Teaching appointments to community service and everything in between

 SUNDAY

Just before leaving for church, Elders Ludbey and Tappan texted us about a family that needed a ride to church. When we arrived at their apartment, Abby (13), Landon (12) and Isabelle (10) were waiting for us. We didn't meet the parents but these kids were very comfortable coming with us. They sat with us and were very good. They have been several times and were very comfortable with going to Primary and the youth meeting. The Miranda family was at church for the first time and we sat on the row in front of them. Both of their girls came up and sat with us. They are a delightful family!

After church we met with the Elders to coordinate our efforts this week. Then we joined them to teach Alex a first lesson. Alex, his 3 kids and his parents were at the ward party on Saturday. He is a single dad and really wants to do the right thing for his kids. He has read some of the Book of Mormon already and committed to reading more and coming for another lesson next Sunday. Elder Glauser and I had opportunity to testify of the divinity of Jesus Christ and Joseph Smith's First Vision. I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith just as he recorded. It is a powerful witness to me that God and Christ live and know us and care about us individually.

It was so fun to have dinner with Kim and Jonathan Graff. The food was delicious and it was great to catch up with them. 

MONDAY

The morning was spent exercising, making phone calls and sending texts to set up appointments for the week, some Companion study of Come Follow Me and personal study.  After lunch we decided to take some cookies and drop in on members of our ward, David and Gayla May. We had a very pleasant visit with them and hope to get to know them better.

Matt and Mary were moving today (the 6th time since July!). They were not able to get into their house until 4pm and the kids start school at 5pm. Since we had some time, we went to Gilbert and helped unload their vehicles. It is so good to be close to family and be able to see them often.

Elder and Sister Kaufman invited us to meet with them and coordinate some service efforts. We love serving with the other Senior Missionaries!

This was the first morning there were clouds in the sky at sunrise. Made for a beautiful walk around the neighborhood!

If there is any question about how we will stay busy, we just look at the list Bishop Cowley gave us:

Tempe Ward

Assignments/Activities for Elder & Sister Glauser

·       Temple Prep Instructors – Either group instruction or in home one on one

·       Family History – Assist Ward in improving this effort

·       Elderly Visits – Set a schedule to visit elderly members in their homes 

·       Single Adults – Help coordinate efforts to locate and fellowship 

·       Ward Activities – Assist Activity Committee members with ward activities

·       Referrals – Find referrals for Elders/Sisters

·       Baptisms – Assist Ward Mission Leader/Missionaries with Baptismal services

·       Part Member Families – visit as directed by Bishop

·       Less Active Endowed Members – visit as directed by Bishop

·       Membership Record Verification/Cleanup – assist Ward effort

·       Temple Recommend Renewal – assist with helping members get to the Temple

·       Special Fellowshipping – Visit selected Members provided by Bishop, EQ, RS

·       Support Ward Leaders – make special effort to assist EQ, RS, Primary, SS, YM/YW where appropriate 

·       Community Service – contact through Stake, Just Serve or on your own

This is in addition to what we are doing with the Elders and assignments from President Goaslind. 😁

TUESDAY

For District Council today our assignment from our DL Elder Fennemore is to write in our journal our testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I know that Christ came to earth to take upon Himself all of our sins, pains, mistakes and infirmities. When I am trying to obey the commandments and keep my covenants, even if I make mistakes or am rebellious in any way, Jesus Christ's atonement will bridge the gap and pay the price. One of His names is the Finisher. After all we can do, it is ultimately Jesus Christ who is the Finisher of our Salvation. Because of Christ and through His power and gift of mercy and redeeming grace, we will all be resurrected with perfected bodies. I know these are eternal truths and am so grateful for the infinite atonement of Jesus Christ and the gift of repentance and forgiveness.

