Dear Family,
Here it is another week and month. Where does the time seem to go. We finished up January with only one little snow storm with all of the snow gone by the next day. We thought last year was an easy winter, but this one has felt more like a cool spring. In fact, we have seen more sun shiny days this past winter than we did most of this summer. A shout out birthday wish to Aunt Lis 2-1-20. Hope you day was wonderful!!
This past week has been busy and although not so many meetings a bit stressful. I have been trying to set up someone to come and do the annual audit. I don’t know why I have been so lucky to do two audits in an 18-month mission. I talked with the stake president of one of the local stakes (the son of Sister Chesbrough in our office) about using one of their auditors. He put me in touch with the 2nd counselor who is over the auditing team. I sent two texts with no response so finally called and was able to talk with him. He got back on Friday with the name of the auditor and by Friday I was able to talk with the auditor. These Church audits are nothing like having the government audit you. The government auditors are ruthless and seem gleeful when they find something to fine you with. The Church auditors are more concerned that procedures are followed and that no one is being dishonest. It is still a little unsettling to have someone go through all of your work.
Dad and Elder Larsen went on Tuesday morning at 8:30 a.m. to pick up our friend, David. He had just served his time for some past drug problems. Although he had not wanted to have to serve the time, it is behind him and he can now think about baptism. We have seen so many changes in his life over the past 10 months and are hopeful that he will continue to come closer to the Savior. He looks different physically than he did when we first met him. There is a light in his eye and a peacefulness that he didn’t have before. The Savior really can ease burdens and change lives. The ward that he attends is SO good about fellowshipping. His bishop was there with Dad and Elder Larsen to say hi to David. The 2nd counselor in the bishopric texted David on the way home as well as a friend who has been good to David this past year. David has to find a new home to live in by March 1st and he wants to make sure he gets a home in the ward. The ward has a housing specialist who is going to help him find a place—and he isn’t even a member yet. There are some good people in this world!
Wednesday was another day of office work and trying to get a couple of vendors approved. For some reason two apartments can’t get their EIN numbers to match the name of their business. As we dug deeper into the situation we discovered that both companies went through the State of Delaware to get set up. Could that be the problem?
Thursday in the later afternoon the President came in to give some blessings to some of the sister missionaries. Sister Caplin also came in because she needs to be there when he gives blessings to sisters. After that he took time to sign a lot stuff for me. While he was signing everything, Sister Caplin told stories. She is a gifted story teller and has an excellent memory. President Caplin walked by and said, “Now you know why I don’t write down everything.” “I don’t need to”. Dad and I were the only ones there, so we got to enjoy the stories without interruptions or someone else feeling the need to match her stories. It is fun to get to know them personally a bit better.
We came home and had dinner and then looked quickly at a resume that Chelsea was putting together. We decided to look at it closer on Friday.
Friday was the beginning of the transfer process. We had 4 sister missionaries come in for their departing interviews. That is always a sad/happy time. We are sad that they are leaving because we will miss them, but so grateful for their marvelous service they have given and glad to see the outstanding people they have become.
I got a few files put into storage so I can have room to file more paper work. It was also our day to clean the office. The APs had moved a couple of the chairs out of the reception area into the President’s office, so I decided to vacuum under them while they were out of the way. I waited until the meeting was over to have Dad help me with the rest of the clean up.
We went home, had dinner, and then went grocery shopping for next week as well as for Train the Trainer luncheon on Tuesday. That will leave us more time on Saturday to do what we want to do. Then we read over the resume for Chelsea and I was impressed at all of the things she has done in her career these past 14 years. Go Chelsea!
We left the apartment at 7:30 Saturday morning to go pick up an elder who was going home. He has been a good missionary, but needed to go get some medical help. We got him to the airport just before 9 am and then were on our way home. I worked on some bills and some other things until it was time to leave for a baptism. It was the baptism of Lucy who was from Brazil. It was a wonderful baptism. The talks were well given and there was such a spirit of love from the members of the ward towards Lucy. After the baptism, Lucy bore such a sweet testimony of the Lord. These baptisms are certainly the icing on the cake.
On the way home from the baptism we stopped at Staples to see if I could fine a new memo book, but came away empty handed. I’ll have to check on the internet or go back and choose one of those at Staples.
We came home and I fixed dinner while Dad went for a little walk and then we visited with Aunt Jane and Uncle Phil. While Dad was talking, I made two casseroles for the luncheon and listened to the phone conversations.
Sunday we went to Church and had a good Fast and Testimony meeting. We really do love the people in our ward here. Our stake president’s daughter will be returning from her mission this coming Tuesday and they are really looking forward to that. We have been here long enough that we are beginning to see some of the missionaries on the very long list of missionaries in the field come home. We have heard reports about them over the time we have been here and feel like we know them a little bit.
The Carliles have invited us to dinner again today because they are having the missionaries to dinner and I think it will be the sister missionaries this time. It is always nice to have someone else fix dinner and have good company.
Tonight is our Come Unto Christ fireside where 2-3 of the recent converts share their conversion stories. They are all different, but I always go away feeling uplifted and edified.
I need to go cut up fruit to take to dinner. We love you lots and are so grateful for you. Our prayers are with you all.
