March 28, 2013
A couple of notes: Today we heard via the grapevine that the Church is only calling one couple per mission. The rest of the office staff will be local Church Service Missionaries. I think this is probably because of the increase of missions and the shortage of Senior missionaries.....We need you older folks!!!
Missionaries who have been in the field for a while LOVE neck ties. This is really the only change they have in their clothes.. Ask your Elder if he'd like neckties he can trade. If so, go to Good Will or etc. and buy a bunch at a small price and send them as a gift.
I often get asked what I do in the Mission Office as the Mission Secretary. Yesterday I decided to write down what I did. I only lasted until noon when I got so busy the idea when out the window. Here is what I got for 1/2 a day:
8:00 am - office opens
* Devotional (with other office missionaries - prayer, thought, what is going on today)
* Phone call - Church Service missionaries will be in late - Dr. appt. at 9:00
* Forwarded e-mail to appropriate office people and President
* Volunteer we talked to at Church came in - we talked to him for a while
* President came in - gave us information - during the rest of the morning he was in and out of his office as he worked and talked to office workers (including me) at various times
* Phone Call - non-member wanting rent - gave her Transient Bp. phone number
* Checked computer and found 3 new missionaries coming in - June & July
* Ran off information for files on 3 new missionaries. Made files.
* Did labels for their files
* Missionary Sisters called - need copies of items- wrote it down & will try to get copies made
before they come in this afternoon (Didn't get it done - they had to make them when they came in.)
* 'Mark' came in - had him fill cabinet with videos. Talked with him. (He is a homeless by choice
young man who has walked across part of the US. Knows a lot about the Church. He drops by
often - almost daily - because "it feels good here" and wants to see if a missionary happens to be
at the office and can take a few minutes to 'read the Book of Mormon' with him. Has taken one
lesson at the church and stood up the Elders today for another one.) He helps do whatever I need.
* Elders came in for supplies - filled order & talked to them briefly.
* Sorted through my work to evaluate what needs to be done most.
10:00 -
* Two phone calls responding to an e-mail about a hair brush a new sister left @ overnight apt.
* Phone call - transferred
* Assistants came in - gave them a message about an Elder extremely allergic to cats
* Made supply list - took a while checking all cabinets, etc.
* Made supply order - takes a while for a big order like the one I did - Sent to Pres. to OK
* Mail arrived - Large incoming pile today - Sorted and delivered in-office mail
* Sorted mail to open and forward at my desk
* Telephone call to transfer
* Typed labels for mail and ran off - left them to attach and finish black-lining & stamping 'forward' mail for later when people are there and I need to talk to them because the rest of forwarding mail is mindless work
* Typed labels for Transfer board - 2 new 'zones' - several new 'districts' - lots of new addresses and
'areas' - lots of 'DL' and 'ZL' cards
* Put all of the above in magnet holders - this takes a loooonnnnggg time. A missionary was there and not busy because his companion was having an interview with Pres. so I had him help me.
* Phone - address needed
* Phone called transferred.
This is where I ran out of time to write things down. I think I missed several phone calls on this list.
By now it was about noon.
OK - it is now 9:04 pm and I need to get busy and then to bed. More later...
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Friday, March 8, 2013
Our Reno Mission
Elder Dee Lynn and Sister Lois Ann Lynn
June 24, 2012
Tomorrow is the last day we will be at the Las Vegas West Mission.
We've spent 2 weeks at the MTC and 2 weeks here in Las Vegas.
We were to stay here until transfers, which are tomorrow and then Tues. morning we will leave for Reno. It is an 8 hour drive.
Observations about the last 4 weeks:
Memo to Bishoprics: It is really difficult to have a farewell one day and be at the MTC the next day. We were exhausted on Monday:)
We loved being at the ward and their wonderful response; the family gathering and really appreciated them being there; were excited to see Bryson ordained an Elder before leaving for the Marines the same day we started at the MTC and felt badly we didn't get to spend any time at all with those who came to our house after.
The MTC always is WONDERFUL. The spirit is so strong. The young Elders and Sisters are a joy to watch. LA always loves watching the Elders eat. The food there is really good. The mass of young missionaries at the firesides is humbling and listening to them sing the traditional missionary 'Called to Serve' brings you to tears.
