Called to serve in the Missouri St Louis Mission

  The rain has brought some beautiful green things and flowers We have had lots of rain this week along with lightening and wind.  But on Tuesday Elders and Sisters gathered for transfers and later in the day six new wonderful and excited Elders and Sisters arrived from their stay in the MTC and the weather was beautiful!  The warm sunny day came to a close by the next day when we gathered again for training and the announcement of new companionships were shared (a great experience), the grey clouds were gathering and the rain came. Mom, Dad and new babies   I have had an experience with a bossy Canadian goose walking to work; I call him the troll.  As he follows me closely honking (I assume looking for some sort of favor to pass); but I did discover perhaps what he was protecting:  some beautiful new goslings! Cardinal couple enjoying sunflower seeds outside our balcany Saturday, the theme of the Temple day was "Flood the Temple", I...

George and I met 47 years ago today!  We have fond memories of that time.  Where has the time gone?  We have been so blessed! Warm weather returns This week we have wondered. . is it Winter?  Is it Spring?  Someone even suggested the weather was typical of Fall.  Today we have had blue skies which I am so thankful to see and a little warmth in the air.    On Tuesday, we met with Sister Missionaries; to feel the strength and testimonies of the missionaries  is a highlight for us.  Later we received this text:  "There was actually a drive by shooting on the street (where their extra car was parked).  .  .  If we wouldn't have gone to lunch with you two, we would have picked up our car at the time it happened.  So thank you very much for following a prompting." The rest of the week was sort of unremarkable.  We enjoyed the Self-reliance class on Thursday and had a wonderful time serving in th...

We love this Carl Bloch picture of Christ in the Garden--we are grateful for the life, Atonement, and resurrection of Jesus Christ! At Sacrament meeting we celebrated the life of our Savior and we enjoyed hearing the choir sing (minus the director who is in rehab) and the speakers who stood in different parts of the room (and didn't require a microphone; the room isn't that big) and shared highlights of our Savior's life.  We enjoyed singing hymns including, Joy to the World.  It is only 66% humidity right now and the high temperature was 72 degrees but doors were propped open to let some fresh air in.  I think it is really Spring in St Louis.  We are thankful for our Savior Jesus Christ's example and sacrifice on our behalf.  Beautiful blossoms all around at this time of year! You will find us in the Mission Office Monday through Friday, but we did get to slip away several times to take Missionaries to lunch, to look at apartments, or deliver cars....

Beautiful tulips outside the temple We just returned from a family home evening at President and Sister Bateman’s home.   They are great examples of selfless service.   The Missouri St Louis Mission has had an influx of senior missionaries in the last while.   There are three couples serving as MLS, two sisters as auxiliary, a CES couple, and two office sisters and George and me.   The couple with the longest time out has only been out since October.   It was fun to gather together, enjoy a potluck meal together and feel a love for our Savior, Jesus Christ and the Gospel. Cardinals outside our apartment window Highlights of the week: Taking Missionaries to lunch and enjoying our first custard in Missouri.   Missouri is known for great custard and we were not disappointed.   We got to take a Sister to the airport; school starts in about a week and she needs to get ready.   We love hearing the testimonies of...

Beautiful tulips in our neighborhood Wasn't General Conference great?  We watched it all from our apartment and walked between sessions.  We were happy to hear of a new temple to be built in the Manila area.  We have a special love for the Philippine people. Look at this gorgeous swan around the corner from where we live Tuesday I had a dentist appointment and Google said it was about 3 miles from where we live, so I decided to walk.  I walk to work every day and it's a little under 2 miles so I knew it wasn't a big deal. Well I did walk and walk ... and walk and when I had walked about three miles and went under the freeway overpass, I Googled again and I still had a over a mile to go.  After my appointment I texted George to come and get me and he actually turned around after a while, because he couldn't imagine it being so far.       Trees are blooming again! George helped with a family history fair at a branch this wee...