Well, the time is here, we have such mixed emotions about the entire thing,  we have learned to love these people as our family and  know many of them we will not see again.  This has been a hard mission, but now that it is coming to a close we wonder what more we could have done!

   We were with Elder Carr Wed. (the person  who is over the Philly Temple construction) He said we may never know what spark or seed we may have planted to someone in our area. He said, that even up in heaven we may find out that someone listened or had a spark flash back on something we or the missionaries may have done or said. We pray that be the case, because right now we are wondering what on earth we could have done more.  

  These are wonderful people back here, but they are so steeped in their traditions that is has been hard to change their minds. We have learned to love them and understand a lot where they are coming from. These are traditions that have been passed on since they were born, they grew up in poverty and don't know how to get out of it. Most of them are very strong willed, it is hard to break their thick skin, anyway, we tried our best, we love them and will continue to pray for them and keep in contact with a lot of them.

  Next Sun. (since Karl gets all the speakers) we are speaking in Sacrament meeting. We will turn over our books and badges and are able to go home Mon.  That will be the first we will start our packing. We are still waiting on the mission Pres. to let us know if our house is going to be used for other missionaries. We have a going away party this Fri. at the mission home. I guess then we will find out what our final move will be.

  We are planning to stop for about 3-4 days and stay with Michael and Jen, then on to Nauvoo to see friends that are serving there. Our car has taken quite a beating back here. We have had it tuned up for the trip, (sure hope it holds up), the last thing we need is to look for a new car on the way home or when we get back in Utah

   Today we are going to Zone Conf. There is a Seventy from Salt Lake coming out to talk, we have had to break the mission up into 4 time period time slots because this mission is so large.  

    Karl took two missionaries up to NY Temple Sat. A man they had both brought into the gospel was taking out his endowments and they wanted to be with him.  Karl made the drive and found his way to the temple.  Parking was $40.00 for a couple of hours, but he had a wonderful time as he visited with a dentist he knew in Utah that is now serving in the area along with several temple missionaries out of Utah on a year or eighteen month assignment. The temple was wonderful, he did a session and initiatory.  

    I stayed home and had a brunch for all for the ladies in this branch. There was a pretty good turn out since Karl was not around with the car to pick them up.  We enjoyed ourselves, I had Josephine do her latest song recording, she is so talented.  It turned out to be a very nice day, I will miss a lot of these dear sisters.

   We will send you an email when we figure out our agenda!  Utah here we come! We are excited, scared to get back into the ward and normal living but, also sad to leave these people. They are worried who will be there to taxi them to their appointments, pick them up for church, get their food orders at the bishops storehouse, and accompany the missionaries since they need a priesthood holder whenever they are teaching a single sister or youth. We have put on about 25,000 miles on our car in the last 18 months, and burned a lot of gas.  

   Thank you a million times for all the love, support and prayers. We could surely feel it when we got discouraged and wondered if we were doing any good! We had a crisis in your branch last Sunday. A Father, Mother and a 4 year old came to church, who were planing to be baptized, but when the 4 year old had a melt down, our branch president's wife, sister Burno, took her in a room, turned out the lights and held her tightly to discipline her. The Mother heard her screaming, and came into the room. She was furious, and vowed never to come back, and canceled her baptism. Sister Burno never has had children, and thinks she can tell everyone what to do, and drives both the inactive members and investigators away. The Missionaries are so afraid to bring anyone to church, which defeats the whole plan of fellowshipping, love, and activation. Despite these setbacks, we have seen at least 8 people come into the waters of baptism, even though some are now inactive, the work is going ahead in the Frankford Branch. 

  Thanks for Father's day gifts, cards, coupons, phone calls and just being the wonderful friends and family who have been more than supportive. 

We love all of you and can't wait to see you again! 

