68th Post Mon Nov 22 - Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010

Another Monday already. Elder Stringfellow picked me up at the apartment early this morning (7 AM) and we drove out to get the mission truck that was parked at a secure place. After we got back to the office I had some emails and phone calls to make. Later I drove down to Village in the Woods apartment complex. We moved the Elders out a few months ago, and it looks like we have no intention of moving back in anytime soon. I took a letter to them of our intention to vacate and talked to the manager about our options which are not many. At least they will let us turn the keys in as soon as we clean out the place. Arranged with the Zone Leaders to have a crew of Elders there a week from this Friday. We will continue to pay the rent until the lease is completed (end of March I believe). Later in the afternoon the senior missionaries got together at our office for a few minutes to plan Thanksgiving dinner and a road trip on Friday. I think they just kind of wait for us to tell them what we are going to do and where I am going to take them. Another wonderful day in the mission field. Today was more warm and humid than the past few days.

Tuesday I spent a lot of time on line and making phone calls to find an apartment in Navasota. Pres. Hansen is not sure if we are going to Navasota or if we will need another apartment in College Station so be prepared for both I guess. Also worked on the photos for the elders coming in April and May. Brother Hellewell for the FM group came by today to get my ideas for additional lighting and security at the mission office (Mission Pres told me to "handle it"). It was sort of fun to do a little project management again for a couple of hours. Brother Hellewell had his contractor come over and we walked down the ideas for additional exterior lights and security cameras for the office parking areas.

Yesterday, Leona received a phone call from one of our sister missionaries who is from the Philippines. She asked Leona if she could call her brother for her who lives in California and ask him to send her $100 cash in the mail. Leona said that she didn't think that would be very wise since sometimes letters are "lost". The missionary said she needed the money and that her brother had told her that he could help if she ever needed money. Leona made the phone call and left a message and asked him to call the mission office. Well, today this dear sister called Leona. She said "Sister Walker, it's a miracle! Last night when we went to our mailbox I received a letter from a friend and he had sent me $100. That is just the amount I needed. My companions could not believe it when I opened the letter. Heavenly Father does hear our prayers, it's a miracle. If my brother calls, please tell him that I do not need him to send me money." This dear sister was so excited and so thankful her prayers had been answered. It truly was a miracle.

We had Elders Lindsey and Struthers over for dinner this evening. Elder Lindsey goes home next week.

Leona spent some time this evening helping out at the bishop's storehouse. Tuesdays they are opened late and many come to fill orders for themselves or others. It was her first time doing this and she enjoyed her time there.

Wednesday I went to WalMart to get several plastic mattress protectors, then back to the office to hook up the truck and trailer. I had a couple of new bed sets still in the trailer but stopped by Mattress Giant to get 5 more sets. I then drove out to Tomball to deliver new beds to the 3'some there, and then down to Stone Mist Apartments to drop off 4 bed sets to elders there. The missionaries were excited about getting new beds - "this is like Christmas Elder Walker"!! Back to the office to work on binders for the new missionaries. A package came in today that was marked "perishables" so Leona had me drive it down to Sister Ferro. There was another package for another sister in that same complex so I took it also. The Sisters were very excited to get their packages so quickly. Worked on a bed bug problem with a local member who is an exterminator and wants to help out. I hope we can get rid of the bed bugs at Spring Shadows apt. Another very busy day, but so thankful we can serve.

Thursday - Thanksgiving Day. The Stringfellows, Thomas, and Sisters Marsh and P. Young came to our place to dinner. Leona cooked a 23 pound turkey, made a fruit salad, cheese ball, vegetable tray and cooked some corn. Everyone brought things, we had sweet and mashed potatoes, jello, dressing, ham, green bean casserole, cherry pie, pumpkin dump cake, rolls, etc. Lots of good food and good conversation. Sister Stringfellow brought over a DVD of their stake youth conference which was a stage play of the life of the Savior. The kids really did a great job.

Friday I picked everyone up in the van and we drove up to Washington on the Brazos, which is where the Texans declared their independence from Mexico. Davy Crockett came through the little town on his way to the Alamo (we walked down the same little "road" (path is more like it). We enjoyed the museums and tour of "independence hall". We walked down to the confluence of the Brazos and Navasota Rivers. We then drove up to College Station for lunch and to visit the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum and the bonfire memorial at Texas A&M university. It was a very nice outing, even though it was a bit windy and cold (yes cold for Texas)! We stopped by the sister missionaries apartment to leave some packages and mail.

