From Dad 10/27

Good morning,

We have had a good week. Every week is a good week when it can be shared with mom. She is one of a kind. No one could ever be more true, more faithful and loyal as a friend and as a companion. She never seeks the limelight. She will consistently place herself in the wings time after time. She pushes others out into the forefront and then cheers their performance. When we play 3 to 13, her favorite game of all time, she loves to win but never at the expense of another. She always looks for ways to say, “It’s just dumb luck”. Things are kept lively with her great enthusiasm for sports. It doesn’t matter sometimes who even wins. In the World Series she knows who is playing and something about the players and the teams, but remembers most the times with her nephews Dave and Ralph and the phone calls when a favorite team was winning or losing. It was just another reason to call and say, “Hi”.

Mom continues to prod me along and encourage me day by day to find in the little things ways to do our assignments with a little more zip and flare. Everyone! Appreciates mom’s efforts in this regard. We see little changes and improvements that help us through when appointments don’t hold or interest changes. Mom has her favorites. She is a meat and potatoes girl. A meal with a nice patty of good ground beef, spuds, and a vegetable and she is completely happy. Her prayers are from the heart. They are about and for people. Our own 37 are at the top of the list. Names are specific and events or challenges are remembered. When mom teaches, people listen. Her story telling remains the favorite past time. Her sense of humor keeps us on our toes. It’s just a good life.

Early in the year of 2006 Tim Palmer began questioning where his life was going and what he should be doing about it. This was also the time when mom began staying on task to see all the paperwork and medical items were being completed to get us ready to go. Six months or a year from now always seems like a “better” time to consider going on a mission. Is it possible the Lord asked for us to come to Germany not because of any previous language training, not because of a love for the German people but because Tim Palmer needed support and encouragement in his life at a time and in a manner we were prepared through years of being a close family and having developed a love for the Lord who now could become Tim Palmer’s cheering section? Who could ever be more prepared or qualified than mom? When it came time to leave our last appointment with Tim, mom said, “We want to come more than once a week”. Our next appointment is for Tuesday. We hope the meeting with the bishop works for Wednesday night. With mom’s encouragement we will meet with Tim again Thursday or Friday and then he plans to come to Church on Sunday. How can he not go through a life changing experience with the kind of support mom has in store?

Have a great week and remember we love you and look forward to more personal weekly and daily updates at home. As much as we have enjoyed them here, there is no place like home.

Love always,

Dad

From Mom 10/25

Dear Family,
We’re had a good, busy week with a variety of experiences. Senior missionaries have so much more freedom to do things than the young Elders and Sisters do. We’re thankful to have a car and to be able to do all the things we do. Today has been a service day. Last week we visited a young Japanese girl who is here studying violin performance. She studied in London for three years and then came here to study with a teacher who had been highly recommended to her. She has a two hour lesson every week day and she practices a minimum of 5 hours a day. Usually it is 9 or 10 hours. She lives alone in an apartment and spends most of her time practicing. When we went to see her we told her to call us if she needed anything. She sent us an e-mail and asked if we could come over and help her put a wardrobe together. There are no closets in houses here so everyone has wardrobes or “schronks” as they are called. It was one of those pre-fab kits made with pressed wood so it was really heavy. We were there for 4 hours. I don’t know how many times we started over. Finally Yuka said, “Let’s see what the instructions say to do.” In a very short time, we had it together and she was very happy. It was a fun change of pace for us. She really appreciated our help and we had an opportunity to get to know her better. She grew up in the church but hasn’t been very active since she came here. She told us she just wanted to see how it would be without the church. We’re a little concerned. She said that if her parents knew she wasn’t going to church all the time, they would probably quit helping her with her lessons. She admits that she has not been honest with them about this and is thinking she better get back to doing what she knows is right. We’re hoping to stay in touch with her and that she will want to come back to church. Her violin playing is just incredible. She played for a special number at Sister Reynolds baptism last month and when she started playing, it just sent chills all over me. It’s like listening to Jenny Oaks Baker play. When we were over there last week we asked if she would play something for us. We told her to just pick something out and when she finished she asked if we had any favorites. I love “Clare de Lune” and asked if she would play that. She said she didn’t have any music for that here but she’d see what she could do. Oh my gosh, chills all over again. She’s just amazing.

Tonight at our English class one of the young men who attends asked if we could come to his house in the morning and help him put a bed together. That just hit our funny bone as we had just spent the afternoon helping someone else assemble some furniture. You just never know what you’ll be asked to do when you’re a missionary.

We had a fun but freezing time at the football game last Friday. This game was played on base against a team from another Army base here in Germany. The Germans don’t play regular football. They call soccer football and they are really into that. But this was a real game complete with the Star Spangle Banner, cheerleaders, hot dogs and the works. The kids here lost in a big way. Now I know how all the people who play Shelley feel. But it too was a nice change of pace. We went to watch a couple of young men from our ward and they were awesome. The team just needed a few more like them. The little brother of these boys was at the game and told us he had a game the next morning---flag football----so we went and watched him play too. He was the star of the team-----caught passes, intercepted a pass and ran for a touchdown. And when he went after someone, he didn’t stop until he had their flag. That too was a fun time. This family is such a great family and it was just nice to spend this kind of time with them.

We met with Tim Palmer this morning. What a change has come over him! He usually comes to the door in clothes that look like he slept in and his hair is never combed. This morning he had clean clothes on, his hair was combed and he had a smile on his face and a sparkle in his eye that was just great. We commented on that smile and he said he just feels happier than he has been for a long time. He hasn’t had any beer in over a week and he’s reading in the Book of Mormon every day. He said when he has read it before, it was just words and he had a hard time not letting his mind wander but now he is understanding it and really enjoys reading. He’s anxious to get his life back together and feels very optimistic about that happening. We first met him shortly after we came to Wurzburg but had a hard time getting back together with him. But we had a good feeling about him and Dad just kept calling. Most of the time it was nothing more than a visit on the phone but he finally let us come visit him again. Today he told us that he would like us to come as often as we had the time to come. He also told us that he got to the point that every time Dad would call, he’d think of some excuse not to be able to meet with us and would think, “Oh those Mormons. I wish they would leave me alone.” But today he thanked us (Dad) for being persistent. He said he feels like he is finally getting control of his life again. His “live in” wife has been having an affair with a man she works with for 2 years. She is anxious for Tim to get out and move on. He has been very depressed about this but now he’s ready to start again and this time to do it right. He loves his kids and that is hard for him. In a situation like this, the mother has complete control of what happens with the kids and right now he isn’t sure what will happen. His attitude is so good and so positive right now. It’s wonderful to see the change the gospel brings to peoples lives.

