Monday, November 11th was a "Day Off." Shasta College was closed because of Veteran's Day so we didn't have any classes. We didn't even go out to the Institute building.
Classes were back to normal on Wednesday. That evening, Nan taught about "True Love" in our p.m. Institute Class. She found several cute quotes by children ages 7-10 about love. One of our favorites was: "I'm not rushing into being in love. I'm finding fourth grade hard enough. - Regina, age 10" Pretty savy girl, that Regina. We had a few good laughs during that class.
Thursday, the 14th, found us with Elder Jones again. He is doing better each day. The day-time Institute kids stop in the library and visit with him and he works on being a "Facebook Missionary." It certainly is convenient that our Church leaders have given permission for all missionaries to use electronic devices in their work. We prepare his lunch each day he is with us and try to keep his spirits up.
On the 15th it was our turn to decide what to have for Friday Forum Luncheon. One of Kent's students was always raving about his mother's Tortellini soup. Kent asked him for the recipe and that's what we made. It was amazing!
Sunday, the 17th, was a special day for us. One of our students from last year gave her Mission Farewell talk in Red Bluff. Juanita Marple will be a great missionary. She is going to Argentina. She is so ready to go. She reports to the Provo MTC on December 4th.
On the 18th, Nan tried something different in her O.T. class. The lesson was on the book of Judges. Last week, she gave each student a series of questions for a specific judge. Using the questions as a guide, the student was to prepare a short synopsis of that judge and present it during class. The students did really well.
On the 19th and 21st Elder Jones was with us again. Nothing new to report on him. He still uses his crutches to get around but seems to be doing better with that.
Elder Stanley Ellis of the First Quorum of the Seventy toured our mission from the 17th - the 23rd. We weren't able to go to any of the Conferences because of our teaching schedule. Our Mission President understood that.
Saturday, the 23rd, we attended the annual Shasta College Symphonic Band concert. Last year one of our students and our Admin. Asst.'s son, Alex, played in the group. This year none of our students played but Alex returned. The Conductor, Dr. Larry H. Grandy, is a true music man. He chose musical numbers that were lively and entertaining. His band members range in age from 10 to 90. Anyone is invited to take a class from him at the college which also makes them part of the Band. We really enjoyed the two concerts we went to last year. This year was not a disappointment. Lively Sousa marches, Broadway numbers, a Henry Mancini piece and several classical pieces. It was a delightful evening.
The 25th and 26th we had our usual schedule of classes.
On Wednesday, the 27th, we didn't teach any classes but there were still classes at the college. We decided to treat anyone who wanted to come at noon to Little Caesar's Pizzas and a movie. One of our students who just returned from his mission in Brazil, Jessee Barnett, brought the movie "Ephraim's Rescue." We watched that. That's one thing that's on my Christmas List this year. It is a great movie.
Thanksgiving Day was quiet but that suited us just fine. We cooked a whole traditional meal: turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, sweet potatoes, cranberry salad, rolls, and pie. It was a nice day that allowed us to be thankful for many things, not the least of which was each other. We were able to FaceTime or talk on the phone with most of the children and some of the grandchildren. A perfect day.
Yesterday morning, the 30th, we attended the baptism of a family of four from Weaverville where Elder Jones serves. He was really excited. Later in the day we went to the new movie "The Christmas Candle." A tale of faith and hope - it's a nice Christmas-time movie. We splurged after the movie and went to a Chinese place for dinner.
Today, Sunday, December 1st, we went to meetings in the Anderson Stake: the Anderson Ward and Cottonwood Ward. It's always uplifting to hear testimonies.
Well, the Christmas season is upon us. Hopefully everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving Day activities and meals. We certainly did. Love to all,
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Sunday, November 10, 2013
October 6th to November 10th
October 8th - We received a Halloween box from Mom. Lots of scrubbies and some treats for both of us.
13th was 'Break the Fast', Nan made a delicious stew that was served in a baked pumkin. This was very impressive and good. Nan oiled the pumpkin with olive oil and baked it in the oven. It came out shiny and golden orange. Lots of raves from the branch and the stew didn't last long.
14th - 18th - We both began our midterm reviews and midterm exams. On the 15th we met with President Weston. He shared some information with us on a few of those serving in our area and asked us to keep especially close contact with them. On the 17th - we visited the Sisters in Cottonwood and Elder Barlow gave them both blessings.
19th Was Branch temple day at the Medford temple. Cody Ohlau is a member of about 16 months and is beginning to fill out his papers for a mission. His father was irate when he found out and told Cody he wanted to speak to someone from the "Mormon Cult". We stayed in Weed Saturday night, went to church at Mt. Shasta, then went to visit Cody's father and step mother. Wow!!! was that an experience. They were both so angry, all they did was yell at us. We met them at a park in Yreka, a town about 25 miles north of Weed, 35 miles north of Mt. Shasta. We both realized that they had both read a ton of anti-Mormon literature and were really not interested in any discussion. A couple of times Kent tried to bear his testimony and was cut off before a sentence was out of his mouth. We refused to argue and stayed very calm but quickly realized nothing positive would come from this meeting. We thanked them for talking with us and left. Cody has continued with his papers and they are nearing submittal.
22nd - Brad turned 43 today. Getting to be an old man. We recieved a note and pictures from Max and Ellie with their new school pictures.
23rd - Max had surgery on his club foot. As Tyson said, "What a soldier he was." He only hopped on his right foot for a few days - it slowed him down very litte. He will be in a cast until the end of November. Hopefully this is the end of the surgeries to correct the foot.
24th - Cody moved in with us because he had no where to live. The Branch President had him move in with them on the 30th where he is staying until he can fine an apartment.
We did inspect missionary apartments throughout the week.
26th There was a YSA party/dance beginning at 7:30. Neither of us dressed up this year but we did make little smokies wrapped in a cussant. These were a big hit.
27th Kent spoke in Sacrament about missionary work. The talk went fine.
31st Hung some pictures for the Sisters at East Street apartment. Got their garage door working and replaced the tail lights in their car.
November 1st - Elder Jones from Weaverville was injured in an accident Thursday afternoon the 31st. We went to visit him in the ICU at Mercy Hospital here in Redding. He has a fractured pelvis, a collapsed lung, and numberous cuts a scrapes.
3rd - Break the fast -again- Nan cooked a turkey breast with gravy. You can imagine how quickly that was eaten up with 25 hungry people.
5th - Pam and Don found out they are having a baby girl. Finaly a little girl.
5th - Elder Jones was released from the hospital today. We picked him up at Mercy and took him to the 3rd Ward Elders apartment. He has spent most of his days with us this week. We pick him up in the morning and take him with us to Institute, then bring him to the apartment, feed him dinner and take him to meet the other three Elders in the evening.
8th Martin Kohlberg was baptised today. This is the young man that found the church while in prison.
9th Betty Dionicio was baptised today. She is a wonderful Young Woman who spends time at the Institute and attends both Nan's Old Testament and Kent's Book of Mormon classes. What a bright spot she is. This was one of the more stressful days we have had on our mission for some reason. There is sickness with some of our children and grandchildren; trying to coordinate what to do with Elder Jones with the missionaries and President Weston; Aunt Janett passed away; trying to coordinate carpet cleaning with the Elders apartments. These are in a normal days activities but for some reason things just seemed to close in on us today.
10th Doing good today. Back on top of things. Elder Jones is with us today. We made up a schedule and gave to all involved which we hope will eliminate some of the last minute surprises and confusion on who is doing what with Elder Jones.
We continue to teach Old Testament, Book of Mormon, and Celestial Principles classes throughout the week.
That's it for now.
Kent and Nan
13th was 'Break the Fast', Nan made a delicious stew that was served in a baked pumkin. This was very impressive and good. Nan oiled the pumpkin with olive oil and baked it in the oven. It came out shiny and golden orange. Lots of raves from the branch and the stew didn't last long.
14th - 18th - We both began our midterm reviews and midterm exams. On the 15th we met with President Weston. He shared some information with us on a few of those serving in our area and asked us to keep especially close contact with them. On the 17th - we visited the Sisters in Cottonwood and Elder Barlow gave them both blessings.
19th Was Branch temple day at the Medford temple. Cody Ohlau is a member of about 16 months and is beginning to fill out his papers for a mission. His father was irate when he found out and told Cody he wanted to speak to someone from the "Mormon Cult". We stayed in Weed Saturday night, went to church at Mt. Shasta, then went to visit Cody's father and step mother. Wow!!! was that an experience. They were both so angry, all they did was yell at us. We met them at a park in Yreka, a town about 25 miles north of Weed, 35 miles north of Mt. Shasta. We both realized that they had both read a ton of anti-Mormon literature and were really not interested in any discussion. A couple of times Kent tried to bear his testimony and was cut off before a sentence was out of his mouth. We refused to argue and stayed very calm but quickly realized nothing positive would come from this meeting. We thanked them for talking with us and left. Cody has continued with his papers and they are nearing submittal.
22nd - Brad turned 43 today. Getting to be an old man. We recieved a note and pictures from Max and Ellie with their new school pictures.
23rd - Max had surgery on his club foot. As Tyson said, "What a soldier he was." He only hopped on his right foot for a few days - it slowed him down very litte. He will be in a cast until the end of November. Hopefully this is the end of the surgeries to correct the foot.
24th - Cody moved in with us because he had no where to live. The Branch President had him move in with them on the 30th where he is staying until he can fine an apartment.
We did inspect missionary apartments throughout the week.
26th There was a YSA party/dance beginning at 7:30. Neither of us dressed up this year but we did make little smokies wrapped in a cussant. These were a big hit.
27th Kent spoke in Sacrament about missionary work. The talk went fine.
31st Hung some pictures for the Sisters at East Street apartment. Got their garage door working and replaced the tail lights in their car.
November 1st - Elder Jones from Weaverville was injured in an accident Thursday afternoon the 31st. We went to visit him in the ICU at Mercy Hospital here in Redding. He has a fractured pelvis, a collapsed lung, and numberous cuts a scrapes.
3rd - Break the fast -again- Nan cooked a turkey breast with gravy. You can imagine how quickly that was eaten up with 25 hungry people.
5th - Pam and Don found out they are having a baby girl. Finaly a little girl.
5th - Elder Jones was released from the hospital today. We picked him up at Mercy and took him to the 3rd Ward Elders apartment. He has spent most of his days with us this week. We pick him up in the morning and take him with us to Institute, then bring him to the apartment, feed him dinner and take him to meet the other three Elders in the evening.
8th Martin Kohlberg was baptised today. This is the young man that found the church while in prison.
9th Betty Dionicio was baptised today. She is a wonderful Young Woman who spends time at the Institute and attends both Nan's Old Testament and Kent's Book of Mormon classes. What a bright spot she is. This was one of the more stressful days we have had on our mission for some reason. There is sickness with some of our children and grandchildren; trying to coordinate what to do with Elder Jones with the missionaries and President Weston; Aunt Janett passed away; trying to coordinate carpet cleaning with the Elders apartments. These are in a normal days activities but for some reason things just seemed to close in on us today.
10th Doing good today. Back on top of things. Elder Jones is with us today. We made up a schedule and gave to all involved which we hope will eliminate some of the last minute surprises and confusion on who is doing what with Elder Jones.
We continue to teach Old Testament, Book of Mormon, and Celestial Principles classes throughout the week.
That's it for now.
Kent and Nan
Sunday, October 6, 2013
1 September - 6 October 2013
Wow! We can't believe how long it's been since we last posted. Things are going just about the same around here. It's nice to have the weather change. It still gets in the high 70s to low 80s in the day but the nights get really cool.
September started off with Break-the-Fast with the YSA Branch. The theme was "Italian." We fixed Crock Pot Italian Chicken. We served it over rice. Nothing fancy but it was great comfort food.
Of course we didn't have classes on the 2nd (Labor Day) so it was a nice long weekend. We spent most of the day preparing lessons.
Friday, the 6th, was Friday Forum. We served homemade Mac-n-Cheese, Sloppy Joes and ice cream sundaes for dessert. It seems no matter what we fix the kids are happy.
The Branch had a BBQ on Saturday the 7th, played sand volleyball and had a fire in the fire pit.
Our very exciting news is that Brynn Leah Barlow, daughter of Tyson and Karlee, sister of Max and Ellie, was born on Sunday, the 8th, at 2:50 a.m. She weighed 7#12oz and was 19" long. Our phone rang about 10:30 p.m. on Saturday night with Tyson telling us they were on the way to the hospital. It sure didn't take Brynn long to arrive. We are told Max doesn't pay much attention to Brynn but Ellie has taken over as Second Mother.
Monday evening, the 9th, for FHE the Branch showed a rebroadcast of the CES Devotional from Sunday night. Elder Nelson was the speaker. Although we tried to keep the rebroadcast a secret hoping the kids would still come to FHE, about six showed. There just isn't much support in our little Branch right now. As we have mentioned, many of the YSA attending Institute right now are too young to attend the branch.
Friday, the 13th found us inspecting missionary apartments. We were way past time to do that. Most of the apartments were in fine order but a few needed a little help. At one apartment I asked, "You did know we were coming to inspect didn't you?" We were assured they were. Perhaps the Elders didn't realize they were given the "heads-up" on our inspection so they could make sure the apartment was clean. Anyway, Nan told them what needed attention and said we expected a better effort for next inspection.
We were in charge of deciding what was to be served for lunch at the Friday Forum for the 13th. We chose Hoagie Sandwiches. They were a great success. A fresh green salad and dessert rounded out the menu. The speaker was Pat McEuen from the Branch Presidency. He used his fancy camera equipment as an analogy to keeping our lives in focus.
Julia Johnson, about 19 years old, was baptized on Saturday the 14th. We gave a ride to two gals from the Branch that don't have transportation. We four thought it would be good to support the missionaries. Kent had an interesting experience during the baptism. A woman, in her twenties, scooted over next to him during a video presentation and threw her arms around him, buried her face in his shoulder and cried. Kent had never seen her before. She went up and asked the person conducting if she could be baptized. Come to find out she was suffering from severe depression and was having issues with her medication. She is already a member and one of the sisters who knew her, took her home and with the Elders and her husband, they took her to the hospital.
We finally received our first dinner invitation. After the baptism on Saturday, Britton Runolfson (a student from last semester) and his mom invited us for dinner on Sunday. They live out in Cottonwood, about a half-hour drive from Redding. It was a nice change from eating by ourselves. Sister Runolfson is going through a divorce so it was just the four of us for dinner. Britton will turn 19 in December and getting ready to put in his mission papers. His sister, Kayla, has already been called to Billings, Montana. So that means the Runolfsons will have two missionaries out at the same time.
Our Wednesday classes are going well. So we wouldn't scare anyone off, instead of using the official title of the course "Preparing for Celestial Marriage" we call the lessons "Doctrines of the Celestial Kingdom." We have about 5-7 kids who regularly come. Just not the same ones each week.
On the 21st the Branch arranged a temple trip to Medford, OR. Kalynne sent us a family name from her family for Nan to do Initiatory and Endowment; Pam sent us the name of Nan's great grandfather, John Wenzel Tecl for Kent to do the same. Since we had to be at the temple earlier than the rest of the group we drove up by ourselves. We really enjoy that because it gives us lots of time to actually talk with each other. After the temple the Branch Presidency treated everyone to lunch at DQ. It was a nice day.
Pat and ViVi McEuen (from the Branch Presidency) invited us for dinner on Sunday, the 22nd. We really like the McEuens. They are a lot like us. Same age, same ideas about life, same theory on how to raise children and how they should behave. It was a nice meal and pleasant conversation.
Nan did a special Seder Passover Meal presentation for her classes on Monday and Tuesday (23rd and 24th). She was careful to make sure the students realized Christians do not continue the Jewish ritual of the Passover meal but wanted to actually demonstrate what was being covered in Exodus 12. Nan asked one of the presidency wives to help with white napkins and towel, white candles and candlesticks, and a fancy wine glass for Elijah's place setting. She used a chicken leg bone for the paschal lamb shank bone; fresh parsley to symbolize spring and renewal; horseradish as a bitter herb to symbolize the bitterness of bondage and slavery; and kosher matzot for everyone's plate. It all turned out very nicely and the kids thought it was a great demonstration.
