Santa Rosa Mission-2016

Journal Joys-May 2016

This month has really flown by.  We sponsored our third ‘All Military-Active Duty Member FHE.’  We listened to our speaker inside the base chapel and then went outside and enjoyed our beautiful weather.  The park by the chapel has a very nice playground and picnic tables and volleyball net.  The children played, there was a competitive volleyball game, and lots of visiting and eating going on.  We were pleased with the evening and now begin planning our July FHE celebration.  It has been challenging to create these activities when we don’t have our own things.  We have to try to get by with whatever we can. 

On April 23 we drove to Santa Rosa, California for an all mission conference.  Elder Bednar was our teacher.  It was a very inspiring morning.  He had given the missionaries four of his talks to study in preparation.  He narrated the discussion and then opened the time up for questions.  I had previously told our mission president, President Wright, that Elder Bednar would expect the missionaries to be prepared for discussion and questions.  Elder Bednar didn’t let me down.  He was absolutely in great form.  Three and one-half hours absolutely flew by.  The elders were in awe of his humor and his wisdom.  We all got to shake hands with him at the end.  Because of where we were sitting, we were almost last.  He gave us both a hug, asked how we were doing, and asked about our family.  It was so good to feel of his spirit and be taught by him.

Another highlight of the mission conference was being able to hook up with our great-nephew Sam Nordfelt who recently arrived in our mission.  It was fun to visit with him, get a picture, and send an update to his mom.  We also found out the Sue and Russell Fay’s granddaughter is in our mission.  We are going to have to find her next time.  We were a bit surprised because Sister Julander’s parents were in Craig’s ward when he was a bishop on campus.  Can that really be?  Where has the time gone?

Journal Joys - March 5, 2016

Sometimes when I begin writing an update I think to myself that nothing new has happened.  Then as I write, I know that our missionary life is full of many small missionary experiences. 

Ian is an investigator that has gone through four sets of missionaries.  A couple of months ago the elders asked us to come and teach with them.  Ian is a very smart young man preparing to exit the military.  He studies the Bible, Talmud, Koran, Book of Mormon etc. Most of the time, he hasn’t had time for the Book of Mormon but can quote to us all the things he has learned through his other studies. I hope you feel the gist of what he is like.  When we go with the missionaries he loves asking questions and telling us the new things he has learned through his studies.  During a recent study he finally had made some strides in reading the B of M.  As the evening was coming to a close, Elder Nordfelt asked him if he would pray about the Book of Mormon.  Ian told us he doesn’t really pray but he meditates.  So, we asked, as you meditate will you spend time pondering the Book of Mormon. The elders also challenged him to attend meetings on Sunday, of which he did.  Our next visit was two weeks later.  Ian proceeded to tell us of the good feelings he had and said he thinks the Book of Mormon is true.  However, in the same breath he continued to tell us that he didn’t think he could join because he wouldn’t be able to do three hours of worship on Sunday.  If we had our services on Saturday he would be more inclined to join.  The evening proceeded forward but we both felt like this was not going to go much forward.  The elders then asked him if he could see himself joining the church one day.  Ian answered them in the negative and the maybe.  The elders then told Ian that they would not be able to come by as often as they had been because there were others that were more ready to accept the gospel.  The thing that I think Ian will miss is being able to have the missionaries to discuss religion with and showing us all the knowledge he was gaining through his studies.  So now we haven’t been back to Ian’s and we have moved forward to other investigators. 

We have a new single airman at the base from Gillette, Wyoming.  We took him to lunch the other day and had a good visit.  He is a very nice young man with a girlfriend back in Gillette.  They hope to get married in October.  We invited him to church on Sunday and he said he would if he didn’t have to work.  We found this young man because of his bishop contacting the YSA bishop and then the bishop contacting us.  We never got him to answer the phone but we did get him to answer our text.  We are really hoping that he will come and attend the meetings with us because he seems to be a really nice young man and would be a great asset to the ward.  This is an example of how the Church’s network can and should work to help all members.

While volunteering at the Airman’s Attic last week, another volunteer approached me and stated that she had been raised Mormon. She recognized our name tag and wanted to share with me her feelings about the ‘Mormon Missionaries’.  She proceeded to inform me that she was never baptized but her aunt always took her to church until her aunt moved to Utah.  No, she didn’t want missionaries but she was very favorable in her memories and feelings toward the Church.  She said she always loved the missionaries coming over to their home.  This is another example of seeds being planted and how each of us don’t really realize how little things in our daily life are being watched and how we each plant seeds along the way.

