Dec 19-25, 2021

SUNDAY

Elder Glauser taught the Sunday school class for the new members and those interested in the Church. He led a wonderful discussion about prayer with everyone making comments and contributing to the lesson. The lesson concluded with an invitation to listen to the story of Joseph Smith's First Vision keeping in mind the pattern of revelation and how our own prayers can be answered. It is a pattern we should think about often. When we have a question, we ask Heavenly Father with real intent, expecting an answer. Our answer is not usually dramatic, but rather a thought or feeling. But it is revelation, personal revelation.

We had three appointments set to visit with members. on the way to our first appointment with the Sundburg's, they called to cancel because of a family emergency. We had a good visit with Kirk and Joy Fisher and invited them to find ways to Gather Israel in the next few days or weeks. It is so good to remind people of this invitation from Pres Nelson and have them see how things they are already doing is actually gathering Israel.

Our final appointment was with John and Emily Tanner. When they opened the door, they realized they had forgotten our appointment. Emily's boss had been exposed to COVID and she had been tested Saturday but didn't know results. Because of the suddenness of that, they had completely forgotten about us coming and didn't want to expose us. We had a prayer with them and rescheduled for next week.

Just as we were about to leave for the New Convert Devotional, we got a call from the Elders at the Giving Machines that no replacements had shown up. After attempting to contact the Zone Leaders, we just went to the Giving Machines to take over for them. Actually, it was really good to be there for a couple hours and experience many people giving freely of their means to help others.

We met Elder and Sister Kaufman's granddaughter Clara and great-granddaughter Sophia along with her parents (the Kaufman's son)

The kids that had just donated help the Elders reload the Machine

Andie is on the Board of Directors for AZ Brain Food, one of the charities represented in the Machines this year. She is the Superintendent of the Mesa School District. It was so nice to get to know her!

MONDAY

We were invited to have breakfast with the Phoenix Zone at the Thorson's home. They do this once each transfer with the Elders and Sisters. Today they each brought a White Elephant gift to exchange. It was to be something they already had it their apartment and some of the gifts were really funny...like a used scented candle. Elder Clark tried and tried to get someone else to take it, but no luck. He ended up with a half-used candle.

Sour dough pancakes with all the trimmings, sausage and bacon!😋

We met with Evelyn Coons and gave her the invitation to help Gather Israel. We are impressed by so many in our ward who are doing wonderful things with their neighbors. Hopefully, we are helping them realize the good things they are doing is part of the gathering process. Pres Nelson has said that "anytime we do anything to help anyone" come closer to Christ we are gathering Israel.

Our itinerary came today for our flight to Amsterdam on Jan 17. We are excited but want to remember we still have several weeks here in Tempe and there is much to do.

Tonight we had dinner and a member lesson with Travis and Elizabeth Lundell. It was so nice to be in their home and learn more about them. She has a degree in Dietary Health and loves to draw and paint. He is finishing up a Master's Degree this next semester and will be moving wherever the job takes them. Tempe Ward will definitely miss them!

TUESDAY

Early this morning we went to a Sealing session at the Gilbert Temple. It is another beautiful Temple! We love to be able to go to the temple and perform ordinances for those who did not have the opportunity to have these ordinances when they lived on the earth. God is truly our Heavenly Father who loves us and wants us all to have the opportunity and choice to participate in the saving ordinances. We went to the Giving Machines to help set up for the day. While there we met a couple who had also just come from the Gilbert Temple. They are from Washington State but are here going to dental school and decided to check out the Giving Machines.

Since our apartment is too small to have the whole Tempe Zone over for a meal, we took pizza and salad to a Zone lunch prior to our District Council. We love these Elders and Sisters! DC is always a good experience. Elder Iverson (DL) is prepared with thoughtful ideas that help us all become better missionaries and people.

Following DC we accompanied the STL's to deliver a basket to our Stake President, Pres Johnson. Turns out, they were on their way to San Francisco for Christmas so we'll try again after they return.

