A Farmhouse Christmas Vacation with Jeff's Family

Scout has a sixth sense when it comes to finding perfect vacation places, and Dryden Brook Farm was no exception.  What a fun, perfect place to spend some snowy Christmas vacation days.  The scene through the farmhouse window showing a beautiful red barn and creek was frosting on the cake.  One afternoon Jeff and I helped the boys make a miniature winter scene just like we made when he was small, even using the same Christmas Village. The warmth of the cozy wood-burning stove as we watched it's flames; the perfect hill for sledding; the chicken coop where the boys could gather eggs; snuggling up and watching the family Christmas video; all of this and just hanging out together.   Things don't get much better than this!  

Another Inspiring Meeting with President and Sister Christianson

One of the greatest blessings of our mission has been the testimony building firesides, missionary meetings, and devotionals we have been able to attend.  Granted, this mission is not about us. Still, when it comes to spiritual opportunities, our time here has been incredible!  I am so grateful for my added understanding of how the Book of Mormon and Bible compliment each other (truly becoming one in thine hand); the significance of the gathering of Israel; and how Christ’s gospel, the restored gospel, the same as organized during Christ’s mortal ministry, is the only true way to eternal life. 

Through working with the branch members, participating in these events, and doing what we can, our testimonies and love for gospel truths has grown so much. 

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, and mostly because, “We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.” 2 Nephi 25:26. 

Our Thoughtful Children at Christmas

Our five children, their spouses, and their children all made extra efforts this year to assure we missionaries had a great Christmas, and didn't get too homesick in the process.  They sent handmade ornaments for our little Christmas tree, wrote inspiring notes, created beautiful Christmas cards, and recorded, in a joint effort, a 45 minute family video.  Although we told them over and over, I still don't think they realize how much these special things made our Christmas in Southwestern New York so memorable.  You are all wonderful!

Christmas Parties

I have to admit--I like planning parties.  The Cattaraugus Branch had it's Christmas party on December 20, 2012.   This year I got to be in the middle of things.  It took lots of time and attention, but everyone seemed to have a great time.  Good food, good friends, and fun program. Even a Cattaraugus Branch Men's Chorus singing, "A Christmas Spectacular."  Thanks to Heath Garlow, Santa made his annual visit as well.

Just a few days prior to this, Brother and Sister Ted and Denise Hoca threw a festive neighborhood Christmas party.  We had President and Grandpa Jones there to entertain, lots of great food, some fun games, and several non-member friends to visit with.  Then, on Christmas Eve morning, the Hoca's made breakfast for the missionaries, a tradition that Brother Hoca began many years ago.  You can't ask for better member-missionaries than the Hocas.  They have become dear friends.

Christmas Gifts to Branch Members

Elder Jeppesen and I wanted an excuse to visit branch members during the month of December so we made a bag of sticky popcorn and a CD of the free Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas music for each household.  We spent the mornings popping corn and the afternoons and evenings delivering.  It was a great way to share the Christmas spirit and gospel message.  

Our walks on Hammond Road

The weather has been mild compared to what we are expecting here in Southwestern New York, so on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Elder Jeppesen and I walk on Hammond road at sunset.  There is very little traffic and the terrain is just gentle, sloping hills.

Thanksgiving in the mission

During the month of November we finished our branch missionary effort of finding and reporting on those not receiving home or visiting teachers (about 140 heads of family).  It was a lot of work, and now we're hoping all the corrections get recorded on the branch roster.

Thanksgiving was special for us this year.  The Campbells had invited us to Thanksgiving Dinner months previous, but just three weeks before Thanksgiving Sister Campbell was stricken with a bad case of Shingles.  The generous couple still wanted to have Thanksgiving at their home so the Campbell's daughter Lindsay and we prepared the traditional meal and took it to them.  Sister Campbell was able to enjoy it despite her illness, and we had a pleasant and bountiful turkey dinner.

October has flown

 October seems to have simply flown by. Already it's November. We continue to be anxiously engaged. Our missionary days are filled with visits to less active members, taking food to needy families, and driving to and from missionary meetings with the young Elders.  Sundays are busy with meetings, starting with Elder Jeppesen's PPI, then Branch Council twice a month, then on to church services with Sister Jeppesen being chorister for Sacrament Meeting and Primary and serving as visiting co-ordinator for the Relief Society, then afterwards directing the Branch Choir. We're learning the beautiful arrangement of "Bethlehem" we sang and enjoyed so much in our Mantua ward.  Today was Buffalo Stake Conference. The building was filled to capacity, and our dear friends the Sternishas saved us a seat on the third row.  We listened to our leaders plead with families to speak kindly, show love and respect, and study the scriptures together.  We heard President Christianson explain our missionary duties and commitments. Recently, President Christianson told us that with the change in missionary ages, the New York Rochester Mission will likely increase its missionary force from 100 to 200+.  He also tells us missionary applications in the church as a whole are up 471%. 

