Stop #6 ~ HOME!

Just four of the reasons why we love Seattle~

The Seattle Temple and Logan, Landon & Lincoln!

 

We were able to stop and visit with each one of our grandchildren on our way home from our mission in KS. We took all of them to the Temple that is closest to their home, and fortunately for them they all live 50 minutes or closer to a temple!

We are truly blessed to have nineteen grandchildren (with 2 more on the way) and all of them are sealed to their parents!

This concludes our grandchildren temple tour and the end of our mission. We have been greatly blessed. I have only one thing more to say...

 

 

*****



Stop #5

Three reasons why we love Portland~

The Portland Temple and these two little squeezies, Daniel & Annabelle!!

 

 Too cute not to post...

After Daniel scraped both knees at the park, Annabelle got the

neosporine and bandaids and fixed him up all by herself. She ran

out of Sponge Bob bandaids so she promised he could have one

of her Princess bandaids. Sooo sweet!

*****



Stop #4

Seven and a half reasons we love Ogden....The Ogden Temple and The Terry family...both due to be complete in September!

(SHANNON'S CUTE LITTLE BABY BUMP!)
Coleman, Ella, Hudson & Cooper

 

I'VE MISSED MY GIRL!

 

I LOVE MY SISTA's!

 

DeeDee hosted a family dinner for us on Sunday. It was fun getting together with everyone.

We've missed them all so much.

*****

Stop # 3

Here are five of the reasons we love Utah County... The beautiful Timpanogos Temple and

Tyler, Nathan, Bryce & Blake

*****

Stop #2 on our Mission Return Tour

Our second stop on our way home brought us to St. George, Utah. Here are 3 reasons why we love St. George!

Beautiful William and Gracie and the beautiful St. George Temple.

 It is the first temple to be completed after the Saints made their way to Utah.

*****

Stop #1....5 of the reasons we love AZ.

 

Our first stop on the "Mission Return Tour" took us to Gilbert Arizona, where we got to

catch up with the happenings of the Bang family, including our newest little squish Henry, who was

born while we were in the mission field. We enjoyed the cool Spring temps (mid 90's) at the splash park.

Beautiful Elly, Emmett, Henry & Owen
We LOVE these little critters!

We also got to go see the beautiful, newly completed

Gilbert Arizona Temple.

*****

Our Last Night in Dodge City

Some of our friends from the ward stopped by tonight. Kevin & Sunny Brinkerhoff, Dale & Elaine Chamberlin, Armando & Consuela Oviedo, Bishop Bunkall & his wife Robyn and their 4 adorable kids came by, as did our friends Lyle & Judy Smith and Gary & Carolyn Strong. So many great people that live here, and so many more who don't know just how great they are! They have supported our missionary efforts, fed us, fed us, fed us, and allowed us into their lives. Our Heavenly Father has answered our prayers time and time again, and has guided us to people that needed to be reminded that He loves them and is mindful of them.  Someone thanked us for our "sacrifice", but does it really count as a sacrifice if we gain more than we give? What a privilege it has been to be on the Lord's errand in the beautiful Midwest. We Are The Kansas Wichita Mission.

*****

Some of the best people...

Here are some of the people we got to know and love in Dodge City.

Some of the best people that we didn't baptize!

Our sweet friend Jeannette. She's the librarian at DCPL.

 



Sharon & Lupe Guillen-Consuela's parents. Such good people!

 

The ladies from the YMCA-our friend Carol in front-even at 5:30 in the morning she was so friendly and kind. Love her!

*****

Prayers really ARE answered...ward picture & final mail shout-outs.

Our purpose for our Fast this week was for members who are less active to come to church for our last Sunday in Dodge. One couple in particular we have been working with for a couple months, who we've just fallen in love with, we really made the focus of our desires in our prayers. Holy Cow, are prayers were answered!! When I saw them both sitting in the pew before Sacrament meeting I nearly cried. I dropped my bag and gave them both a big hug! I'm telling you, this guy hadn't been to church in over 20 years. It was the best send-off for us!