I’m sure I’ve told you about Thomas and Elana Beck. They are the young couple we have been meeting with almost every week. He was baptized about a year before we got here but they had quit coming to church. There had been no follow through after his baptism so we gave them the new member lessons. We have kind of a standing appointment with them on Sunday afternoon and we’ve talked about a lot of different things. Thomas wanted to become an Elder so we spent a lot of time talking about the Melchizedek priesthood with him. He was finally interviewed and approved and this Sunday at stake conference he will be presented and will be ordained an Elder. They are so excited and so happy. They want to go to the temple but Elana says she wants to wait until Thomas knows for sure that that’s what he wants. She doesn’t want him to go just because she wants to. She wants him to understand the importance of it so it will have real meaning to him. He is very quiet and doesn’t say a lot but is opening up more each week. Sunday he told us about his childhood. He was put in a boys home when he was five and got out when he was 16. That helps us understand him so much better. He really didn’t have much of a life as a young person and he still struggles being around people. But he’s getting better every week. We notice on Sundays that he hangs around and visits with people more all the time. No one leaves to go home right after church. They just all act like they are so happy to be together. It’s a great feeling.

We met with Ron Peterson----the man whose wife is always so happy to see us! He’s coming along and he’d like to come to church but is afraid of what will happen at home if he does. Yesterday while we were meeting with him, a lady from the Jehovah Wittnesses came to meet with his wife. They went upstairs. His daughter was honestly worried what would happen with people from two different churches in the house at the same time. But the house didn’t fall down or catch on fire. I was glad our meeting was over before they came back downstairs. I’m not afraid to admit that that woman scares me to death! Never have been around such an ornery person!!!

Life goes on. We had a fun FHE Monday night and the Institute class last night was good. Meeting with the young people is always a bright spot in our week. The German people don’t do a lot on Halloween. Some people dress up in costumes but there is no trick-or-treating. There are Halloween decorations in the stores and lots of pumpkins for carving but it’s not like it is at home. They have several religious holidays and everything closes for those days. It’s just plain different here.

We’ve read about the fires in California. How sad. We’re concerned about Clinton and Sharon Lingren and are anxious to hear from them. They usually send us their family letter each week so I’m sure we’ll be hearing something soon. Sharon has asthma really bad and I can just imagine what all this smoke is doing to her. We just never know what’s going to happen but with everything that is going on, we had better listen to our leaders and be prepared for anything.

We hope all is well with all of you. Hearing about all you are doing makes us tired! We’re grateful for all you do and are very thankful to have you as family. At the press conference with Pres. Eyring, he told of being in college and his father going over a physics problem with him that he had gone over just the week before. His Dad commented that he didn’t know it this week any better than he had the week before and then asked him if he didn’t think about physics all the time? When Pres. Eyring told his father that he didn’t, his father told him that he needed to find something to do that he did think about all the time, even when he wasn’t working on it. That is when Pres. Eyring realized that he wanted to be a teacher. I told Dad after hearing that that I guess that’s why I love being a Mom to all of you because I do think about you all the time, even when I’m not there with you. Nothing will ever mean as much to me as my family does.

Much love always,
Mom

From Dad 10/20

Hi everyone,

Yesterday was an important day in our missionary life. We received a phone call just as we were walking out the door for an appointment from one of our less active members, Tim Palmer.

Tim was one of the first people we contacted when we came to Wuerzburg last November. We had a good feeling about him then. We met with him and the mother of their children and the three boys, ages 14, 9, & 5. After about two months he began to consider there is a God and He is Our Father in Heaven and He is a real person and someone we can actually talk with. A return appointment to the home was not coming about. By spring he was willing to talk with us a couple of times in the month by phone. By early summer he began taking his turn at saying a prayer at the end of our phone conversations. In late summer he came to Church with one of the three boys.

Friday we met with Tim and discussed the Proclamation on the Family. He set some goals based on the counsel from our living prophets. On his own he called us last night so excited. He said I want to turn my life over to God and follow His direction. He hadn’t had any “good German beer” to drink since Thursday and had begun reading in the Book of Mormon each day. He said, “My whole perspective is changed”. In the past when missionaries came to their home it was always with the idea of teaching Ursula about the Church. Through all of these times she never really expressed an interest in becoming a member of the Church. Tim said, “I feel like my life has started progressing again. I can work on doing the things I need to do to be a better father, and one day hopefully a husband”.

It has been humbling to see how the Spirit has worked with him and how he now is opening his heart more and more to the Spirit to help him rebuild his life on solid ground. The past few weeks as we have spoken on the phone he has been like a sponge in his desire to learn. These weeks have not been without phone calls at prearranged times and finding no one at home. The road ahead for Tim is far from easy. His willingness to choose to step onto this path is what made last night and his phone call to us so exciting. He called and canceled an appointment made earlier to meet with the bishop last Wednesday and assured us last night nothing will be more important than keeping the next one, hopefully this coming Wednesday, if this works for the bishop.

Life continues coming one step at a time. We wouldn’t have it any other way in spite of our impatience. I know the gospel of Jesus Christ as taught by the Savior and restored by Him to strengthen us for the work yet ahead in preparation for His return to the earth, is true. I know lives can be changed. When we choose not to give up a door or a window will open. I know this is the Lord’s work and we are called wherever we are in the world to assist. Our love for our family and others will only allow the Spirit more opportunities to bear testimony in people’s hearts of the truthfulness of the work and will bring the longed for blessings not only into the lives of others but into our lives as well.

Have a great week. Thanks for all you do.

Love always,

Dad, Grandpa and Willard

From Mom 10/18

Dear Family,

This has been kind of a “ho-hum” week-------not a lot of exciting things happening, just same old, same old. We spent a couple of days feeling very much under the weather. Last Friday, Dad didn’t even get dressed until after 3 o’clock. He had had a couple of restless nights with a bad headache and lots of aches and pains. Thursday I felt lousy and didn’t accomplish a lot. We had appointments both days and went to the appointments but sure didn’t feel well. Both days ended much earlier than usual. We’re blaming it on to the weather. Everyone else does that around here. There is just a lot of sickness everywhere right now.

We had our interview with President Rakow this week. He said he’s definitely planning on leaving us here in Wurzburg for the rest of our time. I have mixed feelings. It would have been nice to see some other parts of this mission but at the same time, I’m glad we don’t have to pack up and move and get acquainted with a new area, a new ward and new people. We have to remember that it was just a year ago that we saw every part of Germany that had missionaries in as we inspected apartments. That’s a lot more than most missionaries will ever see. But we feel comfortable here and are seeing some progress with some of the families we have been working with. We talked with him about Petra. He said we did all we could have possibly done and not to blame ourselves for the decisions she has made. He suggested that we continue to treat her as a good friend and leave the church out of our conversations with her. He feels that some day she will come around again. We hope so. She hasn’t responded to any of our e-mails and has asked that no one from the church try to contact her. It’s hard to stay away but we need to honor her request. She did tell her home teachers that she has been very much distraught over her live-in boyfriend who was the one who introduced her to the church in the first place. She has been hoping that they could patch things up but decided that wasn’t going to happen so she got rid of anything that had any connection to him. That included the church. I have been really discouraged about it but am finally realizing that she has the right to make her own choices and that we need to let go and move on. She will always be in our prayers and we will always hope that the good feelings she had about the church will come back.