Joyce & Karl, Mom & Dad, Grandpa & Grandma, Elder & Sister Armstrong

         

   Our little branch picnic. It was hot but nice under the trees. We were surprised when they gave us a huge cake for our work in the branch and our going away. It will be sad, although we are anxious to move on. I don't know who will take over our free taxi cab which really keeps us busy every day taking the missionaries to appointments, tracting, and the members to their outings at the Dr., Dentist,shopping and the like.

     We have had some good investigators who are coming to church, but last night they got hold of some anti Mormon stuff, and it will take a while to answer all their questions without them losing their meager testimonies. Their little girl, who is four, is the meanest and most spoiled thing I have ever seen. It took four of the sister to handle her at church yesterday, and the times I go with the missionaries to teach them, she about tears me apart. Anyway I hope we can still get them into the Church. 

   Two more weeks to go, wow. Some members want us to take them to the D.C. Temple and two Missionaries want us to take them to the Manhattan Temple to see one of their converts sealed. We need to take the Branch Presidency out to dinner, and Joyce is planning a brunch for all the sisters in the branch. The missionaries are trying their best to wear us out, and Rosina is trying to get as much out of us as she can. She called this morning and needs to go into the Emergency room at the Hospital, but the Ambulance wants $500.00, which she doesn't have. What a worry as we wonder what will happen when we leave. They still don't know what they are going to do with our apartment, and who will replace us in the Branch as first counselor and primary president. Not that we are that good, but there isn't anyone else to fill in. What a worry, but I guess it will all work out.

   We had a funny experience yesterday after Church. A Pakistani Sister, who can't speak English wanted to come to our house, so she waited around for about an hour and a half while we finished up the welfare checks, the food orders for this week, the tithing reports etc. When we got to our house she started pointing to all the stuff she wanted us to give her. It amounted to about everything she could see. We tried to explain  that we needed to take some of it home with us, and the stuff the Church furnished for us should stay. She would have none of this, and we about had to force her to leave even though we each had armfuls of stuff she thought we could part with. What a women.

   We are enjoying two new Elders who are fresh out of the mission home. It is hard to see transfers, cause we get so attached to them. It was funny when Josephine, who is black, took pictures of two of our missionaries who are also black, when she said this is the first time there has been two black missionaries assigned to the Frankford branch. They are loving it. 

 Well, time to take Rosina to the Hospital, better leave. Joyce wants to add more later.

 Love ya all. Elder Armstrong

Dear Family & Friends,

   The time is just flying and still so many things to accomplish on our bucket list. 

#1.  Rosina is in her apt. No furniture, no gas, (Karl is down working on that with the company right now), the only furniture they have is a lawn chair from outside and our blow up mattress we used when we arrived here and didn't have furniture yet.  It is pretty sad. I'm not sure where Pewe sits. Sun. they took her in an ambulance because she was so sick. They didn't keep her in the hospital so now she is back home unpacking. I should be helping her but I've got Enoch all this week.  He is out of school but his mother is not!

   Yesterday was a really hard day at Sacrament Meeting.  Dad had to conduct and of course it was Fast Sunday so he is the one who started it all off.  He bore his testimony, and then half of the congregation started.  They all expressed so much love for the two of us, everyone was crying, mainly Mom, but it was so very kind of these people we have learned to love so much. If it weren't for our wonderful family and friends to come home to, I do believe we would extend. (But then we would just start the whole process all over again).

   It isn't that we have accomplished so much back here, this little branch will never be a healthy, functioning area, but we have certainly loved the people. They are so kind and giving to us, even though most of them have nothing.  What a wonderful lesson we have learned on humility. We have learned far more than any of these people have.  If I had lived under the conditions that most of them have I DOUBT  I would still be here.

   Dad too has grown so much, he has always been such a kind, gentle person, the Ex. Sec. tells him he has to toughen up but that is harder on dad than just keep serving all hours. Mainly taking everyone to appointments and keeping the missionaries  happy.

   I've missed out on a lot of the missionary work, this is the third week I have been responsible for Enoch.  He can't go to teaching appointments so we stay here at the house.  Today was his graduation from preschool. It was darling but I sure felt guilty that I hadn't been to a lot of our own grandchildren's activities.  Remember that our hearts were with all of them though.

