Today is the 35th Anniversary of dedicating the Dominican Republic for the Preaching of the Gospel!!

Hi Kids and Grandkids and come into the family kids!!  We love you?  How are you?  It's December, getting ready for Christmas.  We sent a Christmas Card to each of you family heads with your Christmas money on November 22nd.  Seems it still hasn't come.  Sorry--maybe we got robbed.  Two of my sisters got their cards which I mailed a week later on the 29th.  We wanted you to have it for Thanksgiving-sorry.

     Can I talk a minute and tell you:

Today is the thirty Fifth Anniversary of the dedication of the land for the preaching of the Gospel.  Dad and I arrived at the site at 6:30 am to watch the sun come up.  On Dec 7th, 35 years ago Russell M. Ballard met with 10 missionaries and a few converts and leaders to dedicate the land of the Dominican Republic for the preaching of the gospel.  It's in a park, lots of volcanic rock is the basis with some plants and trees here and there.  When we went looking for it in January with the Ickbushes, Dad tripped and tore his pants.  Since then we've taken some office missionaries to see it.

     Things here are a little different.  A few months ago a Young Man from our branch showed up at our office with one of the counselors in the branch presidency who had just been home from his mission a few months--he'd only been home a week or two when he was called as a branch counselor.  Our mission President came to the office and interviewed the YM to go on a mission.  We sent them off with some packages of cracker/cookies to ride a guagua back to Nizao. 

     A few weeks ago, the Mission President gave us a manila envelope to take to our branch.  I carried it in my bag.  It was the boys' mission call.  He opened it, and everyone was excited he is leaving in February for Guatemala.

     3 weeks ago our office elders picked up a missionary at the airport and drove him out to Nizao.  His family was so excited.  They don't go to the airport to pick up their missionary with balloons and signs.  He is delivered to them in a mission truck.  That was the branch president's son.  Months back his Mom gave us a wrapped package to mail to that son.  We took it to the post office on a Tuesday when we mail the mission mail.  It was a coat to keep him warm in Columbia.  I wonder if it got there before he returned.

     2 weeks ago our office elders picked up another missionary and drove him home to Nizao.  Last Sunday we had the three returned missionaries bless a new baby boy, born to a young mom and Dad that have a darling little girl that wants to help me play the piano.  They are the only young family in the branch.  Besides the branch Presidents family, I think they are the only other family.  Everyone else are teenagers, pre teens and a few older primary kids, a few older men and older women whose spouses don't come or are non members? 

     I can't tell you how strong the Spirit was when those 3 holders of the Melchizedek Priesthood (who are so young, yet filled with power & goodness having been made strong from missionary service for 2 years,  took that new baby boy to be blessed, it was like the destiny of that branch and maybe the area was in their hands.  Like a new day was dawning.

     At last week at our meeting in the office President Rodriguez said the day before he met in district conference in Azua -- (half again as far as Nizao) and was impressed to tell them it was their last District Conference.  The next time they met as the Azua Stake Conference.

     At this weeks meeting President Rodriguez shared with us, of being at the San Cristobel Stake conference--1/2 way to Nizao.  He witnessed a miracle--he said 26 men received the Melchizedek Priesthood in that stake.  He'd never seen that before.  So he's over all the missionaries and over all the church units too.  At Thanksgiving dinner here, we had an elder from a branch clear out next to Haiti come to eat with our office elders.  They would take him the next day to the airport to fly to Mexico to serve a mission there.  With all the pick up and drop offs of all the missionaries living here and all the 250 serving here, I'm amazed that they get anything done!