Our grandson, Max, is going to have surgery on October 23rd to help straighten his club foot. As preparation for the surgery, he will have 3 different casts that will stretch his tendon. Each successive cast will stretch the tendon a little further. He got his first cast on Tuesday, the 24th. Tyson says Max is being a real trooper about the whole thing.
We received a grand surprise on the 24th. Delivered right to our door was a box from Brad and Kalynne. Inside - two complete meals from Omaha Steaks. 4 filet mignon; 4 double-stuffed potatoes; 4 servings of vegetable medley. When we called to say thank you, Brad told us they were sorry they had missed Grandparents Day on the 8th. We didn't even know there was a Grandparents Day on the 8th. We're pretty sure Brad didn't know anything about Grandparents Day but Kalynne was right on top of it. We have certainly enjoyed the gift. Steak and baked potato is Nan's all-time favorite meal. It even surpasses steamed crabs (probably because it's not so "labor intensive").
All our children have been so supportive of our mission. We hear from most of them at least weekly (sometimes more often) either by phone or email. They keep us in the loop about family happenings with pictures on FaceBook. Joel has even taught us how to FaceTime with Kent's ipad. They each serve us in different ways. We are certainly blessed to have 12 such generous, caring, gospel-centered children. In Elder Nelson's Sunday p.m. conference address he said God chooses when we will come to earth. We are so very thankful God chose these 12 children to come during our lifetime.
Friday Forum rolled around again on the 27th. Our turn to create the meal: Pizza Casserole, fresh green salad, and Nan's Crazy Chocolate Cake.
Nan gave a ride to one of the gals from the Branch to the General R.S. Meeting on the 28th. Desiree and Nan stayed for the ice cream sundae bar after the meeting.
And now we march into October.
The carpet in the Institute building was cleaned on Friday the 4th so the building was closed and we didn't have any classes. We chose that day to go south to the Anderson Stake to inspect those missionary apartments. We agreed that the Anderson Zone missionaries do a better job than the Redding Zone missionaries on keeping their apartments clean.
Of course we "live streamed" General Conference both Saturday and today. Even though the Church is now live streaming the Priesthood session, Kent attended the meeting at the Stake Center because he had arranged to meet and sit with a less active single adult. The guy never showed up so Kent could have stayed home and been comfortable in casual pants and shirt instead of suit and tie. Oh well, he said Elder Uchtdorf's message was his favorite.
That's it friends. We're doing great. Hope you all can say the same.
Love, The Barlows
September started off with Break-the-Fast with the YSA Branch. The theme was "Italian." We fixed Crock Pot Italian Chicken. We served it over rice. Nothing fancy but it was great comfort food.
Of course we didn't have classes on the 2nd (Labor Day) so it was a nice long weekend. We spent most of the day preparing lessons.
Friday, the 6th, was Friday Forum. We served homemade Mac-n-Cheese, Sloppy Joes and ice cream sundaes for dessert. It seems no matter what we fix the kids are happy.
The Branch had a BBQ on Saturday the 7th, played sand volleyball and had a fire in the fire pit.
Our very exciting news is that Brynn Leah Barlow, daughter of Tyson and Karlee, sister of Max and Ellie, was born on Sunday, the 8th, at 2:50 a.m. She weighed 7#12oz and was 19" long. Our phone rang about 10:30 p.m. on Saturday night with Tyson telling us they were on the way to the hospital. It sure didn't take Brynn long to arrive. We are told Max doesn't pay much attention to Brynn but Ellie has taken over as Second Mother.
Monday evening, the 9th, for FHE the Branch showed a rebroadcast of the CES Devotional from Sunday night. Elder Nelson was the speaker. Although we tried to keep the rebroadcast a secret hoping the kids would still come to FHE, about six showed. There just isn't much support in our little Branch right now. As we have mentioned, many of the YSA attending Institute right now are too young to attend the branch.
Friday, the 13th found us inspecting missionary apartments. We were way past time to do that. Most of the apartments were in fine order but a few needed a little help. At one apartment I asked, "You did know we were coming to inspect didn't you?" We were assured they were. Perhaps the Elders didn't realize they were given the "heads-up" on our inspection so they could make sure the apartment was clean. Anyway, Nan told them what needed attention and said we expected a better effort for next inspection.
We were in charge of deciding what was to be served for lunch at the Friday Forum for the 13th. We chose Hoagie Sandwiches. They were a great success. A fresh green salad and dessert rounded out the menu. The speaker was Pat McEuen from the Branch Presidency. He used his fancy camera equipment as an analogy to keeping our lives in focus.
Julia Johnson, about 19 years old, was baptized on Saturday the 14th. We gave a ride to two gals from the Branch that don't have transportation. We four thought it would be good to support the missionaries. Kent had an interesting experience during the baptism. A woman, in her twenties, scooted over next to him during a video presentation and threw her arms around him, buried her face in his shoulder and cried. Kent had never seen her before. She went up and asked the person conducting if she could be baptized. Come to find out she was suffering from severe depression and was having issues with her medication. She is already a member and one of the sisters who knew her, took her home and with the Elders and her husband, they took her to the hospital.
We finally received our first dinner invitation. After the baptism on Saturday, Britton Runolfson (a student from last semester) and his mom invited us for dinner on Sunday. They live out in Cottonwood, about a half-hour drive from Redding. It was a nice change from eating by ourselves. Sister Runolfson is going through a divorce so it was just the four of us for dinner. Britton will turn 19 in December and getting ready to put in his mission papers. His sister, Kayla, has already been called to Billings, Montana. So that means the Runolfsons will have two missionaries out at the same time.
Our Wednesday classes are going well. So we wouldn't scare anyone off, instead of using the official title of the course "Preparing for Celestial Marriage" we call the lessons "Doctrines of the Celestial Kingdom." We have about 5-7 kids who regularly come. Just not the same ones each week.
On the 21st the Branch arranged a temple trip to Medford, OR. Kalynne sent us a family name from her family for Nan to do Initiatory and Endowment; Pam sent us the name of Nan's great grandfather, John Wenzel Tecl for Kent to do the same. Since we had to be at the temple earlier than the rest of the group we drove up by ourselves. We really enjoy that because it gives us lots of time to actually talk with each other. After the temple the Branch Presidency treated everyone to lunch at DQ. It was a nice day.
Pat and ViVi McEuen (from the Branch Presidency) invited us for dinner on Sunday, the 22nd. We really like the McEuens. They are a lot like us. Same age, same ideas about life, same theory on how to raise children and how they should behave. It was a nice meal and pleasant conversation.
Nan did a special Seder Passover Meal presentation for her classes on Monday and Tuesday (23rd and 24th). She was careful to make sure the students realized Christians do not continue the Jewish ritual of the Passover meal but wanted to actually demonstrate what was being covered in Exodus 12. Nan asked one of the presidency wives to help with white napkins and towel, white candles and candlesticks, and a fancy wine glass for Elijah's place setting. She used a chicken leg bone for the paschal lamb shank bone; fresh parsley to symbolize spring and renewal; horseradish as a bitter herb to symbolize the bitterness of bondage and slavery; and kosher matzot for everyone's plate. It all turned out very nicely and the kids thought it was a great demonstration.
Our grandson, Max, is going to have surgery on October 23rd to help straighten his club foot. As preparation for the surgery, he will have 3 different casts that will stretch his tendon. Each successive cast will stretch the tendon a little further. He got his first cast on Tuesday, the 24th. Tyson says Max is being a real trooper about the whole thing.
We received a grand surprise on the 24th. Delivered right to our door was a box from Brad and Kalynne. Inside - two complete meals from Omaha Steaks. 4 filet mignon; 4 double-stuffed potatoes; 4 servings of vegetable medley. When we called to say thank you, Brad told us they were sorry they had missed Grandparents Day on the 8th. We didn't even know there was a Grandparents Day on the 8th. We're pretty sure Brad didn't know anything about Grandparents Day but Kalynne was right on top of it. We have certainly enjoyed the gift. Steak and baked potato is Nan's all-time favorite meal. It even surpasses steamed crabs (probably because it's not so "labor intensive").
All our children have been so supportive of our mission. We hear from most of them at least weekly (sometimes more often) either by phone or email. They keep us in the loop about family happenings with pictures on FaceBook. Joel has even taught us how to FaceTime with Kent's ipad. They each serve us in different ways. We are certainly blessed to have 12 such generous, caring, gospel-centered children. In Elder Nelson's Sunday p.m. conference address he said God chooses when we will come to earth. We are so very thankful God chose these 12 children to come during our lifetime.
Friday Forum rolled around again on the 27th. Our turn to create the meal: Pizza Casserole, fresh green salad, and Nan's Crazy Chocolate Cake.
Nan gave a ride to one of the gals from the Branch to the General R.S. Meeting on the 28th. Desiree and Nan stayed for the ice cream sundae bar after the meeting.
And now we march into October.
The carpet in the Institute building was cleaned on Friday the 4th so the building was closed and we didn't have any classes. We chose that day to go south to the Anderson Stake to inspect those missionary apartments. We agreed that the Anderson Zone missionaries do a better job than the Redding Zone missionaries on keeping their apartments clean.
Of course we "live streamed" General Conference both Saturday and today. Even though the Church is now live streaming the Priesthood session, Kent attended the meeting at the Stake Center because he had arranged to meet and sit with a less active single adult. The guy never showed up so Kent could have stayed home and been comfortable in casual pants and shirt instead of suit and tie. Oh well, he said Elder Uchtdorf's message was his favorite.
That's it friends. We're doing great. Hope you all can say the same.
Love, The Barlows
Saturday, August 31, 2013
August 19 thru August 31
Well we are back at the Institute from 9-4 Monday thru Friday. Fall classes started at Shasta College on the 19th and the week was spent trying to sign up students for our Institute classes. Shasta is just a two year school so most move on to a four year school after a year or two. With the change in age for missionaries and a lot of YSAs going on missions that would normally be at the college for another year we are very concerned about recruiting students to fill our classes. We have visited all the wards and sent out notes, then texted as many potential students as we could think of.
That seems to have paid off because as of the 31st we have more signed up for classes than we did last year at this time. It has given us a boost. We were concerned that we would be teaching 1-2 in a class. Nan is teaching Old Testament on M/W then again on T/TH. I lucked out and just teach on M/W. I think I mentioned I am teaching the Book of Mormon. There are between 6 and 10 in our classes. We had 9 in our Wednesday evening class - Doctrines of the Celestial Kingdom. This is really Preparation for Eternal Marriage but we did not want to scare the YSA's away.
We met an 18 year old YSA at FHE on the 20th being taught by the 3rd ward Elders. Betty is a delight. An email from one of the sisters in the 3rd ward asked us to try and contact her and invite her to Institute. I texted her on Monday the 26th and she came over as soon as she could after her class that morning. She had been contemplating coming over to the institute and getting the text helped her make up her mind. She is taking both OT and BofM classes. We have had to make the BofM class fit her schedule so she comes to class on Monday and I (Kent) meet with her and another YW on Friday morning to go over the material I teach on Wednesday. Betty was there waiting for us on Friday and helped prepare the meal we served at Friday Forum. She fits right in because a lot of the YSAs that hang out at the Institute are from the 3rd ward. They all know each other and get along great.
We had loaded potatoes and chicken for Friday Forum. You cook cubed red potatoes and chicken in the oven then top with cheese and bacon. There are of course several spices added including some hot sauce, which Nan felt they could do without. Nan then made two large trays of rice crispy treats. Counting everyone that showed - including Nan and me, I believe there were 17-18 there on Friday.
A young woman from Weaverville - about 1-1 1/2 hours west of Redding - was baptized on Saturday the 24th. She has been attending the YSA branch with another YW for about a year. She has close ties with the family from Weaverville and we feel she should be solid in the gospel.
Martin, the YM that is investigating and has had to wait until he is off parole, has set a baptismal date of September 21st. We took him home from Institute on Wednesday and he is excited to finally be able to get baptized.
Last Sunday, the 25th, we heard from Jeff Whittington, a young man who attended Nan's class last year. He was originally from Missouri but had moved to Redding in the hopes of establishing a relationship with his estranged father and step-mother. Jeff spent many an hour at the institute talking to us - telling us his problems, asking for advice, etc. We found we were the substitute parents he so needed. The hope of a better relationship with his dad didn't work out so he moved back to MO at the end of the school year. He planned to continue his education there. He was excited to tell us he has met a nice LDS girl and they will be married in the Manti Temple on October 26th.
Friday, the 30th, Jaunita Marple, a mainstay at the Institute last year and the LDSSA President, received her mission call to the Bahia Blanca Argentina Mission. Her report date is December 4th.
Nan and I are both doing great. We're excited for this new school year to begin.
Until next time - bye.
That seems to have paid off because as of the 31st we have more signed up for classes than we did last year at this time. It has given us a boost. We were concerned that we would be teaching 1-2 in a class. Nan is teaching Old Testament on M/W then again on T/TH. I lucked out and just teach on M/W. I think I mentioned I am teaching the Book of Mormon. There are between 6 and 10 in our classes. We had 9 in our Wednesday evening class - Doctrines of the Celestial Kingdom. This is really Preparation for Eternal Marriage but we did not want to scare the YSA's away.
We met an 18 year old YSA at FHE on the 20th being taught by the 3rd ward Elders. Betty is a delight. An email from one of the sisters in the 3rd ward asked us to try and contact her and invite her to Institute. I texted her on Monday the 26th and she came over as soon as she could after her class that morning. She had been contemplating coming over to the institute and getting the text helped her make up her mind. She is taking both OT and BofM classes. We have had to make the BofM class fit her schedule so she comes to class on Monday and I (Kent) meet with her and another YW on Friday morning to go over the material I teach on Wednesday. Betty was there waiting for us on Friday and helped prepare the meal we served at Friday Forum. She fits right in because a lot of the YSAs that hang out at the Institute are from the 3rd ward. They all know each other and get along great.
We had loaded potatoes and chicken for Friday Forum. You cook cubed red potatoes and chicken in the oven then top with cheese and bacon. There are of course several spices added including some hot sauce, which Nan felt they could do without. Nan then made two large trays of rice crispy treats. Counting everyone that showed - including Nan and me, I believe there were 17-18 there on Friday.
A young woman from Weaverville - about 1-1 1/2 hours west of Redding - was baptized on Saturday the 24th. She has been attending the YSA branch with another YW for about a year. She has close ties with the family from Weaverville and we feel she should be solid in the gospel.
Martin, the YM that is investigating and has had to wait until he is off parole, has set a baptismal date of September 21st. We took him home from Institute on Wednesday and he is excited to finally be able to get baptized.
Last Sunday, the 25th, we heard from Jeff Whittington, a young man who attended Nan's class last year. He was originally from Missouri but had moved to Redding in the hopes of establishing a relationship with his estranged father and step-mother. Jeff spent many an hour at the institute talking to us - telling us his problems, asking for advice, etc. We found we were the substitute parents he so needed. The hope of a better relationship with his dad didn't work out so he moved back to MO at the end of the school year. He planned to continue his education there. He was excited to tell us he has met a nice LDS girl and they will be married in the Manti Temple on October 26th.
Friday, the 30th, Jaunita Marple, a mainstay at the Institute last year and the LDSSA President, received her mission call to the Bahia Blanca Argentina Mission. Her report date is December 4th.
Nan and I are both doing great. We're excited for this new school year to begin.
Until next time - bye.
August 12-18
The Branch Presidency has decided to do a "Mentor Moment" at the beginning of each FHE. We think that's a great idea. One of the Presidency or his wife will take about 10 minutes and give some well-needed advice or counsel on topics that will help these YSAs get on with their lives. Topics already covered include "Being Wise Financially" and "How to Determine What You Might Want to do for a Living." Hopefully the YSAs will take this counsel to heart and get their lives on track.
