Nov 7-13, 2021

 SUNDAY

After church today we met with Brother Brent Welker and his son Bruce. Sister Welker passed away a few years ago after a debilitating illness. The Welker's had two biological children and adopted three others, siblings to each other and all with special needs. Those three still live with Br Welker. Bruce is 28 years old, has Downs Syndrome and Autism and is non-verbal. Br Welker retired a few years early to care for his wife and now has the sole responsibility of the 'kids'. He has a great attitude and is an example of Christ-like love.

It was so nice to go to Aaron and Heather Hales' house for dinner. Riley ad Kathy Clark (Heather's dad) were in town visiting and it was an added treat to see them after many years.

MONDAY

We began making plans and a schedule for the Giving Machines. We are excited to be part of this initiative that benefits so many people and communities, locally and internationally. Missionaries from the Gilbert Mission and the Tempe Mission will alternate days from Nov 29 to Jan 3, 9:00am to 9:00 pm in three-hour shifts. You can google Giving Machine #LightTheWorld to see more about it.

TUESDAY

We went to the Phoenix Temple with other missionaries from the Tempe Zone. It is really beautiful especially in the early morning light! The Elders and Sisters loved being there. We feel blessed to be with them. While we were taking pictures after coming out of the Temple, our friend Charles called. He apologized for not calling sooner, but his wife's grandmother had just passed away and they were dealing with that. Doug expressed our condolences and concern. Later we dropped of a card at their house to express our sympathy.

Front row:  Sister Buth, Sister Rockwood, Sister Glauser, Elder Corrigan, Elder Whitaker, Elder Schulmire, Elder Holgate, Elder Arnett.

Back row:  Elder Glauser, Elder Wilcox, Elder Robertson, Elder Ford, Elder Fennemore

By 10:30 we were back in Tempe picking up meals to be delivered for Meals on Wheels. (Thanks to Heather Hales for having us join in this opportunity.) We met several very appreciative people on our route and enjoyed bringing their lunch and a little happiness to them.

After getting some lunch, we headed over to the church for Zone Council. We love being with the young Elders and Sisters! At the beginning of each District or Zone meeting we recite the Arizona Tempe Mission (ATM) Vision. It is actually found in Preach My Gospel and is our purpose. "Invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end."

We met Todd and Kristie Hopkins for dinner and had a wonderful time getting acquainted and reacquainted and remembering days in San Bernardino. 

WEDNESDAY

Wednesday through Saturday we have greeted people as they exited the Mesa Temple Open House. We have talked to dozens of people. Almost everyone has a favorite room in the Temple, and many of them comment on the beauty and peace they felt. Several have questions ranging from "Why is there no Angel Moroni on this temple?" to "I didn't see a large room to gather for a church service, what is this building used for?" to "How many Jesus pictures are there in this temple?" One young girl said she counted 45 pictures of Jesus! Just another reminder of our focus on the Savior Jesus Christ.

We met one of the office couples, Elder and Sister Thorson for dinner. We are trying to get to know these other Senior Missionaries a little better. This is the Thorson's third mission. One running a church camp in San Diego area and two in the office for the Tempe mission. They are really wonderful people. 

We went with Elders Ludbey and Tappan to teach the Miranda family again. They have been reading and praying to know if the Book of Mormon is true. We love accompanying these fine Elders as we teach and bear testimony of the truthfulness of gospel principles. I know that as we strive to live the commandments of God we will find joy and peace. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ that shows us the way and through His atonement we can have eternal joy.

THURSDAY

After spending the morning at the Open House,  we went with Matt and Mary and kids to deliver some flowers to widows in our ward. Mary's mom passed away on Nov 11 and each year they do something on this day to honor her mom. It brought so much joy to the women who received the flowers! But more important to us was the answer to prayer that it was for us. We had been concerned that we were not doing enough for the ward we have been assigned and had prayed to know what we could do to strengthen some of the members. Less than an hour later, Mary texted to ask if we knew of any widows in our ward that could use a little brightening of their day. We reached out to the Bishop and RS Pres and quickly got a response. So not only were we able to spend some time with family, it helped some sisters in our ward to feel loved. The Lord knows each of us!

