July 14-21, 2014

Greetings to all of you from Philly!  A bright, hot day, already in the high 80’s.  We had another great week. It took us a little discipline to get back into the same routine we had when we took a few days off with the Halls.  Seem like so many things fell apart while we were gone, not that we are that important, but just situations that came up in the branch.  Our newest convert left her husband and is now living out of our area.  We still try to meet her at the branch, but that is hard because she had her car impounded.
We had a nice surprise last Sat.  We were helping with the 24th celebration at the park, (it finally got pulled off), people don’t plan ahead nor even think about it until the last second.  Anyway, the Freiss’ called and were coming to Philly.  Dad went and got them at our house. They came down to the park and had a hot dog and met some of the branch.  We then cleaned up there and took them to dinner.  It was so good to see them and get caught up on the ward.  They were going to Ginger’s- she has moved to Connecticut to work.  Howard Nell went back there and is doing well in selling home security systems, so they joined him to try their luck at it.
We have dental appointments to take some sisters to. We had one on Mon. with Sister Dee. I came home so upset it took me awhile to calm down. All she did was abuse dad and I because we didn’t do everything she demanded.  She even accused us of stealing some of her groceries when we took her shopping.  Three calls saying we took her salad because it wasn’t in the grocery sack.  After hanging up on us and cussing, she called back and said it had fallen out of her sack and fell under a chair.  I  feel so bad for her, but, I’m going to wait a couple of week before we handle it again.  It is so tough to get old, maybe that is what dad and I do to all of you!
We had a very spiritual meeting with Kathleen Biedrzycki on Mon.  Her entire life has fallen apart.  Her daughter that got out of prison is going back in, she is raising her Granddaughter, because that mother, died of an overdose.  Now she is going to stop smoking so she can get help from the church.  It sounds like we have sour grapes towards all of it but, we have played this game before.  We pray this time will help when the church pulls her out of another bind.  Anyway, the Spirit was very strong in the meeting. She seemed pretty humbled and willing to start working with all of us in the branch.  Who am I to judge, if I had her tough life I would probably be in worse circumstances than she is. Again I realize how my cup runneth over with gratitude for such a wonderful, easy life.  My attitude has softened by this morning, I’m ready to give it a try again today. Rosina is calling for us to pick up a prescription for her mouth.  3 more teeth to go, hope we all make
We love all of you so much.  We realize that you are having your ups and downs as well. Sorry we vent so much, by the time Dad and I cry, pray then start to laugh about all the situations back here, always by the next morning we are ready to try as hard as we can again.  Your prayers and love a helping us through, no matter how tough it gets, the gospel is true and we are very glad we are back here.
 All have a wonderful week and know how very much each one of you individually are loved and appreciated.  HAPPY 24th  We will be at the dentist with Rosina but thinking of all of you!  Thanks for the support and the encouragement!
All our love, Mom  & Dad, Grandpa & Grandma, Karl and Joyce and Bro. & Sis. Armstrong