The Santa Rosa mission does not currently have a senior couple over the apartments in the mission.  We have been asked to do several things for the missionary apartments in our area.  Friday, March 4, was a trip to Davis California to fix the toilet seat for the sister missionaries there.  Then from Davis to Rio Vista California to assess an empty apartment to see what we need to do to clean it out and close it down.  The elders were moved from the Rio Vista branch a while ago so now the apartment will be closed.  We did a walk-through and determined what was worth keeping and what was worth transporting back to the mission home in Santa Rosa.  We’ll visit with the mission office on Monday and see what they want us to do.

Now you can really feel the diversity of what we do.  One day we repair a toilet and the next we are trying to get an investigator to pray about the Book of Mormon.  We love it all. 

Joy Journeys to Begin 2016

• This will be the follow up to Whitney and Jake Thompson's story or Thor's death.   On the way to the UC Davis Children's Center, Thor passed away. The para-medics who transported him told Whitney that they believe he had been brain dead for several hours. Everyone is devastated by the horrible turn in events.  I can;t even begin to understand what the Thompson family is going through.  We spent the next week visiting Whitney every day.  I'm not sure if we did any good but we hope that we were able to bring some peace. Because of the death circumstances, the coroner's office will be doing an autopsy.  The autopsy came back that Thor died from shaken baby syndrome and being dropped on the floor.  Everyone is in disbelief as to the events that are unfolding.  A second autopsy was ordered because it not changes Thor's death to a homicide.  WOW!  I can't believe what Whitney will have to go through.  On December 23, the Thompson's flew to Salt Lake City, Utah to bury Thor.  They are not sure of when the body will be released but they want to get out of Fairfield.  The breaking news on Monday, December 21was that the babysitter was being charged with homicide.  We arrived at the Thompson's just as they had received the phone call.  Whitney was totally in shock.  She is such a sweet person that this thought never entered her mind. This babysitter watched the children often as Whitney works.  Others have since told me that they too have used her for a babysitter.  She does a lot of tending and the entire base has been torn apart. We are in hopes that when the Thompson's return we will be able to help in some way. I have often thought that I don't know how the loss of a loved one can be lived through without the gospel.  
• We had Kit come for Christmas.  He arrived at the Oakland Airport on Monday evening about midnight.  Tuesday morning Craig and I went to District meeting and then went home to begin our week of touring with Kit.  After our meetings, we went to the JellyBelly factory, showed him around the wine country like Napa Valley, then around the neighborhood and places where we frequent.  On Wednesday we got an early start to take the ferry across the bay to San Francisco.  We had pre-purchased tour tickets to Alcatraz.  While we waited we visited Fisherman's Wharf and the multiple shops.  There is also a place where sea lions seem to all come together.  Then back to our tour boat.  Alcatraz was really interesting.  It was something that Kit really wanted to do and I totally enjoyed it.  I know that when Craig and I go places like this we tend to take our time and read most of the information.  However,  I felt like I was being rushed through everything. I had to just be content that we were seeing things as fast as possible because of our limited time.  We did get to have clam chowder in a sour dough bread bowl that San Francisco is famous for. We walked around and saw the trolley car museum.  We decided not to wait in line to ride the trolly car because it had a 1 1/2 hour wait.  We meandered back to the wharf where we went through a 'market' and the shops.  Craig taught Kit to eat oysters and Kit loved them.  They ended up having two helpings.  Then they both tried the trout eggs.  As for me, I took the pictures and tried hard not to gag. On Thursday we were up again early to drive to Muir Woods to see some redwoods.  It was a rainy day so we all had to take an umbrella.  The rain made it beautiful for some of our pictures.  These redwoods are not as big as the one's Craig and I have seen but they are still impressive. We then drove to take pictures of the San Francisco Bridge.  Again Kit got some really great pictures of the bridge.  It was here that we could also tour some gun hideaways from early days. Craig fell while we were there and scraped/bruised his leg.  Kit then took over the driving because Craig was in pain.  It was then off to Chinatown. All I can say is that it totally reminded me of China.  We had a good authentic lunch at a place called Shon-Li.  We didn't buy anything because we never looked long enough.  Maybe when Mindi or Brady come to visit we will take our time.  We drove down Lombard Street and it was cool.  We looked for a place to have fish and chips by googling to see what was around us.  Kit said we needed to try new things.  So, as we did, we were in a very questionable neighborhood.  It wasn't the best fish and chips but we did step out of our comfort zone.  Friday morning was Christmas.  I hope it wasn't a let down for Kit.  I didn't get much for him because of the luggage weight.  We gave him a couple little things and cash.  We watched some football and spent the day relaxing.  Kit flew out the next morning.  His flight was at 6:20 am and had to be there two hours early.  Needless to say, by the time we got home we were in need of a nap and so that's what we did, we had a nap.  We loved having Kit here and we hope he enjoyed and appreciated the time and energy we put forth to try to help him have a good visit. 
• For New Year's Eve we went to Modera California to watch BYU play St. Mary's.  It was really quite disappointing to see them lose so badly.  Craig is a BYU fan through and through.  I was hoping it would be a good game but they really got walked on.  We had very little traffic coming home.  I'm hoping for a very Happy New Year.  Next year at this time, we will be getting ready to go home.  I'm guessing for a busy and great new 2016.