   We have stopped game night on Fri. Just not enough coming out during the summer, sure hope the missionaries pick it up again in the fall.  During the winter we felt it  was helpful, it brought a lot of people in off the street, mainly out of curiosity.

   

           THE PATH OF SALVATION ALWAYS GOES

                           THROUGH GETHSEMANE

                                                                    Jeffrey R. Holland

    

   A lot of you are having struggles right now. We all need to tell ourselves several times a day, that the Savior is well aware of our pains and sorrows. He will not give us anything we can't handle!  It is just hard to remember this when we are struggling so much.   We all can do whatever we are asked, He will help us through everything!      We love all of you sooooo much,   Mom & Dad

                                                                                     Grandpa & Grandma

                                                                                     Bro. & Sis. Armstrong

                                                                                           Karl & Joyce

                                         

Dear Family & Friends,

   Happy Birthday Rob! Are the darling little girls still with you? I'm sure that is the best present you could ever receive. Hope you all had fun- it's hard to see them go when it is time to leave!

    Last week was a banner week. Rosie got her apt. and we are helping her move today. Karl talked Pres. Burno into giving her some financial aid, despite the fact they got into a big battle at church last week, and we didn't think he would help her, but He did, plus a food order from the Bishop's Storehouse in New Jersey. She  has gone with Elder Armstrong to take the check from the Church so she can move in, but when they tried to get her electricity changed over, her SS number was wrong so now we have to go downtown to the office with two forms of ID and her SS card to prove she is who she says she is. That will be another full day to get that done. She has no furniture to take, no beds etc. and on the way out she said that the few boxes she had packed was all that she had to her name. 

   I am here tending Enoch. He said his eye hurt so his mom dumped him off for us to tend all day, plus the time she needs to go to the gym. Her orders are that he can't eat any sweets and can only have water, so he pesters us and goes through everything to see what he can find that is good. He is suppose to have a bad eye. I'm not sure even which eye it is (wouldn't he be better off in school?)  It is 9:00 and he already wants to eat his lunch, except there isn't anything in it that he likes. I bought him a few things at the store to do, but he is already tired of them. Now we are trying Sesame Street, it will be a long time till 5:00, especially, since he can only eat the things his Mom sent with him, (we cheat though and don't tell his mom). She doesn't realize how hard she makes it on us with the no TV and no Eating rules! We are also suppose to tend him the rest of the week until His dad, (who is remarried and lives in Calif.) comes for him next week for a visit. He is a darling little boy though.

   Wed. we went to the temple in Manhattan with 8 Sr. Missionary couples. We took the Mega bus up, caught a taxi to the temple, and arrived about noon. It was so lovely and so good to be back inside a temple. There was one endowment room, it held about 30 people, we got to see a film that we hadn't seen before, and the workers were so helpful and lovely. The man at the desk and his wife were back there on a mission. They were almost through and were from Arizona. The gospel surely binds all of us together! It was funny when a Sister Missionary came up to us and said that Karl had given her a patriarchal blessing a few years ago. It is a very small world, and so good to see someone from home! We also learned that one of the couples that came with us used to be a neighbor of Joyce's when she grew up in Moroni. They had a good laugh when neither of them recognized each other until they asked "do you know anyone from Moroni, that's where I grew up". 

   Afterwords we went on the double decker bus for a tour of New York.  It was nice but not quite the same as the tour we went on with the Davis'. It made me so grateful that I live in Utah, that I have some space and can drive wherever I need to go.  We had to take Taxis four different times, the tour took much longer than we had planned so we almost didn't make it back to our bus on  time, but it was quite an experience and we were so glad we got to go. We will probably never be in New York again for that opportunity!

   We had almost 50 people out to Sacrament Meeting yesterday. Wow a record. The missionaries had a few investigators and some inactives came as well. Believe it or not we had 10 children to primary, I had six in my class, they all behaved very well. It was a wonderful day at church.    

