Dear Family,
Mission NewsI am now attending district councils once or twice a week. The objectives are:
In the two district councils I attended last week the zone leaders did training. I am impressed by the capability, poise and maturity of these leaders. They are awesome. As I get to know more of the young missionaries I am also impressed by their obedience and willingness to serve. It is a privilege and pleasure to rub shoulders with these wonderful young saints.
One major difference in the missionary work now than when I was in the field 48 years ago is Preach My Gospel manual. There is a ton of right-on counsel for becoming a good missionary and also a lot of “how to” teach instruction. Preach My Gospel is a set of powerful tools help faithful missionaries be capable and productive. Many of our missionaries read and study Preach My Gospel like they study the Book of Mormon.
There is a bit of bad news. Elder Bloomfield, a senior missionary that does housing for the missionaries has a bad back that is getting worse. He needs surgery and is leaving on January 22 to go back to Utah for the surgery and six months of recovery. That’s bad news. It is also bad news for us, because Elder and Sister Bloomfield are such good folks and capable missionaries.
Because we have a small office I can overhear Elder Bloomfield talk on the phone even though he is in next office. One thing I will never forget is how he talked with the missionaries. When he talked with the elders, he would gently banter and rib them about how they take care of their apartments. However, when he talked with the sister missionaries, he was a loveable teddy-bear, doting grandpa. The sister missionaries just loved him for it.
Sister Bloomfield, who is Aunt Joy look-alike, is our mission nurse. She a smart, take-charge, bundle of energy. She makes decisions for us and gets things done. The characteristic that I admire the most is how she loves the missionaries and so often goes the extra mile for them. She often says things to them like, “Let me take of that for you”. She truly loves them. When missionaries come to the office they get a big smile and the sisters always get a hug. When she says good bye to them, she says, “I love you”, because she really does.
We will miss them both. The other office couple is leaving in about 7 weeks. That means Mom and I will be the senior office couple. The other couples will look to us for direction and decisions. We feel that we are still green, too green.
Fun Stuff
It snowed last night about 3 or 4 inches of light, fluffy snow and it is snowing pretty good now. The stake president canceled church today. The snow removal capacity of the area is very minimal. It snows so little and infrequently here that they don’t invest in snow removal equipment or people. So, when it does snow a little bit, everything shuts down.
Mission NewsI am now attending district councils once or twice a week. The objectives are:
- Encourage District Leaders to be more prepared by having a senior missionary show up.
- Encourage missionaries to help new members to write and share their conversion stories.
- Invite missionaries to write and share some of their spiritual experiences, tender mercies and miracles with President Caplin.
In the two district councils I attended last week the zone leaders did training. I am impressed by the capability, poise and maturity of these leaders. They are awesome. As I get to know more of the young missionaries I am also impressed by their obedience and willingness to serve. It is a privilege and pleasure to rub shoulders with these wonderful young saints.
One major difference in the missionary work now than when I was in the field 48 years ago is Preach My Gospel manual. There is a ton of right-on counsel for becoming a good missionary and also a lot of “how to” teach instruction. Preach My Gospel is a set of powerful tools help faithful missionaries be capable and productive. Many of our missionaries read and study Preach My Gospel like they study the Book of Mormon.
There is a bit of bad news. Elder Bloomfield, a senior missionary that does housing for the missionaries has a bad back that is getting worse. He needs surgery and is leaving on January 22 to go back to Utah for the surgery and six months of recovery. That’s bad news. It is also bad news for us, because Elder and Sister Bloomfield are such good folks and capable missionaries.
Because we have a small office I can overhear Elder Bloomfield talk on the phone even though he is in next office. One thing I will never forget is how he talked with the missionaries. When he talked with the elders, he would gently banter and rib them about how they take care of their apartments. However, when he talked with the sister missionaries, he was a loveable teddy-bear, doting grandpa. The sister missionaries just loved him for it.
Sister Bloomfield, who is Aunt Joy look-alike, is our mission nurse. She a smart, take-charge, bundle of energy. She makes decisions for us and gets things done. The characteristic that I admire the most is how she loves the missionaries and so often goes the extra mile for them. She often says things to them like, “Let me take of that for you”. She truly loves them. When missionaries come to the office they get a big smile and the sisters always get a hug. When she says good bye to them, she says, “I love you”, because she really does.
We will miss them both. The other office couple is leaving in about 7 weeks. That means Mom and I will be the senior office couple. The other couples will look to us for direction and decisions. We feel that we are still green, too green.
Fun Stuff
It snowed last night about 3 or 4 inches of light, fluffy snow and it is snowing pretty good now. The stake president canceled church today. The snow removal capacity of the area is very minimal. It snows so little and infrequently here that they don’t invest in snow removal equipment or people. So, when it does snow a little bit, everything shuts down.
We invited Elder and Sister Nielson and 7 young missionaries that live in our apartment complex to come for dinner at 1:00 and “church” after that. We will provide food and they will teach us.
If I remember, I will give you an update on “church” next week.
Family News
With the new church schedule Amanda can do girl’s hair before church and still make it to ward council. This is a much better solution than Lance doing the girl’s hair. Malia learned to use Lance’s “bear claws” to shred meet.
Derek and family’s first week in Melbourne Florida. New school, work, ward, and friends to make.
Chelsea likes her new car. One feature see uses most ever school day is that she turns her car from the kitchen door. 10 minutes later the windows are defrosted, the heater is blowing warm air and her car seat is warm – and Chelsea is happy!
Kent’s boss is retiring in February. Nothing is as constant as change.
Elizabeth had a fun birthday party with her little buddies.
Love,
Dad
If I remember, I will give you an update on “church” next week.
Family News
With the new church schedule Amanda can do girl’s hair before church and still make it to ward council. This is a much better solution than Lance doing the girl’s hair. Malia learned to use Lance’s “bear claws” to shred meet.
Derek and family’s first week in Melbourne Florida. New school, work, ward, and friends to make.
Chelsea likes her new car. One feature see uses most ever school day is that she turns her car from the kitchen door. 10 minutes later the windows are defrosted, the heater is blowing warm air and her car seat is warm – and Chelsea is happy!
Kent’s boss is retiring in February. Nothing is as constant as change.
Elizabeth had a fun birthday party with her little buddies.
Love,
Dad
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