60th Post Monday Sept. 27 - Sunday Oct. 3, 2010

Monday I spent time following up on possible apartment options for the Gulf Bank sisters who we have moved out of their current apartment. There are just not many choices in their area. All the nice "looking" apartments do not do corporate leases (low income). But not to worry things always work out. We had Elder and Sister Thomas come to our place for dinner this evening as they live down town (employment missionaries). The senior missionaries all got together at the Stringfellow's apartment for FHE. We had a good lesson on the doctrine of Christ as found in 2 Nephi 31 and in Preach my Gospel. We enjoyed a good discussion. It is wonderful to be associated with such good folks.

We woke up this morning to 50 degree temperatures and a very pleasant breeze. I hope we have seen the last of the 90's for awhile.

Tuesday I went apartment inspecting, the last inspections for this transfer cycle. The apartments were in good shape, but I'm sure it had nothing to do with Sister Walker giving the missionaries a phone call. I worked on the paper work for the new apartment we are going to move the sisters into next week. We currently have sister missionaries in the same complex. When I got all the information ready and made a recommendation to President Hansen he discussed the options with me and agreed that we should proceed as recommended. When I called the apartment complex to check on availablity they had an apartment right next the two sisters who are living there now. Things just always work out. Tuesday is sewing night for the sisters so Leona went over to the senior sisters apartment to work on one of her projects.

Wednesday I drove up to the Woodlands to sign a lease renewal with one of our apartment complexes in that area. I spent the rest of the day working on apartment paper work, electrical hook ups, etc. We are so thankful that we can do what we are asked to do. What a blessing to be performing this labor at this time and place.

Thursday morning I took the truck and trailer down to some elders to move them to a new apartment in the same complex. If we have been in the same apartment for a few years I always try to get the managers to "up grade" the apartment or to move us to a new upgraded apartment. The elders were excited to get into a place with clean carpet, freshly painted walls and completely cleaned or new appliances. For some elders cleaning an oven is still one of the kingdoms great mysteries. The missionaries had lined up two other companionship's to help. We have four ASL elders in the area so they came. Three are hearing or partial hearing and one is completely deaf. They worked so well together. The move went well. It was noon when they finished so I asked about their schedules, to which they all replied that they had "lunch" appointments - except one companionship. I had offered to take them all to lunch, but when they said they had appointments I just went to the truck to leave. The one ASL elder (new to the field about two weeks) could see I was about to leave so he came to the window and said is the lunch offer still good if just two of us go? I said of course and off we went to get some lunch. His senior companion is the deaf elder. It was an inspiration to watch them as they"talked" about what to order and how they treated each other. Good missionaries. I got a call this afternoon from a couple of elders in College Station. Their apartment had been broken into between about 1 pm and 3 pm. They had called Pres Hansen and the police. The police were there while they were talking to me. The front door had been broken in and their i pod and CD player were taken. They had also taken one elders temple suitcase, dumped all his temple clothes on the floor, but his recommend was in his bag. Pres Hansen called the temple on that issue. Never a dull moment in the mission field. So thankful the missionaries were not home during the break in and no one was hurt.

We sure had fun during our exercise time this morning. We've been going over to the work out room for the past few weeks. This morning I managed to lock us in and we could not get out. Not many people walking around between 5:30 and 6 AM; we were quite a sight peering out the class window into the dark trying to see someone that might be leaving their apartment. We finally attracted the attention of a woman leaving her apartment on the other side of the swimming pool by banging and tapping our keys against the window. She came and opened the door for us. How do you have a door that can be opened from the outside but not the inside? Anyway the apartment complex put another new door knob on the door today!

Friday we went into the office to attend staff meeting. As we were walking down the hall to the President's office I heard President Hansen ask Leona to give the spiritual thought. I did not dare turn around because I do not like to see terror on her face. But as usual she did a wonderful job. We left to go to the cancer center for my last BCG treatment for this 6 month cycle. Friday night was real tough. I did not sleep at all, up every 10 to 15 minutes. A very long night.

Saturday we watched conference and enjoyed so much what was said. It was hard for me to stay awake or to stay in by the computer. We were invited over to the Stringfellows for dinner with the senior sisters. We had a wonderful dinner and visit together. I thought I had best try to go to the priesthood session, so I took Elder Stringfellow with me. It was a real blessing to be able to sit for two hours. I enjoyed it very much and look forward to reading those wonderful messages next month. President Uchtdorf's message was just for me.

