12-29-19
Today is sunday and a big storm has moved through and we are not able to have church today because of the snow and wind.
We invited the sisters over and we had a little sacrament service, passed the sacrament and we each took a few minutes giving a spiritual thought. It was good!
I find myself reflecting a little on our mission and how things are going. This is a hard place for the people. There is a lot of sin and if we aren't living right we are not blessed. The biggest problem in our branch seems as though no one cares about each other. When we first came into the branch I asked the branch president what he would like us to do and he said the people don't really care for each other. They don't fellowship or reach out to others. Families are like Nephi & Sam, and Laman & Lemuel. They all fight with each other and don't support each other. Their has been no ministering going on in the branch at all (my thought not his about the ministering)! When we moved in they weren't having any branch councils and we were able to get 3 so far sense we have been here in the 7 months we have been here. Although we have asked for ministering to start nothing has happened so far. We have had inactive members and non members say the people in the branch are just not friendly. Sister Howser from Castle Rock Co. went up to the stand last sunday and told the branch president that "we would have an investigator to church. The last time she was in church no one came up to make her feel welcome and shake her hand. She doesn't feel welcome here she said. She asked him if he would great her and make her feel welcome." He said: "no I am not setting next to her so I am not going to do it." It all starts with the leadership of the branch.
I mentioned earlier how Valauri was visiting her daughter in the Provo area and attended church there and not one came up to say hi to her, not even in relief society. Well a person brought some girls to church who were in a special home for girls who were struggling. One happened to be Valauri's granddaughter and she told the caregiver that "she saw her grandmother at church and she didn't even say hi to her. I guess she didn't recognise me......and so it goes!!
It looks like our main task here is to get the members to like, care for, and minister to one another!
The gospel is true!The prophet is inspired and has let us know what we need to do. The devil is working overtime and is very cunning. We need to step up our game to meet the enemy for he has stepped up his game!
Sunday, December 29, 2019
Saturday, December 14, 2019
12-14-19
Well another wonderful day. We took sister straight head (Deloria) to Pierre to take a couple of grandkids back to her mother, Deloria’s granddaughter. She had been beaten up by her husband and Deloria was watching a couple kids while she got to feeling a little better. Anyway. We had a nice conversation up and back 1.5 hrs each way. We also did some shopping for food. We got a text from lana that said her son was about to play (we promised we would go watch him) but the inactive primary president came over to visit with sister Morgan. (They are hitting it off really well) (after 6 months of work). Anyway she is going to leave her alcoholic husband and started crying about all her hardships (her son was suppose to tell the class something good about his dad as all the other students were also) he asked if he could lie and make something up. Through all the tears sister Morgan asked if she would like me to giver her a blessing. She said she wasn’t worthy of a blessing; she smoked. We had printed a picture of a saying at the library today we wanted to share with people like her (lots of people like her here) that said “waiting to come to the Lord when you get your life cleaned up is like waiting to go to the ER when you stop bleeding. He doesn’t love some future version of you; He loves us in our mess”. I gave her a very nice blessing and she left with us all feeling really great. She said she will be in church tomorrow and will start filling her calling in the primary. The we ran off to the game and Lana’s son only had a minute and a half left. (She posted on Facebook how important it was for people to show how they care about her son by going to the games) (her other son is the one that committed suicide 3 years ago). We set with her. During a break I (with my white shirt and badge) went for a walk on the floor and a sister in the branch yelled at me and I went and shook her and her husbands hand her hand. (We has been working on her sense we arrived in eagle butte 6 months ago). She said she was just telling her husband that she was going to come to church tomorrow. It will be her first time. Part way through the next game we left and ran to the hospital where a sister from cherry creek
was admitted and we had a wonderful visit with her. She has only been to church once so far. Then bought her some chocolate and ran back to the game and set with Lana again. After she expressed her appreciation for being with her (she always sets alone) she said she will be in church and bring about 5 girls she works with in her profession (troubled girls). Her son took her car home and so we took her home and then ran to the store for food for the pot luck for tomorrow. While we went in we saw Garr who we have been working with. I said hi Br Garr. He said I am coming to church tomorrow. I said great, it is a pot luck! We came home and are preparing dinner for the potluck for tomorrow. It is 10:55 and I just got a text from Thomas 3 legs, Nephi 3 legs brother who we visited with last week and we hope he comes tomorrow also (haven’t been out to church yet) . I’m sure I have left a lot out but it was quite a day!! Not over yet, the rolls are about to go in the oven!!
What a great day!!
Well another wonderful day. We took sister straight head (Deloria) to Pierre to take a couple of grandkids back to her mother, Deloria’s granddaughter. She had been beaten up by her husband and Deloria was watching a couple kids while she got to feeling a little better. Anyway. We had a nice conversation up and back 1.5 hrs each way. We also did some shopping for food. We got a text from lana that said her son was about to play (we promised we would go watch him) but the inactive primary president came over to visit with sister Morgan. (They are hitting it off really well) (after 6 months of work). Anyway she is going to leave her alcoholic husband and started crying about all her hardships (her son was suppose to tell the class something good about his dad as all the other students were also) he asked if he could lie and make something up. Through all the tears sister Morgan asked if she would like me to giver her a blessing. She said she wasn’t worthy of a blessing; she smoked. We had printed a picture of a saying at the library today we wanted to share with people like her (lots of people like her here) that said “waiting to come to the Lord when you get your life cleaned up is like waiting to go to the ER when you stop bleeding. He doesn’t love some future version of you; He loves us in our mess”. I gave her a very nice blessing and she left with us all feeling really great. She said she will be in church tomorrow and will start filling her calling in the primary. The we ran off to the game and Lana’s son only had a minute and a half left. (She posted on Facebook how important it was for people to show how they care about her son by going to the games) (her other son is the one that committed suicide 3 years ago). We set with her. During a break I (with my white shirt and badge) went for a walk on the floor and a sister in the branch yelled at me and I went and shook her and her husbands hand her hand. (We has been working on her sense we arrived in eagle butte 6 months ago). She said she was just telling her husband that she was going to come to church tomorrow. It will be her first time. Part way through the next game we left and ran to the hospital where a sister from cherry creek
What a great day!!
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
12-10-19
Some of the things that Elder Morgan left out today. Gloria, who we have been working with since we got here, came to Book of Mormon class tonight and told us her granddaughter wants to be baptized. The great thing is that she wants Scott, Gloria's husband, to baptize her. Scott is not active and we have been trying to figure a way to get him to come to church. Gloria asked how long Scott would need to come to church so he could baptize his granddaughter. Miracles come in many ways.
Lana told me tonight that she started reading the Ensign that we bought for her and can't put it down. She read about half last night and is going to finish it up tonight. She said that she just wants to know everything there is to know about Jesus. She is a golden contact. Her countenance is just like a bright light bulb. We love her so much. She wants to come visit us in Colorado. I hope you all get to meet her.
Some of the things that Elder Morgan left out today. Gloria, who we have been working with since we got here, came to Book of Mormon class tonight and told us her granddaughter wants to be baptized. The great thing is that she wants Scott, Gloria's husband, to baptize her. Scott is not active and we have been trying to figure a way to get him to come to church. Gloria asked how long Scott would need to come to church so he could baptize his granddaughter. Miracles come in many ways.
Lana told me tonight that she started reading the Ensign that we bought for her and can't put it down. She read about half last night and is going to finish it up tonight. She said that she just wants to know everything there is to know about Jesus. She is a golden contact. Her countenance is just like a bright light bulb. We love her so much. She wants to come visit us in Colorado. I hope you all get to meet her.
12-10-19
Well today was a very nice day. The high point was around noon when a new member who moved into the branch a couple weeks ago called and asked if he could bring in mexican to our book of mormon class tonight. We said sure. He came and borrowed a crockpot and brought an absolutely wonderful meal in. He probably brought in enough to feed 40 people. An unbelievable amount of food. And did I say it was wonderful!!
He works nights and had to leave at 7:00. When we got done with the meal I texted him:
Me: (his name is John Rampton)
Br Rampton, You are amazing!!
Thank you so much for giving so much
to the Lord tonight! "If ye have done
it unto the least of these my brethren ye
have dine it unto me".
Also we studied Mosiah 2: 15-17
Thank you for your example!!
John:Brigham Young was my great great great
grandfather. He always said "feed the indians"
So i'm glad you enjoyed it!
Me: You and Brigham will have a great reunion some
day:)))
John:Thanks,lol
I have 3 big bags of tortilla chips. Do we
Have enough queso for tomorrow night
(young men and women) or should I make
a second batch?
Me: We have plenty left I am sure!!
John:Alrighty!
I am beginning to wonder if he is one of the three Nephites!! Nice guy!!
We also had our biggest class at Book of Mormon tonight. we are making headway with so many children of the promise!! Lana is doing so well. Gloria was here and was doing so well. Delanina was here and is progressing. Life is good! We finished the temple class and will be going to the temple with 3 sisters. One is sending off her missionary papers soon.
Last week we took a new convert to the temple and did baptisms. 20 people out to cherry creek last sunday. (counting missionaries) I could go on and on!
Well today was a very nice day. The high point was around noon when a new member who moved into the branch a couple weeks ago called and asked if he could bring in mexican to our book of mormon class tonight. We said sure. He came and borrowed a crockpot and brought an absolutely wonderful meal in. He probably brought in enough to feed 40 people. An unbelievable amount of food. And did I say it was wonderful!!
He works nights and had to leave at 7:00. When we got done with the meal I texted him:
Me: (his name is John Rampton)
Br Rampton, You are amazing!!
Thank you so much for giving so much
to the Lord tonight! "If ye have done
it unto the least of these my brethren ye
have dine it unto me".
Also we studied Mosiah 2: 15-17
Thank you for your example!!
John:Brigham Young was my great great great
grandfather. He always said "feed the indians"
So i'm glad you enjoyed it!
Me: You and Brigham will have a great reunion some
day:)))
John:Thanks,lol
I have 3 big bags of tortilla chips. Do we
Have enough queso for tomorrow night
(young men and women) or should I make
a second batch?
Me: We have plenty left I am sure!!
John:Alrighty!
I am beginning to wonder if he is one of the three Nephites!! Nice guy!!
We also had our biggest class at Book of Mormon tonight. we are making headway with so many children of the promise!! Lana is doing so well. Gloria was here and was doing so well. Delanina was here and is progressing. Life is good! We finished the temple class and will be going to the temple with 3 sisters. One is sending off her missionary papers soon.
Last week we took a new convert to the temple and did baptisms. 20 people out to cherry creek last sunday. (counting missionaries) I could go on and on!
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
11-26-19
Sitting here thinking about Ryan coming for Thanksgiving and being snowed in, in Sterling Co. I understand they only got 6" but the wind is blowing and drifting. Lots of roads closed in the area. prayers everyone.
This last week was great and terrible. First the good news; we went over and visited with the school Superintendent and asked her if we could reserve Wednesdays as a "church night". She said that would be great and called the athletic director and asked him come over. (a couple of weeks ago we only got one boy out to young mens and womens) (they started open gym, and you know the coaches don't play kids that don't show up) We visited with him a while and he agreed to write letters to the different coaches. Win! Then she asked us if we would like to come in and visit with the school board. Win Win. So we went to the school board meeting and Sister Morgan gave the opening prayer and I talked a little about How the Book of Mormon was a record of their people. I also talked about how the commandments in the book are given by a loving God (Creator) who only wants us to be happy. An inactive sister from our branch after said these are my fiends (she is also a member of the school board)! Win Win Win!! Then a couple of days latter we took a Book of Mormon to the superintendent. We wrote a thank you and our testimonies in the book and gave it to her. She said; "oh this is a record of the Navajo people. (she is a transplant) We said no it is a record of all the native americans. She seemed pleased. She also said her husband went back home so she might come to our church. Win Win Win Win
So The bad news. we talked about President Allen dieing. Well the Elders Quorum President was very offended when he found out the news the next day in church. He was mad at us for not telling him. I guess when family and friends lose someone they all meet at the hospital and stay there until they come to pick up the body. Welllll we didn't know the custom and I only contacted the branch president (and he is mad at him also), The mission president, and the counselor to the mission president assigned over our area. The next morning I also contacted the Stake President.
Anyway he and his wife won't talk to us and they went to Rapid City to church and we understand from our branch president's wife they may not come back for a few months. It is hard not knowing the customs. President Allen who died was a school teacher and mowed the lawns for the churches in the area. We are 3 hrs from his home and he was the district president and worked with people in all the branches. Unfortunately I didn't understand that the elders quorum president felt quite so close to him. Hard deal!
By the way we now have 4 sisters working in Eagle butte and they are wonderful hard working missionaries!!
Sitting here thinking about Ryan coming for Thanksgiving and being snowed in, in Sterling Co. I understand they only got 6" but the wind is blowing and drifting. Lots of roads closed in the area. prayers everyone.
This last week was great and terrible. First the good news; we went over and visited with the school Superintendent and asked her if we could reserve Wednesdays as a "church night". She said that would be great and called the athletic director and asked him come over. (a couple of weeks ago we only got one boy out to young mens and womens) (they started open gym, and you know the coaches don't play kids that don't show up) We visited with him a while and he agreed to write letters to the different coaches. Win! Then she asked us if we would like to come in and visit with the school board. Win Win. So we went to the school board meeting and Sister Morgan gave the opening prayer and I talked a little about How the Book of Mormon was a record of their people. I also talked about how the commandments in the book are given by a loving God (Creator) who only wants us to be happy. An inactive sister from our branch after said these are my fiends (she is also a member of the school board)! Win Win Win!! Then a couple of days latter we took a Book of Mormon to the superintendent. We wrote a thank you and our testimonies in the book and gave it to her. She said; "oh this is a record of the Navajo people. (she is a transplant) We said no it is a record of all the native americans. She seemed pleased. She also said her husband went back home so she might come to our church. Win Win Win Win
So The bad news. we talked about President Allen dieing. Well the Elders Quorum President was very offended when he found out the news the next day in church. He was mad at us for not telling him. I guess when family and friends lose someone they all meet at the hospital and stay there until they come to pick up the body. Welllll we didn't know the custom and I only contacted the branch president (and he is mad at him also), The mission president, and the counselor to the mission president assigned over our area. The next morning I also contacted the Stake President.
