June 12, 2016 If Dr. Seuss taught Sunday School

Knowing what a big fan I am of Dr. Seuss 
I couldn't resist sharing these life lessons with you!

If Dr. Seuss taught Sunday School...he would use Thidwick the Moose to teach us about giving our burdens to the Lord.


Thidwick is a a moose too big hearted to say no, but eventually becomes overburdened like many of us.
The Savior invites us to "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28-30

                                             

On Monday the Senior Missionaries who had served in the Idaho Boise Mission in the past three years held a special Farewell Dinner for President and Sister Winder and President and Sister Christensen and thank them for the memories.

             Elder Olson, past vehicle coordinator,   Sister Workman singing her own version                  conducted.                                           of "Thanks for the Memories"

Dr. Seuss would read us, "The Sneetches", to teach us about not judging. 

...for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."

(1 Samuel 16:7) 

Just like the Sneetches and their stars the Lord doesn't love one of us more than another.

Mission Leadership Council Meeting was followed by a delicious baked potato bar 

and special dessert...

If Dr. Seuss taught Sunday School he'd be sure to use "Horton Hears a Who" to remind us that the Lord can make small things become great.

We are no strangers to setting up bunk beds for the missionaries.  

It is only when we purchased our very own set of bunk beds for visiting grandchildren, and discover that there were missing pieces that we gain an appreciation for the small and simple things that are necessary to complete the job.

Sisters Machado and Rabello were preparing to welcome two additional sister missionaries temporarily to their little home only to find that the septic tank in the home simply could not accommodate two more people. So after a quick prayer we were on the road again and on the phone. Our prayers were answered and we were able to locate another place to house the other sisters temporarily in record time.

Guess what? We are getting a community pool built just down the street!!! 

We are accustomed to empty promises when it comes to new housing developments.  But they have broken ground and are actually posting a date of completion. Not sure if September is still summer, but it does specifically state 2016.

The Mission recently received a brand new red truck for our missionaries assigned to the Idaho City area. Elder Busath would gladly switch out the old, white Mission truck he uses if it were just a little bit bigger.

Summer is here and with it rising temperatures. 

Because we are new to the area we are continually being warned of the long HOT Idaho summer days ahead. Being from California triple digit weather is not new to us, but just in case we decided to install a fan in the front bedroom. At nine o'clock at night, by flashlight, no less, because it was the only free time we had available.

Dr. Seuss would probably use the lovable elephant Horton, in "Horton Hatches the Egg", to teach about unspeakable faith. "I mean what I said, and I said what I meant. An elephant is faithful one hundred percent", says Horton. These word remind us of a similar faithful servant by the name of Nephi, when he tells his father, "I will go and do the things which the Lord commands."

(1 Nephi 3:7)

             Faith to locate missionary housing, faith to move a mountain of rocks!

On Saturday at 9:30 am, 4 yards of rock was delivered. 

By 10:30 all the rock had been moved and the driveway swept, thanks to Marianne, Sienna, Shelby, Brian, Dax, Cale, Jett, Dave, Janie and Cooper!

  

"You'll have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself any direction you choose."

If Dr. Seuss taught Sunday School he would read us "Oh the Places You'll Go" to remind us of our potential as children of God.

 Our Primary Class:  Colton, Sisley, Brigham, Briley, Owen and Henry

(CTR 4, not Sunbeams we soon learned)

Grandparent Corner

Sienna and Jett helping Grandpa.             Wade picking blueberries at Apple Hill.

                                                      

Try to enjoy the journey!!!

June 6, 2016 The Lord Can Work Through Us

"I speak unto you with the voice of my Spirit, that I may show unto you my will concerning your brethren in the land of Zion."

Doctrine and Covenants 97:1

           

Elder Ohman and Marin cleaning up before they move to another home-

exact obedience brings miracles!

T-minus fifteen days until the big Idaho Boise Mission boundary changes. 

We are both excited and sad as we contemplate saying good bye to some old friends and saying hello to some new friends. The change means more road trips which will be fun, but the distance will also present it's own challenges. We are thankful that we have had some experience in serving in a mission that took up a a large geographical area and know that if we have faith, WE CAN DO HARD THINGS-with the Lord's help.

Full-time missionaries, Ward Missionaries and we were recently 

called to teach the Sunbeam class-all nine of them!

             

 Let us just say that serving a mission from your home is not for light weights.  

It is exhausting (at times) to work all day in the Mission Office and in the field moving missionaries; furniture; making necessary missionary home repairs; being on call just in case of a problem; and then tending to your own home, it's upkeep and needed repairs.

In 2 Thessalonians 3:13 we are admonished:

"But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing."

This great cause in which we are engaged will continue to go forth, changing and blessing lives with or without us and we are grateful to have chosen to be be a small part of hastening the Lord's work. 

Before curbs...

  

We all know that we are supposed to be good examples.  

But did you know that the best ways to really be effective missionaries is, first; be available, then second; have faith and open your mouth to allow the Spirit to decide which words we will speak? 

We have discovered recently that simply by working in our yard, hot, dirty and humble, we have had more opportunities to get to know our neighbors and for them to get to know who we are and what we stand for than by any other way. 

We can truly testify that the words we speak, the way we treat others, and the way we live our lives all impact effectiveness.

After curbs... 

 "When communication skills are accompanied by spirituality, the Lord can work through his servants to accomplish his purposes."

Thomas S. Monson

Crib down, bedroom emptied, getting ready to set up bunk beds 

for our company coming in July!

New Trainer's Meeting

 Sister Christensen worked her magic at the New Trainer's luncheon. 

We had lots of rice left over from a previous missionary luncheon and she used it to create fried rice to accompany the chicken tenders and Asian sesame salad. Delicious!!! 

 Grandparent Corner

Dax's baseball team won second place in the league championships!

Kahlen just "being awesome".

Sam, Jake and Wade in Santa Cruz-missing us!

When we let the Lord be our guide in developing communication skills, He can help us be humble, to present ourselves to the right people at the proper time and in an atmosphere where we will be trusted and worthy of a listening ear.

Have  a cool week as the temperatures begin to rise!