Sheltons in the Sun

Saturday, April 18, 2015

#11 Families are Forever

April 18, 2015

Blog #11 Families are forever

On April 2^nd Jaci gave birth to her fifth child (four are living) in five years. What a joy and blessing it was to have little Beckett join our family. Each time we receive a new member into our family we all rejoice. “Because families are ordained of God, they are the most important social unit in time and eternity” (Preach My Gospel), and daily we see evidence of how family members affect not only us, but all those with whom we serve in this mission field.

I realize that I mention at least something about one or more family members on a regular basis, but I had the privilege to go home for a week to help with the babies, and my heart is overflowing with love for our children and grandchildren. It thrills me that the kids look out for each other and serve and help when a need is seen. Families are busy and each has its own challenges, but they still take time for each other. Daddy came to Jaci’s home and we were able to get a 4-generation photo since I won’t be able to be there for the baby blessing. One of the most difficult realities for me is to be away when changes are taking place in the family. I want to be there, to help. Lori had knee surgery this week and I couldn’t be there, but the children stepped up to help her. Susie is having a knee replacement, and her girls and another niece will travel to St. George to help her during her recovery (her hubby and kids are in Salt Lake.)

Today Mike and I visited one of our local office missionaries who is suffering from cancer, diabetes, and a host of other challenges. He has been a miracle man these past couple years as he continues to battle tumors in his lungs, high-shooting blood pressure, and low dipping sugar levels. As our technology missionary, he has been committed to serving daily as he completes his mission. The past two weeks he has started chemo again and has taken a serious turn for the worse; his blood pressure rises every time he tries to stand up, then he passes out. His wife has collapsed many times with him as she grabs him to break his fall. He is every thing to her and she is willing to sacrifice everything for him.

A dear friend in our ward who has been a member for just a year is having critical heart problems. He struggled for years with drug and alcohol abuse. His wife of ten years said his problem was that he needed religion and she separated herself from him a few years ago. He found Christ, gave up his destructive habits, and joined our church--but she didn’t like this religion so she is still unwilling to reach out and love him. He fell last Sunday and ended up in the hospital. As Mike and I visited him we could feel the pain and loss he has because he has no family. He has a great deal of faith and he loves the ward family, and he doesn’t complain, but his life is not easy.

Thursday our young missionary from Napal came in to get his first letter from his sister. He arrived in the mission field and was so busy the first month that life was wonderful. The second month, when missionary work became a little more difficult, he began to miss home. His mother doesn’t know how to use the internet, so the communication has been sparse. Family means so much to him—and his mother and sister are so far away.

Frequently I ask the missionaries “What is the best part of your mission?” Almost as frequent, the answer is, “My sister has become active in the church.” Or, “My dad is investigating the gospel.” And it is so much fun to see the emotional reunion when a family comes to Bakersfield to pick up their missionary at the end of his/her mission.

We have a binder in our office where we invite the missionaries, who come in, to share a tender mercy from the Lord that they have experienced since they arrived. In many instances, even though they frequently experience small miracles as they work, the tender mercy they write about has to do with what is going on with their families at home.

Yes, we know that families lie at the center of Heavenly Father’s plan, and, as The Family Proclamation exclaims: The family is ordained of God. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ; and successful families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.

For Mike and I, it is such a blessing that we can see a few of our family members on some weekends. We were able to make a quick trip to see Ed and Susan for Ed’s 70^th. We attended Reese’s baptism and play, Jared’s temple trip, and while I was away, Mike watched general conference at Aaron’s lake house. Ryan, Jaci, and Lori visited us on different weekends, and I was able to see all my children and grandchildren at Beckett’s birth. What could be better?

We love serving the Lord in Bakersfield. We have the responsibility to take photos for the Ward Family Tree. We are getting to know and love people whose friendship we will always cherish. And, we are working hard.

We appreciate your love and support and grateful you are such a big part of our hearts.

4 generations

We all adore little Beckett

Easter towels -- come to the California beach

Fun Hunt

Got the golden egg

dup

Where are the eggs?

Love kids and grandkids

Jared

Loves Poppy

Happy Birthday Ed!

