October 10, 2012

Hey! Happy fall to everyone!

Fall has arrived. The color has not peaked yet in our area, but it is in full force in the north.

 Believe it or not, it snowed in western Michigan today...not a lot...and not here. But it was snow. 

 

 

 

We have a new missionary, Elder Richardson, from near Eugene, Oregon. Elder Patterson will be his trainer. Elder Richardson did not bring a coat with him. He and Elder Patterson have been shopping already. He is freezing.

Elder Patterson and Elder Richardson

We have been out searching again for the people whose names Elder H found online. He has been able to find several several who have moved out of state. That is good as we can send the records to their new cities.

We have had a couple of interesting finding experiences. We have gone to one place several of times, never finding anyone at home. We have never left our card or anything as we were not sure the sister lives there. Last weekend we drove up in front of the house as a man drove into the drive. We cheerfully and pleasantly greeted him and asked if the lady was there. He became immediately rude and nasty. He would not call her out. We explained, in response to his statements, that if she would write a letter to the bishop he would have her named removed from the records. Well, he really came unglued at that point. He said that they were being harrassed by the members and the missionaries. We just looked at him. No one from the ward even knows where they live. They were listed as lost. Anyway, we left him with the bishop's phone number and address so she could write him if she wants to. The next evening the man called the bishop and threatened to phyically hurt anyone who came to the house. He was really nasty to him. The bishop texted us at once and warned us. He really believed he might hurt someone. Bishop sent the lady's name to the stake president with the situation and the stake president forwarded it to Salt Lake that night. This boyfriend of her's has a terrible temper. I hope she is okay. The bishop insisted on talking to her to make sure she wanted to be removed. But I don't think that she could say no even if she wanted to...which she probably didn't. Lots of people out here have joined the church while they were in a relationship and when they broke up, they left. They did not have a testimony to begin with. It's sad. It is also why the ward is having such a hard time taking care of it's members. They don't have enough people to cover them all, they don't know where they are, they don't know if they want visits. We have probably helped ten to fifteen people to have their names removed. Many of them thought they had taken care of it years ago. Anyway, we were safe and it is over.

We went to another place this week where we have looked over and over for a man. We went to one place for him last winter and the person living there told us we did not want to find him. He is not, the man said, a nice person. Supposedly, he has swindled little old ladies out of thousands of dollars. We have to keep looking until we find the man. We have had several addresses for him, but have traced him to this place. He is never home. Well, he drove into the driveway as we were at the front door. He was rude and would not tell us if he was the man or not. He acted like he was hiding from some one or something. We are going to send a letter with address correction requested and then, depending on the answer, we are listing him as lost. It is the last place we have found to look.

Our lives are like a giant treasure hunt. It is wonderful when we find people who are desirous of an invitation back.
Last weekend, after looking LOTS of places, we found a man, aged 71. He has been in prison, we were told for murder, had five wives, numerous girlfriends, and has thirteen kids. He has some daughters who the elders could teach, but we have not quite decided what to do about it. Elder H thinks it might not be a good idea. I trust his instincts. We will talk to the bishop and see what he wants to have happen. The man has a little girl who is soon turning four who is the child of a lady who came in to take care of some of the other kids.  Strange situation. But this little blonde-haired three year old has my heart. She is starved for attention. She wanted to hug and hug. I was sad for her. She and the sixteen year old really need the gospel.

We continue to teach those people who we have for months. We love the Schaffers, the Clays, Mary Jo, and others who we know that we were sent here to love and teach. Life is good.

We loved the women's broadcast and the new RS presidency. I was touched by the Spirit as they bore witness to the love of the Savior and taught about his Atoning sacrifice. I know that all of our lives are centered around this act of love.

Conference...what can be said about conference??? It was perfect. I loved and needed every talk. It is amazing that the Spirit touches each of us in exactly the way we need. I loved all of them, but one I really liked was Elder Uchtdorf's. I loved hearing Elder Holland and all of the rest. (I'd love to be at family home evening in Jerome and hear the discussion that will take place about it all.)

 

On our prep day we went walking in the Kellogg Forest and out at Fort Custer Recreational Area. It was beautiful. We found out what the vines are that climb up a lot of the trees. It is sumac. It turns, like we said last week, a gorgeous red color.

 

 

 

 

 

We love you. We have the best family in the world. We are proud of you all and glad you are such great people. We are grateful for the support we receive from you and from our dear friends. May the Lord bless you and keep you.