January 27, 2014

The weather is still very cold here in Maryland.  Frankly, I'm getting a little tired of it and it's only January.  I guess I've been a Florida girl too long.  This coming Wednesday it's supposed to get down to 1 degree, and that's not including a chill factor! 


Last week we received a wonderful gift surprise - "a new iPad!" We're so excited.  Thank you so much, Jackie and Bryan!  I use it to show church videos to the youth in my Sunday School class and we can use it in our missionary work also.  We're probably the last people on earth to have one but it's amazing.  

Last Friday we drove to Frederick to attend a missionary conference.  Elder S. Gifford Nielsen of the Seventy was there and gave wonderful instructions.  He is very funny and interesting and the young missionaries especially enjoyed it.  He played football both in college and professionally, so he made a lot of comparisons with teamwork, communication and working hard.  President and Sister Richards also spoke and they are always so wonderful.  We were all served a nice lunch afterwards and that is no small affair when there are about 275 people to feed. 

So, I got my results from the MRI and I do have a torn rotator cuff, which is very common.  I can decide to have shots that will not fix the problem but may take away the pain, or have arthroscopic surgery to repair it.  I'm still not completely sure what to do.  I don't want it to interfere with our mission.

Yesterday was our Branch Conference.  We had lots of visitors from the stake and I was lucky enough to have a member of the Stake Presidency attend my Sunday School class - yay!  Just what I had hoped for.  :)  

So far Elder Lewis is the Sunday School President, teaches the Gospel Doctrine class when the teacher doesn't come (which is often), and is now also the executive secretary in the branch presidency.  Being a senior missionary in a small branch is the best and we love it.  

Some people have asked us:  Why are you doing this?  Why do you leave your home, family and friends for eighteen months to come here?  The answer is simple:  Because we love Jesus Christ and we love His church.  Our faith and testimonies are deeply rooted in our hearts and therefore we would go anywhere to serve Him.  We have been blessed with good health and stamina and are thankful that we are able to be here.

  

Our first tulips of the - almost - Spring.  I feel better when I have real plants and flowers around.








The District!

January 20, 2014

This past week has been a pretty normal week.  P-day and FHE on Monday, district meeting on Tuesday, and visits to several of the members of our branch each day.  The highlight of the week was when we delivered a birthday cake to a less active sister who has not been to church while we have been here.  She was so excited and grateful.  We had a really good visit with her and she said she and her family would all be coming to church on Sunday.  They didn't come, but we will keep hoping and praying for them.  Another sister we have been visiting did come and we were very happy to see her.  

Some times we visit people along with the young Elders.  It's always a very spiritual experience for us to see how these young men, two bus stops past high school like our mission president says, handle themselves and deal with people in stressful situations.  I have so much more respect for them now that I have seen them work up close.  The other evening we were meeting them in a neighborhood called "the projects."  There were "blue lights" blinking at every corner, indicating a high-crime area, and I was a little concerned.  It didn't faze these young men; they said hi and talked to everyone they met (so did Ken actually).  We're learning a lot from them, and if I had had on my "heavenly glasses", I'm sure I would have seen angels round about them.  

Thursday I went to see an orthopaedic doctor about my shoulder.  It has been bothering me since last spring.  I had x-rays and an MRI, and will be going back this coming Thursday for the results.  

Tomorrow it's going to snow again.  We were going to drive down to the temple with a sister who is going for the first time, but we think all the mission cars will be grounded, and we usually follow the rules to be safe.   It may just be a cozy day at home with a good book and some hot chocolate.  

We hope you are all well.  God bless.

January 14, 2014

I usually write on Mondays, our preparation day, but we were really busy all day with cleaning, shopping and getting ready for our weekly Family Home Evening.  We only had two visitors this time but it turned out to be a really pleasant evening with a good discussion on how we can cope with life's trials and heartaches.  

Last Monday we were very pleased to have a less active member attend, and he also brought his daughter and her three children, ages five through twelve.  We first showed a short Mormon Message video and then talked about the importance of making good choices and how they affect us in the future.  I told the boyhood story by Pres. Hinckley about two young boys who put coins in a field laborer's shoes, and the children really enjoyed it.  We had a good discussion about the warm feelings we get when we choose the right.

Our daughter Deanna texted us the other day and said, "People ask about you and I tell them your are loving it, working hard, and it seems like you are on a second honeymoon because you are having so much fun."

Well, she is right.  We do love being here, we do work hard, and we are also having a lot of fun.  There is no better way to find happiness than spending time helping others find happiness.  Having almost every day planned with meetings, appointments, visits, and service can indeed get tiring, but we sleep well at night and we rest when we need to.   We have plenty of fun.  We often see the light side of our experiences and laugh with each other a lot.  