   The Missionaries get their transfer notices this Fri. We are thinking two of our four could go, especially Elder Milene (he has been here the longest). He had me make over a suit that was too big on him, which was almost as much work as starting from scratch. It took forever and I almost wished I had never started it. It is a pin-stripe suit and the lines can get going pretty crazy, and since he is so fussy I sure hope it works!

   Another thing on our bucket list may take place. A couple may be coming out here in Aug., called as extraction missionaries, but Pres. Anderson may change that and put them in Frankford to live in our house. That could solve soooo many problems for this branch when we leave. They may could be in the bishopric, Primary, etc, and pick up where we leave off. That would surely make us feel better about leaving. We will keep our fingers crossed, and keep even more prayers going. Heavenly Father knows all circumstances. He  knows how bad these people need help, and we are starting to feel so much better about leaving!  All things are in God's hands, He will work this one out too!

   Karl is here with the boxes, guess we will start the move, this is what we have been praying for so long, Heavenly Father helped these wonderful people here once again!  We are so thankful!!!!!!

   Enjoy your week. May we look back next Mon. and see where we've all been given help in our lives!    HEAVENLY FATHER SURE TAKES CARE OF HIS CHILDREN!

                                       Love to all of you,  Mom & Dad

                                                                     Grandma & Grandpa

                                                                     Elder & Sister Armstrong

                                                                     Kart & Joyce

Dear family and friends,

   Today is a beautiful, sunny day, one that we can go help people and preach the gospel.  Aren't we ever so lucky!

   We have been working our entire mission to help out Rosina.  She came out to church Sun. and had a huge confrontation with the branch Pres. He scolded her for not coming to church very often, and since she was moving she couldn't get any assistance from the branch. I was a little upset on how he handled the whole situation. I pray all our work will not change things inasmuch as she left pretty upset, and I doubt she will come back to church. She finally has a place to move to, it was approved last week for section 8 for the poor (government housing), if it doesn't just blow up in her face.  She definitely needs to get out of her area, too many killings, robberies, and drug dealings going on there.  We are all praying for her!

   Yesterday we took her out to the cemetery with some flowers. She had two sons that were buried there. They had been murdered four years ago, not at the same time but four years apart.  She has been through so much, we worry about leaving her. She still claims she is coming to Utah when her lease is up on this apt.  (We'll see if she even gets it now.)

     Yesterday our four missionaries had time off till 5:00 and wanted to go to the mall. They showed us their true colors when they were all together having fun. We saw the 18 year old side of them instead of the confident missionaries  they always are.  Maybe their serious side would be a better word. They had us laughing so hard, it was a sweet time for all of us. Today back to bigger and better things.

  Last week I tended Enoch again for a couple of days. He is a darling little boy but, when I stay home with him I sure miss out on going around with the elders.  They are still working on two investigators. Looks like at least one of them will be baptized, not sure about the young 9 year old.  We had them, (the missionaries) for dinner again Sun. those elders sure can consume the food.  We leave for the Manhattan Temple tomorrow. We are so excited to go! We are going on a bus, there is very little parking up there. It should be a wonderful experience and we'll tell you about it in the next email.

    Sure do love and miss all of you. Hope life is going smooth for all of you. I guess when school lets out next week your summers will be busier.  We are all so blessed, it is shown more strongly every day as we live back here. I pray Karl and I remember this lesson we've learned back here. We have so many comforts in Utah.

      Our love to all of you, and again appreciation for your calls, letters, gifts and encouragement.  You are all the best!

      Mom & Dad, Grandma & Grandpa, Elder & Sister Armstrong,

                                    Karl & Joyce

Joyce, Rosina and Raymir at her son's graves. They were murdered several years ago

       

Dear Family & Friends,

   We were in the car all day yesterday taking people to dental, doctor and  buying shoes for the one Elder.  Then he ended up not getting any. Guess we'll try again, anyway, that is why we didn't get an email off yesterday.