Journey Joy-Journey Sadness-December 18, 2015

I thought I would share with you what we have been doing yesterday and today.  Thursday night we were in bed and about midnight we got a phone call from a base chaplain telling us that Whitney Thompson asked him to call and have us come to the ER. Craig and I dressed and headed out.  

Whitney is a member, her husband is not.  We have been visiting Whitney often.  She is such a sweet girl and we have had some special experiences and visits.  She made it clear in the very beginning that she wasn't interested in coming to church but we could come back and visit anytime.  Jake also made it clear he doesn't do religious things.  When we got to the ER we found her son Thor was the patient.  Whitney and Jake had been out and the kids (Thor-18 mo. and Mila 3) were at a babysitter.  When they got to the babysitters home, they called her to let her know they were there.  They pulled in the driveway and the sitter came out screaming and carrying Thor saying he wasn't breathing.  Walking in and seeing Little Thor hooked up to everything was very emotional.  Whitney melted into our arms and asked Craig to give him a blessing.  Whitney had been sitting with him for quite awhile and needed the restroom.  She asked me if I would sit with Thor so he wouldn't be alone.  I was happy to do so.  I held his foot and rubbed it and quietly talked to him.  I got to sit there for about 30 minutes.  He felt so cold to my touch.  The respiratory therapists worked on him.  Blood was coming out his nose and mouth.  Luckily it didn't affect me because I'm not very tough when it comes to medical things.  The doctors decided that Thor should be transported to university of California at Davis Medical Center.  When the medical team got there to transport him, I knew it was not good.  I just had that feeling.  We said our goodbyes with the plan that we would drive to Sacramento in the morning.  We got home Friday morning about 2:30 am.  About 8:00 am we got the phone call that Thor had passed away while in transport.  

This afternoon, Friday, about noon we went to the house to see them.  Whitney's dad and stepmom were there from southern  California, her mom and sister were there from SLC, and his parents were there from SLC, plus many military friends.  Her family members are active but Jake's parents are not members.  We visited, met the family, arranged to bring in dinner and then left.  We picked up the bishop about 4:30 at the front gate and took him to the house.  It was then that Whitney received a blessing for comfort from her dad.  It was a very tender moment.  We met up with another family and took dinner in about 6:00.  

Thor had been sick a week or so before.  He spent a couple days in the hospital but had been released the previous week.  Whitney said they had a good week.  Thor was happy, playful and didn't show any signs of being sick.  As of tonight they don't know what he died from.  The autopsy will determine when they can leave for Utah where they will bury him.  

I have thought all day wondering what I could do to help.  As you can imagine they are devastated.  I decided that I would write to all of you and ask you to pray for their family.  As we all know the situation can go both ways.  They can be even more bitter and angry with God or they can seek for peace through the understanding of the plan of salvation and our Heavenly Father's love.  Will you please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.  Jake and Whitney Thompson plus the extended Thompson family.  We love you all and are grateful for our family.  Give you kids a love tonight.  Grandmas play with those kids and loves every moment.  Life can be pretty fragile.

Journey Joy -December 2015

We are so behind this Christmas season.  By the time I get home, fix dinner and do dishes, then catch up on emails, I'm ready for bed.  Our Christmas card greetings will be pretty scarce.  Craig helps with everything but we both run out of steam.  I'll try to hit some of the highlights

• We have been volunteering at the Airman's Attic for several months now.  One of the ladies that is in charge and trained us told me today that her mother was LDS and she was raised as a Mormon until about seven or so.  At that time her mother got MS and was pretty much bed ridden.  She told us that she remembers ward members taking care of she and her sister.  Her memory is she went from house to house.  Her mother decided to give her two daughters up for adoption because she couldn't take care of them.  A nice family adopted them and she moved to Oregon. Her adoptive parents would bring the girls down to California to visit their mother every now and then.  When they did make the trip, they always stayed in member homes.  She was not raised as LDS but remembers well the people who helped her family.  We had a nice visit about the church and what we do as Military Relations missionaries.
• We also volunteer at the David Grant Medical Center.  We have been an on-call couple.  On Friday, Barbara asked us to come in.  We cancelled our trip to the temple in order to fill in.  We stayed from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  It was a long day and we served lots of coffee.  About half way through the day, a man asked us about Mormon missions.  He asked how they work, how are you called, how do you pay for it, etc.  It was a nice conversation but we didn't do any proselytizing.  After he left, the manager of the hospitality group talked to Craig in private and asked him to remove his name tag.  She said it was unfair advertising of our faith.  We did as asked, but my heart felt so sad.  We didn't do anything wrong.  The man asked us questions about the church and we answered them, of which we were told that would be OK.  I immediately felt like saying that if the name tag goes, we go.  Craig and I talked about it and decided to carry on for now.  We didn't want to do anything rash.
• We went to our first mission Christmas Devotional.  The mission president divided the mission up and belt several devotional a.  Our devotional was for four zones.  The best part of the morning was watching the elders and sisters greet each other.  They were so excited to re-connect with past companions.  I realized how close those young men and women get to each other. I too was excited to see some who were previously here but have moved on.  The other thing the mission president did was ask all the missionaries to memorize a scripture and be prepared to share it with everyone.  Even the senior couples shared one.  Yes I shared one!  I know you are surprised because I done do well at memorizing anymore.  It was a pretty special day.  When I posted a picture, Mindi responded that she remembers her mission Christmas devotionals.  It was a sweet moment as I thought about how my missionary children have experienced all the sweet things I am experiencing.  The tender mercies come to us all the time and I am grateful to be able to recognize them.
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Joy Journeys-November 14, 2015

