Spring has sprung, the weather is beautiful, and things are going well in Philly. We had a wonderful regional conference last week, it was for the eastern states, so I doubt any of you saw it. We went to Pennypak ward to see it. (about 10 miles away) and took some of our branch members with us. It was nice not to hold services in our branch, gave us a little break from trying to get speakers etc, and hear from the general authorities in Salt Lake. Afterwards we had pot luck dinner, which turned out pretty good. We took a pasta salad. It was funny though. A man kept sneaking into the line to get another plate, which  I thought was for his family, but he went to a table in the rear and starting eating each plate by himself. I thought for sure they would run out of food, but they barely made it, and after the man got filled up, he went into the kitchen and got foil so he could take anything left home with him.

     We had a transfer this week, our best Elder, Elder Long left us. He plays the guitar and has really touched a lot of people as he plays and sings to them. He has a jam session, so to speak, with a member’s husband who plays the drums and percussion in a Latin band. They just came back from Colombia on a tour, and we are trying to get him interested in the church. He is really nice to us, but not in the Church.  Elder Long had those who he is teaching sign his guitar, and it was covered with signatures, but didn’t ask us. We are so hurt! Just kidding.

     We went to a members house and her boyfriend was laying on the couch with his leg all bandaged up. He said he was outside the night before and a hooded guy pulled a gun and started shooting. He could have been killed, but only got hit in the leg. Also our dependent lady Rosina, who takes up most of our time in service chasing her all over the city for this and that, asked us if we would take her to the cemetery on the anniversary of her one son’s murder, but she couldn’t remember where the cemetery was. We drove for two hours, gave up and took her back home. Anyway, the night before two men broke into her house with guns, put one in the mouth of a neighbor lady who was there and robbed them. They didn’t get much though, there isn’t anything of value in their houses. They got a few dollars and some cell phones. Rosina was yelling at her kids, (she always has some there sponging of her, since none of them work), to call the police, but they either went in the basement to hide or something like that, she really gave them a peace of her mind which only Rosina can do. She is called the pit bull, and this name fits her perfectly. She is the one who says she is moving to Utah with us when we leave. We have been helping her get government housing and I only hope it come through before we leave, so she can get out of that neighborhood.  

     One of our inactive member’s sons, who we are teaching but has not yet been baptized, got in trouble with the law and has been in home confinement. He finally had a hearing with the judge and we were shocked to hear that they sentenced him to six years. He is only 14 years old, seems to be a good kid, a little rowdy, but normal for that age group, at least around here. So goes the people in the Frankford branch.

     We had a good fast Sunday, but few showed up. There were less than 10 members other than the leadership. Joyce had 3 kids but I had to take two of them home because they wouldn’t cooperate and were so angry in being here because they missed their favorite TV show. Of course their mother wasn’t there, she has only been to church once during our entire mission. The neat thing was that 3 of the members bore their testimony. They were only a minute or two long, but the first time in their life that they had done this and stood up in front of the congregation. A couple of them had to get help from the leadership as to what to say, but at least they did it.

     Richard, our bi-polar member who hates the world, is mad again. He calls me daily to complain about anything and everything. He walked in after church was over and wanted to have it out with President Burno because he went out of the meeting several months ago when Richard was giving a talk. (He had just moved in and this was the only meeting he has been to) Anyway everyone was just leaving to go home, which made him mad and says he won’t ever come to church again. He will call me tomorrow with another story though, so I don’t worry much about what He says.

     Despite the challenges, we love the people, love going with the Elders, love playing taxi cab driver, love keeping the peace, baby-sitting, going for food orders, holding bible study and game night, taking people to the hospital and doctor’s appointments, and in doing the Lord’s work in the Frankford Branch. Joyce’s back is starting to feel better since she fell, and is coming out on appointments when she can. She has been sewing and making quilts to give away and is enjoying doing that when she stays at home.

     We love you all, have a great day. Our time is now less than two months, as our release date is the end of June. We are planning a temple trip to both Washington D.C. and Manhattan Temples in the next couple of weeks with the other Senior Couples and also with our Missionaries, who are now allowed to go with members to do baptisms. It doesn’t look like they will be replacing us with another Missionary Couple, so we need to figure out what to do with our apartment and more important, how this little branch is going to survive without a taxi.               