Sunday I feel so much better, sleep is a wonderful thing. Did you enjoy today's sessions of conference? The talks were wonderful and what I needed to here. What came to me however, where the words of the hymns. The music is always good, but for some reason the words struck me as never before.

We love you and are proud of each one of your families ( I can now say the word proud after Pres. Uchtdorf's priesthood talk). Keep up the good work, follow the prophet, and listen for the Spirit in your life.

Love, Mom & Dad

59th Post Monday Sept 20 - Sunday Sept 26, 2010

Another Monday already. I had some Elders help load up the truck and trailer this morning so I would be ready to go tomorrow morning. We are opening another new apartment and I need furniture to put in it. Spent the rest of the day working on photos for the incoming missionaries (Dec, Jan, and Feb), updating apartment data, repaired a vacuum for the sisters, and cleaned up the garage. All the senior missionaries were invited to the mission home for dinner this evening. We were all there, 6 couples and 3 senior sisters. The Stringfellows and us are in the office, as is Sister Betty Jo Young, the Nagels are CES missionaries at Sam Houston State College in Huntsville, the Christensens are member support missionaries also in Huntsville, the Thomas' are employment down town (took our place), and Sisters Billingsley and Peggy Jo Young are in the employment office next to the mission office, and the Peacocks who are the Bishop Storehouse managers. We had a wonderful time visiting together. What a blessing to be associated with such good people. President and Sister Hansen are an inspiration to all of us.

Tuesday I left early to get the Zone Leaders moved into their new apartment. They had been living with the ASL missionaries in a 2 bedroom apartment. We have 3 new ASL missionaries arriving tomorrow so President Hansen decided to get a one bedroom apartment in the same complex for the ZL's. The move went well as there were 8 or so missionaries to move the stuff, even though their new apartment is on the third floor. When I got back to the office Elder Stringfellow wanted me to drive him down to retrieve a car that had been towed. This one cost the Elders about $190. Towing in Houston is a real racket.

Wednesday I went out inspecting apartments. I was back to the office in time to greet the new ASL missionaries. Two of them are hearing and the other has an inplant that allows him to hear a little bit. We have an ASL missionary, Elder Jex, in our mission. He is totally deaf and will now be a trainer for one of the new ASL missionaries. He and his companion, who can hear, were at the office to greet the new missionaries. I could see the excitement in his eyes of having now THREE new missionaries that he can talked (sign) to. Each one of us in the office have a brief orientation for the missionaries on what we do and how we can help them.

This evening the Stringfellows and and us were invited to Brother and Sister Johnson's for dinner. He is also a Shell retiree and has been to the Delaware City Refinery a few times. They are wonderful people, too bad they will be moving to Utah soon. Sister Johnson is from Louisiana and loves southern cooking. She fixed gumbo that was some of the best I have ever had - it was very good. Leona was a bit nervous when she said that she was not announcing the menu until it was served. After sitting at the table and the blessing given she said that she had made "true gumbo - a labor of love" just for us. Well, Leona thought it would be filled with fish parts of all kinds and she was truely releaved to discover it was instead lots of chicken and a little sausage! She throughly enjoyed it and Sister Johnson shared her recipe with her.

We cooked chicken today for chicken pasta salad for a sister's training meeting lunch tomorrow. Our assignment was to cook and cut up the chicken and clean and slice the grapes. Leona and Melissa Vincent have always wanted a "calling" to fix lunch for the general authorities between conference sessions. We are getting practice and more "job qualifications" for that assignment!

Thursday I went out apartment inspecting again. The last place I went is a place that I always have to call the office to get in the gate. After inspecting the apartment I debated with myself if I should stop by the office and see if I could get a pass card or not. On the way out the gate I thought STOP and get a card. So I did. The manager was in the back and her assistant was helping someone else. When I explained what I needed she said as long as your name is on the lease you can have a card. I said I signed the lease, which she verified and so all was great. As I turned to leave she said, by the way do you have a copy of the Book of Mormon I could have? My 12 year old daughter has a friend who is a Mormon and she would like a Book of Mormon. I told her I did not have one on me but would see that she got one. I got back into the truck and drove back through the gate to the missionary apartment (thinking I hope they have an English copy, they are Spanish speaking missionaries - they did). The apartment manager thanked me for getting the copy for her. It was a real blessing for me! A neat experience.

We had Elders Thomson, and Anderson (the AP's) over for dinner this evening. They are such fine young men and wonderful missionaries. Pres. Hansen called this evening and said that one of the sisters apartment had been "broken into" and a CD player was missing and their stuff had been gone through. There was no sign of forced entry, so the Sisters were really worried. We had them stay with other sister missionaries fairly close by. After we talked we decided to look for a new apartment for them, which will take some time in that area.