We were impressed with the remarks of our new bishop on Sunday. He said he feels strongly about the need for everyone in the ward to work with our part-member and inactive families. The ward is shrinking in size and by next summer all of the American families will be gone. We need to get these inactive and part-member families active and coming to church again. I worry what will happen to this ward if that doesn’t happen but feel encouraged that the new bishop is making that a priority. Sometimes it’s hard to see that we are making any progress but we just keep trying. We had a good meeting with Anna Berner this week. She said that her church is the Ten Commandments and the teachings of Jesus Christ. We are glad that we can show her that both of these things can be found in the Book of Mormon. She usually has her Bible laid out but not her Book of Mormon. She was wondering what happened when we die and we read with her from Alma chapter 40. She was quite interested and said she would finish the chapter. Dad kept going back and forth from the Bible to the Book of Mormon and she was surprised how well the Book of Mormon validated the things we read from the Bible. It was an interesting discussion and she asked us to come back in two weeks. We encouraged her to pray before she started reading in the Book of Mormon that she would understand what she is reading and she agreed to do that. She doesn’t really disagree with anything we tell her. It’s just something new and she wants to study it out and be sure. And that’s as it should be.

I think every missionary that has been in Wurzburg has met and taught Sister Meyer. No one really understands why she won’t be baptized. Today we went over D&C 20:37 which talks about the qualifications for baptism. We went over everything that is mentioned in that scripture one thing at a time and told her we felt like she met every one of them. And she does. We asked her to pray about it and read it some more and think about the importance of being baptized. She said she would. We’ll see what happens there. Her husband’s greatest desire and concern is for her to be baptized so they can go to the temple. She is just an awesome lady. You would think she has been a member for a long time to see her interact with people in the ward and participate in everything. Again, we’ll just keep trying.

President Rakow told us that we probably won’t realize the good we’re doing until the next life. Then someone would come up to us and say, “Do you remember me? I was in Wurzburg when you were there on your mission and you helped me------“ I hope we don’t have to wait that long but we might and if we do and if we find out we really did help someone, it will be worth the effort. At our zone training this week, there was a couple there who are both converts to the church. One of them was four years and the other six or seven years meeting with missionaries before they finally came into the church. They both encouraged us to not become discouraged and to never give up on people. Keep in contact with them and keep working with them because some day they will understand and come to know the truth of what we are teaching. They emphasized the importance of keeping a good record of everyone we teach so that other missionaries could know what has been done and continue contact with them. That really helped us realize that the little things we are doing may be stepping stones for someone looking into the church. They have both served missions and are so thankful for the gospel in their lives. It was good to hear their conversion stories and feel their strong spirits.

Monday night at Family Home Evening we were asked to think back to when we first realized that Jesus Christ was someone very special. As I thought about it, the songs I learned in Primary were the first things that brought those feelings to me. I remember singing, “Jesus once was a little child, a little child like me. And He was pure and meek and mild as a little child should be. So little children, let’s you and I, try to be like him, try, try, try.” I love the Primary songs. They teach so many gospel lessons. I love the song, “I’m trying to be like Jesus” that the children sing now. Speaking of Primary songs, we had a neat experience yesterday. I think I mentioned last week that we are meeting with Sister Reynolds, who was baptized last month. We take Sister Pinder, who is a member of the ward with us and she gives the new member discussions. Yesterday she reviewed the Plan of Salvation lesson which talks about our pre-earth life and that we lived with our Heavenly Father before we came to earth. As she taught that, I had a strong feeling that we should sing a song so when she was finished, I asked Sister Reynolds if we could sing my favorite song to her and she said it would be okay. So Sister Pinder, Dad and I sang, “I Am a Child of God”. Sister Reynolds had tears in her eyes when we finished. She had never heard that song and thought it was beautiful. I told her that is the song I always think of when things seem to be just too difficult to handle and at those times when thoughts come to my mind that shouldn’t be there. It always helps me get back on course again.

Tomorrow night we’re going to a high school football game. Two of the young men in the ward, brothers, who are struggling right now as far as activity in the church goes play on the team. We always ask them how the team is doing when we see them at church and they seem happy that we are interested. So we decided to go watch their game tomorrow. I’m not wearing panty hose and a skirt!! It’s not P-day but I’m wearing my P-day clothes. We’re both looking forward to it.

Well, I think I’ve rambled on enough for another week. I have a favor to ask of all of you. Will you think about something that you would like to have that reminds you of Germany? We need some ideas. We want to bring something for everyone but aren’t too bright when it comes to thinking of things. Be thinking about it and let us know.

We hope all is well with everyone and that the farmers in Idaho got their spuds out between snow storms. Chris, we didn’t hear of see the news conference with Elder Eyring. We’d love to be able to listen to it. Know that you are loved and missed and very much appreciated. We hope everyone has a good week.

Much love,
Mom

From Dad 10/13

Good morning!

The weather outside is fallish. The leaves are beautiful and the air is crisp. It is a good time of year. We love hearing about all the activities. You are all very busy with your families and school. The growing years are full of wonderful memories.

Mom and I are experiencing some new kinds of memories. We see a greater need for the gospel of Jesus Christ in people’s lives than ever before. Conference was a time of strengthening. When President Hinckley spoke Sunday morning it was a special time for me. I have always known he was a prophet of God. As he was speaking I felt this knowledge go deeper and deeper into my heart. We may ask ourselves why the world is more accepting of dead prophets. One thing, they can usually interpret what was written they way we want and apply the meaning to it that we want. In this was they become the prophets seeking a following. With living prophets from God, who speak, if we misinterpret what is said they can come back and correct us. Being corrected is not always seen by others as being desirable.

The other day a member of the Church, who is a friend with a young mother who has been learning more about the Church, gave me a book she received from this friend. The writer of the book has an average of 15,000 people attend his church service each week. This friend suggested they read a chapter and then meet once a week to discuss it. It seemed like an opportunity to better understand the things she had been taught and to help her understand the difference that the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ offers. Here are a few thoughts from the book.

