Fresno North Stake Women's Conference

SATURDAY:  The day was spent from 9:00am -2:00 am at an excellent Stake Wonen's Conference: The theme was "Bee Wise" and was based upon Proverbs:4:7 "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom."

 

 

Sister Ann Dibb, President Monson's daughter, was the main speaker. She talked about moving forward  in wisdom even though we are not perfect. At one point she dropped a real egg into a bucket and of course it broke. Then she proceeded to break about six more. You didn't need to break more than one to know what would happen... more was not wise. This was to exemplify that we make mistakes - but we don't have to make them more than once. She closed by telling us a little about the Prophet, which included that his favorite pie was Mincemeat, and that she has learned that men reallly like pie; so she bakes them every week... (hummm I may have to practice that skill more). The prophet's favorite meal is a full spread turkey dinner and of course one most men like - roast beef and potatoes. He has never had a pizza - and has no desire to try one.

 

Brother Scott, a Patriarch who has held many positions, spoke and told us how the Lord communicated to him. He has had dreams were he sees a hand writing on a wall. He keeps paper by his bed to write these down. One time he was so tired, he said to himself that he would write it in the morning and surely he would remember. He felt a sadness and the hand started to erase what was written. Realizing his mistake, he immediately got up and started to write everything down, praying to remember. It obviously taught him to be prompt to do the work he was given.

 

He also said that President Monson (when he was an apostle) asked him if he ever wondered why he was called earlier in life as a mission president: "Do you know why we called you?" "We look for someone with these qualities (listed off a long list of qualities). Then we call her husband."  He went on to speak glowingly of his wife, and attributing many things to her. Good men cannot succeed without the support of a great wife...  

 

An FBI agent spoke to us last, talking of the dangers of the internet.  Two specific warnings he gave were: NEVER allow anyone on your or your children's sites that you have not met personally - they may not be really what they purport. You don't know where YOUR information will end up... All phones should be charged at night away from where anyone can go to them alone.  One sister volunteered that the charging station is in their master bedroom. Do not have internet connections  for children in their bedrooms... Parents should have all passwords, etc. Netnanny was a good filter...

 

Lunch was wonderful. The brethren of the Hmong ward in our stake prepared fresh spring rolls. They were combined with an oriental chicken salad, and of course a fortune cookie with a fortune about wisdom. Dessert was a delicious red velvet cupcake. Here are some of the tables. I think there were over 40 tables set up.

 

 

 

 

 



 

Even the bathrooms were decorated! The ladies room was in a Hawaiian theme complete with Hawaiian music playing in the background!

 

 

 

 

 

They took over the men's restroom and decorated it too: One of the men speakers said he really liked the décor, but the  curtains had to go!! 

 

 

Three amazing sisters: Denise Barlocker, Cathy Gelwix and our Stake RS president, Mary Lou Royle.

What a wonderful, spiritually uplifting day. Women have wanted to get wisdom since Mother Eve partook of the forbidden fruit that she might know the good from the evil. We came to this earth to get wisdom... that we too might know the good from the evil. I hope and pray that each of us will be like the five wise virgins who were prepared to meet the bridegroom, May we "Bee Wise" get oil for our lamps, enjoy each day and each day be a little wiser than the day before. 

 

THE GOSPEL IS TRUE AND WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE SO MUCH!!!  

Along the Fresno Blossom Trail

 

We heard wonderful tales of the Fresno Blossom Trail and it's miles and miles of continuous blossoms of almond and fruit tree blossoms. Unfortunately, because of the drought, Spring came a little earlier than usual so most of the blossoms were already greened out when we took our drive. Nonetheless, we did get to see some beautiful orchards and countryside along the 78 mile long trail. We started our trail ride at the Simonian Farm where we snapped some pictures with this very pink, very cute tractor. I had to have a picture for the 3 Sanders girls - the farmer's daughter's in our family.

 At the farm was this cut out of a Sequouia tree. I am in awe of these massive trees and their ability to survive for centuries.

