Saturday, February 18, 2012
Sister Janet Davis
Dear Sisters,
It is with great sadness I forward the message on to you that Janet Davis passed away on Thursday after a lengthy battle with cancer. She was a coordinator and trained many of us over the years as Temple workers. Her enthusiasm, her energy, her testimony of the Savior and His atoning sacrifice, her love of the Temple and all the work that goes on there, and her radiant smile are among the many legacies she leaves. We were blessed to have known her and to have worked with her.
Love,
Sister Madsen
The following is a copy of the information at the Bunker Home web site:
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Thursday, February 16, 2012
Hermana Nivla Hatch February 15, 2012
Hello Sister Madsen,
Our smiles are on, we are moving forward
and trying to listen more closely to the spirit. My sweet friend
here who is trying to help me with my spanish gave me some good
counsel; Trust we who are here to understand what you say, but you
have to open your mouth so we can hear. Good advice which I will try
to do.
I was put into the Relief Society Presidency of this Branch on
Sunday. If is so very small and we are being asked to help find ways
to rebuild and bless lives. So as scared as I am, we are trying to
do our part.
I am sending a few pictures that might be helpful. One of a Sister
who is 85 baptized a month ago, she is my tutor; her name is Yolanda
and she is such a sweet Sister; yes she is very Catholic and still
believes alot of what she was raised with, but she does like what she
hears about the Temple. Her husband died 8 months ago and she really
misses him and when she learned that she could be sealed to him she
got really excited.
The other picture is of an Elder whose name is Marcelo Espirito Santo;
so he has the Holy Ghost with him always. He has a great Sense of
humor, he comes from Brazil and speaks English, Portugese and Spanish.
I struggle with Spanish and don't do too well with English either.
Take care and give our love to one and all.
Love Elder and Hermana Hatch
Our smiles are on, we are moving forward
and trying to listen more closely to the spirit. My sweet friend
here who is trying to help me with my spanish gave me some good
counsel; Trust we who are here to understand what you say, but you
have to open your mouth so we can hear. Good advice which I will try
to do.
I was put into the Relief Society Presidency of this Branch on
Sunday. If is so very small and we are being asked to help find ways
to rebuild and bless lives. So as scared as I am, we are trying to
do our part.
I am sending a few pictures that might be helpful. One of a Sister
who is 85 baptized a month ago, she is my tutor; her name is Yolanda
and she is such a sweet Sister; yes she is very Catholic and still
believes alot of what she was raised with, but she does like what she
hears about the Temple. Her husband died 8 months ago and she really
misses him and when she learned that she could be sealed to him she
got really excited.
The other picture is of an Elder whose name is Marcelo Espirito Santo;
so he has the Holy Ghost with him always. He has a great Sense of
humor, he comes from Brazil and speaks English, Portugese and Spanish.
I struggle with Spanish and don't do too well with English either.
Take care and give our love to one and all.
Love Elder and Hermana Hatch
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Conny Curtis February 11, 2012
Feb. 11, 2012
It’s Saturday and
Elder Curtis is at the office. I’m home
doing laundry and catching up on things around the apt. that we have a hard
time finding time for. Next Monday,
which is P-day, we will be up in Huntsville.
As I’ve said, it’s hard to follow the schedules the Mission sets for all
missionaries. This evening we will pick
up the Sisters and go together for a ward “Chili Cook-off”.
This has been a
week of waking early, traveling, and carrying out our assignments at Zone
Conferences. We spent Monday getting
things ready and then were up at 3:30 Tuesday in order to make it to Tupelo, MS
by 8:00. It’s a pretty straight shot
once you get on the right freeway. In
fact, it’s the same freeway we took when coming to Georgia on our first mission
and then again coming here to Alabama.
You’d think we couldn’t miss, but we did and ended up out in the country
somewhere at 4:30 in the morning. Groan. We did finally get on a road leading
us the right way, only through a lot of small towns and slow traffic. Eventually
we connected with the main freeway and were actually able to arrive on
time.