Anyway he and his wife won't talk to us and they went to Rapid City to church and we understand from our branch president's wife they may not come back for a few months. It is hard not knowing the customs. President Allen who died was a school teacher and mowed the lawns for the churches in the area. We are 3 hrs from his home and he was the district president and worked with people in all the branches. Unfortunately I didn't understand that the elders quorum president felt quite so close to him. Hard deal!
By the way we now have 4 sisters working in Eagle butte and they are wonderful hard working missionaries!!
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
11-12-19
Well, a long 24 hrs. Last night we got a call asking us to go the the hospital from a sister from rosebud. Her husband the old district president and current president of rosebud and his son had been in an accident (rollover). She asked us to go to the hospital and five blessings And give blessings.When we got there (to make a long story short) we found out the father was killed. His son wasn’t hurt at all but we had to wait 3 hrs to find that out after the cat scan. The son was pretty broken up. He has a brother who comes home next month from his mission. The mom was 3 hrs away and had stayed up all night the night before to take clinical’s. The cop told her over the phone the dad was dead and I was trying to break it to her softly and she said I know he is dead! She was pretty broke up about it also. So her daughter was wanting to meet us in Pierre. She was in soux falls 3 hrs away from Pierre and we were an hr and a half. Between waiting for the c t scan to come back and waiting for the officer to come and interview the son we got to Pierre an hr and a half after she showed up. We decided to get a motel room and didn’t get signed in until 5:00 am. We slept 4 hrs and then headed to cherry creek and had 17 out (4 missionaries) and got home a few hrs ago. Long day.
I just got off the phone with the emt. She said (a inactive member of the branch). "It would be best to have a closed casket. He was pretty beaten up" She said she has no idea how Thaddeus got out of the truck as it was beaten up so much and she couldn't figure out how he got out" THEN SHE SAID; "I have a question and don't laugh at me; I watched while the blessing was being said on Thaddeus and I saw something white between the two elders and it looked at me, what was that". I said that must have been President Allen (his father who passed away)
I told sister Allen and she said:
Thank You for sharing. This is precious and dear to me ♥️
Thank you for taking care of Thaddeus when I couldn’t be there.
I am most grateful for your kindness and compassion.
You truly ministered as the Savior would. I will always remember you both and be grateful that you helped my Son through the most difficult experience in his life: calling out to his Dad only to realize that he had passed on.
Well, a long 24 hrs. Last night we got a call asking us to go the the hospital from a sister from rosebud. Her husband the old district president and current president of rosebud and his son had been in an accident (rollover). She asked us to go to the hospital and five blessings And give blessings.When we got there (to make a long story short) we found out the father was killed. His son wasn’t hurt at all but we had to wait 3 hrs to find that out after the cat scan. The son was pretty broken up. He has a brother who comes home next month from his mission. The mom was 3 hrs away and had stayed up all night the night before to take clinical’s. The cop told her over the phone the dad was dead and I was trying to break it to her softly and she said I know he is dead! She was pretty broke up about it also. So her daughter was wanting to meet us in Pierre. She was in soux falls 3 hrs away from Pierre and we were an hr and a half. Between waiting for the c t scan to come back and waiting for the officer to come and interview the son we got to Pierre an hr and a half after she showed up. We decided to get a motel room and didn’t get signed in until 5:00 am. We slept 4 hrs and then headed to cherry
I just got off the phone with the emt. She said (a inactive member of the branch). "It would be best to have a closed casket. He was pretty beaten up" She said she has no idea how Thaddeus got out of the truck as it was beaten up so much and she couldn't figure out how he got out" THEN SHE SAID; "I have a question and don't laugh at me; I watched while the blessing was being said on Thaddeus and I saw something white between the two elders and it looked at me, what was that". I said that must have been President Allen (his father who passed away)
I told sister Allen and she said:
Thank You for sharing. This is precious and dear to me ♥️
Thank you for taking care of Thaddeus when I couldn’t be there.
I am most grateful for your kindness and compassion.
You truly ministered as the Savior would. I will always remember you both and be grateful that you helped my Son through the most difficult experience in his life: calling out to his Dad only to realize that he had passed on.
Sunday, October 20, 2019
actually from yesterday, just didn't get it posted 10-19-19
Well what did elder and sister morgan do today?: it was a busy day, we got up late because yesterday was so long and hard. So we drug ourselves out about 7:30. Sister morgan started making cinnamon rolls for the pot luck tomorrow in eagle butte. Then She make bread sticks for tonight a sister asked her to make some for a birthday party (40 people) then she prepared the fixin’s to go on Indian taco’s , meat, lettuce, olives, tomatoes. We bought an outside door for a sister in the branch and by this time I was over putting it on. It took until about 1:00. I come home and wonderful smells were coming from the kitchen and we were fasting;(. A sister in the branch asked us to come help her make 7 pies so a little after 1:00 we ran over to help her. She is the sister I told you about in Provo. Anyway sister morgan has already made up the pie dough and when we got there we helped her peel and slice up the apples 
and she took it from there. I ran and got supply’s (oh I did that first thing this morning) sister morgan took a much needed nap but it didn’t last long. Sister iron lightning brought chicken for sister morgan to make some Alfredo for her granddaughter (the 40’people) I helped cut up the meet and helped get the church ready. She cooked up things and did dishes, etc. the party was suppose to start at 5:00 but did t get started until 6:30. We took stuff over to the church and attended the party. It was nice, her 19 year old granddaughter was off to college but came home for the party. (Her party, did I say surprise) sister morgan went home to try and clean up some and I stayed and help clean up, vacuum, etc. sister morgan has also made bread dough for Indian taco’s for cherry creek church tomorrow and pot luck after. (2:30) when I got home she was deep frying them and I finished them up about 5 minutes ago. Can anyone say long day!! Tomorrow will
also be a long day with pot luck in two places! And all the work that goes along with it. Then Monday morning it is off to Casper;). Love you all!!
also be a long day with pot luck in two places! And all the work that goes along with it. Then Monday morning it is off to Casper;). Love you all!!
Just an FYI, this is probably the best day yet on the mission. We had a wonderful sacrament meeting with a high councilor. We had 50 out today, several non members. It is a new record high for us. Then we went to cherry creek and had 33 out there. After the meeting I was visiting with a non member (about half of those in attendance were non members) I found out a little about her. She said she was a Christian but didn’t really believe in one certain religion. I told her that way back when the Bible was being written in the old world a prophet was told by God to leave Jerusalem and travel to a new world (the American continent). God said Jerusalem will be destroyed and directed the way for them and they landed here in the America’s. Then I said do you think God only cared for the people living in Jerusalem, or do you think he would also care for your ancestors? She said I think he would love both peoples the same. I said yes I believe he would love and care for the Native American people also just as much as he did the people in Jerusalem, She agreed. Then I said the writings of the people of Jerusalem were later translated into the Bible and the writings of your ancestors were translated into the Book of Mormon. I said if you want to know what your grand fathers would want you to do read the Book of Mormon. She said you have given me shivers! I asked if she would like to read the Book of Mormon and she said yes I would!! I gave her a copy.
Then I was visiting an older member and she asked me how she could pay her tithing!! I was smiling pretty big, a true believer!! So in all we had 83 out to church today!! We feel blessed!!
We have been working with a woman named Lana. A couple of years ago her son committed suicide while everyone was home. He lived a day and then passed away. We have worked with her for months. It has been a slow process but it has all paid off. We invited her to come to the General Women's Conference which she did. While we were listening to conference Sister Morgan had the impression to talk to her about the temple. After the meeting she told Lana that her son could be baptized and have other ordinances performed for him . She said she would love for that to happen. Sister Morgan then told her that she wasn't very far from being able to attend the temple and witness the baptism and other ordinances. She was so excited. She has been taking the temple preparation class and attending church every Sunday. She works for a group home for kids on Sunday and brings a bunch of them with her when she comes. She has already invited a friend to come to church with her. She is on fire.
Then I was visiting an older member and she asked me how she could pay her tithing!! I was smiling pretty big, a true believer!! So in all we had 83 out to church today!! We feel blessed!!
We have been working with a woman named Lana. A couple of years ago her son committed suicide while everyone was home. He lived a day and then passed away. We have worked with her for months. It has been a slow process but it has all paid off. We invited her to come to the General Women's Conference which she did. While we were listening to conference Sister Morgan had the impression to talk to her about the temple. After the meeting she told Lana that her son could be baptized and have other ordinances performed for him . She said she would love for that to happen. Sister Morgan then told her that she wasn't very far from being able to attend the temple and witness the baptism and other ordinances. She was so excited. She has been taking the temple preparation class and attending church every Sunday. She works for a group home for kids on Sunday and brings a bunch of them with her when she comes. She has already invited a friend to come to church with her. She is on fire.
Sunday, October 13, 2019
October 12, 2019
We are a little behind on our blog. We have been so busy it seems we meet ourselves coming and going. On September 15, we opened up the Cherry Creek building and had a sacrament meeting and potluck. Cherry Creek has not been open for 10 years. At the meeting we had 30 people and 21 natives. When Elder Morgan say the town for the first time he felt like he had been there before. We have had special feelings about Cherry Creek. There have been numerous problems in Cherry Creek. Hopefully we will be able to get it open and solve some of the problems they have had in the past.
We had a meal and watched Women's Conference on Saturday, October 5th. There were so many inactives and investigators that we weren't sure who to talk to first. We have been working with a woman who lost her son to suicide. Her name is Lana. We have worked with her for several months and finally on Saturday she came. She really liked the conference and during the conference Sister Morgan felt prompted to talk to her about the temple. After the meeting, Sister Morgan asked how she liked it. She said she loved it. Sister Morgan then talked to her about the temple and told her that we could have his work done for him. She said she would really like that. Sister Morgan then said, "Lana, you could get ready to go to the temple and then you could witness the work that is done for your son." She then wanted to know what she needed to do and said she would like to do that.
On Sunday for General Conference we had about 8 nonmembers there. It was a great meeting!
One of the sisters from our addiction recovery came. During our last meeting I talked about a story from the Book of Mormon. Then Elder Morgan asked if anyone wanted to be taught by the missionaries. She said, "I do." She came to the Women's Conference and then to the afternoon session of general conference. When we asked her what she liked most, she said, "All of it. It was like they were speaking to me." She was terribly abused by her boyfriend and has lost her son due to alcohol use. She is so excited about the gospel. We hope she will be able to be baptized soon.
Today we went to take the sister from the addiction recovery class a book. We had a great discussion with her and her friend Phalena. Both are non-members. We took the one sister around town today to help her find a job. We are praying that that will happen soon, so she can get her son back and really work on getting things in order. Phalena comes to Waffle Wednesday nearly every week. She really has a pretty good head on her shoulders and is kind to everyone. She has a word of wisdom problem and had a very bad experience at church one time. Lots of missionaries have been working with her and hopefully the Spirit will work on her and she can get baptized also. She has two sons that are the nicest kids. She just got married again so there is lots of potential in that family.
On our way back from the couples' retreat we stopped in Phillip to buy a pop for the missionaries there. While we were waiting for them to pick a drink a man came up and started talking to Elder Morgan. He was a farmer and we had a great conversation. Elder Morgan asked if he would like to hear the missionaries. He said he would but was busy right then because a big storm was coming. In the end we got his name and number and gave it to the missionaries and the missionaries gave him their number. It was so crazy!!!!
One of our members spent the summer in Utah. She is the best lady ever. She is in a wheelchair but very independent. She told us that her daughter in Utah had her kids baptized in the Catholic Church because when she went to church no one would even talk to her or her family. She said that she went to the ward while she was there and no one is Relief Society even said hi. She started attending the Lamanite ward which was far away so she could feel like she fit in. Please try and make everyone feel welcome in your wards. Everyone needs a friend. Side note. When she got home she found out her son had sold all her stuff to buy drugs. She does beautiful bead work and he sold all that and even the extra battery for her wheelchair. So sad.
We are a little behind on our blog. We have been so busy it seems we meet ourselves coming and going. On September 15, we opened up the Cherry Creek building and had a sacrament meeting and potluck. Cherry Creek has not been open for 10 years. At the meeting we had 30 people and 21 natives. When Elder Morgan say the town for the first time he felt like he had been there before. We have had special feelings about Cherry Creek. There have been numerous problems in Cherry Creek. Hopefully we will be able to get it open and solve some of the problems they have had in the past.
We had a meal and watched Women's Conference on Saturday, October 5th. There were so many inactives and investigators that we weren't sure who to talk to first. We have been working with a woman who lost her son to suicide. Her name is Lana. We have worked with her for several months and finally on Saturday she came. She really liked the conference and during the conference Sister Morgan felt prompted to talk to her about the temple. After the meeting, Sister Morgan asked how she liked it. She said she loved it. Sister Morgan then talked to her about the temple and told her that we could have his work done for him. She said she would really like that. Sister Morgan then said, "Lana, you could get ready to go to the temple and then you could witness the work that is done for your son." She then wanted to know what she needed to do and said she would like to do that.
On Sunday for General Conference we had about 8 nonmembers there. It was a great meeting!
One of the sisters from our addiction recovery came. During our last meeting I talked about a story from the Book of Mormon. Then Elder Morgan asked if anyone wanted to be taught by the missionaries. She said, "I do." She came to the Women's Conference and then to the afternoon session of general conference. When we asked her what she liked most, she said, "All of it. It was like they were speaking to me." She was terribly abused by her boyfriend and has lost her son due to alcohol use. She is so excited about the gospel. We hope she will be able to be baptized soon.
