46st Post Monday June 21 - Sun. June 27,2010

Another Sunday afternoon and time to fill you in on this weeks activities. Monday I worked on apartment paper work all day. Mondays are also the young missionaries P-day so there are many who come to the office and today it seemed they had lots of questions for me. It is fun to visit with them, they are such good young men and women. We enjoy them so much. This evening the seniors all got together over at Chesnuts apartment for dinner. We had "hay stacks" with all kinds of toppings. It was really good! We enjoy getting together and visiting - they are wonderful people.

Tuesday I signed leases at three of our existing apartments and also hauled some furniture. Spent the rest of the day with office paper work. The days go by so fast it is amazing. We love what we are doing and count it a real blessing to be able to be here at this time.

Wednesday we took the old picture board down and put up the new one and transferred the pictures. It looks nice if I don't mind saying so myself. We had Elders Worthington and Galbraith over for dinner this evening. They are Zone Leaders in the Houston North Zone and really fine young men. Elder Worthington's Dad is in Afghanistan and returns this fall about the time Elder Worthington goes home. What a happy reunion for his family, his father has been in Afghanistan for a year. Elder Galbraith's Dad teaches at BYUI. His Dad was about 12 years old when the dam broke and flooded Sugar City. He said that his dad wanted to go fishing on the dam that morning but his mother (Elder Galbraith's grandmother) said that he could go just as soon as the lawn was mowed. When he tried to start the mower it wouldn't work so he had to use the push mower. It took him much longer and just as he was finishing their neighbor came by and said that the dam had broke. His life was saved by his mother having him cut the grass and the regular lawn mower not starting.

Thursday Leona went with me to WalMart to purchase cleaning supplies for the missionaries. It is Zone Conferences next week so they request things from the office and Elder and Sister Chesnut put together their "orders". We stopped on the way back to the office at a second hand store and purchased a couple of desks for less than $25 total. When we got back to the office I had a couple of the missionaries help load up other furniture in the trailer so I could make a "furniture run" tomorrow. We went to the temple this evening. There were about 10 or so on the session. It is so nice to be only 20 to 30 minutes from the temple. We enjoyed our time there a lot.

Friday morning we did not have our regular staff meeting as the Hansens have family in town for a few days. I left early to take furniture down to Little York Apartments, then out to Katy. The missionaries were all ready for me and so the unloading went real quick, but the driving time was a bit long as the distances between the two places is almost across the whole mission. This afternoon I went up just north of the office about 20 minutes to take a bed to an elder who is having some back problems. This afternoon as we left the office to go home I asked if anyone wanted to go out to dinner with us - all the office and employment office seniors wanted to go. It does not take much to get us all together. We sat at the restaurant and visited long after we finished eating. Then we stopped to get a raspberry smoothie and sat there and visited some more. Just one one big party when you are a senior missionary. We do have fun together.

Saturday we did our P-day stuff and then drove out to Traders Village. That is just a really big flea marked (Cow Town times 5!!). It was so hot and humid that we did not last long. Even in the shade we were dripping wet. We ran into the other senior missionaries there also. I was glad to get back to the car and home where it was cool.

Sunday we enjoyed our church services. The priesthood and RS lesson was a talk given by Sister Beck. I enjoyed the topic. We sure enjoy your phone calls each week. Thanks for keeping in touch with us.

We love this work and are so blessed to be here and to be associated with such good missionaries. Thanks for your love and support. May Heavenly Father bless you.

Love,

Dad & Mom

45th Post Monday June13 - Sun. June 20, 2010

This was one busy week. It is always busy during transfer week, with the new missionaries coming in, others going home and leadership changes. Monday I went down to the "Little York" apartments to sign a lease on a new apartment. After work we went shopping for food for tomorrows transfers. We cut fruit and got other things ready.

