Week 53 May 9 - 16

Wednesday we went over to go on the 12;30 session.  It was a full session.  We had the missionaries there all day.  The clothing section was so busy.  We had left them a lot of laundry from Tuesday evening and then every session had missionaries on it so we were busy all day and evening.  We did get it all done by the end of the evening.

Thursday morning we got up and went over to do sealings with President Garff.  What a blessing and pleasure to serve with him.  He reminded us that in this sealing room we have love and affection.  He always invites the couples to kiss over the altar after the sealings.  We stayed after and watched some of the training films.  We especially loved the statement from President Wilford Woodruff.

"What greater calling can any one person have than to hold in his or her hand the power and authority to administer the ordinances of salvation, there is nothing equal to it."

Our goal is to have a new heart and a new spirit of the temple.  You open the portals of grace.  Follow the guidance of the Spirit.

What a fun day so far.  Left the temple, went to Trader Joe's where Paul got me some tulips for Mother's Day and then back to the temple to watch more training films.  Home and now waiting to go back to serve tonight.

Notes from Multi Regional Conference May 7, 2017

President Lindsey--Why we serve, then we love them more, opportunity to serve.
Elder Gong--feel his love and blessings.  Reach out to each other.  Covenant blessings are for all.  Those who give of their heart receive are blessed.
Sister Gordon--Primary Counselor-- we must maintain light for ourselves.  Elder Perry visited when she was a young girl.  feed the children.  I need my own light.
Elder Perkins--Seventy--We will come with great joy as we repent.  Enos because of thy faith in Christ.  Alma-you are my servant and shall have eternal life.  Don't procrastinate your baptism. A mighty change of heart.  Read the Book of Mormon.
Elder Oaks--132 Stakes in US and Canada.  Faith in Jesus Christ.  Just do your best.  Trust in the Lord.  Missionary rely on ward members to find more people.  invite-reach out and rescue  1. befriend, 2 listen 3  help feel God's love 4 feel confident and welcome them We can each know the truth for ourselves.  President Monson--Book of Mormon, prayer, scriptures, keep commandments, partake of the Sacrament.

Friday 12 attended the 2 pm session and then went to work.  A lovely evening.  Saturday we started cleaning.  Sister Bench brought us a new light vacuum and I started cleaning the floors and kitchen.  We are just about ready.  In the temple Paul and I officiated and followed the 7 o'clock session.  It was a very diverse session.  We had an own endowment, Brother Jeffries, going to Madrid Spain and son of our Stake President, several deaf patrons, so that required the closed caption, a couple of Spanish speakers, and English speakers.  A lovely spirit was present.  And also Bishop Mortinson, who plays Adam in the B film was there as the Bishop of the young man.

It was raining most of the day.  Paul went home afterwards to start the laundry and I stayed for a "Speak to Lift an evening of music and poetry" put on by the Mid Single Adults.  It was very good.  Such wonderful talent by these people.  I sat with Bryn, Margaret May and Sister Yeow.  Wonderful temple workers.

Friends from Church on our last Sunday.  These beautiful women were in their native costumes.

Sister Phillips 

Deserae and Sister Wright

Paul & Elder 

 Today is Mother's Day.  I have been thinking of the women who have blessed my life.  My own mother, Verletta, Paul's mother, Marge, Aliene, my Aunts, my friends, Mar Jean, Edwina and many others.  Also received wishes from Cecilia, Sue, Lesliann and friends from Hong Kong.  I am very blessed.  We are off to Church, another LAST and then we will have dinner with Bryn Bass, Kathy Nabors and Sister Miyashiro.  Kory called first today and sent me $50.  I love all my children.  I am again very blessed.

Sister Mirashiro, Bryn, MJ, Kathy Nabors

Bryn and I

We were able to take a few more pictures of the people we have grown to love and care for.  We said many goodbyes.  A great sacrament meeting with Brother Matthews and the Primary children singing and speaking.  Came home and had a lovely evening with Bryn, Sister Nabors and Sister Miroshiro.

Monday we continued finishing up our cleaning and then met the missionaries in the lobby to go to the 2nd best pizza place in NY.  A fun day with all of them.  Late Monday evening we went down to President and Sister Bench to take some pictures.

Tuesday morning we were up early 5:30 to finish up all the last minute things and close our suitcases.  Elder Harris, President and Sister Bench and Nixon came down to see us off.  We say goodbye to some of the best people in the world.

President & Sister Bench

What a great surprise we got when we disembarked the plane.  Kelly had gathered everyone together to greet us.  What a wonderful surprise.  Brought tears to my eyes.  We have the most wonderful family.  We are truly blessed.  That was my surprise, Paul's surprise was that Kelly took us all to Golden Corral for lunch.

Home looks much the same.  At 6:15 we went to the Stake Center where we met with President Kurt Soffe to be released.  Such a great man.  He released us and thanked us for our service.  He said he would send in our papers for another mission as soon as we were ready.  We stopped to see Bishop Jackson and Lowell Tripp on our way home.

Thursday morning we went into see Dr. Storz for our physical and give blood.  Thursday evening we left for Idaho Falls where we stayed with Laurna and Dick Lundberg.  Had a great visit with them and Friday morning went to the Idaho Falls Open House.  Such a beautiful temple.  We also saw Elaine Radford there.  She is working in the laundry.  From there we headed to Jerome to Kimberly's.  We stopped in Pocatello to see Staci and Adam's new home.

We went to Church in the Jerome 3rd Ward where Kaylee spoke, did a great job, went to Seminary graduation that evening.  Monday morning we drove to Kenniwick, WA to see Janet.  Had a good visit with her and back to Jerome Tuesday evening, a six hour drive.  Wednesday we went to Kimberly's kindergarten graduation where we found out everyone loves her, something we already knew.  That evening we joined Elaine and Leon Radford, Kimberly, Gary, Mallorie and Brayden for Kaylee's graduation from Jerome High School Class of 2017.  She was one of valedictorians and was the last to give her 2 minute speech.  So proud of her.  She received $3,000 in scholarships plus a tuition one from BYU Idaho.

It has been a whirlwind of a week.  It seems as though we were never gone and yet we left part of our hearts and love for the gospel in NYC.