Love, the Armstrong’s

I'm just looking at pictures of all the humanitarian work that has been accomplished in Nauvoo.  Way to go all you hardworking missionaries, what busy, busy hands, with Susan and Ross there working and encouraging I'm not surprised!

   W have had a busy week, mainly Karl is the taxi of the branch.  Trips to New Jersey for food orders, taking people to Dr. and Dental appointments, trying to keep up with the missionaries here.

   We took Rosina to the Dentist, she had only been out of the hospital a couple of days, anyway, she got real sick down at the office and couldn't see the Dentist.  We are trying again tomorrow to see if it works this time.  My heart really goes out to her, if we can just keep her well enough that she can get this other housing and get her out of the situation she lives in now.  She really has it tough!

   Sun. we had our regional conference. It was broadcast from the conference center for several States back here in the Eastern part of this country.  It was wonderful. We could see a big change in Elder Hales. All of the apostles are getting much older, it breaks our hearts to watch them age.  We are so blessed to live in such a wonderful time of life to have the media that connects us all as one.     We held a pot luck after the broadcast, I've never seen so much Rice & Beans.  I thought of Brooklyn, she always orders Rice & Beans at Cafe Rio.  We took the Hatchet's with us, they have been very active since his baptism, sure hope it lasts, we need the help in the branch so much.  He has started passing the Sacrament, he can't quit smiling as he passes it.

   Our wonderful Elder Long is getting transferred this Wed.  He has been such a super Elder,he plays the guitar, and has sung his way into so many hearts back here.  We will take him out to the mission office Wed. and bring back a new Elder.He has had me fixing suits before he goes.  He had a tailored suit made out here for a $100.  He is so proud of this suit, it fit him terrible, so I'm trying to rectify many of the problems, the hem on the pants was unbelievable, anyway, he loves it and is very happy with it so at least his pants won't be 2 inches above his shoes.

     We had the Elders over for dinner Sun.  We also fed them Wed. They are so grateful for a dinner, especially when it get towards the end of the month and their food is getting quite sparse!   We spent Sun. night taking Josephine to another recording for the song she wrote.  It is so beautiful, she really has a wonderful voice, so much talent.  She dubbed in her own voice for all the harmony. We have a video of it and  want all of you to hear it.  Elder Long does all the recording-he brought back his own equipment and knows how to fill in all the extra's, 

    The work is the same. Lots of problems to help with, always places to drive people to, try to enthuse the Primary, and Dad always hunting for someone to talk in Sacrament meeting.  He is preparing more talks right now. He either hands them out for someone to read, (if they are assigned they won't come to church and give the talk), or else he has something ready that he can give himself.  

   It was funny two Sunday's ago, the stake came for ward conference. Usually they prepare the entire lesson, sharing time and singing time. This time they got up and said I was doing the lesson. When the stake is there it is a little hard to get up and pull something out of the top of my head. Anyway we made it through and they really encouraged and helped us.  They are all wonderful people, not judgmental, just willing to  help where they can because our branch is so unique from a normal primary.

   Our two grandsons went to the Prom this week.  First date for Tyler. Two of our grandkids graduated from BYU, two of them finished up another year of  college and our missionary boy had his nineteenth birthday.  Boy our family is all growing up and spreading their wings for bigger and better things.  We are so proud of all of them, keep up the great work, all of you!   Life is great, we miss all of you, but know we have a lot more to do here in our time left.  Have a wonderful week, keep well and stay busy, (this one I know for sure you all do.)    Love each and every one of you!!!  Mom & Dad, Grandpa & Grandma, Elder & Sister Armstrong 

Dear Loved Ones,

   The weeks are rolling by so fast, we can hardly catch our breath!.  Last week was a very busy one with Rosina, Stake Faith in God, Stake leaders for ward conference, and our RS birthday party.  All went very well, but hope this one is a little less hectic.  The most wonderful thing about the entire week was our ward conference. The first counselor talked on how we love these people no matter what.  I really needed to hear that talk because  many days we wonder if we do anything at all.  He told of his grandfather going to Brazil some 75 years ago  as a young missionary.  The whole time he was over there he had no converts and felt very discouraged.  Today, that same area has many temples, stakes and missions, and how strong those people are.  How we pray we are planting a seed or two for these dear people.  Karl and I have laughed about many of the situations they get themselves into. We do that so we won't cry. With no cars, no husbands, no money and many kids and poor health, I'm sure they have done much better than I ever could have under these circumstances.  

