Hey, how are you all doing?

Wow, I hear Brent and Judith are going to have this amazing 6 bedroom house within walking distance of the temple in Rexburg and the school will move them....Downside, they have to leave their friends, but Brent's teaching is going so well, also he has his picture and profile on the contributors for the new testament commentary web site!!!  Judith and Derek are finishing a great job at their school, cuts, piano and karate!.

 

Wow, Darren just got released from the high council--1st chair to be in the new Stake Young Men's Presidency. Jolynn's finishing preschool with Christian and Mike,. and Patrick made it into Madrigals and he and Darren are on the General YM May15th in the choir.  Cameron's been kicking soccer goals, Josh and Mike are awesome players as are Sydney and Celeste who just made apple pies in Activity Days.  Maylin had her first piano recital--hard piece.

 

Wow, Amy is going to tons of YW activities as the Laurel advisor, cooks amazing meals, and has her little gal so well taken care of! Grace sure smiles big and cute all the time!  They are coming here possibly in September!!  Jake began a new wonderful job that has changed a lot of logistics for their family.  He left a very wonderful job with his Dad and brother, and now travels in a carpool to 33rd and Redwood road.  It has tons of benefits, lagoon catering, paid vacations, amazing employees.  He just finished his training and works with some wonderful guys.

 

Wow, Andrea and Ross just finished a marathon weekend!  Allen was baptized!  Hooray Allen, he was baptized and confirmed and has been enjoying cub scouts and basketball.  Abby has been doing a great softball and enjoyed playing with the cousins this weekend.  Annette & Caleb and Hyrum were there, and Kevin and Jenn Gee and 3 kids came!  What a wonderful time with the baptism and little Jill's blessing.  That baby is darling and looks like Andrea did.  She sure wore a gorgeous dress!  Grandpa Tucker made it complete.  Now back to a calm work week--Ha!

 

Wow, Annette and Caleb and Hyrum, took a long drive and were there to support Andrea and Ross.  Caleb keeps getting promoted.  We served the Elders little bags of Bugles chips the other day.   Did you know that the marketing for that product was one of the first things Caleb's Dad when he worked as a young employee for General Mills.  They are a favorite, and so is Grandpa Shiley who is doing great things now for Walmart in Bentonville!  Annette's art of the Savior scenes are unsurpassed, as well as her cakes.  And get out of the way when she comes fencing!

 

Wow, Ashley and Kelland are getting a brand new yard.  New sod, and a retaining wall in the back, and a poured patio and fire pit!  That is so awesome!!!  And Kelland is doing big things for the school district and his school!  And Ashley is always successful with her kindergarten, her cute Claire, her home and her Young Women!  They are going to Disney World.  Lucky You!!! Oh, and how is Daisy--their darling dog? Ashley has callbacks on her voice, so keep praying.  Claire and her parents are almost out of school, like all of you!

 

Each of you are so awesome!  We cry to be with you and cry again when we miss your things.  We'll have to try to make it up to you some how.  I wonder if we are doing anything good here to justify all the effort to put us here, but we'll keep working at it.

 

The last few weeks I can read the bulletin boards in Relief Society and Sunday School.  Up until then I guessed what the lesson was on.  I got so I'd look it up in English before, so I wouldn't be totally in the dark.  In Relief Society a couple of weeks ago it was on the organizacion de la Sociedad de Socorro.  Then the president asked, cuando?  Everyone sat there.  Then people were surprised when I raised my hand and said, diesisiete de marzo.  Then she asked the year and she handed me the chalk and I wrote on the blackboard next to her 17 March, 1842.  I didn't know how to say that in Espanol.  (mil, ocho cein, cuarenta y dos.?) Anyway, for weeks I just listened, lucky to pick up a word or two.  I couldn't hear one person's name, because the sounds were all garbled together as they talked.  One thing I noticed is that I could understand the sisters comments, because they are just like in English, they are laughing or complaining about their roles, their families, etc.  I could get the jist of that! (smile!)

     The elders were so cute when they said they wanted to cook a mothers day dinner for me!  They reminded me all week!  I was so excited.  Then we crashed just at the time we were to be there.  Each of them had assignments, one to clean, one the drink, one the salad, one the jello (they notice I always have jello when they come here, one the main dish. I guess they all put in money to buy the ingredients, and they don't get much money on their debit cards.

