2 February 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

       "January starts the year out fine, February you are my Valentine." So goes the song.

I like February because it is short and sweet. Short because of the 28 days, sweet because of Valentine's Day and lots of candy and cherry pie. I already got mom a Valentines present and a hand made card (made with someone else's hands). I was so excited I made her open them yesterday.

    Today was P-day. So after working at the Seniors center, we drove down to an auto dealership to see about renting a van to  take all the missionaries down to Searcy on Wednesday. There are 12 missionaries in the Paragould and Jonesboro Districts. Its over 100 miles down there. Usually the missionaries find rides from about 3-4 members to drive them down to Searcy then the members have to wait all day to bring them back in the afternoon. Thought it might be easier just to rent a van that holds 12 and drive everyone down together at one time. Well, the missionaries were all willing to give it a try. But when I called our insurance back home they wouldn't cover us because it wasn't a personal passenger vehicle with just Mom and I in it. The rental place here don't provide insurance because it cost too much. They suggested I try Enterprise in Jonesboro, they could provide the insurance for 62 more dollars. So with the rental, the sales taxes, the insurance and the gas it came to about $230.00, to go to Zone Conference. I guess its best just to have everyone find a ride. It wouldn't be bad if this was just a one time thing, but these zone meetings happen two to three times a month. So we let the whole thing go.

    After that I went and got my haircut at Lois', she only charges $8 but they expect a tip so I pay $10. After that we stopped by the store for some milk and groceries. While mom did that I went over to the DollarTree and got two new solar dancers. One is a little cupid angel with a bow and arrow the other is a little devil with pitchforks in his hands. I thought if I attached one to each of my shoulders, it would make a good way to start a religious discussion but Mom would probably not like that.

Mom here:  Mon.is always a busy day.  We still have birthday cookies to deliver and I am not done with my cleaning.  The missionaries don't really clean up their apartments unless they absolutely have to.  I have already

heard how it was to clean up two apartments you would think that would be a good incentive to clean their own.....

Dear Family, Feb. 2, 2015

Not sure if this will all work. Dad started a letter but it took us too long to finish so aol closed down on us. We don’t want to retype everything all over and we are not very computer smart, so some how we will try to piece to letters together. It probably won’t work but we will try anyway.

Mondays are always busy, with cleaning the apartment and typing letters but I am almost done which is good since we have birthday cookies to deliver.

It is so hard to believe that we are already in the month of Feb. But I do understand why Evan thought that the month of Jan. would never end. He had a lot of waiting and that can make anything seem extra long. It seemed like Jan just started and then it ended. We now have 8weeks left of this mission. I do have to say that that does not seem very long before we will be packing up for good. I would like to leave things here but because I really don’t want to take things home that we don’t need. I guess I will just have to see if there is some body that can use the shower stuff and kettles. I could just pack it all in the boxes that the mission will pick up and hope that it will go to a senior couple.

We had such delightful weather the last week of Jan. Feb. started out with a big wind and rain storm.Today tho’ we are having lots of warm sunshine and mostly clear skies. It was cold this morning but no frost so that wasn’t too bad. Sometimes I think that I packed clothes that are to warm and then we will have a day like yesterday where it poured down rain and I think that I didn’t pack warm enough clothes. The church building is always cold. We can only bump up the heat to 71 and that doesn’t heat things up very well. So Dad and I came home very cold and even the apartment didn’t feel very warm. While we were getting ready for church yesterday the power went off. When I was taking a shower I had a premonition that the power was going to go off and that Dad needed to hurry up and take his shower. Well he took his shower in the dark and I was trying to get enough light so I could get my makeup on right. I decided that I would have to go with wet hair but even with all the rain that we were having it would be hard to get in to the car let alone the church parking lot with out wet hair. Of course the power came back on just before we left for church. We don’t know what happened, we will probably find in tomorrows paper.

We spent last week trying to make appointments and then going to visit people mostly to deliver the cookies. I’m not sure sometimes if they want the cookies or if they really want to visit. Maybe it is both. Sat we had an 8 year old Baptism that we attended. There was a birthday party after the baptism..Bro Lamb wanted to be sure

That Sister Taylor and I could eat something there so he went out of his way to provide hotdogs that were vegetarian, they are really gross. The Chips I could eat but after trying to find someplace to get rid of the hot dog which ended up in the garbage I was done. Sister Taylor was having a kidney stone attack so the Sisters didn’t come. Dad and the Elders gave her a blessing but even last night she still wasn’t feeling well.

