Dominican Republic land dedicated and the Temple

Things have been great! How are things with you!! Miss you!

Hi Kids!  Added Kids!  and Grandkids!

 

We have been having a wonderful time!  It would be even better with you!!

 

     Last week we went to 4 zone conferences.  We drove our big white Hilux white truck with the AP's in the back and their equipment.  Our first conference was here in the city, in the San Geronimo chapel with zones Independencia and San Geronimo, with about 50 missionaries, and the mission president and his wife.  Dad and I were welcomed as well as the mental health couple, and regular health couple.  They presented, and then Dad told about the new credit cards coming out, dates to close their old accounts, how to fill out reembolsos (to be reimbursed for travel, utilities and medical expenses.)  The Church is moving the money from JP Morgan to Bank of America.  You who have served, I'd be curious how it was done when you were out on missions. 

     Then I took each zones picture with my new camera on a tripod.  It was scary, but the pictures turned out okay and they were emailed to the president.  Then Dad and I had a table where all the missionaries came and signed for their card, then went to lunch.  They had a typical Dominican meal (we had it in the President's home when we first arrived and at each of the 4 zone conferences--A chicken leg and thigh baked, rice with beans or corn and herbs chopped in it, a sweet, almost candied banana chunk, and either a roll or eggplant square.  The rice is awesome!!

     We traveled away from the city for the second conference to Azua, about 2 1/2 hours away.  Then to Bani the next day about 1 1/2 hours away, then close to the capital Las Caobas about 20 minutes.  The presentations were repeated, but the missionary singing and smiles and handshakes were awesome!!!  I picture my own kids out there, and my grandkids someday!  I'm so proud of each of you!  We truly see the Sons of Helaman--the Strippling Warriors!

     THIS WEEK was temple trips.  Each zone came to the Temple.  Dad and I typed up the sizes for each missionary and went early to fill out the slips and pull each missionary's clothes and put them in alphabetical piles for them to pick up.  Wow!  The Spirit is so strong!  They come so excited to serve in the temple! Dad and I are dressed in white, he greets them and has them stand by the counter and I hand them the clothes looking at their placas (name tags) for their ID.  Today we stayed for the session.  I was the only one in the room with earphones.  I turned the volume down so I could hear a lot of the Spanish.  Dad and I helped with the prayer.  Then we waited outside for the office elders who had dropped us off today and went to inspect houses, with all the missionaries talking, laughing, happy as they greeted each other.  Today it was Azua and San Cristobal (which stands for Columbus I think.  Two zones were Tuesday and two on Wednesday.  We have 4 more this next week. 

     Oh and the week before a couple going home invited us to go with them to some places they hadn't been.  We went to the small monument commemorating the dedication of the land for the preaching of the gospel on Dec 7th 1978, right after the Priesthood was given to everyone.  It was dedicated by M. Russell Ballard.  Then we went to the Colonial, where a fortress and palace are still there that Columbus' son built.  A senior missionary from the CES department said that the restoration of the Gospel began here with the land that Columbus founded.

       Anyway, wanted to share this with you!  We love each of you so much!!  Thanks for all you do for us!

 

Love, Mom & Dad

Photos of Three Zones

Photos from March

Re: Muchas Gracias!

(Note: Part of an email to Andrea, describing a busy missionary's day:)

We got home after 8 pm last night, having done zone conference in Bani, an hour away, then to the office to do odds and ends.  Then time to go home the elder over housing Elder Pitti, just new, took Elder Batista's place said he needed us to help pay the rent on 60something houses, but they had to pick up someone at the hospital.  I said let's go eat and come back, instead we waited, I talked to Annette. Anyway, they got back to the office about 6:30 or 7 and then we did the rent checks.  He was on the phone with Elder Batista having him walk him through it.  (Elder Reeder was the one who set it all up for Elder Batista.  It probably would have been quicker with him since Elder Batista was teaching a class and couldn't be talked to till he was finished.)  Oh well, there were 6 elders in there with us, some had had a stressful day at zone conference, so they were unwinding and everyone was laughing, preparing for tomorrow's zone conference, etc.  So it was fun. But got home late, ate quick and went to bed.  I'll have to read the rest of the emails.  Thanks,

Love,

Mom

Lots of Love to each of You!!

Hi kids, adopted kids and grandkids!

     We love you!  Estoy agradicida por ustedes!  (I am grateful for you!)  I am grateful for the love and concern you show us and each other!  You are all dealing with a lot:  Separation, miscarriage, job hunting, pregnancy, diabetes, vocal chords, callings, work, school, and kids.  May the Lord continue to bless you!!! And may we try to bless each other!

