Blog #14 "Washing the Feet"

Blog #14  “Washing the Feet”

Last week we closed the apartment of our one MLS (member leadership support) missionary couple.  John and Barbara Rawlins completed their mission in Bishop, CA.  We met them our first week in the mission and were impressed with the help they gave the young missionaries.  MLS missionaries are called to strengthen an area.   My sister Linda and her husband, Lyle, are serving as MLS missionaries in Florida.  MLS is different than our mission because we are assigned specific tasks, whereas MLS missionaries define much of their own agendas (such as: reactivate members, run the addiction recovery groups, help with family history, and whatever else the local priesthood leader asks).  We’ve been hoping another couple would be assigned here to replace the Rawlins, but that is not happening. 

I think when many adults contemplate serving a senior mission, they imagine themselves teaching the gospel and bringing souls to Christ. They remember the rigorous schedule of our young missionaries teaching and preaching, and imagine the joy of that kind of exhaustion.  Seniors have some say in the type, length. and location of missions they serve, but their callings are rarely to proselyte (though that might happen on occasion.)

Instead, we support the young missionaries, the Mission President, Branch President, and/or Bishops to whom we are assigned.  When I served as a Guest Service Missionary at Temple Square, I remember a missionary who was working in the family history center who said she was disappointed when she received that call.  Weeks after she started, the brother who worked next to her reminded her how the Savior served others by washing their feet.  This man felt their calling was “washing the feet.”  The sister missionary gained a new perspective on the value of her mission.

The couple we replaced, came to stay with us for six days.  We would have loved to work with them longer; but, even though we have the same assignment they had, our mission has been very different.  They spent their whole mission finding and opening apartment, and they also handled the finances.  They were the only missionaries in the ward (there were 12 of us when we first arrived.) 

The past two weeks Mike and I have closed eight apartments in 104˚ heat, made several trips to Good Will, loaded and unloaded the trailer, taken beds to transferred missionaries (as well as bug spray, and other necessary items), and received dozens of calls to help with apartment issues.  Mike has become quite skilled at driving the truck and trailer from Mammoth lakes to Palmdale, and all other areas of the mission.  The majority of our days don’t resemble the memory of our former lives, our career skills, nor our church callings.  And sometimes we miss the things we used to do.  We find ourselves wishing we still had the strength and energy of our 30-year-old bodies.  (It is pretty funny when Mike has me on the other end to lift a dresser or bookcase up a flight of stairs.) 

The other day when I was thinking how much fun it would be to do something like another flash mob on Temple Square or to plan a ward progressive dinner, I read in Elder Holland’s new book, To My Friends, the chapter “Remember Lot’s Wife.”  If you recall, the Lord told Lot’s wife not to look back.  In other words, do not dwell on days now gone, nor yearn for yesterdays.  Elder Holland talks of how faith is always pointed toward the future.  If we yearn for the past, we might miss the here and now.

Of course, the chapter had much more to it, but I was thinking how great (and challenging) it is that we are here serving in a calling that requires us to rely on our faith in a different way.  Our days aren’t stressful, but we continually pray that we are “washing the feet” in a way that shows the Lord how much we love Him.  We must have the faith that these aging bodies will have the physical strength to accomplish our tasks.  We must have the faith to be receptive to promptings of the Spirit as we meet and greet people.  And we must have the faith to lose ourselves in this great work.

We find much joy in the opportunities we have to serve our missionaries.  We love the people with whom we work, and we love the missionaries.  When one missionary asked how we could love them so much when we barely know them, I told her that our love for them is almost like when a mother loves her newborn child before it is born.  We love these missionaries the minute we meet them.  In fact, the best part of our job is when we enlist the missionaries to help us with our moves, when we share lunches and learn about their lives, when we take them to the temple, and when we talk about this eternal journey we are all on.

We also love the people in our ward.  The last two weeks we had the privilege to go to the temple with two different members to receive their endowments.  We went to Pioneer Days and saw how the California members celebrate.  Tonight we had dinner with Kaylie, our newest convert, and was so touched by her challenging life story that prepared her to embrace the gospel. 

But, as I’ve mentioned before, the days blend together.  Sometimes we don’t even know what day it is. For some reason I thought last week, the14th, was Father’s Day.  We had a ;

million things to do all week and I was anxious to get home on Saturday night so we could pick up Mike’s Father’s Day gift.  We planned his favorite dinner for Sunday.  I was so surprised when no one even mentioned fathers in church -– no children singing, no talks, no treats for the dads.  Then, in relief society the President said that “Next week, on father’s day we . . . .”  I thought today was Father’s Day, and everyone laughed.  And, Mike didn’t know either, but he did like celebrating two weeks in a row.

Mike has felt especially blessed this month.  Wes came for a short visit two weeks ago, and Ryan, Liz (his fiancé), and Reese came this Saturday. We had a wonderful visit with each of them.  The gospel offers so many wonderful blessings, but the privilege to live as eternal families is one of the greatest of them all.