Tuesday we left early for the office as I had to be down to the Little York apartments to move the missionaries and Mom had to get the snacks and other goodies ready for the missionaries as they come in (all day long). The apartment move went well (considering there was no power until later in the day). We closed down the sisters apartment, moved one set of elders into the new 2 bedroom apartment and moved the sisters into the vacated elders 1 bedroom apartment. We now have 10 missionaries living in 3 apartments at this location (Two 2 bedroom apartments with elders and one 1 bedroom apartment with sisters). I got back to the office after the move in time to drive the "bus" (12 passenger van with trailer) with a load of missionaries and their belongings down to the Bear Creek Chapel. They were met by their new companions and rides to their new areas. I brought several elders back with me to the mission office so they could get to their new areas. I loaded up a few more elders and drove them up to their zone leaders apartment which is south of the Woodlands (not too far from the office). We left to go home early so I could change into my suit and a dry white shirt (boy, is it humid!). We loaded up stuff to take to the temple for the dinner this evening. The departing missionaries go through a session at the temple and then have dinner together in the temple cafeteria. Leona had arranged for a new person to provide the dinner but we supplied the desert, paper goods and set up. It was wonderful to be with these great missionaries before they depart. It was a long day, but the Lord really answered our prayers that the moves, and dinner would go well, which it all did (even the power got turned back on).

Wednesday morning the departing missionaries all came back to the office to get their luggage and say good bye. It was hard to see them go. We really got close to Elders Brady (AP) and Whittaker - excellent young men. President & Sister Hansen and the APs take the departing missionaries to the airport and stay to pick up the new missionaries. They got back to the office about 3 pm. This bunch of new elders and sisters really seemed to be excited and ready to serve. All the senior missionaries in the office take a few minutes with them to explain what we do and how we can help them. We then went over to the Hafer Building, just next door and helped Sister Young set up for dinner for the new missionaries (4 sisters and 6 elders), plus the APs, two Zone leaders, Pres & Sister Hansen, Sister Young and us. It is fun to visit with the them, just really good young people. We helped clean up and headed home to get ready for the next day.

Thursday Leona had ordered 14 pizzas for the training meeting at the church near the Temple. This meeting is for all the trainers and their new companions, plus the new district and zone leaders. We had about 50 people there. The pizzas were not ready when we went to pick them up, in fact they didn't even have one baked! Anyway I was headed out the door and Mom reminded me that we had little choice at this point so I asked to speak to the store manager. The snack bar folks were very short handed and unable to deal with the back log. The manager was very quick to get folks organized with three additional staff to help. Things really went fast then. They all were very apologetic and he in fact gave us 2 free pizzas. We were just a few minutes late getting set up to feed the missionaries, but it all worked out. We had a vegetable tray, cut up fresh fruit and cookies and brownies, etc. I thought 12 pizzas would be plenty with all the other stuff, but Mom knows what she is doing when it comes to feeding the masses (thank goodness - we only had a couple of slices of pizza left). The missionaries helped us clean up and we brought 3 sisters back to the office with us so the car was really loaded. We worked until 7 or so this evening in the office getting a bit caught up. What a busy day!

Friday morning in our staff meeting President Hansen asked Mom to give the thought. She had something in mind so was well prepared. The new AP is Elder Thomson from Hawaii. We do not know him very well, but that will change over the next week or so. They had a district meeting in the Hafer Building today so when that was over the office filled up with missionaries. They always stop by to check for mail and it was lunch time so we set out leftover fruit, cookies, etc - so much for the leftovers some of those elders had not eaten for a couple of hours so they were way hungry! Fun to be around them. I drove down to Home Depot later this afternoon to get some supplies to make a new missionary photo board for the office. I got it cut out and the first coat of paint applied. Another late night, but we love this work.

Saturday we went over to the office early as I wanted to work on the photo board and Mom had letters to send to parents, priesthood leaders, and the missionaries concerning the recent leadership calls (trainers, district & zone leaders and the new AP). We worked all day in the office and I did get the board made, but will hang it and transfer the photos next week. So thankful our little project went well.

Today, Sunday is Father's Day. They had a nice program including the primary kids singing. It is always fun to watch their facial expressions as they sing "I'm So Glad When Daddy Comes Home"!