The training the first week covers 'Preach My Gospel' and if you stay the 2nd week because you are in an office, doing humanitarian, etc. the training is amazing. They are really well organized and young returned missionaries do a great deal of the training.
We left Thusday evening and went home, washed a few clothes, packed the car with Todd and Carson's help and left Sat. am to drive to Las Vegas. We got lost once we were in town and couldn't find the Stake President's home where we would be staying. We called the Las Vegas Mission President. He and his wife came and found us and brought us to 'Spiced Strawberry Street.' President and Sister Richards have a
'casita' on top of their garage where we have lived for 2+ weeks. It is really nice, with some food preparation facilities and it's own bathroom. We have been very comfortable here with the air conditioning being very important in these (today 102 degree) temps.
President and Sister Black (NLVM Pres) are a perfect pair as mission president and wife. He is not only very much on track with his mission work and dealing with the missionaries (firm and decisive) but loving and so pleasant to be around. He has a funny sense of humor which often has the office and missionaries laughing so people love being around him. She is so personable and kind. She is very
effective in her duties. It doesn't hurt that she is beautiful and that it is obvious her husband repects her as an equal in their calling and her responsibilities.
Brother and Sister Zobell are the Office Sec. and Financial Sec. Bro. Condor (vehicles) and Sister Condor (baptisms & referrals) are also very pleasant and easy to be around. Brother Dana is a local service missionary and the main wheel for cars. Pun intended :) Everyone of these people have given us everything you can think of by way of help. We have 2 zip drives full of things and LA has 5 binders full of things to help us get started in our new Reno Mission.
As for Reno, our office will be in an old Seminary building there - a small one. One of the Assistants was there last weekend and he was excited to see that the walls are back up and painted. :D We hope that means that this past week the carpet is in, the shelving, desks, phones, file cabinets, computers and everything else needed is in. We have been told there is a pallet of paper products there.
We know will still need to get more supplies.
We will be there Wed. and by Sunday (July 1) everything needs to be in place. Our Reno Pres. Hermansen and his wife and family are arriving Sat. evening. So are the Pres. and Sister from the Las Vegas and the Las Vegas West missions. On Sunday after Church the
3 President couples will meet for 2 hours then the two couples from Las Vegas will fly home and the Reno mission will be open.
We were able to get an apt. in Reno and have a bed and table and chairs coming on Tues. Then sometime when we have time, we will need to go look for the rest of what we need in our apt.
One kind of humorous note - we will begin our mission with an Assistant to the Reno President donated from both the Nevada Las Vegas Mission and the Nevada Las Vegas West Mission. It appears the two Assistants will be Elder Marks and Elder Sparks. They will live in Sparks and as the word gets out, this is causing a chuckle among the Elders.
This Reno mission has been formed by combining the two Las Vegas Missions which previously covered all of Nevada, a little of Utah and California. Now the other 2 missions will cover the small southern corner where Las Vegas is. We will have all of the rest of Nevada. We are taking 73 missionaries from the LV West mission and 14 from the Las Vegas mission. About 2 weeks from now we will be getting 16 new missionaries from the MTC. 6 weeks after that we will get another 22 missionaries. No one will go home during all of that time. By Christmas we should have about 180 missionaries, as will both of the other 2 Nevada Missions.
We are both so excited to be here. We LOVE being around the missionaries. We have really enjoyed being in the Las Vegas West Mission office. We are excited to meet the new Mission President and his wife and 2 children. We are excited to get to the cooler temps in Reno. :D We are hoping and need your prayers that we can remember all of the things we have learned in a month and that they will come to mind at the appropriate time.
Thanks for your support and love. We love you.
Elder and Sister Lynn
Elder Dee Lynn and Sister Lois Ann Lynn
June 24, 2012
Tomorrow is the last day we will be at the Las Vegas West Mission.
We've spent 2 weeks at the MTC and 2 weeks here in Las Vegas.
We were to stay here until transfers, which are tomorrow and then Tues. morning we will leave for Reno. It is an 8 hour drive.
Observations about the last 4 weeks:
Memo to Bishoprics: It is really difficult to have a farewell one day and be at the MTC the next day. We were exhausted on Monday:)
We loved being at the ward and their wonderful response; the family gathering and really appreciated them being there; were excited to see Bryson ordained an Elder before leaving for the Marines the same day we started at the MTC and felt badly we didn't get to spend any time at all with those who came to our house after.
