Lunch with the Sisters

I often get lonesome for some chatty “girl talk” so it was great fun having lunch with friends at the four corners restaurant in Eden.   Pictured are: Sisters Jeanne Berlin, Denise Hoca, Vicky Seneca and myself.  We need to do this again!

A Valentine's Dinner

The High Priests of our Branch held a first time ever Sweethearts Dinner for Valentine’s Day.  We had grilled steaks and lots of yummy food and a fun program.  The Jones’ even got me to sing and play the guitar with them.

Wintery Weather

The weather here for the most part has been milder than back home in Utah.  When the Northeaster hit Buffalo a while back we received just a couple inches of snow.  The weather changes a lot from place to place. Just a few miles from here there are areas that received a lot of snow. We’ve had a few really cold days, and blowing snow that makes driving and knocking on doors miserable, but so far it hasn’t been too bad.  The worst was the night we had to pick up a member from the Buffalo airport because their car had problems.  The blowing snow and icy roads made for white knuckle driving but Elder Jeppesen handled it well.  We arrived home safely about midnight.

Temple Excursion with Sternishas

Brother and Sister Sternisha went to the Palmyra Temple last month and did baptisms for family members.  Sister Sternisha got the names temple ready during a family history workshop at President Jones’.  I called to make temple arrangements and we had a nice Saturday excursion to Palmyra on January 26.  Brother and Sister Hoca, Brother and Sister Campbell, Elders Richardson, Vasquez, Williams, and Hunt attended the session with us. 

February's Update

Here we are, nearly ten months into our mission.  The time continues to fly. Last night we attended President Christianson’s missionary fireside in Amherst.  We have several new missionaries here now, some just 18 years old.  In last transfer our mission received 18 Elders and 2 Sisters and next transfer will receive 10 more Elders and 10 Sisters. 

We are seeing growth in our own Cattaraugus Branch.  Sacrament Meeting attendance is up, which is encouraging.  Elder Jeppesen continues to serve as Branch Mission Leader.  We hold weekly meetings in our apartment with the young Elders.  They live in the apartment just below ours.  The Elders usually stay and have lunch with us after the meeting.  We often provide another meal for them during the week as well.  I’ve given several Elder haircuts and no complaints so farJ Elder Jeppesen and I are teaching two families right now, an investigator couple and a less active family.  It’s difficult yet to say whether they are going to make progress in the gospel but we are sending our prayers up hoping it will happen.  Sundays are really busy days for us. Meetings start for Elder Jeppesen at 7:00 am.   I’m still leading music wherever it’s needed. The branch choir is preparing a nice Beebe arrangement of “I Stand All Amazed” for Easter Sunday.  Easter weekend is something we’re really looking forwards to because our oldest son Ty and his family are coming out then to spend a few days and visit Church History sites.

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.