77th Post Mon Jan 24 - Sunday Jan 30, 2011

It seemed there were more missionaries in the office today (Monday P-day) than normal. One of the zone leaders came in and just laid on the floor he was so sick. We gave get him a blanket as he rested and waited for his companion to return. His companion was taking another Elder from their zone to the doctor because he had an infected ingrown toe nail. One of the "hearing ASL" missionaries had a bike accident on Friday evening, his front tire came off! He broke his nose, banged up his face/lip, lost one tooth and possibly two more, and broke his wrist. Poor guy really looked tough, he and his companion stopped by the office after his appointment with an orthodontist. The dentist did a root canal hoping to save the other front tooth. I and Elder Stringfellow went shopping and bought some soft foods and liquid shakes for our hurting Elder. We have a sister going home early. She was around the office most of the day, which was not a good thing as it upset some of the other sisters. There was quite the "sick bay" at the mission office today!

We held FHE at the Stringfellows this evening and watched the DVD "Only a Stone cutter", the story of John R. Moyle. A story of great faith and dedication. It rained all day and at times very hard.


Tuesday I drove out to Sealy and Katy to inspect apartments. I signed a lease renewal at the Green Tree Place Apts where we have sisters living. The manager was very complementary of the sisters and what good residents they are. They are very good sister missionaries, no nonsense and hard working. At another apartment the elders dryer door would not stay shut. They identified the broken part and had the machine model number etc when I got there. I drove the several miles to the Sears part store and back for them. They are in an all bike area. Yes I did kid them a bit about not riding their bikes to get the part, you know: "when I was a young missionary I rode my bike in the "snow" uphill, both ways for miles and miles" yada, yada - they were not buying it at all. Elder Reece and Reese are hard working faithful, elders, they are our Reese's Pieces! Another wonderful day to be a full time missionary.


Wednesday I inspected apartments in the Tomball, Magnolia areas. Signed another lease renewal today. It is always fun to listen to the apartment manager's positive comments about the missionaries. Another sister left the mission early today. She and the one that left yesterday had come out in the same group. I do not believe some missionaries realize just how "hard" missionary work is going to be. They are on the go physically, mentally and spiritually 24/7 with very little down time. If missionaries come with troubles - emotional or otherwise they have a very hard time. We have had 5 missionaries go home early since just after Christmas, way more than ever before. The mission has set some very high goals and are so close to reaching those goals; I think there has been just a natural weeding out process. We love them all and hate to see any leave; we pray for them and their families and pray they will get the help that they need.

Leona and I and Elder and Sister Stringfellow were invited to Marsha and Paul Johnson's home for dinner this evening. They are members of the Olde Oaks Ward and have been very kind to us since we have been serving in the office. Dinner was great but the visit was even better.


Thursday was my last apartment inspection day for this period. I checked the apartments around the mission office area. Most were in very good shape, however I went into one apartment that was just a disaster (4 man apartment). Not one bed was made, clothes all over the place, every dish was in the sink or on the cupboard - dirty. Someone had cut their hair in the bathroom and had not cleaned it up at all. At first I thought they had put shag carpet in the bathroom, what a mess. I was so disappointed that I called one of the elders and told him they had better get the place cleaned up and that I would be back tomorrow morning (I have never done that before).

Sister Hansen had called Leona yesterday and asked her if she could get lunch for seven people. President and Sister Hansen had invited five Sister missionaries to have lunch with them in the President's office today. These Sisters were companions to the two Sisters who left this week and I am sure President Hansen just wanted time to visit with them and make sure they were each doing well. Bless their hearts, they feel bad for the sisters who went home but they are determined to work hard and stay focused and positive. One of the sisters had made a cake, she wrote on the top "I wasn't born in Texas but I got here as quick as I could". The missionaries are great and how we love them.

We left work a bit early today and went to the temple. We are so blessed to have the temple in our mission and so close to us. We stopped by the post office to mail some mission bills and the laundry to drop off a skirt for one of the sisters. Leona has mended several articles of clothing for the missionaries again this week. Thank goodness she brought her sewing machine.


Friday morning we had our regular interview with Pres. Hansen. He is always so kind and gracious and complimentary concerning our work. You just want to try harder and be a better person after being with him. He was going in to have his knee operated on after staff meeting this morning. Following staff meeting he had his assistants give him a blessing, what an inspiring job they did, truly outstanding elders.