Today we went to take the sister from the addiction recovery class a book. We had a great discussion with her and her friend Phalena. Both are non-members. We took the one sister around town today to help her find a job. We are praying that that will happen soon, so she can get her son back and really work on getting things in order. Phalena comes to Waffle Wednesday nearly every week. She really has a pretty good head on her shoulders and is kind to everyone. She has a word of wisdom problem and had a very bad experience at church one time. Lots of missionaries have been working with her and hopefully the Spirit will work on her and she can get baptized also. She has two sons that are the nicest kids. She just got married again so there is lots of potential in that family.
On our way back from the couples' retreat we stopped in Phillip to buy a pop for the missionaries there. While we were waiting for them to pick a drink a man came up and started talking to Elder Morgan. He was a farmer and we had a great conversation. Elder Morgan asked if he would like to hear the missionaries. He said he would but was busy right then because a big storm was coming. In the end we got his name and number and gave it to the missionaries and the missionaries gave him their number. It was so crazy!!!!
One of our members spent the summer in Utah. She is the best lady ever. She is in a wheelchair but very independent. She told us that her daughter in Utah had her kids baptized in the Catholic Church because when she went to church no one would even talk to her or her family. She said that she went to the ward while she was there and no one is Relief Society even said hi. She started attending the Lamanite ward which was far away so she could feel like she fit in. Please try and make everyone feel welcome in your wards. Everyone needs a friend. Side note. When she got home she found out her son had sold all her stuff to buy drugs. She does beautiful bead work and he sold all that and even the extra battery for her wheelchair. So sad.
Monday, August 12, 2019
8-12-19
We have a little catching up to do here.
We had our district meeting last week and I thought one comment stood out that I would like all my grand kids to hear: If the young people can learn how to have the spirit at an early age they can enjoy the companionship of the Holy Ghost to lead them and guide them the remainder of their lives! That would be my prayer for each and every one of not only my grand kids but all kids living today!!
I also learned from an old Indian man; "If you read the Book of Mormon you will find out what your grand fathers want you to know!!
We took Deloria Straight Head to Cherry Creek last week (she is a member from Cherry Creek now living in Eagle Butte) We picked up a sister (Stella Dupree) from Cherry Creek to go out on visits and help us to meet the members of Cherry Creek. Cherry Creek is about 45 minutes away from Eagle Butte. It is a very small town with about 30 homes in it. They have a beautiful building there that had been used by many faithful saints before some of the stronger ones moved out. We visited with the old branch president who still lives there and he said he would go to church and no one would show up for church. They finally shut down the church! He and his family have not been coming to church here in Eagle Butte. Anyway to make a long story short we visited with a hand full of saints (none of them coming to church) and they all seemed really, really excited to have the church opened up again. We have decided to open it up on September 1st with a sacrament meeting and a pot luck. Wish us luck!! We still need to visit some people who were gone to work and invite them. We plan to do that this week. I was so excited about this that I was unable to sleep much that night. It made me wonder what Joseph Smith must have been like the night the Father and the Son visited with him that day many years ago (did he sleep that night?) I doubt it!! Or Moses when she went up to Mount Siani to get the 10 commandments. Or the night he took them through the Red Sea. Or when Paul saw the Savior, or Alma the younger, or I could go on and on!!
On our way we were traveling to our district meeting in Pierre and got stopped by a flag lady because they were working on the road. We were the first in line so I rolled down my window and began to visit with her. She said she was from Cherry Creek and we told her about opening up the building and gave her a Book of Mormon to read when no cars were coming. She was very nice and we got her phone number to remind here of the first meeting.
We came home that day and went out to deliver a cake three times to an individual at work (didn't know where he lived) and finally just left it with his secretary. We went back to visit with him a few days later and he said "you came at a perfect time, I have a son who needs to be baptized" So we are going to see if we can make that happen.
Sunday, yesterday we drove to Green Grass, about 20 miles away to give a birthday cake away. I got out at a home that might have been the right place (but wasn't). They had 3 dogs. One was a healer. After I made friends with them (Sister Morgan always stays in the car when there are dogs) I started walking to the door and the Healer took out my heal. It brought blood and bruised it pretty good. After knocking and finding no one home I didn't see the dog so I walked back to the car. When I opened the car door and looked around there he was sneaking up on me again. That was a close one!! We went up to another home and asked two or three cars if they knew the man we were looking for. ( this is a town of about 15 houses) (and if it didn't happen like every other day I would think it was a coincidence) in the 3rd car a passenger asked if we were from the LDS church. We said yes and she said; I'm the girl from the store in Eagle Butte. We recognized her. We had visited with her a few weeks ago and we got her phone number and gave her ours. She wants to start attending.
We had Melanie over the weekend. It was a joy to have her with us. We took her to the Rodeo in Faith and went out and visited a few people, took some cakes etc. She also gave a talk in church. One of our favorite people (Dale Iron Lightning) said she loved her talk.
We have a little catching up to do here.
We had our district meeting last week and I thought one comment stood out that I would like all my grand kids to hear: If the young people can learn how to have the spirit at an early age they can enjoy the companionship of the Holy Ghost to lead them and guide them the remainder of their lives! That would be my prayer for each and every one of not only my grand kids but all kids living today!!
I also learned from an old Indian man; "If you read the Book of Mormon you will find out what your grand fathers want you to know!!
We took Deloria Straight Head to Cherry Creek last week (she is a member from Cherry Creek now living in Eagle Butte) We picked up a sister (Stella Dupree) from Cherry Creek to go out on visits and help us to meet the members of Cherry Creek. Cherry Creek is about 45 minutes away from Eagle Butte. It is a very small town with about 30 homes in it. They have a beautiful building there that had been used by many faithful saints before some of the stronger ones moved out. We visited with the old branch president who still lives there and he said he would go to church and no one would show up for church. They finally shut down the church! He and his family have not been coming to church here in Eagle Butte. Anyway to make a long story short we visited with a hand full of saints (none of them coming to church) and they all seemed really, really excited to have the church opened up again. We have decided to open it up on September 1st with a sacrament meeting and a pot luck. Wish us luck!! We still need to visit some people who were gone to work and invite them. We plan to do that this week. I was so excited about this that I was unable to sleep much that night. It made me wonder what Joseph Smith must have been like the night the Father and the Son visited with him that day many years ago (did he sleep that night?) I doubt it!! Or Moses when she went up to Mount Siani to get the 10 commandments. Or the night he took them through the Red Sea. Or when Paul saw the Savior, or Alma the younger, or I could go on and on!!
On our way we were traveling to our district meeting in Pierre and got stopped by a flag lady because they were working on the road. We were the first in line so I rolled down my window and began to visit with her. She said she was from Cherry Creek and we told her about opening up the building and gave her a Book of Mormon to read when no cars were coming. She was very nice and we got her phone number to remind here of the first meeting.
We came home that day and went out to deliver a cake three times to an individual at work (didn't know where he lived) and finally just left it with his secretary. We went back to visit with him a few days later and he said "you came at a perfect time, I have a son who needs to be baptized" So we are going to see if we can make that happen.
Sunday, yesterday we drove to Green Grass, about 20 miles away to give a birthday cake away. I got out at a home that might have been the right place (but wasn't). They had 3 dogs. One was a healer. After I made friends with them (Sister Morgan always stays in the car when there are dogs) I started walking to the door and the Healer took out my heal. It brought blood and bruised it pretty good. After knocking and finding no one home I didn't see the dog so I walked back to the car. When I opened the car door and looked around there he was sneaking up on me again. That was a close one!! We went up to another home and asked two or three cars if they knew the man we were looking for. ( this is a town of about 15 houses) (and if it didn't happen like every other day I would think it was a coincidence) in the 3rd car a passenger asked if we were from the LDS church. We said yes and she said; I'm the girl from the store in Eagle Butte. We recognized her. We had visited with her a few weeks ago and we got her phone number and gave her ours. She wants to start attending.
We had Melanie over the weekend. It was a joy to have her with us. We took her to the Rodeo in Faith and went out and visited a few people, took some cakes etc. She also gave a talk in church. One of our favorite people (Dale Iron Lightning) said she loved her talk.
Sunday, August 4, 2019
8-4-19
Well a long week as we had a district meeting and a zone meeting. The district meeting was 1.5 hrs one way and the zone meeting was 3 hrs one way. We spent the night in Aberdeen S D.
We had a great day in Cherry Creek Saturday. We took a birthday cake over to a 6 year old (Cherry Creek is 45 minutes away and half of the trip is a back road. It is a beautiful place but takes a while to get there) The father answered and we told him we were looking for his son, that it was his birthday. He said no it isn't for a few days. He was wrong. Poor kid probably wasn't going to get anything for his birthday it looked like. Anyway the dad was a member and acted like he would be willing to come to church between puff's of smoke. He had had some really good experiences with the church. He said his mother was pretty much the head of the family and she would be the one to visit with. His brother came out of the house and said he wasn't baptized yet. I think he was 28 and said he would be interested in learning about the church. (oh he asked where we were from and we said Colorado. He said you came all the way from Colorado to bring my son a birthday cake?) We ran over to visit with the Mother and she was very much interested in starting up a little group in Cherry Creek. She said she would take us around to members in Cherry Creek so we can see if we have enough people to start a group up there. So we will go over this week to see what we can do. As I said earlier, There is a church in Cherry Creek that has been closed down because of poor attendance. A lot of the strong members have moved away. It is strange I have funny feelings about Cherry Creek, Like great things have happened there and we might get some more things going.
We came home to Eagle Butte and the person who we had a lesson planned with fell through but we saw him walking down the road and visited with him and he said he was in a competition with video games that night (last night). We said we would go over and watch him. We went to the motel for the competition. If he won he would win all the money, $80.00. Well when we went in the manager of the motel was VERY friendly. She told us that we had brought a cake to her son for his birthday. She told us she was a member but hadn't been attending for a while because she has 7 kids, Was going to college full time, and was doing payroll and taxes for like 6 or 8 different businesses. She was really sweet! We will be looking in on her. We got tired of waiting for the gamer and gave up and went home.
At Zone conference we heard a really great story:
There was a missionary that was waiting for his call and he had a dream that seemed really real. He and his friend were waiting in the preexistence to come to earth and the missionary got his letter telling him where he was going to go. He would be going to America and live in a home where the gospel was taught and he would be privileged to have money. He was excited to go. As he was waiting to go his friend got his letter. His friend was going to go to a poor home with many family problems without the church. He would be going to Costa Rica. As they prepared to leave the friend told the missionary to find him. A couple of weeks after his dream, he got his call and he was going to Costa Rica. After he had been in the mission field a while he wrote to his bishop and said "I found my friend."
Well a long week as we had a district meeting and a zone meeting. The district meeting was 1.5 hrs one way and the zone meeting was 3 hrs one way. We spent the night in Aberdeen S D.
We had a great day in Cherry Creek Saturday. We took a birthday cake over to a 6 year old (Cherry Creek is 45 minutes away and half of the trip is a back road. It is a beautiful place but takes a while to get there) The father answered and we told him we were looking for his son, that it was his birthday. He said no it isn't for a few days. He was wrong. Poor kid probably wasn't going to get anything for his birthday it looked like. Anyway the dad was a member and acted like he would be willing to come to church between puff's of smoke. He had had some really good experiences with the church. He said his mother was pretty much the head of the family and she would be the one to visit with. His brother came out of the house and said he wasn't baptized yet. I think he was 28 and said he would be interested in learning about the church. (oh he asked where we were from and we said Colorado. He said you came all the way from Colorado to bring my son a birthday cake?) We ran over to visit with the Mother and she was very much interested in starting up a little group in Cherry Creek. She said she would take us around to members in Cherry Creek so we can see if we have enough people to start a group up there. So we will go over this week to see what we can do. As I said earlier, There is a church in Cherry Creek that has been closed down because of poor attendance. A lot of the strong members have moved away. It is strange I have funny feelings about Cherry Creek, Like great things have happened there and we might get some more things going.
We came home to Eagle Butte and the person who we had a lesson planned with fell through but we saw him walking down the road and visited with him and he said he was in a competition with video games that night (last night). We said we would go over and watch him. We went to the motel for the competition. If he won he would win all the money, $80.00. Well when we went in the manager of the motel was VERY friendly. She told us that we had brought a cake to her son for his birthday. She told us she was a member but hadn't been attending for a while because she has 7 kids, Was going to college full time, and was doing payroll and taxes for like 6 or 8 different businesses. She was really sweet! We will be looking in on her. We got tired of waiting for the gamer and gave up and went home.
At Zone conference we heard a really great story:
There was a missionary that was waiting for his call and he had a dream that seemed really real. He and his friend were waiting in the preexistence to come to earth and the missionary got his letter telling him where he was going to go. He would be going to America and live in a home where the gospel was taught and he would be privileged to have money. He was excited to go. As he was waiting to go his friend got his letter. His friend was going to go to a poor home with many family problems without the church. He would be going to Costa Rica. As they prepared to leave the friend told the missionary to find him. A couple of weeks after his dream, he got his call and he was going to Costa Rica. After he had been in the mission field a while he wrote to his bishop and said "I found my friend."
Sunday, July 28, 2019
July 28, 2019
Thursday night was really wonderful. For our Relief Society meeting we took invitations out with a cinnamon roll to all the sisters. We were doing the bun dough demonstration. That night we had 20 sisters for the demonstration. They really loved it and were really excited about our next homemaking that will be in August. We will be making laundry soap. We did this in June but there was so much interest that we are doing it again. Our Relief Society president, Sister White Bull (the branch president's wife), said that she could tell that what we were doing was working because we are getting so many different people out. Up to this time she has not been real supportive. That night she even stayed to help clean up. That in itself was a miracle. Maybe we are making headway with her.