Elder Frost and parents

Elder Martinez and family

Ward Family Tree

Monday, March 16, 2015

March 16, 2015

Blog #10 - True Beauty

Today we welcomed five new missionaries, and tomorrow we will send home thirteen. It is amazing how attached we get to them as we watch them work so hard to teach the gospel. They are such beautiful young men and women. Friday we were able to take the outgoing missionaries to the LA Temple. We had five sisters in our Honda, and we had laughter and tears most of the way. The sister shared tender moments and funny stories and pages from their journals. They are excited about retuning home, but hesitant to leave this life they've known and loved these past eighteen months.

As spring is blossoming around us I've been thinking about the wonders of this great world our Lord has created. At the suggestion of some of our housing inspectors, we stopped to see the poppy fields on the way to Lancaster last week. What an awesome sight! We live in the desert, yet there is beauty springing up in the most unexpected places.

Even more beautiful than the surrounding flowers and trees, are the beautiful people we are meeting and the memories of those loved ones we left at home. Sunday a dear lady in our ward had crocheted me a cell phone holder to wear around my neck so I will have the phone close to me at all times (I probably field at least 30 or 40 phone calls per day.) Another sister, last month, made a scrapbook to help me save the missionary memories we are creating here. Friends and family from home let us know they haven't forgotten us.

For me, one of the most beautiful of all is feeling the Holy Spirit touch my heart when new friends testify and share their own conversion stories. So many members here are converts, and I love to hear about each journey. The other night the Johnsons, one of our inspector couples (stake service missionaries) shared their wonderful story:

Gil and Helen had been married 15 years and Helen had prayed daily that something would happen to help their family attend church together. Helen had been active her whole life in her church, but Gil, though he believed in God, did not feel a need for a church. Their children went to a church school.

One day two LDS sister missionaries came to the door. Their message immediately touched Helen's heart and she invited them back. She asked Gil if he would join her; he said "No way! I've heard that the Mormons are weird!” When they came back she questioned herself, "What am I doing, I have a church?" and told them she could talk with them. They did ask is they could leave a Joseph smith pamphlet and Book of Mormon. Because she felt something, she took the books, but promptly put them on the shelf.

About that same time, Gil, who was a fireman, had to listen, at work, constantly as two of his coworkers discussed and argued about their two religions . The only thing they agreed on was that another fireman from another shift, who was a Mormon, belonged to “the crazy religion.” As Gil heard all this religious talk he decided it may be time for him to find a church. He started reading the bible every day. He went to chat with the priest who sent him to find a book he could read on their theology. He read it, but it didn't resonate in his heart. All this took almost a year, and Helen also found herself questioning her religion and looking for answers. Her priest was frustrated with her questions.

Helen thought about that feeling she had when she met with the sisters ao many months before, then picked up the pamphlet to see what it said. She was impressed. Later, her spiritually struggling husband agreed to read the pamphlet, and he felt touched by the message. So, he picked up the Book of Mormon, opened it somewhere in the middle, and began reading. He had a powerful confirmation that he was reading pure scripture. He needed to talk with someone but he didn't know where to turn. As Gil and Helen read and talked they were determine they must find out more.

As they were preparing for a camping vacation, and Gil was folding a tent in the living room, he was pleading with Heavenly Father to help him know truth and find answers. Miraculously, at that same time two (different) sister missionaries had prayed to be led to someone who was seeking God. They parked their car and headed down a street. After knocking on a couple doors they both felt they were on the wrong street. They went back to the car, said a prayer, and headed up the next street. Though they faced rejection at each door they felt they must continue. When they knocked on the Johnson door Gil had just finished his prayerful plea. He opened the door and was so excited to see them that his eyes bulged--and the sister missionaries thought he was going to throw them out. But he invited them in. After a short discussion, the Johnsons left on their vacation promising to learn more when they returned. That began a passionate and thorough study of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Both Gil and Helen received their own personal testimonies, not at the same time, then joined The Savior's church.

They shared more as they talked about tithing, the effect on his job, and their children's schooling. Their life has had challenges, as have we all, but they have never wavered in their complete faith in and testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They have spent years serving in many church calling and have done so much to help the people of Bakersfield.

I love their story, and, I have also been struck by two reminders that are directly applicable to missionary work here. First of all, it is a testimony of the Book of Mormon, received through the Holy Spirit, that converts one to truth; and second, the first set of missionaries planted the seed by inspiration to leave the books (yet, probably had know knowledge of their influence) and the second set of missionaries humbly followed the Lord's guidance to the door at the moment the Johnsons were ready to receive the message. What a beautiful story.