Tyler Isacson introduced his girlfriend, Amy Wolford, to the gospel over a year ago and she was baptized shortly after we arrived here in Redding in July. Tyler and Amy set August 17th for their sealing in the Oakland Temple. Because Oakland is 4 hours away, Amy decided to set up her reception at the Redding Stake Center on Friday, the 16th. She asked Branch members to help if they could. Not only that, but she asked everyone to donate two dozen homemade cookies for the reception. So, on Friday the 16th Nan went down to the Stake Center and helped decorate for the reception. She took Pumpkin/Chocolate Chip cookies. Karlee taught her how to make them a few years back. Kent didn't go because he was finally feeling much better after a Crohn's flareup and we didn't want to push him too hard.
Saturday the Branch had an outing to Burney Falls. This was the second visit to the Falls for us and it is still breath-taking. That evening we attended the wedding reception. Since none of Amy's family are members of the Church and could not be in the Temple to witness her marriage, she and Tyler did a "ring ceremony" officiated by Tyler's Bishop at the reception.
Sunday, the 8th, found us at another mission farewell. Sister Chanae Anderson was a student in my class last year. She will be serving in the Londrina Brazil Mission.
So, another week has come and gone. Now that Kent's Crohn's is back under control we're both doing well and pray you all are able to say the same.
Tyler Isacson introduced his girlfriend, Amy Wolford, to the gospel over a year ago and she was baptized shortly after we arrived here in Redding in July. Tyler and Amy set August 17th for their sealing in the Oakland Temple. Because Oakland is 4 hours away, Amy decided to set up her reception at the Redding Stake Center on Friday, the 16th. She asked Branch members to help if they could. Not only that, but she asked everyone to donate two dozen homemade cookies for the reception. So, on Friday the 16th Nan went down to the Stake Center and helped decorate for the reception. She took Pumpkin/Chocolate Chip cookies. Karlee taught her how to make them a few years back. Kent didn't go because he was finally feeling much better after a Crohn's flareup and we didn't want to push him too hard.
Saturday the Branch had an outing to Burney Falls. This was the second visit to the Falls for us and it is still breath-taking. That evening we attended the wedding reception. Since none of Amy's family are members of the Church and could not be in the Temple to witness her marriage, she and Tyler did a "ring ceremony" officiated by Tyler's Bishop at the reception.
Sunday, the 8th, found us at another mission farewell. Sister Chanae Anderson was a student in my class last year. She will be serving in the Londrina Brazil Mission.
So, another week has come and gone. Now that Kent's Crohn's is back under control we're both doing well and pray you all are able to say the same.
August 5-11
Since we haven't posted for a few weeks, I (Nan) am going to take one week at a time. So here's what happened in our lives from August 5th - 11th.
On Monday I treated our Admin. Assistant (Brook) to lunch at Olive Garden. At the end of the school year in May she treated me to lunch and we decided we would go out again right before school started at the end of August with me as the hostess this time. As usual, it was wonderful food and good company.
On Tuesday, the 8th, the Zone Leaders scheduled our building to have a Zone Meeting. Kent and I cooked lunch for all the missionaries - 18 in all. They thought that was great and thanked us over and over again. We didn't do anything spectacular - just spaghetti, salad, garlic bread and popsicles for dessert.
On Friday the 9th Pam called to tell us the doctor still did not release Don to go back to work. (He hurt his back several weeks ago while on his delivery route.) The doctor wants to do some additional tests which had to have pre-approval. So Don's "doctor imposed 'vacation'" continues.
On Sunday the 11th we went to the mission farewell of Dallen Wood one of Kent's students from last year. Dallen will be a great missionary. He is well versed in the scriptures, a smart guy and a hard worker. He will serve in the Richmond, VA Mission.
Not a very exciting week but sometimes that's good for these oldsters on a mission.
On Monday I treated our Admin. Assistant (Brook) to lunch at Olive Garden. At the end of the school year in May she treated me to lunch and we decided we would go out again right before school started at the end of August with me as the hostess this time. As usual, it was wonderful food and good company.
On Tuesday, the 8th, the Zone Leaders scheduled our building to have a Zone Meeting. Kent and I cooked lunch for all the missionaries - 18 in all. They thought that was great and thanked us over and over again. We didn't do anything spectacular - just spaghetti, salad, garlic bread and popsicles for dessert.
On Friday the 9th Pam called to tell us the doctor still did not release Don to go back to work. (He hurt his back several weeks ago while on his delivery route.) The doctor wants to do some additional tests which had to have pre-approval. So Don's "doctor imposed 'vacation'" continues.
On Sunday the 11th we went to the mission farewell of Dallen Wood one of Kent's students from last year. Dallen will be a great missionary. He is well versed in the scriptures, a smart guy and a hard worker. He will serve in the Richmond, VA Mission.
Not a very exciting week but sometimes that's good for these oldsters on a mission.
Monday, August 5, 2013
15 July - 4 August 2013
President Weston was in Redding on the 16th for Missionary Interviews. He always includes us even though we don't have any "missionary" report to make. He always encourages us and thanks us for taking the time away from family and friends to be here in Redding as an example to the youngsters. His visits always inspire us.
July 17th was Kent's birthday. Received cards and phone calls from all the kids and emails and cards from other family and friends. Several gift certificates to a variety of restaurants were also received. That will give us a chance to eat out once in a while.
On Saturday the 20th we took the ZL's to Chico, about 1.5 hours south of here. One of the ZL's was asked to go back and baptize a man he taught several months ago. This man has recovered from drug dependency and is married with two children. It is very rewarding to see people's lives change as they turn their lives around. We see this a lot. People join the church against all odds, drugs, alcohol, or a family that turns their back on them. Brave modern pioneers!
A YW we became close to last winter got married on the 26th in the Boise Temple. She had invited us to attend the temple ceremony and we thought of going over because she has kept in close contact with us but we decided it would take 20 hours of driving for the round trip and we were not sure we were up to that. The car was in the garage having all the plugs replaced because it had been missing so it wouldn't have worked out anyway. Kassee called and talked to Nan the day before her marriage and we told her we would not be coming. She was disappointed but understood.
Nan has spent much of her time these past few weeks summarizing all the Apostles talks from the last conference in April. This is in preparation for the last couple of Institute Classes on 'Teachings of the Living Prophets.' This effort on her part has lead to some really good discussions between us. One of the section headings in her Student Manual states: "The words of the Prophets delivered through the Spirit during General Conference are Latter-day scripture." We should STUDY the current prophets words just as we do the Standard Works. This is instruction for us today.
Kent just finished teaching the 'Missionary Preparation Class.' His study of the teacher's manual and 'Preach My Gospel' has been really a good experience too. We are both learning a lot. So far we have taught - D & C - History of the Church - Pearl of Great Price & How to Study the Scriptures. This next semester we are teaching Old Testament, Book of Mormon, and Doctrines of the Gospel. We just finished reading the Book of Mormon together. This is our third time through. Kent has started studying and outlining it again in preparation for Fall Institute Classes.
Martin Kolberg has recommitted to baptism in September. This is the YM that is on parole and was having some doubts for a while. He is extremely smart and I think he is intellectually converted and needs a little more spiritual conversion. Martin does attend Institute on Wednesday evening and has only missed a couple of times while he was reconsidering his stand on things.
Dallen Wood, a YM that has regularly attended our classes asked us to go with him to the Temple this last Saturday as he received his own endowments. That was a wonderful day. The new temple film was shown. It's totally amazing. It had an impact on both of us. We are going to Dallen's ward this Sunday as he will be speaking. There are several more of our students that are leaving on missions in the next couple of months and several more preparing their mission papers for submission.
For the trip to Medford, we decided to use some of the gift cards Kent received for his birthday. So we wouldn't have to get up at the crack of drawn on Saturday morning to get to the Temple by 9:30, we made reservations at the Ramada Inn for Friday night using the "debit card" we received at Christmas; that evening we ate at the Outback Steak House using another gift card. After the temple on Saturday, we ate lunch at The Breadboard, a little place in Ashland that had lots of cars outside as we drove by. Didn't know a thing about the place, but the food was wonderful! Thank you again to all our loving children for the gift cards. We had a nice get-away weekend that cost us $15.00.
We are both doing great. Until next time. Goodbye.
July 17th was Kent's birthday. Received cards and phone calls from all the kids and emails and cards from other family and friends. Several gift certificates to a variety of restaurants were also received. That will give us a chance to eat out once in a while.
On Saturday the 20th we took the ZL's to Chico, about 1.5 hours south of here. One of the ZL's was asked to go back and baptize a man he taught several months ago. This man has recovered from drug dependency and is married with two children. It is very rewarding to see people's lives change as they turn their lives around. We see this a lot. People join the church against all odds, drugs, alcohol, or a family that turns their back on them. Brave modern pioneers!
A YW we became close to last winter got married on the 26th in the Boise Temple. She had invited us to attend the temple ceremony and we thought of going over because she has kept in close contact with us but we decided it would take 20 hours of driving for the round trip and we were not sure we were up to that. The car was in the garage having all the plugs replaced because it had been missing so it wouldn't have worked out anyway. Kassee called and talked to Nan the day before her marriage and we told her we would not be coming. She was disappointed but understood.
Nan has spent much of her time these past few weeks summarizing all the Apostles talks from the last conference in April. This is in preparation for the last couple of Institute Classes on 'Teachings of the Living Prophets.' This effort on her part has lead to some really good discussions between us. One of the section headings in her Student Manual states: "The words of the Prophets delivered through the Spirit during General Conference are Latter-day scripture." We should STUDY the current prophets words just as we do the Standard Works. This is instruction for us today.
Kent just finished teaching the 'Missionary Preparation Class.' His study of the teacher's manual and 'Preach My Gospel' has been really a good experience too. We are both learning a lot. So far we have taught - D & C - History of the Church - Pearl of Great Price & How to Study the Scriptures. This next semester we are teaching Old Testament, Book of Mormon, and Doctrines of the Gospel. We just finished reading the Book of Mormon together. This is our third time through. Kent has started studying and outlining it again in preparation for Fall Institute Classes.
Martin Kolberg has recommitted to baptism in September. This is the YM that is on parole and was having some doubts for a while. He is extremely smart and I think he is intellectually converted and needs a little more spiritual conversion. Martin does attend Institute on Wednesday evening and has only missed a couple of times while he was reconsidering his stand on things.
Dallen Wood, a YM that has regularly attended our classes asked us to go with him to the Temple this last Saturday as he received his own endowments. That was a wonderful day. The new temple film was shown. It's totally amazing. It had an impact on both of us. We are going to Dallen's ward this Sunday as he will be speaking. There are several more of our students that are leaving on missions in the next couple of months and several more preparing their mission papers for submission.
For the trip to Medford, we decided to use some of the gift cards Kent received for his birthday. So we wouldn't have to get up at the crack of drawn on Saturday morning to get to the Temple by 9:30, we made reservations at the Ramada Inn for Friday night using the "debit card" we received at Christmas; that evening we ate at the Outback Steak House using another gift card. After the temple on Saturday, we ate lunch at The Breadboard, a little place in Ashland that had lots of cars outside as we drove by. Didn't know a thing about the place, but the food was wonderful! Thank you again to all our loving children for the gift cards. We had a nice get-away weekend that cost us $15.00.
We are both doing great. Until next time. Goodbye.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
24 June - 14 July, 2013
Hello Blog Followers:
These past two weeks have been slow and easy. Since there are no students during the day, we haven't been out to the Institute building much except for Monday FHE with the Branch and our Tuesday and Wednesday evening classes.
We have both decided to write our life history which fills the time between studying and trying to contact the YSA's in the area.
On June 27th we drove up to Medford to attend the Temple. That is a 2.5 hour drive each way so we start early in the morning. We made our reservation for the 11:30 Endowment Session. (Reservations are strongly encouraged at the smaller temples to assure there will be enough workers scheduled.) We arrived back in Redding around 5:30 p.m. We're getting more acclimated to the long drive required for temple attendance here.
The YSA Branch Activities Committee planned a swimming party and BBQ at the home of our Branch President and his wife - Mike and Cindy Sumsion - on the 29th. They have a beautiful home and a very nice pool and deck area. It was 112 degrees in the shade! We didn't take suits to swim but that cool water was looking pretty enticing by the time we left around 7:30. The Sumsions reported the next day that the kids stayed and watched movies until 10:30. Good thing the party wasn't at our house. Everyone would have been asked to leave by 8:30 so Nan could go to bed.
On July 3rd and 4th we inspected the Elders' and Sisters' apartments here in the Redding Stake to make sure they were keeping things clean and any maintenance problems could be reported to management. Interesting that because of the influx of missionaries, especially sister missionaries, we have sisters that have been out two months training those that have been out two days. The Elders are usually out 4-5 months before they are asked to train a new Elder.
We didn't have Institute classes the week of the 4th because most of the students said they would be out of town or otherwise unable to attend. We have been a little disappointed in the lack of interest in evening Institute but this is our mission calling so we continue to prepare and teach, prepare and teach. Kent has 3-4 to his Mission Preparation class and Nan has double that to her Teachings of the Living Prophets class on Wednesday evening. With all the publicity and numerous texts we send, we expected a few more to each of the classes.
We were a little sad on the 4th because we were missing the Doris Barlow Family Reunion for the first time in 23 years. But, Joel helped Pam contact us with "FaceTime" using her ipad. We were able to talk with and see all our children there and many of our grandchildren. We're so lucky in our mission that senior missionaries don't have the strict rules the young missionaries do about contacting family and friends. We didn't bother fighting the crowds to go to any fireworks but around 10:30 p.m. we could hear the "bombs bursting in air" all around us.
For our Break-the-Fast on Sunday, the 7th Nan made the Chinese Chicken Salad recipe she got from Alecia many years ago. Everyone raved over it. Could be because everyone was so hungry from fasting but we both felt the salad turned out really well.
July 9th marked our One Year Anniversary of the day we reported to the MTC in Provo. It doesn't seem possible that a whole year has passed. We're looking forward to the next 11 months. We've figured out how the Institute runs and we've made friends with many youth. Things couldn't be better.
On July 10th and 12th we inspected the Anderson Stake apartments. The town of Corning was the furthest away - about an hour south of Redding. It was fun to meet those missionaries we only see during Mission Conferences. We won't be doing the Anderson Stake apartments when school starts again because of time constraints. Perhaps by then President Weston will have found some other oldsters to take over for us.
Pam called on Thursday, the 11th to report the large paned window in the living room had fallen in. The rod that is holding the curtains kept the window from crashing to the floor. Back in 1996 a major accident happened and that front window was smashed in from outside. Kent backed into the window with a rented tractor with a bucket on the back while trying to grade the front lawn for sod. We had Jones Paint and Glass come to replace the window. Since JP&G fixed it the first time, we told Pam to call them to come fix it this time. It was a simple matter of gluing the glass back in place so it's all taken care of now. Pam certainly has her job cut out for herself trying to keep our house from falling down around her ears.
The Branch Activities Committee tried another swimming and BBQ party on Saturday, the 13th but it wasn't attended very well. Maybe because it was only 98 degrees that day and no one felt the need to swim to get cool.
Kent is the Membership Clerk in the Branch so he is constantly trying to find the YSAs on our rolls that we've never seen at church. There has been limited success in inviting them to come to the Branch but he mostly gets 'numbers no longer in service' or "Please don't call again."
Hey everyone - keep the faith and carry on. The Barlows
These past two weeks have been slow and easy. Since there are no students during the day, we haven't been out to the Institute building much except for Monday FHE with the Branch and our Tuesday and Wednesday evening classes.
We have both decided to write our life history which fills the time between studying and trying to contact the YSA's in the area.
On June 27th we drove up to Medford to attend the Temple. That is a 2.5 hour drive each way so we start early in the morning. We made our reservation for the 11:30 Endowment Session. (Reservations are strongly encouraged at the smaller temples to assure there will be enough workers scheduled.) We arrived back in Redding around 5:30 p.m. We're getting more acclimated to the long drive required for temple attendance here.
