From Mom 3/2
Dear Family,
Sorry this letter is a bit late. Last night (Thursday) we didn’t get home until 10:30. We had been invited to attend a meeting in Erlangen, which is about an hours drive from here, to hear Brother Ballard. He was in Germany with Elder Jon Huntsman of the Seventy. Elder Huntsman was here on business but Elder Ballard asked if he could come along and speak to the military families who are stationed here in Germany. One of Elder Ballard’s daughters is married to one of Elder Huntsman’s sons and they had a “common” grandson who is a returned missionary from Costa Rica with them. He bore his testimony and is a very impressive young man. Elder Ballard commented that these 8 grandchildren who they have in common get their good looks and smarts from the Huntsman side and their spirituality from the Ballard side. He of course said that in jest. It was a very spiritual, uplifting evening with the emphasis being placed on having testimonies that are “rooted deeply in our hearts” and not just knowing something that is in our head. He spoke of President Hinckley’s concern about so many people becoming inactive in the church and the importance of staying in close touch with those who are inactive or are investigating the church and helping strengthen them. They both bore very strong testimonies of the Savior and asked that we work to gain strong testimonies of the Atonement. They spoke of how our testimonies would carry us through troubled times. They were especially talking to the servicemen who are preparing to leave for Iraq and to those family members left behind while husbands, fathers and brothers are there. Elder Ballard mentioned the generosity of Elder Huntsman in regards to making it possible for President Hinckley to go to the far ends of the world in Elder Huntsman’s private plane. They were on that plane coming here and had been in Kuwait the night before speaking with servicemen there and before that, had been somewhere in Canada and in Milan, Italy. Elder Huntsman told of being raised in a home where his parents were inactive and that it was while he was in the Navy that he got active in the church. He said that in his free time he studied the scriptures. There were only 5 or 6 LDS men and they didn’t qualify for a regular meeting place and had to just find a place to get together. This group continued to grow when others expressed and interest in studying with them and when they got up to around 50 people attending regularly, they were given the largest meeting room on the largest ship. Over all, they had 50 baptisms from those who came to hear the gospel taught. Needless to say, he encouraged the servicemen to study the scriptures regularly and to share the gospel with others. What wonderful opportunities we have had recently to hear from leaders in the church. It was just two weeks ago that we spent an entire day being instructed by Elder Hilbig of the Seventy. Next week we have Zone conference and that is always a spiritual boost to the missionaries.
Whatever this “crud” I have been battling with came to a head this week. I finally gave in and called the mission doctor and he sent in a prescription for an antibiotic. I’m sure I’ve been battling a sinus infection. We had an early morning appointment with Petra this morning and she could tell I was not feeling well and gave us strict orders that I get some medicine and stay down for a few days and get over this. Tuesday morning it looked really nice outside so we walked to Petra’s for our appointment. It is about a mile but is all uphill. That felt good but by the time we got out a wind had come up and we were walking into the wind all the way home. Then that afternoon we went to the hospital to see our dear friend Stefanie. She has been moved to a different hospital due to her refusal to follow the doctor’s orders. It was a long walk from where we had to park to where she was and while we were visiting her, it started to rain. Of course our umbrellas were in the car so by the time we got back, we were pretty wet. I made it through the next two days but this morning I was miserable and was willing to give in and stay down. I am also very thankful for antibiotics. I’m already feeling better. It has rained every day this week and I think I’m just not used to all the moisture. I think next winter I’ll be better prepared with heavier stockings and wearing boots more often. It’s amazing how much colder it is with so much moisture.
Do you remember the family we told you about earlier where the husband and wife got into a big fight over our coming again? I told Dad when we left that day that I never wanted to go back! Dad just couldn’t get this family off his mind and called them on Monday and made another appointment for us to come. I was so mad!! But he wouldn’t back down so we went there yesterday. The wife wasn’t home when we got there and to be honest, I was quite relieved. We went ahead and started talking to the husband, who is an inactive member, about Jesus Christ. We just studied from the Bible because this woman said she refused to study from the Book of Mormon. Dad had spent a lot of time preparing a lesson just using scriptures from the Bible. While we were there, the wife came home and it was obvious that she wasn’t happy to see us. She went and sat in another part of the room then pretty soon she got up and got her bible and went over and sat down again but was turning to the different scriptures we were reading and following along with us. She didn’t say a word and when we got up to leave she went into another room so she didn’t have to say goodbye to us. Her husband walked out with us and said this was probably going to be the way it was but that he wanted us to come and meet with him again. The last thing I want to do is to be somewhere where we are not welcome but what do you do when someone has expressed a desire to have you come and study with them? I guess we’ll just see what happens. She has got to be the orneriest woman I’ve ever met!
