May 10, 2015

Monday, May 4, 2015

We went into the office for the weekly meeting.  We had lunch at Tom Wahl’s (hamburgers) and then went back to office for more training.  Doing this training makes me appreciate the lady that has the position more.  Dennis is getting plenty of information too.  His head was spinning by the time we headed home. 

We had Amanda and Skyler over to try to help her with family search.  We are going to the Temple on Saturday with her to do baptisms for the dead.  We would like to take a name from her family also.  The ward Family Search instructor came over too.  She didn't know too much about the program and we didn't get much accomplished.  We had a good time and Dennis and Skyler played a few hands of Phase 10.  Skyler is pretty competitive and he gloats when he wins!

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

We took Sister Haggerty home from the hospital after having her gall bladder taken out.  We then went back to the office for another day of training.  We were able to go to the John Young home after training and we felt a little disappointed that we would be living there.  It is a special place, but it is quite old and the floor isn't level in any part of the home.  It does have a washer and dryer, which is really nice; but closet space is very limited.  There is lots of room for company though.  Upstairs there is a nice queen size bed and 2 twin beds, plus lots of floor space for blow up beds, etc.  We will be just fine!  We have enjoyed the little smoke filled apartment building that we have had since January, it is more convenient.  We got home and went to visit the Haggerty’s.  She was feeling alright, but they needed groceries and we told them we would go right after district meeting on Wednesday.

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

We picked up the Elders and drove to Geneseo for our District meeting.  The Elders discussed the fact that some branches and wards aren't too excited when new members come into the church only to receive church welfare and help.  That does make it difficult to believe that they are sincere in wanting to grow and serve. 

We made pulled pork sandwiches, chips and brownie sundaes.  It turned out really good and we got home about 1:30.  We got groceries for the Haggerty’s, went home teaching to Sandra and Susan, and then went with the missionaries to visit an investigator.  People act like the want the missionaries to come visit, but it is just an act (most of the time).  The lady had to go help someone who was in trouble; but said we could come back on Thursday.  We will see!

Thursday, May 7, 2015

Today is Brittons 7^th birthday.  We are so proud of him.  We can see the pictures of each family member on the calendar Jill made us.  We love having the pictures and everyone loves seeing the family.  The missionaries look at it every time they come over.  Thank you for the calendar Jill!

We went into the office until noon and trained with the Clements.  We went to the hospital to see Karol from the branch.  She has been sick for about 6 weeks now and they just took a biopsy today to see if the mass in her abdomen is cancer.  She has had cancer previously in the bladder, but it has sure taken a long time for them to take a biopsy.  It seems that the medical profession isn't in a huge hurry to help anyone here. 

We went to the ladies home from the evening before.  She and her son wanted to hear what the missionaries had to say, but they didn't have any place to sit in their apartment.  So we suggested sitting outside.  We found a picnic table out in the backyard and had a nice lesson.  She seemed to be a little interested, and both her and her son (about 14) said they would read from the Book of Mormon.  We will go back next week to see how they are doing.  She lives a very frugal (poverty) lifestyle.

Amanda came over again to work on Family search and we did some searching for her relatives in Ancestry.com.  We found a few of her family members and she was excited. 

Jill’s little boy, Max, just over a year old was attacked by their rooster in their yard.  It flew up and grabbed onto his head with its talons.  Jill was afraid to pull it off in case it would cause more problems for him.  She finally got it off and he had a cut above his ear and one on the top of his head.  He was pretty upset.  Lexie was mad at the rooster and caught it in a piece of netting and banged it into one of the trees until it was dead. (Ryan was at a meeting)  Now her family calls her Rooster.

Friday, May 8, 2015

We ran errands and went home teaching to the Longs.  It takes several hours to do home teaching when you have to drive about 40 minutes each way.  We had a nice visit while sitting outdoors on their porch.  The weather is about 80-90 degrees and it is humid.  Air conditioning is GREAT!  Amanda came over again and we had Sister Ballard come to help us with her search.  Our goal was to find some family member that she could go to the Temple and do baptism(s) for.  Sister Ballard is the front desk secretary at the Mission Office and she is AWESOME!  She has done genealogy for 30+ years and knew so much that we had the best time.  Amanda was so excited and understood everything Sister Ballard taught her.  She was able to get 3 men and 3 women to do baptisms for.  They were all grandparents; except for 1 man—he was her dad.  He passed away from cancer a few years ago. 

