. Our binding power was the
Stanwood Branch and the Mount Vernon Stake which was the foundation to the
future of our children’s testimonies. There was a WW II B-29 Pilot who was the
librarian along with a brother from Norway who was a seaman all of his life, a
wonderful pair who our children dearly loved and looked forward to setting on
their laps sometime during the meetings. There were those that were retired,
those of us who had construction businesses, boat builders, private airplane
owners, bankers, accountants, farmers, bakers, garbage men, city workers and
sisters who worked at the cannery during the corn harvest time of the year. One
family that I always admired was the Houssians. He was of Jewish descent and she
was from small town America, Arlington City just a few miles away. They had a
few children and were always at every activity, every service project and every
church meeting required of them. He was a returned missionary and they had met
at BYU and married in the Salt Lake Temple. He worked, but I never really knew
what he did for a living and that was OK. They built a lovely home and were
there when we moved to Edmonds, Washington some 40 miles south. At the same time
we were in Stanwood, there was a very exemplary family who lived in Arlington
who was Sister Houssian’s sister- Jack and Deloris Dickson. “Jack”, as we all
called him, was the bishop in Arlington and then served as our Stake President
for years until he was called to be the Mission President in Mexico City at age
37. They both loved the Lord and their example showed faithfulness with every
fiber of their beings. They were truly loved by everyone in the Stake. Those
were tender days of humble service in church callings and where much of my
foundation for the love of the Lord’s work, began.
Over the years we have followed The Dickson’s church career
as well as the Houssian family service for others. They have been remarkable to
watch and feel their dedicated serve for the Lord’s work. President and Sister
Dickson have served on every continent on the earth and are presently serving
as our Africa West Area President here in Ghana. The Houssians have served 4
missions on virtually every continent on the earth also and are now serving
here as the Africa West Area Family History Directors. All of our travels and
experiences have begun in a small town in Washington State and now we all
embrace 33 years later in Ghana, Africa as missionaries again. I have reflected
on this “miracle” mission we are all involved with and testify there is no time
that the Lord does not know of each of our strengths and what part of His
vineyard we should cultivate. I testify of His hand in each of our lives and
witness to the importance of being worthy and humble to accept His call. Though
our hairs may be as snow, our testimonies burn with the love for all of Fathers
children here in Africa. Sister Dalton and I feel so blessed to once again be taught
by our dear friends and missionary companions once again. We truly love them
all!
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