We played “Scum” with the kids at FHE Monday night and they had a lot of fun with it. We also got some Root-Beer from a family on the army base and bought some ice cream to have Root Beer floats for a treat. They seemed to really enjoy that. We went through a half gallon of ice cream and 10 cans of root beer. We have a brand new Elder now and he introduced himself and gave the lesson that night. He gave us a lot to think about while reading the scriptures. He said instead of reading a lot of scriptures at one time, just read three or four verses and ask yourself, “Why were these verses written? What am I to learn from them?” It was a good thought. He is so full of enthusiasm and doesn’t have a shy bone in his body. He’s going to be a great Elder.
Petra continues to grow in the gospel. She was excited to have visiting teachers come visit her this week. She is so anxious to learn all she can learn about the church. She is a beautiful person but seems even more beautiful now. I think the scripture in Alma that says, “Have you received God’s image in your countenance?” applies to her. She literally glows. Sunday she was at the church for an hour and a half after church ended just talking to people and she loved it. She is getting acquainted with many people in the ward and is especially anxious to get to know those who are still going to be here when the army base closes. She is so worried about that. She knows we won’t be here forever and worries what she will do so we’re thankful that she is reaching out and becoming acquainted with others who will be a support to her when we’re gone.
Besides feeling lousy most of the week, we’ve had a lot appointments cancel and people not home when we went there for an appointment. That is always hard but we have learned is just a part of this work. Hopefully this amoxicillin will clear my head up and things will start going better again in our work. A mission is just that, work and it’s hard work but very rewarding work. The wonderful people we meet and work with make it very worthwhile. We love the people in this ward. I hope our president doesn’t have plans to move us for quite awhile. I think it takes awhile to gain people’s trust and confidence and we’re just beginning to feel that from this ward. The last two couples who served in this ward were here for just a couple of months and I think people thought that that’s how it was going to be with us so have been a little standoffish. We’re glad to see that change.
It’s time for bed. I’ve slept a good part of the day but I can tell I’m ready for more rest. Tonight I feel like I can actually get some air in when I take a breath. Last night I was up most night just feeling miserable. Hopefully tonight won’t be a repeat of that.
Thanks for your good letters and keeping us posted on what’s going on in your lives. You are in our thoughts and prayers every day. We’re anxious to hear where Zach will be spending the next two years. Waiting for a mission call is just plain nerve-racking! I’m sure it’s almost as hard on the parents as on the missionary. Know that we love you all very, very much.
Much love always,
Mom
Sorry this letter is a bit late. Last night (Thursday) we didn’t get home until 10:30. We had been invited to attend a meeting in Erlangen, which is about an hours drive from here, to hear Brother Ballard. He was in Germany with Elder Jon Huntsman of the Seventy. Elder Huntsman was here on business but Elder Ballard asked if he could come along and speak to the military families who are stationed here in Germany. One of Elder Ballard’s daughters is married to one of Elder Huntsman’s sons and they had a “common” grandson who is a returned missionary from Costa Rica with them. He bore his testimony and is a very impressive young man. Elder Ballard commented that these 8 grandchildren who they have in common get their good looks and smarts from the Huntsman side and their spirituality from the Ballard side. He of course said that in jest. It was a very spiritual, uplifting evening with the emphasis being placed on having testimonies that are “rooted deeply in our hearts” and not just knowing something that is in our head. He spoke of President Hinckley’s concern about so many people becoming inactive in the church and the importance of staying in close touch with those who are inactive or are investigating the church and helping strengthen them. They both bore very strong testimonies of the Savior and asked that we work to gain strong testimonies of the Atonement. They spoke of how our testimonies would carry us through troubled times. They were especially talking to the servicemen who are preparing to leave for Iraq and to those family members left behind while husbands, fathers and brothers are there. Elder Ballard mentioned the generosity of Elder Huntsman in regards to making it possible for President Hinckley to go to the far ends of the world in Elder Huntsman’s private plane. They were on that plane coming here and had been in Kuwait the night before speaking with servicemen there and before that, had been somewhere in Canada and in Milan, Italy. Elder Huntsman told of being raised in a home where his parents were inactive and that it was while he was in the Navy that he got active in the church. He said that in his free time he studied the scriptures. There were only 5 or 6 LDS men and they didn’t qualify for a regular meeting place and had to just find a place to get together. This group continued to grow when others expressed and interest in studying with them and when they got up to around 50 people attending regularly, they were given the largest meeting room on the largest ship. Over all, they had 50 baptisms from those who came to hear the gospel taught. Needless to say, he encouraged the servicemen to study the scriptures regularly and to share the gospel with others. What wonderful opportunities we have had recently to hear from leaders in the church. It was just two weeks ago that we spent an entire day being instructed by Elder Hilbig of the Seventy. Next week we have Zone conference and that is always a spiritual boost to the missionaries.