The YSA Branch Activities Committee planned a swimming party and BBQ at the home of our Branch President and his wife - Mike and Cindy Sumsion - on the 29th. They have a beautiful home and a very nice pool and deck area. It was 112 degrees in the shade! We didn't take suits to swim but that cool water was looking pretty enticing by the time we left around 7:30. The Sumsions reported the next day that the kids stayed and watched movies until 10:30. Good thing the party wasn't at our house. Everyone would have been asked to leave by 8:30 so Nan could go to bed.
On July 3rd and 4th we inspected the Elders' and Sisters' apartments here in the Redding Stake to make sure they were keeping things clean and any maintenance problems could be reported to management. Interesting that because of the influx of missionaries, especially sister missionaries, we have sisters that have been out two months training those that have been out two days. The Elders are usually out 4-5 months before they are asked to train a new Elder.
We didn't have Institute classes the week of the 4th because most of the students said they would be out of town or otherwise unable to attend. We have been a little disappointed in the lack of interest in evening Institute but this is our mission calling so we continue to prepare and teach, prepare and teach. Kent has 3-4 to his Mission Preparation class and Nan has double that to her Teachings of the Living Prophets class on Wednesday evening. With all the publicity and numerous texts we send, we expected a few more to each of the classes.
We were a little sad on the 4th because we were missing the Doris Barlow Family Reunion for the first time in 23 years. But, Joel helped Pam contact us with "FaceTime" using her ipad. We were able to talk with and see all our children there and many of our grandchildren. We're so lucky in our mission that senior missionaries don't have the strict rules the young missionaries do about contacting family and friends. We didn't bother fighting the crowds to go to any fireworks but around 10:30 p.m. we could hear the "bombs bursting in air" all around us.
For our Break-the-Fast on Sunday, the 7th Nan made the Chinese Chicken Salad recipe she got from Alecia many years ago. Everyone raved over it. Could be because everyone was so hungry from fasting but we both felt the salad turned out really well.
July 9th marked our One Year Anniversary of the day we reported to the MTC in Provo. It doesn't seem possible that a whole year has passed. We're looking forward to the next 11 months. We've figured out how the Institute runs and we've made friends with many youth. Things couldn't be better.
On July 10th and 12th we inspected the Anderson Stake apartments. The town of Corning was the furthest away - about an hour south of Redding. It was fun to meet those missionaries we only see during Mission Conferences. We won't be doing the Anderson Stake apartments when school starts again because of time constraints. Perhaps by then President Weston will have found some other oldsters to take over for us.
Pam called on Thursday, the 11th to report the large paned window in the living room had fallen in. The rod that is holding the curtains kept the window from crashing to the floor. Back in 1996 a major accident happened and that front window was smashed in from outside. Kent backed into the window with a rented tractor with a bucket on the back while trying to grade the front lawn for sod. We had Jones Paint and Glass come to replace the window. Since JP&G fixed it the first time, we told Pam to call them to come fix it this time. It was a simple matter of gluing the glass back in place so it's all taken care of now. Pam certainly has her job cut out for herself trying to keep our house from falling down around her ears.
The Branch Activities Committee tried another swimming and BBQ party on Saturday, the 13th but it wasn't attended very well. Maybe because it was only 98 degrees that day and no one felt the need to swim to get cool.
Kent is the Membership Clerk in the Branch so he is constantly trying to find the YSAs on our rolls that we've never seen at church. There has been limited success in inviting them to come to the Branch but he mostly gets 'numbers no longer in service' or "Please don't call again."
Hey everyone - keep the faith and carry on. The Barlows
Sunday, June 23, 2013
June 8th - June 23rd
With all the family gone we are back in the groove. Seems like summer is a down time for many of the members, including the YSA's.
Saturday the 8th - we went to the reception for Ben Brown and Merridee Parker from the YSA Branch. They are both from Redding and Merridee has been attending BYUI. She got home about a month ago and they were married in the Oakland Temple Friday the 7th.
Tuesday the 11th we drove 2 hrs and 45 minutes south the Lincoln. It is just north of Sacramento. All the senior missionaries met for a farewell luncheon for the Tiptons and the Whitings. Meridian's Restaurant, where we had the luncheon, was extremely nice. The food was great and we were able to put faces with the names of those who call saying, "Hi, this is Brother/Sister ___ from the Mission Office." With the Tiptons and Whitings both going home we are the only senior couple not working out of the mission home in Roseville. Whitings will return in a month or so to the same assignment, a Spanish Branch in Corning.
That evening Kent taught the first 'Missionary Preparation Class.' Only four there but it went well. Kent taught his second class on the 18th and there were just 4 there again, two new ones but two from last week who didn't come. As we spoke more with them about coming, they told us they have family vacations, youth trips, some work many evenings - it looks like there will always be only 4-6 there. Discussions are good so we need to be happy with that.
Nan's class had 5 attend on the 12th and 7 on the 19th. Both her classes were good but the discussion on the 19th was really great. She is teaching, 'Teachings of the Living Prophets.' What a great teacher she is. Martin, though he was sick with food poisoning, still came to most of the class last Wednesday.
Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th was Stake Conference. Both President Bickmore and President Jensen, 1st Counselor, are very gifted speakers. One thing President Bickmore said that impressed Nan was, "Include references to your church life in your everyday conversations with friends, associates and acquaintances. They probably do. So why shouldn't you." What great advice. We shouldn't hesitate to mention the fact we go to church. Adding a reference about going to church can turn into a little bit of missionary work.
All the children checked in on Father's Day. Unfortunately, because it was Stake Conference the fathers weren't given a gift as we left the meeting house. That's probably for the best. We don't need any extra candy in the apartment.
On the 21st Kent took the Zone leaders to Weaverville to set up an apartment there for Elders who will be arriving next week. Weaverville is a town in the mountains about 1 hour west of Redding. The church is now sending out kitchen and furniture kits from SLC for setting up new apartments. They come "shrink wrapped" on two huge pallets. Things were coordinated very well. The truck with the furniture arrived about 10 minutes after we did and as the truck driver was backing up with the delivery, the apartment manager showed up with the keys. This all happened about 11 a.m. and by 1:30 we were on our way back to Redding. Nan and I picked up a vacuum, mixer, cleaning supplies and a few other things but most was supplied in the kits from SLC.
The 21st was the first day of summer - the summer solstice. That's the only day of the year the sundial bridge actually indicates the correct time of day. Nan posted a short explanation on her FB page if anyone is interested.
Today, Sunday the 23rd, we attended three Sacrament Meetings. Shasta Lake, the YSA Branch, then the Redding 1st Ward. As we have mentioned, once or twice a month we try to get to as many ward sacrament meetings as we can just to make our presence known. It's amazing how many people we know now. There are always some in each ward that we know who come up and say hi.
This Thursday we will try to get to the temple in Medford. We are trying to attend the temple every other week during the summer.
Well that's it for now.
Saturday the 8th - we went to the reception for Ben Brown and Merridee Parker from the YSA Branch. They are both from Redding and Merridee has been attending BYUI. She got home about a month ago and they were married in the Oakland Temple Friday the 7th.
Tuesday the 11th we drove 2 hrs and 45 minutes south the Lincoln. It is just north of Sacramento. All the senior missionaries met for a farewell luncheon for the Tiptons and the Whitings. Meridian's Restaurant, where we had the luncheon, was extremely nice. The food was great and we were able to put faces with the names of those who call saying, "Hi, this is Brother/Sister ___ from the Mission Office." With the Tiptons and Whitings both going home we are the only senior couple not working out of the mission home in Roseville. Whitings will return in a month or so to the same assignment, a Spanish Branch in Corning.
That evening Kent taught the first 'Missionary Preparation Class.' Only four there but it went well. Kent taught his second class on the 18th and there were just 4 there again, two new ones but two from last week who didn't come. As we spoke more with them about coming, they told us they have family vacations, youth trips, some work many evenings - it looks like there will always be only 4-6 there. Discussions are good so we need to be happy with that.
Nan's class had 5 attend on the 12th and 7 on the 19th. Both her classes were good but the discussion on the 19th was really great. She is teaching, 'Teachings of the Living Prophets.' What a great teacher she is. Martin, though he was sick with food poisoning, still came to most of the class last Wednesday.
Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th was Stake Conference. Both President Bickmore and President Jensen, 1st Counselor, are very gifted speakers. One thing President Bickmore said that impressed Nan was, "Include references to your church life in your everyday conversations with friends, associates and acquaintances. They probably do. So why shouldn't you." What great advice. We shouldn't hesitate to mention the fact we go to church. Adding a reference about going to church can turn into a little bit of missionary work.
All the children checked in on Father's Day. Unfortunately, because it was Stake Conference the fathers weren't given a gift as we left the meeting house. That's probably for the best. We don't need any extra candy in the apartment.
On the 21st Kent took the Zone leaders to Weaverville to set up an apartment there for Elders who will be arriving next week. Weaverville is a town in the mountains about 1 hour west of Redding. The church is now sending out kitchen and furniture kits from SLC for setting up new apartments. They come "shrink wrapped" on two huge pallets. Things were coordinated very well. The truck with the furniture arrived about 10 minutes after we did and as the truck driver was backing up with the delivery, the apartment manager showed up with the keys. This all happened about 11 a.m. and by 1:30 we were on our way back to Redding. Nan and I picked up a vacuum, mixer, cleaning supplies and a few other things but most was supplied in the kits from SLC.
The 21st was the first day of summer - the summer solstice. That's the only day of the year the sundial bridge actually indicates the correct time of day. Nan posted a short explanation on her FB page if anyone is interested.
Today, Sunday the 23rd, we attended three Sacrament Meetings. Shasta Lake, the YSA Branch, then the Redding 1st Ward. As we have mentioned, once or twice a month we try to get to as many ward sacrament meetings as we can just to make our presence known. It's amazing how many people we know now. There are always some in each ward that we know who come up and say hi.
This Thursday we will try to get to the temple in Medford. We are trying to attend the temple every other week during the summer.
Well that's it for now.
Friday, June 7, 2013
May 20th - June 7th
What a busy 3 weeks! Tuesday the 21st President Weston held a Zone Conference here in Redding. Redding and Anderson Zones attended. The focus was mainly on teaching and living the doctrine of repentance. We stayed until noon then returned to the Institute to relieve Brook.
Brittnee's high school graduation was the 21st. Obviously we didn't attend.
Brook took Nan to a nice restaurant for lunch on Thursday the 23rd. Kind of an "End of the School Year" luncheon. Friday the 24th was our last scheduled day at the Institute until fall classes begin. We will be teaching evening classes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. We have done a lot of publicity and hope we can generate some interest in those classes. We will also spend time at the Institute organizing, etc. as we prepare for fall.
25th - we drove out to Oak Bottom Marina at Whiskeytown Lake to check it out to see if it is somewhere we want to take family during their visits the next few weeks.
26th - picked up Martin for church services on Sunday. He enjoyed getting to know some of the YSA's. We hope to involve him more in YSA activities.
27th - Wades arrived at about 2PM. We had a good visit with them that afternoon. Dallin, Aubree and Chandler spent the night with us. The children took turns staying with us the days that we were here.
28th - Went to Turtle Bay Exploration Park in the morning. Feeding the parrots was a huge hit, as was the LEGO exhibit. That afternoon we took a trip to Shasta Caverns. Very fascinating. Started with a pontoon boat ride across Shasta Lake, then a bus ride up to the caverns. The tour through the caverns seeing all the stalactites and stalagmites was very interesting and all enjoyed it. Most reviews on the internet said it was worth the price but we should be prepared for the many, many steps. Boy - they were not kidding. We had to go down (and then, of course, up) steps to get to the pontoon ferry boat; steps inside the cavern - more than 300 all together; and then steps down outside to the bus-loading zone. It was hard going for Nan but she made it.
29th - Headed to the coast. We stayed at the Trinidad Inn just north of Trinidad on Patrick's Point Road. We had two cabin rooms - Tricia's and Gordon's had a kitchen. This little inn is right in the redwoods in a peaceful quiet setting. A place we will go back to if we ever have the chance. We had lunch at the Samoan Cookhouse which had been recommended by a member of the YSA Branch presidency. There are no menus - you get what the cook has prepared for the day. We had pot roast, vegetables, potatoes, salad, soup, cornbread and chocolate cake all served family style. Our first exposure to the giant redwoods was on 'The Avenue of the Giants.' This is a 30 mile stretch of highway about 40 miles south of Trinidad. Everyone was very taken back by how enormous these trees are. Ate dinner at the Seaside Cafe, which was right on Trinidad Bay. Beautiful setting.
30th- Headed north to Kalamath to go through the "Trees of Mystery." This was a hike through some huge redwoods and a ride up the sky tram to where you could see over the top of all the trees out to the ocean. When we got back to Trinidad Inn the hostess had prepared the fire-pit for us to build a fire for the evening. Tricia and Nan went into Trinidad and bought some chicken and steak which Gordon cooked on the grill provided. Gordon and all the kids went to the beach for an hour or so and saw five whales just off the coast.
31st- Drove back to Redding - swam in our pool - rested and went to the Black Bear Diner for dinner. The very first Black Bear Diner was opened in Mt. Shasta, CA. Now there are diners in several places, including Redding.
1st - The Wade clan headed home about 8 this morning. We rested and got ready for the Hughes coming on Monday.
2nd. - Attended sacrament meeting at the YSA Branch. Attended the 4th Ward to listen to Martin bear his testimony. Returned to the Branch for "Break-the-Fast" after 4th Ward. Attended both the Anderson Seminary Graduation at 5PM and Redding's Seminary Graduation at 7PM. We asked Brook to make Institute invitations we could hand out at each of the Seminary graduations. She did a great job. We gave the invitations to the graduates as they came off the stage after getting their diploma's. We're hoping the invitations will spark some interest in our summer institute classes.
3rd - Hughes arrived this evening about 5:30. Settled in and had dinner here.
4th - Went out to Turtle Bay. Fed parrots (always lots of fun) and went through the butterfly exhibit. That was a huge hit. Hundreds of butterflies. We had to be extra careful not to walk on the butterflies on the ground. We were told they absorb vitamins and minerals from the dirt. We released two after they came out of their chrysalis and got to name them. The children chose "Shoes" and "Ocean" as names. Cool! The Animal show was at 11 and it was so hot we were all miserable but had been told we could not leave our seats until after all the animals had done their thing. So we stuck it out. Hawks flew, the fox scampered and the porcupine waddled. It was an interesting presentation but the intense heat took most of the enjoyment out of it. The boys bought Turtle Bay T-shirts as souvenirs.
4th - Camille's high school graduation was today. Didn't attend this event either.
5th - Went to Whiskeytown Lake and played on the shore for the morning. The wild geese were pests. They have become intense beggars. One nipped Pam's toe thinking it was a Cheetos. We had to constantly shoo them away so the boys could play in the water. All the boys took to wading in the lake as if the water was 80 degrees.
6th - Walked the Sundial Bridge and went to 'Kid's Kingdom' for the morning. Kid's Kingdom is a tree-shaded, huge playground for climbing and swinging. That evening we went to Hometown Buffet for dinner. We were unaware but it was kids night. Free balloons, plus animals and hats made from tube balloons. Cotton candy was handed out. We all ate just what we wanted. Everyone came away full.
7th - Pam, Don and boys left this morning about 8:30. We are recovering and getting back in the groove. These two weeks are our slowest times here so it was perfect timing for families to visit.
We had a wonderful time with the two families. The Hughes spent about an hour or more at our pool every day. Since the temperature has climbed to 105-109 that felt refreshing. Little Landon actually was brave enough to jump off the deck into his mother's arms. He eventually didn't want her to stand there with her arms outstretched so we adults decided to let him experience going under for a split second. He came up sputtering but jumped again and again.
Now, back to work. A lot of leg work needs to take place recruiting students.
Brittnee's high school graduation was the 21st. Obviously we didn't attend.
