We had a meeting with Blue Hawk.  He is still struggling.  However,  our meeting this time took place in a member's home.  We were told that the place he had been staying was kind of a scary place so a member took him in.  I have been thinking lately and asking myself if I would be able to do the same thing.  Would I be able to open my home up to a stranger and give him the nurturing and care that he needs to turn his life around?  I have really done some thinking on this and ask that you ask yourself the same thing.  Would you be able to take the stranger in?

We also got to attend our first zone conference.  We were told that other than couples serving in the mission office, we are the only other senior couple.  It was a bit of a surprise because I thought that every mission had senior couples.  We loved being with the elders and sisters and being taught by them along with our mission president.

We have had some good visits this past week.  We spend a lot of time with part member families and deployed families.  We met a family that the father is gone and won't be back till November.  They have four children ages 12 through 11 months.  She had such a fun personality but we could tell that  there are really stressful times.  She gets the kids back and forth from school, scouts, piano lessons, and after school activities.  Again, I have learned a great lesson and I count my blessings every day.  I hope that each of you will stop for a minute and express your thankfulness for those who are serving our country.  When Craig served his remote (deployment), he served it in Greenland.  There was no war for me to worry about.  Other than freezing to death, I knew he was safe.  The families now days don't know about how safe their family member is and in some cases, don't know where the family member is for sure.

Just Another Day

This has been quite an interesting week.  On Tuesday, the window in our spare bedroom literally shattered inward.  Maintenance came right over, boarded up the window, and today we got a new one.  This event made us late for the Vacaville zone meeting. I had made brownies for their meeting so we were pretty popular even though we interrupted the meeting late.

After the meeting we took two elders to lunch at Chicl-fil A.  We then proceeded to go see Blue Hawk.  He is a single brother in his late 20's.  He is a very smart young man but has really had some down and out luck.  He is covered in tattoos but we couldn't see any sign of any addiction, which we are told to be aware of due to his homelessness and conditions. He says he knows that the tattoos affect his job hunting but can't do anything about them. The Vacaville Third Ward bishop asked us to go see him.  Because of his conditions, the ward is trying to get him back on his feet.  He served nine years in the military, has a bachelor's degree, both parents have passed away and two weeks ago his only sibling (sister) was killed in an automobile accident.  Not only is he struggling financially but he has no job and no family.  He was converted to the church while he was stationed at Hill AFB.  We were there for about two hours along with the missionaries.  We gave him a copy of the Book of Mormon and challenged him to begin reading it again.  He accepted the challenge.  Craig and I are going to try to go tomorrow, Friday, and check up on him.  I'll even try to get some cookies baked.  . The bishop had asked us to be alert to the situation because we don't know anything about him.  All we know is he called the Church and asked for help because he was sleeping in the park.  This is really my first close-up encounter with a homeless man.  I felt so sorry for him as he expressed his fear of being homeless and no family.  I can't even begin to understand what that must be like.  We can only pray that he is being honest with us and that the Lord will direct us in knowing how we can help.  Maybe we all should go to bed tonight counting our blessings!

After a fast dinner we went with two other missionaries to visit with a sister who is going to the temple on Saturday.  There was such a contrast as she shared something new she had learned in the scriptures earlier that day. She says every time she picks them up she feels better and learns something new.  Her children are grown and she is divorced.  She is the nicest lady and there was the sweetest spirit in her home.

On Friday, August 14, Craig is out searching for some single airman with the help of one of our active airman.  I am here writing, baking cookies, getting wash done, and listening to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  My heart is full as I think of all the great blessings I have in my life.  My children and grandchildren are a source of strength and joy.  My testimony brings me peace, hope and love for all of God’s children.  Please look around today and watch for the small miracles that the Lord provides us with.  We are all blessed with the knowledge of God and our elder Brother’s sacrifice.  Make the most of your day.  Serve someone else.  Love you all.

Update again

This has been a wonderful week.  We worked to make more contacts and tried to build up some interest in our program.  We attended the YSA ward to meet some wonderful youth.  We met a young man who went to college with Craig's nephew's son at BYU.  I visited with several who were home on break from BYUIdaho.  You all know how I love talking about BYUI.  One of the members of the bishopric has a sister who lives in Sugar City and works at the university.  It was another surprise.  It was Suzanne Williams brother.  This is really a small world.

