January 13, 2013‏

We had an interesting day, this Sunday. We are now called, as you know, to see to it that a sacrament meeting service is provided at the elderly care center within our ward boundaries. We have, Gramps and I, been assigning ward families to present the programs. They play the hymns and a 101-year old resident of the home leads the music. Sometimes a resident will also say the opening or closing prayer. The priesthood in the family, assisted by others as needed, prepares and serves the Sacrament. The presiding priesthood member of the family presides and conducts and other family members give two and a half minute talks. Gramps said that the Spirit there this a.m. was so very strong that it was glorious.

I stayed home to put the finishing touches on my Sunday School lesson.

In our Sacrament meeting, we had our five serving missionary's moms give reports on their missionaries. One of the Elders is serving in Africa. He is very tall, 6-foot 6-inches, and he is sometimes having to ride in a small bus with lots and lots of other people. It makes a tight fit for him. Each of the moms was equally proud of her missionary son and the meeting was full of laughs, smiles and tears as they shared the tender moments of the missions their sons are serving.

In Sunday School, Gramps and I teach the missionary preparation class. One of the young men is going to Italy. The other two are waiting their calls. It was my turn to teach the lesson and I had such a wonderful time discussing the temple with the three men. Gramps was there, of course. What a great experience it is to be with the young Elders.

Then, after Relief Society and Priesthood meeting, our ward met in the cultural hall for a snack and send event (sometimes called a munch and mingle). There were cookies and crackers for those who stayed--hence the snack. There were also tables with stationary and pens waiting on their tops. Each of us was to write a letter to each of the five missionaries. The Bishop is mailing them to the various missionaries on Monday morning.

We then came home, finished fixing dinner, and drove some of it to Julie's home. Jim is in California taking care of the bees. Julie is at home with four little kids who have had the flu. That on top of losing her baby, which was due the middle of May. I can't remember if I told you that the baby died inside her at New Years. She went to the doctor the Saturday before and the doctor found that the heartbeat had stopped. At any rate, we knew how pressed Julie was. She had to stay home from church because of the kids. She lives way out in the country with the closest neighbors a couple of blocks away. So we took dinner to them. We talked briefly and then we left. She was afraid that if we stayed we would also get sick. (Gramps got stuck in the snow and had to borrow ashes from Julie's ashes bin to get unstuck.) It was certainly cold there--12 degrees below zero at 6 p.m.

I am finally getting over the cough that went with the flu that I had just after Christmas. I think I tired to die but it must not have been my time to go because I am still here. I suppose that you heard about the missionaries at the MTC who had the flu. It was an epidemic. There were 250 of them all sick at the same time.

We do love you! We are so proud of the work that you are doing. What a great service you are performing. (One of my friends at the temple calls it "preforming." So now, every time I say the word "performing" I think of her and her "preformed" concrete. She cannot hear the difference in the two words.) ;) So keep up the good work. We so enjoy your letters and also the letters of your cousin. Who would have thought, in advance, that you would both end up in California speaking Spanish? I am happy that you did but I was surprised. Dane and Kyle are the next to go out and we could have four of you out at once. What a blessing to the family that will be. Having two of you out is already a blessing!

Take care. Know that we love you!

"The Lord has great confidence in you. He trusts you." - President Uchtdorf at the CES Devotional.