It has been an exhausting week for us "seniors" but we have been blessed with energy to keep up. We return to our apartment tired each night and we are thankful for that blessing. You are each in our prayers. We love you and can feel the blessings that come to us from your prayers. Have a safe week,

Love Dad and Mom

44th Post Monday June 7- Sun June13, 2010

How was your week? Monday I worked on the photos of the September missionaries for the transfer board, and office photo board and ran a few errands and the day was done. This evening we had the Elder & Sister Thomas come home with us for dinner as all the senior missionaries were coming over later for FHE. The Thomas took our place in employment so they are up at the office on Mondays. For FHE we listened to one of Elder Hollands talks to the new mission presidents in 2009. He talked about the importance of having the Holy Ghost as the third member of our companionship. Leona had watermelon for all after. We sure enjoy being with the other senior missionaries.

Tuesday we had a real storm blow through the area. A really black cloud came through with high winds and and lots of rain. The power blinked a few times but did not go off - thank goodness. Just after lunch time I decided I should walk over to the employment office and bishop's storehouse just to say hello to all the staff. The employment office was closed and there was a man and his teenage daughter waiting, but were ready to go home as no one was around. I let them in and started to talk to them about their employment questions, mostly about the daughter's resume. Anyway Sisters Lish and Billingsley had gone to lunch and were stuck on FM 1960 as the power had knocked out some of the traffic lights (that road is bad on good days). Anyway they finally got back and so I went back to the mission office. It was fun to "teach" employment stuff again. Later in the afternoon we saw three armadillos behind the office! It was fun to get pictures and to see the state of Texas "symbol" for those who had never seen one of those strange creatures.

Wednesday was another office day. I did go out to one of our apartment complexes and sign a lease for another 12 months. Leona & I took the AP's (Elders Hiatt and Brady) and Elders Martin and Whittaker to lunch at Pappasitos as they (Whittaker and Brady) are going home next week. Their apartment was also being renovated today so they were "homeless" for the day. Elder Chesnut and I rode over to Elders Hiatt, Brady, Whittaker, and Martins apartment to check out the new paint and carpet. The elders were excited to have a "new" place and it did look real nice. I stopped by the apartment office to thank the manager for getting the work done. She was not having a good day so when I thanked her she really seemed to appreciate a kind word.

Thursday after our staff prayer I hooked up the truck and trailer and drove to Cypresswood Apartments. We moved the 4'some into a different apartment in a different building. It was real hot and humid. I was wringing wet and I didn't do any lifting. The elders worked hard and cleaned up the old apartment real well. After they moved and we "checked" out of the old apartment I asked what their schedules were and if they had time to eat lunch with me. They could not get their missionary attire on fast enough! It was fun to visit with them as we ate at Jack in the Box - not my choice!

President Hansen asked me to give a thought in our staff meeting today. I read a couple of short paragraphs in the Bible dictionary on prayer (good thoughts to consider if your prayer seem a bit rote). Anyway we had a good discussion on prayer and many shared experiences of their prayers being answered. Sister Hansen told a story about her grandmother who was a nurse during World War II. The men were badly wounded and the doctors had done all they could but they were still in great pain. As she would would check them they would ask if she could help them, she would say that there was nothing more medically that she could do but then she would say to them "you can pray". The wounded soldier would say "I do not know how" she would answer - "I will help you, you just repeat what I say" they then would say a prayer together. When their prayer was finished, the soldier would thank her and say that he felt better. Sister Hansen said that after that when her grandmother would walk into the hospital tent soldiers would call to her and ask if she could help them pray.

This was Elder Brady's last staff meeting as he goes home next Wednesday. He is such a fine missionary and has been a really good AP. You can just tell how much Pres Hansen loves and appreciated Elder Brady's service. We will all miss him a lot.

P-day on Saturday was good. It is nice to get our apartment in order and shopping done so we don't have to worry about it during the week. In the evening we had Elder's Workman, Lamoure, Lopez, and Hill over for dinner. They live close to the office so we see them often. Good young men who really work hard to do the right thing and whatever is asked of them. It is such a blessing for us to serve and associate with all the missionaries both young and "old".