     Last night President Rodriguez invited us to come to a Christmas concert.  It was held in the yard of the mission home on the basketball court/patio.  He invited his neighbors, and all the missionaries in the area if they brought an investigator.  There were a dozen men (I sent their picture before I think--the President's teenage son sang with them,) They sang Christmas carols with narration in between.  There were about 75 people(--Dad says 125.  There were 40 missionaries.)  The Pres. and his wife greeted everyone as they arrived, bore testimonies of the Savior, turned it to the acapella singers, then ended with comments, prayer by the president's 13 year old daughter and then they passed out a church DVD on families.  Then the missionaries passed trays of hot wassil and cookies.  Maybe we each should do that in our homes for FHE or a party, etc.  Want to come be the singing group for my get together?  Well, this is long, but I want to point out the growth here, the diligence of some, the courage of others, and mostly the Spirit of the Lord that is blessing this people. 

     Love, Mom & Dad ------Oh, and after 15 months, today we found Crispy rice in the store and I'm going to make rice krispy squares for the office. 

    

Janet's Report in the Erickson Newsletter

Janet’s trip to Dominican Republic November 2013

This was my travel to Dominican Republic to see Jim and Susan;  I loved spending time with them doing their missionary work. They are super missionaries and represent our family well!  

Elder James E. and Susan E.  are super Missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; they are hard working and have a huge responsibility as Office Specialists, in the Santo Domingo West Mission, there in the Capitol.. They are super busy; they go early and stay late; they handle all the finances and banking for the mission.  Jim loads all the missionary cards with their money, and pays the taxes on their visas. They order all the flights for the missionaries, and really take care of the business for the mission. They do many more things that probably aren't on their job descriptions; they are competent and will really be missed when they go home in 2014.  

 Susan speaks Spanish quite well and balances the bank; she is the photographer and also takes the Missionary Visa photos for renewal. (She saves a lot of time for the Church by doing the photos and they can get them faster than if they mailed them off.)  She is the cookie maker, decorator, organizer and and helps in so many other ways!

They are happy, well loved, drive a large white truck, (bigger than those in the states), live in a gated apartment with a 24 hour guard.  (They park in a garage that usually is for 2 vehicles, but 3 have to fit in there- even with their truck!)

Their apartment is large and has 2 bedrooms (with air conditioning) and they have a nice keyboard that Susan uses every day, and they have a beautiful patio with an orchid growing just for Mom, (Lois).  They are on the 3rd floor- no elevators.  A couple of times, we had fun playing table tennis, on their large, dining room table.  The three of us are really good at it!

It was fun to help decorate their Christmas Tree and put up their other decorations.

(The country puts up their decorations in October--no Halloween or Thanksgiving, decorations beautiful!- a lot of red and gold.)

Jim is fluent in Spanish and it helps so much with all the business transactions that they do; they go get all the mission mail  from the Customs area of the Post Office. They often go to the bank and other places to pay bills and taxes on the missionary visas since they are only good for 1 year. They collect and mail all the mission mail as well as go to a large beautiful church building to send pouch mail.  The Church building has hot, running, clean, water and has cubicles for many church auditors, and other business people. Beautiful decorated tree in the lobby.

There is a large warehouse with all the area supplies; their mission seems to be the headquarters for the area authorities, (they know Elder Cornish, Elder Zivic and others). The area authorities live in an apartment that is next to the MTC and the Temple. The Santo Domingo Temple also has hot, clean running water. (In all the other buildings and places in Dominican Republic, the water can't be drunk--they buy bottled water. Have to be careful not to brush your teeth with the regular water, I almost did twice.)

They are assigned to a branch about 45 min. away in Nizao. About the last 10-15 minutes of the ride, they travel on a bumpy dirt road.  They pick up a brother who waits in front of his shack.  Driving along this bumpy road we saw a cemetery.  The more money the family of the deceased has, the higher up he or she is buried.  If you are poor, you are buried in the ground, little houses on top of the ground for those with money.  The little houses( for the deceased) are all different colors.