Brook took Nan to a nice restaurant for lunch on Thursday the 23rd. Kind of an "End of the School Year" luncheon. Friday the 24th was our last scheduled day at the Institute until fall classes begin. We will be teaching evening classes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. We have done a lot of publicity and hope we can generate some interest in those classes. We will also spend time at the Institute organizing, etc. as we prepare for fall.
25th - we drove out to Oak Bottom Marina at Whiskeytown Lake to check it out to see if it is somewhere we want to take family during their visits the next few weeks.
26th - picked up Martin for church services on Sunday. He enjoyed getting to know some of the YSA's. We hope to involve him more in YSA activities.
27th - Wades arrived at about 2PM. We had a good visit with them that afternoon. Dallin, Aubree and Chandler spent the night with us. The children took turns staying with us the days that we were here.
28th - Went to Turtle Bay Exploration Park in the morning. Feeding the parrots was a huge hit, as was the LEGO exhibit. That afternoon we took a trip to Shasta Caverns. Very fascinating. Started with a pontoon boat ride across Shasta Lake, then a bus ride up to the caverns. The tour through the caverns seeing all the stalactites and stalagmites was very interesting and all enjoyed it. Most reviews on the internet said it was worth the price but we should be prepared for the many, many steps. Boy - they were not kidding. We had to go down (and then, of course, up) steps to get to the pontoon ferry boat; steps inside the cavern - more than 300 all together; and then steps down outside to the bus-loading zone. It was hard going for Nan but she made it.
29th - Headed to the coast. We stayed at the Trinidad Inn just north of Trinidad on Patrick's Point Road. We had two cabin rooms - Tricia's and Gordon's had a kitchen. This little inn is right in the redwoods in a peaceful quiet setting. A place we will go back to if we ever have the chance. We had lunch at the Samoan Cookhouse which had been recommended by a member of the YSA Branch presidency. There are no menus - you get what the cook has prepared for the day. We had pot roast, vegetables, potatoes, salad, soup, cornbread and chocolate cake all served family style. Our first exposure to the giant redwoods was on 'The Avenue of the Giants.' This is a 30 mile stretch of highway about 40 miles south of Trinidad. Everyone was very taken back by how enormous these trees are. Ate dinner at the Seaside Cafe, which was right on Trinidad Bay. Beautiful setting.
30th- Headed north to Kalamath to go through the "Trees of Mystery." This was a hike through some huge redwoods and a ride up the sky tram to where you could see over the top of all the trees out to the ocean. When we got back to Trinidad Inn the hostess had prepared the fire-pit for us to build a fire for the evening. Tricia and Nan went into Trinidad and bought some chicken and steak which Gordon cooked on the grill provided. Gordon and all the kids went to the beach for an hour or so and saw five whales just off the coast.
31st- Drove back to Redding - swam in our pool - rested and went to the Black Bear Diner for dinner. The very first Black Bear Diner was opened in Mt. Shasta, CA. Now there are diners in several places, including Redding.
1st - The Wade clan headed home about 8 this morning. We rested and got ready for the Hughes coming on Monday.
2nd. - Attended sacrament meeting at the YSA Branch. Attended the 4th Ward to listen to Martin bear his testimony. Returned to the Branch for "Break-the-Fast" after 4th Ward. Attended both the Anderson Seminary Graduation at 5PM and Redding's Seminary Graduation at 7PM. We asked Brook to make Institute invitations we could hand out at each of the Seminary graduations. She did a great job. We gave the invitations to the graduates as they came off the stage after getting their diploma's. We're hoping the invitations will spark some interest in our summer institute classes.
3rd - Hughes arrived this evening about 5:30. Settled in and had dinner here.
4th - Went out to Turtle Bay. Fed parrots (always lots of fun) and went through the butterfly exhibit. That was a huge hit. Hundreds of butterflies. We had to be extra careful not to walk on the butterflies on the ground. We were told they absorb vitamins and minerals from the dirt. We released two after they came out of their chrysalis and got to name them. The children chose "Shoes" and "Ocean" as names. Cool! The Animal show was at 11 and it was so hot we were all miserable but had been told we could not leave our seats until after all the animals had done their thing. So we stuck it out. Hawks flew, the fox scampered and the porcupine waddled. It was an interesting presentation but the intense heat took most of the enjoyment out of it. The boys bought Turtle Bay T-shirts as souvenirs.
4th - Camille's high school graduation was today. Didn't attend this event either.
5th - Went to Whiskeytown Lake and played on the shore for the morning. The wild geese were pests. They have become intense beggars. One nipped Pam's toe thinking it was a Cheetos. We had to constantly shoo them away so the boys could play in the water. All the boys took to wading in the lake as if the water was 80 degrees.
6th - Walked the Sundial Bridge and went to 'Kid's Kingdom' for the morning. Kid's Kingdom is a tree-shaded, huge playground for climbing and swinging. That evening we went to Hometown Buffet for dinner. We were unaware but it was kids night. Free balloons, plus animals and hats made from tube balloons. Cotton candy was handed out. We all ate just what we wanted. Everyone came away full.
7th - Pam, Don and boys left this morning about 8:30. We are recovering and getting back in the groove. These two weeks are our slowest times here so it was perfect timing for families to visit.
We had a wonderful time with the two families. The Hughes spent about an hour or more at our pool every day. Since the temperature has climbed to 105-109 that felt refreshing. Little Landon actually was brave enough to jump off the deck into his mother's arms. He eventually didn't want her to stand there with her arms outstretched so we adults decided to let him experience going under for a split second. He came up sputtering but jumped again and again.
Now, back to work. A lot of leg work needs to take place recruiting students.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
May 6th-19th, 2013
Hello to All:
We have been very unsuccessful getting the YSAs to attend the CES Fireside broadcasts. The first Fireside we had after arriving here in the mission field was back in September last year. Maybe seven young adults attended. A very poor showing when conservatively speaking there are over 250 YSAs who could have attended. Since that September 2012 Fireside, attendance has dropped lower and lower. We always provide refreshments - that doesn't seem to make a difference. We offered to transport anyone who needed a ride - didn't have any takes on that. January's attendance was: Elder and Sister Barlow, the Institute Administrative Assistant and her son. In March we finally decided to change the venue from the Anderson Stake Center (about 8 miles from Redding) to the Institute building here in Redding hoping to attract members of the Young Single Adult Branch. We thought we had the perfect solution: not only did we change the place we changed the day. We would show the Fireside for FHE the Monday after the live airing. Great Idea! Not!! A few YSAs showed up for FHE but were not thrilled that the activity for the evening was to watch the broadcast. When the word got out that FHE for the first Monday in May was going to be a viewing of the CES Fireside only two YSAs showed. It is frustrating to see the effort and expense the Church puts into these broadcasts go to waste. The YSAs just aren't interested in hearing from their leaders. There will not be any more Firesides until September so hopefully we can come up with a better "solution" than this one.
We taught our last classes on the 6th-9th and had final reviews and exams the 13th-16th. We are done with daytime Institute classes until mid August. I (Nan) admit I'm ready for the break. The last school-year class for our evening Institute was the 15th. We'll start the summer evening classes - "Missionary Preparation" and "Teachings of the Living Prophets" - Tuesday the 11th and Wednesday the 12th. Teaching once a week will be a breeze.
As you all know (because you have been reading our Blog) on Fridays we prepare and/or help prepare a full meal for any YSAs who want to come. We feed anywhere from 15-25 each week. We take turns with Brook (our AA) either being the helpers or the chefs. Friday the 10th was our turn to be the chefs. Brook wasn't even going to be there. She went on a field trip with her son. So, we had Little Caesar's Pizza. It was great. We ordered 10 pepperoni pizzas, opened two bags of salad greens, bought 5 bottles of pop and had chocolate covered ice cream bars for dessert. The kids loved it and clean up was super easy. We even stayed within our budget.
On the 17th we had our last Friday Forum until fall. We had dogs on the grill, fresh fruit, potato salad and potato chips. We had about 30 YSA there and they ate 48 hot dogs. Most stuck around to play volleyball. A great closing Forum.
We plan to attend the Seminary Graduations in both the Redding and Anderson Stakes and hand out a packet to all graduates. We will follow up by contacting all of them and inviting them to Institute. We also plan to contact all returned missionaries and invite them to Instituteand branch activities. The change in age for going on a mission will hit all the Institutes - loosing 45,000 to 50,000 to missionaries is a good thing though.
We were asked again, by the Mission Housing Director, to find an apartment for a new set of sister missionaries coming to Redding. Kent enjoys doing this and he is really good at it. We also were asked to find furniture - preferably used. Members in the area have been great to donate their unwanted kitchen tables and chairs and couches. The sisters arrived on the 15th to an apartment ready and waiting for them.
Mother's Day was different this year because Nan wasn't surrounded by all her children for the first time since she became a mother in 1982. All the children did contact her however one way or another: cards in the mail, phone, email, IM, and gifts. We wanted to make our presence known to the wards and post fliers advertising the upcoming summer evening Institute classes in each church building so we went to the Palo Cedro Ward for their 9 a.m. sacrament. Mothers were given a beautiful long-stem rose at the close of the meeting. Then we went to the 2nd Ward to post the fliers in that building and attend their sacrament meeting. Mothers were given See's candy bars there. When we got home, Kent prepared steaks (purchased at R&R meats, the awesome meat market where we shop) and fresh green beans for dinner. Nan says it was definitely a great day!
The 13th-18th was Rodeo Week in Redding. There were activities all week. The most fun was the Kiddie Parade through the Shasta Mall. Wagons, pets, children, moms, dads. We didn't attend but we heard from some who did that everyone had a good time. Friday morning, the 17th, the city had its annual rodeo pancake breakfast. It was chilly Friday morning but that didn't seem to dampen any one's spirit.
Today, the 19th, we attended the missionary farewell of Eric Espinoza a young man in Kent's Doctrine and Covenants class. It was a nice meeting. Eric's family attends the Antelope Ward in Red Bluff. Before the meeting we put up our summer Institute fliers.
We still walk and read scriptures together every morning. By the time we get home in 2014 those two things should be well-established habits.
Not much excitement these past two weeks but that's all right. These "oldsters" don't need a lot of excitement. Love and smiles to all,
We have been very unsuccessful getting the YSAs to attend the CES Fireside broadcasts. The first Fireside we had after arriving here in the mission field was back in September last year. Maybe seven young adults attended. A very poor showing when conservatively speaking there are over 250 YSAs who could have attended. Since that September 2012 Fireside, attendance has dropped lower and lower. We always provide refreshments - that doesn't seem to make a difference. We offered to transport anyone who needed a ride - didn't have any takes on that. January's attendance was: Elder and Sister Barlow, the Institute Administrative Assistant and her son. In March we finally decided to change the venue from the Anderson Stake Center (about 8 miles from Redding) to the Institute building here in Redding hoping to attract members of the Young Single Adult Branch. We thought we had the perfect solution: not only did we change the place we changed the day. We would show the Fireside for FHE the Monday after the live airing. Great Idea! Not!! A few YSAs showed up for FHE but were not thrilled that the activity for the evening was to watch the broadcast. When the word got out that FHE for the first Monday in May was going to be a viewing of the CES Fireside only two YSAs showed. It is frustrating to see the effort and expense the Church puts into these broadcasts go to waste. The YSAs just aren't interested in hearing from their leaders. There will not be any more Firesides until September so hopefully we can come up with a better "solution" than this one.
We taught our last classes on the 6th-9th and had final reviews and exams the 13th-16th. We are done with daytime Institute classes until mid August. I (Nan) admit I'm ready for the break. The last school-year class for our evening Institute was the 15th. We'll start the summer evening classes - "Missionary Preparation" and "Teachings of the Living Prophets" - Tuesday the 11th and Wednesday the 12th. Teaching once a week will be a breeze.
As you all know (because you have been reading our Blog) on Fridays we prepare and/or help prepare a full meal for any YSAs who want to come. We feed anywhere from 15-25 each week. We take turns with Brook (our AA) either being the helpers or the chefs. Friday the 10th was our turn to be the chefs. Brook wasn't even going to be there. She went on a field trip with her son. So, we had Little Caesar's Pizza. It was great. We ordered 10 pepperoni pizzas, opened two bags of salad greens, bought 5 bottles of pop and had chocolate covered ice cream bars for dessert. The kids loved it and clean up was super easy. We even stayed within our budget.
On the 17th we had our last Friday Forum until fall. We had dogs on the grill, fresh fruit, potato salad and potato chips. We had about 30 YSA there and they ate 48 hot dogs. Most stuck around to play volleyball. A great closing Forum.
We plan to attend the Seminary Graduations in both the Redding and Anderson Stakes and hand out a packet to all graduates. We will follow up by contacting all of them and inviting them to Institute. We also plan to contact all returned missionaries and invite them to Instituteand branch activities. The change in age for going on a mission will hit all the Institutes - loosing 45,000 to 50,000 to missionaries is a good thing though.
We were asked again, by the Mission Housing Director, to find an apartment for a new set of sister missionaries coming to Redding. Kent enjoys doing this and he is really good at it. We also were asked to find furniture - preferably used. Members in the area have been great to donate their unwanted kitchen tables and chairs and couches. The sisters arrived on the 15th to an apartment ready and waiting for them.
Mother's Day was different this year because Nan wasn't surrounded by all her children for the first time since she became a mother in 1982. All the children did contact her however one way or another: cards in the mail, phone, email, IM, and gifts. We wanted to make our presence known to the wards and post fliers advertising the upcoming summer evening Institute classes in each church building so we went to the Palo Cedro Ward for their 9 a.m. sacrament. Mothers were given a beautiful long-stem rose at the close of the meeting. Then we went to the 2nd Ward to post the fliers in that building and attend their sacrament meeting. Mothers were given See's candy bars there. When we got home, Kent prepared steaks (purchased at R&R meats, the awesome meat market where we shop) and fresh green beans for dinner. Nan says it was definitely a great day!
The 13th-18th was Rodeo Week in Redding. There were activities all week. The most fun was the Kiddie Parade through the Shasta Mall. Wagons, pets, children, moms, dads. We didn't attend but we heard from some who did that everyone had a good time. Friday morning, the 17th, the city had its annual rodeo pancake breakfast. It was chilly Friday morning but that didn't seem to dampen any one's spirit.
Today, the 19th, we attended the missionary farewell of Eric Espinoza a young man in Kent's Doctrine and Covenants class. It was a nice meeting. Eric's family attends the Antelope Ward in Red Bluff. Before the meeting we put up our summer Institute fliers.
We still walk and read scriptures together every morning. By the time we get home in 2014 those two things should be well-established habits.
Not much excitement these past two weeks but that's all right. These "oldsters" don't need a lot of excitement. Love and smiles to all,
Sunday, May 5, 2013
April 8th to May 5th
Wow! Is it May already?
On the 11th, the Sister Missionaries asked Kent to go over and dedicate their apartment which he did. They have added a lot to the branch. Sisters can touch people in ways the Elders can't and vise versa.
We had a great YSA Activity on 13th. We built the neatest fire pit for cooking hot dogs etc. We then did just that, built a fire and roasted hot dogs. We worked on cleaning out the sand volleyball court. Played ladder ball, cricket, and just had a good time visiting. A pretty good turn out of YSA's came to the activity. Of course - there was food. Nan made potato salad for our contribution.
For "Break the Fast" on the 14th Nan cooked little smokies in Bar BBQ sauce. The pot was licked clean.
There were two new wards created in Santaquin North Stake. Tyson was called to serve as YM President in his new ward. He has talked to us both several times over the last couple of weeks about this new responsibility he has. Very anxious to serve but worries he will do things right.
On the 21st we went to the Antelope Ward and Red Bluff Ward in Red Bluff. It was good to see Clark and Juanita Marple (siblings) and Eric and Mike Espinosa (siblings). These four are some of the most faithful institute students we have. Juanita is the LDSSA President and Mike is the Assistant President.