Sunday the senior missionaries loaded in the van and we went down to the Melbourne Ward. Elder and Sister Child, who were in the mission office and then served as proselyting missionaries in that ward, were speaking and reporting on their mission. They live in the north Houston area. This was their 3rd full time mission. Great people who have had a real impact on those of us who have known them. The senior missionaries in the apartment complex came over for cake this evening. We always look for an excuse to get together.

We love our time here. It is such a blessing to be serving here at this time and place. We have been so blessed. We are truly living the dream. We pray for you all every day and your families. Lord bless you,

Love Mom and Dad

43rd Post Mon May 30 - Sun. June 6,2010

It is Memorial Day and we have had an enjoyable day. I drove all the senior missionaries in our mission (all nine of us) in the van up to College Station. The are 3 couples and 3 senior sisters. We visited the "Bonfire Memorial" at Texas A&M campus. In 1999 there were 12 students killed as they were making a log pile for a pep rally bonfire. The logs shifted as they were stacking them and the pile fell crushing the students. The memorial is very impressive with individual granite markers. There was a very reverent and sacred feeling there. We then drove over to the George Bush (the dad, 41) Library and Museum. I really enjoyed reading and finding out more about the Bush family. George was shot down in WWII in the Pacific, and was rescued by a US submarine. He seems to have a real faith in God and a strong sense of family. The Camp David section was interesting as it is just down the road in the Catoctin Mountains of Maryland where our stake has held girls camp.
We drove down through the country side on our way back home, lots of rolling hills and beautiful country side. It was a fun day to visit as we rode along. We have some very fine senior missionaries and we enjoy their company.

Tuesday was another apartment inspection day for me. I drove out to Sealy to sign a new lease, which I did sign but unfortunately the apartment renovations were not complete so it will be another month or so before the missionaries can move back in. Lots of missionaries in the office this afternoon as they had been to the temple and they like to stop by the office to see if they have any mail.

Wednesday, and my last day of apartment inspections for this cycle. I had a real good visit with one apartment manager about a broken tub that has taken over six weeks to repair. The tub has now been replace but the dry wall and painting are yet to be finished. It is fun to have them tell me all about how long it takes to do "this type of work" and then I explain, "yes I know I have done that before". Then they start to back peddle, anyway I have fun with them. It rained hard this afternoon and is hot and humid!

Thursday I drove up to the Woodlands to pick up some furniture that a member wanted the missionaries to have and worked on apartment paper work the rest of the day. Still a bit rainy today, but a wonderful day to be a missionary.

In our Friday staff meeting President Hansen told of a visit he had with a non-member last Sunday. The bishop had asked Pres & Sister Hansen to speak in sacrament meeting and for Pres Hansen to interview this man. This investigator had been meeting with the missionaries and wanted to be sure that the church was true. He just could not get baptised because he did not know for certain. The man had long hair, tattoos and weathered skin and looked like he had had a hard life. As they began visiting he would only answer in one or two word responses as President Hansen tried to make conversation. After a while he warmed up a bit and they talked about his search for the truth. The man said he really wanted to know if the Mormon Church was true. President Hansen asked him if he had prayed to know and the man said "no, I don't pray, I have only said two prayers in my whole life and I really do not know how to pray". President Hansen said "it is not hard" and went over the steps of prayer. President Hansen then said, would you like to pray now? He reluctantly agreed. President Hansen said it was the most humble sincere and heart felt prayer he had experienced. The investigator prayed for the people who were trying to stop the oil spill in the Gulf and for the fish and wild life and water that been affected. He prayed that Heavenly Father would let him know somehow or someway if the church was true. President Hansen said the Spirit just filled the room and when the prayer was finished they sat in silence. The spirit was so strong in the room and Pres Hansen said, "do you feel that?" The man said, "yes, what is it"? Pres Hansen explained how the spirit works. The man knew what he must do and that the church is true. President Hansen said that he and Sister Hansen will be returning soon to this brother's baptism! Heavenly Father knows ALL of his children.