A few more pics at the Sacred Grove

 24th Celebration pic-nic

July 7-14, 2014

What a special week we are having! The Halls got here at 12:00 Thurs. night and we got up at 6:00 a.m. to go to Palmyra. It was a hot, muggy day but we had so much fun catching up on the past 6 months. Halls look good, John is having a little adjustment with his meds and heart procedure. They keep such a pace with their temple schedule, I worry about them. We have had several talks about where we are all going to live now we are old. No conclusions as yet... they are thinking Manti, I’m not!
The highlight of the trip was to see our beautiful Granddaughter Addison. She is serving her mission right back at the pageant sight. I had butterflies so bad.  We didn’t know where to find her, so Grandpa split us up.  The only reason is he knew he would find her and get to see her first, which he did. She was standing in the lunch line and Grandpa saw her beautiful blond hair.  We went in and sat by her while she ate and she had saved us seats and we got to sit by her through the whole performance.
 What a wonderful experience, to see that beautiful, wonderful pageant while sitting by Addison. It was a little chilly and she had come prepared. First she put on a sweater, then a jacket, 10 minutes later on went big warm socks, 30 minutes later we shared the quilt she brought for us and put some of it over her. Finally, she put on one more coat and said she was pretty warm.  What a nut she is.  Everyone, the couple missionaries, the staff (pageant participants) all knew her and loved her.  The elder couples couldn’t say enough wonderful things about her. What a treat for Grandpa and Grandma.  The next morning we found her at the Joseph Smith house, up in the bedroom where she was giving tours of what happened in that room. This was where Angle Moroni came and instructed Joseph all night long.  There were nine Smith children, all sleeping up stairs and all that took place while they were sleeping. We listened to her lecture 3 times.  Each time she told different things.  It was a wonderful experience to see her in action!  It was also her BD, so we gave her loves and told her goodbye for another year. Dad and I are blessed with such a wonderful family! All of you are so wonderful. How we love and appreciate what each person contributes to the Army of 30+.
 We went up to Niagara Falls and saw all the wonderful things up there. The Halls enjoyed it, they hadn’t seen it before. We then drove back to Palmyra to spend the night and got up to go to church Sun morning.  The ward there had at least 200 extra people there, probably more, and the Mission Pres. Francis and his wife were the speakers. Addison was having church with all the cast members.
 We have two more days with the Halls. We are going to show them our area, branch and some members, go down town to the temple sight and maybe to the Amish country.
 Missionary work went on hold for three days, we have started with calls this morning with needs so we are getting back into our missionary hats and do what we came back here to do!
  After having a refresher course on the history of the church we have had it so reinforced how very blessed we are to have the gospel in our lives. The most important thing in the world is the gospel and our families.  Thank you for all being so supportive to us, for doing your very best to live the gospel and training such special grand kids. We are so proud and thankful for family, and dear friends!

Dinner with Addison & her companion

tour at the Joseph Smith home

The Sacred Grove with John & Ease

July 1-7th, 2014

 Dear Family & Friends,
We have been out here 6 months now, where does time go to?  Last week was not quite as busy as the week before.  We had a lot of appointments fall through. We have two elders leaving; Elder Raybe is through with his mission and Elder Smith has been transferred.  They both knew it was coming so they slowed down towards the end of the week.  We hate to see Elder Smith leave. He has been with us the whole time we’ve been here.  Really a good Elder!  Tomorrow we get two new ones. Hope they are dynamite! The two ladies that were baptized two months ago haven’t been out to church since our last two Elders left, they were the ones that baptized these two sisters, and they became very attached to those Elders.  There has also been some health issues with both of them, hope that is the reason, we keep seeing them and calling them!
Our Rozenna, (the tooth lady) wouldn’t go back to the dentist this week so now if she feels better we are going to take her in tomorrow.  The poor thing is so scared,  I don’t blame her, she has only three teeth left.  We’ll see if she will go by tomorrow.
The 4th turned out to be real fun, we had invited the missionaries to the house for dinner, others in the branch started asking about it, so we turned it into Pot Luck and held it at our branch.  We had over 30 there, tons of food, then we showed the movie 17 Miracles, they all seemed to enjoy it.  There was a lot of fireworks going on up and down Frankford. We didn’t go out to watch any of it- we were all too engrossed in the movie.  Sounds like everyone had fun with their families, (we sure missed ours)!!!
Sun. was fast and testimony meeting, as we know it was for you too.  We started with 6 people there, but by the time the Sacrament was all over we had a really good group.  About 10 bore their testimonies. It was a wonderful, spiritual meeting.  Pres. Burno was back- he isn’t doing much yet as head of the ward, but he looks a lot stronger and is doing a little more each day!
We had the elders over for dinner yesterday. We wanted to because of the two leaving.  It was hard to tell Elder Smith goodbye.  If we don’t take Rozenna to the dentist tomorrow, then we will go into the Mission Office and see where Elder Smith is being transferred to.
We have been watching a lot of the little messages on the ipads the elders show to investigators.  They are so wonderful. I can’t believe the extra miles the church goes to for missionary helps.  Each of them has a special message for a certain subject.  They are so wonderful for that little extra push of the Spirit to help out a lesson or to get a point across.  The investigators just love them.  Each one we see strengthens our testimony so much. How can people question the truthfulness of our church?  We are so thankful to be out here. Our love for the gospel has grown a million times, especially because we have taken it so in stride my whole life. How come we were all privileged enough to be born into the gospel?  That blessing alone is enough for all of us to have none others, yet we all have so many more.  We know we have the best family in all the world.
Thanks so very much for your love, support and prayers,  WE ARE SO BLESSED!!!! Glad all the Doman’s got home safely, that Harrison arrived safely, that you all sound well and happy and are trying so hard.  KEEP IT UP!!!!!!!
Our Love to all of you, Mom & Dad, Grandpa & Grandma + plus Greats, Karl & Joyce