Love,
Mom
Watch for the week – Baby Lydia’s arrival
Here it is another week and month. Where does the time seem to go. We finished up January with only one little snow storm with all of the snow gone by the next day. We thought last year was an easy winter, but this one has felt more like a cool spring. In fact, we have seen more sun shiny days this past winter than we did most of this summer. A shout out birthday wish to Aunt Lis 2-1-20. Hope you day was wonderful!!
This past week has been busy and although not so many meetings a bit stressful. I have been trying to set up someone to come and do the annual audit. I don’t know why I have been so lucky to do two audits in an 18-month mission. I talked with the stake president of one of the local stakes (the son of Sister Chesbrough in our office) about using one of their auditors. He put me in touch with the 2nd counselor who is over the auditing team. I sent two texts with no response so finally called and was able to talk with him. He got back on Friday with the name of the auditor and by Friday I was able to talk with the auditor. These Church audits are nothing like having the government audit you. The government auditors are ruthless and seem gleeful when they find something to fine you with. The Church auditors are more concerned that procedures are followed and that no one is being dishonest. It is still a little unsettling to have someone go through all of your work.
Dad and Elder Larsen went on Tuesday morning at 8:30 a.m. to pick up our friend, David. He had just served his time for some past drug problems. Although he had not wanted to have to serve the time, it is behind him and he can now think about baptism. We have seen so many changes in his life over the past 10 months and are hopeful that he will continue to come closer to the Savior. He looks different physically than he did when we first met him. There is a light in his eye and a peacefulness that he didn’t have before. The Savior really can ease burdens and change lives. The ward that he attends is SO good about fellowshipping. His bishop was there with Dad and Elder Larsen to say hi to David. The 2nd counselor in the bishopric texted David on the way home as well as a friend who has been good to David this past year. David has to find a new home to live in by March 1st and he wants to make sure he gets a home in the ward. The ward has a housing specialist who is going to help him find a place—and he isn’t even a member yet. There are some good people in this world!
Wednesday was another day of office work and trying to get a couple of vendors approved. For some reason two apartments can’t get their EIN numbers to match the name of their business. As we dug deeper into the situation we discovered that both companies went through the State of Delaware to get set up. Could that be the problem?
Thursday in the later afternoon the President came in to give some blessings to some of the sister missionaries. Sister Caplin also came in because she needs to be there when he gives blessings to sisters. After that he took time to sign a lot stuff for me. While he was signing everything, Sister Caplin told stories. She is a gifted story teller and has an excellent memory. President Caplin walked by and said, “Now you know why I don’t write down everything.” “I don’t need to”. Dad and I were the only ones there, so we got to enjoy the stories without interruptions or someone else feeling the need to match her stories. It is fun to get to know them personally a bit better.
We came home and had dinner and then looked quickly at a resume that Chelsea was putting together. We decided to look at it closer on Friday.
Friday was the beginning of the transfer process. We had 4 sister missionaries come in for their departing interviews. That is always a sad/happy time. We are sad that they are leaving because we will miss them, but so grateful for their marvelous service they have given and glad to see the outstanding people they have become.
I got a few files put into storage so I can have room to file more paper work. It was also our day to clean the office. The APs had moved a couple of the chairs out of the reception area into the President’s office, so I decided to vacuum under them while they were out of the way. I waited until the meeting was over to have Dad help me with the rest of the clean up.
We went home, had dinner, and then went grocery shopping for next week as well as for Train the Trainer luncheon on Tuesday. That will leave us more time on Saturday to do what we want to do. Then we read over the resume for Chelsea and I was impressed at all of the things she has done in her career these past 14 years. Go Chelsea!
We left the apartment at 7:30 Saturday morning to go pick up an elder who was going home. He has been a good missionary, but needed to go get some medical help. We got him to the airport just before 9 am and then were on our way home. I worked on some bills and some other things until it was time to leave for a baptism. It was the baptism of Lucy who was from Brazil. It was a wonderful baptism. The talks were well given and there was such a spirit of love from the members of the ward towards Lucy. After the baptism, Lucy bore such a sweet testimony of the Lord. These baptisms are certainly the icing on the cake.
On the way home from the baptism we stopped at Staples to see if I could fine a new memo book, but came away empty handed. I’ll have to check on the internet or go back and choose one of those at Staples.
We came home and I fixed dinner while Dad went for a little walk and then we visited with Aunt Jane and Uncle Phil. While Dad was talking, I made two casseroles for the luncheon and listened to the phone conversations.
Sunday we went to Church and had a good Fast and Testimony meeting. We really do love the people in our ward here. Our stake president’s daughter will be returning from her mission this coming Tuesday and they are really looking forward to that. We have been here long enough that we are beginning to see some of the missionaries on the very long list of missionaries in the field come home. We have heard reports about them over the time we have been here and feel like we know them a little bit.
The Carliles have invited us to dinner again today because they are having the missionaries to dinner and I think it will be the sister missionaries this time. It is always nice to have someone else fix dinner and have good company.
Tonight is our Come Unto Christ fireside where 2-3 of the recent converts share their conversion stories. They are all different, but I always go away feeling uplifted and edified.
I need to go cut up fruit to take to dinner. We love you lots and are so grateful for you. Our prayers are with you all.
Love,
Mom
Watch for the week – Baby Lydia’s arrival
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