Saturday we just did our cleaning, shopping and laundry. Leona did some sewing for grandchildren. Just a nice easy day.

Sunday was another very nice day. Lots of speakers in sacrament meeting so we did go over time a bit, but the last speaker was the stake president. He reminded everyone that we need to be generous with our fast offerings - lots of unemployed and under-employed.

Sisters Mash and Young came over for dinner today.

Thank you all for your prayers. We love you and are thankful you are part of our life.

Love Mom and Dad

67th Post Mon Nov 15 - Sunday Nov. 21, 2010

Monday was an interesting day. I went shopping to get an item for Leona and Elder Stringfellow asked me to get him some things for Zone Conferences this week. I stopped at Subway to get some gift cards for Elder Stringfellow and went to pay for the $160 worth of gift cards and the church credit card "rang up" insufficient funds. At first I thought that was a bit funny - the CHURCH has insufficient funds!!, so I just used my personal card. I just assumed the credit card had a limit at fast food places. The next stop was at an auto parts store to get several tire pressure gages. Again the church card came up insufficient funds, now it is no longer funny. I got back to the office and called SLC to see what was going on. The man in the finance department looked up our account and said you only have $27 in your account, now I am a bit excited. First I did not know we had a monthly limit ("to keep you within your budget", I was told), as we have never gone over that budget before. The long and the short was when this good brother put the approved $4000 for new beds in our budget last week he must of not really put the $4000 in, but only enough plus what was currently in the account to equal $4000. I spent the $4000 last week not realizing that our money was now gone for the month. The good brother told me he would put another $1000 in our account to "get us by until the end of the month". I have left out much of the details of our conversation as I do not want to shake any one's testimony or appear ungrateful for every one's service in the Kingdom. Suffices to say the church has it's bureaucracy also, but the Church is still true.

Monday evening we went to the mission home for dinner. All the senior missionaries, even the two couples in Huntsville came down. There were 19 of us including the mission president and his wife. The president tries to get us together when ever any of us are going home. Sister Billingsley goes home this coming Saturday. We will miss her, she is such a good person and a great example. Her husband was killed on the job many years ago so she raised her kids on her own. She was in the MTC with us (employment).

Tuesday we were at the Longenbaugh building for Zone Conference. I take a few minutes at each Zone Conference to talk about apartments. I talked about the school of the prophets in the Whitney Store and the clean up required following those meetings and the subsequent revelation on the Word of Wisdom. President and Sister Hansen always do a wonderful job with their remarks. We got back to the office late in the day with lots of emails, letters, and bills to deal with. We also had three missionaries arrive this evening who are waiting for visas to Brazil, and Taiwan. By the time we finished with a very brief orientation, photos and getting them money for the next couple of weeks, we did not leave the office until about 7pm. Small world one of the missionaries, Elder Alexandre, is Brother and Sister Martin's grandson. The Martins lived in the Wilmington ward, he was in the Stake Presidency. They invited us to their home on Christmas day that first Christmas in Delaware when we were homeless and staying in a motel. It was fun to visit for a few minutes with Elder Alexandre about his grandparents.

Wednesday we drove up to College Station for Zone Conference there. It is about 1 3/4 hours drive from here. We left early as Leona sets out all the supplies the missionaries have ordered. There were some missing cleaning supplies so I ran to WalMart to get the items. The Relief Society's always do a good job in providing lunch. Again the music and the talks and the teaching were all very inspiring - always a good experience. We did not get back to the office until late in the afternoon, but lots to do when we got there so it was another late evening for us. We are tired at the end of day but feel so blessed to be able to serve at this time in our life.

Thursday the Zone Conference was at the Hafer building which is right next to the mission office. Pres. Hansen again answered questions during his part on the program, which was a bit longer today as Sister Hansen was at the hospital with one of our elders who was having a kidney stone attack. One of the questions was how do we respond to questions about the Mountain Meadow Massacre? Pres Hansen has read lots of books including the latest one by the BYU professors on that subject. He also grew up in Ceder City and so was very familiar with the "feelings" to still exist with the posterity of those involved in that great tragedy. His response was very enlightening. After we finished at Zone Conference I went over to the mattress store and picked up 8 new bed sets (this is all I could get in the truck and trailer). When I tried to hook the trailer on the truck the trailer jack finally gave out. What a beautiful day, cool and windy this morning and just nice and warm this afternoon.