That same night we had addiction recovery. We have had one week with 2 people and that is all we have ever had. That night we had 9 people. It was wonderful! We had even thought about cancelling the class because no one seemed interested. One of the sisters here, Dale Iron Lightning, is really the one that is making the difference there. She has been inviting her family and others. It was really great. She is amazing. She is a recovering alcoholic and so knows exactly how it feels. She stops by to chat quite often with her cousin, Veronica. They are so funny and we love having them in our home.
On Saturday we went to Dupree to deliver a birthday cake. We drove around and I was certain that the person we were looking for had moved, but my senior companion does not ever give up. He kept driving around looking for someone to ask and you guessed it, he found someone who knew where she lived. She drove with us to show us where she lived and when he delivered the cake the grandma said that they were all members and she would like for us to come back and talk with them. Hopefully we can get them to come to church.
Dad already sent this to everyone but we wanted on the blog also.
It was great. We had 44 out today (best yet). We are seeing some really great headway! Then we had a class with a couple boys (4 total but two were to young to be baptized) it was absolutely a horrible lesson. The boys were wild and crazy. Kinda ruined the spirit of the whole day. Mom is taking a nap and I am just setting here. We are really starting to see some wonderful things happen here. Though!
One of the grand mothers in the branch has dialysis and struggles a lot! Her son and his wife were just put into jail for drugs and will be there for at least 30 days. The mother who came this afternoon is the grandmothers daughter so she is helping with the kids. Anyway her house (grandmother) is so horrible hot! So sister Morgan (you know your mom) and I bought a cooler and asked a handyman (that we have been working with but not making much headway with) to go put it in for her. He put it in this morning and the lady said what organization is helping with this?? He just didn’t say anything. He just put it in and left! (Per our instructions) we activated the grandma a few weeks ago........ she is absolutely the sweetest person in the world and is really having a hard time with her son going to jail and taking care of the kids etc! I gave her a blessing last week. We are doing SO much good here BUT their is mountains and mountains of things that need to be done! I can truly say I have been to hell! Drugs and alcohol have absolutely ruined so many people, homes, and families!! I have never seen this sadness in all my life!
The gospel is absolutely wonderful and we can truly find happiness in it, but only when we live it!!
Thursday night was really wonderful. For our Relief Society meeting we took invitations out with a cinnamon roll to all the sisters. We were doing the bun dough demonstration. That night we had 20 sisters for the demonstration. They really loved it and were really excited about our next homemaking that will be in August. We will be making laundry soap. We did this in June but there was so much interest that we are doing it again. Our Relief Society president, Sister White Bull (the branch president's wife), said that she could tell that what we were doing was working because we are getting so many different people out. Up to this time she has not been real supportive. That night she even stayed to help clean up. That in itself was a miracle. Maybe we are making headway with her.
That same night we had addiction recovery. We have had one week with 2 people and that is all we have ever had. That night we had 9 people. It was wonderful! We had even thought about cancelling the class because no one seemed interested. One of the sisters here, Dale Iron Lightning, is really the one that is making the difference there. She has been inviting her family and others. It was really great. She is amazing. She is a recovering alcoholic and so knows exactly how it feels. She stops by to chat quite often with her cousin, Veronica. They are so funny and we love having them in our home.
On Saturday we went to Dupree to deliver a birthday cake. We drove around and I was certain that the person we were looking for had moved, but my senior companion does not ever give up. He kept driving around looking for someone to ask and you guessed it, he found someone who knew where she lived. She drove with us to show us where she lived and when he delivered the cake the grandma said that they were all members and she would like for us to come back and talk with them. Hopefully we can get them to come to church.
Dad already sent this to everyone but we wanted on the blog also.
It was great. We had 44 out today (best yet). We are seeing some really great headway! Then we had a class with a couple boys (4 total but two were to young to be baptized) it was absolutely a horrible lesson. The boys were wild and crazy. Kinda ruined the spirit of the whole day. Mom is taking a nap and I am just setting here. We are really starting to see some wonderful things happen here. Though!
One of the grand mothers in the branch has dialysis and struggles a lot! Her son and his wife were just put into jail for drugs and will be there for at least 30 days. The mother who came this afternoon is the grandmothers daughter so she is helping with the kids. Anyway her house (grandmother) is so horrible hot! So sister Morgan (you know your mom) and I bought a cooler and asked a handyman (that we have been working with but not making much headway with) to go put it in for her. He put it in this morning and the lady said what organization is helping with this?? He just didn’t say anything. He just put it in and left! (Per our instructions) we activated the grandma a few weeks ago........ she is absolutely the sweetest person in the world and is really having a hard time with her son going to jail and taking care of the kids etc! I gave her a blessing last week. We are doing SO much good here BUT their is mountains and mountains of things that need to be done! I can truly say I have been to hell! Drugs and alcohol have absolutely ruined so many people, homes, and families!! I have never seen this sadness in all my life!
The gospel is absolutely wonderful and we can truly find happiness in it, but only when we live it!!
Tuesday, July 23, 2019
7-23-10
What a crazy day (good crazy)
Today we worked at the lunch room serving the kids. After they asked if we would like to take some food home with us and I said YES! We bagged it up and took it to two grandmothers who are taking care of their grand kids. First sister Aurelia was very appreciative. The second was likewise appreciative BUT her daughter and niece were there. they both have kids that want to be baptized. then we were headed out to Habitat to hand out flyers for the R S meeting on Thursday. When we got there we realized we left the list home so we ran home (took the car) to get it. As we were leaving a sister who came to addiction recovery two weeks ago but hadn't come last week just happened to be walking down the road. We picked her up and took her to get something and then home. She said she will come this week. She lives across town and just happened to be walking by our house?? Then we ran out to Habitat to take the flyers around. We went to Chad Olson's. His wife isn't a member and he is not active. He invited us in and (well we are taking a cinnamon roll with a little invite to come to R S to learn how to make Cinnamon rolls etc) I gave the pitch we have developed. It goes something like: Have you ever heard the saying you can give a man a fish or tech him to fish? The first you will feed him for a day, but the second you can feed him for a life time. Then I show them the cinnamon roll and ask how would you like Cinnamon rolls the rest of your life. You can eat this and see if you might like to have them the rest of your life. (It went over really well, with everyone)) Anyway I asked Chad if his wife would like to come and learn how and he said Heck I want to come and learn how. His daughter said I want to also!! (wife wasn't home) (daughter about 10-12)
So then we pick up Sister Dale Iron lightning to take her out to dinner for her birthday. We go to Dupree about 15 miles away. She has a sister she wanted us to meet in Dupree and sense we were going there she was also going to show us where she lived. (just moved there last week) She is an alcoholic and She (Dale) wanted us to invite her to the addiction class. We left the restaurant heading to her house and their she was walking down the street with her two kids carrying groceries. We picked her up and took her home and she agreed to come to our addiction class! We head back to eagle butte for our book of Mormon class. We had two at the class and had a wonderful lesson! It's amazing how many "coincident's" missionaries have ??
What a crazy day (good crazy)
Today we worked at the lunch room serving the kids. After they asked if we would like to take some food home with us and I said YES! We bagged it up and took it to two grandmothers who are taking care of their grand kids. First sister Aurelia was very appreciative. The second was likewise appreciative BUT her daughter and niece were there. they both have kids that want to be baptized. then we were headed out to Habitat to hand out flyers for the R S meeting on Thursday. When we got there we realized we left the list home so we ran home (took the car) to get it. As we were leaving a sister who came to addiction recovery two weeks ago but hadn't come last week just happened to be walking down the road. We picked her up and took her to get something and then home. She said she will come this week. She lives across town and just happened to be walking by our house?? Then we ran out to Habitat to take the flyers around. We went to Chad Olson's. His wife isn't a member and he is not active. He invited us in and (well we are taking a cinnamon roll with a little invite to come to R S to learn how to make Cinnamon rolls etc) I gave the pitch we have developed. It goes something like: Have you ever heard the saying you can give a man a fish or tech him to fish? The first you will feed him for a day, but the second you can feed him for a life time. Then I show them the cinnamon roll and ask how would you like Cinnamon rolls the rest of your life. You can eat this and see if you might like to have them the rest of your life. (It went over really well, with everyone)) Anyway I asked Chad if his wife would like to come and learn how and he said Heck I want to come and learn how. His daughter said I want to also!! (wife wasn't home) (daughter about 10-12)
So then we pick up Sister Dale Iron lightning to take her out to dinner for her birthday. We go to Dupree about 15 miles away. She has a sister she wanted us to meet in Dupree and sense we were going there she was also going to show us where she lived. (just moved there last week) She is an alcoholic and She (Dale) wanted us to invite her to the addiction class. We left the restaurant heading to her house and their she was walking down the street with her two kids carrying groceries. We picked her up and took her home and she agreed to come to our addiction class! We head back to eagle butte for our book of Mormon class. We had two at the class and had a wonderful lesson! It's amazing how many "coincident's" missionaries have ??
Saturday, July 20, 2019
7-20-19
Well a lot goes on but I am not good at recording it all.
Last week we were looking up a person to give them a birthday cake to and people just kept saying they live here, they live there. After about our 5th house we found a brother who had moved in from California and wants to start coming to church. His wife is not a member and they want to be taught.
They didn't come last week because they needed a ride. This week we will be giving them a ride and we hope that they will come.
We went to give a man a birthday cake and we waited at the door for a long time. When he finally came and we gave him the cake he said, "I thought the church had forgotten about me. I appreciate this so much." He was visibly moved. Elder Morgan said, "Don't forget about us" and invited him to church. We are going by today to see if he needs a ride.
We went to talk to a lady whose daughter we had come in contact with. She told us about her mother so we went to look her up. We took her something and invited her to church. A couple of days later we were in Dupree where she lived looking for someone else. We went to the grocery store to see if anyone knew where she lived and there was Romaine (the lady we contacted earlier). She told us where the people lived and although they weren't home, we caught up with them later and they also would like to go to church.
On Tuesday and Wednesday we went to the wake and funeral for a little girl that drown. She was 5 years old and some boy or boys threw her in a creek (at least that is the rumor). The whole experience was awful. I thought that going to Amish funerals was bad because they are long and I can't understand Pennsylvanian Dutch. There were flies by the dozen and dogs kept running in and out. Here the funeral doesn't start until the family decides to show up. We waited for one and a half hours for it to start and left after about 2 more hours and it was still going. There is also not much hope for the family. It was a really bad experience except, a lady we did not know came and talked to us and said she was a member of the church but struggling with her testimony. We got her name and are going to see if we can find her.
The best experience we have had thus far happened yesterday. We had to go to the hardware store to get a part for our toilet. As we were checking out the lady asked if we were Mormons. We told her yes and she asked if someone could join the church if they weren't born in the church. I have to admit Sister Morgan got a little aggressive. She said, "What I really want is to read your book" which we just happened to have a copy in the car. She asked if she could be baptized in Arizona because I think they spend part of the winter there. We assured her she could. We will definitely be checking back with her. Now I know why we wear the black name tags.
Well a lot goes on but I am not good at recording it all.
Last week we were looking up a person to give them a birthday cake to and people just kept saying they live here, they live there. After about our 5th house we found a brother who had moved in from California and wants to start coming to church. His wife is not a member and they want to be taught.
They didn't come last week because they needed a ride. This week we will be giving them a ride and we hope that they will come.
We went to give a man a birthday cake and we waited at the door for a long time. When he finally came and we gave him the cake he said, "I thought the church had forgotten about me. I appreciate this so much." He was visibly moved. Elder Morgan said, "Don't forget about us" and invited him to church. We are going by today to see if he needs a ride.
We went to talk to a lady whose daughter we had come in contact with. She told us about her mother so we went to look her up. We took her something and invited her to church. A couple of days later we were in Dupree where she lived looking for someone else. We went to the grocery store to see if anyone knew where she lived and there was Romaine (the lady we contacted earlier). She told us where the people lived and although they weren't home, we caught up with them later and they also would like to go to church.
On Tuesday and Wednesday we went to the wake and funeral for a little girl that drown. She was 5 years old and some boy or boys threw her in a creek (at least that is the rumor). The whole experience was awful. I thought that going to Amish funerals was bad because they are long and I can't understand Pennsylvanian Dutch. There were flies by the dozen and dogs kept running in and out. Here the funeral doesn't start until the family decides to show up. We waited for one and a half hours for it to start and left after about 2 more hours and it was still going. There is also not much hope for the family. It was a really bad experience except, a lady we did not know came and talked to us and said she was a member of the church but struggling with her testimony. We got her name and are going to see if we can find her.
The best experience we have had thus far happened yesterday. We had to go to the hardware store to get a part for our toilet. As we were checking out the lady asked if we were Mormons. We told her yes and she asked if someone could join the church if they weren't born in the church. I have to admit Sister Morgan got a little aggressive. She said, "What I really want is to read your book" which we just happened to have a copy in the car. She asked if she could be baptized in Arizona because I think they spend part of the winter there. We assured her she could. We will definitely be checking back with her. Now I know why we wear the black name tags.
Monday, July 8, 2019
7-9-19
Well an interesting day today. P day and while Sister Morgan cleaned the house I ran to the bank to have a paper notarized for a problem back home. I thought I would take some jam to a member who works there (we made some strawberry jam a few days ago with the strawberry's we have growing by our trailer). When I got to the bank I realized I forgot the jam. It's only 2 blocks away so I ran home and got the jam and went back. I went in the bank and got a ck cashed so I would have money to pay for the notary. Well I walked back to the car and realized I didn't get the paper amortized nor did I give the jam to the member. (Is this old age or .........) I walk back in and asked for the member and she wasn't in today. I asked if I could have someone notarize a paper for me. They said the lady who could do that was busy, then they said perhaps another person could do it. So an older man invited me to go into his office and we set down and he filled out the paperwork while we visited. I told him I was a realtor and a farmer and visited about loans and etc. He asked if I were a "Mormon" and I said I was. He said he lives across the street from our trailer and sees us going in and out. I asked him if he were a loan officer (earlier in the conversation and he said no I own the bank) He asked if I would like to have further conversations!!! We will be going to see him. I said you know I was going to give this to an employee who works here and she isn't here would you like to have it? He seamed pleased!!