We are grateful to be here to help further the work in any way we can. Our testimonies are strengthened as we see small daily miracles that bring people to Christ. We also appreciate the love and support of you, our dear family and friends.

I also have a request: My dear friend, Jack Threet, has just had a pancreas and kidney transplant as he has battled with diabetes. He is a wonderful young man. Not only is he a friend with my children, and he was one of my darling PRIDE students during his high school years, but he is the son of one of my dearest friends, Gayle. I believe there is strength in group prayer. I am asking if you will pray for his recovery as he goes through this difficult time and pray for his family to have the strength to do what they need to do. Thank you.

Much love,
Mike and Donna

Outgoing missionaries at the LA Temple

Oh what a beautiful world!

Sunday, March 1, 2015

March 1, 2015

Blog #9 - What is it we do?

One of the sister missionaries mentioned to me that the days are long and the weeks are short. That pretty much describes how I feel about the days and weeks. In fact, I missed writing last week because I didn’t realize so much time had passed. As senior missionaries, we have a lot of freedom to plan our days and weeks – yet we still have many tasks required of us. Frequently, folks we meet ask us what is it we do?

In many ways it feels like we left retirement and went back to work at a regular job. But, this job doesn’t have the emotional pressure our other jobs had. The other day Mike and I were organizing our storage garage, which is attached to the home of the Assistants to the President. As I was washing out waste baskets in the kitchen, the assistants had come home for lunch. I commented that I cleaned houses to earn money in college ($1.25 an hour), and now I’m cleaning again . . . my life has come full circle. However, I find much more joy in this service.

As you may have heard, the church is opening eleven new missions. What that means for the existing missions is that we will go down in numbers from 250 missionaries to about 200. We are not moving missionaries, but rather are modifying the numbers through attrition. We may have 18 missionaries returning home and only receive 8 new ones. In the months we have been here we have opened a few apartments. This involves, after signing the lease and inspecting the property, purchasing all of the items the missionaries will need to live in the home (beds, book case, dresser, tables and chairs, lamps, dishes, cooking utensils etc.) We set up the apartment and help them move in.

Now we are in the midst of closing several apartments. We help the President and Assistants look at area leases, productivity and accessibility to determine which apartments are best to keep and which ones we can let go. The closing of apartments is a major task. We must give a notice to vacate and inform all involved. Then on moving day we have to make sure we leave it as close as possible to the condition in which we received it. Since we’ve occupied some apartments for ten years, it is a major task. We sort, clean, throw away, clean, transport furniture to good will, clean,and move all of our items to storage for future use.

We are blessed to have eleven senior service missionary couples who inspect the apartments every six weeks for cleanliness and damage. They are wonderful, and we don’t know how we could possibly do this job without them. We are insisting high cleanliness standards, and holding the missionaries accountable. Our motto is “Cleanliness is a process, not an event!” And, this zone conference, we will give the Golden Plunger Award to the cleanest apartment in each zone. Yes, we do try to have fun as we go.

We also do trainings, etc. to help the missionaries know what “clean” means. We, along with the inspectors, help to fix problems, work with the managers, and get needed supplies to the missionaries. As I’ve been typing this I received a call from an inspector in Lancaster (two hours away) who received a call from two missionaries whose fridge went out two days ago. Mike and I ran to the office files to see if the fridge belongs to us or the apartment. Apparently, it belongs to us. So, the inspector is going to the storage in Lancaster, getting another fridge to swap out the broken one, and taking the broken one to storage. All in a days work.

We love working with these missionaries. Sometimes they invite us to go teach with them. We love that. Also, I have the opportunity to write the monthly newsletter and take photos. This work is a blessing. The mission had 23 baptisms this month, and those will affect families for generations.

We have a huge project to do in our ward, which is to find the young single adults who are less active. There are many different reasons people choose to move away from God, but seldom are they happy reasons, we want to reassure them of God’s love for them.

We also have the blessing and freedom to spend a little time with family. Jaci and Lori came last weekend for a quick visit. This weekend Becca and Reese came. This gospel is about eternal families, and we love to see our families. We are also getting to know our ward family here, and it is feeling more comfortable.