It's been such a crazy week, where shall I begin.  We spent a lot of time looking for apartments of singles.  Our problem today was we had apartment addresses but no apartment numbers.  We'll just keep trying.

We followed up on some active members.  Bro. Pratt is deployed and she is here with three daughters.  They are older and they seem to be doing pretty well.  Bro. Fox is now home for the Middle East.  We have not met him yet but we have contacted Bethany and all is well.  The Millers are an active family living on base.  They have 3 year old twins, turning 4 in December.  Alexis and Austin are so cute.  Alexis is very friendly and talks all the time.  Austin is quiet and doesn't say much.  The reason I mention them is because they had their Christmas tree and inside decorations all out up.  Around the tree are two trains which chug along a track.  The interesting thing is that everything about the train, track, people, buildings, etc. are all out of Lego's.  I want to go back next week and take a picture.  It is really fascinating to watch.  I know Crew would love seeing what they have done.

On Friday we met the Vacaville Zone Leaders to visit the Hansen's.  We have met with them several times and the elders have been meeting with them for a long time.  The goal was to prepare them for temple marriage.  They are a delightful couple about in their late 70's and have been married 36 years.  They have had a lot of challenges but we thought they were doing well.  When we arrived at their home we found out that Bro. Hansen's son was in the hospital where he had two stints put in.  Sis. Hansen's father is 93 years old and in the hospital in Brazil.  When we found out that so much was going on, we offered to come back another time.  Bro. Hansen began visiting with us. Sis. Hansen joined us to say hello but then excused herself to try to reach her family in Brazil.  We were fine with that and then the meeting took a totally different turn.  Sis. Hansen came back, sat down and proceeded to tell us that Bro. Hansen doesn't believe in Joseph Smith and doesn't have a testimony.  He has a hard time reading and so he has not read the Book of Mormon.  The elders engaged them in some gospel questions but the conversation continued to take different turns.  Next Sis. Hansen told us how Bro. Hansen has hit her before.  Of course, Bro. Hansen had his side of the story.  He has been in jail twice for domestic violence.  They began telling us about events going back to when they first met,  how they treat each other's children (second marriage), the language he uses when he gets mad, etc.  Elder Nordfelt and I looked at each other and knew we needed to end this visit.  These missionaries were in way over their heads.  Elder Nordfelt asked Sis. Hansen if she loved Bro. Hansen and she said yes.  He then asked Bro. Hansen if he loved Sis. Hansen and it was a little bit more labored yes.  The next question was 'do you want help to put this back together?' Sis. Hansen said yes and Bro. Hansen said he didn't think he had a problem.  There was so much blame and hurt going on.  Elder Achal told them that a way he puts his temper in check is to think about blessings in his life.  When he starts thinking about his blessings, his temper calms down.  I really don't thing Elder Achal has aa temper problems but I think he made a very good point.  The elders will follow up by calling the bishop and giving it to him.  He is the person that needs to take over and see where this will be going.  As we left , Sister Hansen kept saying, 'pray for me.'  They are certainly in our prayers as we left to go to our next visit.

We then visited Sis. Henderson and her son Edward.  Bro. Henderson is in the Middle East and won't be back till the end of December. Sis. Henderson and Edward will be leaving on Monday to go to Utah and get some things ready for her daughter's wedding.  She has four sisters that she will be with and I really do think it will be a blessing for her.  She has some very strong feelings about U-Tube, Amazon and different websites and how they are so bad.  She worries about her husband and pornography.  She does everything she can to protect her son.  I don't blame her, it is a very challenging world around us.  We offered to help with the wedding reception.  I hope she lets us help and be there for her.  Her depression and her tears seem to be a little more under control.