We had never been
to this part of the mission or met with one Zone at a time. The other two
conferences we’ve attended were made up of Multi-Zones so they only evolved two
days. With two of the Zones being
combined after the last transfer, we have or will be attending five different
conferences in five locations. The one in Tupelo was the farthest away….about a
three hour drive. One nice thing about
attending individual conferences is being able to have more one on one with the
missionaries. Also, with only that
Zone’s cars to inspect it is much easier and takes less time leaving us the
chance to sit in on more of the meeting.
Even though the same topics were covered each time, there are some new
thoughts added here and there and we always leave having been spiritually fed.
We left the
meeting in Tupelo early and on our way back drove through downtown to see where
“Elvis” was born and lived until he was about13. We walked around the museum
area that featured the house he grew up in and the church where he first
started singing. We didn’t go in but got pictures outside.
Wednesday the meeting was at the Birmingham Stake Center which
is only about 20 min. from the office so we didn’t have to get such an early
start. At each of the conferences they invite the Stake Pres. in that area to
take some time for a message. Pres. Harmon told of some of the events that took
place during the most recent tornadoes.
His stake was the hardest hit and many members as well as some of the
missionaries were called to help with the clean-up. He shared ways that the
church has prepared to step right in with not only service but materials. He spoke about the tornadoes that were so
large and destructive in Alabama last spring. He said the stake had been asked
before hand to have a clothing drive. I don’t remember the numbers, but enough
clothing to fill all the rooms of one of the branches had been donated and
sorted into sizes. It was only a week later that the destruction took
place. Members were called on to
distribute the items, but weren’t sure where to begin until they learned of a
relief effort by another church right where the greatest needs were. They were ready, but lacked the clothing.
When the church contacted them with the offer of clothes from their efforts,
prayers of thankfulness were given. When
the church is able to step in with help, the people they serve as well as the
other churches “know we are Christians and followers of Christ”.
We left early again and went back to the office to take care
of some other assignments that had been put off because of these meetings. Elder C needed to get the Jan. miles and gas
report into Salt Lake. He has still been dealing with arranging the accident
repairs as well and we ended up not leaving for home until after 9:00. This “felt” like the longest day yet. Sigh!
Thursday morning we were headed south to Montgomery. Again, we needed to be there by 8:00. For
each meeting I would have the missionaries call in orders for any media
materials they needed and then would gather the items to take with us. This is
helpful to them, especially the areas far from the office who aren’t able to
come by there. I have given out many, many cases of Books of Mormon, both in
English and Spanish, as well as the other items used in teaching. This is just
one of my responsibilities and I also take care of ordering and keeping all
supplies available. Thank goodness we have the mission van to transport the
orders on these occasions.
Hello again….it’s Sunday evening and we are getting ready for
an early start to Huntsville tomorrow, but I wanted to finish this up. After
church today we had lunch with Rick and Mary Ellen Harmon from the ward. They
are around our age and we were looking forward to getting to know them better,
however, we had the Sisters with us and they had an appointment set for all of
us. We did enjoy lunch and a short visit then were on our way the other
direction for a final teaching appointment with Zachery. We were glad to be
there as he is getting baptized THIS Wed.
I told you our Sisters are good. This is the first baptism for
Columbiana since last March. This is a hard area. We also went to two other
places with the Sisters and didn’t get home until after five. It was a good
day.
Back to Zone Conferences, as I said, Thursday was
Montgomery’s. These conferences have
been special for us as we had the head of Church Fleet Coordinators here from
Salt Lake to explain the purpose and use of the “Twi”, the black boxes that
were installed in the cars at the last Zone meetings. He presented a power point at the first two
conferences and now this time in Montgomery it was Elder Curtis responsibility
take over and finish up with the final Zones. It is quite a program and when
explained there were definitely questions from everyone. It is late and I’m
tired so I will write more about it in my next letter. It’s really quite
interesting what technology can do these days. This was a big event for the
mission and missionaries.