      After the crash, neither dad or I could see by the light inside the truck the tiny numbers on a card of the elder's phones.  (Our hands or eyes were in shock and we couldn't dial them.) Then we got out of the truck, on the passenger side as Dad's side was all caved it.  The people on the street with cell phones and a street lamp tried to help us call.  After about 15 minutes or so we finally got one of them and 2 English elders Elder Reeder and Elder Klein, both are drivers (only 3 elders in the whole mission drive.) came.  Then the other driver who we collided with, followed us to the mission office around the corner while we got the other elder who can drive, Elder Scharman and his companion to go with us to the police station.  After a few hours we were back eating dinner at their table--they had a table cloth and chicken pasta in the biggest pot I have ever seen.  It was yummy and the company was awesome!  What a mothers day --especially after I got to talk to my real kids!!!

Love you all so very much!

Mom & Dad

A Mother in the Mission

This photo was to honor the President's wife and I as the mothers in the mission.

Open House Azua--Elders Reeder & Aguiniga set this up

Each organization taught you what they did when you went to their room.  The RS, YW in earlier photos and Primary, the Melchizedek third picture here, the Aaronic Priesthood 4th, and the mom and little boy are in front of the baptismal font.  This is one of the bigger wards in the Sur or south, they might make that area into a stake. This is an open house about 2 1/2 hours away where the missionaries planned an open house and passed out 500 fliers.  They got about half that in the people who attended, but there was a great spirit there and they got tons of referrals. 

    We love you all so much!!

Love,

Mom & Dad

How's your week going? Como le va?

Hi family!  How are things!  We've had a wonderful few days.  On Saturday we drove to Azua--founded in 1500's.  Elder Reeder and Elder Aguiniga invited us to come.  It ended up that the AP's needed some mattresses taken out there, so they tied them on and Dad and I drove to Azua.  Few streets are marked so with the cell phone, they directed us to their chapel.  The church has the classrooms on the bottom and you go upstairs for the chapel and multipurpose room.  We went to zone conference a few months ago.  Their branch had displays in all the rooms, the YM told of their activities as they stood by the baptismal font filled with water, so did the YW in their room.  The girls wanted to know how to say Beehive, MiaMaid, and Laurel in English.  (Avejitas, Damitas, Laureles.)  All the many years I worked with YW, it was so fun to see these girls all prepared, with homemade decorations, signs and tablecloths proud to be young women.  The Relief Society was awesome, Charity never Faileth (Claridad nunca falla) with a hand made poster of the emblem. After people toured the rooms and heard the presentations they all went to the upstairs in the chapel to hear the CES area director speak.  It ends up they are the Rappelyes from Layton.

     Then we drove back toward Santo Domingo and stopped at our branch for 2 young women to be baptized.  We arrived just in time as the branch president and a former missionary did the baptizing.  The Sister Missionaries (both from the DR) in our branch can't baptize, but did the music and prayers.  The elders from a nearby branch came to witness it.  Elder Kylan Larsen from Annette & Caleb's stake in Bentonville, and Elder Connell from Georgia.  It was awesome!

     Next morning was Sunday and we traveled back out to Nizao for church.  In Relief Society I could read the board, "Que fecha --de la organizacion de Sociodad de Soccoro .  Anyway, I could read that the lesson was on the organization of the Relief Society.  And when the president began her lesson I could understand her.  No one knew the date so I raised my hand, they were surprised and told her 17 de marzo.  She wanted the year and I couldn't say it, but I motioned for the chalk and I wrote it on the board next to the beginning of the date that she had already written 1842.  It was surprising how much of what she said I could understand.

      In Sunday School I could likewise read the blackboard, " offering up the sacraments upon the holy day.  So I get a little more each day.

I played in Sac Mtg.  On "Praise to the Man" the people kind of have their own speed or tempo, but I tried.  Dad said the 2nd song I did really good--"Jesus Once of Humble birth." 

     At home the elders came to dinner--40 minutes late!, but we still fed them.  We did a little activity after and they really got into it.  You put up your 10 fingers and say something you haven't done and everybody that has done it has to put a finger down.  I did "never taught a missionary discussion and everybody put one down"  They said never been swimming on their mission and Dad and I had to put one down.  The winning comment was "I've never been a Lamanite and the 3 missionaries from Mexico, Panama and Guatemala where the last with Elder Klein from Arizona and they were out.  Say, I thought they were children of Lehi, are they really considered Lamanites? Send us your ideas, it helps with the bonding.  They then shook our hands to leave, stood in a semi circle with arms around each others shoulders--take our picture"--and I did and then they said they wanted to cook for me next week for Mothers Day.  It was so cute!  I miss you all so much but the Lord gave me some temporary kids.

     Today we had Pico de Gallo for Cinco de Mayo--poco tarde and chips and salsa after our meeting.  They called on my for the Closing Prayer.  I've been practicing the last few days as the Spirit said to get ready.  When I finished they all smiled and congratulated me.  I guess when you kids were little and you gave your first prayers we were so excited and cheered you on.  Same thing I guess.