You were made for God to serve Him. You exist for His benefit and His pleasure. God planned your life for you without your input. You were made from nothing to something. God made us because He desires worshippers. We are slaves of Jesus Christ. Jesus is still the friend of sinners. God wants you to be yourself. The truth is that there is nothing wrong with you. Estrangement from God has nothing to do with sin. One of the great gifts given you was to enjoy pleasure, because you were made in His image. The most common mistake Christians make is they look for a feeling. God removes our feelings so we won’t depend on them. God is more concerned that you trust Him than that you feel Him. God didn’t need a family. He has existed in loving relationship to Himself. To accept the invitation to be part of God’s family there is one condition: faith in Jesus Christ. As children of God we get to share in the family fortune. Healthy families have family pride. Baptism doesn’t make you a member of God’s family, the only biblical condition is that you believe. Receive His forgiveness for your sins. Receive His Spirit. Whisper the prayer: Jesus, I believe in you and I receive you; welcome to the family of God. The Church is not an organization. When you were born again you automatically became a part of God’s universal family. You can spend a lifetime searching for the perfect Church, but you will never find it. We aren’t God and never will be. We are humans. When we try to be God we end up most like Satan. Adam and Eve enjoyed an intimate friendship with God (How did they know something that was good before they ate the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil?). There was no religion and their relationship was unhindered by guilt or fear.

Here are a few thoughts about why the restoration was necessary and what some of the things were that were restored. It is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance. D & C 131:6 By the power of the Holy Ghost you may know the truth of all things. Moroni 10:5 They have taken away from the gospel of the Lamb many parts which are plain and most precious; and also many covenants of the Lord have they taken away….(to) blind the eyes and harden the hearts of the children of men. 1 Nephi 13:26-7. What are some of these teachings that were taken away? This is my work and my glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Moses 1:39 God is not selfish. His only interest is how can He serve us and make things better for us. Jesus said I go my way and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come. John 8:21 I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance. He that repents and does the commandments of the Lord shall be forgiven; and he that repents not, from him shall be taken even the light which he has received; for my Spirit will not always strive with man. D & C 1:31-3 Cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things. Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? D & C 6:22-3 You must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore you shall feel that it is right. D & C 9:8 By works is a man justified and not by faith only. James 2:24 Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. John 3:5 He that entereth not by the door but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. John 10:1 And now if the Lamb of God, He being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfill all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, even by water. 2 Nephi 31:5 And God hath set some in the Church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that…governments, diversities of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:28 The only true and living Church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased, speaking unto the Church collectively and not individually. D & C 1:30 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48.

I know the gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness is again on the earth today. This is a great blessing. By their fruits you shall know them. We look at our family and the happy moments you share with us each week and we can feel our testimonies grow. The validity of how the gospel helps us know peace of mind and true happiness increases in our hearts from day to day. We invite everyone who has not yet experienced these feelings to plant, nurture and from the harvest their own fruits know the love and goodness we receive through working daily to live as our friend and Lord lived for us.

Have a great week! May your smiles grow larger and your hearts warmer.

Love always,

Dad

From Mom 10/11

Dear Family,

It has been a bit difficult to get back into our missionary work after the p-day/zone conference activities and then two days of General Conference. We are so thankful that we were able to see all but the Sunday afternoon session on the big screen at the church. When I took Dad over to the church for the Priesthood session, I had fully planned on coming back home and going over for the general session but as people came for the priesthood session, families were going in together. Elder and Sister Meng came and she was going to go with her husband so I decided to go to. I’ve always enjoyed reading the messages in the Ensign given at the Priesthood session and now I know why. We saw the Relief Society broadcast at 4 o’clock on Saturday and the Saturday morning session live at 6 o’clock. Then Sunday morning, the Priesthood session was at 11 o’clock, the Saturday afternoon session at 2 o’clock and the Sunday afternoon session live at 6 o’clock. Thanks to the wonderful technology we now have, we watched the Sunday afternoon session here at our apartment on the internet. Besides being able to read the talks, listen to the talks, this time you can watch all the talks. Conference was wonderful. We were very happy about Elder Eyring being called to the first presidency. It will be interesting to get better acquainted with Elder Cook. We were impressed by his remarks. I thought it was so touching when Elder Nelson came and stood by Elder Wirthlin as he was speaking and started shaking so badly. One of the young Elders commented that this was evidence that these men practice what they preach. They really do reach out and help others. We read today that Elder Wirthlins problem was “locked knees” and it caused his whole body to shake. We are thankful to know that it wasn’t a serious illness like Parkinson’s disease or something like that. I have so much admiration for him that he would finish his talk.

Between the afternoon sessions on Sunday, we invited the Mengs and the four Elders over for lunch. I had put a big stew in the oven early that morning. Sister Meng brought rolls and a cake and we had ice cream. Those Elders can really put away the food but they seemed very appreciative of home made food. It was fun having them all here. They love anything home made. Sister Meng and I take turns taking treats to our district meetings every Monday morning. The Elders love it and its fun doing that little thing for them. We took the Elders to do their grocery shopping one rainy day and they mainly bought frozen Pizza’s, milk, bread and yogurt. They are pretty conservative with their money and they don’t get a lot of dinner invitation in this ward because our numbers are so few so they really do appreciate it when they have something good to eat.

Yesterday we went out to Ron Petersons. He’s the one whose wife loves us being there so much. We at least did get to go into their house yesterday. It was a beautiful day and she was out in their backyard with there daughter and grandson. She came in a couple of times and didn’t even speak to us. Then when we thought she had gone out again, Ron stood up and walked into the kitchen and the back door was open and she was listening to us. We were talking about the Word of Wisdom and she yelled, “Why don’t you teach him to quit smoking” and then “You’ll never know the hell he put me through when he was drinking. Why don’t you talk to him about that?” Ron admits that he still smokes some but wants to quit and he did used to drink but doesn’t any more. He really wants to get back into the church but is afraid of the contention it will cause in their home. He agreed though that he needs to just face his wife and tell her that he wants to go to church. She can be a bit intimidating, to say the least. It’s no wonder that he’s nervous about even bringing it up. He has come so far though since the first time we met with him. His sisters in Utah and California call him nearly every week and ask him if he’s been to church yet and he keeps telling them, “Not yet, but I’m going to go.” We have another appointment with him in two weeks. I go to those appointments with much fear and trepredation but Dad is very brave and bold and doesn’t let her bother him.

We’ve been meeting with some inactive members and they seem to be showing more interest in the church. One of them asked for a copy of the Relief Society/Priesthood manual which we will deliver to him on Monday. He works week-ends so can’t come to church. It had been a long time since he had had anyone from the church call on him and he seems to really appreciate the time we spend with him. He’s such a nice guy. His wife doesn’t care for the church and it really bugs her that he pays his tithing but he pays it anyway. He’s from England and I love listening to him talk. Today Dad talked to another inactive member we’ve met with a few times. Her husband recently retired and they have been traveling so we haven’t met with her for quite awhile and today when Dad was talking to her she said she had really missed talking about religion. She told us when we first started meeting with her that she wasn’t even sure anymore that there was a God but today she said she knows there is and that Jesus Christ is His son. If we get nothing more done than helping some of these people begin to think about our Heavenly Father and the importance of Him in their lives, I guess our efforts will not be in vain. Sometimes we wonder if we are accomplishing anything but we just keep trying with people. I told Dad today that sometimes I feel like a salesman that is trying to sell something really good but get frustrated that people aren’t all that interested. All we can do is give our message and hope the spirit touches their hearts.