June 23-30, 2014

Another month has passed by, we have now been here 6 months and we are already worrying about not getting enough accomplished while back here.  It is an ongoing progress, a little difference but slow!
This week has been a lot of taking people to appointments; our car is the most important thing back here.  We’ve put 10,000 miles on it since we got here. In Utah the most we ever did in one year was 6,000!  Dad is getting very good now getting around. He does all the driving (thank goodness he does), this is one mixed up city to understand their address system.
We’ve had the usual appointments this week.  Some of the new converts  we still meet with each week to teach them more principles of the gospel.  Alma, one of our most favorite converts hasn’t been out to church now for a month.  We met with her Sat.  She says she is still very enthused, but then, why not go to church?  A lot of it is her favorite Elders left. They get so dependent on these young elders, dad and I don’t cut the mustard when it comes to these Elders!
Wed. we took Lynda, a month old convert, to have surgery.  She went in the hospital thinking she was going to have an infected toe cut off.  Instead they just scraped the bone and we brought her home 5 hours later.  She was to church today!  Good for you LYNDA, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO WALK EVERYWHERE YOU GO!
Thurs. we took Rozenna to the dentist. She has adopted me. I’m a little worried because she told me on the way home she wanted to live with us in Utah.  I made the mistake of telling her we had missionaries living in the basement and she wanted to know if they were living there while we are out here. I told her no, not while we are on a mission, so she thinks she and her brother can move in with us when we go home.  I’m going to take a picture next week when we take her back to the dentist next Thurs.  I wish I had taken one last time we took her.  She is a very big, black sister, and had on a strapless top that hung to the floor.  She has been a slicer in her younger days with scares all over her body.  She had 4 teeth, one they took out which I WAS HOLDING HER HAND THE ENTIRE time while she cried and screamed.  They gave her seven shots to numb her.  Now she has 3 teeth with one more coming out next Thurs.  They will only do one tooth at a time because she puts on such a fit.  I feel sorry for her- the state these people get themselves into back here!  No car, no  money, no sense, what a carryover from one generation to another. How do we help people like this?
Luz (Lucy) is a member that is trying to get active again.  She talked  in church today and did a nice job.  You never know what they are going to get up and say.  I’ve fallen in love with her little daughter. She just turned 5, and is as pretty as a picture with black curly hair.  Her name is Ruby, along with our newest baby in the branch.  He is three weeks old and so adorable; we had a shower for the mom today after church.  She is the lady that wanted to get married to her boyfriend (who is in prison) before the baby was born, but that is when Pres. Burno got sick and it didn’t happen.  She told me today that it has to be done with someone at the prison anyway!
Dad had quite a day today. He is becoming a good branch Pres.  He picks up about 3 different people for meeting, today it was Marcadies, the baby and her son.  Grandma and Grandpa don’t know how to get the new car seat buckled so we are 20 minutes late for church. Dad is conducting, we ran out of speakers for this week, (when you only have about 10 to choose from his turn came up again.)  He did a wonderful job.   However, he would be the last to tell you so. Then it was the 5th Sunday of the month so someone from the presidency had to teach combined RS and Priesthood.  Guess who got to do that?  Not me, I’m always in Primary. Then he had to do the conducting and talks at the baptism.  He is really growing and takes it all very serious.
The Baptism today was a darling girl (25) named  Jomira Romera  and then Faith. She is 8 already but hadn’t been baptized because her dad just got out of prison, and there is no mom in the picture.  She is a darling girl. I have her in Primary, there are 4 kids, I’m so glad the dad is back in the picture, the kids really need a parent.  Both baptisms were very nice, we had a lot of support from the branch.
  I feel bad there is nothing after the baptisms, but we meet in another church building and can’t take over that building to have a party time at the end.  I hope they realize how special this occasion is for them.  Don’t know if dad and I ought to do something for them or what, any suggestions?  
We love it here in this mission, you really feel needed, there isn’t a day that someone doesn’t need some help, just wish we could do more!
HAPPY 4th!  We love all of you and miss you terribly!  Mom & Dad, G&G, Great G&G, and Friend