I called the missionaries to see if they were ready for the re-inspection and they said yes. When I knocked on the door the elder I had talked to on the phone yesterday answered the door. I put my arm around him and said I was a bit tough on the phone yesterday and I am sorry. He said no you weren't - we needed to be chastised, the apartment was a mess. They did a good job of cleaning the place up. The missionaries are so obedient. Whenever I have asked them to do something or to help in any way they will do it. They are great young men and women, we are so blessed to be able to work with them. One of the zone leaders was on exchanges and was at the apartment when I got there. He said he had something for me but missed me when I inspected his apartment. He then gave me a tie. That is a big tradition in this mission. Some elders have 50 or 60 ties by the time they leave. I was touched that he would think of me. When I got back to the office there were 4 elders there picking up supplies, etc. Leona told me I should take them to lunch as it is the end of the month and they are probably low on funds. They were out on the driveway talking so I asked if I could go to lunch with them. They really acted excited to have me come along (even more excited when they found out I was paying). Always a positive experience to be with the missionaries.


Saturday we cleaned and did our laundry, then drove down to the farmers market. That is always a fun outing as it is a great people watching place. We got large bags (18 lbs) of oranges and grapefruit, and fresh vegetables. In the early afternoon we drove up to Old Town Spring. The old main street area has been turned into a real tourist trap for antique shopping, and all kinds of nick/nacks, or dust collectors. We ran into President and Sister Moldenhauer of the Houston East Mission. We enjoyed a rather lengthy visit with them. They are such friendly and gracious folks. This was a fun day to be together. It was overcast and in the low 70's so a nice day to see the sights.

It is stake conference next week end so they had fast day today. We enjoyed our fast and testimony meeting. A member of the bishopric always reads a statement on what a testimony is and what it is not and to be brief. We therefore have lots of folks who can bear their testimonies - it is great. They had a combined priesthood/RS meeting and the subject was adoption and the church program. It was very interesting and the video they used has been updated since I last saw it. Good program and a wonderful day. We went over to the pond by our apartment and fed the ducks this afternoon.

We pray all is well with you. We are enjoying our experience here in Texas a lot. In fact Leona said the other day she was glad we are serving a 23 month mission otherwise we would be home by now and neither of us are ready for that!

Lord bless you all,

Love Dad & Mom

76st Post Mon Jan 17 - Sunday Jan 23, 2011

The office was closed on Monday for MLK day (church offices in SLC were closed). We took Sisters Marsh and Young on a road trip out to Brenham and the Blue Bell ice cream factory. The Christensons and Nagels drove down from Huntsville and the Stringfellows and their son also met us there. We enjoyed the tour, It is interesting to see the process and watch the containers fill with ice cream and ice cream sandwiches being made and LOVE the ice cream they give you at the end of the tour! Elders Hiatt (from Oregon) and Craig (from Highland, UT) also met us there (they live in Brenham) and went on the tour with us. The Huntsville seniors had not been to Washington on the Brazos, nor had Sister Marsh so I told them to follow me "over the river and through the woods" and I would get them there. We spent some time in the gift shop but it was cold out so our car load did not want to spend time checking the sights. We decided to travel back home via the country roads vrs the freeway. We enjoyed the drive and stopped in Conroe to eat lunch at Ryans, Sister Young's idea. I think they really enjoy that place (so do we). It is an all you can eat restaurant, but the food is really pretty good and lots of variety. We enjoyed our day with the sisters.

Tuesday was Zone Leaders Council at the Glenn Loch Farms building. The office sisters (Walker, Marsh, and Stringfellow) had been asked to take 10 minutes each and talk about faith. Leona really did a good job, but then she always does. I was asked to make a presentation on the revised "Mormon.org" website and the letter we received from SLC. What a neat website with tons of information for non-members and members. Check it out if you have not done so in the past while. Leona and I went back to the office after our part on the program. I worked on apartment files and photos for the new senior sister (Sister Nance) we have coming in mid March (Sister Billingley's replacement). When the Sringfellows and Sister Marsh got back they noted Sister Nance's photo on the board and wanted me to take new photos of them which I did. A wonderful day to be a full time missionary.