***

We arranged to have everyone who was at church (and everyone who stayed for the 3 hour block) take a ward picture on Sunday!

(it was pretty much like herding cats)

We LOVE these people! 

***

Our friends Rachel and Jaydon made these sweet lei's for us, from candy *YUM-O and silk ribbons.

Rachel served her mission in Hawaii so I naturally had a love for her from the moment we met!

***

Final :'(  mail Shout-Outs

Sincere thanks to everyone who has dropped us a line while we've been serving in the middle of somewhere. Today's shout-outs and Kansas Rock Chalk Jay Hawk (have no idea what that means) go to: Erin, Bryce, Tyler and JOE Abrams for the awesome letter finale! Alicia Katchner for the BIG announcement~congrats girl! Jenn Hartman's BIG BIG announcement~best of luck to you sweet girl! My sister DeeDee's Easter Surprise Box~can't wait to hug yer neck! Holly Weirsma's card with the sweet message~you are AWESOME~thanks for all the encouragement! And the very unexpected, very last piece-o-mail-because-we-turned-in-our-change-of-address-letter from my dear friend Becki who has faithfully written me twice a month with encouragement, news from home, and sweet little nuggets of inspiration. WE LOVE YOU ALL AND THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS!

 

*****

Saying Goodbye

One of the great things about serving a mission is all the amazing people we get to meet and serve with. Our President and his wife are two of those amazing people. So genuine and gracious. Both are very accomplished and so talented. It's been a pleasure getting to know them both!

President Bell, Elder and Sister Williams, Sister Bell

*****

Our last Wednesday... :' (

As our final week ticks away here are a few things that are difficult to see come down...

 

...and we've each been staring at our respective walls for 18 months...

 

We have mailed home 3 boxes full of papers, programs, pictures and artwork.

*****

 

 

 

...It is True and It is Perfect.

We were at our final Zone Conference Friday :'(    and President Seger, counselor in the Mission Presidency, spoke about this book in his talk to us.

It is one of the original 5,000 copies of the Book of Mormon, and he owns it. Cool, huh?



I can't believe he let us touch it, hold it, turn it's pages....

 

See the diamond shaped creases in the middle of the pages?

Those are from the weights that held down the page during the typesetting.

 

Interestingly, the TESTIMONY OF EIGHT WITNESSES is in the back of the book, not the front.

Also, the book had not yet been sectioned into verses, making it much more difficult (for me) to read.

***

Thank you Joseph Smith Jr., for being courageous and unashamed in restoring the True Gospel to the earth!

 

I LOVE THE BOOK OF MORMON. IT IS TRUE AND IT IS PERFECT.

***

 

 

We see some pretty whacky things out here... ANSWER BELOW

 

Who can tell me what this is?

...SNUFFLEUPAGUS??

 

***


 

Hahaha...some good guesses. I loved Amy's guess of a gross dead hand...but Shannon was the closest with a guess of  dead cow leg...though I'm pretty sure he only had 4 not 5 : )  Yep we were following behind this nasty smelling gross display of bovine carnage when the Elders riding in our back seat said "PICTURE! PICTURE!" (me rolling eyes....boys!)

Elders Pettit and Farnesworth

*****

Caviat: Long post. You might want to pack a lunch.

So I made an appt. to get my hair colored cut at my friend Sunny Brinkerhoff's about two weeks ago. I love going out to see Sunny, because not only am I comfortable enough to go out to her place without any makeup on and my legs not shaved, (remember I wear dresses) but we laugh and talk and just have a great time. She is an awesome lady. Sisters Tap and Bradshaw wanted to go out to Montezuma with us so they could get their hair trimmed as well.