On the 23rd President Weston was in Redding and stopped by to talk with us. He has been told that there will be 80,000 missionaries by July 1st and Church leaders are projecting 100,000 by the end of 2013. That is incredible! About a year ago there were under 55,000 missionaries. WOW. We are getting another set of sister missionaries next week. Anderson is also getting a set of sisters. We have been asked once again to look for accommodations for them and hopefully have found suitable apartments for both sets.
On the 20th we attended the track meet at Shasta College. Jazmin Porter, who was baptized in October of 2011, has set state records in the discus and hammer throw and Weber State has recruited her. She has to satisfactorily complete three classes this summer for Weber to officially give her a full ride scholarship. That will be a challenge.
We attended the Shasta College Dance concert on the 27th and on the 3rd of May we went to the Shasta Symphonic Band Concert. What a treat these were. Especially the Band concert. The director is a very lively man who brings the numbers to life. We try to go to as many of these events as we can to support the YSA participants.
Nan enjoyed receiving cards, Facebook posts and emails from family and friends to celebrate her 64th birthday on the 3rd. Gifts from the children made the day extra special.
Saturday the 4th seven of us from the Branch went to Medford, Oregon to the temple there. Desiree, the YW who was baptized last December, went and performed baptisms for the dead. She was so excited and nervous at times she was dizzy and nauseous. We drove her and a couple of other young adults up and had a very enjoyable day visiting and serving in the temple.
Today we had the largest turn out at the Branch that we can remember. There were 33 there and 22-23 YSA's. We did serve a Break-the-Fast lunch and THERE WERE NO LEFT OVERS - NONE. Everyone had plenty but nothing was left.
Well, we are busy but content. I didn't even mention the 3-4 lessons we still teach each week. We will be teaching just 2 more weeks during the day for this semester then for the summer we will be teaching a Missionary Preparation Class on Tuesday evening and on Wednesday evening a class on Teachings of the Living Prophets. This lighter schedule will give us some time to catch our breath and get geared up for classes to start again in September.
Just a little side note: On the 9th Nan found out our grandson, Jaron, is taking piano lessons from her good friend Marylan Hales. Nan has always felt blessed to have Marylan in her life and now Pam's little family will also be touched by this special friend.
Love to all. Kent
On the 11th, the Sister Missionaries asked Kent to go over and dedicate their apartment which he did. They have added a lot to the branch. Sisters can touch people in ways the Elders can't and vise versa.
We had a great YSA Activity on 13th. We built the neatest fire pit for cooking hot dogs etc. We then did just that, built a fire and roasted hot dogs. We worked on cleaning out the sand volleyball court. Played ladder ball, cricket, and just had a good time visiting. A pretty good turn out of YSA's came to the activity. Of course - there was food. Nan made potato salad for our contribution.
For "Break the Fast" on the 14th Nan cooked little smokies in Bar BBQ sauce. The pot was licked clean.
There were two new wards created in Santaquin North Stake. Tyson was called to serve as YM President in his new ward. He has talked to us both several times over the last couple of weeks about this new responsibility he has. Very anxious to serve but worries he will do things right.
On the 21st we went to the Antelope Ward and Red Bluff Ward in Red Bluff. It was good to see Clark and Juanita Marple (siblings) and Eric and Mike Espinosa (siblings). These four are some of the most faithful institute students we have. Juanita is the LDSSA President and Mike is the Assistant President.
On the 23rd President Weston was in Redding and stopped by to talk with us. He has been told that there will be 80,000 missionaries by July 1st and Church leaders are projecting 100,000 by the end of 2013. That is incredible! About a year ago there were under 55,000 missionaries. WOW. We are getting another set of sister missionaries next week. Anderson is also getting a set of sisters. We have been asked once again to look for accommodations for them and hopefully have found suitable apartments for both sets.
On the 20th we attended the track meet at Shasta College. Jazmin Porter, who was baptized in October of 2011, has set state records in the discus and hammer throw and Weber State has recruited her. She has to satisfactorily complete three classes this summer for Weber to officially give her a full ride scholarship. That will be a challenge.
We attended the Shasta College Dance concert on the 27th and on the 3rd of May we went to the Shasta Symphonic Band Concert. What a treat these were. Especially the Band concert. The director is a very lively man who brings the numbers to life. We try to go to as many of these events as we can to support the YSA participants.
Nan enjoyed receiving cards, Facebook posts and emails from family and friends to celebrate her 64th birthday on the 3rd. Gifts from the children made the day extra special.
Saturday the 4th seven of us from the Branch went to Medford, Oregon to the temple there. Desiree, the YW who was baptized last December, went and performed baptisms for the dead. She was so excited and nervous at times she was dizzy and nauseous. We drove her and a couple of other young adults up and had a very enjoyable day visiting and serving in the temple.
Today we had the largest turn out at the Branch that we can remember. There were 33 there and 22-23 YSA's. We did serve a Break-the-Fast lunch and THERE WERE NO LEFT OVERS - NONE. Everyone had plenty but nothing was left.
Well, we are busy but content. I didn't even mention the 3-4 lessons we still teach each week. We will be teaching just 2 more weeks during the day for this semester then for the summer we will be teaching a Missionary Preparation Class on Tuesday evening and on Wednesday evening a class on Teachings of the Living Prophets. This lighter schedule will give us some time to catch our breath and get geared up for classes to start again in September.
Just a little side note: On the 9th Nan found out our grandson, Jaron, is taking piano lessons from her good friend Marylan Hales. Nan has always felt blessed to have Marylan in her life and now Pam's little family will also be touched by this special friend.
Love to all. Kent
Sunday, April 7, 2013
March 11th - April 7th.
Well, it has been 4 weeks since our last entry. We are between sessions of conference and so we are going to take some time and do another post - finally.
Our new Branch Presidency, changed on the 10th, seems like they are going to do great. They have some really good ideas and attend all the activities. We are all trying to come up with ways to build the branch, the institute, and activities associated with both. With the 'wave' of missionaries leaving on missions, along with the usual departure of those leaving for school and marriages, we will see a large % of YSA's leaving the Redding area. We must reach out even more to those who have not yet become involved with the Branch and/or Institute.
We found out more about Alecia's diagnosis of cancer. She had a CAT Scan on the 18th and surgery on the 22nd. The days following were up and down but the final lab results were positive showing that the lymph nodes were free of cancer and she should expect a complete recovery. They removed a portion of the paritoid gland and surrounding tissue. The incision went from behind her ear, along the jaw bone several inches. Tissue was put into the area where the tumor was removed so scaring and the indenture would be minimal. That was a scare for the family.
On the 17th we attended the farewell of Trinity Eide who left Saturday for Utah to go into the MTC prior to her departure to the North Carolina, Raleigh Mission. She came and said her farewells at the Institute Friday during Friday Forum.
On the 19th, Dave Phillips, the Director of Seminaries and Institute in Northern CA, came to visit. He sat in on Nan's Church History class and then visited with us afterwards. He reminded us that, no matter what topic we are teaching, we should always include instruction on gospel principles and doctrine. That hasn't been an issue with Kent's class. Nan is refining her lessons to relate history with the gospel.
The YSAs at Mt. Shasta have decided they're not as interested in having an Institute class as they originally thought they were. So, we have discontinued the Tuesday evening classes. Although we feel badly the members in Mt. Shasta weren't more committed, we know we gave it our best shot.
On Saturday, the 23rd, we attended the 1st Ward YM/YW Dinner/Auction Fundraiser. We had "Adam Wilson's Famous BBQ Chicken," potato salad and baked beans. And Nan actually won the auction on one of the items she wanted.
After the auction, we headed to the Branch "All Green" Party - a late St. Patty's Day celebration. The kids had green punch, green candy, green food, decorations, games and even a D.J. for dancing (which they actually did). We stayed long enough to visit with everyone and then were home by 10:30 p.m. It was a very long day.
Shasta College spring break was the week of March 25th. We used that week to finalize getting two new apartments for a team of Elders and a team of Sisters that arrived on the 3rd of April. Sister Lowman just arrived in the mission field on the 2nd. Sister Tittle will be a great trainer and is an 'Exchange Sister' who has many of the responsibilities of a Zone leader, including exchanges with other sister missionaries. Sister Lowman became extremely car sick on the way to Redding and was quite sick when they finally arrived about 8:30 PM on the 3rd. We met them at their apartment to give them keys and help them settle in. Brother and Sister Bell brought much of what was needed for the apartments up from Roseville on the 28th. The Zone Leaders and Kent spent most of that day helping put beds together, stocking the kitchen with appliances, etc. Both apartments still need a kitchen set, a couch and the sisters need a couple of other things which we will get for them this next week, probably at WalMart (for which we will be reimbursed). Since Redding is three hours from the mission home we have tried to help as much as we can with all the changes happening.
Tyson, Karlee, Max and Ellie spent the week of April 1st with us. They just left on the 6th. It was fun being grandma and grandpa again for the week but was sure hard watching them drive away Saturday morning. We both missed them before they even left the apartment parking area. Living in Santaquin we saw them quite a bit and the two kids acted like we had never been away. They didn't want to do anything without Grandma by their side. Sister Lowther, our assistant, covered for us a lot of the time at the Institute and even though we taught all our classes, we did not spend as much time there as we usually do. Tyson spoke as our "special guest speaker" at our Friday Forum on the 5th. He told the young people to always remember to include Heavenly Father in decisions they are making. He added that through his career-deciding days he changed his course of action a few times, but always with the confirming knowledge that Heavenly Father approved. He reminded them to attend the Temple and be faithful Saints. What a great guy with great counsel!
We are right now enjoying General Conference and in a few minutes the last session will begin.
We are both healthy and learning a lot about the gospel as we spend much of our time studying all the scriptures.
Bye for now.
Kent and Nan
Our new Branch Presidency, changed on the 10th, seems like they are going to do great. They have some really good ideas and attend all the activities. We are all trying to come up with ways to build the branch, the institute, and activities associated with both. With the 'wave' of missionaries leaving on missions, along with the usual departure of those leaving for school and marriages, we will see a large % of YSA's leaving the Redding area. We must reach out even more to those who have not yet become involved with the Branch and/or Institute.
We found out more about Alecia's diagnosis of cancer. She had a CAT Scan on the 18th and surgery on the 22nd. The days following were up and down but the final lab results were positive showing that the lymph nodes were free of cancer and she should expect a complete recovery. They removed a portion of the paritoid gland and surrounding tissue. The incision went from behind her ear, along the jaw bone several inches. Tissue was put into the area where the tumor was removed so scaring and the indenture would be minimal. That was a scare for the family.
On the 17th we attended the farewell of Trinity Eide who left Saturday for Utah to go into the MTC prior to her departure to the North Carolina, Raleigh Mission. She came and said her farewells at the Institute Friday during Friday Forum.
On the 19th, Dave Phillips, the Director of Seminaries and Institute in Northern CA, came to visit. He sat in on Nan's Church History class and then visited with us afterwards. He reminded us that, no matter what topic we are teaching, we should always include instruction on gospel principles and doctrine. That hasn't been an issue with Kent's class. Nan is refining her lessons to relate history with the gospel.
The YSAs at Mt. Shasta have decided they're not as interested in having an Institute class as they originally thought they were. So, we have discontinued the Tuesday evening classes. Although we feel badly the members in Mt. Shasta weren't more committed, we know we gave it our best shot.
On Saturday, the 23rd, we attended the 1st Ward YM/YW Dinner/Auction Fundraiser. We had "Adam Wilson's Famous BBQ Chicken," potato salad and baked beans. And Nan actually won the auction on one of the items she wanted.
After the auction, we headed to the Branch "All Green" Party - a late St. Patty's Day celebration. The kids had green punch, green candy, green food, decorations, games and even a D.J. for dancing (which they actually did). We stayed long enough to visit with everyone and then were home by 10:30 p.m. It was a very long day.
Shasta College spring break was the week of March 25th. We used that week to finalize getting two new apartments for a team of Elders and a team of Sisters that arrived on the 3rd of April. Sister Lowman just arrived in the mission field on the 2nd. Sister Tittle will be a great trainer and is an 'Exchange Sister' who has many of the responsibilities of a Zone leader, including exchanges with other sister missionaries. Sister Lowman became extremely car sick on the way to Redding and was quite sick when they finally arrived about 8:30 PM on the 3rd. We met them at their apartment to give them keys and help them settle in. Brother and Sister Bell brought much of what was needed for the apartments up from Roseville on the 28th. The Zone Leaders and Kent spent most of that day helping put beds together, stocking the kitchen with appliances, etc. Both apartments still need a kitchen set, a couch and the sisters need a couple of other things which we will get for them this next week, probably at WalMart (for which we will be reimbursed). Since Redding is three hours from the mission home we have tried to help as much as we can with all the changes happening.
Tyson, Karlee, Max and Ellie spent the week of April 1st with us. They just left on the 6th. It was fun being grandma and grandpa again for the week but was sure hard watching them drive away Saturday morning. We both missed them before they even left the apartment parking area. Living in Santaquin we saw them quite a bit and the two kids acted like we had never been away. They didn't want to do anything without Grandma by their side. Sister Lowther, our assistant, covered for us a lot of the time at the Institute and even though we taught all our classes, we did not spend as much time there as we usually do. Tyson spoke as our "special guest speaker" at our Friday Forum on the 5th. He told the young people to always remember to include Heavenly Father in decisions they are making. He added that through his career-deciding days he changed his course of action a few times, but always with the confirming knowledge that Heavenly Father approved. He reminded them to attend the Temple and be faithful Saints. What a great guy with great counsel!
We are right now enjoying General Conference and in a few minutes the last session will begin.
We are both healthy and learning a lot about the gospel as we spend much of our time studying all the scriptures.
Bye for now.
Kent and Nan
Sunday, March 10, 2013
February 25th - March 10th
We taught our usual classes the past two weeks. Attendance at the Tuesday evening class in Mt. Shasta has tailed off a bit. Hopefully we can build that back up now the high school basketball tournaments are over. We do have several YSA married students that were attending but now have jobs that they work in the evening. A good thing for them. We drove home in the snow on the 5th which is not a fun experience on that twisting mountain highway.
Friday Forum on March 9th: We asked Elder and Sister Tipton - the Sr. Couple serving as "Member Support" in Red Bluff - to be our speakers. One of their sons, Wesley Scott Tipton - was a policeman for the Phoenix PD when he was severely wounded - multiple shots to his chest at point-blank range. Scott survived and was able to record his memories of the incident. You can read his whole story on LDSCops.com.
The Tipton's message was "Faith Precedes the Miracle." There were so many miracles associated with Scott's survival. One of the officers who responded to the "officer down" call was a Priesthood holder and gave Scott a blessing. Although Scott felt a calmness after the blessing, because of the severity of his wounds, instead of being air-evacuated he was transported to the hospital by ambulance because no one thought he would survive and they weren't authorized to expend the additional cost of air travel. The officer who was dispatched to tell Scott's wife of the accident felt inspired to not tell her Scott would most likely die. It is a miraculous story of faith and survival.
The young gal, Deseree, who was baptized in December, received her Patriarchal Blessing on the 3rd. She doesn't have her own car so she frequently asks us to take her to church. We did on the 3rd and then she came back to our apartment to wait until her appointment with Patriarch Lowry. She was so excited and when we took her home she was still excited. It's fun to be part of the really happy times in the lives of these young single adults we are serving.
Elder Bednar's CES Fireside address was broadcast on Sunday, the 3rd. Kent and I were able to live-stream it here at the apartment. We also showed it on Monday for Family Home Evening with the Branch.
Yesterday, March 9th, was a mission-wide conference. We drove down Friday afternoon after Frida Forum. Brook booked us into the Courtyard Marriott about 3 miles from the Stake Center were the Conference was being held. Very convenient. Apostle Neal L. Anderson spoke to the mission for about 2 1/2 hours. What a wonderful experience that was. We all had the opportunity to shake his hand and just see him in a more casual setting. He was very spontaneous and candid as he talked to us and answered questions. One funny thing he said, "I know you all have at one time probably thought "how did I get myself into this? - and how do I escape?" But, being the honorable person you are, you pressed forward with faith." I, Nan, admit there have been times when I wondered if I could fulfill this mission. Some days are harder than others - but all days turn out just right.
