Jan 9 - 15, 2022

SUNDAY

Since we are in mandatory quarantine, we watched Sacrament and Priesthood meetings via Zoom. (No RS link as yet). The Sacrament meeting was in Dutch so Elder Glauser translated. Because of technology we were able to 'attend' the ordination of Odin and Benjamin to the Aaronic Priesthood and Lance to the office of Priest. Evan was also ordained a Priest, but we weren't able to Zoom it. We're so happy these fine grandsons are continuing on the Covenant Path. We love them so much (along with all the others 😁)! It is our great joy to be part of our kids and grandkids lives.

MONDAY-TUESDAY

We had a Zoom meeting on Monday with the entire mission and Tuesday with the Office staff. We are beginning to feel connected to the others in our mission but look forward to when we can begin in person. Training for the Vehicle Coordinator and Finance will start tomorrow, Mission Health Advisor in a couple days.

Our bishop in Tempe sent this out to our ward. Brother Frost was quite amazing. This past summer was the first year he hasn't mowed his own yard! He was 104 years old.

Dear Members,

Here is the information on the funeral services for our friend, Larry Frost. He passed away on Friday afternoon after several weeks of Hospice Care and with his devoted family. The family has chosen, per Brother Frost's request, to hold the funeral services in Show Low, AZ where he spent the majority of his life.

Here are the details:

Saturday, January 15, 2020

Downtown Show Low Chapel

Viewing at 9:00AM

Funeral at 10:00AM

THERE WILL BE NO BROADCAST OF THE SERVICES PER THE FAMILY

Feel free to send condolences and sympathy cards to the Frost residence here in Tempe. The family will receive them. Larry's daughter, Karen, will stay at the home until they get it ready to sell.

I wanted to share two things with all of you. As you all will recall, Brother Frost was in attendance as a 10-year-old boy at the initial Mesa Tempe Dedication in 1927. Because of this, President Johnson and others worked hard to try to get Brother Frost into the Celestial Room of the Temple for the initial dedicatory session last month. At first it looked like it was not going to happen. But the Apostles/Brethren who came to participate made sure that Brother Frost was in the Celestial Room with them for the dedication. Brother Frost was honored and very happy.  The next day was when he began to decline in health and became bed-ridden quite suddenly. It was as though he was holding on for this last important event he would witness in mortality. Then today, in my mailbox, was Brother Frost's last Tithing envelope/payment. It was postmarked the day before he passed. He was committed to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and faithful until the end. 

With Respect and Love,

Bishop Trey Cowley

WEDNESDAY

We were excited to be out of quarantine today. The last step was to take a Covid Self-test and obtain a Negative result. But...Doug's test was Positive. We called the office to ask about the protocol now. Elder Ludlow scheduled us an appointment with a Rapid Test provider and we walked over there at 10:00. We were both tested and now must wait for results. 

Walking home from the Covid Testing site. Even on a foggy, bleak morning this is a charming place!

Sister Watson and I spoke via video chat about the health concerns of some of the missionaries. She has been acting as the Health Advisor for the mission and I'll be taking that on now. Sister Jensen, who has been serving as the Secretary to the President, called to talk about our Covid results and said since my results were Negative, I could go to the grocery store even though our Rapid Test results are pending. So I ventured out, thinking we had passed a store on the way to the testing site. Turns out it was a CVS-type store (minus the pharmacy). On the way back home, I saw an entrance to an indoor shopping area and decided to check it out. Sure enough, there is a nice grocery store and I was able to get a few things we needed.  It is only a 4 minute walk from our apartment so it will be very convenient.

THURSDAY

Early this morning we got emails with our NEGATIVE results from the Rapid Test site for both of us! Truly we see the Lord's hand in our lives! We're so grateful and excited to be able to get started with our assignments here and are thankful for the inspiration and revelation Doug has received pertaining to the Vehicle Coordination. 

We trained with Elder and Sister Jensen for the Vehicle and Finance assignments. We have the 'big picture' but will get into details and specifics when they come back on Monday.

Near the Gouda city center

F

FRIDAY

A day of preparation in the office. Elder Glauser worked on the paperwork required for each missionary regarding driving. We have 11 new Elders and Sisters coming next week so this is now ready for them to fill out. We reviewed safety guidelines for bikes including the wearing of helmets, locking bikes when not in use, avoiding accidents, etc. I was able to update health notes for several of the missionaries.

SATURDAY

After study, laundry and cleaning the house, we walked to the train station and took the train to Utrecht. We wanted to get to know the train system and go on a little adventure. We had a fun afternoon seeing a little of the countryside. 

                         Train station in Utrecht.

   Just a sampling of the bikes. 

        Everyone has a bike!

                         Near our apartment is a flower shop. Of course we need tulips!