This was another good meeting, nice lunch and more flowers – Pres Holzaphel has called up
the couples that are in attendance in each Zone to sing praises to us and
present the Sisters with flowers. Since
we need to be at all the conferences, we are now surrounded with beautiful flowers.
It is a little embarrassing, but we remind ourselves that we are with a
different group each time so they don’t know we went through this three times
last week and will two more times this week. The Pres. does like to show
gratitude to those who serve and encourages us to do the same. He is a great example.
My mind is slowing down on me….it’s been a long week. We did take the opportunity to see a few
sights in Montgomery before heading home. We discovered there is a lot to see
there, more so than Birmingham as far as history goes. This time we only took
time to go through the first Confederate White House where Jefferson Davis
lived at the beginning of the Civil War.
We also took pictures of the Capital Building which was built when
Montgomery was the first State Capital of Alabama. It was a beautiful building.
We picked up a map with other places of interest from early life in the South,
the Civil War, on to the Civil Rights’ movement in the 60’s. There is also the
Water Front on the Alabama River with a lovely walkway. We could probably find enough to keep us busy
for several days if we can ever take the time.
I’m sure we’ll figure out a way to see at least some of it.
My mind has stopped on me….guess it’s time to say good night
and get some rest before tomorrow. We
have a busy, but fun day planned with the Senior Missionaries. I’ll tell you about it next week. We send our love and prayers to each of
you. Blessings to all…..
Love, Mom
and Dad Elder and Sister Curtis
PS I’m sending this without proof reading it so
please overlook my mistakes.
Sister Mabey February 12, 2012
February 12, 2012
We don't have the internet yet so it is hard to do much but
I will keep this info so I can join in when it gets better out here.
We love this mission, it is an adventure. The people are so very
wonderful and several of them speak enough English to understand us
and be understood. Give our love to all.
Sister Mabey
We don't have the internet yet so it is hard to do much but
I will keep this info so I can join in when it gets better out here.
We love this mission, it is an adventure. The people are so very
wonderful and several of them speak enough English to understand us
and be understood. Give our love to all.
Sister Mabey
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Conny Johnson Jan 29, 2012
Jan 29, 2012
It has been a nice Sunday.
For the last two weeks we have taken the Sisters in our car after church
to visit some of the less active (or inactive) members that live in the far
reaches of the ward. Last week it was
dark and raining (it still gets dark around 5:00) We were able to meet two families that
haven’t been seen for some time. One I wouldn’t really call a visit, although
we talked on the front porch for maybe ten minutes. The second couple actually let us in. They
are in their 60s, are converts, but haven’t been out for nearly ten years. He
went through two bouts of cancer during that time. It was hard to visit as the
wife was cooking in the kitchen and the man was hard of hearing. They did seem like a sweet couple, though,
and when the Sisters asked if we could come back they readily agreed to have us
return this Sunday. This week we stayed for a youth baptism after church and
then again went with the Sisters to visit the couple. We felt it went much better; they were
expecting us and we had a nice, sit down visit with both giving us their full
attention. We talked about their
conversion and why they had stopped attending and then Elder Curtis led in a
very bold, yet gentle invitation to begin the steps that will bring them back
into activity. The spirit was there as we all shared scriptures and thoughts
along with our own testimony and asked them to remember back to the reasons and
how they felt when they joined the church. We left them with a commitment to
begin reading their scriptures, pray and attend church next Sunday. It most
likely will take more than one visit to see all these things take place, but
they welcomed an appointment for us to return next week and for the Sisters to
call on them during the week. Our other attempts for visits today didn’t come
through, but we came home feeling good about the time with this couple.
Our work at the office the past two weeks as been a little
unusual – at least for me. I just
haven’t had a lot to keep me busy and I’ve decided I like ‘busy’ much better
than down time. Paul has had plenty to
do and I’ve helped where I could. One day we had another Senior Couple, the
Smiths, help us take three cars that needed body work to the shop we use up in
Boaz. The Smiths and I each drove a car
and Paul drove the mission van so we would have a way home. This is the same shop an hour and a half away
that we got lost trying to find a month ago. This time we went straight there
with no problems, but it is still a long drive.