Sat after the baptism we had to make visits to the upper country (now this is a funny we have everyone here calling Rector, Piggett and Corning the upper country). Some that we visitied was for birthday cookies but others were because Dad and I have a lady that we home teach and visit teach. So we were trying to get her before the end of Jan. For some reason the Branch leaders think that we are staying here for a very long time. Maybe we need to drop hints that we are leaving the end of March. We also visited our non-member friend. She was having a hard time because she went to her brother-in laws funeral he had serious cancer and no chance to overcome it. But Pat is distraught so we listened and she talked. It seems like we have been doing a lot of listening lately not only for Pat but others also in the Branch also. We have to go and see Judy so we can talk to someone who is normal. Judy has health problems but her attitude is so

refreshing and actually restful. After spending time with her, life doesn’t seem so bad There are so many here that have made some very bad choices in their lives and they can’t figure out how to get out of the mess that they find themselves in. It wouldn’t be so bad if they didn’t go out and make more bad choice and then the cycle goes on and on. The jails are full to overflowing and it never seems to get better. If they would just listen to the missionaries they could have a better life but they seem to be reluctant to make the change that is needed. We have some new converts that are really struggling to make those needed changes. It is easier to go back to what they were doing before and so they have. We see people join the church then when the missionary leaves the new convert leaves also but not back to church. We spend a lot of time trying to invite new converts to come back to church. It is a lot easier to not come then actually have to make the effort to get up and go. I wish the Branch members were a lot more friendlier but that is a problem that we can’t really fix. Love Mom and Dad

26 January 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

    Big news this week is that Evan was put in the Bishopric in Albany, Oregon. Chad Walker was put in Bishopric in Middleton, Idaho, and Chet Walker was put in Bishopric in Michigan the week before. What's this church coming to? putting in primary children into bishoprics. At least that is the way I remember them.

    Remember in Hoodwinked where the frog says; "We don't arrest people just because they look creepy" Well this past week the Elders traded apartment complexes with the Sisters, because they had a guy that lived above them that looked creepy and they felt threatened. It was good of the Elders to give up their two bathroom apartment for an one bathroom apartment.

    Saturday the Priesthood had a service project of cutting up a tree that had fallen into another tree in this single ladies back yard. The whole thing was kind of a comedy of errors as they tried to decide the best way to cut up the tree without it crashing onto a wooden fence, next to the trees. The best part no one was hurt, except for the fence. That was inevitable, with that crew. It was a sycamore tree (camoufloge tree as Scot would call it) about 36" in diameter at the base. I was a very sore man by the time we ended the project.

    Bought a new suit this past week. It was under $100. It looks like my old suits only it is new.

Mom here: The store that we bought it at is an expensive store, but we can also buy things very inexpensively when they have a sale.  So Amanda jeans were $10.00 and Dad's suit for less then $100.00  We couldn't resist.  Dad needed a new suit very badly I wanted him to get a new pair of shoes and a suit but he was resisting unto the end.  For Christmas I bought him new shoes at Bimart before we left for Arkansas.  I was hoping that we could find a store that had suits on sale when we go out here.  All the clothing stores had suits on sale at Christmas but he still resisted until he found a deal that even he couldn't resist any longer.

    We really wanted to be with Evan and Christi at this special time but it was nor to be.  And I can say that I am not to keen at being sick with the stomach flu so maybe it was a good thing that we were unable to be in Albany.  We are just happy for you Evan and we know that you will do just fine and when Heavenly Father is on your side you can do what is required.

     The horrible and cold winter that we were told that we would have has not happened yet.  The northeast is being hammered again but it so far has not come south.  We are not complaining either this is great weather.  We have had warm enough temps that a light jacket is all that is needed so all the heavy winter clothes that I brought are not being used.  Oh well better to be prepared then not as we were last year.  The seniors are saying to not celebrate yet we still have Feb and March to get through.  According to Farmers Almanack Feb is suppose to be stormy and cold, we are hoping not.