All the senior missionaries loaded in the van and I drove down to the Astros and Cubs baseball game this evening. It was a fun outing that included Sister Billingsley's two adult sons who came to visit her.

Saturday I went into the office for the morning and worked on a couple of vacuums. The one was really plugged up and boy did it stink! Anyway I got them running and smelling a bit better. We went shopping up to the Woodlands Mall along with other "shopping stops" this afternoon.

Sunday we attended church at the Eagle Springs Ward east of here. That is where Bishop Chapman is the bishop. Gary and Becky Chapman were in Saudi Arabia with us. Sister Chapman taught Christine to play the violin. We had a good visit, short as it was, but plan to get together in the future.

We continue to be blessed in so many ways, for which we are very grateful. We love being missionaries and doing our little part that we have been assigned. We pray for you each day and that you will feel our Father in Heaven's spirit in your life.

Love, Dad & Mom

42nd Post Mon May 23 - Sun May 30, 2010

Another Monday already, can you believe it? I made several phone calls and follow ups with various apartments concerning lease renewals and renovations. I guess I am more inclined to get the apartment management to renovate the apartments (paint and re-carpet) rather than move. It is more "paper work" for me but moving and finding new apartments is lots of work also. I took two Elders with me this morning (their P-day) and we went out to a members home that called and wanted to know if the mission wanted their sectional sofa. It is really a big sofa/sleeper in an L shape so we decided to put it in our apartment. It really fills up the place but looks nice. This afternoon I had a follow up with the eye doctor and all is well from the bright light incident, but he said I have the very early stages of cataracts. He explained that cataracts are incident with getting older and that they are completely "curable" with surgery at some later date (I was worried that maybe there would be nothing else to whittle on in my more advanced years). The senior missionaries couples and Sister Billingsley went out for dinner this evening. We had a good visit with the Thomas' - they are really nice people.

Tuesday morning and I started the next round of apartment inspections. Many of the apartments that I checked today were much improved over last time (inspections about every 6 weeks). I drove into one apartment complex and thought "this does not look familiar", but there could not be two apartments on the same street with like a 1238 number. I found 1238 and knocked on the door. No one answered so I tried my key, it did not work. Then I knew I was in the wrong place. I was sure glad no one was home. I got back to the truck and called the elders, they answered so I asked why they did not answer the door - "No one knocked" was their reply. Now I knew I was all messed up. I told the elder to walk outside and tell me what color his apartment building is - "green" he said. I was parked in front of the white apartment complex. Oh well it was not the first time I have been lost. It was Elder Brady's birthday so we had a birthday pinata for him. Even Sister Walker took a swing!

Wednesday and another full day of checking apartments.

Thursday I went to College Station, Brenham, and Waller inspecting apartments. I am on the road for most all day but the country side is interesting with lots of wide open spaces and large ranches. Whenever there are missionaries in their apartments we talk a little about upkeep, but mostly I ask about the people they are teaching. The missionaries love to tell about their investigators. We went to the temple this evening after work. It is always a good experience to go to the Lord's house. We are thankful to have one so close.

Friday we had our office staff meeting. We enjoy so much meeting with President and Sister Hansen. President Hanson told the APs how much he appreciated their work and help. At the Zone Leaders Conference yesterday, apparently Pres. Hansen forgot his computer with the items he was going to discuss. So before the meeting he leaned over and told Elder Hiatt and Elder Brady to stand up and teach the zone leaders what the Spirit guided them to teach. President said without skipping a beat the two of them taught an inspired message, going back and forth between the two of them, for over 35 minutes. He said that no one in attendance(except for the APs and the President) knew that at the last minute the agenda had been changed. President Hansen then said, "I hope I never take for granted all that you two do for this mission". They are really fine missionaries and wonderful leaders and we are blessed to associate and serve with them.