We are meeting with Sabina, who was baptized just last month. One of the members here has really befriended her. She, the member, is a returned missionary and she asked if she could give Sabine and new member discussions. We went to Sabine’s home with this member on Wednesday. It is such a thrill to see how much Sabine loves the church and the gospel. She literally glows. Her husband keeps asking her why she is so happy now and she tells him it is because she had found the truth. She feels strongly that he will want to learn about the church but wants it to be him that expresses that desire. She doesn’t want to force it on him. I think that is wise and I think that with her example and her new found happiness that it won’t be long. It’s amazing how those kinds of experiences make up for some of the not so pleasant experiences that go with missionary work. It’s just great to see what the gospel does for a person when it really gets inside them.

There is a sweet lady, Sister Mohr, in the ward who has been in a nursing home ever since we got here. We have visited with her a few times. The last couple of months she has had three strokes and is bedfast now. She can’t speak but she knows we are there and she holds our hands tightly when we go to see her. We talk to her and even though she can’t answer us back, we can tell by the look on her face that she knows we are there and what we are talking about. She loves it when we sing to her so we usually sing two or three hymns when we go----in German (I don’t know what we’re saying but I can pronounce the words). We don’t stay long but she has a hard time letting go of our hands when we leave. It’s a good feeling that we may be bringing a little happiness into this dear sister’s life.

Missionary life is interesting to say the least. People really pour their hearts out to us. There are so many problems and sad things in the world and within families. This morning we were reading in Moses 7:33 “but behold, they are without affection and they hate their own blood.” We see so much of that. Families are just not close and are sometimes just plain mean to each other. We are so thankful for the emphasis the church puts on families and for Proclamation on the Family. We talk about that a lot with people and have given out lots of copies of that. When we are taught that Satan is doing all he can do to destroy families, we have certainly come to know that is true. We hope and pray every day that we as a family will love each other, will stay close and support each other in every way possible. We appreciate so much the support and encouragement we feel from you in your letters. This is by far the hardest calling we’ve ever had in the church. It is a trial of our physical, emotional and spiritual strength every day but knowing this is the Lord’s work gives us the strength we need to face each day and each new situation we get into. We couldn’t do this if we didn’t know that this was His work and that he supports us in it.

We still haven’t had any communication with Petra. Her home teacher and his wife went to see her on Sunday. She told them she wanted no one from the church to contact her---even by e-mail. She also told them that she still has a testimony and that she prays and reads her scriptures but is just really confused about a lot of things right now and needs time to sort things through in her mind. It has been so hard for her to give up her live in LDS boyfriend who introduced her to the church in the first place. When he moved out he started drinking heavily and was very abusive to her verbally and emotionally. She found out a couple of months ago that he was living with another woman now and that about did her in. She told her home teacher Sunday that she finally threw out everything that was his that was still at her apartment and that she “threw the church out with it.” We still hope and pray that she will come around. This has been a very difficult thing for us. Leaving her in the Lord’s hands is all we can do at this point.

We always enjoy hearing about all the activities everyone is involved in. Brian sounds like he has a pretty busy school schedule but he’s doing great with the grades. Cindy is getting used to not having any time to herself anymore. Chris and Dale must be busy with their boys and the ward. We haven’t heard from them for awhile. We hope all is well with them. I don’t know when Camille finds time to eat or sleep with her schedule of work, family activities and church responsibilities. Don’t burn yourself our, Camille. With six active kids, the Hatches are keeping plenty busy and facing some challenges life tends to bring from time to time. Boyd and LeAnn have learned that real estate is a feast or famine way of life. Thanks for “hanging in there” and for all you’re done to take care of things. We’re pleased with the progress we feel in Brent’s life. I’ve been learning a lot about what it means to “endure to the end”. It’s much more than just suffering through situations life throws at us. It means remaining true to the commandments of God despite the temptations, opposition and other adversities that life brings. Sometimes it’s tempting to say, “If this church is true” or “if there really is a God and He loves us, why do I have to go through such things?” The church is true and God does love us and the hard experiences that come to us are a test of our faith in Him. I know that if we do what is right and truly trust our Heavenly Father, that we can meet any situation that come to us.

That’s more preaching than any of you wanted to hear so I’ll bring this to a close for this week. Know that you are all in our prayers every day. We love you dearly. You’re what makes life worth living!

Much love always,
Mom

From Dad 10/6

Hi everyone,

Isn’t conference a wonderful time of year? It was so smooth how the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve in a few brief remarks were restored to their full capacity and function once again. There was neither electioneering nor hoopla. It was a matter of announcement and sustaining and back to being about the work. Who the Lord will choose is not always something we will know or need to know before the time for our sustaining is to take place. How simple and clean the function of the Church is maintained.

We are so encouraged with the effort you are making right now Brent with your life. Your Heavenly Father stands always ready. His hands are held out. We are pleased with the reports we receive about you and your schooling Brian. A 97% average takes effort. We hope things will continue to go well for you Boyd in reestablishing your career path. You are blessed with many good skills. We hope it works that you will not need to leave the area. It has truly been nice having you in Idaho again. From what we hear and see Nate, you are loving the opportunity to be a father again. I can only smile thinking about two scout masters in the family at present. The little snatches we get paint a good picture of your influence, Dale, and Zach’s influence as well in the work he is doing. It’s all in the family.

Mom and I love the work. The only time mom is antsy is when we are spending too much time preparing and not enough time in people’s homes. The influence of a companion doesn’t get any better than that. Yesterday we met with the Gunthers who have taken a 9 year old niece into their home to raise and perhaps until she becomes an adult. When she first came and since they had had no previous experience as parents it was a true “culture shock” being parents. Alina broke down and cried in mom’s arms one night and said, “I feel I have come home again” regarding her feelings about the Church. She also said she was “done” with her marriage. In the following weeks we encouraged her to keep working on holding the family together. Yesterday was the first time we were given permission to meet with the family again in about a month. The Spirit was strong. We talked about what some of the things are we need to do to be a good and a strong family and how happy we are when we do these things. The 9 year old led the way. Her family in Utah is inactive in the Church. She understands and accepts the need to change even though her natural inclination was to say no to prayer and reading in the scriptures. Mom’s influence in this family is remarkable. Love needs no translation. They expressed their thanks for the Spirit they felt yesterday. It is awesome to see how the Spirit works in people’s lives.