Wednesday I started apartment inspection again. I drove up to Conroe, Huntsville, and back down to the Woodlands area. In Conroe I sign leases on two, one bedroom apartments. The President wants to slowly get out of the 4 man apartments. I take any mail/packages with me as I inspect apartments that way the missionaries get their items a day or so sooner.

Leona spent her day with financial items that are a bit complicated and take a lot of phone calls and following up. She did receive our mission financial statement for December and we were under budget for our "administrative" expenses for the year so that was good. President Hansen told her it was the first time since he has been Mission President and he was very pleased.

What a beautiful day! Warm sun shine in the mid 60's - really nice. Michael call, he only worked 1/2 day as the weather in SLC was so bad. Can't say I really miss the nasty freezing weather.

Thursday I inspected apartments in College Station, Brenham, and Waller. That is a lot of driving for one day, but I enjoy the country side and the wide open spaces. The apartments looked good for the most part. Leona said she is further behind today than she was yesterday at the mission office but she also said she was thankful that she was busy, just some days there is too much to keep up with or keep straight and today was one of those days. This evening in my reading in the Book of Mormon I am at the part that talks about Captain Moroni. That is such a wonderful story and example of a truly great leader, yet humble follower of Christ. What a blessing we have in the Book of Mormon - We love this mission!

Friday I inspected several apartments in the Copperfield area (west on FM 1960). Not many missionaries home today as most have district meetings on Friday. Signed another lease renewal this morning. It is always nice to hear the apartment people talk about the missionaries, "we just love your boys, they are so respectful, they are always cheerful and helping their neighbors", etc. The missionaries are great, no doubt about that. After we left the office for the day we drove up to the Woodlands Mall and I bought a sweater to wear in the office. I have a hard time staying warm.

Saturday I got my hair cut, washed the car, and ran some errands. We did the normal P-day activities - laundry/apartment cleanup. We fixed dinner and had four elders come over (Elders Austin, Sorenson, Harris, and Vehrs). It was Elder Sorenson's birthday so Leona made a nice cake for his birthday. We enjoy having the missionaries over. We took a picture (as you can see) and emailed it to Elder Sorenson's folks. There was frost on the cars this morning, but by mid afternoon the sun was out in full force and very pleasant and warm.

Sunday we enjoyed our day at church. The sacrament speakers all talked about the temple and they all did a really good job. I had to teach the lesson in High Priest quorum this afternoon. The lesson was from the Nov Ensign, Pres. Uchtdorf's talk "Of things that matter most". We had a good discussion. I tried to keep us on subject which I know many appreciated. Leona's cousin, Kent Chamberlin invited us up to their place for dinner this evening. Their youngest daughter and family are living with them while they are building a home about 20 minutes away and Kent's sister Kay's daughter was also there. She works for Exxon and is in Houston on business. We sure enjoyed the dinner and visit. It was fun to be there.

Well we will sign off for now. Thanks for all you do friends and family to make it posssible for us to be here.

Lord bless you,

Love, Dad & Mom

75th Post Mon Jan 10 - Sunday Jan 16, 2011

Monday and the start of another week in the Texas Houston Mission. Where does the time go? Elder Miller, the new AP, was in the office this morning. We had a lesson on hooking up the trailer to the truck and van. It is truly a miracle that these young elders drive the van or truck and trailer with little or no incident considering some have never driven a truck or towed a trailer before. Leona and I worked on apartment files getting ready for the audit. I signed a renewal lease for the Farrington Apartments up by the Woodlands and drove down to the trailer store and got a pin for the large bike rack that goes in the towing hitch on the back of the truck.

FHE was at the sisters apartment this evening. They showed the video about the life of John Tanner. I guess I have not heard that story before. He and his wife were such faithful saints at the beginning of this last dispensation. He was a very wealthy man, joined the church and gave all he had to the church. He ended up with no money but many eternal blessings. A very good video if you have not seen it.