We visited a family to see if we could help as he prepares to leave on deployment in 3 months.  The father has been teaching the gospel essentials class and from what we are told, did a fine job.  Then, a month ago out of the blue, he quit coming.  No one seems to know what happened.  We had a delightful visit. The mother was born and raised in the church and the father is a convert of about 5 years.  They have two darling children that made me homesick for my grandkids.  They invited us to come back again so I think it went well.  However we still have no idea why he quit teaching and coming to church.  I am reminded that we are all vulnerable to adversity.  Satan wants us at anytime he can get us. 

Another visit was to a sister who's husband is currently deployed to Afghanistan.  She told us how she wants to come to church but she has to work every Sunday.  Her day off is Monday and so she said we could come back again.  On her table was a triple combination.  I would really love to get to know her because I feel like she has a story to share.

Today the Fairfield Missionary District was allowed to go to the Oakland temple if they could get rides from members.  When it comes to attending the temple you don't have to ask us twice.  We have friends the Brimhall's, who work at the Oakland temple.  We didn't get to see them because we were with some pretty great missionaries.  The drive over began at 7am with lots of traffic.  We finished the session and treated the missionaries to lunch.  The traffic had totally calmed down.  It was so great to be back in the temple.  I absolutely love going to temples, especially with members.

We have a date set to meet up with Laurie Hayes Rudd.  Her folks are Randy and Laura Hayes from Rexburg ID.  They are serving as mission president in Costa Rica.  Laurie was always such a cute kid.  I loved it when she would come to my office and visit.  I can't wait to meet her two kids.

Our weather has been beautiful here.  Craig and I enjoy walking outside early in the mornings.  We are even getting so we see some of the same people every time.  

We do hope that everything is well with you all.  We are getting more settled all the time.  Craig is really good at finding our way around.  We love serving together and offering others the opportunity to hear about the gospel.

One Week Review

We have been here one week. I wish I had a wonderful missionary to share with you but that will have to come later.  We visited two blocks of meetings and a PEC today and set up some appointments for this coming week.  It is going to be a long process.  The Oakland temple has been closed for two months and reopens the first of August.  We are going to take the elders to the Oakland temple when it opens.  We met a family today that is related to all the Thueson's in Rexburg.  We met the stake president who is originally from St.Anthony.  There are lots of people who have gone to Ricks College and more who have their kids at BYUIdaho.  The RS president in one of the wards was brought to tears as she talked about takin their son to BYUIDAHO for fall semester.  She shared with me what a great kid he is and how much she'll miss him.  It was quite a day.

We have found a place to begin walking again and that feels great.  We are still looking for a real path so it will be easier on our feet.  We have loved getting that fresh air again.  Yes, the air is fresh.  We have blue skies, white clouds, and no rain.  Everything is dying around us.  As we have driven around and seen all the brown fields, my heart breaks.. People are letting their lawns dry up and everyone to trying to conserve.  In the meantime, San Diego area is having floods from the rain.  Mother Nature is hard to figure out sometimes.  

A Simple Update

I keep thinking that I will get my bearings here in Cali, but it hasn't happened yet.  The last couple of days have been spent trying to find everything.  We have had success because we found the Sonic and Costco.  Oh yeh, we also found two ward buildings because we have meetings in the morning with two zones of elders and sisters.  It was totally a successful day.  

Our weather here has been so great.  We have been in the low to mid 80's during the day.  This morning when we walked it was 64 degrees, slight breeze from the west.  We are told over and over that we will fall in love with the weather here.  We will fall in love with the weather but not with the freeways.  There are definitely times we want to avoid any freeway driving.  There are people everywhere here.  I think I am going to be glad to see the quiet, congested streets of Rexburg.  

The couple we replaced were CES missionaries and that was their focus so there is nothing going on from a military relations standpoint.  We have left messages for the two stake presidents but no call back yet.  We want to meet with them first before we meet with bishops.  We are kind of off to a slow start but Craig and I both feel like we will just need to be patient.  We just have to let the dominoes fall into place.  Hopefully the elders we meet with tomorrow will have some contacts we can help with.  

