Missionary Christmas Part 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  These cute trees have adorned my walls all through December. They are priceless to me, as each Christmas ornament was personally decorated by my grandchildren. The Nay's brought them with them at Thanksgiving and adorned my walls with them. They also brought me the cute little tree pictured below. They didn't know it, but a white Christmas tree is very meaningful to me as Dave's and my first tree as a married couple in 1969 was a white tree that someone gave us. With the tree came twelve days of Christmas gifts. What a treasure. The names of Christ star ornaments were included in the gifts. What a beautiful gift.

 

The twelve gifts included a Christmas CD, a Christmas book, a wonderful Nativity Story book read by the Clark boys, gift cards, an XXL bag of M&M's, beautiful necklace and earrings, a calendar, a Bruce R McConkie quote card, diet coke, Dove chocolates, sitting snowman holding a sign and a snowman nativity. What a joy it was to open something from home every day before Christmas. I am so thankful for my thoughtful family for giving me this precious gift. Thank you my precious family.

Sister Ure also sent a 12 Days of Christmas package which included some fun things. Each day had a note beginning with "On the 1st (2nd, 3rd, etc) Day of Christmas, my former companion sent to me: 1 Advent Calendar; 2 Red Scripture marking pencils; 3 packages of hot chocolate; 4 sticky note pads; 5 Cherry Chocolate Santas; 6 jingle bells (a bracelet); 7 Holiday stamps; 8 oz of silky Smooth Dove Chocolates; 9 window stickies; 10 tootsie warmers (Christmas socks); 11 $ in a McDonalds gift card and 12 candy canes!
Thank you Sister Ure. We feel loved - and our toes are warm!!










 


CHRISTMAS EVE
On Christmas Eve we were invited to the home of Jim and Shirley Sirman, a couple in our ward who have had us to dinner three or four times. Elders Rader and Meacham who are assigned to our ward were there also. We celebrated by having a nice meal, their grandkids putting on a nativity, watching a Christmas video and ended up with Sister Olson reading them the story "Humphrey's First Christmas". We are grateful to the Sirman's for their kindness in sharing their family with us on Christmas Eve.





L to R: Elder Rader, Jim & Shirley Sirman, Elder Meacham

 

Christmas morning we had invited a single older lady in our ward for breakfast, but at the last minute she cancelled because her water heater was leaking and she had to wait for maintenance to come and fix it. So - we hung out in our PJ's, Skyped with family and had a very late breakfast.

Later that night we had a dinner invitation with the Martin family in our ward. I forgot to take pictures! It was a fun night with a great family. They had three granddaughters there. Twins who are almost 13 and a 9 year old. That made me homesick for my beautiful granddaughters. We did get to feel the love and joy of the Savior as we shared a message with them and got to bear our testimonies.

 

When we left the grandma gave us each a big gift bag with tons of stuff in it. There was a toothbrush, toothpaste, flosser, mouthwash, body wash, deodorant, lotion, a can of soup, a can of corn, a box of hot chocolate, some dishcloths, a bag of almonds, a razor and shaving gel, Kleenex, hand sanitizer and mandarin oranges. Wow - we were surprised. That is a nice gift. The best part of the day though was talking with my family and seeing all your faces.

Christmas Day was Hump day! My first nine months are done. Nine months to go. It doesn't seem possible.

 

I am so grateful to be serving in this mission. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior. He loves each of us with a love we cannot comprehend. I am grateful for his birth (probably in April), for his life and for his willingness to follow the Father's plan and allow each of us to return to their presence. His is the greatest of all gifts. 

Missionary Christmas

How did Christmas come so fast? It seems as though it was just last week that our family was enjoying "Candlelight Christmas" at This Is the Place State Park. How quickly this year has flown by. Today is hump day for my mission - 9 months down, 9 to go so we're on the downhill now. It is a mixed feeling - so happy to be getting closer to being home with loved ones, but still feeling like there is so much to do here. I have learned much - about the great need of God's children everywhere, about the Gospel of Jesus Christ - about God's love for me and the power of the Atonement in my life. I am grateful. I am so very blessed.