Oh I forgot to mention. I asked the banker what his name was and he said it was Steve, Steve. I give him my name and then he said my last name is Payne. I said no way, My wife's maiden name is Paine! She is a real Pain also. We smiled at each other!
Tonight while I was outside Sister Morgan took a phone call from Jeffery Turning Heart. He is the one that ran for Adams state with Pat Porter. We went out to visit him yesterday and he wasn't home so we left a paper on his door telling him we were sorry we missed him. Well tonight he asked if we are still having "waffle Wednesday" each Wednesday and she said we were and he said oh darn I wanted to cook for you guys this Wednesday, my brother is going to be here! You know just about every day we have really neat things happening!!
Well an interesting day today. P day and while Sister Morgan cleaned the house I ran to the bank to have a paper notarized for a problem back home. I thought I would take some jam to a member who works there (we made some strawberry jam a few days ago with the strawberry's we have growing by our trailer). When I got to the bank I realized I forgot the jam. It's only 2 blocks away so I ran home and got the jam and went back. I went in the bank and got a ck cashed so I would have money to pay for the notary. Well I walked back to the car and realized I didn't get the paper amortized nor did I give the jam to the member. (Is this old age or .........) I walk back in and asked for the member and she wasn't in today. I asked if I could have someone notarize a paper for me. They said the lady who could do that was busy, then they said perhaps another person could do it. So an older man invited me to go into his office and we set down and he filled out the paperwork while we visited. I told him I was a realtor and a farmer and visited about loans and etc. He asked if I were a "Mormon" and I said I was. He said he lives across the street from our trailer and sees us going in and out. I asked him if he were a loan officer (earlier in the conversation and he said no I own the bank) He asked if I would like to have further conversations!!! We will be going to see him. I said you know I was going to give this to an employee who works here and she isn't here would you like to have it? He seamed pleased!!
Oh I forgot to mention. I asked the banker what his name was and he said it was Steve, Steve. I give him my name and then he said my last name is Payne. I said no way, My wife's maiden name is Paine! She is a real Pain also. We smiled at each other!
Tonight while I was outside Sister Morgan took a phone call from Jeffery Turning Heart. He is the one that ran for Adams state with Pat Porter. We went out to visit him yesterday and he wasn't home so we left a paper on his door telling him we were sorry we missed him. Well tonight he asked if we are still having "waffle Wednesday" each Wednesday and she said we were and he said oh darn I wanted to cook for you guys this Wednesday, my brother is going to be here! You know just about every day we have really neat things happening!!
Sunday, July 7, 2019
7-7-19
Well not a bad day today. We attended church and both Roberta and I bore our testimony for the second time in the 18 months we will most likely be baring our testimony while we are here only 16 more times to go! :) Also Gloria who we have visited with and took her and her husband out to dinner last week with came and bore her testimony. She told how her sister had just passed away and how hard that is on her. However, she said that God had sent her another sister, sister Morgan has come into her life and become her new sister. We are making a little headway at least with Gloria!!
We went out after church and visited a couple people. and had some good visits. One was the lady who lost her son to suicide's mother and the other was Ben Eagle elk. He was the person who was in the store and told us how to get to the first woman's house. His dad had been the branch president in Dupree (the branch has been closed down) He most have had a drinking problem because he talked about attending the classes. Anyway we invited him to attend and he said his car and truck are broken down. We are going to continue to work on him.
I read something today that I found interesting:
"A man saw a snake being burned to death and decided to take out of the fire. When he did the snake bit him causing excruciating pain. the man dropped the snake, and the reptile fell right back into the fire.
So the man looked around and found a metal pole and used it to take the snake out of the fire, saving it's life.
Someone who was watching approached the man and said: That snake bit you. Why are you still trying to save it?
The man replied: The nature of the snake is to bite, but that's not going to change my nature which is to help!
Do not change your nature simply because someone harms you. Do not lose your good heart, but learn to take precautions!
Well not a bad day today. We attended church and both Roberta and I bore our testimony for the second time in the 18 months we will most likely be baring our testimony while we are here only 16 more times to go! :) Also Gloria who we have visited with and took her and her husband out to dinner last week with came and bore her testimony. She told how her sister had just passed away and how hard that is on her. However, she said that God had sent her another sister, sister Morgan has come into her life and become her new sister. We are making a little headway at least with Gloria!!
We went out after church and visited a couple people. and had some good visits. One was the lady who lost her son to suicide's mother and the other was Ben Eagle elk. He was the person who was in the store and told us how to get to the first woman's house. His dad had been the branch president in Dupree (the branch has been closed down) He most have had a drinking problem because he talked about attending the classes. Anyway we invited him to attend and he said his car and truck are broken down. We are going to continue to work on him.
I read something today that I found interesting:
"A man saw a snake being burned to death and decided to take out of the fire. When he did the snake bit him causing excruciating pain. the man dropped the snake, and the reptile fell right back into the fire.
So the man looked around and found a metal pole and used it to take the snake out of the fire, saving it's life.
Someone who was watching approached the man and said: That snake bit you. Why are you still trying to save it?
The man replied: The nature of the snake is to bite, but that's not going to change my nature which is to help!
Do not change your nature simply because someone harms you. Do not lose your good heart, but learn to take precautions!
Friday, July 5, 2019
7-1-19
Well just to give you a little update:
Last week we had a person in the ward; Sharon who we taught a first to. (think I mentioned her before) She is a member and her 10 year old granddaughter is not. The granddaughter Amelia is the one who lost her mother`from drinking and she wanted to commit suicide. Her grandma had to take her to the hospital for a few days. Anyway, they weren't able to meet with us this last week for a lesson but we went by and visited with them. Their lawn was about 18" tall and we had the elders go over and use her lawn mower to mow it for her. (The TRIBE was going to fine her if she didn't get it taken care of) Anyway. we couldn't get her lawn mower to start and so I went to get a new spark plug and there was a person in the parts house that said he could come out and help. We went out and still couldn't get it started. He left and brought "C J" out to help. We ended up taking it to C J's house and picket it up the next day, took it out and it still wouldn't work. So I took it back and he tried and it still wouldn't work. The next day we had meetings and when we got home that night we found the lawn mower at our trailer and another lawn mower also. It ends up he couldn't get her lawn mower fixed so he gave us one. Sister Morgan and I made up a 5 gallon bucket of home made laundry detergent and gave it to C J's wife along with instructions of how to make more for about $3.00 for 5 gallons and it takes 1/4 cup to a 1/2 cup per load. 5 GALLONS!! (I know, I know, my wife is amazing) Well tonight we went over to visit and teach a the lady who's son had been killed behind her house about 6 months ago. She wanted to hear about where her son went. We called her a couple hours before the appointment and she asked if we could bring some toilet paper and some paper towels with us. So we went at the appointed time and "she wasn't there" (son). So we are having a 4th of July party at the church and so we just ran over and took an invitation to C. J. He wasn't there so we gave it to his wife and she was all smiles. Her daughter gave me a can of pop. (I guess I have to back up a little, when we first went over the kids were playing basket ball and I told the daughter that I could make a basket before she could and I bet her a pop. Well guess what the old Sanford came through, or the spirit helped anyway I got mine in first!) I didn't make her give me the pop but the mom showed her the invitation and said; seeeee, we can do this:) I'm not sure what that was all about but we left them and they were feeling pretty excited! (so were we!) We will see what happens in a few days! So all in all we have great experiences and bad experiences and some in the middle!!
Well just to give you a little update:
Last week we had a person in the ward; Sharon who we taught a first to. (think I mentioned her before) She is a member and her 10 year old granddaughter is not. The granddaughter Amelia is the one who lost her mother`from drinking and she wanted to commit suicide. Her grandma had to take her to the hospital for a few days. Anyway, they weren't able to meet with us this last week for a lesson but we went by and visited with them. Their lawn was about 18" tall and we had the elders go over and use her lawn mower to mow it for her. (The TRIBE was going to fine her if she didn't get it taken care of) Anyway. we couldn't get her lawn mower to start and so I went to get a new spark plug and there was a person in the parts house that said he could come out and help. We went out and still couldn't get it started. He left and brought "C J" out to help. We ended up taking it to C J's house and picket it up the next day, took it out and it still wouldn't work. So I took it back and he tried and it still wouldn't work. The next day we had meetings and when we got home that night we found the lawn mower at our trailer and another lawn mower also. It ends up he couldn't get her lawn mower fixed so he gave us one. Sister Morgan and I made up a 5 gallon bucket of home made laundry detergent and gave it to C J's wife along with instructions of how to make more for about $3.00 for 5 gallons and it takes 1/4 cup to a 1/2 cup per load. 5 GALLONS!! (I know, I know, my wife is amazing) Well tonight we went over to visit and teach a the lady who's son had been killed behind her house about 6 months ago. She wanted to hear about where her son went. We called her a couple hours before the appointment and she asked if we could bring some toilet paper and some paper towels with us. So we went at the appointed time and "she wasn't there" (son). So we are having a 4th of July party at the church and so we just ran over and took an invitation to C. J. He wasn't there so we gave it to his wife and she was all smiles. Her daughter gave me a can of pop. (I guess I have to back up a little, when we first went over the kids were playing basket ball and I told the daughter that I could make a basket before she could and I bet her a pop. Well guess what the old Sanford came through, or the spirit helped anyway I got mine in first!) I didn't make her give me the pop but the mom showed her the invitation and said; seeeee, we can do this:) I'm not sure what that was all about but we left them and they were feeling pretty excited! (so were we!) We will see what happens in a few days! So all in all we have great experiences and bad experiences and some in the middle!!
Monday, July 1, 2019
7-1-10
7-1-19
Well just to give you a little update:
Last week we had a person in the ward; Sharon who we taught a first to. (think I mentioned her before) She is a member and her 10 year old granddaughter is not. The granddaughter Amelia is the one who lost her mother`from drinking and she wanted to commit suicide. Her grandma had to take her to the hospital for a few days. Anyway, they weren't able to meet with us this last week for a lesson but we went by and visited with them. Their lawn was about 18" tall and we had the elders go over and use her lawn mower to mow it for her. (The TRIBE was going to fine her if she didn't get it taken care of) Anyway. we couldn't get her lawn mower to start and so I went to get a new spark plug and there was a person in the parts house that said he could come out and help. We went out and still couldn't get it started. He left and brought "C J" out to help. We ended up taking it to C J's house and picket it up the next day, took it out and it still wouldn't work. So I took it back and he tried and it still wouldn't work. The next day we had meetings and when we got home that night we found the lawn mower at our trailer and another lawn mower also. It ends up he couldn't get her lawn mower fixed so he gave us one. Sister Morgan and I made up a 5 gallon bucket of home made laundry detergent and gave it to C J's wife along with instructions of how to make more for about $3.00 for 5 gallons and it takes 1/4 cup to a 1/2 cup per load. 5 GALLONS!! (I know, I know, my wife is amazing) Well tonight we went over to visit and teach a the lady who's son had been killed behind her house about 6 months ago. She wanted to hear about where her son went. We called her a couple hours before the appointment and she asked if we could bring some toilet paper and some paper towels with us. So we went at the appointed time and "she wasn't there" (son). So we are having a 4th of July party at the church and so we just ran over and took an invitation to C. J. He wasn't there so we gave it to his wife and she was all smiles. Her daughter gave me a can of pop. (I guess I have to back up a little, when we first went over the kids were playing basket ball and I told the daughter that I could make a basket before she could and I bet her a pop. Well guess what the old Sanford came through, or the spirit helped anyway I got mine in first!) I didn't make her give me the pop but the mom showed her the invitation and said; seeeee, we can do this:) I'm not sure what that was all about but we left them and they were feeling pretty excited! (so were we!) We will see what happens in a few days! So all in all we have great experiences and bad experiences and some in the middle!!
Well just to give you a little update:
Last week we had a person in the ward; Sharon who we taught a first to. (think I mentioned her before) She is a member and her 10 year old granddaughter is not. The granddaughter Amelia is the one who lost her mother`from drinking and she wanted to commit suicide. Her grandma had to take her to the hospital for a few days. Anyway, they weren't able to meet with us this last week for a lesson but we went by and visited with them. Their lawn was about 18" tall and we had the elders go over and use her lawn mower to mow it for her. (The TRIBE was going to fine her if she didn't get it taken care of) Anyway. we couldn't get her lawn mower to start and so I went to get a new spark plug and there was a person in the parts house that said he could come out and help. We went out and still couldn't get it started. He left and brought "C J" out to help. We ended up taking it to C J's house and picket it up the next day, took it out and it still wouldn't work. So I took it back and he tried and it still wouldn't work. The next day we had meetings and when we got home that night we found the lawn mower at our trailer and another lawn mower also. It ends up he couldn't get her lawn mower fixed so he gave us one. Sister Morgan and I made up a 5 gallon bucket of home made laundry detergent and gave it to C J's wife along with instructions of how to make more for about $3.00 for 5 gallons and it takes 1/4 cup to a 1/2 cup per load. 5 GALLONS!! (I know, I know, my wife is amazing) Well tonight we went over to visit and teach a the lady who's son had been killed behind her house about 6 months ago. She wanted to hear about where her son went. We called her a couple hours before the appointment and she asked if we could bring some toilet paper and some paper towels with us. So we went at the appointed time and "she wasn't there" (son). So we are having a 4th of July party at the church and so we just ran over and took an invitation to C. J. He wasn't there so we gave it to his wife and she was all smiles. Her daughter gave me a can of pop. (I guess I have to back up a little, when we first went over the kids were playing basket ball and I told the daughter that I could make a basket before she could and I bet her a pop. Well guess what the old Sanford came through, or the spirit helped anyway I got mine in first!) I didn't make her give me the pop but the mom showed her the invitation and said; seeeee, we can do this:) I'm not sure what that was all about but we left them and they were feeling pretty excited! (so were we!) We will see what happens in a few days! So all in all we have great experiences and bad experiences and some in the middle!!
