September 24, 2023

We have known since before we came on our mission that there would be one occassion that we would return to Utah for. That was for the temple trip and mission farewell of our grandson Parker James Rowan. This was the weekend and we are so grateful that we were able to go and be with him and his family. We had Zone Conferences last week so it worked out perfect that we could leave directly after car inspections at the Bend Zone Conference. That meant that we were already several hours closer to Utah and were able to arrive in Tremonton Friday night. Saturday we attended the Brigham City Temple with Parker and other family members and then went to Maddox for dinner after. Later we played games and prepared for his Open House the next day. We were blessed that Rachel & Chris were also able to come to Tremonton and do all these activities with us and then spend the night to be with us Sunday too. Sunday Parker gave a great talk. He was assigned to speak on a talk by Elder Lawrence Corbridge, "The Way." Amy and her brother Hank sang a beautiful version of "How Great Thou Art." It was a great meeting! Afterwards friends and family came back to the house for some yummy food and to spend time with Parker. It was a bonus for us that my sister Sharon and her husband Paul were traveling though Utah that day and were able to stop by and visit for a few hours. Monday morning we left early to return to our mission in Oregon.

My heart is so full of love and gratitude to be able to participate in these activities with Parker. We love him so much and know that he is going to make a great missionary! What a sweet and tender experience it was to be in the temple with him on Saturday. He is the 1st of the next generation on my side of the family to attend the temple and serve a mission. My experiences serving in the temple and now serving a mission make these moments even more tender because I know how much the temple can bless his life and how much his testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ will grow while serving a mission. For the scripture they are putting on his missionary plaque he chose 2 Nephi 2:8: "Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah." Serving a mission is hard for these young people. It is intense! I have so much love and admiration for our missionaries. Parker thinks he is going out to share the gospel with others, and he will do that, but he has no idea that the most important conversion will be of himself as he turns to his Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ to help him through the hard times. We are so excited to read his emails each week and hear what he is learning.

I have to post some pics of the yummy food Amy prepared for the Open House. It was fabulous and she did such a good job!

And look at this cute, cute cake! I thought it was a picture of a shirt and tie when I first saw it. But nope, it is a cake!

Before we went to Tremonton we had the opportunity to participate in Zone Conferences. These were my favorite so far! After lunch the Assistants and Social Media Sisters did break out rooms where the missionaries practiced how to find new people to teach. They had (4) different rooms and in each one they were to talk for 2-3 minutes to different people and try to get a return appointment. One was at the door, another was working with members for a referral, one was street contacting, and one was using social media. We were asked to be in the street contacting session and role play with the missionaries. Elder Rowan had a soccer ball and was playing in the park. I had a walker and was taking a walk down the street. It was so fun and enlightening too. They were supposed to try and "hook" us with the restoration. I told them I was sad and just out for a walk. I got invites to church and invites for return lessons. But my favorite was one set of Elders who told me that they were happy because in a week they were going to be able to hear from a prophet and did I know what a prophet was? And did I know that we have a living prophet here on the earth today? When I asked if Prophets could see the future they said that Prophets know what problems the world is facing and that last Conference the Prophet talked about Peacemakers Needed. Would I like to listen to Conference this time and hear what message the Prophet has for the world? I have to say that these missionaries made me, a long time member, very excited for upcoming conference!

Today we went on a teaching appointment with the Elders. The Mission has set a goal to try and get 300 people to listen to conference. So the Elders taught a lesson to their "friend" about listening to Conference. I loved this scripture that they shared.

Mosiah 2:9 "My brethren, all ye that have assembled yourselves together, you that can hear my words which I shall speak unto you this day; for I have not commanded you to come up hither to trifle with the words which I shall speak, but that should hearken unto me, and open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand, and your minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view."

We always like to take some little detour on our way out to Bend for Zone Conference to see parts of Oregon we might not otherwise get to. This time we stopped outside of Lebanon and went to McDowell Creek Falls County Park. There are some waterfalls there and some nice hikes. The water flow was not as much as we would have liked but we did find one set of falls that lived up to their name. They are called Majestic Falls. An elaborate stair/bridge/walkway has been built to view them and it was like a little slice of heaven.

September 17, 2023

This is what Senior Missionaries look like after Transfer Week! It was a busy week so we decided we needed some R&R on our "P" day. We headed out to Seaside for the Sandfest to view the sand sculptures and to just sit on the beach. We stopped in Forest Grove on the way and enjoyed their Sidewalk Chalk and Roasted Corn Festival. It was a beautiful fall day and so fun to enjoy these small community events. We love Oregon!!!