We love you and miss you, and we feel the Lord’s hand in our lives --

we are grateful for His tender mercies as we work to figure out what He would have us do.

Thanks for your love and support. You are in our prayers.

Becca and Reese came for a visit

Who needs a gym?

The couches can be monsters

Our ward Elders requested breakfast for Valentine Dinner

We had dinner at the "Buck Owens Crystal Palace" with Jaci and Lori. Line dancing was included

Spring is early -- the beautiful blossoms have no leaves

Scenes of beauty amidst the oil fields

Sanity through humor . . .

Most of our Bakersfield inspectors

Moving can be rough -- at the end of the day

It's only a washer

Pizza at the Morris house -- our dear friends and co-workers

Lunch after closing two apartments

Careful!

Some of the Lancaster/Palmdale inspectors

Our dear friend Patti took a photo shoot in the almond groves.

Monday, February 9, 2015

February 8, 2015

Blog #8 . . . a time for LOVE

What better time to talk about love than this month, the season of love. I’ve heard it said that where there is great love, there are great miracles. So true. . . as we see love from so many directions in the mission field we are also witnessing so many miracles.

The Savior said, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. (Matt. 22:37-39)

Of course, this work radiates love for the Savior. These young missionaries have made a commitment to the Lord, and it is wonderful to see how hard they work to share Christ’s message. Last Tuesday was transfer day, and that is the day the departing missionaries bear their testimonies. After the meeting, Mike and I talked about how each young missionary had earned his/her testimony of belief in God, of the need for a prophet, and of the truthfulness of this gospel; that the testimony wasn’t just handed to the individual missionary.

It was marvelous to hear how many of them have received their own witness of the Savior and His love. The first sister who bore her testimony said when she came on her mission, she made a deal with her mother that she would give it three weeks, and if it didn’t work she would come home without judgment from her family. Her mother asked her consistently for months if she was going to stay. And although it wasn’t easy, she worked hard, loved the work, and had no desire to leave. Some missionaries talked about how their experience was the “highest of highs and lowest of lows” in their lives -- sometimes both in the same day. Some mentioned how they felt themselves grow in ways they never expected (one young man said he was concerned his parents may not recognize him when he gets home.). A couple mentioned how they hope they can remain changed – that the growth they’ve received has changed their hearts and souls. Some testified they had received strength that they knew wasn’t their own; many times the Lord carried them. One young man said that these two years have been the hardest years of his life: every day brought new trials; and with each day, he witnessed some type of miracle. But the main theme was that all of the missionaries had experienced and recognized God’s love for themselves, for their investigators, for strangers in their paths, and for the members with whom they’ve come to know. Several spoke their testimonies of the atonement of our Savior, and how they recognized the atonement wasn’t just for sin, but because of His great love for us. Several mentioned how they fasted and prayed to know and understand truth, and to truly know that God lives. (They didn’t want to be teaching something without the knowledge that it is true.) Our hearts have been touched by these young elders and sisters. We feel such a great love and compassion for them.

Another concept we have found quite remarkable is how easy it is to “love our neighbor as ourselves.” We are meeting people from all walks of life, and it has been quite easy to feel love for them as our brothers and sisters. The members of the church have been particularly kind and receptive of us. But even those we meet on the streets are positive and friendly. While Mike was waiting in the car for me outside a store, he was looking at a map, and a lady walked over to ask him if he needed directions.

We see in action how precious and powerful the love for family is. Last week we moved two elders out of an apartment that we were closing. As we were chatting during lunch, one elder mentioned that he and his mom joined the church when he was 14. He was the only one who stayed active, and his older brother had chided him a bit when he decided to go on a mission. Then, his brother decided to check out what he was really doing. In the process, his brother (now married) gained a testimony and was actually getting baptized on Saturday (which happened yesterday.) This Elder was tenderly emotional and tearful as he talked about the opportunity he would have to speak at his brother’s baptism through Skype. He sent me a text yesterday expressing how wonderful it was.

A departing sister’s family came to pick her up last Wednesday. She paced the mission office as she shared her mixed emotions about leaving the mission to go home -- she loved serving her mission. Still, when her family arrived we could feel the love, through their tears of joy, during the reunion.