Friday we went into the office for a while before heading down to MD Anderson and another BCG treatment. The treatment went well. I spent the rest of the day at home.

Saturday was a stay close to the facilities day for me. I did not feel like doing too much. This evening Leona went to the sister's apt and watched the RS Broadcast. Afterwards I walked over to get her and then Leona and I watched the movie about Joseph and Emma on BYU TV on our computer. She was truely an elect lady. She had such great faith and endured many trials and hardships. They are examples to each of us. Someday I hope to shake their hands and to say thank you.

Sunday we got up and went for a short walk around the lake. There was a little breeze and it was almost cool. We took a loaf of bread to feed the ducks, swan, turtles, and fish. It is fun to watch the animals, they seem so hungry. Fast and testimony meeting was good. The Bishopric always reminds us to be short and what a testimony is. The results are many more people are able to participate and the testimonies are centered on Christ.

58th Post Monday Sept 13 - Sunday Sept 19, 2010

Monday, the beginning of another week, and missionaries were in an out of the mission office most of the day. We are right next to the Stake Center so they play basketball and soccer there and then come to the office to check on mail. Some stay and visit with one another so it gets busy and noisy at times. I took Leona and Sister Stringfellow down to Sam's Club to get them purchasing cards also. This way neither myself or Elder Stringfellow have to go with them when we need stuff for the mission. This evening we cooked 15 pounds of hamburger for the leadership lunch tomorrow. The Stringfellows and senior sisters came for family home evening. Elder Walker taught the lesson and Sister Walker was in charge of refreshments - ice cream and cookies. It is great to be a missionary!

Tuesday I started the next round of apartment inspections. The apartments look good for the most part. I did find in one apartment that elders were still in bed at 10:30 AM. There is a foursome in that apartment and one of the missionaries is the district leader but he is at the leadership training meeting. His new companion was up and dressed and reading when I knocked on the door. So as I looked around I went to the other bedroom and opened the door and the other two missionaries were just falling out of bed, I think I surprised them a bit. When I checked their bathroom they had lined the tub with plastic garbage bags and it was full of cans of soda. I asked if I was late for the party but they explained that they bought more soda than the fridge would hold so they thought they would "ice it down" in the tub! With apartment inspections you are never sure what you might find.

The office sisters served taco salad for the leadership training meeting today. They fed about 55 missionaries today and will do the same for the next two days.

Tuesday evening is the senior sisters sewing night so Leona went over to their apartment.

Wednesday morning we went early to the store to get more lunch supplies for today's leadership lunch. Today they served sub sandwiches and Sister Young made apple and peach pie in large cookie sheets. It was a real hit. I drove to Huntsville, Conroe, Montgomery and the Woodlands inspecting apartments. Huntsville is about one hour north of us. From Huntsville I took the back roads down to Montgomery, through the Sam Houston National Forest. It was a very beautiful drive and not much traffic at all. They were cleaning the office carpets this afternoon so we could not go back into the office. I went on down to the mattress store to purchase a couple of mattress and then to the second hand store to pick up a couple of desks, all for the new apartment we are opening next week.

Thursday we got up early to run, and it was actually nice out with low humidity. It is still in the 90's everyday however. I drove up to College Station (home of Texas A&M), Brenham and Waller inspecting apartments. We stayed late this evening to work in the office. One of the missionaries, who had been attending the leadership meetings, needed a ride up to the temple to catch a ride back to his area (Huntsville), so I took him up to catch his ride. Lunch today was a baked potato bar with all the trimmings and ice cream. Another busy day with lots to do, but we are grateful we can do what we are doing - what a blessing!

Friday morning Leona went into the office very early to work for a while and then came back to go with me down to MD Andersons' for another round of BCG treatments. They have me come in for blood, etc at 9 AM and then wait until 11:30 to start the treatments. The cystoscopy (6 o'clock news camera) is always fun. An intern started so he had a good old time showing me all around my bladder, "here is the inlet from one kidney and the inlet from the other one and here is the outlet - that is easy to spot because it has the TV camera cable coming through it, and the site of the tumor, etc". After killing time with the bladder tour my Dr came in and he has his tour through my bladder. He told me all my blood work came back normal, and my bladder looks just fine. I do have a slightly enlarged prostate (but what man over 50 does not), which they showed me protruding/pushing into my bladder during to tour. After the tour they put another gown (why is it called a gown? there is nothing elegant about them) on me, walled me down the hall to the room where I get the BCG treatment. We left the hospital about 2:30 pm. I did not feel very good the rest of the day and night.