Our last meeting we had in SLC was with Frank Clawson, who is over the Military Relations department.  He was our stake president in Germany.  It was wonderful to see him, catch up a little, and visit.  It was kind of a sweet thing.  He told us he recognized us but wasn't sure from where.  When Craig mentioned Germany, the light clicked on and he said, "Hahn Air Base - you were a counselor to Bishop Williams". That was a long time ago so it kind of surprised me that he would remember us.  Through this mission call and the Military Relations news letter we have caught up on several old friends.  Our bishop from San Antonio (Craig replaced him as bishop) is also serving this type of mission and emailed us to catch up.  

Thanks to all of you for your love and support.  I miss my grandkids and my kids.  I am grateful for this opportunity to give back to the Lord a little bit of what he has given us.  We are truly blessed and we love this time of life. Our phone number has remained the same.  Our new address is 2550 Hilborn Rd. #249, Fairfield, CA  94534.

Email synopsis

I know I haven't been very good at the updates but I'll try to do better.
We are busy here because we have homework every night.  And because I'm a little slower than most, it takes me the evening to do the homework.  Last week we learned from the Preach My Gospel manual and this week we get two days of CES (S&I) training, followed with military relations training for three days.  Then, I think, we will be on out way.  Friday's training will be at the Church Office bldg.  We will leave from there to go back to Rexburg and pack the car then leave on Saturday.  We will have Monday with the couple who we are taking the apartment from and move in on Tuesday.  I think our first priority will be groceries and household items and then we'll see how we progress.

We have had wonderful experiences here.  Sunday evening we had a fireside and then a taped devotional given by Elder Bednar at the MTC on a Christmas Sunday.  It will as given several years ago but was so powerful. It showed such a fun side of Elder Bedar but also his great teaching ability.  It brought back a lot of memories of the office and what a blessing it was to have been able to work with him.  They have retained this devotional for only missionaries at the MTC. 

Food here is OK.  There isn't too much that entices me.  The good thing is the young missionaries can have as much as they want.  The BYU Creameries comes twice a week and sets up an ice cream bar.  They do make good ice cream.  The soups and the wraps haven't been too bad.  I don't know how the long term missionaries make it.  (By long term I mean that some are here for 9 to 12 weeks. ). 

We have team taught investigators, been taught, studied, learned how to teach the CES way, which is a new and pretty good way, plus mingled with elders and sisters from all around the world.  


Sunday we ran into some old Rexburgites, Kent Brooks.  We have met people from St, Anthony, Blanding, Utah, Lacey Washington (this is where our friends McClellans live), Rigby Idaho, Canada, institute students of our nephew Chris, and etc.  It never ceases to amaze me how our lives are intertwined.  When you add the military with the Church, we are all one big happy family.  We have a couple in our group that are from Colorado Springs and will serve at the Air Force Academy.  Believe it or not we have a lot of names in common from when we lived at the Springs.

We have missionaries in our group going to Tonga, Finland, Ireland/Scotland, London, Rome Italy, Australia, New Zealand and all the way from Florida to Washington state.  The one mission that is not in our group, of which we were all surprised, was Africa.  It has sure been wonderful meeting so many new people.  We have given our Scotland friends the names of the Ladle's in case they ever run into them.  The Australian missionaries are going to Brady's old mission.   We have searched the mission president's board to find our friends currently serving.  There is a bunch!

I know some of you wont relate to parts of this email but I don't have time to tailor one for everyone.  Please forgive me.  If any of you are wondering about a mission, please wonder no more.  Don't wait until you are too old to serve.  There will always be a reason not to serve but one must know your own heart.

Our love and prayers are with all of you, family and friends and other missionaries.  We are forever indebted to Brady and Mindi for watching over our home and possessions.  We miss our grandkids but know that we will all be blessed through this experience.

Update from MTC

We are coming to the end of our first week at the MTC. I am grateful I have survived.  I am grateful that Craig has been such a support.  Today at lunch, we looked up from eating and there was Mark Wightman.  What a surprise.  He was there for some meetings on the new MTC buildings.  What a wonderful tender mercy it was.  Many memories of Mark coming into my office in the Religion department.
There is a senior couple that we were able to find out a common link. She is Steve Clark's sister.  It really doesn't matter where or what we do, there are always someone we can link up with.