In our Monday staff meeting we all enjoyed yummy donuts -- to help Elder and Sister Morris, who are missionaries serving with us, continue the loving birthday tradition of eating donuts to celebrate their daughter’s birthday morning (she is serving a mission in Argentina..)

We are learning much about love.

And, finally, we are so grateful for the love and support we feel from our family and friends. We still miss hanging out with the family on Sunday nights, or going to dinner with our friends at home, but we are learning so much about loving those around us. What a great blessing it is for us to know and to understand that love is eternal!

“. . . perfect love casteth out all fear” Moroni 8:16

We sent LOVE to Elder and Sister Morris' daughter

Our family supported us with LOVE when we were set apart as missionaries

Our children and grandchildren send us LOVE on a regular basis

Sister Diaz felt LOVE as her family picked her up at the mission home

The departing missionaries shared their LOVE for the Temple and each other

Transfer day the missionaries could meet and share LOVE and friendship

We feel our Savior's LOVE each day . . . and we are grateful!

Sunday, January 25, 2015

#7 The Badge

A few years ago as I served as a Guest Service Missionary at Temple Square and the Conference Center, I noticed that my pink missionary badge let everyone know that I could direct patrons where to go or sit, I could answer their questions about the event or facility, and I could show them the way. It was a wonderful assignment for four years, and I loved the spirit of the work.

Now, I notice that our black missionary badges still give us the privilege to show others the way; but it seems to say much more to those who observe us. Wearing this black badge is a curious event for some, a prick of the conscience for others, and a moment of recognition for many. I’ve had some interesting connections in the past couple weeks.

My first encounter was at the mall. An 11-year old by came up to me and asked me if I was a Mormon. When I said “yes,” he asked what ward I was in. When I told him, he said he was in the same ward, but his family only comes every few weeks. He said his name was Andrew and I should watch for him. I have seen him once.

Next I was in Walmart, the lines were long, and I asked if I could pass through to get to the other side of the aisle. A man jokingly told me I could not butt in line, and I begged, so he let me pass through. Then, later I saw him in the parking lot. He came up and asked if I am a Mormon. “Yes.”

“So am I he said,” then sadly he said “but I’m not exactly active.”

“Why Not?”

“Well, my life’s been kinda hard.”

“That’s when we need the Lord the most.” I replied.

“I know,” he said sheepishly, “I gotta go.” And away he went.

After a couple other unusual experiences, Friday night at dinner a cute waitress (in her late 50’s) asked what ward we are in. I asked her what ward she is in. She said she didn’t’ know because she hasn’t been to church for years. I offered to pick her up …She says she works on Sundays. I offered for us to teach her…. She said she didn’t think so. We laughed a lot and made friends, but no teaching appointment. We hope to see her again.

My heart aches when I see how many once active members have lost their way and cannot, or will not, get themselves to find the peace the gospel can bring. The badge brings glimpses of a person’s experience, and our prayer is to get to help those members remember why they joined the church in the beginning.

When we visited Mike’s kids last weekend, 3-year old Ethan wore Mike’s badge the whole time. Sunday the primary president had him lead I Hope They Call Me on a Mission. After church, as we were leaving for Bakersfield, Ethan said, “Grandpa, I’ve got to have my missionary badge, please don’t take it!”

Another things I was reminded of this last month is that I must listen to those promptings that make life easier. For three years, as I contemplated a mission, I considered things I must do to prepare. Often I thought I should practice the piano (I hadn’t played since high school) in case there was no pianist. I was secretly relieved when we arrived and learned that the office secretary is a concert pianist. Well, two weeks ago President Wilson asked me if I play the piano. Of course I said, “Not, well.” He said that there were no pianists in two of the zone conferences and would I play the opening and closing songs -- and that “not well” was better than nothing. So, I reluctantly played. Unfortunately, with the piano, every mistake can be heard.

Also, this last year, in the 1^st ward, I had the opportunity to write the Relief Society News letter (thanks, Cathy Glade.) All year I kept thinking that I should take the time to learn a computer program that would contain the letter so when I sent it I wouldn’t lose the graphics and photos. But I never quite got to it –- three weeks ago Sister Wilson asked me to take over the mission newsletter. Now I’m trying to figure out how to do a program I wanted to learn a year ago (I struggle with making aging and technology compatible.)