December has been a busy, busy month. Our Senior Missionary Family Home Evening Group was hosted by Elder and Sister Winter's daughter and son-in-law. It was a wonderfully fun night with the greatest of company - and a wonderful meal.  Afterwards we dressed up as the nativity, played Christmas bingo, and sang carols together.

 I love these Elders and Sisters. They are hard working dedicated missionaries who set a wonderful example for all. They are left to right: President and Sister Gelwix, Aldrich, Williams, Cook, Fredrickson, Williams, Gunn, Hansen's (our hosts), Pack, Billy, Thompson, Winter, Mahlum, Sisters Olson, me and Besser, Miller, Wilson and Ainscough.

Two days later was our Christmas Zone Conference. What a jam-packed, fun, spiritual day. The Fresno North Stake (our stake) was the host stake and had the whole building (even the restrooms) decorated in a German theme with nutcrackers on each of the tables. There were 230 missionaries there that day.

The day began with spiritual instruction from President Gelwix and we viewed a video on giving. He instructed us on gaining and using Christlike attributes like kindness, charity, softening our hearts and no judging. We have been given so very much and have been trusted to use it for doing the Savior's work.

 

Next the Assistants, Elder Pinnock and Elder Hortin taught us about revelation through the Book of Mormon. We cannot convert beyond our own conversion. We must have a personal testimony. This can be gained by personal reading, studying by topic, praying to know it's true and by using the Lord.

 

Sister Gelwix spoke to us of Black verses White in the scriptures.

• Black is the words on the page
• White is what the Lord wants you to learn

Reading is merely entertainment. we should be studying - which is searching for an answer.

Praying - am I talking "with" or "to" God? Moroni 10:3-5 explains the difference.

Then on to an amazing turkey dinner with all the trimmings lunch. Our afternoon was spent watching the mission yearly video, playing games and a visit from the CFM's personal Santa and Mrs. Claus.



 

My testimony of the Savior has been strengthened this year in serving this mission. I love Him. He is my elder brother and I know He loves me. The atonement applies to every aspect of our lives. I know this for a surety because I have used it almost daily and see it daily in the lives of those we interact with and serve. The Book of Mormon is true. We have a living prophet on the earth today!  It's a good day to be a Mormon Missionary!

The CFM Motto: Never Surrender! Never Quit! No Regrets!

Early Christmas Gifts From Home

Once again, the folks at the office got tired of me saying "My kids are coming". I can't help myself as the visits of those I love most get closer. The Nay family arrived two days before Thanksgiving - and my JOY was immeasurable. We had so much fun while they were here - and tried to cram a lot into those three short days!
Day One: A must-see for all area visitors is Yosemite. Kaycee and Kolten had a great time taking pictures.

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We started our day seeing the big trees in Mariposa Grove. The ride up was a bit too much for half the people in the car and subsequently we were dealing with car sickness all day. But that didn't deter us from having a good time enjoying the grandeur and beauty of these trees. It is phenomenal to me these giant trees can live thousands of years and not be destroyed by fire or the elements. Their roots are shallow but they reach out and intertwine with each other which strengthens them and allows them to staying standing even with the ravages of nature. They remind me of standing firm in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We need to secure our own testimony (or root system), but then we must intertwine it with others united in the Gospel to become strong and immovable when the storms of life try to prevail upon us.

The most photographed spot in Yosemite - El Capitan and Half Dome.

Thanksgiving Day

Our Thanksgiving table. Kelly made the name tags at the last minute drawing free-hand.

 

We spent Friday at Kenny's uncle's home. The kids enjoyed taking pictures, visiting the llamas and he quiet beauty and isolation of this little ranch.

So sad to have to say good-bye to the Nay family. Thank you so much for coming and making my Thanksgiving indeed one of gratitude and thanks for eternal families.  Thank you for coming!