Whatever this “crud” I have been battling with came to a head this week. I finally gave in and called the mission doctor and he sent in a prescription for an antibiotic. I’m sure I’ve been battling a sinus infection. We had an early morning appointment with Petra this morning and she could tell I was not feeling well and gave us strict orders that I get some medicine and stay down for a few days and get over this. Tuesday morning it looked really nice outside so we walked to Petra’s for our appointment. It is about a mile but is all uphill. That felt good but by the time we got out a wind had come up and we were walking into the wind all the way home. Then that afternoon we went to the hospital to see our dear friend Stefanie. She has been moved to a different hospital due to her refusal to follow the doctor’s orders. It was a long walk from where we had to park to where she was and while we were visiting her, it started to rain. Of course our umbrellas were in the car so by the time we got back, we were pretty wet. I made it through the next two days but this morning I was miserable and was willing to give in and stay down. I am also very thankful for antibiotics. I’m already feeling better. It has rained every day this week and I think I’m just not used to all the moisture. I think next winter I’ll be better prepared with heavier stockings and wearing boots more often. It’s amazing how much colder it is with so much moisture.
Do you remember the family we told you about earlier where the husband and wife got into a big fight over our coming again? I told Dad when we left that day that I never wanted to go back! Dad just couldn’t get this family off his mind and called them on Monday and made another appointment for us to come. I was so mad!! But he wouldn’t back down so we went there yesterday. The wife wasn’t home when we got there and to be honest, I was quite relieved. We went ahead and started talking to the husband, who is an inactive member, about Jesus Christ. We just studied from the Bible because this woman said she refused to study from the Book of Mormon. Dad had spent a lot of time preparing a lesson just using scriptures from the Bible. While we were there, the wife came home and it was obvious that she wasn’t happy to see us. She went and sat in another part of the room then pretty soon she got up and got her bible and went over and sat down again but was turning to the different scriptures we were reading and following along with us. She didn’t say a word and when we got up to leave she went into another room so she didn’t have to say goodbye to us. Her husband walked out with us and said this was probably going to be the way it was but that he wanted us to come and meet with him again. The last thing I want to do is to be somewhere where we are not welcome but what do you do when someone has expressed a desire to have you come and study with them? I guess we’ll just see what happens. She has got to be the orneriest woman I’ve ever met!
We played “Scum” with the kids at FHE Monday night and they had a lot of fun with it. We also got some Root-Beer from a family on the army base and bought some ice cream to have Root Beer floats for a treat. They seemed to really enjoy that. We went through a half gallon of ice cream and 10 cans of root beer. We have a brand new Elder now and he introduced himself and gave the lesson that night. He gave us a lot to think about while reading the scriptures. He said instead of reading a lot of scriptures at one time, just read three or four verses and ask yourself, “Why were these verses written? What am I to learn from them?” It was a good thought. He is so full of enthusiasm and doesn’t have a shy bone in his body. He’s going to be a great Elder.
Petra continues to grow in the gospel. She was excited to have visiting teachers come visit her this week. She is so anxious to learn all she can learn about the church. She is a beautiful person but seems even more beautiful now. I think the scripture in Alma that says, “Have you received God’s image in your countenance?” applies to her. She literally glows. Sunday she was at the church for an hour and a half after church ended just talking to people and she loved it. She is getting acquainted with many people in the ward and is especially anxious to get to know those who are still going to be here when the army base closes. She is so worried about that. She knows we won’t be here forever and worries what she will do so we’re thankful that she is reaching out and becoming acquainted with others who will be a support to her when we’re gone.
Besides feeling lousy most of the week, we’ve had a lot appointments cancel and people not home when we went there for an appointment. That is always hard but we have learned is just a part of this work. Hopefully this amoxicillin will clear my head up and things will start going better again in our work. A mission is just that, work and it’s hard work but very rewarding work. The wonderful people we meet and work with make it very worthwhile. We love the people in this ward. I hope our president doesn’t have plans to move us for quite awhile. I think it takes awhile to gain people’s trust and confidence and we’re just beginning to feel that from this ward. The last two couples who served in this ward were here for just a couple of months and I think people thought that that’s how it was going to be with us so have been a little standoffish. We’re glad to see that change.
It’s time for bed. I’ve slept a good part of the day but I can tell I’m ready for more rest. Tonight I feel like I can actually get some air in when I take a breath. Last night I was up most night just feeling miserable. Hopefully tonight won’t be a repeat of that.
Thanks for your good letters and keeping us posted on what’s going on in your lives. You are in our thoughts and prayers every day. We’re anxious to hear where Zach will be spending the next two years. Waiting for a mission call is just plain nerve-racking! I’m sure it’s almost as hard on the parents as on the missionary. Know that we love you all very, very much.
Much love always,
Mom
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