 
 

 

Then it was on to the Blossom Trail which was 78 miles of orchards and the fertile farmland of the San Joaquin Valley. We got to see a rare site for Fresno - the mountains - with the majestic, snow-capped Sequoia Mountains in the background. They are awe-inspiring. The day started out cloudy and with a few sprinkles and we saw the full range of weather that day - from blue sky to blustery rain. All things bore witness that the earth is the Lord's and was created by him. We are so blessed to live in this land of plenty and to be surrounded by such beauty. For all this I am grateful.

For the beauty of the earth,
For the beauty of the skies,

For the love which from our birth

Over and around us lies,

For the beauty of each hour

Of the day and of the night,

Hill and vale, and tree and flow'r,

Sun and moon, and stars of light,
For the joy of human love,

Brother, sister, parent, child,

Friends on earth, and friends above,

For all gentle thoughts and mild,

Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.

The closest thing to snow in Fresno is along the Blossom Trail.

 

Pop-corn popping on the apricot trees!

Temple Clean

Missions are full of miracles. Some are large. Some are small. We have been teaching some of the daily Accelerated Job Search classes.  Ed, a non-member, took our workshop and is now in this advanced class. After the last class Sister Olson asked if he would be comfortable giving the closing prayer.  Pause.  “ I will after the next class.” He came. He prayed. It was well done! Our boss, Steve, was amazed and said “He never prayed when I asked.”  It’s all in the timing.

Our little children take praying largely for granted. They see the example daily. They practice daily... Adults outside the church usually do not really know how, and especially how to pray publicly. It can be very scary. This was Ed's first time. For him, it is a miracle in communication. Prayer will never be completely the same.  We are grateful!

Maybe this is a miracle (or not -?).   Either way, it is an interesting observation.

President Larry Gelwix is our Mission President. He was an excellent former rugby coach, and learned two things (of many) that are very apparent in his leadership style: love the missionaries and set the standards high for excellence in all things... Obedience is needful for every advancement and victory.

His wife is equally matched with him in these things.

Our missionaries have been given guidelines for all areas of their lives, and one of these is in the cleanliness of their apartments.  Sister Gelwix spear headed this area...They were truly doing their 'best' to be excellent  – truly. Yet, some time ago when the Senior Missionaries checked, there was much to be desired (like dust on the window sills that you could write a message in! ...'' Who saw that?")

 "How clean is clean?" They wondered.

“Ahhh ...Yes. They are young. How do we explain excellence to them - in cleaning???” The term was coined, (by Sister Williams, our mission housing coordinator) ...“TEMPLE CLEAN”. Then they did the “ahhhh... we are closer to understanding!”    All of this is in the Gelwix spirit of love, obedience and excellence.

Sister Olson recently heard of missionaries in another mission that think it is okay to leave dishes in the sink – forever for weeks - and do not have apartment checks... High, clear, standards (in that area) seem to be missing. In the Gelwix mission style – there is a standard and obedience is expected.

Missionaries in the CFM are blessed to be held to these high standards in all areas. The goals or guidelines filter down from the top and through to everyone. These standards – applied to all things- should be a life time practice that will make them great – and fit for an eternal Kingdom. After all, 'cleanliness is next to godliness'.

The standard is to be ...” TEMPLE CLEAN” … in everything we do!  We can be.

This is the check-list the missionaries have. I thought you might be curious. The apartment checks are spontaneous, random and unannounced! There may be a few things my grandkids will have to work on before they go on missions!

Love One Another

Sister Olson made this fun banner yesterday to celebrate the month of love. We may leave it up all year because serving others because we love them and we love Jesus Christ is what we are about. Sister Olson is very creative. She craves creating beautiful things and doing so fills a deep need in her.