Saturday we cleaned and did a bit of shopping as we had Elders Whittaker, Martin, Hiatt, & Brady over for dinner this evening. It is always a pleasure to have the elders for dinner and to visit with them and feel their wonderful spirit. After dinner, Leona and I went over to Sisters Billingsley and Young's apartment with the other seniors for ice cream and cookies and to meet Sister Young's two sons. They both came down to fix their mother's car AC. One is a bishop in Draper, Utah and the other lives in Bentonville and works for WalMart.

We attended the gospel essentials class today during Sunday School time. The teacher did not show up so Elder Hiatt just stood up and began the lesson just like it was his "turn". At the end he said during his individual study this morning he was prompted to read the lesson and prepare. He really did a very good job - the missionaries are great teachers - they follow the spirit.

We love our mission and count ourselves so blessed to be here at this time. We pray everyday for you and your family.

Love,

Dad & Mom

41st Post - Mon May 17 - Sunday May 23, 2010

One set of Elders ran their car in deep water Friday night and sucked water into their engine. Their car had to be towed as they threw a rod right through the engine block. They forgot their apartment key on the car key ring so they asked me if I could help them with a spare key. I told them I would run them out to the car shop and retrieve they key, which I did. There is never a dull moment at the office. Lots of missionaries going and coming on Mondays at the office as it is their P-day. The tree behind the office is full of pink blossoms

Tuesday we started the current round of Zone Conferences. Today's conference was at the Longenbough building. We enjoy so much being with the other missionaries. President Hansen told the missionaries that he had prayed last night while laying in bed that he would say what the Lord would have him say. He then spoke for about 45 minutes with no notes on the importance of treating each other with kindness and not saying "cute or sharp" things that hurt others. He also talked a bit about baptism. He then told the missionaries that when we bent over to get his notes from his brief case he remembered he had left them at home. He then thought "no problem" I will just show the power point presentation he had prepare, but when he turned on his lap top the battery was dead. He said we had heard the message the Lord wanted us to hear not the one he had prepared. There was a very strong spirit in the meeting.

Kent and Diane Chamberlin came for dinner this evening. It was fun to visit with them. Sure was warm and humid today.

Wednesday we held Zone Conference in College Station. The stake president in College station was given about 30 minutes to speak. He talked on the many symbols of baptism. The person performing the ordnance is standing in for Jesus himself and that He holds on to us as we hold on to Him and that He pulls us out of the watery grave. We also lay back into His arms. We must learn to lay back completely. Do not hang on to the side of the fount (hanging on to our favorite sins....). Anyway it was a very good talk. President Hansen used the Joseph William Turner painting that President Monson refers to as the "rescue". He used the painting to draw comments from the missionaries and then to liken that to their service. Great spirit in the meeting. What a blessing to be a missionary.

Thursday was the Zone Conference at the Hafer building. I helped Elder Chesnut unload the truck of all the "car supplies, etc" he uses for the zone conferences. I had to go to Huntsville to load up Elder and Sister Marlow who have completed their CES mission. Leona went with me. It was a nice drive up I-45 to Huntsville. The Elders in Huntsville came over and loaded the apartment stuff in the trailer for us. We stopped in Spring to drop off some furniture at their daughter's home. We then brought the rest of the stuff to the mission office. It sure is hot and humid.

Friday, it was our turn to meet with President Hansen before our staff meeting. He is sure a kind man. He is genuinely concerned about our health, how we are liking the office and our assignments. He always asks if we are worried or concerned about anything. He asks about our children and grandchildren. He thanked Elder Walker for teaching "doctrine" about apartment issues instead of "nagging" at zone conferences. He gave the closing prayer and blessed us and our family. As we left he said, "you don't know the peace I feel knowing that you will be here in the office for the duration of my mission assignment, thank you for your service." President and Sister Hansen work tirelessly, they are wonderful servants, we are blessed to know them.