     We missed you at Valentines!  Hope you got your card.  Amy does good at mailing things.

  Three office elders were leaving (AP, and the two that were over the housing and our trainer).  Wasn't sure what kind of gifts we should do.  We found a heart cake pan in our nearby store.  So we had a dinner here on the Sunday before transfers and before Valentines.  We hung a big heart above the table early in the month and put their names on hearts in a heart shape on the office glass divider.  They were kissing it, had their pictures taken by the hearts etc.  So when they came to dinner we had a heart candy by each place and did a heart cake for the two leaving, on foil covered cardboard for our heartfelt thanks for their wholehearted effort, mentioning the things they had done.  They seemed pleased and wanted their pictures taken.  Only two got transferred so the third cake (which I'd kept in the bedroom in case, went into the freezer to be eaten on Valentines with an unfrosted one because a cake mix will do two.  The two heart cakes they took home, but for dessert we served a white cake baked on a big cookie sheet topped with a cherry cream cheese topping.  Also had two roasts, potatoes and gravy cause they get tired of chicken and rice.

     Anyway, on Valentines day I put two heart cakes, both chocolate, one with pink frosting, and one with chocolate, and two bowls of candy for the elders to munch on all day.  No cookies, the dough won't roll, so when I get home, you all get a big heart valentine with your name on. 

     At our office meeting with the President and his wife, my name was listed to lead the music.  I tapped out the notes and rhythm the best I could to find the tune.  It is all in Spanish so I try to figure out the tune before we start.  Usually they just sing in big voices.  This time I started and nobody sang, they just all watched me.  I said, "Come on you guys.  I know the tune, but not the words."  Then they started and looked up one by one to see if I could do it I guess. One was waving out the beat with his arm to help.  (Just cause I don't speak their language doesn't mean I can't lead music.  Hey, I led the choir in two callings, and also the Primary.

     When we went to our branch on Sunday, the sister missionary who usually played one finger on the piano/organ was transferred.  So that left me to volunteer or sit there while the hymns were sung with a variety of tunes.  (When one sister was sick two weeks before, they didn't come and the singing was terrible without the tune.)  Dad asked the branch president if it was okay that I played, because nobody knows how.  So I became the ward organist, without calling, sustaining or setting apart.  I didn't do too bad.  An organ came with the stuff from the senior couple that we replaced.  We also got their crock pot, two drawer units, a holder to hold up the big bottles of drinking water upside down, etc.    Anyway, I've been practicing in case, (course I've practiced all my life and can't play still.) 

     So I tapped out the rhythm and played those songs for prelude, and just before the meeting started, someone came up and changed the songs.  I quickly turned to the first piece, could pick out the rhythm and played the introduction.  The sister missionary that left said the people want mostly melody because they are just learning the tunes, so I can play the top note! It's a fit!

     So we had quite a week.  The Church is changing the money for the missions from JP Morgan to Bank of America, so we alphabetized the letters with cards for each missionary, and made a list for them to each sign for their card and listed them by zones so we could pass out by zones.  Yesterday was zone conference for two zones, Independencia and San Geronimo.  Dad explained the instructions to the missionaries..to take all their money off the old card by a certain date, etc.  I took the zone pictures, then the missionaries lined up to sign for their cards then we all ate a catered lunch of chicken and rice, fried platanos, etc.  They put corn and chopped vegetables in their rice.  We sat by President and Sis. Rodriguez.  His Mom lives in Provo we found out, she joined the Church and migrated there.  Their son at BYU lives with her.  Sister Rodriguez's parents, and she and her brother and sister and their families were all immigrating to Toronto Canada, until they got the calling to be Mission President so they came back.  She speaks a little English and I like to ask about families.

     Anyway, this is too long.  Dad mopped through the house and I swept and practiced the organ. We are going to the temple this afternoon on our Saturday Pday.  Love you all so much.  Write us!  Skype us!

Love,

Mom & Dad  

Annette's little boy very ill----

Hi!  Annette called as they took her little son Hyrum (after Hyrum Belnap and Hyrum Smith) to the ER to check on his blood sugars.  He is 2 1/2.  He has been drinking and passing tons of liquids.  She checked his sugars with a friend who has diabetes.  His sugar count was 500...about 100 is normal.  Talked to her again, they reached the hospital and his count was off the scales she said.  So...we are waiting to hear.  Pray for them if you will.

Hope you are all fine. 

Love,

Susan