Week 4

Dear kids,

Hello, we just looked out the door and we are getting snow tonight! It has been really cold today.  Yesterday it was in the 60's - seems kind of like Arkansas. There are big drops in the temperature when it gets dark. 

Dad wrote a long happy letter to all the grandkids last night and will mail it Tuesday (because there is no mail tomorrow). It is addressed to the grandkids, but it is for everyone to read. 

We taught our third temple preparation class tonight. We have a good little group of five people. A family of three, a young girl about to go on a mission and a single lady in her seventies. She is playing 'bunco' with her friends and was worried if that would keep her from going to the Temple! She was so cute and had tears running down her face when we told her we thought it was totally fine if she played bunko. It was really sweet and you could just see the relief on her face when we told her we thought it was fine.☺️

We have spent a lot of time driving this past week - way out in the country on long, dusty dirt roads. We drove almost 20 miles each way yesterday, out to a farm, to have a lady tell us she doesn't believe in the LDS faith anymore then kind of backed herself back into the house and said 'have a good day'! We felt like saying, "Do you know how far we drove to visit you and that's all you have to say?" Maybe she will think about it and call us back. We can hope, right? 

We found another sister that was very friendly and could be active again if she is given a little attention and love. So we will see what we can do to help her return.

We had a 'linger longer' after church today. It was pretty good and a lot of people stayed. This was the first ward activity they've had since Christmas and people were hungry to visit and be together. We have to help get more activities going on around here. There just isn't much to invite people to other than church. 

This weekend is the "Snow Goose Festival." We will have to report to you next week on what that annual event is like. The elders quorum is getting ready to go "shooting." You boys get your guns and hurry on out here!

We were in this little bitty town yesterday called "Wiley." It only has nine business there, and everyone else in that town works here in Lamar unless they are a farmer. There is one little cafe on the corner and it is called Willie's BBQ, so we thought we would check it out. It was 1:50 and they were to close at 2:00. It was surprisingly good! They wanted to know if it compared to Memphis BBQ (not quite but pretty good, but we told them yes). I think that might be the best restaurant we've found so far. It is too bad it isn't open in the evening because that is usually when we need something to do. They are very nice people though. Willie's in Wiley. Haha

The young mother we are teaching, about 75 miles from here, is doing well. She hasn't been able to get to church in two weeks, though. They are having automobile problems, and if they come with his parents the young dad has to ride in the back of the pickup because they can't get 4 adults and a baby in the cab of the truck. This morning it was about 15 degrees - a little too cold to ride in the back of a truck. She is reading the assignments we give her and seems to be very interested in the gospel. They are just having trouble getting back to church. There's so many challenges for some people!

This snow is making us feel cold. Our electric blanket is going to feel good tonight. We are doing well here. Let us hear from you all. It is time to see little faces again :).

Take care. We love you!

Mom and Dad

Week 3

Hello,

How is everyone? We are doing well.

We have had a good week here in the mission. We have traveled a lot of miles for sure.
Some of the people have over 80 miles to travel to church. That is so far. But a few families do it.

One family in particular hasn't been around for several years. We have been to visit them twice. They live 50 miles away in Syracuse, Kansas. The bishopric also visited them earlier in the week. The wife is waiting to have back surgery. She has been in terrible pain and couldn't even sit up in a chair. She has been getting the run around between the insurance company and her doctors since before Christmas. Anyway, Dad gave her a blessing Thursday night to reduce her pain, resolve the red tape, and ensure successful surgery soon. It was very spiritual and all were in tears. The husband even helped with the blessing which was a miracle in itself. She said she realized the Lord is trying to tell her something with so many visits in so short a time.  We checked on her yesterday and she said she had the best nights sleep that night than she has had in months! And the insurance company called her on Friday! Anyway without a lot more details, they were in church today. It was really good to see them. And they enjoyed the meeting. We know things will continue to work out for them, and they will keep coming.

We are teaching another young girl. She has been married about a year and just had a baby three weeks ago. Her husband is inactive but his parents come about 50% (they live with his parents). We are scheduled to go back this week and teach her again. She seems interested to know more. She really likes the idea of Eternal families. So we are anxious to see how she continues to learn. By the way they named their baby boy Tygre. Yep, pronounced like Tiger.

We had several more visits. Taught a few other lessons. It felt like we actually accomplished something this week. So many people aren't home when we go to see them, and those days feel so wasted when you have driven so far. But everyone in these parts drives far to go anywhere. Dad may have told you last week this stake is the size of New Jersey - over 10,000 square miles! Crazy for sure.

We are working on memorizing the 42 points of doctrine that are taught in the lessons in the Preach My Gospel manual. It is not the lessons we are memorizing, but the heading of each topic in each lesson. We are doing better than we thought we would actually. Just a little concentration and lots of prayers. We feel like we know it but the real test will come when we go to District Meeting Tuesday see how much we remember. 😳

We have been getting fed a lot by the members. Too much, in fact. Last night we went to the home of the Elders Quorum president. It was the third time they have fed us. He fancies himself a gourmet cook, and he makes some really good meals. Last night we had hamburgers, but it was like having 2/3 pound of meat on each bun. He had the toppings IN the burger - onions jalapeños, cheddar cheese, seasonings and who knows what else. We always leave there too full. The Mission Diet doesn't seem to be a weight loss plan. But I am determined to not gain 20 pounds while here!

We are ready for more face time with each of you. A week seems to long to go without seeing you all. Thanks for sending pictures occasionally. We love them.

Take care, love
Mom and Dad