Jim teaches Young Men, they often teach Sunday School together, and Susan is the branch pianist/organist. She also teaches children to play the piano before the meetings start.   The beautiful chapel is enclosed by a large gated fence.  Usually they are the only ones that drive and park there, the rest of the people walk. Maybe 60 attended Sacrament meeting; we listened to an awesome returned missionary from their branch, give a great report.  Of course, I couldn't understand it but I could feel of his testimony.

I was invited by Mission President Rodriguez to attend their weekly Mission Devotional, there in his office,  with about 10 in attendance; Susan said the prayer in Spanish.  Awesome!  I was able to go with them to the MTC to "converse" with missionaries; and was also invited to attend their Family Home Evening.  There was a lot of energy in the Mission Office the day the mission President had (15-20) sisters and elders come for interviews.  They take buses there to the office; some of the missionaries are very far away and are glad to see others.

The seniors get together for FHE; we listened to the new Temple President and wife, (the Flakes) and others speak. Temple President Flake's siblings go to the temple every year on their parent's birthdays.  His family members live all over the country and go to the temple closest to them, twice a year to honor their parents.  We thought that was a neat idea! 

The seniors sang Happy Birthday to Jim.  (Elders in the office made him a neat purple cake with trick candles.) and the mission pres brought Jim a gift from he and his wife. They all love Jim and Susan.

I was with them  for 8 days, I dressed every day as a missionary and we went to the office except on Saturday, their Preparation Day.  (On those Saturdays, we did a lot!)  They have to be selective which grocery stores they go to.  Very interesting and colorful food.    A couple of stores are quite modern and are getting more and more American food since Jim and Susan have been there.  They now have Planters Peanuts, Oreos, Hersheys candy, etc.  

(Jim was able to ask to have a battery put in my watch--they did it and didn't charge us.)  It helps that Jim can speak their language and JIm and Susan are friendly and gracious to people.

Jim and Susan love the "training" they do every 6 weeks.  They make packets of information; he instructs, the missionaries in Spanish, Susan repeats it in English.  They are quite a team.  Then they go to the temple with the missionaries and pull all the clothing as well as assist with the other work.

There are about 270 missionaries in the mission; the missionary work was opened Dec. 1, 1978 by M. Russell Ballard.  

There is a nice dedicated monument that overlooks part of the city and the Caribbean Sea. Susan sent that photo before, now I feel like I know more about it, since being on that beautiful, special spot.

We were able to attend a session in the large beautiful Dominican Republic Temple, there in Santo Domingo.  I did a family name (Ellen Facey, Louisa Sargent's nieces' family) and then was sealed, (I was the child) to parents, (Susan and Jim.)  It was neat.

It was a great experience being there--we were on the go constantly,.--we did see the zoo; the (animals are surrounded by all types of beautiful vegetation), and saw a panther follow a black bear around the edge of a pool; the botanical gardens are spectacular, (both had train rides) through forests and jungles. We went to the National Aquarium. that was right on the ocean. 

 We ate lunch near there, right on the ocean.  Gorgeous scenery!   We ate Dominican food---had an appetizer with fresh avocados  and other native things, had something  similar to fried bananas, no taste, enjoyed a small cup of a fancy  soup, we had chicken, beef, pork dishes that were yummy!   We shared a small cake-like dessert that was really good.  Had their country drink, similar to lemonade.

We went to the beautiful white beach, with lots of shells and some grass shacks. We visited an old town square, ( Zona Colonia),  the area of the first cathedrals that were built in 1500, beautiful stone buildings. After, we ate at the Hard Rock Cafe.  It was  "safe" place to eat; you have to be careful where you eat, it was delicious!

We went to the Monument for Christopher Columbus, that was built for the 500th year anniversary of his arrival there, 1992.  It was very large and lots of rooms for each country and etc.  Very interesting--part of the inside is open to the air, there is a long walkway with rooms and exhibits on either side.  Really something.

Most of the things we visited, we did on Saturdays.