The Amish live an hour or so from where we live.  For p-day a few weeks ago we took a drive through the Amish countryside.  Here is a photo of Elder Jeppesen admiring a ground-driven Amish corn chopper. It is interesting to see these are still being used today. Not referring to the Amish now, but farming itself is truly big business in this area.  Elder Jeppesen enjoys watching the way farming is done out here. There's corn, squash, cabbage, soybeans, potatoes, all kinds of vegetables, and acres and acres of vineyards.  

Elder and Sister Atkinson drove from Palmyra every weekend for six months to provide support to our Cattaraugus Branch. During the week they served as temple missionaries at the Palmyra Temple.  They took off for home last week.  They live in Kamas, Utah.  The Campbell's insisted on throwing them a farewell dinner.  As always, it was a feast.  We will miss them.

Included also are some photos from our Primary Halloween Party.  The children had a great time and we were able to visit with several less active members and provide a little help for the Primary leaders.

Hurricane Sandy certainly made all of us stand up and take notice.  The missionaries were told to stay in, have food and water for several days.  We had strong wind gusts and a moderate amount of rain.  In our area it ended up being pretty mild, but not in other areas.  Our Branch President received a call yesterday for cleanup volunteers who are willing to work with power saws, donate their generators, and stay for several days in very primitive conditions to help clean up the debris along the coastline.  The church volunteers have been activated.  I haven't heard yet if that will include our young missionaries.  We have to admit we're too old to be much help there

On a sad note, Elder Jeppesen's sister Linda John from Portage, Utah, passed away last week after a short bout with cancer. We will miss her and our hearts are full of concern for her family.  With the Hurricane coming, though, and feeling our best service to the Lord was right here, we opted against going home for the services. 

 

Elder and Sister Western from Alpine, Utah have joined us as Senior Missionaries for our District.  We're so glad they're here.  They are serving for a year so we'll be leaving for home about the same time.  Serving a mission is an incredible time to focus upon personal testimonies and we're doing just that.  President Christianson spent several hours in our last training helping us understand the gathering of Israel and the role of the Book of Mormon.  It takes our focus to a whole new level when we see it in light of the Lord's work of gathering. The church is true, Joseph Smith was a true Prophet of God, the Gospel has incredible power to change and bless our lives, if we are willing to let it.  What a blessing it is to be missionaries!

Autumn Arrives, Visitors from Utah

Our dear friends Maurice and Alaine Carter and Kenny and Diana Davis visited us in the missionfield the weekend of Oct. 11 to 15.  What a fun time we had together!  It was a nice break from the work to do some sight-seeing with them.  Thursday night we got back from the airport in just enough time to see sunset at Sunset Beach on Lake Erie.  We spent Friday at Niagara Falls in both the Canadian side and the U.S. side.  We toured historic Old Fort Niagara and had dinner in the Skylon Tower in Canada overlooking the falls.  Saturday we visited the church sites in Palmyra.  Kenny and Diana had never been this far east so it was all new to them.  We went to the Sacred Grove, Hill Cumorah, John Young Home, Tomlinson Inn, and the Peter Whitmer Farm and Cabin. Autumn with it's beautiful colors was still in full sway.  Fall is incredible in this part of the world! I took a photo of the leaves on the ground in front of our apartment this morning as the sun was peeking through.  It was just lovely! The Freedom Branch senior missionaries the Neilsons have left for home after serving 6 months and have been replaced by the Westerns from Alpine Utah.  We met with them this morning in District meeting and they are just great folks.  Elder Richardson and Elder Munnerlyn are still with us and are working hard in the branch area.  We're having another baptism on Oct. 27. A young girl named Mandy from Fredonia.  The Primary children did a bang up job with the Primary program Sunday.  I enjoyed leading the music for them.  There were just seven but they sang their hearts out.  The Davis' and Carters were able to attend church with us at the branch that day.  We've spent a couple days this week visiting members of the branch who are sick and in the hospital.  Sister Boehm at Kenmore Mercy Hospital, Sister John at Eric County Medical Center, and our good friend Freeman Hockenburger who is receiving home care.  

