Why can't we learn the first time?

The first time it happened I thought, "Okay, I learned a good lesson, Don't reach for anything in the cupboards over the stove. I'll just get Doug to do it." I was in my jammas reaching up over the stove while cooking eggs, my Jamma top dangling over the open fire, we have a gas stove, didn't know it had caught fire until I put down the crock pot I had grabbed. It scarred me pretty good. It is a really strange feeling looking down and seeing my shirt on fire. Well I have been very careful since then. But yesterday after church we were home fixing dinner, Potatoes were cooking on the stove, I needed something over the stove in the cupboard and reached up for it, dang, it happened again. This time I was in one of my nice church suits. The top didn't catch fire, but it melted because it is polyester. So I have a nice melted spot and some discoloration. I am so grateful that I didn't get hurt, but there is a potential. Hope the "third" time isn't the charm. I hope there is not a third time!

It's better to be safe than sorry

Last night "Da Bronx" became what we had seen on TV before our mission. Two of our young Elders stopped by at about 8:30 pm to drop off the carpet cleaner that resides in our basement. (They did a good deed for an investigator by hauling in their "Bronx cart", the carpet cleaner across town to an investigators home and cleaned her carpet.) Anyway, they dropped it off here and then went next door to the chapel for a few minutes. As they were there they watched a truck pull up to a car, bring out their power tools and take off the bumper and side panel and who knows what else. They had it off and in the back of their truck in a matter of a minute or two and they were gone. Elder Hinds called and told us that we might want to park our car in the back thru our gate and not leave it out on the road. He then relayed info that he had been given about how there are many auto repair places that find it cheaper to rip of what they need to fix a car instead of forking out the money to purchase one for the car they are repairing. How sad, and how scary. So, Doug pulled the car out back and wrapped the rusty old chain around the fence to look like it was locked.

Another New Member

Sister Angela Cabello was baptized today right after church. She has been investigating for about 5-6 months. She shared such a sweet testimony of the love of her Savior she has felt as she has learned about his gospel plan for her. She has two small children and she is so excited to be raising them up in the gospel with her ward family. Your brothers and sisters in the gospel truly become your family. We are so blessed to be a part of this ward family.

(Stay tuned for the many other baptism that are planned here in our ward for the next two weeks.)

Weather Monster

Friday and Saturday of this week it literally poured sheets of water from the sky. The wind blew it side ways so the umbrellas were of no value. I really have empathy for the younger missionaries who are out in all kinds of weather. It would be hard to appear at someones front door there to share a message while you are dripping wet and shaking cold. They are troopers, my hat is off to them. The work rolls forward continually. May they all be blessed with warm hearts, hands and feet.

We were out in it for about 2 minutes and got really wet. All we had to do is step out of our car, put out our umbrella and walk a couple of blocks. Hurray!!!! At last we are able to pick up the keys to the last apartment we have been jumping thru hoops to get for 4 Elders right down on 14th Street. And then we stepped out side, umbrella up for 2 more minutes and into our car that warmed quickly as we drove the entire length of Manhattan. We truly have nothing to complain about as Doug hit every green light, about 100 blocks worth of green lights as we drove north back to "Da Bronx." (That probably will never happen again.)

Saying good-bye

Saying Good-bye to Sister Williams at the Airport.

We had the wonderful opportunity to get to know sister Williams. She is one of the sisters that we found an apartment for and we still do apartment inspections for her apartment. We helped them move in and get several things to start up the new apartment. She came out in the mission about September. Unfortunately we are having to say good bye for now. Last Monday we arrived at her apartment at 4:00 am to take her to the airport to fly home as she will possible need surgery for a heart condition. She has been an awesome missionary with her companion Sister Wright. We love them both as do their companions, converts and ward members. She has been such a blessing to many people, us included. Our prayers are with you sister Williams and know that you have served as a valiant, honorable ambassador for the Lord.

(Now that we have been to JFK airport, we are feeling pretty good about that. 5:00 am is probably the best time to be there as it wasn't too busy, but it is a killer on you for the rest of the day. )

Unexpected opportunities

Elder John K. Carmack, speaking to the Senior Missionaries and Temple presidency.
Potluck dinner we all shared together, Doug is in the back in the left hand corner.
Doug and President Searle, He is an exceptional leader and friend.
Sister Frost, temple matron listening to Dr. Karen Hyer, Pres. Frost behind the Dr.

We were blessed with an invitation to a potluck dinner at the chapel that shares the temple building. Elder John K Carmack was the guest speaker. He is the general Authority that was in charge of putting together the Perpetual Education Fund Program, and is the managing director of it. President Hinkley had the inspiration and gave Elder Carmack the assignment. It was wonderful to be in his presence and and be taught by him.

We had the grand opportunity of sitting at the table with the other two featured guests: Sister Karen Hyer, Ph.D., and Brother and Sister Neeleman, the CEO of Jet Blue's, parents, along with President and sister Frost, (Temple President). The two first mentioned were in town with Elder Carmack for a "Side event" of the United Nations that was discussing "A Unique financing model to fund education for disadvantaged women." (The church's Perpetual Education Fund) It is to be a panel discussion. Did you know that 51 percent of the individuals that have benefited from the PEF are women? 20% of those are return missionaries of third world countries, and the other 49 percent, the men benefiting, 80% of them are return missionaries of third world countries. About 30,000 individuals have been educated with this program. It is all funded by the generous donations of church members. So keep up the great work! Your donations are blessing the lives of thousands.

Elder Carmack shared many of his experiences while rubbing shoulders with prophets, seers and revelators. We are so grateful for this wonderful opportunity that was ours. FYI, Elder Carmack remembered Doug from about 6 years ago at Camp Helaman when Doug was the Stake Young Men's president and with his presidency put together President Reber's Inspiration for the Camp. Elder Carmack was asked to come speak about the PEF so the young men would know who the service project of cutting, splitting, stacking and pre-selling 20 cord of would benefit.

We also survived the hour long subway ride while packing our "funeral potatoes" to the dinner and then back again. The walk home was great as it was still about 50 degrees.

I love Testimony Sundays

I love going to church. I love visiting and meeting new people. I love feeling the spirit and having the Holy Ghost witness to me truth. I love watching families interact together. I love to watch the missionaries waiting at the door for their investigators to arrive. I love watching people greet each other. I love watching the joy and happiness new converts have when they learn something new. I love when they share their own testimonies. I love to watch the programs, like visiting teaching, ones that I have known all my life, take effect and become meaningful to lonely people. I love being part of a ward family. I love the gospel and how it brings people from all walks of life together with a common goal of serving, loving and learning together. I love to watch change take place in people. I love the way the gospel helps bring about this change. I love sharing my testimony. I love learning. I love experiencing the effects of your prayers. I love serving together with my eternal companion. I love my sweet supportive family. I love memories, experiences that have been, that I keep in my heart. I love my Savior Jesus Christ, and my Heavenly Father. I love knowing that they love me, listen to me and help me. I love each of you and are so blessed by your love.