Sister Olson left on January 10th to go to Boise to help her daughter with her 3 little boys as they welcomed a baby sister to their family. The baby didn't arrive as soon as they hoped, so her visit was extended to a long 19 days - a long time to be without a companion in the mission field.  There was plenty to keep me busy: zone conference with the four Fresno zones, teaching a Career Workshop alone (a daunting challenge for me), a farewell fireside where we said good-bye to 17 amazing missionaries, 20 new missionaries arriving the next day, assisting the Elders in teaching a Relief Society presentation on Hastening the Work, going to the temple twice. So - how did I have time to miss my companion? There is an amazing phenomenon that occurs as mission companions when you work together, live together, study together and pray together and become equally yoked in your purpose of serving the Lord. I felt like a fish out of water without her by my side - without her across the hall to share everything with, without her to study with and without her to pray with. I was so happy when she arrived back "home" so we could feel complete again. It is a mini version of how I feel without my eternal companion at my side. I express my gratitude to my Father in Heaven for the firm testimony that just as we picked up where we left off when Sister Olson got off the plane, David and I will again be together, equally yoked and sharing in the work of the Lord. This month of love marks the 45th anniversary of the day Dave and I entered the House of the Lord and became an eternal companionship. I love him immeasurably more now than on that day and look forward to our eternity together.

February 28, 1969 - Eternity

More ERC Mission Baptisms:

 Two more of the wonderful people that we have worked with at the ERC were baptized in the last week. Luis, who came to workshop last summer and has returned off and on to work with us on presentation skills. His baptism was in Spanish - but that didn't matter because the Spirit feels the same in any language.  We got to meet his mother - a special privilege. We also saw another friend from the ERC who is now working and becoming self-reliant (our purpose as welfare missionaries). This is Eduardo.

This next picture is of Crystal and Michael. They both came to the ERC a week before her baptism. Both were scheduled to come to the workshop last week, but Crystal actually got a job and started work on Monday. Michael came to the workshop and was a delight. He is a member and was instrumental in getting her talking with the missionaries. They are a very cute couple. Crystal's baptism was the most spiritual I have been to yet. She radiated light even before the baptism and literally glowed with it after. She is going to be an amazing member of the Church.

As I said in my last blog posting, I am so very grateful that the Lord allows us to see His children through His eyes so we can love them instantly and unconditionally when they walk through our doors. These two people have impacted my life by allowing me the privilege to serve them for the Lord.

TEARS: ‘A Call to Remember’…

About 4:30, almost time to go home, I answered a call from a Sister who seemed distressed. She needed a job right away. I told her of the Career Workshop and said the next one started the next day, but it was full. Would she like to take the next one in two weeks?  She said she REALLY needed to take this one and get a job. I put down the phone and looked at Sister Olson. She had heard enough of the conversation to understand the gist of it … she paused to feel the Spirit, and nodded her head ‘yes’. I told the Sister, who sighed in relief.  Then we looked at each other and thought… we don’t have room. Why did we just say ‘Yes’?  OK -Because it felt right.

The next day we were prepared for at least 7, possibly eight candidates. Three came, and one was this sister.  She arrived 1/2 hour early to start her profile. Seeing her, Sister Olson whispered that it wasn’t by accident she was there, as we had felt prompted to include her. She started to cry… Later, class started and about 1/2 way through the morning she started to cry and could not stop. She left class to compose herself. I was in the front office so she stayed with me as I listened, offered comfort and worked with her on some of what they were doing in class. Sister Olson finished the morning class.

At noon she apologized for being so weepy, saying, “I don’t understand why I can’t stop crying?” “I know,” Sister Olson told her, as it came instantly to our minds. We have seen this before… She had shared with us that she felt at home in our Center, cared for instantly, and felt the Spirit, particularly when Sister Olson told her she was supposed to be here. 

Whether it is a return to the temple, or Church membership, or place where the Spirit is strong, the call to remember what it feels like to bathe in Heavenly Father’s Spirit, triggers surprise, peace, and often tears of joy -unrestrained and unbidden.

Tears in such cases are a compliment to the ERC’s Spirit and the candidate’s heart. The fact that she felt it that strongly made us truly grateful.