     There isn't a lot of news other then what has already been written about.  We just keep on doing our birthday visits and inviting the less actives to come back to church.  It is so easy to become less active but it a whole lot harder to get back into gear and start coming again.  We didn't have very many at church yesterday.  The Elders invited an older man to church but we noticed that he didn't come.  They never could commit him to attend.  He is supposedly looking for a new church after his disagreement with his minister.  But he likes to talk and the Elders are perfect to talk to.  They finally asked us to go with them but even Dad could not make him commit.  If he won't pray or read the Book of Mormon then I can't see him committing to anything.

   So my dears I need to close.  Dad is "contemplating the meaning of life" by laying down and sleeping and I am hungry and need to eat something.

                    Love to you all and know that we pray for you every day

                                Mom and Dad

19 January 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

Mom and I had a letter all written, however the Sisters came over today to use our computers, since the library is closed for civil rights day. So I saved your letter so I could address it and send it after the Sisters left. Bet you can't guess what happened? Oh, you guess it. I can't find our saved letter. so I guess we will start all over again.

    It was a very busy week. Last Monday we headed out to the Temple in Memphis. We stopped at Jonesboro and picked up Sister Hill and her companion Sister Howton. At Memphis we got to meet the other missionaries what were going home. It was good to see Sister Cooke again. and also Sister Skinner and Kalahiki. These Sisters have become very dear to us. After the Temple Session the missionaries that were going home all headed for Little Rock, where they send the night and then head for home on Tuesday. Tuesday the new missionaries arrived and were sent out to companionships on Wednesday. In Paragould no one was transferred. contrary to some speculation. When we came back from the Temple we brought back Sister Howton so she could spend the next day with the Sisters here until she was sent to Mississippi on Wednesday to be with one of her old companions until she finishes out her mission in 6 weeks. She is one of the Spanish Speaking Missionaries serving in this mission. Wednesday the mission also created a new district in our Zone, called the Jonesboro District, so now they have 6 missionaries and we have 6 missionaries in the Paragould  District.

    On Thursday Sister Hill stopped by with her parents and we had a nice visit. Her dad has been working for his copper company in Mongolia, so they flew all the way here to pick up their daughter from her mission and also visit places around the mission where she served. She will go back to Mongolia with them for a little while before going back to school. That will be a neat experience.     

    This past weekend was the Searcy Stake Conference, with Elder Thompson of the Seventy visiting. We could have attended four different meetings, driving to Searcy and Jacksonville 3 times. However we chose to only go to the Sunday Session of Conference. Even then we had to leave here at 6:45 in the morning to get to conference. We arrived early enough to be able to set three rows back in the front of the chapel.  We had no distractions.  There were many speakers but no one took very long including our Stake President.  Elder Thompson talked about family patterns, family scripture reading, family prayers,  family home evening, wholesome family activities, and family traditions.  Does that sound familar?  It should because you were all taught these very things.  What does make a great difference is you all are teaching the same things to your children.  These teachings will then be passed on to your children's children and they can be taught from generation to generation.  All that he talked about sounded so very familar.

     We ate lunch at the covered pavilion that was the back of the church.  8 hours is to long to wait to eat .Dropped the Elders off at their apartment and we went home and crashed.  We were so tired and sleepy that we both took a nap but I only slept a short time I needed to get dinner going.  I fix just about every meal this time.  Actually there are not many people here that even want to fix a meal for any set of missionaries very often.  I think that since they can't feed all three sets of missionaries at the same time they compromise and don't feed anyone.

     We did stop and visit with one of our inactive sister that had a valve in her heart fixed.  She told us that she was going to start going back to church.  I don't know if she made a promise other what she told us was that when she woke up she was here and that meant that she needed to come back to church.  Her family considers her active but we have never seen her at church.