We feel the Lord’s hand in the work here.  We daily see miracles both large and small.  A young woman who stole her grandmother’s car, t-boned a car with two of our missionaries, plus hit three other cars yesterday.  Although the driver of one of the other cars mentioned in her 911 call that she thought the missionaries were dead, they walked out of the wreck a bit in shock, with only sore muscles.  I believe the Lord is in our lives much more than we can imagine.  He doesn’t take away the challenges, nor the heartaches, but He certainly sustains us and gives us strength if we will let Him.  I’m so grateful for this gospel and the opportunity we have to learn and understand the Lord’s plan for us.

We love you, miss you, and pray that all is well for you.

                                                    John's Temple day, with Jensens

                                                           One day of moving

                                                         Mammoth Elders

                                                           Mammoth - Twin Lakes

                                                         Crystal Palace with Reese

                                                                 Wes and Family

                                                                 Petra's Temple Day

                                                                     Wes at Kern's Museum

Pieces of the Puzzel Blog #13

Pieces of the puzzel  Blog #13

When we began our mission I decided to do a blog for three reasons: to keep in touch with those we love who might want to know what we are doing; to help me journal as we go; and, to up us keep up on technology (what do I know about these things???—One of my daughters-in-law told me I can even print the blog into a book at the end.  Hmmmm)  I thought every two weeks would be a reasonable amount of time to update this fabulous adventure that we are experiencing.  Well, the weeks fly by.  We have a variety of things to do, but it is not like we don’t have any time.  It is more like, when we have time we have no energy.  Most insights, that seem fabulous at the time, don’t get written down.  Then, when we try to retrieve them from our thoughts, who knows where they’ve gone?  (Of all the things I miss as I age, I miss my mind the most.)

We had an enriching zone conference last week.  Monday and Tuesday Elder Bruce A. Carlson from the quorum of the seventies, visited us for zone conference.  Instead of nine different sessions, we had two day-long sessions (one for the east side and one for the west side,) Mike and I attended both sessions and it was wonderful.  They were long days, but very uplifting.  The topic was how to become a consecrated missionary.  We had much interaction and it was a very spiritual day.  Elder Carlson told the missionaries the same concept that Mike and  I have discussed many times: that the mission is really for the missionaries. It is so amazing to watch these elders and sisters think, talk, process, and teach. This Lord’s university is building the leaders of the next generation. The Lord uses these young people to not only bring many unto Him, but to solidify their own testimonies in the process.  It is so wonderful.

We have experienced many little miracles this past month.  As I thought about the mission and all of the facets that are involved in moving forward, I could see that each transfer we are putting together a huge puzzle.  And, as long as the first and the last pieces  are the Savior, all of the other pieces will fit together.

Our last transfer was amazing.  I’ve mentioned before that the missions are downsizing because of 11 new missions opening in the world, plus the influx of 18-year olds gave us a huge boost for a couple years.  Now we are involved in closing apartments to adjust to the number of missionaries coming here.  We were also asked to find two new apartments that could accommodate four missionaries – and we had one week to do it.  Both apartment complexes, in totally different areas, were full . . . but, then we got individual calls from the managers stating that an apartment had opened because the future renter had a change of plans, and the apartment would be available for us on Tuesday, transfer day.  What an event transfer day was.  We have so many missionaries coming and going (meeting their new companions), changing keys, cars, phones, moving luggage, getting flight plans, planning the agenda, etc.  It is truly a puzzle.  We didn’t’ get all the keys we needed for our moves, but we knew it would work out.  We also put up a table to honor our Golden Plunger zone winners.  They could have a neck tie or candy bar.  It was pretty fun.  Zone meeting is always wonderful because the departing missionaries share their testimonies.  It is such an incredible and uplifting experience.  What great young men and young women.  It is amazing that so much has to take place in such a short time, and by the evening, everyone is in their new place, with their new companion, phone, and luggage, and the work moves forward.

The other event that complicated this month was that I got the shingles.  Now, when my nerves in my leg started acting up on the Monday before transfers, I knew it couldn’t be shingles because I had had the immunization.  My concern was that I might have an infection in my artificial knee.  The mission nurse thought it was a pinched nerve.  Then I broke out with the blisters on Wednesday and was certain it was infection.  Friday we took the departing missionaries to the LA Temple, and when we got back home I decided I could either cut my leg off, or go to Urgent care.  The doctor said it was shingles and put me on an aggressive treatment plan.  Mike and Elder Moon gave me a blessing, and I actually was able to continue to work as we opened two and closed five apartments.  It has now been five weeks and I still have nerve issues, but I’m a bit better every day, and the work goes on.  Thanks to all of you who offered prayers in my behalf.  I truly felt the added help.  The doctor told me I’m a bit impatient (???) and I should have received treatment sooner.  So, I can survive this for a few more weeks . . .