     Lots of love.  Tell us what you are doing.  We have been so blessed by being part of your lives!! 

Love,

Mom & Dad   I'll try to send some pictures.

Dominican Republic: Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens

Hi!  Thought this was something you maybe interested in seeing.  It came from the Temple Matron.  We feel safe.  Love you all!

Mom & Dad

***

The U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo informs U.S. citizens that there are reports of political groups currently protesting in the area around the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo (UASD) campus. Violence is being reported in the area and local media outlets indicate that a police officer was shot and possibly killed during a confrontation at the UASD. U.S. citizens are asked to stay away from the UASD area for the rest of the day, particularly the area near Alma Mater St. and Jose Contreras St.

 

We therefore urge you to avoid any other areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations.  Stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of your surroundings at all times. 

U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad should enroll in the Smart Travelers Enrollment Program (STEP) at the following website: https://travelregistration.state.gov.  U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate at their destination.  By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.

 

Updated information on travel and security may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-888-407-4747 FREE  end_of_the_skype_highlighting toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  For further information, please consult the Worldwide Caution and other consular information, including Country Specific Information, for specific countries.  These products and the latest international travel information for U.S. citizens are available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov.

 

For any emergencies involving U.S. Citizens in the Dominican Republic, please contact the American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit of the U.S. Embassy.  The Consular Section Embassy is located at the corner of Cesar Nicolas Penson Street and Máximo Gómez Avenue, Santo Domingo, D.R.; telephone 809-221-2171; e-mail SDOAmericans@state.gov.  For more information, visit our web page http://santodomingo.usembassy.gov.

My talk in Sacrament Meeting today

Hi!  Today I spoke in Sacrament Meeting.  Dad told the counselor that it was a miracle, that I was hard to understand at home.  Here it is en Espanol, the the English follows:  (I don't know how to put on the accents.)

 

Buen Dia! 

     Gracias por a mi esposo por su ayuda.  Estoy agradicida por un miembro de mi familia hace seis generaciones el pago de la imprimir el Libro de Mormon.  El era testigo de las planchas y del angel.

     Me encanta el Libro de Mormon.  Me encanta a Nefi, los hijos de Mosiah, Mormon y Moroni.

     El profeta Enos oro todo el dia or si mismo, por su pueblo, y por sus enemigos.  Tambien el oro para que los registros se preservaran que los tuvieramos hoy dia.

     Me encanta a los soldados jovenes los hijos de Helaman valientes como son.  El Senor los protegio.  Mi esposo y yo trabajamos en la oficina de la mission.  Trabajamos con los misioneros y vemos su fielded, su poder, y su actitud de lo puedo hacer.  Los misioneros son como los soldados jovenes.

     Me encanta Ammon, Lamoni, Abish, Nephihah y El Hermano de Jared.
     Alma dice que siembra la semilla y prueba el evanagelio.  Lo brotara y bendecira su vida.

     A causa de la fe de Alma y Amulek se ropieron las ligaduras.  La prison se cayo sobre el pueblo y ellos salieron vivos.

     Me encanta la oracion de amulek cuando el nos dice que debemos orar sobre todas las cosas.

     Nefi y los creyentes seran matados.  Nefi oro todo el dia.  Jesucristo le contesto que manana vendria al mundo.

     Cristo viene a su pueblo en el temple.  El bendijo a los ninos y oro por ellos, ordeno a lideres.  Los ninos estaban rodeados por fuego.

     La primera vez que yo lei el Libro de Mormon vivi los relatos tal como si estuviera en cada batalla y pude ver a los caballos y las espadas.  You senti que estudivera a dentro del Libro de Mormon.

     Me encanta sus promesas:

1.  El nos prepara el camino por lo cual podemos hacer lo que nos pide.

2.  Si guardamos los mandamientos El nos cuida.

3.  El Espiritu Santo testifica del Libro de Mormon.

4.  Presidente Ezra Talf Benson dijo:  "Hay un poder en el libro que empezara a fluir en la vida de ustedes en el momento en que empiecen a estudiarlo seriament.  Encontraran mayor poder para resistir la tentacion, el poder para evitar el engano, y poder para mantenerse en el camino esstrecho y angosto.  Aumentara la rectitude.  La fe, la esperanza y la caridad--el amor puro de cristo-abundaran en nuestros hogares y en nuestra vida." 

     En el nombre de Jesucristo, Amen.

***

Greetings!

     Thanks to my husband for his help. 