     We have another less active that wants her children baptized in our church but takes them to the Baptist church because it is closer.  We don't know if she is married to the man that she is living with we really do hope so.  He is a very nice friendly man he is a farmer so he and Dad had a lot to talk about which was good.  Darla wanted to know if we could have a fireside (her words not mine) with all the members in Piggot, Greenway, Lafe, and Rector.  We can't see why not but we will have to visit with Pres. Milne to see if he is okay with that idea.  These families or individuals all have a long ways to travel to church.  She wants to know who the members are so there can be a support group in the (upper country) our term for the people who live a long way from Paragould.  It just becomes easier to stay home then to get a bunch of kids up and have to travel a long distance to go to church.  Most members that live a long ways away  do not have that kind of committment.

       The weather has been so warm and mild.  Who would have thought that it could be 70 or 66 degrees in the middle of January.  The Seniors keep telling us that this typical Arkansas winter weather, not what we had last year.  Bro. Lamb keeps saying that a cold bad winter was predicted and that we are only half way through winter so be prepared for the bad winter.  So far so good, this is already warmer then any time during last winter.  I now know why they said that we wouldn't need a heavy coat if this is what they normally have.  We have another week of good weather then we might cold temps again.

    The Sisters got a scare from a creepy man that lives above them.  The apartment manger doesn't want to tell the man to leave so the Sisters have decided that they are not going to stay in the apartment any longer then necessary.  The apartment above us will be empty soon but that means moving everything three stories upstairs.  We have already done that and it was not easy to move Bro. Lambs's brother upstairs.

     Well my dears we need to get this letter sent so I need to close.

                                                       Mom and Dad

12 January 2015

Dear Family,

      It's now 4:15 pm. Left at 7:00 am this morning to pick up the Jonesboro Sisters and head for the Memphis Temple. It was a full session of just missionaries, most of which are going home, tomorrow. Some of them we worked with last year when we were here. Good to see them and get to visit before and after the session. Sister Hill and her companion rode down with us. But Sister Hill is going to Little Rock for her release and her parents are picking her up there. Sister Howten rode back to Paragould with us and then joined up with the Sisters here, who will be her companions for two more days, when she will be transferred to Mississippi. None of the Paragould missionaries got transferred this week. Sunday will be stake Conference for our stake, meetings are 2 hours away, we think we will skip Saturday Meetings and just go to the Sunday Meeting. We don't want to drive all that way two days in a row.

     Last Monday we had our district P-day activity where Miss Arkansas Rice spoke to our District in jonesboro at Riceland foods. It ended up a really nice activity. Jenna Martin (Miss Rice 2013-2014) gave her presentation to us 12 missionaries. The Elders and Sisters are close to her age, so she really enjoyed being with them. We got a thank you letter from her today in the mail telling us how much she enjoyed the activity.

    Mom here: While we were at the temple waiting for our missionaries, I was visiting Sister Smith, they live in Albany.  They go to the wealthier ward in Albany.  They have 9 more weeks until they will go back home  We have 10 more weeks before we go home, so I think that we will be leaving about the same time.  Because March doesn't have any transfers, we will be about the only ones leaving from the mission.

     We got a stern talking to from our Branch President.  We have to make appointments to any one that we visit.  The missionaries have to decide which families they will be visiting and they are to visit only the ones that they have agreed to work with. This makes it hard for us because we visit any one who has a birthday or a 6 month birthday.  We don't always get inside but no one wants to go with out the cookies either.  The Sisters thought that he was talking to them, the Elders thought the same as we did .  I would almost rather be told straight out then the round about way.   So we are making more appointments.  One lady ran us all around Paragould before we finally caught up with her.  Someone complained to Pres Milne so he decided to fix the problem, if it really is a problem.

     We have been having typical Arkansas winter weather, at least that is what they tell us at the senior center.   Last year was not typical.  We did have a little freezing rain but by the time that church was out there was no ice any where and we just had rain.  We had rain most of the way to and from Memphis today.  It is warmer tho' hard to believe.  We have grey skies and rain it warms up but then it clears up and it is freezing cold.

     I am so tired that I can hardly even think of what to write.  Mostly we are doing our job delivering cookies for the birthdays and we have several people that we visit on a regular basis.  As far as going out with the Sisters or Elders that still hasn't really changed.  We did have a media referral but as soon as we deliver the Bible and Book of Mormon and leave our card, we are afraid that will be all we can do other then call back once in awhile. Love Mom and Dad

4 January 2015

Dear Family,

     We have to write tonight since tomorrow is already very full.  We work our shift at the Seniors, then come home and do a little housework and laundry then get ready for our adventure in Jonesboro.  All the missionaries in our District are excited that there something new planned for them.  Our fear is that someone will do something stupid and become offensive but we are hoping that they will be on their best behavior.  They are going to learn about rice.  Now that doesn't sound very exciting but I think that they are just happy to do something different.