Tuesday we got to the office earlier that usual. The transfer bus had not left yet (waiting for a sister to arrive - I found out later she had been told the wrong time). It is so hard to get the "water to the end of each row" every time. The AP's drive the van and the trailer up to College Station and back, dropping off and picking up missionaries along the way at various intermediate stops. I took 3 missionaries and their belongings in the truck down to the Bear Creek Chapel and picked up two missionaries for the return trip to the office. I put the bike rack on the back of the truck, which made transporting bicycles a whole lot easier. The departing missionaries had a testimony meeting this afternoon and then went to the temple. Leona and I set up the dinner at the temple cafeteria for Pres and Sister Hansen, the AP's, the departing missionaries and any family that may come to pick up their sons or daughters. The dinner is catered by a church member and this time Leona ordered cheese stuffed meatload, mashed potatoes and a dill salad (green salad with pecans, cheese, etc) real tasty. Leona made Texas shaped cookies and we decorated them with "hTm" Texas Houston Mission. They are a real hit. It is always a nice experience to be with the departing missionaries. They are ready to go home, yet do not want to leave. It was about 8 pm by the time we got back to the apartment so it is a long day but we love what we are doing and so thankful for the blessing to serve.

Wednesday, it was pretty cold this morning. There was even a sign at the front of the apartment complex that said "freeze warning in effect"! The new missionaries arrived (one sister and 2 elders) a small group. They are so excited and eager to get to the real work. One elder was born in Peru (lived in Pleasant Grove for the last 5 years), the other elder is from Hawaii, and the sister is from California. All are Spanish or Polynesian descent. When we read the new missionaries profiles it is truly humbling to know of the very hard road some of these young people have traveled, such great faith. I take a photo of each new missionary and prepare it for the transfer board (in the mission president's office) and the photo board which is on the wall in the reception area of the office. When we got back to our apartment tonight Leona made syrup and cooked 3 pounds of bacon for the breakfast tomorrow.

David called this evening and he is back in SLC again. He has had quite the 48 hours. Left yesterday for Los Angeles to an interview then took a red-eye at 10;30pm to Virginia for an interview today. He took an extra white shirt and "cleaned-up" in the restroom at the airport before catching a taxi to his interview. He tried washing his hair in a sink that his head was to big to fit in! Had his interview and lunch with the company then back to the airport. He is praying for a job/intership soon and so are we.

Thursday morning we were at the mission home by 6:50 AM. We fixed french toast, sausage, bacon, and fruit for the new missionaries, their trainers, the AP's, and the Hansens. We planned for 12 people and when we got to the mission home Sister Hansen said there would be 5 additional missionaries. We made it all work and no one was left hungry. I take pictures of the new missionaries with President and Sister Hansen and Leona prepares the letters to let their families know they have arrived safely. After the pictures they all depart for the temple and we clean up, stop at the drug store to make copies of the pictures and head back to the office.

The two elders that were waiting for Brazilian visas got notified that their visas were ready so they departed today and boy were they excited! We also had a missionary leave early to go home and all this happened after the transfers had been finalized - lots of last minute changes. I took one of the visa waiters to the airport this afternoon, Elder Alexandre (Wayne and Anne Martin's grandson) is going to the same mission where David served. Another long but wonderful day. It remains cold but no wind today (30's and 40's).

Friday morning we met for the office staff meeting. It is always a privilege to meet with Pres and Sister Hansen, people of great faith. Elder and Sister Stringfellow's son came to visit for the weekend so he was invited to come to staff meeting. We did our thing in the office today, paying bills, updating files, I signed another lease renewal and we cleaned up after a missionary meal (leadership training) at the church.

Saturday we took down our Christmas decorations. I think Leona would have left them up for another month. We cleaned up the apartment, did some laundry and bought groceries, read and went to the office for a few hours. Saturdays have to be the fastest day of the week!

Sunday we went into the office early to work on talks and presentations for zone leader council this coming Tuesday and then went to church at 12:30. They had two members of the high council speak. They were both native Spanish so their English was not real good, but a whole lot better than my Spanish.

It has been another "full week". We are thankful for the gospel and this blessing to serve together. We are thankful for our children and grandchildren; for our families and friends and for your love and support. Have a safe week. We love you.

Love,

Dad and Mom (Elder and Sister Walker

74th Post Mon Jan 3 - Sunday Jan 9, 2011

We continue to be so blessed it is hard to articulate the tender mercies of our Father in Heaven. Our family and friends continue to be a great support to us.

