1 March - 31 March 2014

The 1st of March was a BIG day in the Hughes family - Jaron Don Hughes was baptized by his father, Don.  Where did those 8 years go?  Jaron's baptism is one of several important family events we have missed while serving our mission.  We certainly know what it means to sacrifice in order to serve.  Pam filled us in on all the happenings of the day.  Jaron is a lucky boy to have such great parents.

Sunday, March 2nd was "Break-the-Fast" at the YSA Branch.  We made "Sister Jacobson's Tortillini Soup."  A few months back, one of Kent's students, Andrew Jacobson, suggested we make his mother's soup for our Friday Forum luncheon.  We did and it was a huge success.  We're happy to report we succeeded again in making hungry people happy.

For FHE on the 3rd the Branch met at the Institute building to watch the CES Devotional from last night.

Tuesday the 4th was "transfer day" in the Mission.  Sister Nielson came by to say good-bye - she was being transferred down south very close to the Mission Home.  She will be attending the Ward that President and Sister Weston and their family attend.  We will surely miss Sister Nielson.  She has been so instrumental in getting YSAs leaving their home wards and coming to the Branch.  Our Branch membership has increased by about 15 which, in large part, is due to Sister Nielson's efforts.  She is from the little town of Tabiona, Utah.  She has invited us to visit her there when all three of us are home from our missions.  That is definitely on our "To Do" list.

On Friday the 7th we attended the annual "Evening With a General Authority" fireside.  All Seminary and Institute teachers are invited to attend a dinner and rebroadcast of the meeting originally held in SLC in February.  Our Admin. Asst., Sister Lowther, is given the responsibility of making it a memorable night for the local Seminary teachers and us.  The evening started with a meal of home-made soups, salads, bread, and delicious chocolate cake all made by Sister Lowther.  Yes - she even made the bread.  She also made beautiful table coverings using burlap and ribbon.  Centerpieces for each table included live potted flowers and lovely knick-knacks.  After dinner we moved to the classroom where we watched the fireside.  Elder Neil L. Anderson of the Quorum of the Twelve was the featured speaker.  We had the opportunity to attend a Mission Conference last year when Elder Anderson spoke.  We both enjoy hearing from him.

FHE on the 10th the R.S. was in charge.  The YSAs had already made paper hearts and written short notes of encouragement to attach to the doors of some of the inactive members of the Branch.  This is called giving a "Heart Attack."  The guys were suppose to drive the gals around to all the homes to be "attacked."  We didn't join in this activity.  They didn't need us to drive so we bowed out on this one.

We decided instead of renting a small trailer to pull behind the car on the way home, we would use that "rental" money to send boxes via FedEx.  We sent our first four boxes home on the 11th.

Granddaughter Camille (Barlow) left Post Falls, ID on the 12th heading for the Provo MTC.  She will be serving in the Jamaica Kingston Mission.  We're looking forward to hearing what it's like being a young, cute, white girl in Jamaica.

32 YEARS - Today, March 13, is our anniversary.  Although it's a special day for us, life goes on.  We spent the day at the Institute doing what we do.  Kent taught classes today - Nan had the day off.  We went to Olive Garden for dinner using Gift Certificates from some of our children.

Friday the 14th:  Folks around here call this "Pi Day" as in 3.14 (March 14) = pi.  For Friday Forum we helped Sister Lowther fix BLTs.  What a great success.  This evening we attended the wedding reception of a young woman whose mother, Terri, attends our Institute classes.  This was a dream-come-true marriage for the Church members in the Palo Cedro Ward.  The couple grew up together, share the same convictions, and have the same goals.  They were married in the SL Temple on the 8th and were now having their California Open House.

March 15:  We started our monthly apartment inspections today.  We went to the Red Bluff and Palo Cedro apartments in the Anderson Zone.  We spent a lot of time at the Sister's house on James Ave. in Red Bluff.  Their garbage disposal wasn't working; their clothes washer had to be leveled and repositioned; the bulbs in the garage door opener were burned out, the blender didn't work and they needed a new set of frying pans.  We couldn't fix the disposal; Kent got down on the floor in his white shirt and good pants and took care of the washer; we got the cover off the motor mechanism for the door opener, removed the bulbs and told the girls to get some new ones and submit a receipt for reimbursement; and contacted Elder Bell, the housing director to see what he wanted to do about the disposal, blender, and frying pans. Since Red Bluff has a Wal-Mart Elder Bell gave us permission to go buy a blender, pans, and light bulbs and submit the receipt for reimbursement.  The Sisters said they would call Bro. Abdula, a maintenance man in their Ward, and have him look at the disposal.