     Dad lost his bet, gas in Jonesboro is now $1.94. Since that is under the $2.04 that gas was last week, he had to pay up.  He decided that the bet was off for the new year but on the last day of Dec. the price dropped.  It makes filling the tank full of gas a lot more enjoyable meaning the price of gas of course.

     We had a wonderful holiday season.  For New Years we were invited by the manager of Farm Credit to his home for a traditional southern New Years dinner.  We had the blackeyed peas, hog jawl, ham, turnip greens, sweet potatoes, cabbage cooked with bacon, butternut squash, corn bread, cornbread stuffing,and dill pickles that had chili peppers in it.  The dill pickles did not taste like dill they were so hot from the pepper that my tongue was burning.  I seemed to be the only one that was having a hard time.  The food was very good and most of it I could eat,  Dad of course could eat all of the dishes and enjoyed it all.  Mr. Holifield introduced us to everyone that was there.  There were two ladies that would not talk to us or have anything to do with us.  I got the feeling that they wondered what the Holifieds were thinking about to invite Mormon missionaries into their home.  Grandma tried to engage me in a religious discussion about baptism but since we were guests in the home I didn't feel that it would be proper thing to do.  Now if she were to invite us to her home that would be another matter.  We would take one set of missionaries with us.  She is a Nazarine they do not smoke, drink, or even serve coffee.  But they like sweet tea.  They are a very nice family and we enjoyed our time there.   They invited us to stay longer but we felt that we had stayed long enough and truth to be told I did not want to face a bunch of people talking about what they thought about the church.

     I didn't realize how many non-member friends that we have.  I am hoping that we have been able to influence them so that they will listen when they are approached by the missionaries.  All of them know that we are Mormon missionaries and they accept us without any problem.  During the Christmas holidays we spent a lot of time with our less active couple and the nonmembers.

     We are sending you a card in the mail that President Howard W. Hunter said at the Christmas Devotional.  We want you to read it and ponder what he said.  This will help you to become a better person if you will do what he has outlined.  When I first heard him say that in his talk I was so impressed and have never forgotten what he said.  So when I found it in the Ensign I wanted to share it with all of you.    

    Dad Here: Sunday was long here, I woke at 4:30 and listened to a session of conference then went back to bed. Got up got ready for meetings starting a 8:00. We had meetings after church and then went and helped a sister of the branch move to another apartment, we got home about 4:40 pm. As mom said tomorrow is going to be a big day so since we have a little time tonight we thought we had better get a letter off tonight. As I have mentioned to some of you already we have invited Miss Arkansas Rice 2014-2014 to speak to our Paragould Missionary District. There are 6 Elders, 4 Sisters and mom and me. We will meet at the Riceland Facility in Jonesboro which is the largest rice facility in the world(I think). Riceland has given to us their conference room for the meeting. Miss Arkansas Rice is a Senior in high school and her family has agreed to come from Hickory Ridge, Arkansas to speak to us. Her name is Jenna Martin. She spoke last year at the Annual Meeting of Farm Credit Midsouth in Jonesboro, which Mom and I attended. This could be a great experience or a bad experience. Tomorrow night we will know.

Love Mom and Dad

29 December 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

       Good to hear from all of you this past Christmas week. It was a very good Christmas even if we were not home. Mom is taking down all the cards and decorations. If it was up to me they would still be up when we get ready to go home in three months. I'm slowly getting all the Christmas treats eaten. Last year I ate way to many treats, way to fast and put on way to many pounds. This year I am practicing restraint. (kind of). Thank you all for all you did for us this Christmas. In two weeks we get to go to Memphis Temple to be with some of the missionaries we got to serve with last year. That will be a neat experience.

      We just got the Christmas package from Doug's family and are looking at all the wonderful pictures of some of the temples in the book that they gave us. Had to stop and take a phone call. I'm trying to buy a couple of things for the farm before the end of the year. Hope I get it all worked out.