 

By the time we left our apt., drove up to their apt. to get them we were running late and I hate to put Sunny behind when she's doing my hair...(not a good idea to rush your hairdresser). So I was a little stressed. Then on the way there, the girls wanted to stop and take pictures at the "scenic overlook" windmill sight. So I called Sunny to let her know we would be a few minutes late, but we would hurry. She said "no problem, I'm running a little behind." Whew! That made me feel a little easier about getting out to take pictures of the Sister's at the windmills.

I still didn't want to make Sunny wait for us. By the time we got out to her house which is a 'quick' 40 minute drive from our apt. + 15 minutes up to the sisters apt. + a 10 minute stopover at the windmills...we were plenty late. We pulled up in front of her shop and I saw Sister Hahn from our ward's car. Sunny also does her hair, so I was excited that we would be able to visit while she was there! I opened the door to the shop (which is basically a whole house they built with a bedroom, bathroom, laundry room and total man cave attached) and there stood Sunny and Sister Hahn...and Melanie Perry, Glenda Mackey, Donna Smith, the other sister missionaries Sisters Nash and Beuchart, Barbara Carter, Lisa Dameron, Robyn Bunkall, Kasandra Montoya, Shannon Aikin, Consuela Oviedo, and Bonnie Marcum...and they all said "SURPRISE!!" Oh boy, was I confused! My first thought was 'are you all here to get your hair done too??' Then I realized ''oh they wouldn't ALL be here for their hair"... Just then I remembered what I must look like. Confused, no makeup, grow out that needed some serious attention (both on my head and on my legs, OY!), deer in the headlights! I wish I would have had an inkling of what was really to take place that morning, because I would have practiced "A Surprise? For Me??" face, instead of "Dur."

I am so touched and flattered that they, #1, would drive all the way to Montezuma for ME. Seriously, none of those sisters live out there. At least one of them had to drive an hour and forty minutes to get there, because she lives on the very opposite side of the ward boundaries. And #2, they brought food and cards and it was just lovely. And the thing that kills me is they all knew about it for the past two weeks! How did that not leak out?? * Funny conversation I had with sweet little Sister Carter: "I tried calling you this week twice and got the wrong number both times." Me: "Oh I'm so sorry Sister Carter, what did you need?" Sister Carter: "Well I wasn't sure what day the party was." HaHaHa! Sister Carter is a little confused sometimes and she probably forgot it was a surprise party. Good thing she got a wrong number both times! I love that lady!

(*Oh yeah, those innocent looking Sister missionaries in the backseat of my car...yeah, they were in on it!)

(**And that hubby of mine...totally in on it too and kept it a secret from me for two weeks!)

I tell ya, I was amazed  shocked that all these people would take time out of their busy schedules on a Saturday, for me!

 

And here are our dear friends Sunny & Kevin. (After she had done my hair after the party. Sweet girl.) They are seriously two of the most generous, kindest people on the planet. I've seen them do so many kind things for so many people. And always without fanfare, and usually anonymously. And way more times than I can count we have been the recipients of their generosity and service. I want to be more like them.

Oh, and I didn't even get to the most fun surprise of the day!

Sunny made me a quilted table throw and all the ladies in the ward signed it.

It says: With Love from your Dodge City Kansas Ward Sisters 2014. Kansas is the Sunflower State, so the fabric on the front has sunflowers and the back fabric is little farms because Brinkerhoff's live on a farm. Isn't it wonderful?!

We are so blessed to know these amazing people.

*****

Our True Identity....

 

The General Womens Meeting broadcast was incredible. What amazing, inspired women leaders we have in the Church. The music brought me to tears. Especially when Sister Wixom, the Primary General President had, first the Primary girls sing Teach Me To Walk In The Light, then she had all the women join in. Sister Burton's talk makes me want to be a better woman of faith. Have I laid aside the things of the world? I love that she identified the word "perfect" translates to mean "complete". ...Come unto Christ and be perfected in Him. I want to be a true Disciple of Jesus Christ, to Come unto Him and be "complete" in Him.