We also have good fun visiting with our new friends here.  Several days ago  we were visiting a couple who shared with us some contentious family problems.  After listening, we advised them to forgive and forget, and to let the whole matter go.  Then, out of the blue, I started singing, " Let it be, let it be ..." from the old Beatles song.  Ken and the couple joined in and we then all laughed together.  Some times laughing truly is the best medicine.  We usually leave a spiritual thought when we visit people and often we sing a song also.  People really like that, especially elderly people.

For the honeymoon part, I should tell you that if you want to know whether you can get along with your husband or wife  "24/7",  just go on a mission.  To be honest, before we came here we were a little worried about how it would go. But with patience, open communication, tolerance, and lots of prayer, we are getting along great.  When we allow God to be in the relationship, it always works out.  After all, we have been practicing this for 42 years so we should have learned it by now, right?

January 6, 2014

The holidays plus the cold weather have kept us from doing as much as we normally would, but when we can't go out, we use the time at home to read, plan, practice and also rest.  

On Sunday, December 29th, Elder Lewis and I actually performed a duet in sacrament meeting - a first for us.  We sang "The Wintry Day Descending to Its Close."  We probably never would have done that in our home ward, but here we are more brave; and they very seldom have special musical numbers during the meetings here, so we simply volunteered when we saw the need.

One of the many "learning experiences" we had this past week was when a gentleman, a less active member of the Church, was unexpectedly rude to us.  We just wanted to say hello and visit for a minute, but he made it very clear he was not interested in talking to us.  Oh well.  

However, all the positive experiences completely out weigh the negative ones.  We have seen so many good and kind people and we feel very fortunate to meet them.  We started to knock on the door of a less active couple a few days ago (For those of you who are not acquainted with the Mormon Church, "less active" means they are members but no longer attend church meetings), but before we could even knock, the door opened and a lady said "Come on in."  When I replied,  "Don't you want to know who we are?" she quickly responded,  "I saw your name tags and that is enough for me."  We then sat in her living room and talked to her for a long time.  She told us her husband was a paraplegic and that she also had many serious health problems.  Her mother had died just before Christmas and she was missing her very much.  We listened and emphasized with her and could feel her sweet spirit.  We will be going back soon to help her sort through some things she needs to get rid of.

On the way home from church yesterday we stopped to visit a family who had not been at church for a couple of weeks.  Elder Lewis had collected some information about the BYUI  Pathway education program for him and wanted to drop it off at his home.  We visited for a few minutes and talked with him.  He was very down and discouraged and we tried to encourage him a little.  He is such a wonderful father and example to his four children and a good and strong member of the church.  I was very upset when we left because of the condition of their apartment.  There was only one armchair to sit on but not a couch or anything else in the living room.  It was very dirty and messy.   I wanted to do something but I'm still not sure what other than let our branch president and the Relief Society know.  The sad thing is we see this kind of situation again and again.  

~~~

Below are a few pictures from the last couple of weeks:

It was very cold and windy that day, but we still 

went for a walk and visited a family near by.

These beautiful sister missionaries are in our district.  The sister on the far right has been here in the mission for only one transfer (six weeks) and is now a trainer.  The second from the right has now been transferred.  We will miss her.  The two next to me are still with us.  We love them all and they are so amazing and strong.  

Fun with our friend Diane at the temple grounds and visitor center.  She was beyond happy and excited. 

Beautiful sky over the temple at sunset.  Moroni must be cold up there.

December 31, 2013

Happy New Year!!

As we look back and contemplate the old year, we have to admit that we accomplished quit a bit for a couple of old folks: Trips to California, Denmark, Nauvoo, Wisconsin, and Utah. 

Now we are here serving a mission in Maryland, and while we still can't believe it, we know we are in the right place at the right time.  Our mothers used to say, "Where there is a will there is a way."  They were correct.  If you have a righteous desire and involve God in the process, miracles can happen.  We knew that before but not until now has it settled deep in our hearts.   Jesus said to his Father, "Here am I, send me." (Abraham 3:27).  Nephi said to his father,  "I will go and do the things the Lord has commanded me ...."  (1Nephi 3:7).  And Joshua said, "Choose you this day whom ye will serve; but for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15).  We are so grateful for the many faithful examples of service we read about in the scriptures that encourage us to help and serve others. The Lord assures us that, "When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God".  (Mosiah 2:17) 

Today we attended our weekly district meeting from 10:30 to 12:00.  We then had lunch with the other missionaries at our favorite fast food place, Ginos - burgers and onion rings.  (Oh well, we'll do better next year, right?)  We then helped a sister in the branch to a doctor's appointment and later visited a family who will be moving soon to Wyoming.  We are now planning on celebrating New Year's Eve at home with pizza and watching some of the festivities on TV.  We will not be out and about this evening.

Tomorrow is New Years Day, and we will again be helping with missionary transfers.  We have to be at the Columbia Stake Center in Ellicott City at 8:30 am where we will be assigned our jobs when we arrive.  It could be anything from inspecting vehicles and handling bicycles, to distributing gas cards. We particularly enjoy listening to the newly arrived missionaries as they share their first testimonies, and to the ones leaving - giving their last.  

"Thank you" to all of you for your love and support during this past year.  May God bless you and keep you in his watchful care. 

And like Dory always said to Nemo's dad:  "Just keep swimming!"  

December 26, 2013

It's been a wonderful week.  I have posted a few pictures here and have written above each one to explain what and where it is from.  It may not be in the right order by date. 