The Haggerty’s called and asked us to come over after Amanda left.  We went over and they asked about some help with errands on Saturday morning.  We said we could help.  They asked us how long our mission would be, and we told them about our transfer.  She cried and he was so sad.  I felt terrible!  We will still be coming to Batavia for church, but like she said, “It won’t be the same.”  He wants to move to Rigby when we go home. 

Saturday, May 9, 2015

Elder Merrill ran errands with Bill and I was pampered with a manicure/pedicure for Mother’s day by my hubby.  It was so nice!  Amanda called about the time we were finished and she was ready to go to the Temple.  We drove over to Palmyra and she was able to be baptized for 5 sisters.  She asked Elder Merrill to be baptized for her male relatives (2 grandfathers and her dad)  and it was a very special experience.  She cried while they were being baptized.  

After we left the Temple we went over to the Sacred Grove and spent some time visiting with Elder and Sister Sanders.  (Amanda and Skyler had other plans and so she had driven to Palmyra too)  They are serving as Temple missionaries and are from Midway, Utah.  It was a very calm, beautiful day!  

We are at the Smith Farm and you can see the Temple in the distance 

(it is also very hot, and most people here say that it is not the normal for May—more like July)  I think that I packed in December for this mission and didn’t bring enough light weight clothes.  Oh, well—air conditioning, right? 

Dennis standing by a Magnolia Tree--Beautiful!

A tulip with pointed tops--pretty neat, huh?

We were invited to have supper with the Workman’s.  We ate at a family restaurant in Brockport.  They are nice people from North Carolina.  It is so amazing how the church brings us together.  It is a wonderful experience to meet new people and visit with others.  I feel that we have begun to reach out to others and visit with people we come in contact with.  The people here are really quite friendly.  So many of the people haven’t heard about our church, but they are mostly Christians.  That’s a BIG start!

Sunday, May 10, 2015

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!  We are so appreciative of the mothers we have in our lives.  Our own mothers that sacrificed for us and that we love and cherish so much and then our daughters, daughter-in-laws, aunts, sisters, cousins, nieces, etc.  What wonderful women we are surrounded by!  Thank you for everything you have taught us and what you may teach us in the future.  We are so grateful for your willingness to sacrifice for your children and be the examples you are!  I was so sad to read that there are more abortions done than those that have died in the holocaust or by other evil leaders.  That is so sad!  Thank you again!

One of our little sweethearts--Halle Ann, enjoying a day with her hat!  Cinco de Mayo

Sweet Ava after Kindergarten Graduation!

Us after church blowing kisses to the mothers in our family

We are going to the Sister’s home for dinner today at the John Young home #2.  I understand that the church separated the home and made 2 homes out of 1.  We will be in the separated portion and the sisters live in the original location.  Sister Ballard said that in Nov. when the other 2 sisters leave for home that we should hurry and move over to the larger home and that we would love it.  I think that we will try to do that.

The Branch President announced that Sister Karol has an aggressive cancer that is inoperable and untreatable.  We are sad for her but she will begin chemotherapy this week.  She is 9 years older than her husband.  He is so devoted to her and loves her so much.  

Funnies:  We were getting out of the car for district meeting and one of the missionaries said, “wow, Elder Merrill; you are really a wonderful husband!”  (because he tries to open the car door for me--when I don’t just jump out) and then he said—”and you two always match”.  I hadn't really even noticed, because I usually get dressed first and he tries to put on a coordinating suit and then a tie that matches with what I have on.  It took that Elder saying that for me to even figure it out.  Dennis confessed that he is trying to coordinate.  Isn't that cute?  (I guess the funny part is that I didn't even realize it)

Blessings:

1.      Belonging to the church that has the restored ordinances of baptism for the dead and the other saving ordinances we have.  It is so great to know that the Lord loves those that have lived, live now, and will live.  He is fair and equitable!  We can all have these blessings of the Temple!

2.      Being blessed to have mothers that knew about the restored gospel and lived it and taught us to love it also.  We were taught by good examples!  Thanks also to Dennis’s mother for the wonderful way you raised him to respect women and treat others with kindness and love.  I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband.  I have enjoyed spending this time together and get to know him better.  (It just keeps getting better!)

An update on Brent: He has been moved to rehab at St. Mark's Hospital in Salt Lake City.  He is doing so much better.  We are so thankful!

Being transferred to St. Marks