Saturday we just stayed at home. I did not feel like doing much . We did go feed the ducks at the pond just before dark, but other than that pretty much laid low all day.

Today we enjoyed our church meetings. Steven is feeling better, he needs to drink lots of water all the time and sometimes forgets or doesn't feel like doing so but if he doesn't he pays for it later! The Stringfellows invited us over for dinner this evening and we had a nice visit with them. It is amazing to me how in just a short time of knowing the senior missionaries how close we become - makes me feel that we must of known each other in the pre-existance.

All is well in Texas and we pray all is well with each of you. Thank you for your prayers, you are in our prayers too. We love you and hope you have a wonderful week.

Living our dream,

Mom and Dad

57th Post Mon Sept. 6 - Sunday Sept 12, 2010

I drove up to the temple early Monday to pick up some carpet remnants for the missionary apartments. The temple engineer did not want me to take any of the carpet just removed or any of the new carpet, but he had a large roll of carpet in the storage building that I could cut pieces from. It worked out real well except I managed to lock the keys in the van with the motor running! Not sure how that is even possible with new vehicles, but I did it. Thank goodness the mission office is only a few minutes away. Elder Stringfellow brought a spare set of keys to bail me out. Back at the office, we had two elders come in who could not find their car this morning! I told them to go back to their apartment (the other companionship in the same apartment complex also has a car) and to look for signs posted about towing cars and the towing company's phone number. Sure enough the elder had doubled parked (over the white line) and got towed sometime during the night. Elder Stringfellow drove out to the impound yard and retrieved their car (it cost the elder $208!). This after noon Leona and I drove down to the Dunning's apartment (Houston South Mission) for a Labor Day BBQ. Sisters Oborn and Gibbs are going home soon so we wanted to see them before they left. They lived in the apartment complex with us when we lived down town. It was fun to visit with them and the other Seniors from that mission.

Tuesday was a busy transfer day. We got to the office at 7 AM as I had to drive 3 missionaries north to Conroe and then bring back 3 missionaries to the office. Got back in time to take the van and trailer to Bear Creek with other missionaries involved in transfers. It rained hard most of the day so it was fun loading and unloading the missionaries, their bikes, and luggage. Elder Hiatt left for the College Station area this morning. We will miss him and Elder Martin. Elder Anderson is the new AP, a great young man. The departing missionaries had a testimony meeting at the Hafer building and then a dinner. The Stringfellows help us with the dinner feeding about 30 people. After we cleaned up we went back to the office to work. It was late by the time we got home.

Wednesday was another very busy day. President and Sister Hansen fixed breakfast for the departing missionaries at the mission home and then took them to the airport. Usually the AP's help with transporting missionaries but everything "fit" in the van. Anyway the AP's needed to run some errands so they went with me to deliver some beds, and stop by and sign a lease at one of our apartments. As we were out and about the Elders from Sealy called - their power was turned off. What a mess that apartment manager and owner have been. I spent most of the rest of the day trying in vain to get the power on. Promises from the power company and the apartment owner were not fulfilled. I offered to put the Elders (4some) up in a hotel for the night but they said no big deal they would camp out in the apartment. I also got a call from the Sisters in the Redwood Heights apartment that they got an eviction notice on their door, some unpaid bill. We called and discovered the apartment had not received this months rent check sent by SLC. The sisters were all worried they would have to pack up and leave. Sister Walker got everyone calmed down and the apartment folks got a check so all was well. 14 new missionaries arrived this afternoon. They are excited and anxious to go to work and we love them already! We went home late from the office and cooked bacon and sausage for breakfast tomorrow morning.

Thursday we got up early and were at the mission home before 7 AM cooking french toast, etc for the new missionaries and their trainers. That is a real production for us, but it went well. After breakfast, President Hansen announces the new companionships and then I take photos of each new missionary with President & Sister Hansen to send to the parents. Leona drove our car and I drove the truck to the mission home as I needed to take missionaries and their belongings to Conroe after breakfast. We stopped at the drug store to get copies of the pictures made and then off to Conroe. We stayed late again this evening (10:30 or so) doing letters for the newly called mission leaders and for the new missionaries parents, etc. Boy am I way tired, but so thankful to be able to serve.