Paul wonders sometimes if it’s worth it, but when looking at the bill he
can see that it is. Also, it is owned by a member and it’s nice to give him the
work. Salt Lake is really cracking down on any
damage to the cars. In the past the
mission used to just take them in when pushed to, usually when they were ready
to retire and sale a car. Now Salt Lake wants an accident report on all
dents or scratches the size of a golf ball or larger. This becomes difficult as
every missionary reports, “Oh, that was there when we got the car”. No one wants to take responsibility. We have had an unusual amount of activity
lately when it comes to accidents, and admittedly, many aren’t the fault of the
missionaries. There was one car parked
at the library while the Elders were writing their weekly letters. When they came out someone had backed into
their trunk completely smashing it in. Another car, one of the brand new ones
we just gave out, had a six inch scratch down to the metal on the side when the
Sisters returned to it. Of course, both
were hit and run. Grrrr Some are more
serious like the two earlier this week.
Thur. afternoon Paul got a call from a very shook up Elder in Miss. that
had come to a T in the road, looked both ways and then turned onto the street
only to be hit on the passenger side by a car that had come up over a
rise. Thank goodness, neither Elder was
hurt, but the other car had a woman and four children in it. One of the children was taken to the hospital
with injuries (we think a broken arm). The poor Elder that was driving was so
distraught and worried. He was afraid he
would be sent home, that his family could be sued and all other
imaginings. I was proud of Elder Curtis
as he calmly talked to him and reassured him. Even after we got home he was
back on the phone with him. We actually
don’t know the end of this story. The
Church has already heard from the other lady’s insurance, but until all the
reports are in we don’t have answers. In the meantime, these Elders that are
out in the middle of nowhere three hours from us are without
transportation. Elder Curtis had barely
hung up from talking with them when another set of Elders called and reported
they had hit a deer. There was some pretty major damage to this car as well and
it is out of commission. Thankfully again, neither Elder was hurt. They are also in the middle of nowhere up
north, so tomorrow (our P-day) we are going to take them one of the cars we
just had repaired and then drive theirs on up to Boaz to be worked on. We are doing
a good job keeping the member owned body shop in work.
When it’s not cars or accident reports or just reports that
Paul’s working on, it’s BIKES. We have
five missionaries coming in on Tuesday.
Once again Elder Smith spent a day helping Paul put together bikes so
they would be ready when they arrive. Elder C also arranged for some used ones
as he wants to help the missionaries and goes beyond his assigned duties to do
so.
One last thing and then I’ll leave this subject….. Remember back in Nov I mentioned that the
Missionary Department was having black ‘safety’ boxes installed in all the
mission cars, but they wouldn’t be activated until the first of March? We have
since learned that they have been randomly monitoring cars and Elder Curtis got
a call two weeks ago from the SL Department saying that two of our Elders had
been caught going “#@#” miles an hour on a back road. What were they
thinking? The President called them in
and there were some emergency transfers made and we’re told driving privileges
will be taken away. One of those things that would make a Mission Pres pull his
hair out. Thankfully, the good we see makes up for these kinds of issues.
I’m trying to remember what else we’ve had going on. On the 21st we took the Sisters
from our area with us to attend a baptism in the Oak Mountain ward. The Elders
there are our Zone Leaders and we have become good friends with them. The
Sister being baptized was so ready she had asked to have her date moved up a
week. It was a sweet and spiritual evening.
We have had two special evenings with President
Holzapfel. The first was a conference
call on the anniversary of the Prophet Joseph Smith receiving the vision of the
Celestial Kingdom. With his great
knowledge of Church History he told of the events leading up to this vision and
of many things that took place in the Kirtland Temple. He gave answers to some questions that we had
always wondered about as to what parts of the endowment were performed in that
temple. It was a very enlightening presentation.