Elder Anderson spoke about how the Lord has a plan for each of us and to be patient in following that plan. He talked about the Atonement and how it changes our lives and the lives of those we teach. He emphasized that we should always testify of Christ in our teachings. Nan noted when he said that words do not, cannot, explain spiritual things. He explained his ordination to be a "Special Witness of Christ."
Had a little trouble with the car Saturday evening. We went out to dinner and when we started the car to go back to the hotel, it made a "klunking" sound when put into drive. Then it was as if we had put the car in "neutral." After a few seconds it started to move, but slowly. We called Gordy and he suggested Kent check the transmission fluid. Kent did - he bought and added some fluid - and the car seems to be working just fine. We do, however, have a 7:30 a.m. appointment at the local Ford dealer tomorrow, the 11th, to have the problem looked into. Hopefully nothing too expensive!
Today, March 10th, the Branch Presidency of the Young Single Adult Branch was reorganized. The new Branch Presidency seem to be very good men. The President and 1st Counselor were counselors in the Redding Stake about two years ago. Having been in those positions, they well understand the programs the Church has for the YSAs and should be able to get support from Ward Bishops.
It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood - about 81 degress when we came out of Church at 2 p.m. We look forward to hearing from anyone reading this blog. Love to all -
Friday Forum on March 9th: We asked Elder and Sister Tipton - the Sr. Couple serving as "Member Support" in Red Bluff - to be our speakers. One of their sons, Wesley Scott Tipton - was a policeman for the Phoenix PD when he was severely wounded - multiple shots to his chest at point-blank range. Scott survived and was able to record his memories of the incident. You can read his whole story on LDSCops.com.
The Tipton's message was "Faith Precedes the Miracle." There were so many miracles associated with Scott's survival. One of the officers who responded to the "officer down" call was a Priesthood holder and gave Scott a blessing. Although Scott felt a calmness after the blessing, because of the severity of his wounds, instead of being air-evacuated he was transported to the hospital by ambulance because no one thought he would survive and they weren't authorized to expend the additional cost of air travel. The officer who was dispatched to tell Scott's wife of the accident felt inspired to not tell her Scott would most likely die. It is a miraculous story of faith and survival.
The young gal, Deseree, who was baptized in December, received her Patriarchal Blessing on the 3rd. She doesn't have her own car so she frequently asks us to take her to church. We did on the 3rd and then she came back to our apartment to wait until her appointment with Patriarch Lowry. She was so excited and when we took her home she was still excited. It's fun to be part of the really happy times in the lives of these young single adults we are serving.
Elder Bednar's CES Fireside address was broadcast on Sunday, the 3rd. Kent and I were able to live-stream it here at the apartment. We also showed it on Monday for Family Home Evening with the Branch.
Yesterday, March 9th, was a mission-wide conference. We drove down Friday afternoon after Frida Forum. Brook booked us into the Courtyard Marriott about 3 miles from the Stake Center were the Conference was being held. Very convenient. Apostle Neal L. Anderson spoke to the mission for about 2 1/2 hours. What a wonderful experience that was. We all had the opportunity to shake his hand and just see him in a more casual setting. He was very spontaneous and candid as he talked to us and answered questions. One funny thing he said, "I know you all have at one time probably thought "how did I get myself into this? - and how do I escape?" But, being the honorable person you are, you pressed forward with faith." I, Nan, admit there have been times when I wondered if I could fulfill this mission. Some days are harder than others - but all days turn out just right.
Elder Anderson spoke about how the Lord has a plan for each of us and to be patient in following that plan. He talked about the Atonement and how it changes our lives and the lives of those we teach. He emphasized that we should always testify of Christ in our teachings. Nan noted when he said that words do not, cannot, explain spiritual things. He explained his ordination to be a "Special Witness of Christ."
Had a little trouble with the car Saturday evening. We went out to dinner and when we started the car to go back to the hotel, it made a "klunking" sound when put into drive. Then it was as if we had put the car in "neutral." After a few seconds it started to move, but slowly. We called Gordy and he suggested Kent check the transmission fluid. Kent did - he bought and added some fluid - and the car seems to be working just fine. We do, however, have a 7:30 a.m. appointment at the local Ford dealer tomorrow, the 11th, to have the problem looked into. Hopefully nothing too expensive!
Today, March 10th, the Branch Presidency of the Young Single Adult Branch was reorganized. The new Branch Presidency seem to be very good men. The President and 1st Counselor were counselors in the Redding Stake about two years ago. Having been in those positions, they well understand the programs the Church has for the YSAs and should be able to get support from Ward Bishops.
It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood - about 81 degress when we came out of Church at 2 p.m. We look forward to hearing from anyone reading this blog. Love to all -
Sunday, February 24, 2013
A Long-Overdue Post: 4-24 February 2013
Wow! I didn't realize how long it had been since we last posted. We are alive and well and very busy in Redding, CA.
We have both completed the challenge by President and Sister Weston to read the Book of Mormon before the end of February. Along with the reading, we were to mark, in different colors, 1) any reference to Christ; 2) any words of Christ; 3) any attributes of Christ; and 4) principles and doctrines of the Gospel. We both enjoyed the challenge. It's interesting to see "in living color" a notation of the four topics.
Shasta College celebrated Lincoln's birthday on the Friday, the 8th so the college was closed and we didn't schedule any Institute classes either. It was nice to have a day off. That evening we "live streamed" the address given by Elder Dallin Oaks.
For our walk on Saturday we decided to drive over to the college campus and walk around there. It was a nice day and we enjoyed being in the great outdoors. It's great to walk at the mall, but being outside is so much more invigorating.
Sunday, the 10th, was "Break the Fast" at church. We made my mother's "Breakfast Casserole" recipe. Always was a hit - still is. The pan was scraped clean.
Just in case anyone is interested - Sunday, the 10th was the start of the Chinese New Year. This is the Year of the Snake. Got that little bit of info from my day planner.
There was a Zone Conference in Gridley (CA) on Tuesday but because we teach classes on that day we weren't able to attend. We did go to Mt. Shasta and give our 6 p.m. Pearle of Great Price lesson. We're fitting in quite nicely in Mt. Shasta. There are a few people who come every week and then we have about six others that come sometimes. All in all, it's turning out to be a great experience.
Although we had to teach classes on the 14th - Valentine's Day - it was still a nice day. Since we leave the Institute at 4 p.m. each day we decided to just make a dinner reservation for 4:30. (Are we starting to sound like old people - eating dinner at 4:30?) Anyway, one of our students works at the Cattlemen's restaurant here in town and Garret said, "If you're going - go early. It gets crazy early on Valentine's Day." We had a great meal. When we got there the Manager was standing in the lobby and he greeted us with "Elder and Sister Barlow - Welcome." He informed us that he is also LDS and was happy we had come to his establishment. He informed one of the Hostesses to take us to "Table 22" which turned out to be a large, side booth away from the hustle and bustle of waiters. He also told our waitress to take our order for any appetizer we wanted and charge it to him. Of course, we both had steaks which were cooked to perfection. We didn't do dessert. It was a nice outing.
Friday the 15th was a BIG evening. Before Thanksgiving, the Elders and Sisters had a contest to see which group could collect the most canned goods to be donated to a local food bank. The prize for winning was to have dinner prepared by the losers. The Sisters won - but not by much. The guys fixed dinner for the ladies on the 15th. The fellow in charge, Devon, was so excited for the whole thing. The guys met a few times to decide a menu and who would be responsible for which part of the evening. The menu was chicken Parmasean, fresh salad and green beans. They even had crusty bread and vinegar and oil for dipping. Kent slicked back his hair and wore a bow tie to fit in with the other Elders. The food was absolutely wonderful! One of the guys met the ladies at the front door as they arrived and escorted them to their seats. The boys were totally attentive to the gals the entire evening. After dinner, "The Battle of the Sexes" was fought. Racing in high heals, throwing a football through a tire etc. Kent and I didn't stay for that. Those kind of activities are definitely not for people our age. But we heard all about the Battle and that turned out great too.
Monday the 18th was another holiday from college - this time celebrating Washington's birthday. So - we didn't have Institute classes that day. I could really get use to only teaching three days a week.
Tuesday the 19th was our regularly scheduled day to teach evening Institute at Mt. Shasta BUT there was a major snowstorm up there. When we were making plans to have the Tuesday evening class we made sure everyone involved understood that in case of inclement weather we would not be driving up. So, Kent sent a "mass text" to all the students to tell them we weren't having class that evening. It was the exact right decision to make but it also made us feel badly we had to cancel.
Today, Sunday the 24th, we decided to attend services at the Anderson Ward at 9 a.m. and the Cottonwood Ward at 11. Both those Wards meet in the Anderson Stake Center which is about a ten-minute drive from Redding. Both Sacrament Meetings were inspiring and the Sunday School class at 10 a.m. (between Sacrament meetings) was well prepared and delivered. We felt "spiritually well fed" when we left the building.
Our Branch Relief Society had a "Craft Night" when the gals made L-O-V-E blocks. Since they were doing that on a Tuesday when I would be in Mt. Shasta, the Counselor in charge of the night made blocks for me as she demonstrated the painting, decoupage, gluing, and ribbon-tying. I now have a very nice set of blocks sitting on my mantle proclaiming "Love" to anyone who enters our "home." Such a sweet thing for Sarah to do for me.
That's it for me. Kent might have a few things to add. Everyone - stay safe and warm and keep in mind that summer will eventually get to you.
Smiles from sunny California. It cooled of to 60 F today.
We have both completed the challenge by President and Sister Weston to read the Book of Mormon before the end of February. Along with the reading, we were to mark, in different colors, 1) any reference to Christ; 2) any words of Christ; 3) any attributes of Christ; and 4) principles and doctrines of the Gospel. We both enjoyed the challenge. It's interesting to see "in living color" a notation of the four topics.
Shasta College celebrated Lincoln's birthday on the Friday, the 8th so the college was closed and we didn't schedule any Institute classes either. It was nice to have a day off. That evening we "live streamed" the address given by Elder Dallin Oaks.
For our walk on Saturday we decided to drive over to the college campus and walk around there. It was a nice day and we enjoyed being in the great outdoors. It's great to walk at the mall, but being outside is so much more invigorating.
Sunday, the 10th, was "Break the Fast" at church. We made my mother's "Breakfast Casserole" recipe. Always was a hit - still is. The pan was scraped clean.
Just in case anyone is interested - Sunday, the 10th was the start of the Chinese New Year. This is the Year of the Snake. Got that little bit of info from my day planner.
There was a Zone Conference in Gridley (CA) on Tuesday but because we teach classes on that day we weren't able to attend. We did go to Mt. Shasta and give our 6 p.m. Pearle of Great Price lesson. We're fitting in quite nicely in Mt. Shasta. There are a few people who come every week and then we have about six others that come sometimes. All in all, it's turning out to be a great experience.
Although we had to teach classes on the 14th - Valentine's Day - it was still a nice day. Since we leave the Institute at 4 p.m. each day we decided to just make a dinner reservation for 4:30. (Are we starting to sound like old people - eating dinner at 4:30?) Anyway, one of our students works at the Cattlemen's restaurant here in town and Garret said, "If you're going - go early. It gets crazy early on Valentine's Day." We had a great meal. When we got there the Manager was standing in the lobby and he greeted us with "Elder and Sister Barlow - Welcome." He informed us that he is also LDS and was happy we had come to his establishment. He informed one of the Hostesses to take us to "Table 22" which turned out to be a large, side booth away from the hustle and bustle of waiters. He also told our waitress to take our order for any appetizer we wanted and charge it to him. Of course, we both had steaks which were cooked to perfection. We didn't do dessert. It was a nice outing.
Friday the 15th was a BIG evening. Before Thanksgiving, the Elders and Sisters had a contest to see which group could collect the most canned goods to be donated to a local food bank. The prize for winning was to have dinner prepared by the losers. The Sisters won - but not by much. The guys fixed dinner for the ladies on the 15th. The fellow in charge, Devon, was so excited for the whole thing. The guys met a few times to decide a menu and who would be responsible for which part of the evening. The menu was chicken Parmasean, fresh salad and green beans. They even had crusty bread and vinegar and oil for dipping. Kent slicked back his hair and wore a bow tie to fit in with the other Elders. The food was absolutely wonderful! One of the guys met the ladies at the front door as they arrived and escorted them to their seats. The boys were totally attentive to the gals the entire evening. After dinner, "The Battle of the Sexes" was fought. Racing in high heals, throwing a football through a tire etc. Kent and I didn't stay for that. Those kind of activities are definitely not for people our age. But we heard all about the Battle and that turned out great too.
Monday the 18th was another holiday from college - this time celebrating Washington's birthday. So - we didn't have Institute classes that day. I could really get use to only teaching three days a week.
Tuesday the 19th was our regularly scheduled day to teach evening Institute at Mt. Shasta BUT there was a major snowstorm up there. When we were making plans to have the Tuesday evening class we made sure everyone involved understood that in case of inclement weather we would not be driving up. So, Kent sent a "mass text" to all the students to tell them we weren't having class that evening. It was the exact right decision to make but it also made us feel badly we had to cancel.
Today, Sunday the 24th, we decided to attend services at the Anderson Ward at 9 a.m. and the Cottonwood Ward at 11. Both those Wards meet in the Anderson Stake Center which is about a ten-minute drive from Redding. Both Sacrament Meetings were inspiring and the Sunday School class at 10 a.m. (between Sacrament meetings) was well prepared and delivered. We felt "spiritually well fed" when we left the building.
Our Branch Relief Society had a "Craft Night" when the gals made L-O-V-E blocks. Since they were doing that on a Tuesday when I would be in Mt. Shasta, the Counselor in charge of the night made blocks for me as she demonstrated the painting, decoupage, gluing, and ribbon-tying. I now have a very nice set of blocks sitting on my mantle proclaiming "Love" to anyone who enters our "home." Such a sweet thing for Sarah to do for me.
That's it for me. Kent might have a few things to add. Everyone - stay safe and warm and keep in mind that summer will eventually get to you.
Smiles from sunny California. It cooled of to 60 F today.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
January 20th to February 3 - 2013
What a busy two weeks we just had. Tuesday the 22nd we drove the 1 hour to Mt. Shasta and taught our first Pearl of Great Price Evening Institute lesson to the YSAs there. We had 10 attend the class, which is great. The soup and salad dinner was a good way to break the ice. I taught the lesson and it went very well. There was a lot of discussion and it seems the young people felt quite comfortable with us even though we did not know most of them.
The same lesson was taught at the institute in Redding on Wednesday evening. It too went well. I introduced each lesson by breaking open a live oyster and discussing the 'mother of pearl' and the title Pearl of Great Price and its significance.
Thursday evening was sports night again and we went down to the Stake Center at 8:45. This has become an open gym and I am not sure if it any longer accomplishes what it was meant to accomplish - that being fellowshipping and friendshipping less active members and friends. There are 20+ guys that show up to play basketball but only 2-3 YSA from our branch. An opening prayer was even forgotten by the Elders Quorum member in charge. We will see what happens.
We were quite concerned that numbers in our Institute classes would decrease because of the recent announcement changing the age of missionaries. We know of 4, maybe 5, young women and young men who are not taking classes at Shasta College this semester because they either have their mission papers in or are preparing to do so. There were 60 enrolled in classes last year and as of today we have 67 for this semester. That is mainly because of those from Mt. Shasta but we feel good about our efforts with that. We still pray daily on what we should do to reach more of the young people.
Our day classes are also going well. We have about the same number attending as last semester but my class has a couple less students and Nan's has a few more. That is a good thing.
This week we seemed to cook a lot. Even a little more than usual. Monday it was decided to view the CES Broadcast by Elder Uchtdorf for FHE so we provided a treat after the broadcast. Only 2 attended the broadcast at the stake center on the 13th so we decided to show the broadcast again at Branch FHE. We were pleased with the attendance.
