62nd Post Monday Oct 11 - Sunday Oct 17, 2010

Another Monday and another wonderful week we get to be full time missionaries. What blessings we enjoy. I ran some errands today, including signing a couple of leases, which should do it for this month. There is always lots of follow up when I sign a lease renewal. There are several spreadsheets that I use for various purposes and so data from the lease is put in several of those spreadsheets. Not so many missionaries came into the office on their P-day, at least not all at the same time. We enjoyed our FHE with the other senior missionaries this evening. Sister P. Young taught the lesson on the Plan of Salvation from Preach My Gospel. We enjoy being together and always have a good discussion.

Tuesday Elder Stringfellow went with me to deliver a package to the South mission. I introduced him to the Dunnings (from American Fork), and the Rogers (from Highland), who are the office couples for their mission. On the way back to our office I dropped Elder Stringfellow off at a car repair shop to pick up one of our mission cars that needed repaired after a deer ran into the side of the car - only about $6000 worth of damage, but the deer paid the ultimate price. When I got back to the office I hooked up the trailer and headed up to Tomball; two Elders were moving from Tomball, back to Magnolia. I took the 4 elders out to lunch following the move which they really enjoy. This evening we had Elders Lindsay, Struthers, Smith and L. Hansen over for supper. They live in the apartment complex next to ours. Their lesson on Abinadi was a good reminder to do what we are asked by the Lord to do regardless of the consequences - He will always bless us in the way we need.

Wednesday Sisters Maylett and Donkin came into the office for some supplies. I arranged to meet them back at their apartment with the desk that I had repaired. They were happy to get it back, but were surprised that I was able to salvage it (the elders had dropped it when we moved last week). Leona went with me and we took the Sisters out to lunch as it was Sister Maylet's birthday. While at their apartment they said their vacuum was broken. So I checked it out, replaced the broken belt and it worked like a charm. They are very good missionaries and we enjoyed our time with them. More office work this afternoon. I also got tired of the yard tool mess in the garage, so I went over to the peanut butter factory construction project, salvaged a 2X6 and mounted it to the garage wall and hung the yard tools up. The days go by so fast, as we stay busy doing our "missionary work".

Thursday I drove down to the apartment complex that we moved sisters out off last week. The lease is not up, so we continue to pay. I met with the apartment manager and talked her into doing a walk through of the apartment (the sisters did a really great job of cleaning out the apartment) and in letting me turn in the keys. Normally they will not do either of those things until the lease is complete, but that is not until Dec. 31. Anyway it worked out better than I expected. The rest of the afternoon was spent getting office supplies, picking up another repaired mission car, printing tabs for new missionary binders and working on photos of missionaries that arrive in February. The weather sure has been nice, with little humidity the highs of 85 are not so bad and the evening are very pleasant.

Friday we had our staff meeting with President and Sister Hansen, the AP's and the office staff. Pres Hansen always brings such a good spirit to our meetings with his words and actions. He talked about being lost and the feelings of fear and anxiety that you have. He talked about the miners in Chile who were rescured this week after being trapped for more than two months. What great reunions they had with loved ones! The whole world has rejoiced with them. He then told us we were on a rescue, bringing the eternal blessings of the gospel to others who are searching. It was a great thought - lots to think about and apply. I believe it was President Monson who stood in a meeting with the Seventy and his talk was simply "Who have you rescued today?" and then sat down. We should always be mindful of others and the examples we are setting of love and service for we are all missionaries.

I drove the Stringfellows and Sister Walker down by the 290 & Beltway 8 area to a Chevy dealer to pick up three new mission cars. I then drove over to an apartment complex that had sent us a "2nd Overdue Notice". As soon as the young apartment manager saw me walk in he said "I knew you would come", but do not worry it was our mistake that the utility bills did not get sent out" (we had not got the 1st overdue notice!). Anyway it is nice to know that they know the church always pays the bills and that they could "bank" on that.

Sisters Billingsley and B. Young wanted to go out to dinner this evening so we took them out to the "Potato Patch". It is a good place for "home cooked" meals and hot rolls. We enjoyed the evening with them.

Saturday we loaded up the van with us, the Stringfellows and Sisters, Billingsley and B. Young and drove down to Traders Village. It has to be one of the biggest "flea markets" in permanent buildings ever. It was fun to see all the people looking for bargains and stuff you just can not live without! I did get a Texas cowboy hat to cover my poor balding head. Then we drove to the El Taqueria Rey for the best fish tacos in town (love that place). Then off to the big farmers market on Airline road. We got a couple of pumpkins for the metal "spider - pumpkin holders" Christine sent us. They look real nice in our apartment. After getting our fruits, vegetables, nuts, etc and all the fun of seeing the various "south of the border" stuff we drove up to the Flying Saucer Pie company. I enjoy the pie place way too much! We enjoyed our day together. I was able to get us from one place to the other without a GPS or looking at the map. I guess I am getting to know my way around (so what are you waiting for - come and visit us).