Monday I helped Leona a bit with new file space for the 2010 apartments' utility files in preparation for the annual audit. We took down the Christmas decorations and tree in the office today. I took Elder Wood with me over to the mattress store and loaded up six more beds for the missionaries. Elder and Sister Thomas had dinner with us this evening, then the other seniors came to our place for FHE. Elder Thomas taught the lesson centered on Mosiah 2:1-9 and compared that with this past general conference and Pres. Monson's opening remarks. Very good thoughts. Leona fixed hot chocolate and cookies for refreshments. A very enjoyable evening.

Tuesday I delivered the six new beds to the 4 elders and 2 sisters that live in the Kempwood Place apartments. Well, actually only one of the sisters wanted a new bed. Back at the office I had Elders Atwood and Smith help unload the truck/trailer and then go with me to the mattress store to get the last three beds of our order. (There is a danger for the elders if they hang around the office -Elder Walker will find some work for them to do). They are all very willing to help whenever asked. The rest of the day was spent working on apartment files and following up with the 5 or 6 apartments that have leases due the end of this month.

They have started roasting peanuts at the peanut butter factory (Bishop's storehouse). They are working hard trying to get all the new equipment in place. We took a bucket over and they had some freshly roasted peanuts for us to take back to the office. The plan is that the peanut butter factory will be finished and dedicated in March.

Wednesday there was a missionary leadership meeting at the Hafer Building, (the church building next to the office), so we had lots of missionaries in the office both before the meeting and after. It is always fun to visit with the young missionaries. They are really "good people" (Eastern Shore expression).

I got tired of the rags, buckets and other car washing paraphernalia on the driveway at the office - it just looked a mess all the time. The young missionaries have a hard time putting stuff away sometimes (all you parents find that hard to believe I am sure). I mounted a 2x8 to the side of the garage, and fixed small spring clamps and a hook to hang the rags and the bucket from. At least the "pile" is gone and the rags will not blow around all over the yard. We enjoy so much our mission call and to be able to do what we do - it is a real blessing.

Thursday Leona rode down to the Copperfield Apartments with me to sign the lease renewal. We stopped at a couple of places to pick up supplies, including some lace for a sewing repair job that Leona is doing for one of the sisters. She also had several white shirts that need repaired. Good thing she brought her sewing machine. One of the elders, short and a very small frame had her repair white shirts that were size 16 1/2, he is lucky to fit in a 15 or 15 1/2. Must have been a hand me down from his last companion.

I spent a lot of time this afternoon trying to find a couple of one bedroom apartments in a certain apartment complex. Pres. Hansen wants me to slowly get out of the 4 man apartments (there is to much "fun" in many of the 4 man apts). We enjoyed a really nice day - cool, in the 60's and lots of sun shine).

Friday after staff meeting Pres. Hansen asked the senior sisters to stay behind. He asked Sisters Walker, Stringfellow and Marsh to take 10 minutes each and speak on faith at the Zone Leaders Council the week after next. Needles to say Leona was doing back flips - she was so excited (or was it heart attacks). I worked on more apartment leases and files and photos for the May and June arriving missionaries. Leona and I made a bank run (deposit office funds) and a post office run to mail some bills. The AP's, Elders Anderson and Galbraith came over for dinner this evening. They brought a copy of the transfer sheet for us. Elder Anderson is going back out to the field - we will miss him in the office, what a great missionary and person he is. We will be getting several new zone leaders and district leaders. The missionaries will all be informed about transfers tomorrow night.

Saturday we had Elders Smith, Atwood, Struthers and Wood over for breakfast. We fixed scrambled eggs, sausage, home made hash browns, fruit, and pull a part sweet bread. The elders really enjoyed the food! We feel it a blessing spending a few minutes with them in our home. They always have a good spiritual thought before they leave. The missionaries are good teachers, they know their stuff. We cleaned up the apartment, went out shopping for groceries for next weeks transfer meals, came back to the apartment and made two double batches of sloppy Joe's and cookies - a busy P-day for us.

David called and on his way to work (first day on the new job) a lady rear ended him at a stop light. Everyone was fine but her car had to be towed, and David was able to drive his car. That was a blessing as it could have been a whole lot worse.

Sunday morning it rained a lot. We attended church at Old Oaks Ward which starts at 12:30. There was a young family sitting in front of us with five young children and they were all struggling a bit. It's tough not getting a nap when it is needed! After church we drove to the Glenlock Farms building because that is the church building that zone leader council will be held in next week. I was given the assignment to check out the wireless internet and to make sure the signal is available in the RS room. There is direction from SLC that the missionaries are to familiarize theirselves with mormon.org so they know what is available and as they are teaching they can tell people about it. President Hansen has asked me if I will go over the website with the zone leaders at zone council. It's great to be busy!