We went with Elders Tappan and Ludbey to teach Mike and Amber again. They have sincere questions and hopefully their concerns were answered. Elder Glauser taught plain and simple truths as well and they seemed to accept the message. 

FRIDAY

We feel very blessed to be able to be at the Mesa Temple Open House most days. My Quote of the Day is from a 13 year old young man. I asked the kids in the family what their plans were for the rest of the day. They said they were going to the Visitors Center and then next door for BYU Creamery ice cream. I said "that's a good plan!" The 13 year old brother replied "It's a good plan but not the best plan." I asked what is the best plan (thinking he would say skateboarding or some other activity) He said - with a little swagger in his voice - "The Plan of Salvation!" I love that answer 😁  We had one young man describe the celestial room as the "heaven room," and another young girl call it the room with two beautiful lanterns.  We love that.  Nearly everyone we talk to mentions the peace they feel in the temple.  It has been an amazing experience.

Chris Allred (another Law School buddy) and his wife were at the Open House.

Elder Glauser and I love talking with and answering questions for people as they come out from the Temple tour.

The ATM will be having a Christmas Conference on Dec 13-14. We met with the President and Sister Goaslind, office staff and two other Senior couples to plan it. More to come later, but we'll just say it will be a good time! Fun fact: as we were discussing the dinner on the 14th, a Brother Hopkins was mentioned with his cooking trailer. I asked if his first name was Todd. Yes, do you know him? Well, we had dinner with them a few days ago (notice the picture above from Tuesday) and he is my former Bishop! We contacted him to see if he is available to feed 250 of us on that day. So most likely we'll be well fed that night.

We had dinner with Elder and Sister Kaufman, another Senior couple. Elder Kaufman mentioned that he sang with the Millennial Choir and Orchesta, MCO. This is associated with the MCO that Ella and Kate sang with a couple years ago. They were also at Carnegie Hall in July 2019. I relived the miracles the Markham's and I experienced the day the power went out in Manhattan as we shared our stories. And, fun fact, the Kaufman's were staying at the same hotel as us. 

SATURDAY

Rod and Sharon Bluth, formerly of Redlands now living in Utah, came to the Open House

Our former Redlands Stake President, Mike Strong and his wife Amy and daughter Marin drove from Redlands to attend the Open House. We have LOVED seeing so many friends! We didn't get pictures with everyone. Wayne and Terry Harrison and Kevin and Robyn Miskin, all from Yucaipa and Gary and Becca Bailey and family along with Becca's mom Kathleen Coleman from Beaumont were at the Open House as well.

More friends from Yucaipa, Michael and Marian Shaw.

Great conversations happen every few minutes as we greet people coming from the Temple tour.

I talked to two women as they came out. When I asked if they had any questions, the one said "why is there a Youth Waiting Area in the Temple. I started to explain that when families are sealed, the parents go in first and are sealed together, then the children are brought in and sealed to them in a separate ordinance. I got a little emotional because I was remembering that I was sealed to my parents in the same way. Though I don't remember much about that day when I was 5 years old, I felt the truth of the message I was sharing. I'm so grateful for the Plan of our Heavenly Father and the Atonement of Jesus Christ that makes it all possible.

We attended the baptism for 13 year old Pearlani Pedro from the Tempe Ward. Her brother Ace was baptized a few months ago. She is a sweet girl. We are getting to know and love the people of the Tempe Ward.

Elders Ludbey and Tappan. We love these two amazing missionaries!

This is one of the families we have been teaching with the Elders. Amber and Mike and two of their sons, Dakota and Jeffrey. Mike is a member of the Church and Amber is learning. We have enjoyed being in their home and testifying of the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.