I am so proud to be a woman, a wife, a mother, a grandmother and a missionary in the Church at this time. Nothing brings me more joy in my life than sharing the knowledge that we have a loving Heavenly Father who knows us individually and wants all of his children to return to him. And He has given us a simple and beautiful plan to follow to help us along our way back to him. I am so grateful that we have inspired leaders in the Church, especially our beloved Prophet, Thomas S. Monson. I cannot imagine living on this earth without a living Prophet. Knowing that he is the Lord's mouthpiece gives me safety, security and peace of mind in this crazy world we live in. I want everyone to know that. I invite you to Come Listen to a Prophet's Voice this Saturday and Sunday in our General Conference Broadcast here.

P.S.

Our inactive member didn't show up today : (   But his wife came : )

We'll try again in two weeks...our last Sunday here.

The Count Down begins...and Mail Shout-Outs!

What a great week we've had! It seems like the closer we get to the end of our mission the faster the time is racing by!

Ron and I spoke in Sacrament meeting on Sunday. Our topic was Modern Day Prophets and Revelation. Pretty timely for upcoming General Conference. Ron did a fantastic job with his talk. I'm so grateful to be his companion.
***

On Monday we had a senior devotional at President and Sister Bell's home in Wichita. A wonderful dinner, then some musical numbers and some question and answer time with the A.P.'s and STL's. They are pretty amazing young adults.

We've had a turn-over in Sr. missionaries so everyone went around the room and introduced themselves and told about where they're serving, etc. Our President said some very kind things about Elder Williams and myself...because we are leaving soon. We have loved serving with President and Sister Bell. Also, about six months ago our Stake Presidency was changed and right after Pres. Seger was released, President Bell snatched him up to be one of his counselors in the Mission Presidency. He and his wife are pretty much the most awesome people around!

Ron  & Kathy and Sandy & Bob Seger

 ***
One of our visits this week was to a wonderful couple. I've talked about her before, the wife comes when her health is good, but the husband has always worked on Sundays. Well now that he is retired he still isn't coming to church. I asked him why he hasn't been coming and he said he "really didn't have a good reason for not coming." The old inertia: an object at rest tends to stay at rest kinda thing. So we told him we only have two more weeks in Kansas and we'd sure think it was awesome if he'd come to church before we leave town. He said he'd try. Yay! That is just what we wanted to hear! And believe me, that is a huge step for him. Now we pray that we'll see him on Sunday!

 ***

Our Bishop came to our correlation meeting on Thursday. He let us know that almost all of our new members are struggling with commandment issues. We happen to know that it's not just the new members who struggle. Oy vey.
***
  Many sweet thanks and happy high five mail shout-outs go to Becki Blackner, My sister Deb, and two of the cutest little look-a-likes Aydree and Brooklyn...Much love for all the written words of love and encouragement everyone has sent our way!
*****

Greatest Day Ever!

 

Consuela and Armando at the Oklahoma City Temple

 

One of the greatest blessings about being in one place for the duration of our mission has been the fact that we get to see our investigators-turned members progress. Since their baptism Armando has been given the Priesthood, Consuela is teaching Primary, and they both just made their first trip to the Temple! They've been working with our Family History Consultants to get some family names to take to the temple. Friday They did baptisms for Armando's dad and his grandparents, and for Consuela's older brother and her great-grandmother. Holy Cow the spirit was felt so strongly during the baptisms and especially the confirmations, even the ordinance workers were in tears. Best part is now Armando and Consuela are not the only members of the Church in their family!

 

We told them when they go through to be sealed in September (their one year anniversary date), we'll come back and go through with them. Ron told

them they can choose any temple they want. He suggested they choose the Kona HI. Temple ; )

*****

*~Families Are Forever~*



Bring Out Yer Dead!!

Bring out yer dead! ............ Here ya go ......... I'm not dead ............. He says he's not dead ............... Yes he is .............