Friday and our normal office staff meeting. I was asked to give a thought, which I did (2Ne 22 - these words from Isaiah just sounded like Nephi when I read them the other morning). After staff meeting I headed out with the new beds. My first stop was the Green Tree Place Apt. Sisters Wardle and Smart were so excited to get new beds, "now the springs will not poke me any more" they said. Next stop was to sign a new lease at one of our Katy apartments and then off to Sealy. I had arranged to get there just after the elders district meeting. They were also excited to get new beds (there are 4 elders in the Sealy apartment). After they got their old beds out and the new ones in we went to lunch. I had wanted to get out to Sealy to take these elders to lunch for some time. Their apartment was without power this summer for 2 or 3 nights and they never complained. Anyway we went to a BBQ place in town which the elders had never been before. It was very good and they really enjoyed their lunch.

On the way back to the mission office I stopped at a trailer place to buy a new jack for the mission trailer. I missed the exist and was headed towards the 610 loop when I knew I had gone to far south. I pulled into a very large parking lot at the far end by the fence to see if I could get a location entered in the GPS. A security guard pulled up in his truck and asked what I was doing (no other vehicles in the whole area of that lot). I told him were I was trying to go, and he was a bit helpful. He told me not to stay here as this is a "ghetto" and it was not safe. Anyway I found the store, got the jack and arrived back at the mission office safe and sound.

The office and employment Seniors all went out to dinner to visit with Sister Billingsley on her last night in the mission field. She leaves early in the morning for home which is in Queen Creek, AZ. After dinner we all came back to our place for ice cream and to visit. Sister Billingsley will be missed.

Saturday we got up early and Leona rode to the air port with Sisters Young and Billingsley. We hated to see Sister Billingsley go. The AP's called me this morning and said someone had broken the window out of the truck last night. I told them to call Elder Stringfellow which they did. After running some errands and doing some shopping I went to the office to put the new jack on the trailer. Who ever broke into the truck also took the gas card. Elder Stringfellow called to cancel the card and of course it had been used at 5 am. This evening we took Sister Young (Sister Marsh stayed home as she is not feeling well) and we went down to the Shadowdale building to a Spanish Ward talent night. Alex LaMar from the employment office and his wife were in it so that is the main reason we went. What a night. The adults really are into the singing and the little primary kids are into the dancing. The program was to start at 7 pm but didn't start until about 7:30 and then went until 9:30. Little toddlers were running all over the place. The audience were just visiting with each other and some were putting up chairs during the last two or three numbers. It was a fun experience.

This morning we attended the Old Oaks ward, that is the ward that we usually attend. The last few weeks we have been going to stake conferences in the area or delivering supplies to our missionaries and attending church with them so it seemed like a long time since seeing the members of the Old Oaks ward. You know, I don't even think they noticed we hadn't been there for three weeks! But we missed them! Sacrament meeting was great, two high counselors spoke; in this stake they send them in twos! Our Sunday School lesson was on giving service. Alot of good comments and stories on charity and service. Just as President Kimball said, "God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs." Giving service helps you more than the person receiving the service.

We have had another "perfect week". We are so thankful for this experience and for the blessing of serving a mission. We are grateful for the missionaries and members and investigators that we meet each week. Our lives have been richly blessed by the people we have met and grown to love.

Have a great week. Be careful in your travels. Love and serve your eternal companion and your wonderful children. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. We each have so much to to grateful for.

We love you,

Dad and Mom

66th Post Monday Nov 8 - Sunday Nov 14, 2010

Monday already! It was such a nice day I wanted to be outside so I went to purchase some cleaning supplies for the missionaries and also picked up some tie down hooks for the inside of the trailer. I spent the rest of the morning installing the tie downs in the trailer. There are a few tools in the mission garage so I found what I needed to complete the job. When we transport furniture, especially desks or tables without the trailer being full it seems with all the shifting around the stuff gets damaged/broken. I figured if I secured the items maybe there would be less damage (we shall see). Elder Stringfellow asked me to follow him down to Katy this afternoon in the truck as he had to take a loaner car to the elders. It seems earlier in the day the elders were at the library doing email and as they were leaving the parking lot to enter the main road two cars hit each other and one came across the lane and hit the mission car in the parking lot exist. No one was hurt, but there was considerable car body damage. The elder driving had just received his email authorization to drive a mission vehicle that morning so he was behind the wheel of a church car for the first time for all of about 30 seconds when they got hit.