   Today Karl has the 4 Elders to take around so guess who gave up her front seat? 

Maybe today I can catch up on emails.

   We appreciate hearing from all of you. Our mission and places in life are all so varied. We love knowing what is going on in others lives, for sure we can all find plenty to keep us busy!

   Things have slowed up a lot in Frankford. The missionaries are getting a little discouraged.  They do a lot of knocking and inter netting but not a lot of come back appointments right now, don't know if it is summer or what, even game night has backed off in attendance.  

   We do have two baptisms set up for the end of the month, not completely sure they are ready, but then, who are we to judge,  We see so many of the first people we worked with that were baptized getting less and less attentive at church.  Seems like they love the missionaries that baptize them then when they get transferred they don't get the attention they are use to.  That is where Karl and I should pick up, but, most of our service back here is running people to different places they have to go, as you know there are very few cars in this branch.  At least they are getting to their Dr. and other appointments.

   It has freed up Karl's time quite a bit since Josephine got a car. We are happy for her, now if we could just get Rosina a place to live, we keep trying.

   Next week we are going with the Senior Missionaries to New York to the temple. That will be real wonderful to get to go through that temple before we go home.  We are taking a bus up there, so far there are six couples going.  We'll report on it when we do the trip.

   Marisole is having a BD dinner for me tomorrow night. She is very attentive and so kind to do it.  Thanks for all the cards, gifts and reminders that life is going way toooo fast, that includes our mission.  You keep us so inspired to do our best back here, what would we do without friends and family!

   Hope all is going well in everyone's family. Every family has a load to carry, everyone is trying their best and working hard to keep it going.  We all need to know that Heavenly Father won't give us more than we are able to bear.  We are proud of all of you!  We send our love and know our prayers are always with all of you!       

Elder & Sister Armstrong               Mom & Dad

               Grandma & Grandpa           Karl & Joyce

             

     

Dear Family & Friends,

   Hope all the "WOMEN" had a wonderful MOTHER'S DAY!  We missed all of you but thank goodness for telephones.  We got to talk to every one of our KIDS.  That is the most wonderful MOTHER'S DAY  gift I could ever ask for.  Thank you so very much for all the remembrances and love.  My most precious gift is my children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, my husband and the gospel.  Heavenly Father has certainly made my cup runeth over! 

      We have had a wonderful week. Sat. we took two cars filled with members to Washington DC Temple.  What a temple, and a wonderful experience to get to go again before we leave. We took Tim & Marisol Hatchet down for their first time. They got to do baptisms, and also had their daughter with them and really enjoyed the experience.  Their daughter had never been outside of Philly.  We got to do a session and help in the baptistery, doing confirmations, Karl as a witness and I was handing out towels. 

   I had forgotten how beautiful this temple is and how much I miss working in the temple, we sure want to get back into it when we get home!

   We left at 9 in the morning and got home at 11 pm. We are so blessed to have our temple so close by, we've learned many lessons back here, one of them is how close we are to conveniences at home.  I hope we will remember all the positive things that we have so missed and learned here in the mission field.  Being so close to a temple is certainly one of them!!

   The Hatchet's had us over for Mother's Day dinner, they fixed a lovely meal, they also had the four missionaries there.  The missionaries gave we two mothers a special tribute and then they had me bear my testimony!  My heart was very full, because I missed all of you so much, but truly I wouldn't trade this experience for anything. It has made me so appreciative of all the blessings I've been given,(and have surely taken most of them for granted) anyway, please all of you know of the love and appreciation we have for your love, kindness, encouragement, help and prayers. They have made this an experience that has helped us grow and become so aware of all we've been given and helped with.  YOU ARE ALL THE VERY BEST, thank you so very much for being behind us!

          We love you all, Elder & Sister Armstrong

                                    Mom & Dad

                                    Grandpa & Grandma

                                     Karl & Joyce