I'm not! ........ I'm getting betta! ............ No your not, you'll be stone dead in a moment ......... I don't want to go!

...Oh don't be such a baby! ....... I feel fine!...I think I'm going for a walk ...........You're not fooling anyone you know!

What it's like to have a month left to go on your mission.

*****

Baptisms...we love 'em!

Friday we had the baptism of Lauren Townsend. It was a wonderful baptism.

We think she's pretty awesome, and we're so happy she has the gospel in her life!

Ron, Lauren and Kathy

*****

Last Dodge District & Mail Shout-Outs!

Our Dodge City District

(as of today...transfers are next week)

A great group of missionaries

Back row: Sisters Williams, Walker, Tapusoa, and Bradshaw

Front: Elders Pettit, Williams, Turner, Page, and Ibarra

 

***

 

Windy March Mail Shout-Outs go to Becki-I love your letters-Blackner, and Mary Vanderlovin' Vanderholm.

Thank you for your consistent love and support via the snail mail!

*****



Spiritual Feast...and a doggy bag too!

Oh my goodness! Did we ever have a most wonderful treat yesterday! All the missionaries from the KWM were transported to Wichita to be taught by Elder David A. Bednar. Wow, was it ever a FEAST of the Spirit, of knowledge and information, of inspiration and empowerment. The time just flew by.

I have always thought of Elder Bednar as intelligent, stiff serious and unapproachable. I thought that we would go to this conference and hear a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speak to us for an hour, using his very wordy words, and I would take notes and then we'd go home. Well he is very intelligent, and very serious in his devotion to the Gospel, but he was also very warm and funny. Elder Bednar taught by the same pattern the church is now using (probably always has been, I'm just coming late to the party here) in "Come Follow Me". Teaching us to engage the people we are teaching, whether it be in a classroom or at an investigators home. Thereby teaching them to act as an agent and not just be acted upon. We were asked to read three of his articles: Ask In Faith, Seek By Learning, and Converted Unto The Lord, and then be prepared to ask questions and participate in dialogue with him. Are you kidding me?? Participate in dialogue with an Apostle? When would we ever get an opportunity to do this again?  He taught us for three hours straight. And I'm sure we all could have sat there for another three hours to keep being instructed. I caught a glimpse of what the multitude must have felt like in 3 Nephi when Christ was telling them to "go home and ponder on the things which (he) had taught them"... They were so caught up in what he was teaching them that the time must have flown by for them as well.

***

Our bus ride with Elders and Sisters from the Garden Zone

and the Dodge City Zone. Great Missionaries.



Sober and dignified, right?

Sisters Bradshaw & Tapusoa- love those girls.

Photo bomb by Sister Guillen, and Ron's head.

E. Dub with Kathy, Sisters Bradshaw, McQuay & Mortensen.

This conference was like a big family reunion! It was almost impossible to

get everyone settled enough to take a mission picture... like herding cats.

It was so good to see these fun sisters that we've served with in Dodge.

We miss them!

*****

Dear Midwest weather,

MAKE UP YOUR MIND!

Last week we had upper 70* weather... today... Brrrr!!!

Have you Herd the one about the Cows?

 

Meet the Starks. They are such an awesome couple! He was a rodeo cowboy in his younger days. Now he raises cows and farms a bit. They are just about the most down-to-earth people we've ever met. Sister Starks comes to church when her health permits, but Brother Starks hasn't been active for years...for no apparent reason. We want to change that.

We had a great visit with them today. We read with them in 3rd Nephi, part of chapter 17, (my favorite), then we left them an assignment to finish reading the chapter to see how beautifully it ends. They said they would, and Brother Starks even accepted a Book of Mormon. It is my hope to see them both at church before we have to leave Kansas.

***

Then we went outside and took some pictures of their cows. Cows are hilarious, they see us and they're so curious, but as soon we walk toward them they start to walk backward, never taking their eyes off us! Silly Bovine.

*****