This evening we had Elder and Sister Thomas to dinner and then we all gathered for FHE at the Stringfellows apartment. Sister Billingsley taught the lesson on gratitude. We had the song and had picked "Come Ye Thankful People Come" and Elder Thomas had the thought and it was on gratitude. It was wonderful how all the parts of FHE fit so well together without any such planning. We are blessed to be associated with such good, faithful folks. Love this mission.

Tuesday I drove up to Tomball to do a walk-through with the apartment manager of the apartment we recently moved out off, plus I hand carried rent checks to replace the checks that never arrived from SLC. Paper and office work consumed the rest of our day. Leona spent a lot of time calling missionaries about their electricity bill today. She calls each month to remind them about turning lights and fans and AC off when they leave their apartment each morning. Each month, since she has been doing this, the electricity bill has dropped a bit. The missionaries are always so good and want to be obedient.

Wednesday I spent some time in the garage cleaning stuff out and hanging clothes up on the clothes rack. Missionaries bring stuff, especially clothes in and just leave them in the garage so every once in awhile I have to clean the place up.

Leona made copies of handouts that President Hansen wants each missionary to receive next week at zone conferences.

There is going to be a change in the departing DVD that each missionary receives as he or she leaves. President and Sister Hansen are going to talk for a few minutes and bare their testimonies at the end. Hunter (man who puts the DVD together) and his friend came today to work on lighting and set up because it is going to be done in the President's office. They spent a good amount of time working and experimenting this afternoon.

This evening we went to Costco with the Stringfellows (our membership expired last spring). Sam's Club is OK, but I think I like Costco's better, but it is a drive to get there.

Thursday - Veterans Day - Happy Veterans Day to all you veteran's and thanks for your service. We are thankful to live in America and the blessings we enjoy. We are grateful for all those who are keeping us safe and free. I spent most of the day working on apartment and utility issues. I got a call from a collection agency about an unpaid bill from back in April/May. We moved out of the apartment, but there was some damage that they charged us for. As I went back into the file I remembered the issue and found notes of our claims dispute and then resolution. We had SLC email a copy the check the apartment had cashed so I hope that resolves the issue. I went to two different apartment complexes to sign lease renewals this afternoon.

The weather as been on the warm and humid side this week - we are ready for winter -especially Leona!!

A few weeks ago I requested funding to buy some new beds for the missionaries. We received that approval and so I went to the mattress store to buy 20 new bed sets and frames. As the clerk was writing up the order it occurred to me that my purchasing card may have a limit so I called SLC and sure enough I would be about $2000 short, so the church worker told me to have the Mission President call to have a one time adjustment to the card limit. I called President Hansen and found he had a few available minutes. He called SLC and within 5 minutes I was able to purchase the beds. The clerk asked me if things always worked that fast in our Church (of course they do in these matters I said).

Friday after staff meeting, Hunter worked with President and Sister Hansen to get the recording for the departing DVD. I know they were nervous and had to do it a couple of times but when it was all over and President and Sister Hansen had gone, Hunter said it went well and will be the perfect ending on the DVD.

I worked on tracking and picture board photos for the 3 missionaries that will arrived next Tuesday. We have 3 "visa waiters" coming to our mission. One is going to the same mission in Brazil that David went to. The second is going to another mission in Brazil and the Sister is going to Taiwan. We do not know how long they will be here waiting for a visa but they will be put to work!

The AP's had requested that we get new art work for their use at the Spanish flea markets (they set up church pictures - BofM, pictures of Christ, etc, like at a street meeting). Anyway one of the mission president's counselors got these really nice, large pictures from SLC. As we looked at them I knew the missionaries would need a way to transport the pictures back and forth each Saturday. I found a place near the Bering church building (where we use to work), that sold large portfolio cases so off I went to get a couple of them for the AP's. I was reminded as I drove down town why I like living by the mission office.

<-- You never know what you will see out my mission office window!

Saturday we shopped, cleaned and went into the office for a while to work on new missionary binders. While at the office I noticed the return address on a letter written to Elder Joshua Anderson. The return address said, Vernon R. Rice; I kept thinking could it be President Rice. I finally couldn't stand it any longer so I phoned Elder Anderson and told him there was a letter in the mission office for him. I then asked him who Vernon R. Rice was. He said, "He is my grandpa". I asked, "did he use to live in Delaware?" Elder Anderson answered "Yes". I told him that I knew his grandpa well and that I had served as his counselor in the stake presidency. Small world. Another amazing thing is that I never check the mail but Leona wanted to know how many bills she would be dealing with on Monday morning and asked me to go through it. Another tender mercy from the Lord to make this connection with President Rice and our Elder Anderson!