Another great part of this mission for me is seeing how my companion handles the business world.  He is great. And he is a sharp businessman.  We’ve learned many wonderful things about each other that we couldn’t have experienced if we hadn’t been working together.  We love being a team.  He does, however wish he still  had his youthful body as he moves the fridges and other items he is lifting, – but we both greatly appreciate the help from the young missionaries, and we love getting to know them.

Once again, we are so grateful for you, our family and friends.  We are grateful for the love and support you give us, and we are so grateful for the Lord’s love and assistance.  We hope all is well with you.

                                                      Usually and emotional day

                                               Sis. & Pres. WIlson,  Elder Carlson

                                                    Our assistants to the President

                                                              Zone Conference Elders

                                                               Zone Conference Sisters

                                                         Departing Elders Temple Trip

                                                                Another moving day

                                                         Jean Marie Decker Catmull

May 9, 2015
Blog #12   . . . A Mother’s Influence

This past month I’ve had in my mind the need to write about and share the incredible workings of this past transfer time.  However, as I sit down to write, all I am thinking about is my mother and the other amazing mothers who have had such influence on how I view the world.  I love serving this mission with my wonderful companion, but I haven’t yet adjusted to the lack of opportunity to see my children on a regular basis.

At an early age I knew that my mom thought her children were the best ever.  I know we drove her crazy many times,  but she lived for us.  Mother had serious health issues her whole life, but they never stopped her from grasping every opportunity to try new adventures (she even tried water skiing for the first time after she’d had a radical mastectomy.) To manage her own health, she insisted we help in all areas in our home.  Mom taught us to work.  I learned to deep clean the house as early as I can remember. She worked as a school secretary, and she would have us come for days in the summer to help distribute text books, etc. to the classrooms.  Our prize for helping was some of the unclaimed lost and found items.  And she didn't like to cook, so she would bribe me to fix dinner by typing my school paper or helping me with a project. After we had already gone through six teachers who couldn’t handle our 13-year old beehive class, Mom was the only person in the whole ward who agreed to teach us in mutual.   We didn’t have much money, so I was elected to do mom’s hair most weeks for years. I learned to do many things because she asked.

Luckily for me, I was hired to teach in her school, Salt Lake High School, which put our relationship on a whole new level.  Mom was certain that I could help those teen mothers  who were struggling to stay in school and thrive. We laughed together, cried together, and ate lunch out every day for three years.  She always had more faith in me than I did, and she was convinced that I could do anything.  Through my many millions of mistakes, she still believed in me. . . she still cheered me on. And when she retired we still met weekly for lunch. Her last concern before she died was that she didn’t know who would take care of  me.  Mother taught me to love deeply and to take the time to see the best in others.

My dad’s mom, from Idaho, lived with us for several years.  Grandma Catmull had fourteen children and had been through much hardship.  She wanted independence, so daddy built her her own apartment in two of our homes.  We spent hours talking, and she loved to  quilt. She made great bread pudding.  Ed I were first on the scene when we got a knock on the door and told that grandma had been hit and killed as she got off the bus after work.  She has always stayed with me; she taught me the principle of endurance without losing faith. 

Mom’s mom, from West Virginia, lived with us for about three years.  Grandma Decker didn’t want the apartment, she liked being in the middle of things.  She was a classy lady and loved beauty and charm.  We would go out to lunch each week and she would share the memories of her earlier life.  She taught me to see beauty all around.

Leah, my mother-in-law, was one of the most influential people in my life.  She was always serving others.  Anything she had, she would share.  She taught me that people were always more important than things.  And Merilyn, my new mother-in-law, (who feels like a sister) has shown me a perfect love as she nursed her husband, who dealt with poor health, for years.  She loved unconditionally and without complaint.

These wonderful women have and continue to influence me in so many ways.  If only I can be like them.  I heard this described in a movie once, they’ve “become the voice in my head” as I strive to serve as I believe the Lord wants me to.

So,  now I’m here with 200 young missionaries who miss their moms.  I’ve watched them battle the homesickness as they serve with all their hearts, not only to please the Lord, but also to to make their mothers proud.  They can’t wait ‘til tomorrow so they can talk to them.  It is a gift to have the opportunity to serve with such outstanding missionaries.  Each of my children had those wonderful people in their mission field who looked out for them and loved them; and now I hope Mike and I can return that favor by looking out for and loving someone else’s children.  What a blessing they are in our lives.   

I’m grateful for each of you and the influence you’ve had on me and on my family.  Happy Mother’s Day to all of you who serve others.  The relationship doesn’t have to be blood line, but rather love from the heart. We must “go and do likewise.”

                                                                 Mother & Daddy

                                                              1st trip to Disneyland

                                                             Donna, Mom, Linda, Susie

                          Above Grandma Decker; Below Grandma Caatmull; then Leah

                                                      Mike's Dad and Merilyn

                                                                  Merilyn & Me

                                           Loading the Trailer for the homeless

#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

 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!

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.