I am so very grateful for the Spirit of our ERC. It is an incredible place to serve and the Spirit is almost always tangible. A couple of weeks ago the UPS guy stepped in the door to deliver a package and stopped in his tracks and said "There is something here that I feel inside when I walk in the door." We explained to him what it was and he agreed that it was an amazing feeling. We have an amazing staff in Steve, Jeremy, Britta, the Hernandez's, Brother Tanner and Sister Taylor. Each does all they can to bring the spirit with them as they serve. I am so blessed to be serving in such a place with incredible new friends.  We have daily opportunities to bear witness of our Savior's love and His hand in each of our lives and to encourage the clients who come in to seek His help every step of the way in their search for employment. God loves his children. We witness this daily as people come through the door humbly seeking help. I am grateful to be an instrument in His hands in serving these, His sons and daughters, one by one and to be able to feel his guidance directing my thoughts and words and witnessing to me of His love for each of them. 

REMEMBERING

This was written by Sister Olson:

One of the greatest gifts we can get from Heavenly Father, or from others, is to REMEMBER who we really are- what is best about us, what matters, and  what should matter to us.

When we DON'T remember, we are less likely to act nicely, towards others - or towards ourselves. We will often be satisfied with doing poorly, or just getting by. We will not try as hard as we are able to, to succeed, or go the other direction where succeeding will be too important to the neglect of other things or people. REMEMBERING the best about us, affects everything.

We teach what is called a "Career Workshop". It is two full days long. The main 3 things we teach is: 1) confidence by remembering what you have already done in your life and the characteristics you HAD to have, to do those...and, #2 and #3 are how to find jobs and then to effectively interview for them. The class quickly sees that you can't do the second two well, without the first - KNOWING yourself.

We often ask those who come what has been the most important part of what we teach.  The most common answer is, helping them to REMEMBER who they are and what they have already done.

This week, we asked the same question to class participants. Same answer. Love it all, but "REMEMBERING" was so important.

Diane, not LDS, is a single mother (married, but her husband is in Syria and cannot help her), is responsible for herself and her daughter's family while they live with her and look for work. She told us that her daughter - who we know and is wonderful- has been complaining, argumentative, etc. Sister Olson suggested that her daughter was under a lot of stress as well, and sometimes we don't act our best when our needs are not being met. We talked about that and she saw this was true. Diane - because of her stress- was not as hugging, talking, doing with her daughter as she always has been. (Even big people don't always know how to say they need more attention!) Diane was so pleased that she could see what to do and it wasn't necessarily because she was a bad mother or something else. Right before she finished the workshop  she said that she had LOVED being with us, and was lingering because she didn't want to go. (extra 1 1/2 hours and closing time). She had felt 'nurtured... warmed by inspiring words...cared for... emotionally and intellectually fed'... she said we felt like 'family' and she now understood why her two children who had taken the workshop, loved us... She said she had forgotten who she REALLY was under the stress, and we helped bring those things to mind.... This made us very happy.

Jack, a returned missionary, is working but will need different employment when his office closes, said,  who he really was (as a missionary in particular), had been buried under his responsibilities to provide for his family. He didn't think about himself, or WHO he really was. He said this class really helped return him to that - to remember.

Luis took the class a second time and brought his 19 year old daughter, Anabelly, with him . He likes to be with us and feels cared for. He is getting baptized next Sunday. Watch for pictures.

Ed, a nonmember, who took the class before, came into the office before class. Sister Olson told him we looked forward to his coming in. "I know" he said. "I do too."  We are glad he knows this.

Another lady this week, told us that she often does not feel valued by those who should know and love her.  That made her question herself. We had her write down as many characteristics as she could about herself. Wow! She was amazing in what she knew about herself (One lady last week had a hard time thinking of ONE good character trait - barely one). Fortunately this sister filled a page. Still, it was good to remember and not allow herself to be diminished.

Several others have told us, from the class, or that we have worked with in the office... that our office FEELS like FAMILY.  It does.

It is wonderful when family REMEMBERS that each of us is wonderful, but more important is that we allow our Heavenly Father to REMIND us to REMEMBER, that we are HIS children, and we have the ability to be like Him.  If you WANT to be a certain way, He has promised He will work with you, for as long as it takes, to become fully and completely that person... Allow Him to help you always remember WHO HE IS... and WHO YOU ARE.

I love you all so much. That will never change.

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.