This afternoon Leona fixed a really good taco soup, salad, and made a birthday cake and invited the Stringfellows, and the senior sisters over for dinner and birthday celebration. We had a very enjoyable evening visiting with the other seniors. Sister Billingsley goes home a week from today so it was good to be with her, we will miss her sweet spirit - what a great lady she is. It rained a bit this morning and was cool all day - very nice.

Sunday we got up early and drove up to the Navasoda Branch (just south of College Station) to meet Sisters Naufahu Talakai and Stevenson. They needed some plastic covers for their mattress and box springs (bed bugs!). We have the bug man coming to spray next Tuesday. The Branch is very small, but they have some wonderful people there. Many came up to us and wanted to know if we were assigned to their Branch - we could tell they were a bit disappointed that we were not. We learned in church today that we can find our problems and their answers in the scriptures and that we must make scripture study a habit. You know it is a habit when you can not go to sleep at night if you have not read your scriptures.

Leona gave me Pres. Monson's biography for my birthday. Just reading the introduction and the first few pages I can tell this will be a good read.

We are enjoying our mission so much. It is hard to explain, but we just love what we are doing, maybe because we are doing what we have been asked to do. Thanks for your prayers and love.

Love Dad & Mom

65th Post Mon Nov 1 - Sun Nov 7, 2010

Monday, November 1st, another month already, time is passing so quickly. I worked on the new missionary binders, ordered some office supplies and got apartment inspection forms ready for tomorrow. It was Sister Billingsley's birthday today so the employment folks had cake and ice cream for her at lunch time. They are good to invite Sister Walker and I to those functions. FHE was at our place this evening. Sister Marsh shared a CD with us called "Fishers of Men - The Greatest Brotherhood". It was statements by apostles and prophets about the Savior with a music background. Very inspirational. Sister Peggy Jo Young asked us to give her a blessing. She is doing much better, but is still feeling some effects of being mugged. She told us she felt very strongly that she should not turn around and "face down" the guy as he came up behind her and that as she was down on the ground, clinging to her purse she felt/heard the words "just let go", which she did. She feels she was blessed as it could have been much worse.

Tuesday I drove out to Sealy and Katy inspecting apartments. I got an early start so there were several of the missionaries at home when I arrived. I spend a bit of time visiting with them just to see how they are doing. We really do have some very faithful missionaries in this mission.

It rained a lot last night and early this morning, so it was a bit cool today. Tuesday is sewing night so Leona went over to the Senior Sister's apartment.

Wednesday I inspected apartments in Magnolia, Tomball and those around the mission office. It rained on and off today, but not while I was walking to or from the apartments so I stayed dry. Cypress Lake apartments (where we live), had the security man give a little presentation this evening on personal security and what we should be looking for. It was worth our time to be there.

Thursday was a beautiful day, in the 60's with warm sun shine. We had staff meeting today as Pres and Sister Hansen will not be around Friday morning. Sister Stringfellow gave the thought. She listed five things that would help us endure and become more like Christ. They were: faith, hope, love, gratitude and service; together they are charity. Those are the qualities we should strive for. She did a good job - lots to think about and work on.

I worked on updating inspection sheets, fixed a vacuum, and repaired a large picture frame. The elders use the picture at the Spanish flea markets to share the message of the restoration.

We went to the temple this evening. What a blessing it is to have a temple so close to us. We enjoy going to the temple, and feeling the good spirit that is there.

Friday I hooked up the trailer and took a desk to the sisters in Bear Creek area, a vacuum to the Zone Leaders in the Hollister area and picked up a table and floor lamp from the deaf elders. When I arrived at the sisters place and opened the trailer, the two pedestal legs were completely broken off the desk (cheap particle board!!). I could tell the sisters were disappointed, but I asked if they had a hammer or nails. They had nails, but no hammer so I found the apartment maintenance guy and borrowed his hammer. I was able to get the desk put back together well enough to set it up in their apartment, so not all was lost. I cleaned and repaired two vacuums today and completed more paper worked this afternoon. Anther wonderful day to be a missionary.