The traffic is unbelievable, the motor cycles (used as taxis with more than 1 rider) whiz in and out and around you and the traffic.  There are  Vendors selling food, fruit, and other items, and they want to wash your windows while you are stopped in traffic.  (We bought a pineapple, and bananas.)

There seems to be few traffic signals so people are driving every which way and cross in front, like you see in the movies.  I tried a couple of times to take a photo--impossible--the people have to have a lot of patience

We saw horses and carts, and lots of small buses and many motorcycles; the people don't have cars. Most people wait at designated spots for the buses.  Saw cows out in the country on the way to church and saw a few chickens walking around.  

You must constantly be alert--lots of guards with rifles and pistols and etc. in front of buildings and at gas stations as well as on the streets. We had one incident that we felt we should not walk with the guards there to  "protect us" --we felt they were the robbers, so we quickly got back in the truck.   ( this is the short version)

The people are warm and friendly, the colors bright and beautiful, the rain showers come up quickly, are a "hard rain" and only last 10 minutes or so.  We were at the zoo and all of a sudden lots of people started running.  They were headed for shelters; they knew the rain was coming.  We stood under an overhang at a bird exhibit and stayed dry.

The many different kinds of palm trees are so beautiful as well as the other vegetation.,  It is a diverse country with the mixture of people and cultures as well as the poverty and wealthy. The church is the same there, the people have scriptures, they dress as nice as they can, they are friendly and even the signs in the meeting house look like those in our buildings--damas and others.  It  was a special experience!

 We can all be so proud of Susan and Jim and their service!  We'll look forward to seeing them in 2014!

I know that Bethany and Matthew are great missionaries too!  I LOVE  to read their emails.  They are hard working and are filled with the spirit.

I wish them continued blessings and look forward to seeing them when they return.  (Bethany really soon!) Too bad I couldn't visit your missions!

Thanksgiving Responses From Siblings

On Nov 28, 2013, at 6:38 PM, Susan Schmidt <susanandjim6@yahoo.com> wrote:

Hi, I thought I'd send you a few pictures.  Hope your Thanksgiving was terrific!  We have great traditions of get-togethers don't we?  Love you all!

Susan & Jim

***
On Saturday, November 30, 2013 9:27 PM, Ellen Anson <witsendea@aol.com> wrote:

Nice apartment--looks spacious, comfortable and lovely. Lucky you!

Chris and family and K's mom came for T'giving--very low key. We just ate, visited and then watched a movie. We were all ready for a casual day. I've attached a picture. Had friends over this afternoon and introduced them to Doctor Who--was fun.

Have a nice weekend!

EA

***

On Sunday, December 1, 2013 5:18 PM, Janet Gee <janetegee@gmail.com> wrote:

It was special for me to see you both.

Bore my testimony about the Temple and how the church is the same all over, whether in a little branch or . . . not sure what I said--I was propelled to the front, the Bp thanked me

I have the FHE lesson for the Empty nesters tomorrow--must go finish it.  lv you

***

On Friday, November 29, 2013 5:18 PM, Ellen Anson <witsendea@aol.com> wrote:

Looks like a fun party and lots of great pie! Is that your apartment? Doesn't quite look the other pictures you sent, just wondered.

Hope you had a great day! Thanks for the pic's!

EA

***

On Thursday, November 28, 2013 9:46 PM, Jensens <7jensens@comcast.net> wrote:

Looks like you had a wonderful dinner!   Thanks for sharing the pictures with us - Love, Nancy & Ray 

***

On Friday, November 29, 2013 12:32 AM, Bruce Erickson <ourbeehive45@gmail.com> wrote:

Susan,

Thanks for thinking about us!

We had a great meal, but we forgot to take a photo of it.

Miss you!

Love,

Bruce

***

On Friday, November 29, 2013 1:36 AM, Jeane Burton <hi.jeane@gmail.com> wrote:

Pies looked fabulous! Mom would have been proud. 

Survive Thanksgiving?? Missed You!

