The Church's website here in the DR

An email forwarded by Mom, (she makes comments about the website picture below):

Hi,

Several of you have asked about the Church's website here for non-members - it prensamormona.do.  It has some wonderful articles that have been written about a number of the humanitarian projects that the Haws' have worked on and the Area Pres.' visit with the First Lady of the DR among other things... The most recent article is about all of the new missionaries, with a picture of the AP's from the West Mission that Rob took.

Kids--the first picture is our AP's Elder Kirk from Murray and Elder Chinchilla from Guatemala.  They look so nice don't they.  I'll have to send you some pictures of all of them.

How are you all?  We love and pray for each of you!

Love, Mom

Jill Hannah Tucker! Hooray! #5 or Cinco

  Hi everyone!  Just got this email coming back from Church.  It is pretty exciting!  So, we called Andrea and Ross, and then got on skype so we could see the baby.  What a miracle!--the baby, a mom with diabetes, dad completing his project for the judge just before, and skype!!  Congratulations Andrea & Ross!

     You might want to try skyping them.  The doctor was taking the baby Tuesday, but she decided to come on her own.  I'm going to Dallas the 29th till 5 abril, but I wish it were sooner so I could help more.

     Jim and I drove about 45 minutes back from Church after meeting with the the branch president Acino (A-Keeno), he wants me to speak in Sac Mtg in April.  Jim and I have been teaching the youth for marzo (March) the lessons for youth outlined by the Church.  I give a few paragraphs, which is my testimony and an experience and Jim gives the rest of the lesson.  He does well!  I've taught youth for years yet can't say a whole lot, so sad-(-but I'm working on it each day!).  

      I downloaded some mini videos from the church's site in Spanish that go along with the lesson..  They watch the videos from our laptop sitting on a classroom table (Thanks Kelland). I should take a picture of the class next week for our last one so I can send it to you. Oh, and we finish the lesson with cookies that I can do.

      Anyway, another baby is born.  She is darling!!  Her Mom and Dad look terrific!  They are such good parents like all of you!  This is #70 great grandchild for my mom and dad, and 17th grandchild for Dad and I.. Hope you're all fine  We love you all so very much!  We are 31 now in the family!  Welcome Jill Hannah Tucker!!

     Oh and we will be home in a year and Dad is planning a reunion.  What is the best time for a reunion summer of 2014.  We fly into SLC airport, March 10th of next year.  We can have a mini reunion then and a bigger one in the summer--he's thinking of 8 motel rooms in West Yellowstone or maybe a lodge is available?  He will make reservations about 6 months from now.  Anyway, being with you all would be heaven!! 

Love U!! 

 Mom & Dad   Oh and the new counselor in the branch presidency back from a mission in Guatemala, called me from the Sunday School class to ask if I would play the piano--again or for a calling? neither Dad or I could tell. (Smile!)

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