We had dinner with Perry and Celeste Dobson this evening and then back to their home to play a few games and catch up on our families. It was a fun evening and nice to get to know Celeste better.

Saturday we shopped, cleaned and ran a few errands. Leona went to to the fabric store with the senior sisters (I stayed home - darn it!). We drove up to the Woodlands this evening to attend the Spring Stake Conference. That is the stake that Kent Chamberlin lives in. It was a wonderful meeting. Much said about families and raising our children not just to be good adults, but to be good parents. After the meeting we were able to visit with Kent and Diane for a few minutes, it was good to see them again. Kent spoke (he is 1st counselor in the Stake presidency) and he did a fine job.

Today, Sunday, I went over to the office and got the van and we all loaded up and went up to the Spring Stake conference. The talks and testimonies were so good. The area authority from Gilbert, Arizona liked to call people to bear their testimonies extemporaneously. It was a wonderful experience. The stake choir did a good job.

This afternoon we (seniors) gathered at the Stringfellow's apartment for dinner. She had cooked a turkey and we each were assigned a dish. It was very tasty especially since we (Walkers) pretty much have apples, crackers and cheese for Sunday lunch! We had a nice visit.

It has been another week full of activity and testimony building experiences. We are so thankful to be here and serving together. We love our mission and the great missionaries we serve with. We become very close to the young missionaries and the seniors and we truely feel that we must of known each other in the pre-existence and we are thankful to meet again.

We are so thankful for our children and their spouses and the great adults they have become. One of the speakers at the stake conference said that as a parent he wanted his children to be obedient and good. He discovered later that what he really wanted was for his children to want to be obedient and good. How true that is. Our family is our greatest treasure.

Have a great safe week. You are always in our prayers.

Love,

Dad and Mom

64th Post Monday Oct 25 - Sun Oct 31, 2010

Can the weeks go by any faster? Monday and a new week already. Today was Sister Marsh's first day in the office. Sister Young will be training her all week. Busy with office duties and missionaries coming and going all day. This evening for FHE we did a BBQ at the office on the back patio. We had burgers and hot dogs, salad, chips, soda, cake and ice cream. Pres & Sister Hansen were there and Sister Marsh's granddaughter, Crystal. It was a bit windy but a very enjoyable evening. We sat out on the lawn just visiting until after dark. What a good group of folks to be associated with.

Tuesday I started the next round of apartment inspections and completed 13 apartments today. There were several of the missionaries that I collect stuff from. Some of which will go in the garage but most will go to the dumpster. We worked at the office until 6 or so this evening. As we were eating supper a loud knock came at the door. I answered the door and it was Sister Peggy Jo Young (employment). She had just had her purse stolen and she was knocked to the ground not 50 paces from our front door. Of course she was very shaken up. The young man was long gone of course. We got her back to her apartment and called the police and I went over and got the apartment security man (who is a Houston police officer). The local officers responded very quickly. It was a blessing Sister Young was not hurt or worse, she did scrape her knee up a bit. We will all be more observant from now on.

Wednesday morning I headed for Conroe, Huntsville and Montgomery to inspect apartments. We have not had rain for weeks and the country side is sure dry. The apartments looked good for the most part. We got a new sister missionary in this afternoon. She is from the SLC Temple Square Mission. Those missionaries (all sisters) are transferred out to the "field" for about 12 weeks so they can have at least some normal proselyting experience. Sister Radin is from the Philippines and will be with us until Jan 19.

Thursday Sister Walker went with me to College Station. We had a very pleasant drive. After inspecting the apartments we met Elders Hiatt & Thomson and their companions for lunch at a restaurant across the street from the Texas A&M campus. It was good to visit with them, they enjoy their work more than being in the office I am sure. After lunch we drove down to Brenam and Waller, both places are out in the sticks, to check apartments there.

Friday I was out checking apartment again. There was one apartment that looked like a laundry hit by a tornado, clothes all over the place. I met with three different apartment managers today. One place had notified us that the rent was going up $50 a month when we sign the new lease. When I walked through the front door the manager said, "Elder Walker how you doing today?" I was surprised he remembered me as I have not had many dealings with him. I told him we would not be signing a new lease if the rent was going to increase that much, in fact most places the rent remains the same or goes down a few dollars. He told me they enjoyed having the "boys" as tenants and that the new rent would be the same as the previous rent. Some times you just have to play hard ball. Another apartment complex is going to move our sisters to a newly refurbished apartment as their old apartment smells of smoke.