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
6-25-19
Well today wasn’t a real productive day. We talked to a few people but none of them was to excited about our message. I thought the Book of Mormon class and we had a great time discussing 1st Nephi chapter 9. According to elder Joseph Fielding Smith a chapter everyone should read. (About the atonement) the lesson went really pretty good. Our lesson fell through , according to the grandmother who was going to bring her grand daughter she (her grand daughter was out of town). But she said she could come by for refreshments if we had some;). We invited her to the Book of Mormon class but a no show!
My new friend from another city posted this on Facebook today and I thought it was great:
I'd like to share a good story for all of us racially challenged folk who live here in South Dakota...
I'd like to announce that there is still good in the world and we ought to humble ourselves, even in the face of evil... I will share a verse from the Book of Mormon...
D&C 64
9 Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin.
10 I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.
11 And ye ought to say in your hearts—let God judge between me and thee, and reward thee according to thy deeds.
My son had a very righteous experience... With all the racial hate going on these days, it was finally good to hear that there are still people in this world who are willing to do good for others in need, no matter their ethnicity background. My son didn't want me to share this for some reason or other but I felt that it should be shared because we all need to see & hear that there is still good in the world too and not just hate!...
My HokSiLa, had locked himself out of his car and was down to his last, he was buying himself some work shoes for his new job and locking himself out was not something he could handle financially at this time... He went into the store to ask if they had something to open his door but to no avail, and so he called us and asked what he could do and all I could do was give him an option of using a hammer, wire and screw driver to pry his door just enough to pop the lock but, as I said he was strapped for cash and so were we... I was outside tending to the pool and other odds and ends but, after the call I couldn't concentrate because one of my baby's were in trouble and so I prayed in secret, hoping for an answer. And so... My son told me that a woman had noticed that he was in some sort of trouble and waited, watching to see if he was able to figure it out but, seeing he was unable to, she approached him. She finally called a tow truck but my son told her that he couldn't afford it & also why he was buying new shoes, she told him not to worry about it and the tow truck guy showed up & popped the lock for him. AS the good son I raised him to be, he put forth his hand to shake the hand of the tow guy and the tow truck guy shook his hand and told him "no charge", to begin with the lady was going to pay the tow truck guy for my son but, the tow truck guy was feeling the spirit of a helping hand too... They exchanged names and the woman, whom I am assuming elderly, told my son to "pass it on"...
When I heard this story from my son, my heart broke into a million pieces and I couldn't help but shed tears of thankfulness to the Lord for another answered prayer and to this truck driver who tows for a living, for his helping hand & good heart and for this kind gesture of this unknown lady who was willing to flip a bill for someone she didn't even know... and I thought to myself as I felt feelings of being humbled, why do I join the crowd and hate too, I felt great shame come over me because I've hated my white skinned brother's & sister's for the ignorance of others and I realize that there is ignorance on both sides of the fence… The fence being the many symbols that divide us all, money, wealth, power, social standing, faith and many more. And so I am back to the old me, the guy who didn't hate but was taught hate again when he returned here to South Dakota. My brother's & sister's, let us not be ignorant, lets not put evil for evil but when evil comes knocking and it will, may we prove our hearts and CHOOSE to be the better man or woman & stand for what is right and do good in the world. What one white guy or gal may do in ignorance a native can also do the same but, if we choose and that is the key "choose", to see the good in the world, we will find it in everyone who holds opposite faiths, beliefs or way of life. I for one will CHOOSE not to have a problem with ignorance from this day forwards... because I have been humbled and I know there are still good people in the world. Not all natives are bad..., just like not all whites are bad also. Some are just raised wrong or fail to see that goodness is alive and well in the world. Satan is doing his best to fool the hearts of men..., don't let him fool yours too, as he did mine. Humbled and thankful for this lesson... My son wasn't the only one touched by this, I was pierced to my core and thankful for it.
I might mention that yesterday we visited with a member who said her son was murdered in the back yard a few months ago. Latter we found out she has been drinking ever sense. Life is so hard out here! We are going to teach her. Most members really don't have a knowledge of the gospel.
Well today wasn’t a real productive day. We talked to a few people but none of them was to excited about our message. I thought the Book of Mormon class and we had a great time discussing 1st Nephi chapter 9. According to elder Joseph Fielding Smith a chapter everyone should read. (About the atonement) the lesson went really pretty good. Our lesson fell through , according to the grandmother who was going to bring her grand daughter she (her grand daughter was out of town). But she said she could come by for refreshments if we had some;). We invited her to the Book of Mormon class but a no show!
My new friend from another city posted this on Facebook today and I thought it was great:
I'd like to share a good story for all of us racially challenged folk who live here in South Dakota...
I'd like to announce that there is still good in the world and we ought to humble ourselves, even in the face of evil... I will share a verse from the Book of Mormon...
D&C 64
9 Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin.
10 I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.
11 And ye ought to say in your hearts—let God judge between me and thee, and reward thee according to thy deeds.
My son had a very righteous experience... With all the racial hate going on these days, it was finally good to hear that there are still people in this world who are willing to do good for others in need, no matter their ethnicity background. My son didn't want me to share this for some reason or other but I felt that it should be shared because we all need to see & hear that there is still good in the world too and not just hate!...
My HokSiLa, had locked himself out of his car and was down to his last, he was buying himself some work shoes for his new job and locking himself out was not something he could handle financially at this time... He went into the store to ask if they had something to open his door but to no avail, and so he called us and asked what he could do and all I could do was give him an option of using a hammer, wire and screw driver to pry his door just enough to pop the lock but, as I said he was strapped for cash and so were we... I was outside tending to the pool and other odds and ends but, after the call I couldn't concentrate because one of my baby's were in trouble and so I prayed in secret, hoping for an answer. And so... My son told me that a woman had noticed that he was in some sort of trouble and waited, watching to see if he was able to figure it out but, seeing he was unable to, she approached him. She finally called a tow truck but my son told her that he couldn't afford it & also why he was buying new shoes, she told him not to worry about it and the tow truck guy showed up & popped the lock for him. AS the good son I raised him to be, he put forth his hand to shake the hand of the tow guy and the tow truck guy shook his hand and told him "no charge", to begin with the lady was going to pay the tow truck guy for my son but, the tow truck guy was feeling the spirit of a helping hand too... They exchanged names and the woman, whom I am assuming elderly, told my son to "pass it on"...
When I heard this story from my son, my heart broke into a million pieces and I couldn't help but shed tears of thankfulness to the Lord for another answered prayer and to this truck driver who tows for a living, for his helping hand & good heart and for this kind gesture of this unknown lady who was willing to flip a bill for someone she didn't even know... and I thought to myself as I felt feelings of being humbled, why do I join the crowd and hate too, I felt great shame come over me because I've hated my white skinned brother's & sister's for the ignorance of others and I realize that there is ignorance on both sides of the fence… The fence being the many symbols that divide us all, money, wealth, power, social standing, faith and many more. And so I am back to the old me, the guy who didn't hate but was taught hate again when he returned here to South Dakota. My brother's & sister's, let us not be ignorant, lets not put evil for evil but when evil comes knocking and it will, may we prove our hearts and CHOOSE to be the better man or woman & stand for what is right and do good in the world. What one white guy or gal may do in ignorance a native can also do the same but, if we choose and that is the key "choose", to see the good in the world, we will find it in everyone who holds opposite faiths, beliefs or way of life. I for one will CHOOSE not to have a problem with ignorance from this day forwards... because I have been humbled and I know there are still good people in the world. Not all natives are bad..., just like not all whites are bad also. Some are just raised wrong or fail to see that goodness is alive and well in the world. Satan is doing his best to fool the hearts of men..., don't let him fool yours too, as he did mine. Humbled and thankful for this lesson... My son wasn't the only one touched by this, I was pierced to my core and thankful for it.
I might mention that yesterday we visited with a member who said her son was murdered in the back yard a few months ago. Latter we found out she has been drinking ever sense. Life is so hard out here! We are going to teach her. Most members really don't have a knowledge of the gospel.
Sunday, June 23, 2019
6-23-19
The last couple days were good. Today, (Sunday) we went to church, Sister Swift bird came. We are now teaching her granddaughter. She is the one who's mother died and she wanted to kill herself. Her grandmother had to take her to the hospital for a few days. Anyway we gave her, the grand mother, and a couple other little kids a lesson, grandma is a member. Anyway she brought the kids today and we were all impressed. I met her in the parking lot and told her we were glad she make it. She said the kids have to be at school at 8:30 (summer school) and she woke up at 9:00 and told them to hurry and get ready and then she realized it was Sunday and so she just decided to come to church. (a little miracle!) She is going to be hard to get out to church.
We went to Bear Creek to give a birthday cake to Jeffery Turning Heart. A lady said he lived way out in the country. We didn't feel like we had time then so we went out to Bear Creek again and on the way out we followed a gray car that had a tree sticking about 10' out of the back window. we thought it was funny. Another person while we were there told us exactly how to find Jeffery. Well today we went out to find him and we found him. We had a good talk with him. He asked us where we were from and we said Alamosa Co. He said he went to Adams State college. back in 1982 and ran with Pat Porter. Mom said she roomed with Pat Porters girl friend. They both know a lot of the same people. He showed us pictures of him and Pat and others. I guess he was quite the runner. He missed being in the Olympics by 10 seconds. He said he ran to school every morning 18 miles. He said he would come to church. He knows some of the members here. But he attends other churches also. I'll try and get some pictures on here. Oh, I didn't mention that the guy with the tree leaving Bear Creek was Jeffery Turning Heart. Funny! we could have found him sooner.
Then we delivered a cake after that to Murray Red Fox. We have tried like about 10 times. he seemed good and said he would come to church. Not too exciting there.
3 of the 3 people we contacted came to church last Sunday and this Sunday. So that's cool! We will be teaching 3 different groups of people this week twice a week so that is pretty exciting. So our mission is beginning!!
A lot of this is deja vu for me for some reason. It isn't real clear but I feel it actually quite often!!
The last couple days were good. Today, (Sunday) we went to church, Sister Swift bird came. We are now teaching her granddaughter. She is the one who's mother died and she wanted to kill herself. Her grandmother had to take her to the hospital for a few days. Anyway we gave her, the grand mother, and a couple other little kids a lesson, grandma is a member. Anyway she brought the kids today and we were all impressed. I met her in the parking lot and told her we were glad she make it. She said the kids have to be at school at 8:30 (summer school) and she woke up at 9:00 and told them to hurry and get ready and then she realized it was Sunday and so she just decided to come to church. (a little miracle!) She is going to be hard to get out to church.
We went to Bear Creek to give a birthday cake to Jeffery Turning Heart. A lady said he lived way out in the country. We didn't feel like we had time then so we went out to Bear Creek again and on the way out we followed a gray car that had a tree sticking about 10' out of the back window. we thought it was funny. Another person while we were there told us exactly how to find Jeffery. Well today we went out to find him and we found him. We had a good talk with him. He asked us where we were from and we said Alamosa Co. He said he went to Adams State college. back in 1982 and ran with Pat Porter. Mom said she roomed with Pat Porters girl friend. They both know a lot of the same people. He showed us pictures of him and Pat and others. I guess he was quite the runner. He missed being in the Olympics by 10 seconds. He said he ran to school every morning 18 miles. He said he would come to church. He knows some of the members here. But he attends other churches also. I'll try and get some pictures on here. Oh, I didn't mention that the guy with the tree leaving Bear Creek was Jeffery Turning Heart. Funny! we could have found him sooner.
Then we delivered a cake after that to Murray Red Fox. We have tried like about 10 times. he seemed good and said he would come to church. Not too exciting there.
3 of the 3 people we contacted came to church last Sunday and this Sunday. So that's cool! We will be teaching 3 different groups of people this week twice a week so that is pretty exciting. So our mission is beginning!!
A lot of this is deja vu for me for some reason. It isn't real clear but I feel it actually quite often!!
Friday, June 21, 2019
6-21-19
We are just keeping on.
Sunday their was a sister who wasn't walking very well and Sister Morgan asked her about it. She said her knee had been bothering her for a long time and it has really been hurting for the last little bit. Sister Morgan has the same problem so she said she had an extra knee brace and offered to go get it for her. She rand and got it and gave it to her. We were over visiting her sister and she was there. She had the knee brace and she said she was feeling quite a bit better with the brace. It didn't mean much to sister Morgan until she remembered packing our stuff up and thinking "I really don't need two knee braces i'll just leave one home, and then she said oh i'll just take them both, who knows!!
We attended Zone Conference in Aberdeen S D. It's a 3 hr and 45 minute drive. we arrived just a little before 9:00 only to find out we were an hr late, time change. But we make it and it was really good. I am understanding that missionaries that are going home are struggling quite a bit. They spend some time each conference helping them learn a little better how to adjust. One topic I thought was really interesting was; missionaries going home to incorrect traditions of the fathers or "family" . Missionaries go home and families aren't completely living what the missionary has been teaching. He gave an example of when he was called to be stake president. He and all the leaders were being interviewed for the possession. He was called to be the stake president. One thing everyone was asked who they think would make a great stake president. Most everyone in stake leadership said they felt one of the stake presidents counselors should be called. President Howell (our mission president) only got 2 votes. He asked the general authority why the counselor shouldn't be called. He had only been a counselor for about 3 years and everyone loved him and thought he would be great!!
The general authority said hes family has some incorrect traditions carried down from his fathers. He gave an example; He said every sense he was a little boy the whole family would go hunting on opening day (deer) which was always a Sunday. It was only one weekend a year but it wasn't exactly in keeping with the sabbath. And for that reason the general authority felt impressed to call President Howell instead of the one everyone thought should be put in. You know for a long time I have felt we as a family use Sunday's to do traveling because kids need to be in school the next day or we need to be back at work. I have decided to try and keep the sabbath day a little better.