      I am grateful (added this just moments before, felt like I was supposed to.) for a member of my family, 6 generations back, that paid for the printing of the Book of Mormon, and was a Witness to the plates and the angel!

     I love the Book of Mormon!

     I love Nephi, the sons of Mosiah, Mormon and Moroni.

     The prophet Enos prayed all day for himself, his people, his enemies, and that the records would be preserved.  Thus we have the Book of Mormon today.

     I love the Strippling Warriors, the sons of Helaman.  They were valiant and the Lord protected them.  My husband and I work in the mission office.  We work with the missionaries and see their faithfulness, their power, and their 'can do' attitude.  The missionaries are the "Strippling Warriors of today.

     I love the stories of Ammon, Lamoni, Abish, Nephihah, and the Brother of Jared.

      Alma tells of planting a seed and watching it grow.  If we plant the seeds of the Gospel in our lives, they will grow and flourish!

     I love the prayer of Amulek when he tells us to pray over our flocks, our herds, our families, our wash,(just kidding), etc.  Pray that we won't be overcome.  Pray morning and midday and night.  And when we're not praying to have our hearts drawn out in prayer to our Heavenly Father to bless us and take care of us.

     Nephi and the believers would be killed the next day.  Nephi prayed and Jesus Christ told him not to fear, "tomorrow come I into the world."

     Resurrected Christ came to his people at the temple.  He blessed them, prayed for them, ordained leaders.  The children were surrounded by fire!

     The first time I read the Book of Mormon, it came alive around me.  I could see the battle, the horses and the swords! 

     I love the promises of the Book of Mormon:

1.  The Lord will prepare a way for us to accomplish what he asks.

2.  If we keep the commandments he will deliver us.

3  The Holy Ghost will testify the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon to us.

4.  President Ezra Taft Benson stated:

"There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book.  You will find greater power to resist temptation, power to avoid deception, and power to stay on the strait and narrow path.  Righteousness will increase.  Faith, hope, and charity--the pure love of Christ will abound in your homes and lives!

     In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Hi!

Hi!  How are you all today? 

      We saw some cool parrots outside our dining room window this morning at breakfast.  Big, solid green colored parrots with yellow beaks and yellow around the eyes.  There must have been a dozen sitting on the wires of the next apartment building.   That was today.

     An elder started liking a girl he was teaching, felt guilty like he didn't belong here, and decided to give it up and go home.  He's supposed to go home in June.  He's been in the office the last few days, we prepared his going home packet, (not his flight, his Mom is paying for that), and we've been praying that he'll change his mind.  He looked kind of unkempt one day and I told him to go shave.  Later, he looked like a missionary. 

     But yesterday in the morning he came and said the President said to ask us for his passport.  We opened the safe, no passport.  It was still in the area offices processing his visa which had expired!  

     No one else was in the office, so Dad and I drove to the area offices to check on his passport.  They are doing the roads there (mostly by hand with maybe a front loader or backhoe), anyway, Dad drove over and around piles of dirt, rubble, near the edge of huge ditches and drop offs.  We got there, the people were on vacation.  (It's 9:30, the AP's are picking him up at 10 to leave for the airport, and his flight leaves at 12:30, at it takes 30-40 minutes to get there.)

     Some other employees hurried to help us, opened a safe, brought out a box, and I found the passport.  They photocopied it and Dad signed for it.  Then we realized, his visa hadn't been renewed.  We got back to the office at 10:10, explained to the elder that maybe they wouldn't check the visa like it was explained to us.  Then the AP called, explained they couldn't make it back and could we take him to the airport (aeropuerto).  Dad said his visa had expired.  The AP, Elder Chinchilla called the president and said to take $100 with us (4000 pesos) in case there was a fine.  We have no credit card, and don't pick up the money for the petty cash or caja chica until 10:30, and there are usually lines.

      Dad said there wasn't time to go to the bank, we swung by our apartment, went through all the locks, got some cash dad had stored, and hurried to the airport with the elder, trying to be encouraging, uplifting, wish him well, etc.  The elder is from Ogden, Utah, his parents are non-members, divorced.  His dad lives in Florida (don't contact the records say), and his Mom in Ogden on 38th and Grant, not a great part of town.  Somehow he found the Church and wanted to serve a mission.  I guess he has a scholarship waiting for him at Dixie State in St. George. 

     We had a prayer with him, got to the airport about 11ish, unloaded his stuff, and got him to the Delta check in, then he went to the immigration line, and we waited near the door in case he needed to come back for the $100.  I guess they never checked his visa.  He was off--(salio with an accent.)  We felt like saddened parents who sent their kid off!  But then back to the office, and back to work.

     Hope all is well with you!! We love you!

Mom & Dad