Sister Young left to go home this morning. Two of her sons from SLC drove a truck and trailer down to load up her car and drive her back home. We will miss Sister Betty Jo Young a lot. She is a wonderful person.

Saturday morning was just beautiful, cool and warm sun. We got some P-day jobs done and then drove down town. We went to the Natural History Museum to see the iMax movie, Hubble 3D. It was very good. It sure makes us understand better that Heavenly Father has created worlds without number. Hubble can look at parts of space that was previously thought to be void, but it turns out there are billions of galaxies. We went over to visit with the Senior Sisters for a while this evening. Sister Marsh left our place Friday and moved in to Sister B. Young's bedroom.

Sunday we had the missionaries over after church for dinner. It is always good to be with the young elders. The four of them seemed to enjoy what Leona had prepared for them - they can eat a bunch.

If you get the Church News look at the October 16th publication. We know three people in it! On page 6, the picture of the three young adults - Elder Dashdorj just left our mission in August to attend BYU. He was a good missionary and has not seen his family for quite awhile and will not be seeing them for who knows how long. His folks live in Korea and his only sibling, a sister lives in Hong Kong. Picture on page 12 - the tallest white haired man in the back and his wife, she has dark hair, and is standing between two men in the back on the left hand side of the photo. Anyway that couple is from Snowflake, Arizona and they were in the MTC with us and went to Vietnam on a humanitarian mission. They had an interesting story, this was their second mission and they entered the MTC on July 20th. I believe they received their call about June 20th so they had one month to prepare. While visiting with them they were worried about their visa arriving so they could leave on schedule. The day before they were to leave the MTC they were notified that their papers were in order and the visa had been obtained. I just remember this sister, with tears in her eyes saying, the Lord knew what papers we were in need of, miracles really do happen! It was exciting for us to see their picture. What a grand experience they are having I am sure.

Another great week. We are so thankful to be here; what a blessing this is for us.

We love you. Our prayers are with you. Have a wonderful week.

Mom and Dad

63rd Post Monday Oct 18 - Sunday Oct 24,2010

When we got to the office Monday the Internet was down so we could not get on iMOS (the Church's missionary system). Elder Stringfellow made a few phone calls to Salt Lake and to AT&T. The best guess was the modem was fried so off to BEST BUY we went to find a modem. It took awhile to get the new modem to work, but finally we got the system going. Several missionaries in and out today. The new AP, Elder Galbraith was in and will do well (his grandfather is the new Kyiv Temple Pres). The senior missionaries met this evening at the Sister's apartment for FHE. Elder Stringfellow had the lesson. We reviewed Bishop Edgley's conference talk on faith. We really have a wonderful time together.

Tuesday our day started just after 7 in the office. The van and trailer were about loaded ready to start transfers to College Station and points along the way. One poor sister was late getting to the office and came with all her stuff in the trunk of the car and the back seat, most of which was not packed. It took her about 45 minutes to get loaded up and ready. I play traffic cop during the early part of the morning, trying to keep the mission cars from blocking the drive way and road. Most missionaries just do not think about "abandoning" their cars any place and soon there is a mess. Anyway we got the cars sorted out and the "transfer bus" (van and trailer) on their way. I made the Katy transfer run this afternoon. It is like a boy scout camp out! "Elders do you have your bikes, luggage, backpacks, boxes, etc, loaded and ready???" "Oh yes Elder Walker we are ready". I get to the Bear Creek Church area and the first young Elders after I open the trailer door say "where is my bike?"another says "where is by backpack?" Those who know me well know what "helpful advice" I then provide. Sometimes you just have to laugh. Elder Thomson one of the AP's was transferred to College Station for his last 6 weeks of his mission. We will miss him