      This year has been a lot warmer here in Arkansas, compared to last year. But there is still a lot of winter left to be had.

Mom Here.  Today is clean up and more clean up.  I have boxes with a few things in them so I have been clearing things out making more room because we still have three more months to go.  I will have to send boxes home like I did last year no matter what Elder Hansen thinks.  Flat rate is about the cheapest way to go especially if the boxes are packed tight and heavy.  I probably won't get done today since I also have to make birthday cookies for Jan and July.

     I get so tired of gray skies the only thing that is good about the color gray is that it might get cold but not bitter cold.  We have not had any ice on the windshield yet no ice storms as of yet and not even a skiff of snow and I am not complaining either.  We even haven't taken any of the missionaries to meetings. this past week  We have actually had little to do other than our regular visiting of less actives.

    We have some friends at the Senior center that we visited last week.  They are so lonely and were so delighted that someone thought of them.  We took a loaf of Lemon bread to each of them and visited with each of them.  We know that they will never join the church but they made us feel welcomed and they are more familiar with the church then before.

      Our Sisters had a scary experience last week.  Even tho' they had been told not to go back to a recent converts home by the Branch President, they did not heed his advice.  They went back to read the Book of Mormon with them meaning the recent converts.  For aChristmas present the converts had been given incense sticks but it was pot incense that they were burning.  The sisters were in the home for an hour by the time they left they were flying high.  They don't remember a lot but for some reason they did not call us to help them they called the Mission Pres. who then called the Jonesboro sisters.  Even as of last night they are still having problems.  They were told to go to bed and sleep it off but of course why would we want to do that?   Anyway when all was said and done we now have sisters who have learned a very important lesson and hopefully this won't happen again.  It never ceases to amaze me how they can get themselves into so much trouble because they did not listen to what the President of the Branch told them.  They have been told again if they get themselves into a sticky place again please call us and we will come

     Gas just keeps going down, I have a bet with Dad that when the gas goes down to $1.99 a gallon he owes my $5.00 because he thought that it never get that low and made the bet thinking that I would loose.  It is only about 8 cents to go, I think that I will have the $5.00.(If it hadn't got below $2.00 a gallon she would have never paid me $5.but now that it might get below that she' holding me to the deal. I tell her the bet expires Dec 31, but she said I never said that in the beginning.)

     Thank you all for the wonderful Christmas that we had.  For the gifts, cards, letters phone calls, and skyping, all of that made Christmas a very special day.  We had dinner at the Branch Presidents home it was so much fun to be around children that actually wanted help from us or would talk to us it felt almost like home.  I don't think that this year has been as hard as last Christmas was even with the Edler's taking such good care of us

     Well I have a lot do, one more thing  We gave the talks in Sacrament meeting yesterday.  I was rattled when the Stake President showed up and then gave a 10min. talk.  Good thing my talk was very short because we did not have very much time to give our talks.  They may not start on time but they end on time and you had better not go over that time either.

     Remember that this is the time of new Beginnings and that is not for just Annie, Kurtis and family or Evan Christi and family but this is for everyone  Be of good cheer and have a great new year that is waiting  for you to go forth.

                                                                          Love

                                                        Dad and Mom, Grammy and Papa 

22 December 2014

familyleDDear Family and Friends,

 Dear Family and Friends,

   Oh, my goodness! but Christmas is getting close. I don't know if the goose is getting fat, but I sure am, all these Christmas treats are getting to me. I keep telling myself not to eat so much, but it is all so good I just can't help myself. Saturday we went to Sister Layton's cookie exchange. This is an annual event for her. As we walked into her dining room two huge tables where full to overflowing with platters of cookies. We took a couple of dozen cookies mom had made and brought back about 4 dozen various cookies. It is always a fun event. Sister Layton's cousin's daughter came, she lives in Pocahontas a town about 30 miles to the west, Sister Layton said, "I haven't seem her in 15 years" I thought to myself, these people need to get out more often. Sister Hansen and I have put on over 9000 miles on our car since we left home the end of September. I replaced the rear brakes last month and now my front brakes are telling me that they need to be replaced. Good thing gas prices are coming down. Thursday when we went to the Christmas Zone Conference in Memphis, Tennessee I bought gas for $205.9 a gallon. When gas started going down I bet Sister Hansen $5 bucks that gas wouldn't get under $2 a gallon. It looks like there is a chance I might lose.