Sunday the senior missionaries in our apartment complex went to the Klein Stake conference. Elder Marlin K. Jensen of the Seventy was presiding. What a wonderful meeting it was. The stake choir was very good. The 9 year old girl and priest age boy who spoke really did an excellent job. The young girl spoke for several minutes with no notes. Sister Jensen spoke about not judging others. She told about a man who had bought a home near theirs. She said it was a lovely home and he was a paraplegic (wounded in Vietnam). Anyway, she began to judge and say things about him like - why did he need to play his music so loud? Why did he fence his front yard and move his horses to the front yard instead of keeping them in the back? Why was there always alot of people going and coming all the time and they did not look the best? Anyway, time went on and one day as the Jensen family had gathered for a Thanksgiving dinner she received a phone call from the Bishop asking her if she would check on this neighbor because he had no food and needed help. She fixed a plate of dinner and delivered it to him. As she visited with him she asked what he did all day to occupy his time and he explained he loved to listen to music and he hoped that he wasn't disturbing anyone for he loved to hear it throughout his home. He explained how he loved to watch his horses and since he had a better view out the front windows of his home that is why he had put up the fence and moved them to the front. He said that it was hard for him to find and keep good help and some of the people who came to help him didn't look the very best. By the time Sister Jensen left she was humbled by how she had been wrongfully judging her neighbor. It was a reminder for us not to judge others. Elder Jensen told us to be careful to not let our testimonies grow weak, we will need them to be strong. He said there will be those who will try to shake our faith. He said he knows what he knows by 1)observing ("by their fruits ye shall know them), by 2)experiencing (live it and then you will know it - ie word of wisdom, etc), and by 3) knowing (by the Holy Ghost). What a blessing we have to know the truth and the promised blessing that may be ours. The Church is true, I know it is. May we ever be faithful to what we know, by how we act and what we do.

Have a great week. We love you.

Dad and Mom

61st Post Monday Oct 4 - Sunday Oct 10, 2010

Monday the office was full of missionaries. It seems the past month or so there have been more and more missionaries in the office on their P-day. It was very loud today, even had sisters in the bathroom doing hair. Hard to get a lot done, always someone wanting something. This evening the Thomas' took us out to dinner before our FHE. All the senior missionaries in our apartment complex plus the Thomas got together at our apartment for FHE. Elder Thomas gave the lesson on getting to know the 15 living apostles. It was a fun exercise. It is Jenette's birthday today, 9 years old already. She is sure a sweet girl.

Tuesday I took the truck and trailer down to move Sisters Maylett and Donkin. They had 4 elders and two other sisters there to help. The move went well. We got all their stuff moved over to their new apartment complex. Their new apartment is right below one of our apartments where 3 sisters live. They all seemed real excited. I took all the "movers" to lunch after we finished. They really like that.

Leona received the TriEagle (electricity) bill today. It is a consolidated bill for alot of the apartments in the mission. It was about $6,200. She spent most of the afternoon reviewing and comparing each apt. usage from last month to this month. She then began making phone calls reminding missionaries not to leave lights, fans and AC on when they are not at home. Some do very well but others need to improve. One of our two bedroom apartments' bill has been over $300 the past two months.

It is sewing night so Leona went over to the senior sister's apartment and I stayed home to work on a talk for tomorrow. Pres. Hansen asked me to take 20 minutes in Zone Leaders Council tomorrow. It is Spencer's birthday today - 6 years old! He has been looking forward to his birthday for a long time; lots of cake and ice cream at the Pratt home this week.

Wednesday, I took Leona into work early and I drove on out to the Glen Loch Farms building for Zone Leaders Council. I enjoy being with the missionaries. President Hansen was very complimentary about my remarks as were many of the missionaries. I left during one of the breaks to go back to the office as Leona was there by herself. Another wonderful day to be a full time missionary - how blessed we are. It is Donnie Johnson's birthday today and NOW he is older than I am! We had a nice visit with him and Linda. Good friends are such a blessing!

Thursday morning I updated apartment files. There are several bits of information on several different spreadsheets (leasing info, missionary companionship's, utility info, etc). I am sure there is a better system, but this is the one I inherited, and so far it works for me. I went back to the apartment at lunch time and changed into my "working" cloths. The elders dropped one of the desks during the move on Tuesday and broke it up pretty bad. I reattached the leg panels and reinforced them to the top and to each other. When I got through it was very sturdy and secure. Leona had me go get some contact paper and we put that on the desk top. It turned out well, all things considered. I worked on the desk in the shade of the big oak trees by the mission office garage - very pleasant.

Friday I went to Wal Mart to get more cleaning supplies for the missionaries. Worked on incoming missionaries photos for the tracking sheets, tracking board, and office photo board. Sister Young, the mission president's secretary, goes home in about three weeks and Sister Marsh, from Nebraska, will be coming as her replacement. We look forward to meeting her.

The senior missionaries all went out to dinner this evening - we do like to eat and to visit.

Saturday Elder Costa of the Presidency of the Seventy held a meeting for the missionaries in the three Houston Missions at the Hafer building. We invited the Dunnings and the Rogers from the Houston South Mission to eat lunch with us before the meeting. Elder Rogers had polo as a child, but seemed there were no bad effects in his youth. However the past few years it has returned and he is very bent over and has to walk with a cane. It is hard for him to get around but get around he does to get his mission office work done. He is a real inspiration.

Elder Costa had all the missionaries come up and shake his hand (Elder Gifford Nielson, an Area 70 was also there - yes the BYU quarterback). It was a great experience and wonderful meeting. We got to see Elder Braithwaite, Anna Timothy's son, at the meeting. This evening we had Elders Thomson, Anderson, Sorenson, and Austin over for dinner. Elder Sorenson came out the first transfer after we got to the office and Elder Austin came out the very next transfer. All good missionaries, such a joy to be associated with them.

Today we went to the Westfield Ward. One of our missionaries, Elder Logan Hansen, was speaking and he invited us to attend. He is a great missionary and will be going home next transfer. We will miss him. We get real close to the missionaries and it is hard for us when they leave to return home. The time is passing so quickly, the weeks just fly by.

We are so thankful to be here and we are loving every minute; this is truely a dream come true for us. We have such good neighbors and dear friends who are caring for our home and we are so thankful for their love and service.

Thank you for your prayers and love and support.

We love ya'll. Have a great week,

Dad and Mom

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