Leona and I set up for the departing missionary dinner at the temple cafeteria this evening. After we ate we were visiting with Pres. Hansen when he told us of an interesting experience he had on Saturday. As mentioned in last weeks blog Elder Jensen of the 70 attended the Klein Stake Conference. He asked Pres Hansen to take 25 minutes at the Saturday priesthood leadership meeting. As Pres. Hansen thought about what would be the best thing to review he thought of the simplified Preach My Gospel curriculum, and to have two Elders practice teach the principles for the leadership group. He thought I could have the AP's do it or the Zone Leaders, but instead he called the Klein Zone Leaders and asked them to pray and then call him who they would suggest. They called back the next day with their answer. The two elders they suggested were good missionaries, but were not the dynamic, out going elders, or even the "best teachers". In fact one of them had just returned to the field after being with us in the office for 6 weeks. But Pres Hansen thought I asked for recommendations so I need to take that recommendation and follow up. He called the two elders and told them to meet him at the church 1 hour before the meeting so they could practice teach the practice teaching. At the appointed time the President got a call. The member who was to pick up the elders never did show up - now what?? Well just as the meeting started the elders got there. Pres. Hansen thinking the whole time - here are 250 priesthood leaders and two timid missionaries - this is going to be a "train wreck". When the time was turned to Pres. Hansen he had a few introductory remarks and then ask for two volunteers to be "investigators" for the elders. Two hands in the back shot up and Pres. Hansen said come on down. When the audience saw who one of the volunteers was there was a collective sigh in the group. He came "swaggering" up the aisle, ready to do battle with the elders.....as Pres Hansen described it. Then as he sat down and when Elder Martin got to the part of Joseph's first vision...."I saw a pillar of light"...... Pres Hansen said there was a feeling of profound reverence and spirit that filled that room like nothing he had experienced before. As the missionaries proceeded to bear their testimonies Pres Hansen said the "investigator" who started out as less than golden had tears running down his cheeks as did the other investigator and about half the audience. When Elder Martin paused and asked "how do you feel" it took the man well over a minute to compose himself enough to respond. The missionaries had taught just the way Elder Kikuchi had taught us 6 weeks ago when he was here. When Elder Jensen stood up after the demonstration, Pres Hansen said, he said, "I have been in hundreds of stake priesthood leadership meetings around the church and never felt the spirit any stronger than he did at that meeting". The young elders had done just what the Lord has asked them to do.....Teach with the spirit. Pres Hansen said those in the meeting were truly taught by the spirit by the weak and simple things of God. We are so blessed to be associated with good missionaries.

Wednesday was Michael's birthday, Happy Birthday to you, we are thankful for you. We had 7 new elders (no sisters this time) arrive today. The office staff does a brief orientation for them about what we do in the office and how we can help. We cooked the bacon this evening for breakfast tomorrow and gathered up all the other stuff we need for in the morning.

Thursday morning we got up just after 5 to get ready and load up the car. We do the breakfast at the mission home for the new elders and their trainers. It is a great thing to watch that whole process as Pres Hansen announces who the new companionships will be. What a neat thing that is. We take pictures of the new elders and Pres & Sister Hansen to send to their parents, also do group shots, clean up, load up and head back to the office. The new companionship's, APs and President and Sister Hansen go to the temple. What a blessing to have the temple right in our mission. I worked on the new photos for the transfer board and photo board. This afternoon the APs asked me to take 2 elders to the Bear Creek Chapel to catch their ride to Sealy which I did. I picked up an elder at Bear Creek and took him up to College Station (this was a last minute change to the transfers earlier in the week). Elder Farnsworth and I had a nice visit all the way to College Station. It sure was dry along the side of the road - we have not had rain for several weeks now. I did not get back to the office until 6pm. We are so blessed to be able to do what we do.

Friday in our staff meeting Pres. Hansen asked us to remember Sister Stringfellow in our prayers. She has had a rough couple of days and nights. She thinks it is her MS that is acting up. Pres Hansen gave her a blessing after the meeting. What a wonderful blessing he gave her. Worked on updating the various spreadsheets with the changed companionship's the rest of the day. Helped the APs with some maps as they do not know their way around this part of Houston very well. The mission GPS was stolen out of the truck last Saturday so maps will have to do for now. We went out with the Senior sisters for dinner this evening. We enjoy being with each other and visiting. Another great day in the mission field.

Saturday we did our shopping, cleaning and just stayed close to home. We walked over and fed the ducks, turtles, fish and the swan. That is always fun.

Sunday we enjoyed our time at church. Its seems I get so much more out of sacrament meeting when I really listen and concentrate on the sacrament prayers and the atonement. We are so blessed to have the fullness of the gospel. Where would we be without it?

Sister Marsh arrived this afternoon. She will replace Sister Young in the office. It turns out the Marsh's were in Saudi Arabia, in Al-Kohbar, the same time we were there. Her husband was on the High Council the same time I was, maybe I will remember him when I see a picture.

We love you all and are thankful for all your support and prayers.

Love Mom & Dad

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