Here it is Sunday August 19th. Beginning tomorrow we will be at the Institute from 9AM until 4PM five days a week. We have spent a considerable amount of time contacting and introducing ourselves to the YSA's in the area. At first we drove around trying to meet them, then we called and texted them trying to set up appointments. This did not seem to be making much difference until today. There were several Young Adults at Sacrament that had never been to the Branch in the month we have been in Redding. Some of them were those we had talked with, left messages on their phone or left flyers on their doors. One young woman had to travel about 1.5 hours to get here. Nan had spoken to her several times on the phone and we had set up a couple of appointments to get together but those appointments had fallen through.
We are finding that the wards in the two stakes we are covering are way spread out. Some of the wards are two hours from the Institute. Our focus will be on those attending Shasta College. Several of the most active, and most dependable are leaving for college elsewhere. We again will have to build that base.
Today I (Kent) was set apart as the Branch Clerk so I will attend Branch Presidency Meeting. Both Nan and I will attend Branch Council. The Branch and the Institute are working closely together trying to build that foundation of YSA's. Many of the young people are having a hard time finding work, which makes it hard to have the money for school, transportation, and for just everyday living expenses.
Nan and my being on the same page is a key and at times that takes some discussion. We are learning our 40 minute walk together each morning (beginning at 6) is a great time to share ideas, talk about ways we can improve our lessons, and bring more young people out to Institute. We then eat breakfast and spend time reading the Book of Mormon together. Next we take some time and study on our own. Then we get ready and head to the Institute. That personal study time will be pretty short beginning tomorrow. Until now we have had no set time to be out at the Institute.
We are both healthy and happy. The greatest blessing from this mission is how much I have grown to appreciate Nan. We have become more united as we work together to help these new young friends develop a more Christ-centered life. She draws people to her like a magnet. They love her, and we love them. ---Kent
Now it's time for Nan's entry.
Monday, the 13th on our way home from FHE at 9 p.m. the outside temperature was 109! When we walked on Tuesday at 6 a.m. it had cooled off to a nice 98. I think I'm losing weight. Not from walking but from the fat just melting off.
Tuesday evening Kent attended a Branch Presidency Meeting at Pres. Maire's home. Since I would not be permitted to attend the meeting, I didn't go. Kent left instructions for me to stay in the apartment, lock the doors and not to answer the door (even if it was the Elders). It turned out to be just another uneventful evening for me and Kent arrived home safely at 9:30.
We worked together to prepare our Wednesday evening lesson and then taught together. What we learned from this experience: It's a whole lot harder for two people to work together to prepare and present a lesson that it was to prepare and present it by oneself. We really had to implement "team work and cooperation."
Today a young woman we had contacted in the past few weeks came to Sacrament an brought a non-member friend. This young gal was the "long distance" member Kent mentioned in his entry. Also, Jon and Chris Merkle, Lauren Longwell and Chanae Anderson (all whom we had never met before) arrived before our meetings started at 11. What a spiritual boost their attendance gave us. We felt our missionary efforts of last week paid off today.
I logged on to watch the birthday celebration for Pres. Monson. Good Saturday entertainment.
We have spoken with Tricia, Stacey and Pam all of whom are getting children ready to go back to school. On the 13th we received a wonderful letter from Kalynne (also doing the getting ready for school thing); on the 14th we got letters from Emma and Brad; on the 15th we received a letter from Mom Barlow and a long email from Tyson updating us on his family and on the 16th we received a beautiful original drawing by Mason. Our mailbox was exploding with joy this week. We sure do have great children and grandchildren. Tyson mentioned in his email that Karlee was heading back to school tomorrow so she and the other speech people would be ready for students starting on the 27th.
Tomorrow, Monday the 20th, we start our Institute Odyssey. We will be at the Institute building from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. every day. Since Shasta College classes begin tomorrow, we feel it important to be available at the Institute for students to hang out between classes and hopefully register for Institute classes. We start our actual teaching on the 27th. Monday - Thursday Kent will teach Doctrine and Covenants, I'll teach History of the Church and together we will teach Scripture Study: The Power of the Word on Wednesday evenings. Fridays are reserved for "Friday Forum" when we will serve lunch at noon to whomever comes and a guest speaker will make a 15 minute presentation. I'm trying to convince Kent to make Friday a half-day with us leaving the Institute after we clean up from lunch. I'm thinking a 9-5, 4-day work week will be taxing my "retired" body just a bit much.
So, that's it for this week. Just wanted to remind everyone that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth and if we live by it's principles we will be happy and secure in this dangerous world.
Smiles to all, Nan
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