June 16-23, 2014

Another week flew by.  They are going so fast we soon need to be thinking about signing up again as soon as we get home.  We are still involved with the Burno’s house.  Pres. Burno  is getting stronger, he came to church yesterday for a few minutes but everyone gathered around him so much that we soon got him out of the building.  We had a big work crew over there all last Fri. but as Uncle Bruce always said, “when you take a cup of water out of the ocean you don’t notice much water gone.  We are still not finished with the living room; don’t know if we will ever get to the upstairs before we leave!
Elder Armstrong is doing a good job of being branch Pres.  When there is only about 20 really active members it is a chore to get speakers every Sun.  I guess next week one or the other of us will have to talk.  Our one missionary plays the violin and one of them is a good piano player, so we do have a musical number which is unusual!
My goal today is to get a hold of Alma. Since the elders that Baptized her left, she hasn’t been out to church.  I’m just sick about it. She is such a wonderful lady, and is the only one in her family that has accepted the gospel, so I know it is hard on her.  Elder (...) offended her husband, so we don’t know if he has influenced her not to come or what!  Hope today we can get some answers!
LaMar was confirmed in church today. He is like a big, big teddy bear.  He comes out to everything and seems to want to help where he can.  By the way, yesterday in Sacrament Meeting our Father that just got out of prison talked in church.  He was pretty humbled. I think the branch is welcoming him back pretty good; we had to talk to everyone and tell them we can’t judge him, but be kind and accepting to him and give him a chance.  I’m glad for the kid’s sake; they have no mother and were being watched by an x wife’s sister.  They are not easy children; ask me because I teach 3 of them in Primary!
Our thoughts were certainly with all of Laura’s Family this weekend. It was Harrison’s farewell; he goes to LA airport Tues. night and leaves at midnight.  We wish you God Speed Harrison, we are so proud of you, you have been preparing for this mission all your life, go out and serve with much love and humility. we will be anxious to receive all emails!
Dad and I are on our way to get Sister Dee’s laundry, she wanted us to come to her apt. and do it but it would take most of the day so we are bringing it back here and doing it.  She is another sad case here. No family, blind, hard of hearing, don’t know what she would do without people in the church.  She gets so irritated at people.  I’m sure I would too if I had all her handicap.  Last time she thought I had stolen her waste basket.   You have to be really careful to put things exactly where she knows they are.
The highlight of the week was to be with Kathleen on Sat.  She is the sister that has had her daughter just get out of prison and came back to live with her mom.  The mom is truly fed-up with her. She had been in the house 3 days and went out and got HIGH again, came back home and was sleeping it off when we got there.  Kathleen was ready to call the police.  She has been warned she will go back to prison for 4 years if she blows it this time.  Anyway, the missionaries pulled out a video by Pres. Monson on helping people, not judging, and having compassion and let the Savior be the judge.  By the time the video was over, we were all crying. Kathleen’s heart had been softened and she was like talking to a small child that had been very hurt.  How wonderful the gospel is. When we let the Savior in our lives to repair our heart and feelings then we are more pliable and can start healing.  What a testimony it was to me.  Every time we need strength we have the Savior right by our side.  I pray all of us will do this every time we get discouraged and blue.  He loves every one of us so much. I pray we can all show that love to Him in return!
All of you have a wonderful week. Keep our prayers going and our scriptures going. May all of you be safe and happy, we are all so blessed!
All our love, Dad & Mom  Grandpa & Grandma   Great Grandparents    Friends & Loved ones