Friday we had our staff meeting. It is always a boost to meet with President and Sister Hansen, they are such good people. We just feel better being with them. We worked on letters, photos and apartment updates all day. We had another cleaning assignment at the temple this evening. The AP's went with us again this week. Stopped the Mexican place for an early dinner and then to the temple. They had us clean the back stairs up to the ordinance rooms and also the nursery. All the carpet is installed and the furniture back in place. Just a matter of general and detailed cleaning. We enjoyed our time at the temple with the elders.

Saturday morning the Stringfellows, the Christensons and Leona and I went in the van down to the Space Center. The other two couples had not been before. We enjoyed a couple of the movies about the space station and training to be an astronaut. It was a fun day and we enjoyed visiting with the other seniors on the way down and back.

Sunday we needed to sleep in a bit (I cannot keep up with Leona and her long working hours all week), so thank goodness our ward starts at 10:30. We had a couple from Nigeria over for dinner this evening. We met Tosin (wife) at church, she is a geologist for Exxon. They got married this past May and he is waiting on "his papers" so that he can enroll in school. He is an accountant but needs to get more education in the USA in order to work here. He is not a member of the church - yet! They are both very nice and we enjoyed our visit and of course invited him to church. He has attended in the past but I think three hours is a bit long for him and they only have one car so I think that is why he hasn't attended for awhile.

It has been a very busy week. President Hansen said that this has been the biggest transfer week since he has been mission president. We love it. We love the missionaries and we cry when they leave to return home; but we are thankful that we now have 14 new ones to get to know and love!

We pray that you are well. We know our Father in Heaven is watching over you. We pray that each of our grandsons will serve a mission and it will be wonderful if our granddaughters, who desire to, will too. We truely are thankful to be here, we wouldn't trade this experience for anything.

We love ya'll so very much,

Dad and Mom

56th Post Monday Aug 30 - Sunday Sept. 5, 2010

Monday morning we went into the office earlier than normal to load up some furniture to take to Huntsville. Elder and Sister Christensen will arrive sometime tomorrow so I thought it would be good to have a bed, table, chairs, sofa, and kitchen stuff in their apartment before they arrive. The Huntsville Elders, who live just a couple of apartments away unloaded the furniture when I arrived. It did not take too long so I was back to the office by mid morning. I drove down to the Concord at Little York apartment complex to sign a new lease (we have 3 apartments with 10 missionaries there). One apartment has a bed bug problem so I had to discuss with the manager some things that I needed them to do for us - it was good to get us on the same page. I had the elders stop by the office to tell him first hand what was going on. I believe things will improve.

Tuesday, I made another fast trip up to Huntsville (about 50 minutes north of us); I left in such a hurry yesterday that I forgot the bed frame so Leona went with me to help get the bed set up before the Christensen's arrive. When we got back President Hansen was in the office interviewing missionaries. When he finished he asked if he could talk with me. The AP's had given me a heads up so I was not completely worried. Any way he asked me to take 15 minutes in Zone Leaders Council tomorrow and talk about faith. He also asked me about apartments and up coming transfers. I told him my feeling about one particular situation and that we should find a new apartment. He agreed with my suggestions and told me to proceed. Tuesday is the Senior Sisters' sewing night, so I worked on some thoughts for tomorrow.


Wednesday was Zone Leaders Council meeting. Elder Stringfellow and I both shared our thoughts on our assigned subjects. It was a real experience to be in that meeting. The Zone Leaders are real fine young men who really have the spirit of the work. President Hansen shared with us all an interesting experience. Last week Elder Kikuchi promised that baptisms would double if all the missionaries would be 100%. President Hansen felt he should make some phone calls last Thursday evening, which he did to all the Zone leaders. He asked them to think of the investigators who were not on track or who had not committed to a baptism date and to go back and visit them and to teach and commit them as Elder Kikuchi had taught us. Well, Thursday morning (before the phone call) there were 8 people who had committed to baptism that weekend, but by Sunday night the mission had 14 baptisms. President Hansen then said, do you see the miracle. Do you see the promise? We are so blessed to see the Lord's hand in this mighty work.


Thursday I went to visit with one of our apartment managers about getting an additional apartment in that same complex. She is new to this apartment and new as a manager so she had all the "rules" that MUST be followed, especially on criminal background checks. I thought here we go again. She just kept going and going, saying the same thing over and over. I explained our position and then they could decide if they wanted to proceed with an additional apartment for us. After she left, the assistant manager who was sitting there the whole time and whom we have dealt with in the past, apologized for her caring on so. He said do not worry "nothing" has changed and that we will be able to get the apartment and that the paper work would be taken care off. That is one of the fun parts of my job - dealing with apartment managers.