Friday is our staff meeting day. President Hansen is so good at bringing the spirit to our meetings. He always has such good, uplifting stories. He shared a note he received from one of the Sisters. They were teaching a man in the park last week because his apartment just was not a good environment. They were teaching him about the love of God and repentance when suddenly the clouds burst and rain came pouring down. They had nowhere to go so they continued to teach. They all got soaking wet. They had an amazing lesson about the power of God and the atonement of Christ that allows us to repent and be different people as they watched God shake the heavens. It was overshelmingly powerful. The man (Sam) committed to come to church the next day and he did!

This afternoon I went back to the dermatologist. He removed 4 more spots, three off my legs and one from my side. Thank heaven for good medical treatment

Saturday we spent a good part of the day in the office getting some items done. I unloaded the trailer of stuff the elders had picked up from a member. We also drove up to Conroe to get a few items from a member who is moving and wanted to get rid of some furniture. We took a few items but not it all. Worked in the garage getting things put away and fixed another vacuum. We came home tired but grateful we can serve the Lord full time. What a blessing it is.

We were invited to the Endicot's for dinner after church today (Necka Beck). They also invited the 2 sets of Elders in our ward (it was Elder Brady's birthday so we sang and had ice cream). This picture is of Elder Brady with a pinata he bought at the pulga (flea market). The missionaries set up a booth at the pulga on Saturdays. They talk and hand out pass-a-long cards to people who come to shop. He has become friends with one of the merchants so she made this pinata for his birthday. Tomorrow (24th) is the young missionaries p-day so they will fill "Elder Brady" with candy and start swinging. Elder Brady is a fine missionary and has been serving as one of the assistants to President Hansen. He goes home next transfer and is going to be greatly missed. We have grown to love him.

We are so thankful for our children and their families. What a great treasure you are to us. We love our mission. It just does not seem real sometimes that we are actually "living our dream". We have been given such choice blessings.

Take care,

Love Dad and Mom

40th Post Mon May 10 - Sunday May 16, 2010

The week started out in a rather dark manner - the power went off while we were getting ready this morning. We got dressed and went early and finished getting ready at the mission office. Leona took a break and went with me to deliver a check to an apartment about 20 minutes away. It is nice to be able to spend a few minutes together during the day. We went over to the Chesnuts for family home evening. We enjoy visiting with the other senior missionaries. It is really nice that most of us live right here in the same apartment complex and in fact in adjacent buildings. Jessica and her family are in Utah staying with the Vances. They all went up to Marvins to a family party this evening so while they were there they called us on the webcam. It was fun to see those that were there and to say hello.

This morning I drove down to the Katy area to check out an apartment we moved out of last week. The Sisters who lived there really did a nice job of leaving the place clean. I will have to arrange with the elders to move the rest of the furniture out. Stopped on the way back to the office to talk to an apartment manager where we gave notice that we were moving out. Turns out we are now going to stay, but we will move into a cheaper apartment (smaller) in the same complex. We agreed on the date and I signed the papers, etc for the new apartment. Worked on paper work this afternoon and fixed another vacuum and got it running. This evening Leona went over to the senior sisters' apartment to do some sewing. They all try to get together one evening a week to work on sewing projects.

Wednesday I worked on the July arrivals photos and got the tracking board and mission office board photo templates ready. I ran some apartment errands and fixed another vacuum (I have a second job to fall back on when we get released!). It gets a bit warmer and more humid it seems each day now.

I met 4 elders at the Katy apartment that we needed to move the furniture out of this Thursday morning. They loaded up beds, kitchen table and chairs, a desk, easy chairs, dresser, book case and washer and dryer. The missionaries are sure good to help me when I ask. I stopped on the way back to drop a bed off at one of the sister's apartment as one of their beds was in poor condition. They also had extra furniture and several boxes of kitchen stuff to send back to the mission office. I had a real load of stuff when I got back. Elders Whitaker and Martin just happened to come into the office so I got them to unload the furniture for me. Thank goodness they were in the area.

This evening I taught the stake and ward employment specialists at the employment office. I remembered not to look into the projector light this time so all went real well. I believe this will be my last time with that assignment as Elder and Sister Thomas were there so they will take over next month.