Sister Kempe has left the door open even though it is not very wide. We are thankful for your prayers and interest in her behalf. Having come from being an atheist only a short time before we met helps us to understand how much of a major change working to live the gospel of Jesus Christ must have been for her. We hope the same desire to be close and to know our Heavenly Father will lead her back once again to make the effort to see the good influence living the gospel of Jesus Christ does have in each or our lives when we are ready. She is really a good person. This must be a very difficult time for her, more than we were capable of even comprehending.

We love all of you guys and appreciate the effort you make to strengthen your families and our whole family as well. We are thankful for how you reach out into the other half of your families and help and assist them as well. Life is great.

Have a good week.

Love always,

Dad & Grandpa

From Mom 10/4....Good Buddy

Dear Family,

We’ve just had a fun and inspiring two days. It is Zone Conference time again but this time it was announced that it would be a two day affair. The first day we were to have a zone P-day. We were told to come in our P-day clothes and be ready for some sports and games and fun. President and Sister Rakow showed up in Levis and t-shirts and were right in the middle of everything. There was a football game going on. Most of the Elders were having a lot of fun with that. I think they were all trying to show off their high school football skills with lots of long passes and fast running. Of course, it wasn’t tackle but it was more than touch. They had to bring the guy carrying the ball to a complete stop. It looked like they were having a lot of fun. Then there was “Ultimate Frisbee”. That was a lot of fun. You had two teams and passed the Frisbee to others on your team. When you caught it, you had to stop and pass it to someone else. Between people jumping up and down in front of you when you were trying to pass and trying to find someone on your team who was open to pass it to, it was a bit of a challenge. If the Frisbee touched the ground, the other team got it. You couldn’t run with the Frisbee and the only way to score was throwing it to someone behind the goal line. I even intercepted the Frisbee from the other team one time and I threw a short pass for a score once. The Elders and young sisters were very kind to me. President and Sister Rakow were playing that too. We saw a different side of them. After the more physical games we did a bunch of relays. One was where four or six people were in a line and one of our legs was tied to the leg of the person behind us. Then we had to run down the field and back hoping we were all on the same foot at the same time. We were supposed to learn the principle of “working together” with that game. Another was carrying a ping-pong ball in a spoon and holding a volley-ball between our legs and “running” to a set place. It was hilarious to watch and a lot of fun. Inside there was pool, ping-pong and fooze ball and lots of sandwiches, cookies and juice. I think everyone thoroughly enjoyed just doing something completely different and getting acquainted with each other. We had the choice of driving back to Wurzburg and coming back the next morning or just staying in Nurnberg so we opted to stay. The Mengs and us got a motel and just relaxed after all our activity. We even found a Kentucky Fried Chicken place and enjoyed the food. The Elders all stayed with other Elders and went out tracting for 2 or 3 hours. I’m so thankful we aren’t allowed to go tracting but have so much respect for those young missionaries who do what they are supposed to do. There are some perks to being an “old” missionary. After we came back from eating, we taught the Mengs how to play 3-13. They really liked it. To help us remember we were still missionaries, we read some articles in the Ensign and caught up on some of the back issues of the Church News, both of which we receive at each Zone Conference.

Today was our regular zone conference with lots of good counsel from our leaders and from President and Sister Rakow. They always have good ideas to help us to be more effective in our works. One of the things they emphasized today was to relax and enjoy the work-----don’t be robots. Be enthused about what we’re doing and be genuinely interested in people we meet. President Rakow is very well read in the scriptures and spent a lot of time explaining things about the gospel some of the Elders had questions about. He talked a lot about what it means to be “covenant people”-----who were covenant people and why we make covenants. We make covenants to protect and preserve the priesthood and so we can receive blessings from the Lord. The ultimate goal of covenants is to receive eternal life. It is through the covenant people that the Lord speaks to all of His children on the earth. He asked that we read in the Book of Mormon every day and also read and study from “Preach My Gospel” every day. Then study the Doctrine and Covenants. He said we can read the Old and New Testament when we got home! He has talked to several Elders who have a goal of reading all the standard works while they are on their mission and that’s not what he wants. The Book of Mormon is such a great tool in missionary work and he wants us to know what’s in it. By the way, we have just completed reading it for the second time since we’ve been here. Our goal is to read it one more time before we come home. I love that book!

We felt very good about our dance last Friday. There were around 30 young people there and about 12 adults. That doesn’t sound like a lot but for here that is a lot! They seemed to have had a good time. We started around 7 o’clock There was lots of good food and everyone enjoyed eating and visiting. I was wondering if kids dance at these dances but at about 9 o’clock they started dancing. In Germany, it’s not unusual for a woman to just go out and dance alone and we saw some of that too. About the time it was supposed to end everyone was dancing and didn’t want it to end. Finally at 11 o’clock we stopped the music. It was 1 minute to midnight when we finished cleaning up and putting things away but we felt really good about how things went. It was well worth the worry and work!

Petra is still a big concern. We received an e-mail from her and she said that as if right now, she has no plans of returning to church. That about broke our hearts. Many people in the ward have tried to contact her but she isn’t answering her phone. They ask us what’s going on but we don’t know. How we wish we did and could help her get back on track. We’ve had several people who have been converts to the church tell us that the same thing happened to them a few months after they were baptized------that it’s just a big change to make in your life but they are so glad they rode those rough times through and are so strong in their testimonies of the church now. We hope and pray every day that Petra will do the same thing. She is so loved by everyone in this ward. I hope she can come to know this.

Sunday we got a new bishop. Bishop Moffitt is now in Twin Falls and will start his job their next Monday. He is working with a group of seven pediatricians and is so excited to be a civilian now and having a regular job. He loves working with newborns in the neo-natal unit and that will be what his specialty is. He’s a wonderful man. We’re glad he will be close enough for us to visit sometime. Our new bishop is a native German and is just a great guy. His wife is the Primary president. Ever since we got here we hear of how “Bother and Sister Seeger made us feel so welcome when we came into the ward.” Now that Brother Seeger is the bishop. I think that says a lot about what kind of person he is.

We are looking forward to conference this week-end. One inactive sister-----the one who gave us all her church books, wants to go to the Relief Society broadcast and Anna Berner said she might come to one of the sessions with us. We thought we had lost Anna this week when we were there. She just seemed really frustrated with some of the things we were talking about but she just stayed with us. She has a hard time accepting that God and Jesus Christ are two separated persons but we feel she is starting to come around with that. She is such a dear lady. She reminds me so much of Grandma Price. As I sat across the table from her and looked at her, I felt myself getting all choked up thinking about Grandma Price. Anyway, when it was time to go she got out her little appointment book and asked us to come in two weeks. We so hope she will come to a conference session. Alex is her grandson and we’re hoping he will ask her to come with him.