Today we have a person who hasn't had a septic system for a month or so. They are a great family and try hard to do what's right (members). She has been praying for a long time that they can get it fixed. (a tornado moved through and took out their garage and hit the septic and messed it in, caved it in or something) She was pretty discouraged and was complaining to God a little because he hadn't been taking care of them very well. We'll this morning we heard about her miracle. They had been on a list of over a 1,000 people (who need septic's) and they were 847. This is a whole new world. The tribe pays for the septic's and so everyone in town are put onto a list for things like this. It is a pretty crazy thing. They could have fixed it themselves but it would have cost between $7,000 and $14,000 and they are living paycheck to paycheck. Oh yes I was talking about the miracle; they were just put in front of the other's at the number 1 possession! they will have it installed in 2 weeks!
Nice huh!
Gloria's sister's funeral was last night and this morning (wake last night) we attended and set though about 3.5 hrs of talks, songs, and all of that. Gloria introduced us to everyone in the congregation which was nice. But the good news is her son who was suppose to have his leg cut off because of the frost bite got another opinion and it looks like they might be able to save the leg.
One of our elders is going home in 2.5 weeks I asked him today at our lunch serving job how his interview went with President Howell. He said it was fine etc. Latter in our conversation he said he came out with about 30 elders and only 12 are left. I asked him what happened to them. He said their is a lot of anxiety and depression! This world is getting harder and harder!!
Their is way lots more going on but that's all i can think of right now. I'll try and update more often!!
Oh one other thing. Ian had been working in the 12 step program with the people we replaced. He had visited with him a few times and given him 4 sandwiches, homeless, no job, alcoholic, etc. He had never come to addiction class with us but was doing pretty good with the people we replaced. Well he tried to commit suicide over the weekend. We learned about it Tuesday from a person who works in the courts. Looks like he will be released in a few days and hopefully we can start helping him more. Pray for Ian!
We are just keeping on.
Sunday their was a sister who wasn't walking very well and Sister Morgan asked her about it. She said her knee had been bothering her for a long time and it has really been hurting for the last little bit. Sister Morgan has the same problem so she said she had an extra knee brace and offered to go get it for her. She rand and got it and gave it to her. We were over visiting her sister and she was there. She had the knee brace and she said she was feeling quite a bit better with the brace. It didn't mean much to sister Morgan until she remembered packing our stuff up and thinking "I really don't need two knee braces i'll just leave one home, and then she said oh i'll just take them both, who knows!!
We attended Zone Conference in Aberdeen S D. It's a 3 hr and 45 minute drive. we arrived just a little before 9:00 only to find out we were an hr late, time change. But we make it and it was really good. I am understanding that missionaries that are going home are struggling quite a bit. They spend some time each conference helping them learn a little better how to adjust. One topic I thought was really interesting was; missionaries going home to incorrect traditions of the fathers or "family" . Missionaries go home and families aren't completely living what the missionary has been teaching. He gave an example of when he was called to be stake president. He and all the leaders were being interviewed for the possession. He was called to be the stake president. One thing everyone was asked who they think would make a great stake president. Most everyone in stake leadership said they felt one of the stake presidents counselors should be called. President Howell (our mission president) only got 2 votes. He asked the general authority why the counselor shouldn't be called. He had only been a counselor for about 3 years and everyone loved him and thought he would be great!!
The general authority said hes family has some incorrect traditions carried down from his fathers. He gave an example; He said every sense he was a little boy the whole family would go hunting on opening day (deer) which was always a Sunday. It was only one weekend a year but it wasn't exactly in keeping with the sabbath. And for that reason the general authority felt impressed to call President Howell instead of the one everyone thought should be put in. You know for a long time I have felt we as a family use Sunday's to do traveling because kids need to be in school the next day or we need to be back at work. I have decided to try and keep the sabbath day a little better.
Today we have a person who hasn't had a septic system for a month or so. They are a great family and try hard to do what's right (members). She has been praying for a long time that they can get it fixed. (a tornado moved through and took out their garage and hit the septic and messed it in, caved it in or something) She was pretty discouraged and was complaining to God a little because he hadn't been taking care of them very well. We'll this morning we heard about her miracle. They had been on a list of over a 1,000 people (who need septic's) and they were 847. This is a whole new world. The tribe pays for the septic's and so everyone in town are put onto a list for things like this. It is a pretty crazy thing. They could have fixed it themselves but it would have cost between $7,000 and $14,000 and they are living paycheck to paycheck. Oh yes I was talking about the miracle; they were just put in front of the other's at the number 1 possession! they will have it installed in 2 weeks!
Nice huh!
Gloria's sister's funeral was last night and this morning (wake last night) we attended and set though about 3.5 hrs of talks, songs, and all of that. Gloria introduced us to everyone in the congregation which was nice. But the good news is her son who was suppose to have his leg cut off because of the frost bite got another opinion and it looks like they might be able to save the leg.
One of our elders is going home in 2.5 weeks I asked him today at our lunch serving job how his interview went with President Howell. He said it was fine etc. Latter in our conversation he said he came out with about 30 elders and only 12 are left. I asked him what happened to them. He said their is a lot of anxiety and depression! This world is getting harder and harder!!
Their is way lots more going on but that's all i can think of right now. I'll try and update more often!!
Oh one other thing. Ian had been working in the 12 step program with the people we replaced. He had visited with him a few times and given him 4 sandwiches, homeless, no job, alcoholic, etc. He had never come to addiction class with us but was doing pretty good with the people we replaced. Well he tried to commit suicide over the weekend. We learned about it Tuesday from a person who works in the courts. Looks like he will be released in a few days and hopefully we can start helping him more. Pray for Ian!
Saturday, June 15, 2019
6-14-19
Well today has been another, quite a day!
We started out discussing how to improve our missionary work. We decided to leave each home if possible with a spiritual thought and a prayer. Mom had a scripture she read this morning that we thought we would use, it was so good; Jacob 3:1-2 :
1 But behold, I, Jacob, would speak unto you that are pure in heart. Look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your afflictions, and he will plead your cause, and send down justice upon those who seek your destruction.
2 O all ye that are pure in heart, lift up your heads and receive the pleasing word of God, and feast upon his love; for ye may, if your minds are firm, forever
We went to the person who we decided to go to first and set down had had a chat with her. (everyone here has a problem) She told us her daughters husband started beating her and she started drinking. She drank herself to death. Her daughter who is 10 years old felt like it was her fault and decided to kill herself. Her grand mother (who we were visiting with) took her to the hospital last night, where she is now. Not a bad scripture!
Then I have been visiting with another native from Rosebud another reservation about 3 hrs away. I became his friend on facebook and we have been talking. He is wonderful!! He sent me this today:
The moment I finished the BofM for the first time... I knew it happened here & still I receive opposition to what I come to know within... When I'm right with the Lord... He gives me dreams. Very interesting... and I sit & wonder about all the possible meanings but the best so far is when I questioned if my mom & dad excepted the work we did for them... Still figuring it out... but amazing none the less. There was a time when I thought God had forgotten about the Lakota... And I am forever thankful you all have chosen to serve. Thank you... Peace! Elder & enjoy this beautiful day.
I asked him if he would share his testimony with me so that I could share it with the people of Eagle Butte and this is what he sent me:
I would rather be in person but... The greatest gift that I received from my alcoholic mother was the gift of spirit... she always told me to pray & my first religion is the Lakota belief of spirits... visions seeking and such. I had the most amazing opportunity to learn the way through a good man, he was old... Around here they call him "O'l man... or O'l man Robert" very powerful man in deed, when he died... I never seen nothing like it since and so... O'l man taught me from the beginning that whether the "white man" religion or ours the worry is God for his children & are meant to bring a man to his center... He told US little ones at the time, that hard times were coming in our time and just like false prophets... false medicine men. He recalled a time when, he said, that the spirit would come for the man because he knows the heart of a man but there were times coming that a man would call himself... and told us young ones what the spirit of our grandfather's wanted us to know... signs. Today... those signs are coming to pass. So... what does this have to do with my testimony? My mom... She brought me up to know God and question everything and so... the gospel of the Lord can be questioned and one true answer that I know is "why did the god of heaven allow the white man to do what they did", the gospel answers this for me because I know what it reads about WHAT the gospel can do for US... My mom was poor and a hand out and so she sent me to other churches because I was the oldest I had to go and at the time... I didn't see or understand the wisdom of it but now.... I look back with a thankful heart. It caused me to question because I heard for my self.... pastors or natives bad mouthing one another's belief. Which ain't cool at all... There is truth everywhere and the Lord will judge the heart of a man and if his heart is teachable then he's golden... My sister's joined the church before I did and at the time I was an young ignorant kid (15) my dad was in & out of my life, so I was the dad & learned form my good step dads and bad too. At that age I was fighting full grown men... I loved the fact that I came from warrior grandfather's but was IGNORANT because a true warrior is aligned spiritually as well as physically. So I was invited to church from my belated sis... and slowly began to question... & question all the unanswered thoughts & scriptures I heard, I blew the missionaries minds... and later they became my mom & dad and gave birth to a new soul, in the struggle. So I questioned and one day, they presented me with "Moroni's promise" and I knew exactly in my minds eye where I would ask... I was raised out in "the country".... by a woman who ain't my blood but was my mother's friend. She raised me to respect and respect fire arms... Old school knowledge. So when I heard this new news that I could ask God the Father of my own self, I was thrilled because the heart of a Lakota is prayer and knowing prayer(s)… I thought awesome, I will take up this challenge... It just blew me away that out of the different religions that my mother had me experience, this one said to me, "You go find that answer & if your intent is true, I would know..." Hoka... I was baptized... November 2nd 1991 and it has been the best struggle since, full of failures and questions but triumphs none the less! This is the Lord's church and when I heard that a 15 yr old boy had a vision.... It wasn't hard for me to believe at all and I know Joseph jr... is a man of god... then & now. Our grandfather's... Sitting Bull had a vision at 13... Crazy Horse 16... and I do come from a long line of medicine men & so, I believe... these are God's lands. Like our grandfather's told us that "life sprang out from here..." that is true. And upon mountain tops were once temples... the law of Moses is fulfilled... bring your broken heart & contrite spirit to the Lord and he'll teach us to gain peace and be the spirits our grandfather's knew... The Book of Mormon is a blessing & a warning to all who should possess these lands... About 80 percent of these blessings have to do with the land... These are God's lands and we should really consider ourselves blessed. Hoka...
Now late this evening Lisa Norris messages me and says she has decided to start coming back to church!
What a day!
Thursday, June 13, 2019
6-13-19
Well kinda a tough day. Last night the old branch president from cherry creek left a message on my phone while I slept that someone had broken into the branch building and broken a door and kinda messed things up. He said we should call the cops and have them investigate. We looked a few people up and then fed the kids in the lunch line (around 300 kids) then left for cherry creek. We got there about 2:00 and the police officer was there. Their was 9 rocks inside the building which was used to break the glass in the door (all the windows were boarded up). After taking care of the building we went over and visited with the old branch presidents daughter. We had a nice talk with her but she told us she had gone back to the old Indian ways. The old branch president (Washburn) had gone out of town but after visiting with the daughter we went over to visit with the wife. She was watching TV and said sometimes she really didn't like visitors. (in a wheel chair and couldn't even move much) So we left and came back to Eagle Butte. We looked up some more people and one lady who was a sister to one of our active sisters was just getting out of the car. Sister Morgan gave her her hand to shake and she just walked off and so we left. Any way we were a little down because of what happened all day long. We went home to eat dinner and after we went about 45 miles to an active sister who really brought us up and made us feel their are really good people left in the world. Well I guess if you think you are going to hit a home run every time you get up to bat on your mission you are going to be pretty darn disappointed!!
Tomorrow will be better!!
Well kinda a tough day. Last night the old branch president from cherry creek left a message on my phone while I slept that someone had broken into the branch building and broken a door and kinda messed things up. He said we should call the cops and have them investigate. We looked a few people up and then fed the kids in the lunch line (around 300 kids) then left for cherry creek. We got there about 2:00 and the police officer was there. Their was 9 rocks inside the building which was used to break the glass in the door (all the windows were boarded up). After taking care of the building we went over and visited with the old branch presidents daughter. We had a nice talk with her but she told us she had gone back to the old Indian ways. The old branch president (Washburn) had gone out of town but after visiting with the daughter we went over to visit with the wife. She was watching TV and said sometimes she really didn't like visitors. (in a wheel chair and couldn't even move much) So we left and came back to Eagle Butte. We looked up some more people and one lady who was a sister to one of our active sisters was just getting out of the car. Sister Morgan gave her her hand to shake and she just walked off and so we left. Any way we were a little down because of what happened all day long. We went home to eat dinner and after we went about 45 miles to an active sister who really brought us up and made us feel their are really good people left in the world. Well I guess if you think you are going to hit a home run every time you get up to bat on your mission you are going to be pretty darn disappointed!!
Tomorrow will be better!!
June 12 19
We had a Relief society meeting tonight. Roberta showed the sisters how to make laundry soap for penny's a load. We had only 7 ladies show up but had a nice time with them. We took flyers to over 50 people so we were a little disappointing in the turnout. We had asked the elders to help and they stayed in their apartment all day and "just didn't get to it "They were calling and "texting people" all day.
We do have some wonderful people in the branch but like 380 inactive ones. We also went to Pierre S D for district meeting. It was good.
The natives kinda have an attitude of just get baptized and we will be fine. We really don't need to go to church, etc. For example we talked to a lady last week while we were out handing out flyers for Meet the Morgans that said she was a member and had a couple boys who needed to take the lessons and get baptized. We set up and appointment for the first lesson night before last at 5:00. She asked if she should just drop them off and we said no she would need to come in with them. (new rule in the church that missionaries, even seniors can't be alone with kids younger than 18 without a member being there. So last night was a no show. It would have been our first lesson. Up to this time we have been just wanting to find the people in the branch and I believe we have found about 75 percent of them. However we now have people we need to look back in on. So I think we will need to start teaching members and perhaps non members and then it will get fun! We will run by the home and see if we can set up another appointment. It is pretty frustrating to have people who think all we need to do is get baptised.