Friday morning was our turn for an interview with the mission president. President Hansen is always very kind. He told me how much he appreciated my teaching on Wednesday. He said Elder Walker always teaches from the scriptures and is a natural teacher (I don't know about all that - but I do enjoy being with the missionaries). In our staff meeting he asked Leona to pray. He told her after that he always feels closer to the Lord when I here Sister Walker pray.


We took Elder Haitt, Thomson, and Martin out for an early dinner this evening. The five of us were scheduled to work in the temple from 5 to 8 pm. They are re-carpeting the temple. Most of the old carpet has been removed and the crew is starting to install the new. It was a bit sad to see the temple in such a "mess", but it will be put right in a week or so. We (the three elders and us) cleaned the lockers in the men's room. They really make sure that very thing is clean! Another wonderful day to be in the Texas Houston Mission.


Saturday is a special day, a day to get ready for Sunday - which we did. Leona did some sewing and I read and checked emails this evening.


Sunday we had a very nice testimony meeting. The bishop reminded everyone what a testimony really is. Everyone was brief and to the point, so lots got to share. We had Elders Hiatt, Thomson and Martin over for dinner. This coming week is transfers and Elder Hiatt is going back out to the field, he has been an AP for about 10 months so he is excited about going back to more proselyting. Elder Martin has been in this ward for a long time also. He is being transferred to Tomball and will be the new district leader. He is a good young man, we will miss him and Elder Hiatt. We went over to the Stringfellows for FHE this evening. Always fun to be with the senior missionaries. We love so much those we serve with and are thankful to be here in Texas at this time.


We love you and are proud of all you are doing with your families.
Love
Dad and Mom

55th Post Mon Aug 23 - Sunday Aug 29, 2010

Monday morning I had an appointment with the dermatologist. He "froze" 4 or 5 spots on my face and ear, but no cutting this time. He said to come back in 3 months, then another 3 months and then every 6 months for four years. I guess it is just a matter of seeing if the remaining spots change over time. Anyway I thought that was good news moving forward. We got back to the office after lunch time. I ran some errands and worked on the some paper work and photos that Sister Hansen requested.

It was a typical P-day Monday, with lots of missionaries and noise. They like to hang out together and usually play basketball or soccer after lunch - we love them all.

It is Camille's birthday today, seven years old already! They called this evening and we were able to sing Happy Birthday and watch Camille blow out her candles! Modern technology is great, it is such a blessing for us to be able to see and visit with our grandchildren and children.

Tuesday I drove up to Huntsville, about 1 hour north on I-45, to get the elders moved into their new apartment. The apartment complex folks were suppose to be ready at noon but they still had not installed the new carpet. We did get the paper work completed, then I took the 4 elders to lunch while we waited. A member from the Huntsville ward who has a big trailer met us to help move the missionaries. We went to their old place and loaded up the trailer and drove back to the new apartment. They had installed the carpet but were cleaning and changing the door on the new refrigerator and installing the new stove. The apartment manager came by and was very apologetic for the delay. I had my "you have to take care of this new apartment" talk with the elders and then left to come back to the office. They did get all moved in and settled this afternoon. I helped Elder Stringfellow load up the truck for Zone Conference tomorrow.

When Steven got back from Huntsville the APs were working on folders with nice covers for zone conference schedules and outlines. Steven was teasing them and saying "this is President Hansen's and Elder Kikuchi's name is on this one - I wonder where Elder Walker's is?" A little while later the AP's, Elder Hiatt and Elder Thomson, went to Steven with smiles on their faces and handed him a folder they had put together with his name on it! They are great. I hope and pray our granddaughters marry someone just like those two elders. Another busy but wonderful day to be a missionary.


Wednesday we had a very wonderful morning with Elder Kikuchi of the Seventy. The meeting was scheduled to start at 10, we started at 9:25. He talked about the simplified curriculum, the doctrine of Christ, the role of the Holy Ghost in conversion, the process of revelation through: prayer, the Book of Mormon, and church attendance. He taught us how these things must be followed by not only full time missionaries but also when we go home, by the families of the church, and by individuals, if we are to live with Heavenly Father.