We met with the sister who was baptized a couple of weeks ago. The Elders still haven’t been to see her or even called her since she was baptized. We just wanted to see if she had some questions about the church that she wanted to talk about. She is very interested in Family History. In fact, she told us that the second week she was at church, the lesson in Relief Society was on Family History and that was a strong witness to her of the truthfulness of the church. She is excited to learn more. One of the members of the bishopric takes care of the Family History center in the church here and has said he will go with us to her place so he can show her how to get going on her work. She is so excited. Another sister in the ward who is a returned missionary has asked if it would be okay if she gave this new sister the new-member discussions. She has really gone out of her way to befriend her and we think that would be a great idea. That is how it is supposed to be done----by the members. This new member just seems really solid in the gospel.

Not a lot of exciting news this week. We’ve stayed busy and have talked to a lot of people. Sometimes the steps are very small and the progress very slow but as long as people are willing to have us come into their homes and talk with us, we feel very encouraged. Getting people back active in the church is no easy thing. They seem to recognize the need but letting go of the habits that have kept them away is a hard bridge to cross. We just keep trying.

Every day there is more color in the trees. It is beautiful but definitely looks and feels like fall. We’ve had a lot of rain but it hasn’t been too cold. We’ve only had our winter coats out one time so far. We were surprised to hear about the snowstorm there last week. I remember more than once when it snowed during potato harvest. Like Camille said, “And here we have Idaho.” We hope there is lots of snow there this winter. It sounds like we will be hurting for water if we don’t get it.

You are in our thoughts and prayers every day. We love each one of you so very much and look forward to being home with you again. We have three more Zone Conferences and it seems like they roll around quickly.

Much love to all of you,
Mom

From Dad 9/29

Hi everyone,

The young adults did an awesome job on the dance last night. There were about 30 young people between the ages of 18 and 30 plus another 12 adults. The food was great. Mom made an unbelievably good potato salad. The floor show was excellent. Sister Thomas sounded like Whitney Houston. Two young men who have been working at it for two years performed “hip-hop” to “Mormon Rap”. After the dance one group of about 12 went to one member’s home to watch a movie and sleep over. Another group of about 9 went to the young adult leader’s home for a sleep over. It was lively and helps us feel much alive too. We didn’t even mind walking into our home as the clock struck 12!

Our Father in Heaven has done and continues to do an awesome job. Here are some of my thoughts. We have always lived. There was no beginning nor will there be an end. Science has a hard time with this concept. They try for dates of 80 million or older, because they can’t comprehend things were organized and not created from nothing. “Man was in the beginning with God. Intelligence, or the light of truth, was not created or made, neither indeed can be.” (D & C 93:29). And, “These two facts do exist, that there are two spirits, one being more intelligent than the other; there shall be another more intelligent than they; I am the Lord thy God, I am more intelligent than they all.” Abraham 3:19

We were created first as spirit children of our Father in Heaven. “For I, the Lord God, had created all the children of men; and not yet a man to till the ground; for in heaven created I them; and there was not yet flesh upon the earth, neither in the water, neither in the air;” Moses 3:5 We were taught and grew spiritually until it became necessary to leave our Father’s presence and come to earth to continue our growth to become more like Him. A plan was presented. We supported the plan. We knew mistakes would be made. We knew heaven is a clean and pure place and will never change. We would need to be made clean to return to our Father. Jesus Christ offered to come, live without sin as the Only Begotten Son of the Father and to suffer all the punishment necessary for justice to be satisfied. Then mercy could be applied to everyone of our Father’s children who would be willing to recognize what Jesus Christ had done for us and who would also be willing to make every effort to keep the commandments the Father would give us to follow and live on earth. Those who chose not to accept His sacrifice and to work diligently at following the way the Father wanted us to live would have to pay the price in full for our own sins and would receive blessings according to the level of faith and obedience we were willing to give but would lose the opportunity to return and live with the Father again. Lucifer thought he saw an opportunity to take over. He presented his plan to take over and displace the Father and the Son. He said we could come to earth and he would guarantee no one would be left behind. To do this we would be required to give up our right of making our own choices. He would make them all for us and because he would bring all of us back he didn’t need the Father and the Son. He would claim us as his children and we would no longer belong to the Father.

Two out of three in the end stood by the Father and the Son in the plan of the Father. “…There was war in heaven:….And that great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceived the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Revelations 12:7-9 And further, “And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth:…” Rev. 12:4 As mom quoted, these spirit children of our Father in Heaven continuously seek to misguide and mislead us away from the Father and His Son and all that is good. After those who opposed the Father’s plan were no longer present the final preparations were made. All the leaders were called and foreordained. “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee;…and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5 Our Father in Heaven knows everything and could plan perfectly for what would happen on earth. A veil over our memory was drawn to allow us to exercise our agency. After this life we will report to our Father and the Son to give an accounting. When the veil of what we knew before we were born into this life is taken away we will judge ourselves and know perfectly how fair and just, and as far as we were willing to accept the atonement we will have mercy applied to our final judgment. We can choose how we will conduct ourselves here on earth but the consequences of those choices are not optional.

We see people exercise their agency daily. We see progress and then some fall back. How painful it was for us when Satan rebelled. “”…an angel of God who was in authority in the presence of God, who rebelled….was thrust down from the presence of God and the Son, and was called Perdition, for the heavens wept over him – he was Lucifer, a son of the morning.” D & C 76:25-6 While we are still here on earth we hope and work to help one another give up our rebellion against the Father and the Son agitated by the Adversary of all that is good. Each small step toward the light we take brings less power and influence by the adversary until the Millennium comes when he will be bound. “…he shall have no place in the hearts of the children of men.” D & C 45:55

It is so important never to give up. From day to day the battle for men’s souls continues. Love is the only way y the adversary cannot fight. The Holy Ghost gives each of us the knowledge we need to know how love is to be applied. Sometimes a parent’s actions are not perceived as being motivated and guided by love. I know each step of the way we follow the spirit we will feel that it is right and feel the peaceful confirmation even when the world around us may seem to be in total chaos. Life is good. Blessings can be found everywhere in every day. Obedience blesses and makes us free. Restrictions are only placed upon us when we follow the influence of the adversary. The Spirit is always ready to help us understand and see the difference to make good choices. May our Father in Heaven feel welcome in our lives.

We love your letters and cards. Daily stories about life bring welcome smiles to our faces and warm our hearts. Thanks for taking the time to write. Have a great week.

Love always,

Dad

From Mom 9/27

Dear Family,

It definitely looks and feels like fall. Today it has rained nearly all day and that really brings the leaves down. Each day there are more colors appearing in all the trees. It is beautiful. We are both feeling a bit under the weather and we’re blaming it on to just that---the weather. It seems like such a short time ago that it was light when we finished with FHE or our institute class and now by 7 o’clock it is really dark. I like the light! This is not my favorite time of the year..