We love each of you. Thank you for your prayers. Have a good week and be safe in all you do.

Love,

Dad and Mom

73rd Post Mon. Dec 27 - Sunday Jan. 2, 2011

Monday morning I delivered a couple of new beds to the sister's apartment at the Oaks of Wimbledon not to far from the mission office. I took Elders Austin and Sorsenson with me to do the heavy lifting as the sisters were not in their apartment. I drove Elder Stringfellow a couple of times today to pick up or drop off vehicles for repair and or service. Went to several WalMart stores today looking for more mattress protectors. I put the new box springs and mattress' in zipped plastic protectors to help with future bed bug issues. Later in the afternoon Elders Smith and Wood went with me to the mattress store to pick up eight more bed sets (that's all I can fit in the truck and trailer).

It was cold and windy today, in fact I turned on the heat at the apartment for the first time this evening, even against my senior companion's advise - I was freezing however!

Tueday we left right after our staff prayer meeting and drove to College Station to deliver beds. Leona went with me so it was a much more pleasant drive. She went with me to "keep me awake". I only saw her nod off 6 or 8 times during the trip, but I was awake the whole time. We dropped off 4 beds at the sister's apartment and two at Elders Trotter and Farnsworth's apartment. The sisters were more excited to see Sister Walker I believe than they were for the new beds (which I can understand). We got back to the office in the early afternoon so we made good time, the traffic was light today.

There are always missionaries in and out during the day so I took a couple of Elders and we went over to the mattress store and loaded up eight more beds. I worked on photos for the departing DVD this afternoon. Sisters B. Young and Billingsley never did get a departing DVD so I sent some pictures of them to the DVD "producer" so they can be included on this upcoming DVD.

Wednesday I delivered new beds to 4 elders at the Concord at Little York apartment and then drove out to Katy to deliver 4 more beds to the Kenwood Club apartment. I updated files and helped Leona put together new missionary binders. Pres. Hansen had Elder Stringfellow and I involved with a missionary matter this afternoon. Not one of those things that you like to do. It rained most of the day which we really needed, its been so dry this winter.

Thursday we held staff meeting with Pres and Sister Hansen as tomorrow we have the day off. Pres. Hansen made a point to come into my office and quietly thank me for my help yesterday. He told me he really appreciated my wisdom (I really do not have much of that) and counsel. I worked on apartment files and went looking for more mattress covers. I found a few at the WalMart down I-45 a few miles. I also "photo-shopped" the mission photo that was taken last Wednesday. I think it turned out OK.

David called and his last interview went well and Raquel has a job offer in Utah. I believe they will stay in Utah for now. It was very warm and windy today (turned the AC on - again).

Friday we closed the mission office for the day. Leona invited six of the sister missionaries that live fairly close to us over for breakfast. We fixed scrambled eggs, sausage, fruit, hash browns and pull apart bread. The sisters can eat almost as much as the elders! They seemed to really enjoy being with Sister Walker (so do I!) and having a hot breakfast for a change. They are good missionaries. They are so enthusiastic about all they do - it is fun to be around them. We cleaned up and went shopping and talked to our kids. It was a nice quiet day for us. We did not stay up to see the new year come, guess we are getting old!

Saturday we were invited over to Sisters Marsh and Young's apartment for sweet rolls and juice and to watch the Rose Bowl parade on their TV. The Stringfellows, Thomas and Shipleys (missionary couple from the South Mission) were also there so we really had a good time visiting. Later in the afternoon we went shopping to Walmart. We found great buys on Christmas treats for the young missionaries! Another nice quiet day.

Today is Luke's birthday, six years old already! Being able to skype and see our grandkids on the computer is the best!

Sunday our meeting time changed so we go a couple of hours later. Tessin and her husband came over after church and had dinner with us. They are a nice young couple, they are both originally from Ghana. Tessin is a member but her husband is not. Tessin works for an oil company so we always have lots to talk about. They have known each other for years and were married about a year ago.

We hope ya'll have a great week. You are always in our thoughts and prayers. Take care.

Love,

Dad and Mom