He talked about a "sacred grove" of our own. Not going out to the trees or expecting to see a vision, but that every morning we should pray, even pour out our hearts to our Father. Read and ponder the Book of Mormon. He promised the missionaries, as one of Christ's witnesses, if we would follow the counsel he gave, our lives would be changed. It is not just about a testimony, but more about the change that must come over us. We must have His countenance upon us and become new creatures in Him. He taught so many wonderful things, and with such a strong spirit. When he bore his testimony or spoke of very scared things it was so very reverent in the room, what a wonderful experience. This evening all the senior missionaries had dinner at the mission home with the Hansen's and the Kikuchi's. Just a really wonderful day.


Thursday we drove up to College Station for that Zone Conference. Elder Kikuchi taught many of the same things, with no notes and with the Spirit guiding him there was much new to hear. He taught us how to teach the First Vision in a very powerful way. He asked Leona and I to come up front and sit and then had a sister 3'some come up and teach the First Vision as he had taught it. The Spirit was so strong even though we all had heard this scared story many times before. It is a rare thing to have that many people so reverent and so in tune and the Spirit so strong. What an experience. He talked about tithing for the young missionaries. They of course are not earning money right now but their tithing is 100% obedience.

Sister Kikuchi spoke yesterday and again today for just about five minutes. She told five things that we should do: love the people, be humble (when we are humble we are in the hands of God), work hard, read the scriptures (especially the Book of Mormon), and pray. She is a very sweet lady and her English is good. We noticed that when she and Elder Kikuchi spoke to each other at lunch, etc they spoke in their native tongue - Japanese.


Elder Kikuchi also taught an interesting concept. He said think of the morning time as like the resurrection (renewal, beginning, etc). He said that our real resurrection and kingdom of glory will very much depend on what we do during the mornings of our lives. What do we spend our time doing? Do we spend time reading and preparing ourselves for the day? I asked him after the meeting if this concept was for all members or just mostly the full time missionaries. He said very emphatically that it was for all members, even though most members do not have "hours" in the morning to study, we all must make some time for study. Again we were so blessed to be missionaries this day.

Elena's birthday today and it is hard to believe that she is five years old! Again, we were able to sing Happy Birthday and watch her blow out her birthday candles. What a girl! We are thankful for her.


Friday we enjoyed another wonder day of learning. Elder and Sister Kikuchi had a 3:45 pm flight to catch to a Stake Conference in east Texas/west Louisiana. His time in this Zone Conference was limited but still taught with such power. He did teach this Zone how to tell the First Vision story. The elders he picked to do that did a most marvelous job, with the very minimum of instruction. In fact Elder Kikuchi said a couple of times they did as good as he has ever seen it done in all the missions he has visited. He paid them a very high compliment. They really did do a tremendous job and again we all just really felt the Spirit so strong, even though some of us knew what was coming. As the time went by (way to quickly) President Hansen stepped out of the meeting with me and said Elder Kikuchi wants you and Sister Walker to drive them to the airport so the Hansen's could stay for a while longer to practice and teach with the missionaries. He asked if I knew the way to the airport which I did and that I should take his van. The Kikuchi's itinerary did not have the departing terminal listed so I hurried over to the office to look up the information. When I put in their flight number the computer said "no such flight" for Continental. I tried to call the airlines but could not get through to a person. By now I was getting a bit nervous, so I called SLC and asked to speak to the travel department and then to someone who would know the Kikuchi's travel arrangements. A very nice sister come on the phone and we got the problem solved. She provided all the personal information I needed to print boarding passes. I went back to the church just about the same time Elder Kikuchi was finishing up. Again he blessed the missionaries and made marvelous promises on behalf of the Lord if we were all obedient. We enjoyed visiting with the Kikuchi's on our way to the airport. It turns out he knows Sid and Joyce Henderson very well as he stayed with them several times when Sid was mission president. They also knew the Polcocks for the same reason. Another wonderful day to be a full time missionary.


Saturday we got our P-day stuff done and then visited the National Museum of Funeral History! It is close by and was rather interesting with lots of memorabilia from famous people's funerals including some US Presidents. In the evening we went to dinner with the other senior missionaries at Rudy's BBQ not far from here. A fun evening talking and just enjoying each others company.


Sunday the talks in sacrament meeting were about the family, home, and the Proclamation. The talks were all very good, really made me want to improve my life. We love each of you and thankful that we are an eternal family. We are thankful for your goodness and the good parents that you are and how you are loving and teaching our grandchildren by your example! We enjoy going to church in our ward here in Texas.