We’ve had some interesting experiences this week or should I say different experiences. I’ve mentioned Stephanie many times. She is the one who was in a mental hospital then she got married in May and they seem to be doing pretty good. She still has some funny ideas though. Last week when we went to visit them she gave Dad her Patriarchal blessing. She had crossed a lot of things out of it and had written some things in the margins and at the top and bottom of the page. She said she wanted a new blessing. The things she had crossed out were things she didn’t want and she had written in things she did want in her new blessing. She wanted Dad to translate it and give it to the bishop before she went in to talk to him about getting a new blessing. That seemed very strange to us. Dad has given her several blessings and sometimes before he starts, she tells him what she wants him to say and if he doesn’t say it, she lets him know it! It’s such a challenge teaching some of these people that are new in the church how things are done like understanding what priesthood blessings are and that they are given under the guidance of the spirit.

Wednesday we had an appointment with Ron Peterson. He is the one whose wife went off on us several months ago and I tried to get Dad out of the house and vowed I would NEVER go back. But Ron really wants to learn more about the church. For a few months Dad called him every Tuesday morning and they talked about the church for nearly an hour and even had prayer together over the phone. Then he told Dad that he wanted us to come out again. The first couple of times she wasn’t there, much to my relief. Last week when we were there she sat in the room where we were but not at the table with us. She very rudely corrected something Dad was saying about some of the books in the Bible and some of the language these books had been written in. I was so glad when that meeting was over. When we got there Wednesday, Ron met us at the door and as we walked into the house she stood in the way and said she was going to watch TV and we’ve have to meet out in the porch. That kind of gave us a funny feeling. Nothing like not being wanted in someone’s house!! The porch is all enclosed and is nice and when it is warm, it is really a nice place to be but yesterday was cold and we about froze but we met with Ron for about an hour. He asked about general conference and said he would like to come to at least one of the sessions. We see a real softening of his heart. I don’t know how he stands that ornery woman! I’m a nervous wreck whenever she’s around. When we meet with just him we have such a good conversation. He is so eager to learn the gospel. He grew up in the church but when he came to Germany with the Army he became inactive. His wife hates Mormons. Ron gave us about four pages of “anti-Mormon” information she had found for him. It’s all in German and Dad is reading it right now and has commented several times on untruths that are being taught about the church. What a number Satan is doing. In some of the material I read this week for institute, I read this statement by Brigham Young: “Every person who desires and strives to be a Saint is closely watched by fallen spirits that came here when Lucifer fell, and by the spirits of wicked persons who have been here in tabernacles and departed from them. Those spirits are never idle; they are watching every person who wishes to do right, and are continually prompting them to do wrong.” We sure see that as we work to help people understand the gospel. This is just plain hard work but we know that it is the Lord’s work and that He will help us accomplish what we are supposed to do. How very important it is for all of us to ask for His guidance and direction each and every day in everything we are trying to do.

The Young Single Adults from our ward are sponsoring a ward dance tomorrow night. Last night we stayed after institute class and helped them decorate. They’ve invited people from other wards in the stake and are hoping for a lot of people to come. I hope it is successful for them. They have gone to a lot of work. They are just a delight to be around. We’re so grateful for the opportunity to work with them.

The other night we stopped by Thomas Mueller’s parents to just talk to them about how Thomas is doing in California. They invited us in but they were expecting dinner guests in a short time but were very friendly and happy to talk about Thomas. His Dad went with him to help him get settled in school and in the area and he attended church with Thomas a couple of times while he was there. He commented to us that he is in a really good ward and that he’s glad Thomas is a member of the church. They have invited us to dinner in a couple of weeks. They are such nice people. Thomas is so hoping they will have some interest in the church.

We have two new Elders in our district. One has been out about 3 months and the other is brand new. He had a hard time controlling his emotions. He speaks perfect German. His grandparents are from Germany and his parents both grew up here but they now live in Salt Lake. The family speaks German in there home all the time. He was only in the MTC 3 weeks because he didn’t need the language training. Missionary life is a big shock to him even though the language is no problem. My heart went out to him. I know just how he feels! I just hope he will hang on. He has a wonderful companion. His companion is the district leader and is so kind and patient.

I told Dad the other night as we were driving home from an appointment that I look at a mission much like our life is. Before our mission we are with our family and people we love and who love us and we try to learn and live the gospel like we did in our pre-earth life. Then we come on a mission and leave the comfort of loved ones and go out into “the dark and dreary world” and learn through experience----some of them very difficult, like real life is. Then when our mission is over, we return to our loved ones at home again just like we are working to be able to return and live with our Heavenly Father again. I’m sure every person who serves a mission has different experiences and I’m also sure they are experiences they never dreamed they would have. I’m not complaining. I guess I’m just feeling a bit overwhelmed with the many different situations we run into each week and the physical and emotional strength it takes to just keep up.

I’ll try to end on a lighter note. This is a little story one of the young adults gave in his lesson at FHE Monday night. We got a kick out of it. Hope you do to. It’s called “Close to, Round about, Near by”

One Sunday, the minister was talking on baptism and in the course of his sermon he was illustrating that baptism should be performed by sprinkling and not by immersion by pointing out some instances from the Bible.

He said, “In the Bible where it says that John baptized Christ “in” the River Jordan, it didn’t mean “in” but meant close to, round about, or near by. Then again where it tells us that Phillip baptized the eunuch in the river, it didn’t mean “in” but close to, round about, or near by.”

After the service, as the people were filing out, one old fellow stopped by the minister and said, “Reverend, that was the best sermon I ever heard and it uncovered many of the mysteries of the Bible to me. For example, it tells us in the Old Testament that Jonah was not “in” the whale, but that he was close to, round about, or near by swimming in the water.

Then there is the story about the three young Hebrew boys who were thrown “into” the fiery furnace but not burned. Well it seemed impossible but now I see they were not “in” the furnace, but were close by, round about, or near by just keeping warm. But the hardest to believe was where Daniel was thrown “in” the Lion’s den but he too was close to, round about, or just near by….like at the zoo.”

The revealing of these mysteries was very rewarding to me, but the greatest comfort of your sermon was because I am a wicked man who sinned much and it tells us in the Bible that the wicked will be cast into Hell. But now I see that I won’t be cast “into” Hell but close to, round about or near by.”

And next Sunday, I won’t have to be “in” church. I can just be close to, round about, or near by. Thanks for the great sermon. You have really put my mind at ease.”

With that spiritual thought, I’ll close for this week. Know that we love you dearly. You’re always in our thoughts and prayers. We feel your support and your prayers in our behalf. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Much love always,

Mom