We were tired because it is a busy time in the office during transfers. We have to update housing in the computer, make sure all the apartments have enough beds, change the driving assignments, take missionaries to the airport, shop and prepare a dinner for all the new arriving missionaries and their trainers, and this time around make sure everyone had the right credit cards and knew what to expect with the new ones. It is a crazy busy time in the office with missionaries coming and going but we love it! Here is the departing group from this transfer and the ones who have become extra special to us.

Elder Slemboski

Elder Short

Elder Schwendiman

Since I post so many pictures of us having fun I just want to make sure everyone understands that we do work hard in the office every day. We are not always off playing :). Here is a picture of us talking with the trainers before they met the new missionaries.

And it was extra exciting this week making dinner when the smoke detector in the kitchen in the church went off. The new missionaries were sitting in the chapel with President & Sister Phillips and when the smoke detector went off it wasn't just in the kitchen. The fire alarms all over the church went off! It was pretty exciting! We determined something in the bottom of the oven was smoking and that is what set it off. The fire trucks and all came because apparently the church has an alarm system and they called the fire department. We learned there is a key that allows us to open a box to turn off the alarms, we assured the fire department it was just a smoky oven, and we carried on!

Early in the week we were busy too catching up on some personal items and seeing family. One of the things we were worried about when we came on our mission was seeing the dentist. We are used to having our teeth cleaned every 4 months and we were not looking forward to finding a new dentist. Lucky for us our son-in-law Tom is a dentist and he said we could come to his office! I told Tom having him look in my mouth was a little like me looking at his financials but we didn't need to worry. We had a great visit and his staff treated us like royalty. I think we are going to come out ahead on this deal! Here is Tom's dental office and him working on a patient.

On Tuesday we headed back up to Washougal after we were done in the office and were able to catch a two for one. Tracey & Danica participated in a high school XCounty Meet and then Alyssa had a volleyball game. I failed to get any pictures at the XCountry Meet but I did catch this cute photo of Tracey & Alyssa.

Today at church one of our speakers spoke about the Prophet Moroni from the Book of Mormon. This Thursday, September 21st, will mark the 200 year anniversary of when the Angel Moroni first appeared to the boy Joseph Smith on September 21, 1823 and told him he had been chosen to restore God's church on earth. I would like to bear testimony that I know of the truthful of this event. I know that Joseph Smith was a prohet and that Moroni appeared to him and that eventually he was able to receive the gold plates from Moroni and translate the Book of Mormon. I had the opportunity in 2002 to travel to some of the church history sites with our family and extended family. I visited the restored home of the Smith family and was able to stand in a replica of the room where Moroni 1st appeared. As we stood in the room (2) sister missionaries relayed the events of that night and bore their testimonies of the truthfulness of it. The spirit bore witness to me that it was true too. The spirit I felt that day was strong. I testify that if you will read the Book of Mormon you will know the truth of it too!

September 10, 2023

Another great week in the Oregon Salem Mission! Fall is coming and we just passed our 6 month mark on our mission. The time is going so fast! Last Sunday we had a Sister's Devotional at a member's house. Normally they are right before transfers but this time we had it early before Sister Schellenberg left for Bolivia. She is one of our reassigned missionaries and was here for over 7 months before her Visa finally came through. When we told her it was finally time to go to Bolivia she exclaimed, "I don't want to go!" She had come to love our mission and we will miss her. Sister's Devotional had a theme about "hands" and how we are all the Savior's hands for the work that needs to be done and the people we serve. We each got our nails painted and then shared experiences on how we have been the Savior's hands this transfer.

In the office we were the recipients of the President's generosity as he took us all out to lunch not once, but twice this week. The first time was Labor Day and he always takes us out for holidays. The 2nd time was because he and Sister Phillips attended our District Council and then took us all out again! They are so kind and complimentary of the work that we do. There is always a little fun in the office and this week the Elders had some weird glasses they brought in. Never one to be left out Elder Rowan had to join in and let the Sisters take this picture of him. They posted it on the Zone Chat and said, "Caption this......"

It was MLC this week so that meant we prepared dinner for about 50. We decided to do Cafe Rio again since we had so many leftovers from the week before and it was a different group of missionaries. We made a new dessert, Oreo Poke Cake, that was super yummy! We also appreciated the help of Elders Rowan & Larson in serving and cleaning up. Elder Jacobsen let up know how excited he was for the meal and these other missionaries showed off their creations for us!

Jack's knee is doing a little better so we have been able to get out and do some walking the past few weeks. One day this week we actually even walked around the golf course trail again. It is so beautiful I had to take another picture of the trail we walk on.

We also got to attend the temple this week. My shirt matched the color of the flowers so I had to take a picture. The Portland Temple is actually in the city of Lake Oswego which is also the name of a real lake we have always wanted to check out. Turns out it is a private lake with houses on every inch of the shoreline. These houses are beautiful, expensive homes with private docks and boats sitting right outside. We stopped and googled a few of them and were shocked at the $5-9 million dollar sales tags. Guess we won't be moving there!

