The Sisters

Four of my favorites – Sisters Logue; Mortensen; Swisher; Schofield

         

I sure enjoy the Sisters.  They are so much fun and they have so much to offer in their lives.  Since the change to nineteen for sisters to serve a mission, we have had a huge influx of young ladies out in the mission field.  They are so loving and I will miss them greatly.  I am hoping that I can work in the Young Women’s program sometime in my getting older life.  Most the time I feel like the sisters are my daughters.  I always did want more girls, but the Lord sent me one because she fills all the best of what a daughter is.  Love my daughter.  Jennifer plus my eight granddaughters is more than enough. 

Elder Boehrer left at 9:00 this morning to go to West Virginia to deliver some apartment stuff and to find another apartment for the Elders.  While up there he and the Elders us went to good ole’ Walmart and picked up some bedding and medicine to get rid of bed bugs. It is now 9:30 and he still is not back.  What a day for him.  Yep, the mission keeps you busy.  We couldn’t do all that we are called upon to do without Heavenly Father’s help. 

Our Missionaries

Elders Cragun, Holmes, Tiatia and our newest AP, Elder Pitt

                                         

Today the mission got a ‘care’ package from Sister Richards’ brother.  Among other things, there was a box of funny bandages which have the best sayings on them.  So, of course, the Assistants to the President had to put one on and ‘show them off’.  Gosh, do they ever grow up??

We have about eight Spanish missionaries in the mission, and we are getting more and more.  Therefore, we are getting more and more calls from parents who speak Spanish.  It is so nice to know that we have Spanish Elders who are so willing to help by interpreting for me.  One of the best is Elder Santiago.  He is the only member of his family. He joined the church a few years ago and earned his own money so as to serve a mission. He knows that because he is serving, his family will accept the missionaries in their home and will have the opportunity to learn about the Gospel.  A young man with much strength and a willingness to serve.

Elder Santiago

One of many great missionaries that we are privileged to serve with.  I never tire of being in their company.  They bring so much joy and gratitude when they walk into the room.

Sunday

http://youtu.be/0Tpo9NYC9f0

Today would have been my Dads 98^th birthday. It is hard to believe that he has been gone for 50 years this May. I know how much he would have loved mine and Jerry’s families. I really miss him a lot sometimes, usually when I’m looking at the pictures of the kids and grandkids.  I know how much he would have loved them and enjoyed playing with them.

We went to see the Arlington Cemetery yesterday and it is unbelievable and unreal the feelings you get there. We saw the JFK grave site.   Jackie O’s grave is next to his. We also saw the eternal flame and felt a real reverence there and throughout entire cemetery

We then went to the tomb of the Unknown Solider where we saw some school children being escorted by a service man to the grave site and placing a wreath of flowers on a stand in front of the graves. After that they had the changing of the guard, which was awesome.  (see above link) The tomb is guarded 24/7.  Since 1941 it has never been left without a guard.  The guards have to have a perfect record.  It is unbelievable how reverent it is at the site.  You will note in the video that no one is speaking.

We ended the tour at the Robert E.  Lee home and learned much about the entire Lee family.

The mission transfers went better this time and by June transfers we should have it down to a science. [Elder Boehrer]

P-Day and Family

Yep, this picture has nothing to do with my blog today, but aren’t my granddaughters beautiful!!

Cali and Hailey (Bryan’s)

We had the best P-day, not only did I get to FINALLY see my cousins’ daughter Samantha and her twins, but we were able to go to Arlington National Cemetery, which is something we have wanted to do for a long time.  I think of all the sites we have seen since we have been here, Arlington impressed me the most.  It is such a respectful, well  kept, interesting place to see.  Even tho’ there are 400,000 dead soldiers and statesmen there to greet you,

it is impressive.    

Robert E. Lee’s home. When John F. Kennedy visited Robert E. Lee’s home, he walked out on the veranda and looked out the beautiful view of Washington DC.  He said to those who were with him, that he “could stay in this place forever”.  When Jackie heard of this comment, she had him buried below the Lee home where he could be forever.

 

Robert Kennedy’s Gravesite and Ted Kennedy’s gravesite.

         

A memorial to the Space Shuttle Endeavor

Robert E. Lee’s Home

Samantha and her husband Brendan, who is a officer in the Navy, have a beautiful home in the Arlington area of Virginia.  Brendan and Samantha have spend time in Japan and both are fluent in Mandrin Chinese.  They give seminars, etc. about China.  They are both such fun and their twins are such boys!!!  They made us miss our grandsons so much.  It was fun playing with them.  My cousin Marsha will be coming to visit May 12th – 24th.  We are going to meet up with them and possibly get a tour of the Naval Academy in Annapolis.  That would be unbelievable.

My cousin’s children.

The youngest Michael, on the left, went to high school with Bryan.  They are the same age and played football together.  Samantha is in the middle.

 

Friday

In this picture is a satchel from the author of the Christmas Jar, Jason Wright.  He lives in Virginia and is a well known author of what I call books with a simple but profound story.  He is a member of the church and speaks nationwide.    The Christmas Jar is a book about sharing and taking care of others at Christmas time and how our lives are intertwined and we don’t even know it.  If you get a chance, take the time to read this book and others he had written – and, nope, I’m not getting a kick back for advertising his books   Elder Dahl has become good friends with Brother Wright and was given this satchel from him.  He told Elder Dahl that there is a story to go with this satchel.  I can’t wait to find out what the story is. 

Sister Jones – just enjoying her service

Below is just some of the items that Elder Boehrer picked up today for the apartments.  Believe me, this is only the tip of the iceberg.  We need stuff for NINE more apartments.  We now have thirty coming in June – WoW!

Sister Bingham is Back!!

Sister Bingham and President Richards

Sister Bingham had to go home from the mission about three weeks ago because she was having debilitating headaches.  The  doctor was not sure of the cause.  After being home and going to her family doctor and a physical therapist, they taught her how to rid herself of the headaches with stretching exercises and relaxing.  She is a GREAT missionary and we are all so happy to have her back.  She is like a second daughter to me – and that is a hard thing to fill because I think my daughter Jennifer is pretty dang wonderful.  She is also an accomplished violinist and we now have her beautiful music back.

Tonight the Jones’ and us went to dinner at a place called Andy Nelson’s.  WoW! the best ribs in town.  It took us about 1.5 hours in traffic to get there, 45 minutes to eat and 1.5 hours to get back home.  The company and the food was unbelievable. Family owned for years.   Had such a great time.  It was nice break from the busy schedule we have just had the past three days.

While there we saw an unreal site, during our last storm this building (in the picture) literally lost its whole brick side!  The wood inside the building fell apart making it look like the building’s skelton. I took a picture of the sign on the undamaged part of the wall “Ugly Warehouse, Beautiful Prices”– Hysterical and very apropos.

Transfer Day

Sisters Andersen, Riggs.  I will miss these sisters so much.

Sister Beeton was with us for a short time, but what an impression she made.

The best day of the mission.  So much excitement.  We were at the Columbia Stake Center at 7:45 until 1:00.  Between checking in the new vehicles, making sure each of the new areas had their supplies, welcoming the new missionaries, listening to the testimonies of the new and departing missionaries, making sure all got their mail, helping in the new arrival meeting, Whew! what a morning, but yep, well worth it.  We are getting tired, but we will continue to serve until our mission service is over.  Sounds like it will be around the first part of June.  We sure hope so, because we are ready

Sisters Richards, Gundersen (Sister Richards’ friend from Utah) and Sister Jones

What would we do without our senior missionaries. They were at the meeting to help us and take care of what is needed. Love ‘em all.

A great dinner as always