The second evening was this past Saturday when Pres and Sister
Holzapfel invited all the Sr Couples to their home. We spent an hour or so listening to Pres. H
speak of the temples starting with Moses and on through Herod’s temple in
Jerusalem. He gave us drawings that he had made for a book he wrote on this
subject and we discussed each part of these temples and the importance of what
took place. If there’s an interest ask us to show you the drawings when we
return home. Once again we were taught and enlightened. We would have loved for
him to go on longer, but Sis H had prepared a delicious meal for us which we
also enjoyed. Elder Bluth, the Area
Seventy over several Southern states, was a guest and we were privileged to
have him and his wife sit at our table. A lovely and interesting couple.
Another guest of honor that evening was a new missionary
couple, Elder and Sister Johnson, who had arrived earlier in the week. They
will be serving in Miss. so this was the first chance for the rest of us to
meet them. We didn’t have much time to visit, but prior to their coming we had
heard that he is the inventor of the stem that hangs down letting you push your
cup against it to allow the drink to fill your container at a soda fountain, or
any fountain for that matter. He hasn’t retired, but took a six month leave of
absence to serve a mission. We probably won’t see as much of them as they are
three hours away, but hope to get to know them better. We will be going to their Zone next week for
Zone Conference. Our first time to that
area.
I’m at the end of the page so I’ll say goodnight for this
week. Blessings to all. Love, Mom & Dad
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Sister Nivla Hatch February 7, 2012
We hear from President Hatch that many more couples are leaving on
missions to serve. It is an experience that is like no other.
Here in Cruz del Ej, Argentina there is not a fully functioning
Branch; there are very few leaders, and those that are there do not know
what they are supposed to do. The Branch President lives 35
minutes away and so during the week it is impossible for him to be here to
help the few members that come.
There are 500 names on the roster of this branch and only 35 come. A
few Branch Presidents that served back to back misused funds and
authority and so many feelings have been hurt many words of anger were
spoken and so we feel we are here partly to help people learn to
forgive and forget.
It has been hard to not know the language and to not fully be able to
say what I would like to say, but we smile and love them and try to do
what we feel would be right.
It is a small community of about 50,000 people that are so very humble
in their living conditions that is makes you want to cry. But we are then
told that we are serving with the middle class of people. Pretty
humbling.
We miss the Temple! We haven't attended a Temple for almost 3 months
and we miss it. So help everyone there cherish just what a treasure we
have with our Temple.
Please share this with the Sisters and tell them we are learning and
serving and hoping to be blessing lives.
Take care and tell everyone there we miss them.
Love Elder and Hermana Hatch
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Mabey Letter January 15, 2012
 Jan 15 | | |||
The MTC is amazing!!! We were in a differet district than the Hatchs but we got together several times. Hopefully I will be able to send a picture with this e=mail. It is Monday, Dec 5th at noon so they have probably flown out this morning. Our visas didn't come yet so we will be delayed until at least next Monday. We are up here in cold Salt Lake City, Utah where we have 5 of our grown children and their little ones so we are able to spend this extra time with them. We miss you all but find joy in attending the temples up here.
Let everyone know we love them and feel so blessed to have been able to work with them there in your beautiful Mesa temple.
Danna
Partridge Letter January 27, 2012
Dear Sisters,
I wanted to let you know that Bob and I have been called on a mission to the Samoa Apia Mission as office specialists for 18 months, which will bet us back home a month before our missionary son returns. We need to be at the M.T.C. on February 13th. Bob will finish his job in Sierra Vista on the 3rd and we will be in Mesa until we leave. I received a certificate of release from the temple, but Bob will work his last day on Thursday before we leave.
We have children coming to bid us farewell and are trying to finish up our preparations for our mission. We both loved working in the temple and hope to be able to return to work again when our mission is complete. You may tell the people on our Wednesday shift what our plans are. It was such a wonderful experience working in the Mesa Temple. Thank you for your guidance and friendship.