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The Gift of Creating Beautiful Things

My companion, Sister Olson, had a mini-stroke last Monday morning and spent the week at home resting and recuperating. By the middle of the week she was getting restless and bored so I brought home two bedraggled Christmas trees from the office for her to work her magic on. She has such a gift of creating beautiful things. She has adorned our apartment with many beautiful projects and I knew that if those trees could be saved, it would be her that could do it. I didn't take a before picture of the second tree but did of the first. Here is Sister Olson's writings and thoughts that came to her as she was "resurrecting" these trees.

Stripped, then on to Glory - (Tale of Two Trees)

Sister Ball brought home two Christmas trees from the office. One was about 4 feet tall, and looked quite pathetic- poorly cared for and now in disarray. It was to be rejuvenated for the office. It did have a ‘little’ life and we would make do… (Miracles still happen.)

It was stripped down to the bare branches to see what was really there; then each branch was carefully fluffed, and lights added (bottom half were dead). Next came some simple pine-cones (these were varnished), and some gold berries were returned. Bows that had once been used were fluffed and adorned the top with cascading ribbons..  Gold balls were tucked into the branches to add a simple luster.  Lights on… Sigh!  NEW LIFE… and its beauty was amazing!

 Before (above) and After

The second was about 2 feet tall. The branches were smooshed into each other. The needles were silvered at the ends looking more like they were sun bleached; you could hardly have made the excuse that it was a silver pine or such. The lights were dead. A couple of gold chains, one with little pretend lights, haphazardly draped over a part of it. Red fake-velvet bows were tightly tied to the ends of many branches. It was a poor raggedy little tree, drug and stomped on, lifeless - except for the little bit of glitter. Our first thought was that it should just be thrown away - its demise a relief to all that beheld it… Well, really, it looked like nothing good could, or should, come of it.

Oh well. It was the best we had… MAYBE?  Why not try; and no matter what, this could be its last year… 

I was now home alone with this forlorn little thing. As with the first, I determined to strip it first, and then to start at the base and rebuilt it, or try at least… OFF came the red bows, with some effort. Off came the tangled dead lights. Off came the garish gold chains (and ONE not so terrible tiny decorated ball). Sigh. ..Nothing but parched, dead looking branches.

Second was the fluffing:  … straightening EVERY branch… curving each end upwards as though stretching for life… hummm… a little better.

Third, medium sized, silver-tipped pine cones were added (I had done these a few weeks ago with no particular project in mind, and the drab silver tips of the tree seemed to call for something a little more elegant).

Fourth, I had a roll of white ribbon with silver snowflakes. Ahh… A perfect choice to go with the silvered pine cones. Two healthy bows to crown the top with trailing ribbons interwoven down the little tree.

Fifth. A strand of 100 lights was then cuddled into the branches, closer to the middle of the tree.

The intent was to add silver ball ornaments but none were to be found, but when the lights were plugged in..  It was no longer drab and bedraggled, it was resurrected… even quite stunning… HA! It didn’t really need the balls. Simple and simply beautiful… THE FINAL thought (Sister Ball’s) was to add small silver stars, each with one of the names of the Savior, that were set aside for Christmas… but those would be added the 12 days before Christmas. This little tree would then go from a lovely, earthly light, (Terrestial), to a proclamation of Christ’s coming! … Love it!

During the stripping and then resurrecting of these little trees, came the thought that WE TOO must be stripped of the old world and old ways, the garish, the dead… I remembered D & C 67: 10: …strip yourselves from jealousies and fears, and humble yourselves before me…  (also Moroni 10:30-32) We must be stripped of things of the world and become a clean canvas for the Lord.

It is only then that the Master can breathe life into us, (the fluffing) returning us to a newness… and finally, when we are ready for even more, HE adds light,  and just the right adornments as to make us glorious…  Disorganized, chaotic to redeemed glory. 

We see such transformations when converts are baptized and have the Master’s hand mold their lives and hearts into Light! ...  We see this transformation in ourselves when we repent and cast off the world to return to HIS path, HIS way.

All new and renewed life celebrates the birth of the Son of Man…   The process to be glorious and prepared for HIS presence, is much the same as with these little trees.  