   We've learned to love these people so much, many of them we feel like family.  In fact that is how Rosina introduces us. We are her church family she tells everyone!  We are most worried about her, her health is terrible, she is in the hospital every other week.  Tomorrow we have several Dr. apt. with her. We have her a place now to live, just pray she can get into it before something serious happens to her.  She has applied for government help and who knows how long that will take. We have seen a lot of sad and poor people because we are so personally involved with their problems and pain.  We pray every night that there will be a couple sent back here to take our place in July, if anyone needs help it is these sweet people.

   We have a woman's Book of Mormon study each Mon. night.  We have another new lady who isn't yet a member coming tonight. We read together in the B of M, our help and explanation is always taken from The Book of Mormon made Easy by David Ridges.  I have loved these books for a long time, and ordered another set when I got out here. I will leave them here when we leave.

   Thank you for all your love, emails and support.  The other night Anna called and said she just wanted to talk to us. It totally made our day.  All of you are so attentive, you are all the best people in the world. 

Happy Birthday goes out this week to Chase, Mary Louise, Pam, and Harrison.  Have a wonderful BD and know we love all of you!

Karl & Joyce

Mom & Dad
Grandma & Grandpa

Elder & Sister Armstrong

Dear Family and Friends.

   We had company last week, and also this weekend so we are behind on our writing.  It is good to have people here. Everyone seems to be doing good and life is busy for everyone. I guess that keeps us out of trouble.

  Byron Larsen from our ward in Glenmore and a member of the Bishopric has been with us.  He is an inventor and had to come out to Philly to bring some machine that he has produced in a food making plant.  If it works for their company they will be sitting pretty darn good. He and one other person are the CEO’s of the company and they didn’t have a pay check all last year.  They are all praying this will fly this time.  Our prayers will certainly be with them, they really need a break!

   It has turned so lovely here, around 68-70 degrees.  Just absolutely perfect.  A lot of Spring things are coming to bloom-no wind the past two days and so much sunshine.  We are praying for it to continue.  We hope this week we can unpack some summer skirts and tops.

   We have had Rosina in the hospital again. She gets herself up so tight, she has 18 kids and right now they are all driving her nuts.  We have been looking for her some housing. She got cleared by the government to qualify for assistance, now if we can just find it.  We have an appointment with her tomorrow to start the search.  When she moves she is not telling anyone her address. She is only taking her downs syndrome brother and as she puts it, (fading into the sunset).  Right now she lives next door to a half-way house. All the people come over to her house to watch TV and she lives upstairs in her bedroom.  I don’t blame her for being upset.  They sit there all day, drinking and smoking and eating her food. She is a nervous wreck, and needs to get out of that environment! She had two heart attacks last week, one of these times we won’t be bringing her home from the hospital!

   Josephine has been supper involved with school, programs, young single adults and everything you can think of, so we have had Enoch a lot last week.  He is an easy little boy to tend, but gets quite uneasy with not much to do at our house.  I know she doesn’t like him to watch so much TV, thank goodness there was a lot of cartoons on Sat. to help us get through the day.  Everyone back here needs so much help. If we were only magic and could solve everyone’s problems.  We pray every day that a couple will soon be called to take our place. We would just love to walk out and leave them everything in this house.

   Thanks for all the love and support! You are all the best, we got kind of homesick after Doman’s left. You can tell it is getting near the end and there are so many things we still want to get done.  Most of it depends on the people themselves, the cooperation we get from the city, government doctors and landlords.  We are keeping our fingers and toes crossed and praying real hard a lot more can happen!

   Love all of you so much!  A quote I loved from conference:

   THOU LIFT ME, AND I LIFT THEE, AND WE SHALL ASSEND TOGETHER!   All of you are what keeps us trying back here.  Hope when we leave some little thing can have been accomplished back here.  Right now we are praying for miracles!!!!!!!!  