Tuesday we took a green salad for the Mt. Shasta group dinner. Wednesday we made another treat for the Wednesday evening class. Thursday night Nan cooked pulled pork, potato salad and apple crisp for Friday forum. We are encouraged by the attendance on Fridays. At the end of last semester we had 12-15 attending. There have been over 20 attending the two forums we have had this semester. We hoped to have some pulled pork left for dinner at Mt. Shasta but all 11 lbs. were gone when we started the clean-up. We bought another pork roast yesterday that we'll take to Mt. Shasta. Nan will be cooking again.
Another thing that we have felt good about - after the classes more and more of the young adults want to stick around and visit. Nan can be very entertaining. We have stayed 30-45 minutes and just visited with some of them. One thing I noticed at Stake Conference yesterday and today is that some of the young people seek us out and sit with us instead of us having to locate them. It has taken some time but we have made our place here in Redding and with the young adults.
Notes by Nan: Something that really touched both of us - last Wednesday Devon came to us after Institute class and asked if it was hard for us to step in where the Gardners (the previous Sr. Missionaries) had left off. We honestly told him - yes it was/is hard. Several times we were called Elder or Sister Gardner. Many times conversations would begin with "When the Gardners were here," or "I loved the way the Gardners ...," or "The Gardners were so ...." We told Devon we prayed often that we would be accepted by the young people and would be able to make a difference in their lives. Devon said he actually told the Gardners before they left that he couldn't imagine them ever being replaced and if the new missionaries didn't measure up he would drop Institute classes. But - and here's the part that touched our hearts - he said the minute he saw us he was drawn to us and he knew we were the right people for the job. He said he feels a bond with us and he's so glad we came to Redding. It was at that point I actually felt I was going to be a successful missionary.
Thursday, the 31st, I was invited by a member of the Shasta College Board of Directors to have lunch with her and several sisters from her Redding 3rd Ward. We ate at The Bistro, a little cafe the culinary students at the college operate every Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to test their cooking skills. The food was wonderful and presented in a very professional way. But even more wonderful was the opportunity I had to associate with some ladies within my age range - some older - some younger. I had such a good time telling about me and our mission and listening to them tell about their lives. Getting together with these ladies gave me a much needed boost.
Yesterday and today was the Redding Stake Conference. The speakers last evening made a great impression on me. They spoke about people changing their lives, embracing the gospel and becoming stalwart members of the Church; standing in holy places (which include our homes and even school if you are living so you can hear the Holy Ghost when he tries to guide you); giving service (even a small smile might make a big difference in someone's life); and going the "second mile" - doing more than required or asked and by so doing obtaining great blessings. It was a great Conference. Today we watched a pre-recorded broadcast from Salt Lake. Elder Perry was the key-note speaker. These were two great sessions.
Well that's it for this week. We hope all is well wherever you are as you read this epistle. Love to all,
The same lesson was taught at the institute in Redding on Wednesday evening. It too went well. I introduced each lesson by breaking open a live oyster and discussing the 'mother of pearl' and the title Pearl of Great Price and its significance.
Thursday evening was sports night again and we went down to the Stake Center at 8:45. This has become an open gym and I am not sure if it any longer accomplishes what it was meant to accomplish - that being fellowshipping and friendshipping less active members and friends. There are 20+ guys that show up to play basketball but only 2-3 YSA from our branch. An opening prayer was even forgotten by the Elders Quorum member in charge. We will see what happens.
We were quite concerned that numbers in our Institute classes would decrease because of the recent announcement changing the age of missionaries. We know of 4, maybe 5, young women and young men who are not taking classes at Shasta College this semester because they either have their mission papers in or are preparing to do so. There were 60 enrolled in classes last year and as of today we have 67 for this semester. That is mainly because of those from Mt. Shasta but we feel good about our efforts with that. We still pray daily on what we should do to reach more of the young people.
Our day classes are also going well. We have about the same number attending as last semester but my class has a couple less students and Nan's has a few more. That is a good thing.
This week we seemed to cook a lot. Even a little more than usual. Monday it was decided to view the CES Broadcast by Elder Uchtdorf for FHE so we provided a treat after the broadcast. Only 2 attended the broadcast at the stake center on the 13th so we decided to show the broadcast again at Branch FHE. We were pleased with the attendance.
Tuesday we took a green salad for the Mt. Shasta group dinner. Wednesday we made another treat for the Wednesday evening class. Thursday night Nan cooked pulled pork, potato salad and apple crisp for Friday forum. We are encouraged by the attendance on Fridays. At the end of last semester we had 12-15 attending. There have been over 20 attending the two forums we have had this semester. We hoped to have some pulled pork left for dinner at Mt. Shasta but all 11 lbs. were gone when we started the clean-up. We bought another pork roast yesterday that we'll take to Mt. Shasta. Nan will be cooking again.
Another thing that we have felt good about - after the classes more and more of the young adults want to stick around and visit. Nan can be very entertaining. We have stayed 30-45 minutes and just visited with some of them. One thing I noticed at Stake Conference yesterday and today is that some of the young people seek us out and sit with us instead of us having to locate them. It has taken some time but we have made our place here in Redding and with the young adults.
Notes by Nan: Something that really touched both of us - last Wednesday Devon came to us after Institute class and asked if it was hard for us to step in where the Gardners (the previous Sr. Missionaries) had left off. We honestly told him - yes it was/is hard. Several times we were called Elder or Sister Gardner. Many times conversations would begin with "When the Gardners were here," or "I loved the way the Gardners ...," or "The Gardners were so ...." We told Devon we prayed often that we would be accepted by the young people and would be able to make a difference in their lives. Devon said he actually told the Gardners before they left that he couldn't imagine them ever being replaced and if the new missionaries didn't measure up he would drop Institute classes. But - and here's the part that touched our hearts - he said the minute he saw us he was drawn to us and he knew we were the right people for the job. He said he feels a bond with us and he's so glad we came to Redding. It was at that point I actually felt I was going to be a successful missionary.
Thursday, the 31st, I was invited by a member of the Shasta College Board of Directors to have lunch with her and several sisters from her Redding 3rd Ward. We ate at The Bistro, a little cafe the culinary students at the college operate every Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to test their cooking skills. The food was wonderful and presented in a very professional way. But even more wonderful was the opportunity I had to associate with some ladies within my age range - some older - some younger. I had such a good time telling about me and our mission and listening to them tell about their lives. Getting together with these ladies gave me a much needed boost.
Yesterday and today was the Redding Stake Conference. The speakers last evening made a great impression on me. They spoke about people changing their lives, embracing the gospel and becoming stalwart members of the Church; standing in holy places (which include our homes and even school if you are living so you can hear the Holy Ghost when he tries to guide you); giving service (even a small smile might make a big difference in someone's life); and going the "second mile" - doing more than required or asked and by so doing obtaining great blessings. It was a great Conference. Today we watched a pre-recorded broadcast from Salt Lake. Elder Perry was the key-note speaker. These were two great sessions.
Well that's it for this week. We hope all is well wherever you are as you read this epistle. Love to all,
Friday, January 25, 2013
January 7th to January 20, 2013
On the 8th we went to a Zone Conference in the morning and interacted with all the Elders in our Zone. Nan made appointments to inspect all the Elders apartments through the remainder of the week. Found a few issues this visit but those have been resolved. We will spend next week recruiting and registering the YSA for Institute for the Winter/Spring Classes.
Wednesday the 9th we took Elders Leithead and Simons, the Zone Leaders, to Mount Shasta to interview a sister for baptism. We spent the time in the ward building looking at what is available for us as we teach our institute class. We have decided there is enough interest to begin a class in Mt. Shasta on Tuesday evenings. We will travel up after leaving the Institute at four, grab a hamburger and set up for class, which will begin at 6. It is a 1 hour drive north to Mt. Shasta. Our first class there will be on the 22nd. A YSA sister who used to attend the Young Single Adult Branch in Redding, is taking the responsibility to assist in building interest and called us just yesterday, the 19th, and told us she is preparing a soup and sandwich dinner prior to our six 6 PM class to bring students out. If you have food, they will come.
Classes in Redding start on the 23rd. Day classes at 10, 11 and 1 with an evening class at 7 on Wednesdays. About 6-8 students have left for school or on missions but we feel we should still be teaching about the same number of students. Counting all the classes that should be 25-30. We both enjoyed seeing all the young people again. They keep us going.
We spoke in the 3rd Ward on Sunday the 13th. Kent doesn't feel his talk, a couple of weeks earlier, in the 5th Ward, was very good but we both felt good about our talks in the 3rd Ward. Nan always speaks great. For some reason my talk in the 5th Ward just never got of the ground. (Kent speaking here.)
Kent, the Branch Clerk, and the Branch Executive Secretary reviewed records on Monday the 14th in preparation for the Branches annual audit coming up.
As you can see this was a very uneventful two weeks. Back in the routine of going to the Institute Monday through Friday from 9 to 4. Oh yes, Kent is getting quite good a vacuuming and cleaning floors. And he thought he was going to retire.
Kent and Nan
Wednesday the 9th we took Elders Leithead and Simons, the Zone Leaders, to Mount Shasta to interview a sister for baptism. We spent the time in the ward building looking at what is available for us as we teach our institute class. We have decided there is enough interest to begin a class in Mt. Shasta on Tuesday evenings. We will travel up after leaving the Institute at four, grab a hamburger and set up for class, which will begin at 6. It is a 1 hour drive north to Mt. Shasta. Our first class there will be on the 22nd. A YSA sister who used to attend the Young Single Adult Branch in Redding, is taking the responsibility to assist in building interest and called us just yesterday, the 19th, and told us she is preparing a soup and sandwich dinner prior to our six 6 PM class to bring students out. If you have food, they will come.
Classes in Redding start on the 23rd. Day classes at 10, 11 and 1 with an evening class at 7 on Wednesdays. About 6-8 students have left for school or on missions but we feel we should still be teaching about the same number of students. Counting all the classes that should be 25-30. We both enjoyed seeing all the young people again. They keep us going.
We spoke in the 3rd Ward on Sunday the 13th. Kent doesn't feel his talk, a couple of weeks earlier, in the 5th Ward, was very good but we both felt good about our talks in the 3rd Ward. Nan always speaks great. For some reason my talk in the 5th Ward just never got of the ground. (Kent speaking here.)
Kent, the Branch Clerk, and the Branch Executive Secretary reviewed records on Monday the 14th in preparation for the Branches annual audit coming up.
As you can see this was a very uneventful two weeks. Back in the routine of going to the Institute Monday through Friday from 9 to 4. Oh yes, Kent is getting quite good a vacuuming and cleaning floors. And he thought he was going to retire.
Kent and Nan
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Elder Holland - let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid - one of the Savior's commandments that is almost universally disobeyed
From his talk: “Come Unto Me” – Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Ensign, April, 1998, p. 19
"Consider,… the Savior’s benediction upon his disciples .… The Savior said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. … Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).
I submit to you, that may be one of the Savior’s commandments that is, even in the hearts of otherwise faithful Latter-day Saints, almost universally disobeyed; and yet I wonder whether our resistance to this invitation could be any more grievous to the Lord’s merciful heart. I can tell you this as a parent: as concerned as I would be if somewhere in their lives one of my children were seriously troubled or unhappy or disobedient, nevertheless I would be infinitely more devastated if I felt that at such a time that child could not trust me to help or thought his or her interest was unimportant to me or unsafe in my care. In that same spirit, I am convinced that none of us can appreciate how deeply it wounds the loving heart of the Savior of the world when he finds that his people do not feel confident in his care or secure in his hands or trust in his commandments.
Just because God is God, just because Christ is Christ, they cannot do other than care for us and bless us and help us if we will but come unto them, approaching their throne of grace in meekness and lowliness of heart. They can’t help but bless us. They have to. It is their nature. That is why Joseph Smith gave those lectures on faith, so we would understand the nature of godliness and in the process have enough confidence to come unto Christ and find peace to our souls. There is not a single loophole or curveball or open trench to fall into for the man or woman who walks the path that Christ walks. When he says, “Come, follow me” (Luke 18:22), he means that he knows where the quicksand is and where the thorns are and the best way to handle the slippery slope near the summit of our personal mountains. He knows it all, and he knows the way. He is the way.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
December 24th - January 5th, 2012
Well the holidays have come and gone. We have several weeks before we start teaching again. College starts up on the 14th and that week will be used to register students for Inistitute. With the 21st of January being a holiday, we will not begin teaching until the 23rd.
We talked and spoke on the webcam with all our children over the holidays. All seem to be doing very well. Kent's mom was at Kim and Patsy's for Christamas and all the children in Utah county went over to Kim and Patsy's and made taffy. Patsy sent us some pictures and they seemed to have a great time. Pam had them over to make gingerbread houses and those pictures were also great. New Year's eve was also party time, again at Pam and Don's. It was great seeing family get together but we did miss being with them.
Back to what is going on with us here in Redding. Saturday the 29th we went to Medford, Oregon and went through a temple session. Desiree, whom was baptised on the 15th was at Weed, which is a town just north of Mt. Shasta. We stopped in there on our way back to Redding and stayed Saturday night at the Comfort Inn. We picked up Desiree and went to the Mt. Shasta meetings on the 30th. It had snowed 3-4 feet in Mt. Shasta on the 22nd and 23rd so they did not have their meetings on the 23rd. They were 'snowed in' their homes. So, the meeting on the 30th was their Christmas program. Chirstmas messages and families singing Christmas carols was such a treat. Comming into Mt. Shasta I took this picture on the mountain giving the town it's name. It is 14,300 feet high. A breathtaking sight. We have seen it on several occassions but covered in snow adds to it's beauty.
We also looked into the possibility of teaching an institute class in Mt. Shasta on Tuesday evenings. We talked with some of the young adults in the Mt. Shasta Ward and have sent out a number of letters telling the young people about the class. We hope to generate enough interest to get 8-10 to these classes. The potential is there. The one hour drive and cost of gas have made it difficult for them to attend the Wednesday evening class in Redding. So we will teach the same class on both Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.
Yesterday, the 5th, we attended the baptism of another young women. She may attend her home ward instead of the YSA Branch. She has been living with a family of nine for 6-9 months and feels really comfortable in their ward.
No more to report at this time. Have a prosperous new year.
We talked and spoke on the webcam with all our children over the holidays. All seem to be doing very well. Kent's mom was at Kim and Patsy's for Christamas and all the children in Utah county went over to Kim and Patsy's and made taffy. Patsy sent us some pictures and they seemed to have a great time. Pam had them over to make gingerbread houses and those pictures were also great. New Year's eve was also party time, again at Pam and Don's. It was great seeing family get together but we did miss being with them.
Back to what is going on with us here in Redding. Saturday the 29th we went to Medford, Oregon and went through a temple session. Desiree, whom was baptised on the 15th was at Weed, which is a town just north of Mt. Shasta. We stopped in there on our way back to Redding and stayed Saturday night at the Comfort Inn. We picked up Desiree and went to the Mt. Shasta meetings on the 30th. It had snowed 3-4 feet in Mt. Shasta on the 22nd and 23rd so they did not have their meetings on the 23rd. They were 'snowed in' their homes. So, the meeting on the 30th was their Christmas program. Chirstmas messages and families singing Christmas carols was such a treat. Comming into Mt. Shasta I took this picture on the mountain giving the town it's name. It is 14,300 feet high. A breathtaking sight. We have seen it on several occassions but covered in snow adds to it's beauty.
We also looked into the possibility of teaching an institute class in Mt. Shasta on Tuesday evenings. We talked with some of the young adults in the Mt. Shasta Ward and have sent out a number of letters telling the young people about the class. We hope to generate enough interest to get 8-10 to these classes. The potential is there. The one hour drive and cost of gas have made it difficult for them to attend the Wednesday evening class in Redding. So we will teach the same class on both Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.
Yesterday, the 5th, we attended the baptism of another young women. She may attend her home ward instead of the YSA Branch. She has been living with a family of nine for 6-9 months and feels really comfortable in their ward.
No more to report at this time. Have a prosperous new year.
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