A new Senior couple, Elder and Sister Thain, has arrived in the Tempe Mission so we took them to dinner to get to know them a little better. They are delightful and have great conversion stories. They are from Wisconsin and will be serving in the Liahona Ward (Spanish) in the Mesa Stake. Sister Thain has been a Spanish teacher but Elder Thain is learning the language. One of the things we will miss as we depart Tempe is our association with the Senior couples.

WEDNESDAY

Our member lesson today with Lani Ray was an answer to prayer. We have visited with her before and she helped Wendy McWilliams get started in Family History. Today as we invited her to do something to Gather Israel, she said,"let me tell y ou what I've been thinking." She has already talked to the bishop about getting the youth into FH and helping them find their ancestors in order to take those names to the temple to perform baptisms. We had literally just thought of three youth in our ward (all new members) that we would like to get started with FamilySearch and take them to the temple to do baptisms. Hopefully we can team up with the ward efforts and get the youth excited about finding their ancestors and doing the proxy work in their behalf.

Lani made us this beautiful Christmas card. It is embroidered using a template and her sewing machine.

We went with our District to visit friends and sing some Christmas Carols tonight. We love being with them and feeling of their love for the people and the Savior. Elder Tano brought his ukulele to accompany us. 😀

THURSDAY

We started our day at the Giving Machines. Elder Glauser was talking with a family and the mom (noticing his name on his tag) said "are you from Redlands?" Turns out it was the daughter of Ralph and Dixie Mickelson and were good friends of the Glauser's when they lived in Highland. Small world!

There was an antagonist of the church there today trying to trap the Elders by asking obscure questions. He was videoing his conversation with them so he could post it. They were doing OK but Elder Glauser came over and diverted Max's attention from the Elders. He asked a little about him and soon the phone was put down. Max is actively trying to lead others away from the church. Doug told him he respected his views but that he knew the Book of Mormon is the word of God and the Church is true. Finally Max said he could respect that they had differing views. He left shortly after that. A very interesting experience.

We then dropped off some food at Ascend, the food bank where we have volunteered. There we met a woman who was getting some food for her family. She recognized our tags and asked if we were members of the Church. We ended up going to Target and getting her 5 year old granddaughter a little Christmas gift and dropping at their very humble home.

We joined Elders Tappen and Stone for a lesson with Dalia and Martin. Martin was not available and Dalia was working so we'll try tomorrow afternoon.

Juanita Agee called to see if we would be out and about tonight because she wanted us to stop by her house. When we did, she gave us a plate of homemade cookies, some garlic pretzels and TWO AFGHANS she had made. She is such a good lady and an example of love and service!

Nate and Shannon came for a very short visit. We drove to the Gilbert Temple and then got some dinner. It was so nice to see them!

FRIDAY

We met Elders Tappen and Stone at Brianna's for a lesson. She committed to pray and read 2 chapters of the Book of Mormon every day. She could use some friends her own age to encourage her and give her some social activities.

Aaron and Heather Hales invited us to Christmas Eve dinner. It was nice to be in their home again.

We tried to find the Zone Testimony meeting but it was not at the normal building. We tried the Del Rio Building. No luck. So we drove to the Institute Building but by now we were 30 minutes late. We saw the missionary cars and assumed we were at the right place, but since it was so late decided not to go inside.

SATURDAY

We had Christmas breakfast with Bishop and Sister Cowley and several of their children and grandkids. Their traditional Christmas breakfast is breaded steak with country gravy, scrambled eggs, homemade bread (toasted) with either jam or more gravy. It was delicious and so kind of them to invite us to join their family.

We dropped off a little gift of Church Magazines and a board book to Brianna and her son Dominic. She was busy so we just left it at her door.

Elder Glauser went to the Giving Machines to drop off homemade sweet rolls to the missionaries there. We had Elders Rasmussen and Smith and Sisters Buth, Toner, Olsen and Jensen over for a traditional Christmas diner since they did not have dinner appointments for Christmas. Then we headed back to the Giving Machines with sweet rolls for the 6:00-9:00 shift of missionaries. It was fun to be there on Christmas night and see the people coming to donate. About 8:00 we sent the Sisters off to the Zone activities and stayed to volunteer.

Christmas was very different this year but we definitely feel the joy of the season!