                                   Elder & Sister Armstrong

                                    Mom & Dad

                                    Grandma and Grandpa

                                    Karl & Joyce

Visit with the Doman's

Bishop's storehouse

Zone conference lunch

4-1-2015

HAPPY APRIL FOOLS DAY!

Dear Family and Friends,

    The weather really played a joke on us today. It is so beautiful outside, the air is pretty nippy but it is actually starting to show signs of Spring.  I don’t know about the majority of you, but I’m really liking the looks that maybe we are through with the cold, dreary winter.

   We are back in Philly. We drove to Illinois last weekend (16 hours each way), mostly rain all the way there. We went to our son’s house, they baptized their 2^nd little girl (Brie).  It was so wonderful being with their family. The children had all grown. They had just finished their basement and it looked so lovely. Very modern looking, the coloring, the lights, the floor, etc. It looked so much like Jen.  We drove all day Fri., and the baptism and confirmation were Saturday.  Dad and I got a big laugh out of the fact that Brie had asked Grandpa A to baptize her, so our own Grandchild was our only baptism that Grandpa got to participate in on our whole mission.  Pretty neat though!

    We have been involved with teaching and preparing investigators for baptism, but the YOUNG ELDERS do all the baptizing.  We remind ourselves daily that we are back here to support, support and support!

   16 more hours for the drive home. We were so glad to get here! We both had bad colds and fevers so it was a long ride home.  We took yesterday to pull ourselves back together.

   One of our biggest priorities before we leave here is to get Rosina in some livable housing.  Yesterday they called and said she has been approved for government  help.  Now we have 10 days to find her a house, and get her settled.  We have all been working so hard on this project.  Right now she lives in a very scary neighborhood, her home is the hang out for everyone in Frankford. We go there to teach and the house is so full of people, cigarettes, pot etc. It is hard to teach above the screaming TV.  She wants so bad to get out of her environment.  This is really a priority on our bucket list.

   We are all watching conference at the church.  We get it two hours later back here. We always have a pot luck in-between the two sessions.  I know we will have a lot of rice and beans come in so I’m trying to think of something different. They are always all  hungry, mainly just something that will fill them up and have plenty of it, what ever IT is.

   We are excited this Sun. Alisa, Curt and their family are coming back for Spring Break.  We will be so glad to see them.  We have been so blessed while back here, we have had all of our family (except our son John), two sets of friends, our next door neighbors and my Sister and brother-in-law.  We have appreciated all the love and support, the cards, letters and encouragement.  There is nothing in the world like true friends and family to keep us all trying and determined to keep going and doing our best!    You are all so wonderful! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your love and encouragement.

   Enjoy your conference weekend. What a great opportunity to all recommit and take the advice of our living prophet and His wonderful disciples.  We are so blessed. I pray I won’t take it just for granted! Love and miss all of you. Stay healthy, happy and keep doing all the good that you are doing.  

You are all the best!!!  

Grandpa & Grandma

Mom & Dad

Elder & Sister Armstrong

Dear family and friends, 

    Another short note about our doings. We had a nice baptism two weeks ago, that we already told you about. Anyway we scheduled their confirmation last week and really began to worry when the Sacrament had been passed and they hadn't shown up. After the first speaker (Elder Meline), one came in, then another, but Raymir, never did. I went to pick him up but he wasn't home. We got two confirmed anyway, but whether they remain active is anyone's guess. Timothy is fighting with his wife and she wants to divorce him, and Leon is still on probation from his prison term, but since we got permission from the First Presidency, he can get the Aaronic Priesthood, and go to the Temple for Baptisms for the dead. I think he will be a good member, but has a long way to go to understand the gospel. 

   We don't see the other Sr. Couples very often, so last week we all got together and went to Gettysburg overnight. We had two new couples who had come in, but the one couple was so swamped with their work at the mission office, they didn't go. Three couples have gone home, and one is leaving this week, so we got to see them. There are three new couples coming in the next few months but we will still be short until they open up the site where Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were baptized and the new visitor center is finished. 