We always enjoy our staff meeting with President and Sister Hansen on Friday mornings. He is very close to the Spirit and you feel that whenever you are around him. He talked a bit about the new "Leadership Emphasis Training" with the focus now on the "Gathering", and how that will encompass redeem the dead, proclaim the gospel, and perfect the saints. "Care for the poor and needy" has also be added to the emphasis. All this makes so much sense as we prepare on both sides of the veil for the second coming. What a blessing to have inspired prophets and apostles on the earth today.

Sister Hansen told of an experience their daughter Jessica had. She and has been with her folks for the past few weeks because she came to Houston to have knee surgery. When it was time to return to Provo she was going to leave on Wednesday but told her dad (President Hansen) that she felt that she should leave on Thursday instead so arrangements were made. At the airport, she was allowed to pre-board the plane because of her disability and quickly made herself comfortable with her immobilized knee. After a layover in Arizona, a blind man boarded early and sat next to her with his seeing-eye dog. He was very warm and friendly and didn't hold back at all, making it easy for Jessica to respond in the same way. He told her that he didn't mind being blind because it made his hearing more acute and he could tell a person's countenance by their voice. He also said he could sense her sincerity from her voice. She learned that he was 35 years old, had three children and that he was on his way to Salt Lake City for a Goalball Competition. He asked about her and she explained that she had been to Houston for surgery on her knee and when asked why she went all the way to Houston for that, she explained that her parents were serving a mission there for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and that her dad was the mission president. When the plane landed someone was supposed to be there to help him get to baggage but they were not, so Jessica said, "come with me." (Sister Hansen said, "it must of been quite a sight - the lame leading the blind." He invited her to come to the competition and Jessica did the next night. After the game he asked questions about her beliefs and Jessica asked him if she could send two missionaries to visit with him and his family when he returned home to Arizona. He didn't hesitate, "of course, I would love to talk to them!"

We must love others and not be afraid to open our mouth and share our testimonies of the gosple with them. As President Hansen says "We must pray, prepare, and proclaim".

The Vances called us on the webcam this evening so we got to see the Ennis and the Utah Walkers. It was fun to talk to grandchildren and to see how they are growing, little Braydon is not so little any more.

Saturday we did our preparation day activities of cleaning, washing, and shopping. We went down to the Willowbrook mall, which is about six miles away, to get some new running shoes. It took just over an hour to get there. The traffic was backed up for about 4 miles with a broken stop light. But we got what we went for and enjoyed our time together. While we were stuck in traffic we talked about the blessing of modern inventions like the webcam and being able to see some of the kids and grandchildren last evening. We were so thankful to be able to do that. It made us laugh as we talked about Michael holding Brayden in the air and his legs were still "jumbing", what a jumper he is!

We attended Stake Conference at the Hafer Road building. Elder Gibbon of the 70 was the visiting authority. The choir was very good and the talks were all so inspiring. President Hansen told of a member who came to see him a couple of days ago with a story to share. The man was in a fast food place waiting in line. At the head of the line where two African American men who looked at him with real interest and then whispered something and then look at him again. He wondered what he had done. It was so noticeable that others in the line were also wondering what was going on. One of the men motioned for him to join them at the head of the line, which he was reluctant to do but did anyway as the others in the line did not seem to mind. One of the men told the member that he had seen him in a dream, in fact had seen him in two dreams and that the member had something this man needed to know. So he said "what is it"? The member said I told them about my job, "no that is not it", he told them about his hobbies, "no that was not it". He then said that he was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had studied and given seminars on black family history and that he had spoken with black congregations on that subject. The men in line told him they were ministers in their congregations and to "tell us more", which he did. By the time he left the restaurant they had invited him to speak at both their congregations and by the next day had received several phone calls from other black ministers to speak in their church's. What a powerful spirit that story brought to the meeting. Heavenly Father really does care for the one and is always looking out for His children.

We are so thankful to be missionaries, we have been blessed in so many ways. We love you and are grateful you are part of our lives.

Love,

Dad and Mom