June 9-16, 2014

I believe this was the most interesting week we have seen yet! So much opportunity for service and so many that need it.  Everything was about the usual until we got a group together Sat. to go over and work on Bro. Burno's house and yard!  I have never seen anything like it, not saying this mean but just so empathetic!  We found out that he was coming home from the hospital Sun. so we had to make Sat. count!
We  got over to their home early, three women working on the inside and about 7 men on the outside.  We had a truck load of stuff out on Sat.  He can't go up stairs for 6 weeks, so we had to clear a space for him to sleep in the living room on a couch bed.  Believe it- we didn't know that there was a couch in the room.  There was a small lane from the door through the first floor. We never did get up stairs. We threw away for hours and never even touched another room but the living room.  He now has a bed in the LR with a new mattress and new sheets.  When he gets a little stronger we are going back and see if we can help with more of the house.  It will take many trips but we are determined to give them some help. Sister Burno is in terrible health as well so they really need the support.

Father's Day was a very busy one for Dad. He is now the acting Pres. til Burno gets back.  At 7 Sun. morning we were called and told that because of Father's Day there would be no high council speaker.  Dad had already asked two of our new converts to talk and bear their testimonies, so then he called the Elders to see if Elder Smith could talk.  The two newest elders had already talked the week before.  Thank goodness Elder Smith was so willing. He gave a wonderful talk about his earthly father and his Heavenly Father.  These Elders still surprise me how mature and knowledgeable they are.

The night before at 10, which we were in bed because it had been such a hard day, the RS Pres. called me to say if I would come up with a saying or a tribute.  She would call her son, who was on his way home from work, and let him buy candy to fill bags for the fathers.  We met at the church at 9 and tried  to pull together a little gift.  Everything we do back here is on a wing and a prayer, but it seems to pull off.  We even had two dads from Utah at our little branch, who were out here on business.  Can you believe they found us on line. I think they really had their eyes opened.  We handed out 20 sacks, had a wonderful, spiritual meeting and were so grateful Heavenly Father helped us pull it off again.  Even without a lot of planning and organization He makes it special for these wonderful people.
 
After church we had another baptism.  I had to talk and dad had to conduct. His name is Lamar ??? He is a Big Kid that is mentally challenged but he was grinning from ear to ear!  I think dad may have sent a picture of him with our 4 elders.

I've been doing laundry all day for the Burno's and the baptism clothes for the Elders and Lamar. Tomorrow I need to do some for ourselves!  We also went today over to Lancaster, beautiful green rolling hills where the Amish live.  What a step back in time.  They were so friendly, polite and humble.  We are taking the Halls over there when they get back here!  Talk about beautiful quilts. Thousands of them and of so beautifully made.

We are real concerned, Alma hasn't been to church for three weeks.  We visit her during the week and she is very friendly and promises she will be there the next Sun. then she doesn't come. The two elders that baptized her have been transferred.  We hope that won't decrease her testimony.  These converts and investigators really love the Elders that baptize them.