Love,
Kathy Partridge
Curtis Letter January 29, 2012
Jan 29, 2012
It has been a nice Sunday. For the last two weeks we have taken the Sisters in our car after church to visit some of the less active (or inactive) members that live in the far reaches of the ward. Last week it was dark and raining (it still gets dark around 5:00) We were able to meet two families that haven’t been seen for some time. One I wouldn’t really call a visit, although we talked on the front porch for maybe ten minutes. The second couple actually let us in. They are in their 60s, are converts, but haven’t been out for nearly ten years. He went through two bouts of cancer during that time. It was hard to visit as the wife was cooking in the kitchen and the man was hard of hearing. They did seem like a sweet couple, though, and when the Sisters asked if we could come back they readily agreed to have us return this Sunday. This week we stayed for a youth baptism after church and then again went with the Sisters to visit the couple. We felt it went much better; they were expecting us and we had a nice, sit down visit with both giving us their full attention. We talked about their conversion and why they had stopped attending and then Elder Curtis led in a very bold, yet gentle invitation to begin the steps that will bring them back into activity. The spirit was there as we all shared scriptures and thoughts along with our own testimony and asked them to remember back to the reasons and how they felt when they joined the church. We left them with a commitment to begin reading their scriptures, pray and attend church next Sunday. It most likely will take more than one visit to see all these things take place, but they welcomed an appointment for us to return next week and for the Sisters to call on them during the week. Our other attempts for visits today didn’t come through, but we came home feeling good about the time with this couple.
Our work at the office the past two weeks as been a little unusual – at least for me. I just haven’t had a lot to keep me busy and I’ve decided I like ‘busy’ much better than down time. Paul has had plenty to do and I’ve helped where I could. One day we had another Senior Couple, the Smiths, help us take three cars that needed body work to the shop we use up in Boaz. The Smiths and I each drove a car and Paul drove the mission van so we would have a way home. This is the same shop an hour and a half away that we got lost trying to find a month ago. This time we went straight there with no problems, but it is still a long drive. Paul wonders sometimes if it’s worth it, but when looking at the bill he can see that it is. Also, it is owned by a member and it’s nice to give him the work. Salt Lake is really cracking down on any damage to the cars. In the past the mission used to just take them in when pushed to, usually when they were ready to retire and sale a car. Now Salt Lake wants an accident report on all dents or scratches the size of a golf ball or larger. This becomes difficult as every missionary reports, “Oh, that was there when we got the car”. No one wants to take responsibility. We have had an unusual amount of activity lately when it comes to accidents, and admittedly, many aren’t the fault of the missionaries. There was one car parked at the library while the Elders were writing their weekly letters. When they came out someone had backed into their trunk completely smashing it in. Another car, one of the brand new ones we just gave out, had a six inch scratch down to the metal on the side when the Sisters returned to it. Of course, both were hit and run. Grrrr Some are more serious like the two earlier this week. Thur. afternoon Paul got a call from a very shook up Elder in Miss. that had come to a T in the road, looked both ways and then turned onto the street only to be hit on the passenger side by a car that had come up over a rise. Thank goodness, neither Elder was hurt, but the other car had a woman and four children in it. One of the children was taken to the hospital with injuries (we think a broken arm). The poor Elder that was driving was so distraught and worried. He was afraid he would be sent home, that his family could be sued and all other imaginings. I was proud of Elder Curtis as he calmly talked to him and reassured him. Even after we got home he was back on the phone with him. We actually don’t know the end of this story. The Church has already heard from the other lady’s insurance, but until all the reports are in we don’t have answers. In the meantime, these Elders that are out in the middle of nowhere three hours from us are without transportation. Elder Curtis had barely hung up from talking with them when another set of Elders called and reported they had hit a deer. There was some pretty major damage to this car as well and it is out of commission. Thankfully again, neither Elder was hurt. They are also in the middle of nowhere up north, so tomorrow (our P-day) we are going to take them one of the cars we just had repaired and then drive theirs on up to Boaz to be worked on. We are doing a good job keeping the member owned body shop in work.