Tricia (Pam's sister) and Dani (Pam's sister-in-law) were hostesses for an Open House baby shower for Pam and baby girl Kayla from 3-5 p.m.  Karlee (Tyson's wife) set up her ipad so I could "FaceTime" into the shower.  I watched Pam open all those pretty pink gifts.  Since I couldn't be there in person, FaceTiming was the perfect substitute.

The week of the 17th-20th we both gave mid-term reviews and exams.  All students in both classes passed the exams. Now on to the final semester we will be here.

Also this week, we continued to inspect apartments.  The apartment in Mt. Shasta needs the tile surrounding the tub replaced, the heater doesn't work, and the front door does not stay closed; the Pioneer Dr. apartment still has a leaking ceiling but in a different place - very frustrating; and the refrigerator in the Bechelli Lane apartment has a broken ice-maker water line and the vegetable bins keep filling with water (don't know why the girls haven't reported this before now).  We turned in our report to Elder Falls, the brand new housing director, feeling apartment management personnel would feel more inclined to take care of the problems if contacted by an official from the Mission Home.

On Monday, the 17th, Nan thought she found a huge worm in the hallway outside our office.  When she went to pick it up to take outside she realized it was a small snake.  One of the men from the FM Group happened to be in the building at the time so he took it outside.  On Tuesday, the snake was back.  Nan found it in almost the same spot as on Monday.  One of the students took it outside.  On Wednesday, the snake was back.  Well - it's "3 strikes and your out" in Nan's book so Kent took it outside and disposed of it permanently.  No more snake episodes to report.

On the 22nd, Chris Unger, a Branch member, went with his family to the Sacramento Temple to receive his endowments.  Four YSA's have received their endowments since January of this year.  Two more are preparing to do so.  The current generation is moving forward.

We didn't go to FHE on the 24th - the YSAs were going to play "Zombie Tag" at one of the parks here in town.  Since that required running around in the dark, we both decided we would pass on that.

Nan went to her monthly "Lunch with the Ladies" on the 25th.  The wives of the Branch Presidency and Nan decided they wanted to be more social so they decided lunch would be a good to do that.  This month they went to Red Robin.  

A little bit of sad news:  Ed(Eddie) Neff from Santaquin passed away on the 26th after a long battle with cancer.  Nan served as Counselor to Lynette Neff in the Stake YW Presidency several years ago and they have stayed close ever since.  The funeral will be Monday, the 31st.  

After our Friday Forum luncheon and gospel message on the 28th, most of the YSAs left but four young men stayed and sang hymns for almost an hour.  It was so comforting to hear these young men singing praises to our Lord.  Lars Capener sang AND played the piano to accompany Steven Eversol, Clark Marple, and Rion Loader.  We both stayed in our office so we wouldn't disturb the spirit the boys brought into the building but we could hear perfectly.  It was a great afternoon!  

On the 29th, Nan chose to watch the General Women's Meeting from the comfort of our little apartment.  Internet technology is surely a wonderful thing.  

Redding Stake scheduled April's Fast Sunday for March 30th.  The Branch always has a "Break-the-Fast" luncheon on Fast Sunday.  We cooked a pot roast with potatoes and carrots.  No leftovers to take home from that one.  

That evening, the 30th, one of the young men that attends Nan's O.T. class invited anyone and everyone who wanted to come to his home to support him as he opened his mission call.  Neither Tyler's mother nor father are members of the Church.  His father is definitely opposed to the mission but Tyler's mother supports him because this is what he wants to do.  He has been called to serve in the Canada, Vancouver Mission.  He reports to the Provo MTC on July 9th (two years to the day we reported there).  There were about 50 people at Tyler's home.  His mom had purchased pizzas and made cookies for everyone.  She is a nice lady.  When we introduced ourselves she said, "It's nice of you to come.  I really don't know what to expect."  So Nan told her, "There is a formal letter inside the envelope from Church headquarters and signed by our Prophet, Thomas Monson.  The letter will state where Tyler will serve and when he has to report to the Missionary Training Center.  Immediately after he reads the place in which he will be serving there will be cheers, and shouts, and clapping and people jumping up to give him hugs.  It's really a neat experience."  Mrs. Wilds felt a little more prepared for the moment after talking with Nan.

Dave Phillips the Regional Director of Institutes droped in Monday the 31st.  He attended Nan's Old Testament Class at 11 and stayed around until about 2 PM.  Several YM came into our office, pulled up a chair and visited the whole time Brother Phillips was there.  As Dave left he commented on how he was impressed that the young men hung around and felt so comfortable with us.  He did mention that it did not look like they would send another couple to replace us until July, so the Stake will have to make a calling if they want to have Evening Institute during the summer.  

That's it for March 2014.  We're 2 months away from being home.  We'll keep teaching, counseling, cooking meals, and being all around good friends to those here in Redding.  You all do the same wherever you are.