CFM Senior Conference

This week we had our first Senior Missionary Conference. We had all of the couple missionaries, Sister Olson, Sister Besser and me in attendanc, along with President and Sister Gelwix.  It, of course, was on "Hastening the Work." We are blessed to be seniors serving here in the CA Fresno Mission. Sister Olson and I had to give a presentation on what we do at the ERC. Other couples talked of Family History and The Addiction Recovery Programs they lead in the prisons.  President Gelwix challenged each to come every meeting we attend with the attitude of learning. He asks himself with each meeting he attends:

• Am I leaving here having been entertained? or,
• Am I leaving here changed?

 
Back 2 rows couples L to R: Elder & Sister Gunn, Elder & SisterThompson,  Elder & Sister Williams, Elder & Sister Cook, Elder & Sister Mahlum, Elder & Sister Pack, Elder and Sisters Frederickson, Elder & Sister Wilson, Elder & Sister Billie, Elder & Sister Ainscough, Elder & Sister Williams, Elder & Sister Snow

Front Row:Elder & Sister Winter, Alder & Sister Aldrich, President & Sister Gelwix, Sister Olson, me, Sister Besser, Elder  Sister & Elder Miller

Seniors Just having FUN!

There are miracles every single day of a mission. All we have to do is open our eyes and our hearts to see them. The following story was sent to Sister Olson from her MTC companion who is serving in South Carolina:

 

Two elders said they had an experience to tell him about. In tears they began. At the end of one day, they had a short time to fill before going home and came to an intersection and were trying to decide which way to go. The Jr. companion said, let’s go left, where there were just 3 houses, so they started that way, then the Sr. companion said, no, let’s go this other way, so they started that way. After a few steps, the Jr. companion said, I really feel we should go this other way, so they turned around and went back to where the 3 houses were and the companion said we need to go to the middle house.

Meanwhile, in the house was a middle-aged man who was watching them out his window as he chatted with his daughter on his computer.  He was telling her about a dream he had the night before where he was told the Mormon boys would come to his house that next day, but it was now 8:30 at night. As he was typing, he said, “oh my goodness, here they come--- No, now, they turned away. I guess they are not coming after all.” He continued to chat with his daughter and then said, “Wait, they are coming back again!”

When the elders knocked on his door, he ushered them quickly inside, sat them down and said, “Now tell me how the spirit works with you boys”.  The elders visited with him for a bit then made an appointment to go back next week for a lesson and he wants to feed them too. Yeah, for elders who listen to the spirit and follow it.

I know how important it is to not only feel when the spirit is strong, but to follow through with actions. I had no intention of going on a mission alone until I heard a voice in my mind and the burning in my bosom that said “it’s time to go on a mission”. A week later I had my first interview with the bishop and “the rest is history”, as they say. I know this is where I need to be at this time and I know there are angels helping us with this work.  I am grateful that the Lord has blessed me with three amazing companions who have blessed my life everyday.

There is such a powerful Spirit with missionary work, whether it be the young Elders and Sisters out proselyting or in our Employment Office. We had a young man come into the office this week who had found a partner to start up a new business. He was the brains and the planner behind the business and his partner had the funds to get the business off the ground. They got the business going and it was hugely successful and making money. Then one day the partner called him in and said we don't need you anymore. There's the door - leave. He was devastated. His marriage fell apart and he has been so depressed. He came to our office seeking help in finding a job. He left with Hope. Hope in the knowledge that God loves Him and knows Him and that all will work as God has planned. He would have his hand on the door to leave, then come back in and talk some more and kept saying each time "I feel like I am with family here - I don't want to leave." That is exactly what we want them to feel. Like we are their family - pulling for them, cheering for them, praying for them.

This week we also had a man in his 40's come in. He is Hispanic and has 15 years of experience driving forklift in a warehouse. He has not been able to find a job for going on 6 months. He stayed almost 6 hours that day going over "Me in 30 Seconds" statements and interviewing skills. He is so humble and is trying so hard. He speaks good English, but doesn't read or write it very well. This is a big challenge in the job market today. After we had exhausted him with going over and over his "lines" he left and started riding his bike away. Within 2 minutes he was back and came in and humbly asked Sister Olson and I if we would have a prayer for him. He asked if I would offer it which I gladly did. The Spirit of the Lord was so very strong in that room as we knelt around our desks and prayed for this good man. I know the Lord has great things in store for him.