       Another member of the branch here passed away Sunday morning, Brother Shorty Lawrence, there is a good reason he was called Shorty, He was under five feet tall. Since I have known him he has always been on oxygen, he always has his tank with him. He and his wife joined the church about 4 years ago. They have multitudes of problems, but that don't deter them. They are always there and they are always sharing the gospel. They have brought in three other families into the church and their influence continues to grow.

        Mom and I have been asked to speak in Sacrament Meeting this next Sunday, Mom also has the 4th Sunday Relief Society lesson to give. Last year we were asked to speak right after we came and then right before we left. This time it's more like we are long time members of the branch and we just have to take our turn. We have really grown to love this little branch, and the members we get to serve with. We love the young missionaries we get to serve with. It is not easy for them, it can get very discouraging at times, it increases our faith as we watch them stick to it. In three weeks we get to go to the temple with three of the wonderful Sisters we got to serve with last year. The tradition here is that the week before the missionaries leave to go home they get to attend a special session just for them at the temple. The temple that is usually closed on Monday's opens for a special session just for the departing missionaries. We have been invited to attend this time because of our special relationship to these Sisters.

      Our thoughts and are hearts are on all of you especially at this Christmas Season. We have to be careful, not to dwell to much on how much we miss all of you.

Mom here. This seems like year that a lot of members of the church and the Senior BEEs are passing away.  Yes, all of them had been hanging by a thread for a long time.  I am so thankful that we have an understanding about death that it isn't the end.  That there is life after death.

   We have now finished with all the Dec. and June birthdays.  It is the 6 month birthday cookies that tend to confuse people but we have seen some delighted people .  Best of all we get to meet more members of the Branch.  Last night was one of those moments, we have never before been able to actually visit with a Sister that is very much less active.  The birthday cookies surprised her and we were invited into her home.  This was the first time that we have visited with her and her husband.  Funny (not funny haha) how showing a little love and concern will soften hearts.  I was glad that I had participated in a cookie exchange, this time I had a lot of different cookies to share for our last three birthdays.  But Jan. and July will soon be here and it will be back to major cookie making.  I make so many cookies when I get home I really have a hard time wanting to make any cookies at all.  Right now I am doing another double batch of Lemon Bread, it is the all time favorite Christmas treat for special people.  I am giving some to my "mom" and my "aunt and uncle" of course they are members of the Senior BEEs that took us in and really made us feel welcomed.  Everyone else accepted us because they did.  Best of all they found out that we are not weird and we don't talk about the church unless they ask.  They have asked for special prayers, blessings, and help and we do pray for them and bless them when they need a little comfort and help.

     It is strange to have warm temps.  Last year by this time we had had our first ice storm and there was snowed piled up and ice still on the road in places.  We have been told that this winter is suppose to be colder then it was last year but so far we haven't been really cold.  But we have a lot of gray days and only a few days of any sunshine.  This weather is so like the western Oregon weather.  I can not remember ever having a white Christmas, but I sure can remember a lot of rainy Christmases.  I would rather have rain then icy roads and freezing cold temps like we had last year.  Of course it is only the first of winter so I guess we do have a couple of month when it could get cold.   I was thinking that it was darker last night.  Actually it is very dark by 5:00pm every night.  We really don't like going out after dark unless we know where we are going, it is to hard to find someone when we can't read the address on a house.

     We are getting excited for Christmas we have packages under the chair that our tree sits on.  I think that we are more excited to see what is in the boxes then what we got for each other.  We hope that you all have a good Christmas.  That you can have a happy time.  Take a moment and think about the first Christmas and what the Birth of Christ means to the world.  Think about past Christmases and how tradition is such a big part of our lives.    We love you, we pray for you and want you to be happy this season.  Make sure to help each other out.  Wish we could be there to help Annie, Kurtis and family to move but someone else will have to that in our place.

                                                       Love to all

                                                Dad and Mom              Grammy and Papa