We met with Chad Parson, Tempe Ward Mission Leader. He gave us a little more information about the members of the ward and ideas how we can help. He is in his last few months of medical residency and is very busy with a crazy schedule. So Elder Glauser can conduct the baptismal services, we can teach the Gospel Doctrine class on the 1st and 3rd Sundays, help with the dinner calendar for the young Elders and help teach the New Member lessons.

WEDNESDAY

We met Elizabeth (Brown) Murray for lunch today! What a fun visit we had, me getting reacquainted and Doug meeting her and getting to know her. She and her husband, Dave, and their kids, Stella and Nicholas live here in the Phoenix area. She teaches nursing courses in Tempe. Her parents were my good friends in Athens, Ohio and we have stayed in touch all these years.

We met briefly with  President Goaslind to clarify some details about the Giving Machines. We are grateful to be involved with this wonderful project that provides humanitarian aid locally and around the world.

We spent some time in the afternoon trying to locate members of the ward that the Bishop is not sure if they live here any longer. Of the five houses we went to, two people were home. But neither of them were the person we were looking for. However, they did confirm that both of the individuals still lived in the home.

In the evening we joined the Elders at their teaching appointments. We met Mike and Amber and their son Jeffrey. Mike was baptized when he was younger but has not attended church for a long time. He was interested why Elder Glauser and I are serving a mission because his grandparents served as Senior missionaries in Hong Kong. Amber is studying the gospel but has some questions. She believes in Jesus Christ but thinks 'all roads lead to heaven' and doesn't yet see the need for authority and ordinances. Jeffrey is 7 and just wanted to show us his room 😁. We invited them to the Mesa Temple open house and left our phone numbers with them.

Then we met the Elders at the Miranda's home. We met them last week, they attended the Ward Activity on Saturday and came to church on Sunday. They have concerns about no knowing EVERYTHING. Elder Glauser taught them the principle of 'stepping into the water' and told the story of Peter stepping out of the boat when the Savior called to him. He walked on the water(!), but then began to doubt. Jesus stretched forth His hand and lifted Peter. We need to have faith enough to ask and courage enough to act. Jesus Christ is always there to help us.

THURSDAY

We spent the morning volunteering at a local Food Bank. Though different, we were definitely reminded of our days at the Bishop's Storehouse! Donations come from individuals, groups and grocery stores (the food past the expiration date is still completely fine and the food banks have a different standard). This week was the start of the Holiday Food pickup. My assignment was the 'Bakery'. Cake mix, pudding, muffin mix, frosting, (treats, really). The clients get a certain amount of food depending on the size of their family. Elder Glauser helped the clients get their food to the cars, moved pallets, stacked crates, cleaned and swept and broke down boxes.

FRIDAY

In the morning we visited with a sister from our ward. She has been wanting us to come by since the first Sunday we met. Her mom lives nearby in a nursing home and Larissa wants her to come to her house for Thanksgiving. Larissa doesn't drive, so she asked if we could pick up her mom on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and take her back to her home the next Saturday. 

The Mesa Temple Open House is continuing. We had offered to help since we had seen emails from our stake asking for more volunteers. We got a phone call asking when we are available. So beginning Saturday, we will spend a few hours most days for the next two weeks at the Temple!  

Our upstairs neighbor, Edonna, came to dinner with her granddaughter Bella. We had a very nice visit and good time getting to know her.

SATURDAY

It was great to be able to participate in the Mesa Temple Open House today. We met so many people who came to see the inside of a temple. Many families brought their children and grandchildren. Youth groups from Snowflake and Tucson and also local groups were there. Most people wanted their picture taken in front of the temple so we were able to help with that.

Sister Black

Our ward had a dinner for the 60+. Many of them have not felt comfortable coming out to church since Covid began and they loved gathering together again. It was held in the backyard of Fred and Shauna Mortensen. There was plenty of food, some trivia questions for the long-time ward members and a get-to-know-you activity that they all seemed to enjoy. 

Brother Frost is 104 years old! He was at the original dedication of the Mesa Temple as a 10 year old in 1927.