We had a Relief society meeting tonight. Roberta showed the sisters how to make laundry soap for penny's a load. We had only 7 ladies show up but had a nice time with them. We took flyers to over 50 people so we were a little disappointing in the turnout. We had asked the elders to help and they stayed in their apartment all day and "just didn't get to it "They were calling and "texting people" all day.
We do have some wonderful people in the branch but like 380 inactive ones. We also went to Pierre S D for district meeting. It was good.
The natives kinda have an attitude of just get baptized and we will be fine. We really don't need to go to church, etc. For example we talked to a lady last week while we were out handing out flyers for Meet the Morgans that said she was a member and had a couple boys who needed to take the lessons and get baptized. We set up and appointment for the first lesson night before last at 5:00. She asked if she should just drop them off and we said no she would need to come in with them. (new rule in the church that missionaries, even seniors can't be alone with kids younger than 18 without a member being there. So last night was a no show. It would have been our first lesson. Up to this time we have been just wanting to find the people in the branch and I believe we have found about 75 percent of them. However we now have people we need to look back in on. So I think we will need to start teaching members and perhaps non members and then it will get fun! We will run by the home and see if we can set up another appointment. It is pretty frustrating to have people who think all we need to do is get baptised.
Well interesting day. We delivered birthday cakes today and one was a delivery in cherry creek, a little town about 45 minutes away. Their is maybe 20 homes in town and we found a M.... Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints building that was shut down about 6 or 8 years before. We found the birthday boy and found out he had been the branch president years before. He was about my age; 67 and had thought school for 30 years and then Had worked in the church similarly department for 2 years with different seminaries in the area. He had 7 kids who live in the area except one that lives in Utah. The one in Utah seems to be the only active one. Some of the kids might be a little receptive. His wife is really bad off medically and pretty much bed ridden. We wanted to help the family (lots of grandkids living close by who haven’t been in church at least for a while, (not all baptized). I told the brother that I wanted to give him an assignment for next week and we would come back for a visit. I asked him to come up with ways we could help him and his family. We had offered to bring his wife the sacrament and she didn’t say yes. I really didn’t understand that one?? Anyway he said I have something off the top of my head you could do for us. I said what is that, he said you could teach us the gospel. We really don’t understand it! My jaw dropped and we said we would be glad to do that! He mentioned that Br Allen was his district president (president Allen mows the churches lawns and was due to mow our lawn today. When we got here he was here working. I went over and asked him how in the world this old branch president (seminary leader) didn’t understand the gospel? He said he probably never understood it in the first place. He said the church picked these people to lead because they are the best in the area to do it! I said they probably never read the scriptures and lessons etc. he said yes this is a verbal society. These people never read. Then comes to mind 2 Nephi 28: “30 For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have. “ (or don’t continue to try and learn more) shall be taken away even that which he hath Then I began to understand at least why this new program (come follow me) has come out. It will help us teach our families in the homes. But as Paul Dunn has said “their are many secrets to success but none of them work unless you do” anyway we have a lot of work to do!!
First week in June 2019
Well exciting night! We had a lot of people to the BBQ and then a lot of fun with the games. While we were in playing the games the elders gave a ride to someone (not suppose to do!!). When I came out of the church members told me they were gone giving a ride to someone who’s is a suspect in a murder investigation. He was released on bond because he was in prison when they found the bodies. They just got the autopsy results and found out he wasn’t in prison when they died (his girl friend and her new boy friend) so I called the elders.... no answer..... I texted them and told them to call me as soon as they got my text. They called and they said they were ok. I told them to tell the guy I was the boss and they needed to drop him off now and come home and to text me when they did and let me know they were ok. They texted me and said they were on their way home and they had dropped him off. They showed up about 20 minutes latter. Scary night!! Some of the members stayed until they came home to make sure they were ok. Some told the missionaries how they had made such a serious mistake. (Yes he was a member)
Well exciting night! We had a lot of people to the BBQ and then a lot of fun with the games. While we were in playing the games the elders gave a ride to someone (not suppose to do!!). When I came out of the church members told me they were gone giving a ride to someone who’s is a suspect in a murder investigation. He was released on bond because he was in prison when they found the bodies. They just got the autopsy results and found out he wasn’t in prison when they died (his girl friend and her new boy friend) so I called the elders.... no answer..... I texted them and told them to call me as soon as they got my text. They called and they said they were ok. I told them to tell the guy I was the boss and they needed to drop him off now and come home and to text me when they did and let me know they were ok. They texted me and said they were on their way home and they had dropped him off. They showed up about 20 minutes latter. Scary night!! Some of the members stayed until they came home to make sure they were ok. Some told the missionaries how they had made such a serious mistake. (Yes he was a member)
Saturday, June 8, 2019
second day in Eagle Butte
Day after we arrived was Sunday. We had stake conference which was broadcast from the stake center in Bismark N D because it is 3.5 hrs away. The missionaries were in charge of getting the broadcast and we never heard a talk in it's entirety. The WI FYI kept messing up. It was really quite miserable. Luckily (or maybe not) only about 7 or 8 members showed up. We learned that afternoon that the High School was having graduation. We decided to attend. It was quite the special. They also had the drums going and chanting or singing and after they had a reception in the gym. We went in and a sister came up to us and said hi missionaries. I am sister Iron Lightning. Her granddaughter was graduating and she took us over and pointer her out to us. Latter Sister Iron Lightning becomes really helpful in helping us find a lot of the people who we can't find. It was a nice night and like about 80 kids graduated.
Friday, June 7, 2019
7 June 2019
Trip to Mission
We left Friday, June 17, 2019 at about 4:00 p.m. to head to our mission. We decided we would stay in Casper, WY the first night. When we entered Wyoming, we lost cell service and didn't get it back until we were almost to Casper. I had Booking.com on my phone and as soon as we got cell service we tried to get a reservation. None to be had. There was a bunch of graduations and the state track meet for Wyoming that weekend. We looked high and low and finally found a smoking room at Motel 6. It was about the worst room we ever had and it stunk, but we were so tired we finally got to sleep. We paid a lot of money for the room also which made it even worse. The next day we drove to Eagle Butte. We thought that it would be a lot like Wyoming, dry and desolate. It is fairly desolate but it is very green and lots of farms and ranches. A nice surprise. Driving into Eagle Butte is a little like driving into Center or Antonito. There is a lot of trailers and most of the houses are a little trashy. Nothing new for us.
First Day in Eagle Butte, SD
We got here just after lunch and unpacked a little. Then we went to the Lakota Thrifty Market to get a few groceries before Sunday. When we started into the store, Gary saw a man running crouched down through the cars. Then he came up and asked us for money for gas and then money for a sandwich. We were told that this would happen and that we weren't supposed to give them any money because they use the money or sell the sandwich for drugs or alcohol. We have never been back to the market when we haven't been hit up for money.
That night there was a pow wow. These are huge. It is like the rodeo circuit and the people go and dance all summer and they get paid just like the rodeo. They have different circles of men who beat on a big drum and chant in high voices. The costumes or regalias are beautiful and cost a lot of money. The moccasins have beautiful bead work that takes many hours to complete. My favorite dances area the jingle dances (dresses have rolled up Skoal can lids that jingle when they dance) and the grass dancers. They are the boys with a ton of feathers. It is quite the thing and we loved it. We were talking to a man before the pow wow and then we had to leave and go to Stake Conference in our building. Because of the distance it is broadcast to the outlying areas. Our Stake Center is in Bismarck which is three and a half hours away. After the broadcast we went back to the pow wow. The guy we talked to must have told the announcer because they announced that the new elders from Colorado were there tonight. Very interesting.
Trip to Mission
We left Friday, June 17, 2019 at about 4:00 p.m. to head to our mission. We decided we would stay in Casper, WY the first night. When we entered Wyoming, we lost cell service and didn't get it back until we were almost to Casper. I had Booking.com on my phone and as soon as we got cell service we tried to get a reservation. None to be had. There was a bunch of graduations and the state track meet for Wyoming that weekend. We looked high and low and finally found a smoking room at Motel 6. It was about the worst room we ever had and it stunk, but we were so tired we finally got to sleep. We paid a lot of money for the room also which made it even worse. The next day we drove to Eagle Butte. We thought that it would be a lot like Wyoming, dry and desolate. It is fairly desolate but it is very green and lots of farms and ranches. A nice surprise. Driving into Eagle Butte is a little like driving into Center or Antonito. There is a lot of trailers and most of the houses are a little trashy. Nothing new for us.
First Day in Eagle Butte, SD
We got here just after lunch and unpacked a little. Then we went to the Lakota Thrifty Market to get a few groceries before Sunday. When we started into the store, Gary saw a man running crouched down through the cars. Then he came up and asked us for money for gas and then money for a sandwich. We were told that this would happen and that we weren't supposed to give them any money because they use the money or sell the sandwich for drugs or alcohol. We have never been back to the market when we haven't been hit up for money.
That night there was a pow wow. These are huge. It is like the rodeo circuit and the people go and dance all summer and they get paid just like the rodeo. They have different circles of men who beat on a big drum and chant in high voices. The costumes or regalias are beautiful and cost a lot of money. The moccasins have beautiful bead work that takes many hours to complete. My favorite dances area the jingle dances (dresses have rolled up Skoal can lids that jingle when they dance) and the grass dancers. They are the boys with a ton of feathers. It is quite the thing and we loved it. We were talking to a man before the pow wow and then we had to leave and go to Stake Conference in our building. Because of the distance it is broadcast to the outlying areas. Our Stake Center is in Bismarck which is three and a half hours away. After the broadcast we went back to the pow wow. The guy we talked to must have told the announcer because they announced that the new elders from Colorado were there tonight. Very interesting.
6-7-19
Well we have been waiting to get caught up on this blog before inviting everyone on and seeing what we have been doing. We just keep getting further and further behind. So we will try and mention a few things to help us get caught up and then hopefully post every day or every time different things happen.
We entered the MTC on May 13th. It was a little easier to take ourselves in than it was dropping kids off. It was a good experience. We learned a lot about our new callings. Elder Neal L Anderson came and spoke to us on the talk that our prophet spoke on in conference, Repentance. His wife spoke also and it was grand! We were in a district and found out the Williams were from Idaho Falls and live in Jana's ward. They will be going to Washington DC visitors center. We were also given some "others" who were to get to know and then teach. We really got close to them. We realize that nothing with the Lord is coincidence. As we talked we found out that she had been divorced and that they were married within two months just like us. Their inactive son lives in North Dakota. When we go to Bismarck, we are going to try and look him up and take him to lunch. Crazy!! We really learned to love them and hated to leave them.
Well we have been waiting to get caught up on this blog before inviting everyone on and seeing what we have been doing. We just keep getting further and further behind. So we will try and mention a few things to help us get caught up and then hopefully post every day or every time different things happen.
We entered the MTC on May 13th. It was a little easier to take ourselves in than it was dropping kids off. It was a good experience. We learned a lot about our new callings. Elder Neal L Anderson came and spoke to us on the talk that our prophet spoke on in conference, Repentance. His wife spoke also and it was grand! We were in a district and found out the Williams were from Idaho Falls and live in Jana's ward. They will be going to Washington DC visitors center. We were also given some "others" who were to get to know and then teach. We really got close to them. We realize that nothing with the Lord is coincidence. As we talked we found out that she had been divorced and that they were married within two months just like us. Their inactive son lives in North Dakota. When we go to Bismarck, we are going to try and look him up and take him to lunch. Crazy!! We really learned to love them and hated to leave them.
Sunday, May 26, 2019
Call and setting apart
We opened our call on April 2, 2019. We are called to the North Dakota Bismarck mission. We will be working with the Native Americans. We invited people over to watch us open our call. We had a nice evening.
As we got ready to go, we found out that we would be serving in the Eagle Butte, South Dakota Branch. There are 400 members on the records with only about 20 attending church. It is in the poorest county in the United States. There is a severe drug and alcohol problem. In the winter there is a 92% unemployment rate. Sounds like we have our work cut out for us.
We were set apart on May 5, 2019. President Todd Mortensen set us apart. Gary was blessed that the kids at home will be blessed. He was blessed with spiritual strength and revelation and that he would love the people. He was also blessed to be physically strong and have good health on his mission. He was blessed that feelings and experiences of the first mission will come back. He was blessed that we would be safe and the car would work well. Roberta was blessed that she would be of help especially to the sisters. Some she knew in the preexistence and would know it when they see each other. Promises were made that she would find and help them. Her nurturing ability would continue to bless her. Her body would regenerate while she sleeps. She needs to know her limits and then she would be ok. Kids and grandkids would be blessed from our service. Much much more we can't remember. If anyone has anything to add, please chime in.
As we got ready to go, we found out that we would be serving in the Eagle Butte, South Dakota Branch. There are 400 members on the records with only about 20 attending church. It is in the poorest county in the United States. There is a severe drug and alcohol problem. In the winter there is a 92% unemployment rate. Sounds like we have our work cut out for us.
We were set apart on May 5, 2019. President Todd Mortensen set us apart. Gary was blessed that the kids at home will be blessed. He was blessed with spiritual strength and revelation and that he would love the people. He was also blessed to be physically strong and have good health on his mission. He was blessed that feelings and experiences of the first mission will come back. He was blessed that we would be safe and the car would work well. Roberta was blessed that she would be of help especially to the sisters. Some she knew in the preexistence and would know it when they see each other. Promises were made that she would find and help them. Her nurturing ability would continue to bless her. Her body would regenerate while she sleeps. She needs to know her limits and then she would be ok. Kids and grandkids would be blessed from our service. Much much more we can't remember. If anyone has anything to add, please chime in.
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