February 2013

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!  This has been a bittersweet month for me.  I turned 64 years old on the 11th.  We spent it quietly with dinner out and some shopping.  Lee bought me a Kindle Fire for my birthday so I can download books to read.


We had planned to do a temple session for Valentine's Day and had our appointment made.  However, a recent convert in our ward wanted to do baptisms and needed some Priesthood help.  Elder Searle asked Lee if he could help him in the baptistry and of course he said he would.  So, Sis. Searle and I did the endowment session together.  Elder Searle and Lee where waiting for us in the Celestial Room.  I thought as I entered, "This is how it is suppose to be."  It turned out to be a wonderful night.

February 19th was transfer day for three missionaries in our ward.  Sis. Fetuli returned home, Sis. Graham and Elder Houskeeper were transferred.  Sis. Graham went to Hornell (full proselyting) and Elder Houskeeper is training a new elder in Henrietta.  All three will be greatly missed.  We had all the missionaries in our ward over for dinner before they left and had a great time.  They are all wonderful missionaries and work really hard.  They all touched our hearts...I doubt they realize how much we will miss them and what great missionaries they are.

Sis. Park, Fetuli, Graham, Tran

Elders Houskeeper & Allred

Our District

Our last Saturday this month at the Joseph Smith Farm was BUSY!  We actually had lots of visitors.  A youth conference was being held at Seneca Lake Camp with about 100 youth and they toured all the historic sites Friday & Saturday.  Plus we had about 15 sisters meeting in the basement planning girl's camp for their stake.  Approximately 84 visitors and 68 took a tour even though it was snowing and sleeting.  Now that's what I call a good day!
 

January 2013

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!  We had today off.   I have decided to try and make an entry each month in my blog.  If something exciting happens, I will try to make an entry for that day.

We started this new year off with lunch at the John Harmer home with Elder & Sister Fuller.  The Fullers know the Harmers from the Palmyra Ward.  We know the Harmers through their son Kiehl.  Kiehl served his mission in NC and served in our ward.  When the Harmers came out to pick him up, they had dinner in our home.  It was good to see them again and a great way to start off the new year.

We served every Monday afternoon with the Yearsleys at the Book of Mormon Publication Site.  It has been great working with them and getting to know them better.  Elder Yearsley has such a great sense of humor; he is always joking around.

This month we had the privilege of having Bro. Rand Packer visit us; he spoke and our site meeting and at Historic Palmyra and then did a fireside at the Palmyra Stake Center. Bro. Packer is the author of "A Lion and a Lamb", the story of Willard & Rebecca Bean, his grandparents.  The Beans were asked to serve a 5-year mission here and live on the Joseph Smith farm.  Bro. Packer's mother, Palmyra Bean, was born here while they served.  That five year mission turned into 25 years and they did much to help with the relationship between the town of Palmyra and the church.  Wonderful meeting and great book.

Elder Searle, Bonnie Hayes, Rand Packer

Searles, Pres. Christianson, Bonnie Hayes, Packers

  
Having Bro. Packer here for a few days has certainly been the highlight of this month.  He is a very humble man and a wonderful speaker. 

December 31, 2012 

The weekend was great...but way too short!  We took the family to all the historic sites and gave them a tour.  The best part was being able to bear our testimony of the truthfulness of what occurred at each of these places.  One of my favor times was in the Christus room at the Hill Cumorah.  Jack is never speechless, but he was that morning.  Then to see how it touched Aaron to hear the Christus in  Swedish....sweet moments.  It snowed all day Saturday, but that did not dampen our spirits; it was great just to be together.  Sunday was bitter cold, but after church we trooped over to the Joseph Smith Farm and went through the log home and the frame home and even walked a short distance into the Sacred Grove.  Even with 16" of snow on the ground you still feel the sacredness of the grove as soon as you enter. 

Joseph Smith Farm

Christus Room-Hill Cumorah

Book of Mormon Publication Site

Peter Whitmer Farm

December 28, 2012

THEY'RE HERE!!!!!!  Kerri, Aaron and the kids are finally here!  We have looked forward to this weekend ever since we arrived.  And the best part is we get to take them on tours this weekend.  We have had about 16 inches of snow and more to come, so hopefully we will be able to walk in the Sacred Grove while they are here.  Needless to say, the kids all have grown a foot and I am still the "runt" in the group.  At least Jack is still shorter than I am, but I am sure that will not last long.  Looking forward to great weekend together.

December 28, 2012

December 25, 2012

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!  Cannot believe it is Christmas already; time is really flying for us.  We had a very good (and busy) Christmas Day.  It started off with us having breakfast at the Bishop's home.  There are six young missionaries and four senior missionaries serving in the Lyons Ward, and we all came for breakfast.

Sis. Fetuli & Park

Sis. Park & Butters

After breakfast, we hurried back to apartment and I got to Face Chat with my Dad.  It was WONDERFUL to be able to see him and talk!  We will definitely do this again.  Then we provided lunch for the the four sister missionaries in our ward.  After a short break we were off to the Rossells for dinner.  It was a very busy day, but one that I will always remember. Everyone here has been wonderful!  If we cannot be with my family, then this was the best place we could be.  Tomorrow will be back to our regular schedule and hopefully some visitors at the sites.

December 24, 2012

All the senior couples gathered in the basement at the Hill Cumorah for dinner tonight.  We had approximately 40 people attend.  You know if the Strouds are involved, there will be food...hehe.  We enjoyed some great food, then Elder Poulson sang a solo, Sis. Searle played a beautiful piano solo, and then Lee read the Christmas story from Luke.  My mind drifted back to other Christmas Eves when he would read that story to the grandchildren.  If we could not be home, then this was the best substitute ever.

Elder Fuller

Lee

December 22, 2012

Winter has definitely arrived in Palmyra, NY!!  Started snowing last night and snowed most of the day.  We had about 14 inches of snow!  This southern girl is definitely not accustomed to this!  At least the state has enough equipment to keep the roads clear, and the church has contracted with a company to keep our driveways and walkways clear....even if they do come at 5 AM to start plowing.

December 22, 2012

We had a ward assignment at the Bishops Storehouse this morning.  We helped fill orders for families needing assistance from the Church.  It really made me thankful for all my blessings.  I have done a lot of thinking about our mission and how we prepared temporally to serve.  If Lee & I had not had great retirement benefits we would not be able to serve this mission.  How grateful I am for this opportunity.