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.

May 29, 2014

We had such a wonderful day yesterday I decided to write it so I wouldn’t forget!
The elders found out Fri. that they were being transferred.  Timmerman and Kofford were being sent to new areas, Reedhead and Smith were staying here but just each got new companions. It was pretty sad to tell Kofford and Timmerman good bye.  They were such wonderful elders, every time they got out of an appointment or out of the car they would say I love you guys.  The two sisters we just baptized were pretty sad. I kept thinking of Addison and Taylor soon trying to tell everyone on their missions good bye.  What a wonderful experience it is to be missionaries, with Harrison’s personality, he will bring as much love to his mission has these two have.
When they left our house from dinner on Mon. they gave us a wonderful book about the Savior. Elder Timmerman had written in it so lovely, that will be a real treasure for dad and I to remember.
Tues. we went to the mission office because it was transfer day.  They (over 150) of them line up at two ends of the culture hall, then they put a slide up of one elder and match up his new companion on the other side of  the screen.  They then both come running to the middle of the cultural hall, embrace each other with big hugs and pats on back and smiles, and yells.  It is quite a sight to behold, the Spirit is so strong in the room, everyone is crying, laughing and the energy is so strong.  These missionaries really love one another.  Pres. Anderson them tells them that this is how the Lord wants them to be matched, he goes through quite a process to get it all lined up the way the Lord wants it.
We were so glad we got to see it. What an inspiring experience! Dad and I were so glad we got to stay together and neither of us got transferred!
Elders Timmerman and Kofford got the highest in the mission last month for the most contacts and lessons. No wonder Dad and I get tired!!! Hope these new ones keep us just as busy.  This is what makes missionary work so wonderful. I know all we missionaries get much more out of it than the investigators.  We are so happy to be out here, we love the people, our branch and just everything about it.  Thanks to all of you for our support, you are all so good to us, we can truly feel of your support and prayers.
Yesterday, Tues. our little Tammy Edmonds from our branch called dad and wanted him to take her down town to a Dr. apt.  We couldn’t because we were on our way in another direction for the transfers.  Anyway, she was crying on the phone because she was having chest pains and no money for bus fare.  Dad felt so bad that he turned around and went down by her house and gave her money to  get on the bus and get some lunch.  She is the one that got kicked out of her house two weeks ago. They lived in it for six weeks without electricity, they have no car, she has no husband, poor health and just lives from day to day.  I don’t know how some of these people survive.  I have been blessed with so much, our entire family has. I hope Dad and I are grateful enough for all our blessings.  I know our eyes sure have been opened!

Week May 19th to 26th, 2014

        It has been a wonderful week.  We were all surprised because both Elder Koffard and Timmerman are being transferred  this Tues., so they have really poured on the appointments.  They have been two of the finest Elders I've ever seen.  They have loved families through death, hospitals, jail time and converts.  We really hate to see them go. We are having a dinner for them tonight, and take them to the mission office tomorrow. We will bring back two new Elders. They have been with us since we got here. We've sure learned to love them-each time we are with them we think of Our Three Missionaries!
In church today, this young gal that we are teaching came up and ask me if I thought our branch Pres. could marry she and her boyfriend! I went and asked Pres. Burno and he said he could if it were on a Sat.  I came home and called her to tell her and she said it would have to be at the prison (that is where her boyfriend is). Anyway, her baby is due on the 26th of June and she wants it done before the baby comes.  Dad and I are trying to work that out and see if we can get Pres. Burno in the prison to marry them. What are some of these people thinking? She had to have the elders give her a blessing after church because she was having contractions, sure hope it all pans out for her.
We were concerned to hear about Addison.  She always down plays it, but sure hope she is OK. She puts so much humor in her experiences. What a darling girl! it made us laugh to hear her describe her experience, what a girl!
Our two sisters that were baptized a week ago got confirmed today. They were quite excited about it, the one (ALMA) will be quite a member, especially if she can get some of her family interested.
It was our Branch Conference today.  We had 45 in sacrament meeting, half were stake people. It sure seemed nice to have our chapel that full. I had to make 30 sack lunches for them to have after the meetings, they (the stake) wanted to go visit inactive and see if we could get more coming out to church, we have about 150 on the roll that we don't know anything about. You call and don't get anywhere or go there and nobody will answer the doors.  I'm anxious to see if anyone could get in today.
We are having the elders over Memorial Day for dinner, we hate to see the two of them go, so did Alma she just cried and cried! We keep busy, we are putting a lot of miles on the car but we are really enjoying it here. Every week is new experiences.  We have a lot to be thankful for.  People are really good to us. I didn't know I could love these people so much! Hope all of you can do something fun for Memorial Day, it seems strange not to decorate graves!