We hope ya'll have a good week. Be safe, be good, and be happy. We love you.
Living our dream,
Mom and Dad

54th Post Monday Aug 16 - Sunday Aug 22, 2010

Monday and the start of another wonderful week. I went shopping this morning for apartment supplies for the missionaries. The mission provides cleaning stuff for the young missionaries, like Comet, carpet cleaner, brooms, garbage cans, 409, Windex, etc. I also spent time going through the "key box", where all the keys for the apartments are kept. I suppose no one has done that for a very long time. There were so many keys to apartments that we no longer have and duplicates. Lots of missionaries in the office today. Leona had some chocolate-mint ice cream desert and fudge brownies for them and of course that was all gone real quick. The missionaries like to come into the office to check for mail, get supplies and look for something to eat (which we normally have). I was reading in the book of Ether today about the 3 witness that would be allowed to see the record and how the brother of Jared's writings were not to be translated (sealed) until, as Moroni says, the people have faith like unto the brother of Jared. It just struck me how Moroni was really talking directly to Joseph Smith and how that must have been for the prophet Joseph. The Book of Mormon is true - I know that.

It rained a bit this afternoon and the storm cooled the air a bit but it is so humid I am not sure it feels any better after a storm or not!

Tuesday I worked on the new missionary binders for the ASL missionaries that arrive next month. Also ran out to Waller to take an overnight package containing medication to one of the elders. President Hansen asked someone in the office to "consolidate" data for Elder Kikuchi's visit next week, so we worked on that. Just when we think we are about "caught up" there is more to do - and we love it. It was very hot and humid today! At 5:30am when we went outside to exercise a little it was already 87 degrees

Wednesday we worked on paper work all day (apartments, tax status, phone calls, etc). We took Elder Martin to Alwadi's Mediterranean place for lunch. I'm not sure if the chicken shwarma was his favorite or not, but we sure enjoyed it. This evening we went to the temple. What a blessing to be so close and to sit and not feel rushed.

Thursday I drove down to Katy to turn in the keys to an apartment we moved out off a few months ago (we were obligated to pay rent to the end of the lease). I also worked on our map system where we have the apartment locations plotted. Leona took the crock pot and fixed meatball sandwiches for the missionaries. We got some rolls and cookies at Sam's Club, so the missionaries who were in the office today got a real treat. Some of the missionaries were talking about apartments and about getting new carpet, paint, etc when we renew the lease. I told them that it was not only for them, that we fixed up the apartments, but also for those who come after them. Then one of the elders started to say, "they built houses and planted crops that they would never use", speaking of the first pioneers at Winter Quarters. He then said that is what Elder Walker taught us last Zone Conference - that was the most spiritual talk about apartments I have ever heard". I was a bit taken back that he would remember and even more could quote much of what I had said. He said that he had used that analogy, I had taught many times in his teaching since that Zone Conference. I thanked him for his kind words - it really made my day.

Friday we had our staff meeting with President and Sister Hansen. It was very good as usual. President Hansen told us about a young man who has desired to be baptized and has attended church and even paid his tithing for the past two years. Because of something that he did in the past he needed to turn himself into the police. Last Sunday as President Hansen was seated on the stand at the Katy Stake Conference he noticed this investigator in the audience. President Hansen leaned over to the temple president, who was seated next to him, and said that there was a good man who was going to jail and really needed a good lawyer. President Bradshaw (temple president) said "I'll help him". He is a defense attorney and also two of his sons are lawyers and have a practice together. Well, the investigator turned himself in Monday morning and spent one night in jail but walked out a free man with no probation or fines. He has a baptism date in a few weeks! When he called to tell President Hansen of the miracle lawyer who came to his aide he said, "I probably should of spent one more night in jail because there is a man there that is interested in the gospel!" It is so wonderful how Heavenly Father places people in situations where than can help and serve others who desperately need their help. The church is true.

Today I contacted the two new senior couples that are coming to the mission. They are excited to get here. Both couples will be in Huntsville, one as the CES couple and one as member support and leadership.

This evening we went to dinner with the senior sisters and Elder and Sister Stringfellow. We sat and visited at the restaurant for quite a while. We enjoy our time with the other seniors.

Saturday we cleaned the apartment and went shopping. This evening we were all invited over to the Stringfellows for dinner. We enjoy visiting and being together no matter how often. And because we are seniors we can tell the same stories and not remember.

Today at church there was a good feeling during the sacrament. It was not so much that everyone was quiet but maybe because I was more in tune. What blessing the atonement is in our lives. We are so blessed to be members of this church.

We wish ya'll a great week. We love you and miss you and we are proud of you and all you are doing.

Love, Dad and Mom