I just want to say that my testimony has so been strengthened. I have always had one, but I didn't know people lived like they do back here.  These are all Heavenly Father's children.  He is just as concerned and loving to them as He is to the rest of the world. I can truly say that Dad and I love them too. They have so little- you can't help but want to see them grow in the gospel and have the gospel improve their lives.  What a wonderful experience on humility. I'm so blessed! We have been so pampered and blessed by Heavenly Father, how grateful I am to HIM!

(Mom in her "other" heaven....)

June 2-8, 2014

Happy Monday Everyone!
The weeks are starting to just fly.  It seems like two days go by then it is Mon. again!  This is the day we take our P-Day.  The rest of the week is very busy, we even have appointments on Mon. after 4:00.
The Branch has been in a little query this week. Pres. Burno has been in the hospital for a week now, and yesterday they took him into surgery to operate on his leg.  That is where the infection is coming from and they thought maybe the bone was infected. It turns out that wasn't the problem.  We called him today and he is pretty miserable.  He has blood poison coming from somewhere, hope they soon get to the bottom of it.
Dad is playing Branch Pres.  He is twice as busy as before, if possible.  Everyone is wanting their welfare money, the sister that got out of prison is driving her mom crazy, and Tammy, my good friend and hair dresser had a heart attack down at her sisters funeral last Fri. She is in pretty bad health, she is home now and resting.  They called today and said she has no money to buy her medicine.  Seems like everyone back here is falling apart!
We have Wed. set up to see if the branch will start on the Burno's yard and house.  Sister Burno is such a pack rat that we need about 30 people to go in there and help out.  All those on welfare should come and put in a lot of hours, but then too they are all sick too!  We are not complaining, just get frustrated because nothing seems to improve.
Sounds like all the graduations went smooth.  We are so proud of the grand kids.  We can't believe Harrison and Morgan are now on their way to bigger things!  Thanks for sending us pictures, announcements and phone calls so we could be involved too.  Good luck on getting Harrison ready, know you have so much to do in so little time.  We will be thinking of you as you take him to the temple.  This is when we wish we were home, but this is where we are suppose  to be, and we truly are happy and content!
We have two baptisms this Sun.  One little gal came out and was on her lawn and called the missionaries over, she has been receiving the lessons about a month now and getting baptized on Sun.  She is a beautiful girl.  She is from Costa Rica. Her husband is uninterested and has two little boys, 7- 4, which she said she is doing it for them. She makes the 7 year old sit through all the lessons and answer as many of the questions as he can.  The other one is another lady, remember we have no husbands out here!
Maybe you knew but we've had skunks living under our porch at home.  We called Ray Kunzes and he got the mother into the window well and shot her.  Then by this morning they have 5 more little ones.  I didn't dare ask how he got them. He said one of them went into Freiss' window well, it was one of the babies but Freiss' are in Lake Powell for the week.  When we talked to Ray again he said the entire neighborhood was having an infestation.   Hope the kids in the house or Ray will fill up the holes under the porch, or we will have another mess.
We have our three latest converts talking Sun.  They are all pretty scared.  Lynda can talk your leg off at her home so we are anxious to see what happens in church. The one we haven't asked yet.  She hasn't been out to church the last two Sunday’s.  We visit her during the week and says she can't get up by 10:00.  She is a night owl. The others elders used to call her by 9 in the morning, but these new elders don't.  I'm going to see if Dad thinks I should do that job!  I know the two elders that baptized her would be so disappointed, she really loved them, and maybe that is why she isn't coming!
Next Mon. we want to go to Lancaster Pa. The Halls want to see some Amish when the get out here and that is supposed to be a good area.  There is their kind of life you can visit, stores and a place to eat.  Hope it works out.
Have fun with the kids this summer. We miss them all so much. It will be especially hard on Brandon being the only kid at home now!  We send all our love and keep you all in our prayers daily.