~~~

Saturday, December 21, we drove down to the temple to see the lights and to attend the Christmas concert in the visitor's center.  We took a couple and a sister from our branch with us.  I'm not sure why there are no pictures of Brother and Sister Williams, but they must have been walking around by themselves.  Anyway, we had a wonderful time and enjoyed the evening very much.  There are no words to describe the beauty and the peace we felt even though there were hundred of people around.

This room had nativities from all over the world along the walls and in the middle.  Amazingly beautiful.  

Dennis Pitta, formerly of the BYU football team but now a football star with the Baltimore Ravens attended our Mission Christmas Party.  He was kind enough to have his picture taken with all 260+ of us individually.  

Ready for Christmas Eve dinner.  We had invited the whole district but only our own four Elders could come.  We had such a nice and fun evening with all the Danish traditions that I cherish.

Sorry, a little blurry.  

We have adopted all four of them.

   

Elder Lewis ran into an old friend at the Mission Christmas party.  As you can see they were happy to meet again.  It had been six weeks.

More fun and spirit than you can imagine.  All these Elders and Sisters are the cream of the crop.

Oh my goodness!!  Desserts galore. 

Ham, cheese potatoes, mixed vegetables, salads and rolls.

The following pictures are from our Senior Couples' Christmas Party at the mission home.  Everything was so nice.

President Richards is cutting the pork roast.  What a great man!

Good times.

Sister Richards and their daughter.

More pictures from the temple grounds.
Elder Lewis with our friend Wanda.

Smile :)

December 16, 2013

     It's the most wonderful time of the year!!

We wish all of you, family and friends alike, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

This past week flew by.  On Tuesday the weather was really bad so we stayed inside and worked on getting better prepared and organized.  In the evening we did venture out and drove over to visit some really good friends who are going to the temple for the first time in January.

On Friday we attended a special zone training meeting in Annapolis from 10:00 to 3:00.  It was inspiring and well worth it even though the fire alarms went off twice and fire engines showed up each time.  They found nothing wrong but it must have been from the ovens in the kitchen where we were warming the food.  We helped Sister Richards (Mission Mom) serve Chicken Alfredo, garlic toast, and salad to all the young missionaries, and we also helped clean up.  It was nice getting to know her better.  She is so amazing and sweet.

Elder Lewis teaches a teacher training class at church every Wednesday night as well as on Sunday.  I'm taking it also and it's good to be reminded how to be a better teacher.  I'm also having fun teaching my youth Sunday School class every week.  

Saturday night was the Branch Christmas dinner and program.  Everyone brought food and it was a huge spread of everything you could imagine, with many diverse dishes.  I think about 80 people attended.  The Primary children put on a really sweet Nativity program with Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus, the three Wise Men and lots of shepherds.   It was just adorable.  Santa Claus also came and each child received a large cloth bag with their name and "I am a child of God" written on it.  In the bag were a few little gifts, but no candy.  I was impressed.

During the week we have visited a sister in the hospital and an elderly sister in a nursing home.  We have listened to and comforted several members of our branch.  We have rejoiced with a member over a negative blood test, encouraged and helped a sister to get out of an abusive relationship, and cried over another sister who sadly decided to return to one.   We work with and teach  some with addictions as well as other problems.  We have made friends with people who have nose, eye brow, lip, and ear piercings, and tattoos on neck, arms, legs, and face.  We have walked down streets that we would not walk down in the dark, and we have sat in living rooms where I was scared to sit down, but we feel so happy and blessed to be here, and hopefully we are bringing a little hope and joy to these wonderful people.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, we are going to a Christmas dinner at the mission home with all the other senior couples in the mission.  It should be really fun.  Friday we are attending the Christmas devotional and dinner for all the 250 young missionaries.  We will be helping with the dinner and serving.  Saturday we will try again to drive down to see the Christmas lights on the temple grounds and also to attend the special musical program they have there every night in December. We should also attend the Stake Christmas musical devotional in Annapolis on Sunday night, so I hope we're not too tired after a long week of activities. 

Goodbye for now.  Love to all.