We love all of you and miss you. Hope you can all get through school letting out and summer coming on. Please tell all the kids that we love them and wish them good luck in finishing this school year! Have a wonderful, busy week.

Thanks to all of you for the wonderful birthday presents. I got to hear from each one of you, and you were all so good to me, how did I ever deserve such a wonderful family?

Love you all so much, Mom & Dad, G&G, Great G&G

May 12-19th, 2014

We had a pretty full week, Elder Kofford thinks he will be transferred next week so they are really giving it all they have.  The only problem is that we can't keep up with them, but we sure try.

The big news of the week is Alma Claudio and Shaniqua Harris got baptized. We have been working with them ever since we got here. The baptism was so wonderful. Alma had 30 people there to see it happen. She is the only member and all but her brother came from New Jersey to see it. I hope she will have a lot of influence on her family. They all just love her to pieces. She is the main force in all of the family.

They both took their time in making the decision. The meeting was so spiritual, Dad, I and the branch Pres. talked.  Both Shaniqua and Alma bore their testimonies and did such an awesome job. We were so proud of them.  The missionaries sang and the spirit was so strong.  I hope they will remember it always. We gave them a journal (thanks for the idea Alisa) and told them to go home and write how they felt during the baptism and especially the testimony meeting afterwards. Those feeling we can forget so fast.  I hope they remember the Spirit that was so strong.  Alma was crying so hard she could hardly talk.  The missionaries are so neat. Every time I'm around them I think of Taylor, Addison and Harrison.  These converts certainly love their missionaries, especially when they are females!   In our Branch they always confirm them the Sunday after they are baptized, so that will take place next Sun.

Dad is so darling back here, the Linda that was baptized a month ago had the Elders dig her a little pond, (about 3x3 in her back yard). Dad went out today and got her 8 Goldfish to put in the pond. He just loves to do some little thing for people.  It has to be what he thinks of and in the way he wants to do it.

We have been teaching a young mother (Marsadies). Several years ago she was baptized.  She has a boy 9 and wants to get him baptized and her back in the church. She is expecting a baby boy in June. As we have said before, there is never any fathers in the homes, so we just thought that was the norm. Anyway, yesterday at church she cane up and asked me if the branch Pres. could marry her before the baby comes. I went and talked to Pres. Burno  and he said he could as long as it was on a Sat. because he works nights during the week. I came home and called Marsadies and come to find out she needs to get married at the prison.  That is where her boyfriend is. We are trying to work through the Stake Pres. and see who can go there and marry them. I hope it works out for her. I'm always amazed at these people's baggage, actually they think it is pretty normal. Dad and I may be going to the prison again.

The man we went down to court to see being sentenced is getting out this month on the 25th.  I sure am glad for his kids. They have been living with his X wife's sister.  They are such a handful in church (you can tell they need tons of direction).  Sure hope he will give it to them. We have another sister in our branch that was put in jail last Thurs. She got in a fight with another woman. I don't know how long she will be there. They all have no money and the church won't put up money for bail, so there they sit trying to cool off.  We may have to go down to her hearing if they call one. She is a sister to the lady that died in March.  Their Mom is now raising both sister's kids.

We feel so sorry for so many back here, all of the branch has tons of baggage. You try and help but it doesn't seem to make much difference. My hair dresser, Tammy and her daughter and husband got kicked out of their house.  They finally found another place in our branch. You go to help them and they have no car to move with, they couldn't get out their washer so they just left it in the house. Who knows when they can get another one.  The branch tries to help what they can.  They put up money so they could get into this other house, then they all came to church yesterday in new clothes. I hope the money went for the down payment for two months so they can live now in this house.  I never realized I had it so good. We can all be so thankful our husbands provide for us and they are not sitting in jail.

Dad and I realize it is graduation time. I can't believe we won't be with your families to see it. We are so proud of Harrison, Morgan and Christian. We love all of them so much.  Please all of you remember we are trying to save souls, but, sure wish them luck and we will be thinking and praying for all three. Please keep us informed on how it all goes!

Dad and I are very happy back here. Every day we wish we could do more and pray that Heavenly Father will direct us to help those we can. Some days we feel like the situation will never change, how must Heavenly Father feel?  We love and miss all of you so much.  Thank you for keeping us so informed on your lives and all that is going on... We have the best kids in the world!  Much, much love, Dad & Mom

This is Shaniqua Harris

This is Alma Claudio, Elder Timmerman by me and Elder Koffard by dad.