  We had the street blocked in front of our Church all day. Someone said there was a shooting and a robbery, but I haven't heard the details. We just continue taking the Elders to their appointments, taking the members to their doctors appointments, shopping or whatever, holding bible study on Tues, and activity night on Fridays. And then our services on Sunday, hoping we can get enough there for our block meetings. Thank the Lord for our missionaries, who teach classes and speak in Sacrament meeting. I hope our little branch survives since people move out as soon as they can. Nobody likes living in this area, and those who stay are only here because they have nowhere else to go. 

  Once again, we got permission to go to Illinois for our Grandaughter's baptism this weekend. Our Mission President lets us do this type of thing which we really appreciate and gives us a little break, then we are renewed to continue on with our work. We are blessed to have two new missionaries in our area. One, Elder Milligan is an African American from Louisiana. He is so funny. A convert to the church and has a strong testimony. He tells of his past life, which was very sad, and of his conversion from the Baptist Church. He is wonderful in explaining the truths of the gospel when we meet people who say they are content in their own church and won't leave. Our branch clerk is a strong member who comes in from another ward as a Stake Missionary to help us out each Sunday. He has been a bishop, a high counselor etc, and really helps us run the branch. Without him and his wife who teaches Sunday school, our branch couldn't function. 

   Last night in Bible Study we studied the Gospels in the New Testament.  Elder Milligan bore his testimony and showed a short video on the miracles the Savior did during His ministry on earth.  I had the most wonderful, peaceful feeling come over me. I knew Heavenly Father was mindful of Karl and I. We have been worried that we've done no good back here, we just help with problems and make very tiny baby steps, which they too can blow up in our face. Anyway, I felt so much better when it was confirmed to us that some days we really help these wonderful people. They all have so many struggles, our lives have been so easy compared to these special Saints.  We are constantly praying for more understanding, more compassion and more patients with each one of them!

   We love you family and friends so much. Thank you for all your prayers and 

e-mails, they truly keep us going.

         THE ARMSTRONG'S IN PHILLY    

Philly Times

Hi wonderful Family and Friends,

   Another new week, they just keep coming and getting better.  Our little branch had a miracle happen yesterday.  We had three baptisms, and what a thrill, especially for Elder Seeley who goes home tomorrow.

  LEON MOBLEY

  TIMOTHY HATCHET

  RAMIR WILLIAMS. He is nine, the others older.  Ramir is Rosina's Grandson, we've written about him many times.  A bright little guy with a ton of hang ups he has had to cope with all his life.  He was so excited, he got out of the fount and when asked how he felt about being baptized he said, "Well my foot didn't come out of the water".  We went and got him new clothes (the Sunday dress outfit) and he said, "now I look like a missionary".  We so hope all three of these people can hang on and embrace the gospel, it would improve their lives so very much.

   That is our biggest fear, that this entire branch is going to sometime get lost in the shuffle.  Many of them just hang on with a thread. This mission, as yet, doesn't have anyone (Senior Couple) to take our place.  Not that we do so many wonderful things, but they just need extra love and care. Not anyone in the branch, only a very small handful, can offer that, they need that love and care themselves.   

   How on earth does Heavenly Father keep track and bless everyone? His job seems so over whelming to me. If we have three a day that needs a lot of extra attention and help we come home exhausted.

  ELDER ARMSTRONG'S TURN: It amazes me the support that the church gives its people. Our small branch gets thousands of dollars of aid each week for rent, food, utilities, etc. and when we see some come to church, we know the purpose, they are in need of assistance. Every other week or more often, we drive to New Jersey to the Bishops storehouse for food orders and the like, but I now have a new friend, Richard, who is a disabled vet, and is bi-polar, and was very negative about the church, rides down with me and helps me deliver the food. We even got him to speak in Church last Sunday to our amazement. We love our little branch however, and really enjoy working with the missionaries who really put in a great effort in the work. 

     Our mission will be closing down eight apartments soon, since more are leaving than are coming. Three new Sr. Couples will soon be called to work at the Susquehanna site however, where Joseph Smith was  Baptized.  Elder Russell Nelson will dedicate the site this fall. They are building a new visitor center and it will be a choice church history site to see. 

   Anyway, all is great, the Temple is moving ahead and drawing a lot of interest, I only wish we could see it dedicated before we leave, but who knows, maybe we can come back!

   Spring has sprung, the weather is great, and all is well. Love ya all. 

Ramir's baptism