When it’s not cars or accident reports or just reports that Paul’s working on, it’s BIKES. We have five missionaries coming in on Tuesday. Once again Elder Smith spent a day helping Paul put together bikes so they would be ready when they arrive. Elder C also arranged for some used ones as he wants to help the missionaries and goes beyond his assigned duties to do so.
One last thing and then I’ll leave this subject….. Remember back in Nov I mentioned that the Missionary Department was having black ‘safety’ boxes installed in all the mission cars, but they wouldn’t be activated until the first of March? We have since learned that they have been randomly monitoring cars and Elder Curtis got a call two weeks ago from the SL Department saying that two of our Elders had been caught going “#@#” miles an hour on a back road. What were they thinking? The President called them in and there were some emergency transfers made and we’re told driving privileges will be taken away. One of those things that would make a Mission Pres pull his hair out. Thankfully, the good we see makes up for these kinds of issues.
I’m trying to remember what else we’ve had going on. On the 21st we took the Sisters from our area with us to attend a baptism in the Oak Mountain ward. The Elders there are our Zone Leaders and we have become good friends with them. The Sister being baptized was so ready she had asked to have her date moved up a week. It was a sweet and spiritual evening.
We have had two special evenings with President Holzapfel. The first was a conference call on the anniversary of the Prophet Joseph Smith receiving the vision of the Celestial Kingdom. With his great knowledge of Church History he told of the events leading up to this vision and of many things that took place in the Kirtland Temple. He gave answers to some questions that we had always wondered about as to what parts of the endowment were performed in that temple. It was a very enlightening presentation.
The second evening was this past Saturday when Pres and Sister Holzapfel invited all the Sr Couples to their home. We spent an hour or so listening to Pres. H speak of the temples starting with Moses and on through Herod’s temple in Jerusalem. He gave us drawings that he had made for a book he wrote on this subject and we discussed each part of these temples and the importance of what took place. If there’s an interest ask us to show you the drawings when we return home. Once again we were taught and enlightened. We would have loved for him to go on longer, but Sis H had prepared a delicious meal for us which we also enjoyed. Elder Bluth, the Area Seventy over several Southern states, was a guest and we were privileged to have him and his wife sit at our table. A lovely and interesting couple.
Another guest of honor that evening was a new missionary couple, Elder and Sister Johnson, who had arrived earlier in the week. They will be serving in Miss. so this was the first chance for the rest of us to meet them. We didn’t have much time to visit, but prior to their coming we had heard that he is the inventor of the stem that hangs down letting you push your cup against it to allow the drink to fill your container at a soda fountain, or any fountain for that matter. He hasn’t retired, but took a six month leave of absence to serve a mission. We probably won’t see as much of them as they are three hours away, but hope to get to know them better. We will be going to their Zone next week for Zone Conference. Our first time to that area.
Let’s see, am I forgetting anything? Oh yes, the TORNADOES! A week ago Alabama was once again hit by tornadoes. The damage wasn’t nearly as bad as the storms of last April, but for the people who lost their homes and businesses, I’m sure they felt it just the same. Two people were killed and hundreds injured. Two different areas had extensive damage along with smaller patches of damage along the path as the storm moved from southwest out of Miss. to northern Alabama. We were never in any real danger as we live about 30 – 40 miles from where it first touched down. In fact, our weather radio never even came on. It was stormy when we went to bed, but that has become so common that we actually slept right through it and weren’t even aware of what had happened until the Sisters knocked on our door to see if we were alright. It seems we had slept through a text message telling us to report to our District Leader. Later we learned that Pres H and his wife had been up since about one a.m. tracking the storm and checking on missionaries in its path. Fortunately no missionaries were harmed and no church property was damage. I mentioned before that Alabama is one of two states that have two tornado seasons. This one started a couple months early. Surprisingly the morning brought sunshine and it was one of the nicest, most mild days this winter. We pray for those with losses.
I’m at the end of the page so I’ll say goodnight for this week. Blessings to all. Love, Mom & Dad
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