The final prompting was to learn Spanish. I tried when I picked up Ryan from Honduras. I wasn’t successful. I’m still not successful, and there is a great Spanish speaking population here.

On the other hand, I’ve had the opportunity to see my cute companion working tirelessly as a businessman. He knows how to work with apartment managers and how to get things done. When he doesn’t know something, he finds out. We are working hard, learning a much, and having fun. We are so blessed to be here. We appreciate the prayers, love and concern you send our way. We are grateful to serve and pray that we can make a difference.

The BADGE (Seth)

The Fresno Temple

Melody Taylor - home from New Zealand

Zone Conference(above) Taylors visiting us (below)

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Saturday, January 11, 2015

# 6 Zone Meeting . . . a time to focus

I’ve always heard that Zone Conferences were a special time for missionaries. I know it has certainly been a powerful week for us, the senior missionaries. This time, President Wilson decided to work with one Zone at a time, so we could work with the missionaries in smaller groups. We have seen just under half of the missionaries this week, then, we will work with the others next week. We started in Ridgecrest, then Esperanza, Palmdale, and finally Lancaster and East Lancaster. Each conference we had between 22 and 30 missionaries. Each group seems to have a personality of its own, but all missionaries show evidence of the power they’ve gained from serving the Lord full-time. So many of them reminded me of the wonderful youth I worked with in the school setting all those years. I loved watching them grown in talent and ability then. Now, these young men and women have developed amazing leadership skills, become articulate, and are willing to do whatever it takes to serve the Lord. My heart is so full of love and admiration for them. I know their task is not easy, but their commitment and willingness to work is helping them transform in to amazing servants of the Lord. In some ways, they are still kids, and pretty young, and in other ways they are spiritual giants. It is a wonderful time.

The zone conference consists of talking with the missionaries about issues and concerns with cars, apartments (our particular concern), health, etc. Then, the zone leaders conduct training with the missionaries. And finally, both Sister Wilson and President Wilson give inspirational talks. The meeting is motivating and spiritual; and, it is evident that President and Sister Wilson know and love these young men and young women.

Of course our presentation is on housing issues. Our motto is “ Cleaning is a process, not an event.” We showed the missionaries how to clean their vacuum filter, how to use a Magic Eraser, and we talked about the standards of cleanliness we expect. Of course, this was nothing new, but we tried to present with a different view. And, true to my style, I threw candy to those who answered questions correctly.

In every housing area we have inspectors, who are senior service missionaries, who visit the missionaries about every month to make an apartment check: they inspect, help, teach, and nurture. Then they send the report to us. We take care of the issues that they can't take care of. We are so lucky to have them on our team. These are dedicated people who are wonderful to work with -- so happy to be doing this job and so helpful to us and to the missionaries.

We saw a great quote buy Pres. Ezra Taft Benson on a desk in the MTC, and we use it with our presentation: “When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes a quest, at that moment God will endow us with power.” Surprisingly President Wilson also used it in his talk, and so did one Zone Leader.

The holidays are over, and they were most unusual for us. We moved some missionaries on Christmas Eve day, and also on New Years Eve. In fact, after the move on New Years, we stopped and bought some pizza and salad and came home to celebrate, just the two of us. I’m grateful for such a good companion.

Fortunately, this month has been a time of some family. Saturday is our day off, and Mike and I drove on the weekend of Dec. 27th to San Francisco to see Ed and Susan and their family. And we were able to hold Michael and Ceci’s darling baby, Leo. It was a wonderful visit. We stopped Sunday to see Aaron’s family, but at that point the flu was hitting both of us, so we left for home early. Then last Saturday Mike had the opportunity to baptize our cute granddaughter, Reese. Becca, Aaron’s family, Ryan, Liz and Jared were all there. What a special time that was.

As we serve here in Bakersfield, we are grateful for the many blessings we feel. We are doing a work we couldn’t have imagined. Yet our hearts are filled with gratitude and love for the opportunity we have to work with such wonderful people, and to feel the Spirit of the Lord as we stretch ourselves to meet the needs of those around us.

We are grateful for the love and support of you, our family and friends. And we are grateful for the testimonies we have that our Savior, Jesus Christ, lives; and because of Him, we will be able to live with Him and each other again.