September's Special Events

September was filled with several noteable events. Early in the month we focused upon visiting less active members and updating church records.  This took serious effort on our part. We were able to meet many in this area who have been baptized and then fallen away from church activity.  Some were warm and receptive and others wanted nothing to do with church missionaries. Mid-month in Priesthood Meeting, Elder Jeppesen conferred the Aaronic Priesthood on Mike Sternisha and ordained him to the office of Priest.  Mike looked so handsome in his new suit and Marlene was so proud of him.  Just a week later the two of them spoke in Sacrament meeting.  They did an incredible job and we we felt a little like proud parents. The branch is blessed to have these devoted, capable, new members. On Saturday, September 22, Sister Marlene helped me plan and execute a "Skills and Talents Night" for the Cattaraugus Branch.  Marlene was MC of the program.  I made several calls encouraging branch members to bring pictures, objects, or samples of their talents and interests.  We displayed these on tables around the outside of the cultural hall with name cards next to them. Also included in the evening's activities was a program spotlighting the performance skills of various members.  We had an original piano composition performed by Denise Hoca, a vocal duet by Rebecca Austin and Gracie Wakefield (both 10 years old), a comedy act by Ted Hoca, two vocal numbers by the Kennedy sisters, two guitar numbers by the Jones', a Seneca language demonstration by Vicky Seneca and her grandsons, stories of the false faces of the Senecas told by sister Corline Campbell, and a history lesson by brother Monty Campbell.  The yummy food items provided by noted cooks in our branch comprised our refreshments.  With so many members attending and participating, we were well paid for our efforts.  It was obvious the branch members enjoyed sharing their skills and talents with one another. We were also thrilled that our friend, Sister Judy Boehm, felt well enough to attend.  Each Tuesday we provide a lesson and lunch to Sister Boehm, Sister Vicky Seneca, and Sister Jeanne Berlin at Sister Boehm's.  This weekend Sister Boehm experienced a decline.  We took her to the local hospital and she is now in intensive care in Buffalo.  Our thoughts and prayers are with her.

Transfer day for the young missionaries

Last Tuesday was transfer day for the young missionaries.  Elder Kitt, who has been with us since we arrived, was transferred to the Warsaw Ward.  Here is a photo of the missionaries in our district (the Freedom Branch and Cattaraugus Branch) right before the transfer. Left to right:  Elder Neilson, Sister Neilson, Elders Allen, Inkley, Kitt and Richardson, Sister Jeppesen and Elder Jeppesen.  We had dinner last night in our apartment for the new missionary, Elder Munnerlyn, along with Elder Richardson and our new converts, Mike and Marlene Sternisha.  It was a great night, good spirit, and seeing the Sternishas already so strong in the gospel was inspiring.  The two are preparing to speak in Sacrament meeting in a couple weeks, and Mike will be receiving the Aaronic Priesthood next Sunday.  Elder and Sister Neilson have become our great friends.  They are newlyweds of a year and a half.  Each have six children and numerous grandchildren back home and are serving a six month mission that ends in October.  Elder Neilson, as you can see, is someone to look up to!  Both are dedicated missionaries and we've enjoyed getting to know them.  The leaves are starting to turn already.  It's going to be incredibly beautiful here in a couple weeks.  Four months into our mission.  The blessings still coming in rich abundance.

Senior Training In Palmyra

Last weekend was a great time for us and a good break from the proselyting and teaching regimen.   Thursday we attended a training session with President Jack R. Christianson at the John Young Home. He is always inspiring.  (So much so, in fact, that we ordered several of his lectures on CD. )  For this training he showed the video of Elder Bednar's address in the MTC speaking about Christ's ability to "turn outward" rather than inward by always thinking about what others need rather than selfishly thinking about himself. President Christianson's comments together with this inspiring talk made a deep impression on all of us.  On friday, several senior couples met at the Erie Canal for a tour and presentation about the history of the canal while riding a boat through one of the lochs. After the tour we had dinner at Uno's with the Servoss', the Bests, and the Barlows, laughing and sharing experiences. It was so relaxing and fun to be socializing with great friends.  Saturday morning was Cattaraugus Branch's time at the Bishops Storehouse.  This storehouse is located in Canandaguia, just a few miles from the John Young Home in Mendon so we were able to help there before we headed back.  It made for a couple of hours of hard work but so good to see the welfare plan in action.