June Week 1

Old home in Palmyra The geese are growing Memorial Day BBQ

Maybe after last week we have lead you to believe we are not doing anything here but having fun. Paul said I better tell you of some of the experiences we are having in the temple.

We are having a great time; and why wouldn't we, we are in the temple every day seeing special people receive their blessings. So many special things happen to us each day and we are reminded constantly that this is the Lord's work and He is in charge. Last week in the office I scheduled a couple of young men from Alaska to come in and do baptisms; however, it was not for our shift and normally a patron needs to bring 4 Melchizedek priesthood with them to do baptisms. Sister Amsden, the office manager, reminded me of this so I told Paul he needed to get himself and three of our temple missionaries to come over to the temple on Thursday night so this could be done. Thursday is our P day but all 4 of them were excited to come over to help for a couple of hours. We have started to have some brides and that is really special. A brother, 76, from Nova Scotia came last week to receive his endowments and be sealed to his parents. Pres. & Sister Siebach's grandson came in for his endowments and he is leaving on a mission soon.

We are assigned to the Palmyra Ward and during Pageant they do a musical contata on the Book of Mormon. Today we started practice and it is beautiful. We are excited to be a part of it. I need to purchase the music so I can learn my part quickly. We try to do some service in the area and Paul is out mowing a big lawn, took three hours but he was on a riding lawn mower. I went to the Farmers Market in town while he was busy. On Tuesday's we stay after our shift and help clean the temple. We have three groups amongst us with 5, 4, 4 so we have decided to stay and help each week, many hands make light work. Friday nights we are still going to the temple to do a session. We say "what are we going to do on Friday nights? We've been going to the temple on Friday nights for the last 14 years." We can't think of a better place to be.

When we came to Palmyra we met the missionaries and told them when they had baptisms be sure to let us know because it is one of our favorite things to do. When we got to Church today we found out they were having a baptism. Paul attended while I was at choir practice. This was a special sister who was in a wheelchair and they needed a witness and invited Elder Lewis to help. He was so excited to be a part of it. The President has asked us to move to the Saturday afternoon shift. They are short of workers.

We have a wonderful group of missionaries here, each has a special gift that they continue to share with us. We are learning so much from each of them. Pres. Siebach shared with us some things that were taught at a meeting he went to with Elder Pitts, the area seventy.

Pres. Monson: Preparedness--food and finances. Get serious about food storage. Be content with what you have, do not carry over credit card bills, do NOT have a year's supply of debt, do not procrastinate and do not let things fester, take care of them, follow up and strengthen your testimony of Jesus Christ and strengthen families, an essential part of repentance is a daily commitment to service.

President Hinckley: The Church is stronger that it has ever been and is more unified and is growing, everything leads to the temple.

We hope you have a great week. We are looking forward to ours. Love you all. mj & P