Hi, here's some more photos:  Pin the Tail on the turkey game--the elders moved the turkey for lots of laughs.  They all took some pie home.  It was interesting in that Elder Midgley from Morgan, Utah, said as he was ready to dish his plate at the buffet..Looks like my Thanksgiving dinners at home, complete with the celery with cheese on.  (When do I ever to celery with cheese on?  But I felt like I should.  And one of them mentioned their favorite was chocolate or pecan.  I don't think I ever made pecan pie at home much,  But both of those pies I wasn't going to make yet suddenly I was making them.  This was their dinner away from their families too, and they seemed to enjoy it as much as we did.  Elder Aviles from Veracruz Mexico, brought us a gift from his Mother.  His package came this morning (it's not a holiday here), and she gave me a fan and blouse and Dad a Tshirt from Mexico.  He leaves the office on Tuesday.  He has learned a lot of English and has been over all 71 houses for the missionaries--a huge task.  Each missionary is so awesome--just like each of you.  Then they hurried off with some pie to save the world!!  (and the 250 missionaries in our mission and 80,000 missionaries world wide literally are!

We love you!  Love, Mom & Dad

Dom Rep Santo Domingo West Mission

11/27/13

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO THE MOST WONDERFUL PEOPLE WE KNOW!!!

Hi kids and kids in law and grandkids!!  We are so grateful for each of you!!!  Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! 

You are all invited to our house for Thanksgiving next year!!!!

Estamos agradicimos para ustedes todos!!

Estoy agradicida por mi testimonio.  Dios vive!  Jesucristo es el Salvador, el Redentor del mundo.!  Agradicida por la oportunidad servir un mision para Padre Celestial!  (y mi tambien.) El Libro de Mormon es verdadero.  Jose Smith fue un profeta de Dios.  El restaurado la iglesia.  Tomas S. Monson es un profeta de Dios en la tierra hoy.  Familias son eternas!!    I am grateful for my testimony.  God lives!  Jesus is the Savior, the Redeemer of the world.  I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve a mission for Heavenly Father, (and also for me--I'm getting more out of it than anyone else.  The Book of Mormon is true.  Joseph Smith was a prophet of God.  Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God on the earth today. Families are eternal!  And I'm so grateful for that-- that I can live with you all forever!!  We are grateful for all of you!!  (in the first part)

En el nombre de Jesucristo, Amen.

Hi Bethany!

On Wed, Nov 20, 2013 at 3:46 AM, Susan Schmidt <susanandjim6@yahoo.com> wrote:

We have transfers Dec 3rd, with sisters going home Dec 18th.  The mission field has been an incredible experience!  Our language skills are better, my cooking is worse (can't really do the same things with the oven and ingredients that are here, but my piano playing is better, my computer skills are better, my love for all God's children has increased 100 fold.  We send a letter home to families (or at least I found it in the file, but no one taught us to send it) a few months out from when they are leaving, that tells parents and families not to distract their missionary, because they are at the height of their language and teaching and testifying skills.  I've thought a lot about that as we come to each transfer sending some great ones home and welcoming some beginners.  The transformation of each missionary is amazing!!  With the power of the Lord and with their hard work and faith, they have each become giants!!!  The missionaries say they can't see it in themselves. 

     Thanks for letting me ramble!  We got an email today from our trainer who is now home, an elder we watched for a year-- in the office for a few months and then an AP in the south who came in for a few days each week. --and he thanks us for all we taught him!--wow, the young people today are so awesome!  That's you Bethany.  We have enjoyed your news each week.  Hit it hard the last home stretch--Thanks for your example of working hard each day, for letting us see Russia through your eyes, for seeing how you learned a really tough language.....and much much more!

Love, Susan & Jim

On Monday, November 25, 2013 6:15 AM, Bethany Jensen <bethany.jensen@myldsmail.net> wrote:

Thanks for writing!

I hope you have a wonderful week!

Love,

Sister J