I have saved the best news for last! Yesterday we had our 1st convert baptism in the ward we attend!!! The missionaries met Andy about two months ago and have been teaching him ever since. He is such a great guy, so kind and humble. He loves the gospel of Jesus Christ and was so excited to enter the waters of baptism and receive the Holy Ghost! We have been sitting by him at church and he and Elder Rowan have become good friends. He asked Elder Rowan to give the talk on baptism at the Baptismal service and he did such a good job. It was a perfect talk, simple yet instructive, and the spirit was strong. Elder Rowan says that he knows he had help from Heavenly Father in preparing and giving the talk. I have not talked much about the baptism rate in our mission. I am learning that about 15-20 people are baptized each month in the mission. That is great but lower than I thought it would be so it was a really big deal for us yesterday. It was only the 2nd baptism in Newberg since we have been here. The 1st was in the Spanish Branch and now Andy. But the missionaries have lots of "friends" they are teaching now so we are hoping for more.

Andy's baptism reminded us of this scripture from Mosiah 18:8-11 that Elder Rowan shared in his talk. It reminds us of the covenants we make when we are baptized and the promise our Heavenly Father makes to us. Andy was just like these people, clapping his hands for joy, and exclaiming, "This is the desire of our hearts!"

"8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light;

9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of cmfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life--

10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?

11 And now when the people had heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed; This is the desire of our hearts."

September 3, 2023

"And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.

And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions." -- Mosiah 24:13-14

One of our missionaries shared this scripture when he bore his testimony today. It goes along so perfectly with how I have been feeling this week--a little burdened with all that has been going on at home --and just the reminder that I needed to remember that my Savior, Jesus Christ is always there for me. Shortly after I finished my blog last week we received news that Roger, our brother-in-law, passed away. I know it was a happy day for Roger as he was united with Lana and all his brothers and sisters. But I have felt surprisingly sad that we are so far away and couldn't attend his graveside service. I really miss having the opportunity to honor him and give love and support to our neice and nephews as well as all the other extended family that were going to be there. Rachel and Amy were able to go in our place and I am very grateful for that. They said it was a beautiful service. We are also saddened when we hear of the challenges and hardships those we love and care for at home are facing. There have been deep depressions, car accidents, and serious medical conditions. Our love and prayers go out to all that are suffering.

The water main in our front yard was finally fixed so that is one less thing to worry about. I was able to call Sandy City and confirm that water is not running continuously so that should help our water bill a little :). It even looks like the damage to the landscape was minimal!

Just because I mentioned it last week I will mention that we were able to get the printer fixed in the office and all is well there. We had a busy week. Tuesday was our Spanish Zone Conference and we fed 40 people. We put the menu to a vote and Cafe Rio was the winner! No surprise there. It was the 1st time Sister Larson and I have made Cafe Rio ourselves and it was a huge success! Wednesday we spent 9 hrs in the car. We drove to Salem and back to pick up a set of missionaries to take to Portland. One of our newer missionaries has Crohn's Disease and needs to have an infusion every 6 weeks. This 1st time they wanted to do it at an Infustion Center but hopefully going forward a nurse will be able to do it locally for him. Then on Thursday we sadly drove an Elder to the airport who was leaving us. Hopefully we will not have to do that very many times (because we don't want them to go home early). We hurried back for District Council because we had a special guest that we zoomed with. One of the missionaries kidnapped in Russia in 1998, Andrew Propst, lives in our mission. Our District Leader served in his ward and they became good buddies. The movie Saratov Approach is about the kidnapping. He talked to us and the young missionaries and gave them lots of good council about serving their companions, having hope, and serving joyfully. Later that day Elder Rowan and I were invited to go with the missionaries to teach a sister. It was a special experience to be with the young missionaries. I continue to be in awe of them! The knowledge they have of the scriptures is truly amazing! Those hours of study they have every day really pays off as they teach the gospel of Jesus Christ and so easily turn to scriptures that fit whatever is being discussed. On Friday we senior Sisters were invited to go with the Sister missionaries to give a new member lesson. She is a young girl, 19-20, living in our apartment complex while she attends George Fox University. We discussed how we see the light of Jesus Christ in others. I told her I see it in her! Her excitement and enthusiam for the gospel was contagious!

Saturday we were able to go out to Tillamook to spend the day with Tracey and her family. Every year on Labor Day there is a large cross country event out there. We went to it 6 years ago too when Hayden was still in high school. Part of the course is a large mud hole that the kids have to run through. It was fun to see Tracey in action as the coach and to watch Danica run. Afterward we went back to their campsite to hang out, play cornhole, and watch the kids swim in the river.

Danica preparing for the race and running through the mud.

Swimming in the river.