Nov 14-20, 2021

 SUNDAY

The Elders called this morning and asked us to pick up George for church. He is a pleasant guy with a lot of responsibility. He is a single dad, has two sons ages 2 and 3 and works full-time. He lives with his sister who helps with the kids. He thanked us for picking him up for church and said "honestly, the reason I wanted to get a ride with someone is so I couldn't leave early." It was good to get to know him a little.

The Miranda's were at church again. This was the first time they have been on a RS/EQ day. Elder Glauser said Raul made some good comments in Priesthood meeting and even volunteered to store turkeys in his freezer. Noemi signed up to help with the food boxes the ward is doing for Thanksgiving and Victoria agreed to be part of the Primary Program on Dec 19. They are loving the association with the members of the ward.  It is so special to see the spirit working in their life.

It is such a treat to have Matt and Mary live so close! We went to their house again for dinner and love being with them.

Our Stake sponsored a devotional about Refugees and the opportunities we have to help. The need is so great and the possibilities to help are endless. Anything from housing refugees to  laundering a load  of towels from the temporary shelter. The speakers were former refugees and all had incredible stories. One man was separated from his wife for over ten years before they were permanently reunited. For several years he didn't even know if she was alive. As we listened we couldn't help but reflect on the bounteous blessings that are ours and are so grateful. 

We saw Heather Hales at the Devotional. It has been so fun to keep running into her at various activities!

MONDAY

This is the last week of the Temple Open House. We feel so blessed to be a part of it. We have been asked to be outside the exit door, help remove the shoe coverings if they need it and ask about their experience. Today there were LOTS of Snowbirds! They are very complimentary and everyone we talk with show respect and reverence for the Temple. Many have questions about our beliefs and others have questions about the building itself. Either way, we are happy to share what we know and our testimony of Jesus Christ. One woman today especially loved the painting of Joseph Smith and the First Vision. The wanted to know more about it and I had the opportunity to tell her the story using some of Jospeh's own words. I felt the Spirit bear witness to me again of the truthfulness of Joseph Smith's divine calling as the prophet of the Restoration. She told me she has had a personal experience as well. Her son passed away several years ago and she was really struggling dealing with his death. In her prayer one day, she heard a voice calling her by name saying "Gayle, Gayle, you know his spirit is not dead. He is ok." Because she had this experience, she has no problem believing Joseph. It was a sweet moment for both of us. 

Sweet Retreat is next door to the visitors center at the Mesa Temple. We made a stop there for some BYU Creamery ice cream! YUM!!

We helped serve dinner for the Departing Missionaries at the Mission Home. They are a good group of Elders and Sisters. It has been wonderful getting to know them these past few weeks.

TUESDAY

At the Open house we had more opportunities to testify of the love that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for each of us and that the ordinances are essential to our eternal progression. One moment came as a young father, his little daughter and his mother-in-law came out. We asked them how they enjoyed the tour and immediately this good man, Chad Hatch, began to tell us of the trials of the past weeks. His wife had delivered twins just a week before and had serious complications. As he told us the details of the pre-eclampsia it was clear she could have died as he said. But she was home now, the babies are both healthy and strong. They are new to the ward and because of her pregnancy and Covid they had not been to church  here yet. But even though they don't know anyone, the RS has arranged for dinners for the next month and have brought gifts for the babies. He expressed the overwhelming love of God he feels from these good people he hasn't even met and how grateful he feels for a loving Heavenly Father who knows his family's needs.

Our friend Charles (from the grocery store our first day in Tempe) and his wife Melony met us at the open house in the afternoon. There were not many people there at the time and the four of us were the only ones in our group. The tours guides walked slowly allowing us to look carefully at the rooms and paintings and feel the sweet peace and serenity of the temple. Afterwards, Charles and Melony had questions and expressed the peace they felt in the temple. We are so grateful they came to the open house. Charles will come to church with us Sunday, or rather, we will go to church with him since they are in the Laveen Ward. Melony works every day except Tuesdays and Wednesdays so she will not be able to be there.

We look forward to introducing Charles to the missionaries and the Bishop.

We helped serve and clean up at the Arrival dinner at the Mission Home. These missionaries are enthusiastic and are ready to work. They are well-prepared and excited to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We feel blessed to be among them!

WEDNESDAY

Our day started early today! Elder Payne was a visa-waiter but is now on his way to Zimbabwe. Dropping him off at the airport was like sending one of our own kids off. We walked with him to ticketing and security and then had to just watch him go! We both got a little teary-eyed as we watched him go up the escalator and out of sight. Later in the afternoon we called his mom and assured her he was on his way. She thanked us over and over for calling and said she had been tracking his plane all day 😀

The morning was spent at Azcend, the local food bank. It was a busy day as we get closer to Thanksgiving   We enjoy volunteering there and serving with others trying to make the world a little better.

Sometimes the events of the day just fall into place so something wonderful can happen. A series of little miracles happened today. 

• Mary called to see if we could attend the Phoenix Temple on Saturday morning instead of Friday to be with the kids while they perform proxy baptisms.
• Wendy McWilliams has Saturday free to join with us.
• Brother Palmer was available to interview Wendy for her Limited Use Recommend.
• At the Family History Center Wendy found four names of ancestors that need temple work done and printed the cards to take.

Another lesson tonight with the Miranda's. They have committed to pray and read the Book of Mormon every day this week. They have good questions and seem committed to learn more.

THURSDAY

Today at the Open House we met Elder Peterson from the Mesa Mission. He was wearing a Dutch name tag so we asked about it. He just received his visa and will leave for Holland Dec 6!! So we took a picture with him and texted it to his mom with a promise to look out for him when we get there. His mom was so excited - we are so excited!!

We went to dinner with another Senior Couple. John and Sherry Bell are delightful! We have really grown to love these other Senior Couples and are so grateful to get to know them.

FRIDAY

At Zone Huddle (this happens at the beginning of each transfer) we were assigned to come with one miracle to share. As we went around the circle of about 30 missionaries, it was amazing to hear of the things that have happened in just the last week. Most are seemingly small things, but will all work together to have an impact on many lives.

Our final time at the Mesa Temple Open House! How we have enjoyed meeting hundreds of people as they exited the temple. Some are curious about the building itself, many have thoughtful and sincere questions and all have a wonderful experience!

SATURDAY

Wendy McWilliams went with Matt, Mary, Lydia, Sawyer, Ethan and us to the Phoenix Temple to do proxy baptisms. Wendy's husband, Jim, came as well and waited for us on the grounds. It was a beautiful morning and sweet to watch Ethan baptize his siblings, followed by Doug baptizing Ethan and Wendy.

Brianna Hamilton was baptized this afternoon. A family she is close to flew from Utah to speak at the meeting and perform the ordinance. She is a happy person and seems determined to follow Jesus Christ and keep her promises and covenants.