God absolutely loves EACH of His children. We see so many come to our office with no hope and problems that none of us would ever want to trade ours for. As we serve these children of God, we are each taught how much He loves them as he guides our thoughts and words to say and do exactly what is needful for each individual person. God is so good to us. He loves us - of this I have no doubt.

Guess Who Came to Fresno?

I think I got a little taste of what it may feel like to step through the veil and embrace loved ones once again. Marcie, Wayne, Spencer, Conner and Tyler arrived at the ERC in Fresno just before closing time on October 16th. Running out to welcome them and embrace each one of them was soul filling and joyful. Thank you so much for coming Clark's. It was awesome having you here! Our first day was spent at the Fresno Zoo.

 

We were so very grateful that on Thursday the government signed an interim spending deal which allowed the National Parks and all other government entities to open. YAY! We were headed to Yosemite. It was a fairly long ride for little guys who had already been in the car for two days to get here, but they were troopers - even Tyler who was not feeling well.

Yosemite is BEAUTIFUL. We started our day in Mariposa Grove - a large grove of giant sequoia trees where we rode the tram through the grove and learned of their history and amazing survival stories.

Some of the things we learned about the GIANT  Sequoia:

• are descendants of an ancient line of  trees , that live up to 3000 years
• they don't mature until between 600 and 800 years
• they are resistant to almost every disease, possibly due to a different resin content
• they are resistant to fire and have passed through many. Some are hollow, from the fires. As this is like bone for them, they can still live, but it could make them weaker
• They like moisture
• Their roots are shallow although extending out.  This is the mostly likely thing to cause their death- toppling.
• Have branches up to 8 feet in diameter
• Bark grows up to 3 feet thick
• Reproduce by seed only

This tree was carved out over a hundred years ago so that a horse and wagon could go through it. The tree is still alive because it's nutrients are in the outer portion of the tree.



Wawona Tunnel
 

After leaving the grove, we drove to the
Wawona Tunnel to see El Capitain.  The pictures below are what you see when you exit the tunnel. It is breathtaking!

Sister Olson and I at El Capitan and Half Dome

 

After returning from Yosemite, we went to Cheesecake Factory to celebrate Marcie's birthday. I am so grateful for this beautiful daughter who loves life, loves her family and loves the Lord.

 

Saturday morning it was time to say a sad good-bye. Thank you so very much for coming Clark Family. You brought me joy!

Serving in the Lord's Vineyard

On August 31st we had the amazing opportunity of going to the vineyard and picking grapes. The vineyard in Madera produces all of the raisins for the Church welfare system. It is a wonderful place to serve. Our ward had four 1 mile long rows to pick. We had a good turn-out and were done picking in just under three hours. It was the hottest, sweatiest and dirtiest I have been since trek a couple of years ago but it didn't matter! It was a joyful place to be. You literally can feel the spirit in the vineyard the moment you step onto the soil. Thousands of people show up at assigned times for a couple of weeks to harvest the 80 acre vineyard. We crawled up inside the vines, with the spiders and other creepy crawly things, to cut the clusters and then laid them out on drying trays. Some of them already had a head start on turning into raisins. Less than two weeks later, another crew went back to roll up the trays and load the raisins into bins to head for the processor. What an incredible harvest. What an incredible experience!!  It didn't matter than I couldn't move a muscle for the next three days without hurting, or that I lost my prescription glasses somewhere in those vines - it was so worth the experience.

Here is a link to a church video about our vineyard.
http://www.lds.org/church/news/raisins-part-of-the-lords-work?lang=eng

 

The California Fresno Mission has the logo "The Lord's Vineyard" also. The joy of harvesting grapes was so rewarding but the joy of harvesting souls cannot be exceeded. As the Lord says in:

D&C 18:15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

 

I am already looking forward to next year's vineyard assignment. I am grateful to be a representative of Jesus Christ. I love Him. I love serving his children here in His vineyard.