The MTC always is WONDERFUL. The spirit is so strong. The young Elders and Sisters are a joy to watch. LA always loves watching the Elders eat. The food there is really good. The mass of young missionaries at the firesides is humbling and listening to them sing the traditional missionary 'Called to Serve' brings you to tears.
The training the first week covers 'Preach My Gospel' and if you stay the 2nd week because you are in an office, doing humanitarian, etc. the training is amazing. They are really well organized and young returned missionaries do a great deal of the training.
We left Thusday evening and went home, washed a few clothes, packed the car with Todd and Carson's help and left Sat. am to drive to Las Vegas. We got lost once we were in town and couldn't find the Stake President's home where we would be staying. We called the Las Vegas Mission President. He and his wife came and found us and brought us to 'Spiced Strawberry Street.' President and Sister Richards have a
'casita' on top of their garage where we have lived for 2+ weeks. It is really nice, with some food preparation facilities and it's own bathroom. We have been very comfortable here with the air conditioning being very important in these (today 102 degree) temps.
President and Sister Black (NLVM Pres) are a perfect pair as mission president and wife. He is not only very much on track with his mission work and dealing with the missionaries (firm and decisive) but loving and so pleasant to be around. He has a funny sense of humor which often has the office and missionaries laughing so people love being around him. She is so personable and kind. She is very
effective in her duties. It doesn't hurt that she is beautiful and that it is obvious her husband repects her as an equal in their calling and her responsibilities.
Brother and Sister Zobell are the Office Sec. and Financial Sec. Bro. Condor (vehicles) and Sister Condor (baptisms & referrals) are also very pleasant and easy to be around. Brother Dana is a local service missionary and the main wheel for cars. Pun intended :) Everyone of these people have given us everything you can think of by way of help. We have 2 zip drives full of things and LA has 5 binders full of things to help us get started in our new Reno Mission.
As for Reno, our office will be in an old Seminary building there - a small one. One of the Assistants was there last weekend and he was excited to see that the walls are back up and painted. :D We hope that means that this past week the carpet is in, the shelving, desks, phones, file cabinets, computers and everything else needed is in. We have been told there is a pallet of paper products there.
We know will still need to get more supplies.
We will be there Wed. and by Sunday (July 1) everything needs to be in place. Our Reno Pres. Hermansen and his wife and family are arriving Sat. evening. So are the Pres. and Sister from the Las Vegas and the Las Vegas West missions. On Sunday after Church the
3 President couples will meet for 2 hours then the two couples from Las Vegas will fly home and the Reno mission will be open.
We were able to get an apt. in Reno and have a bed and table and chairs coming on Tues. Then sometime when we have time, we will need to go look for the rest of what we need in our apt.
One kind of humorous note - we will begin our mission with an Assistant to the Reno President donated from both the Nevada Las Vegas Mission and the Nevada Las Vegas West Mission. It appears the two Assistants will be Elder Marks and Elder Sparks. They will live in Sparks and as the word gets out, this is causing a chuckle among the Elders.
This Reno mission has been formed by combining the two Las Vegas Missions which previously covered all of Nevada, a little of Utah and California. Now the other 2 missions will cover the small southern corner where Las Vegas is. We will have all of the rest of Nevada. We are taking 73 missionaries from the LV West mission and 14 from the Las Vegas mission. About 2 weeks from now we will be getting 16 new missionaries from the MTC. 6 weeks after that we will get another 22 missionaries. No one will go home during all of that time. By Christmas we should have about 180 missionaries, as will both of the other 2 Nevada Missions.
We are both so excited to be here. We LOVE being around the missionaries. We have really enjoyed being in the Las Vegas West Mission office. We are excited to meet the new Mission President and his wife and 2 children. We are excited to get to the cooler temps in Reno. :D We are hoping and need your prayers that we can remember all of the things we have learned in a month and that they will come to mind at the appropriate time.
Thanks for your support and love. We love you.
Elder and Sister Lynn
March 8 -
It has been a long time since I've written - all during this blog from the beginning. When I left for our mission, I was healthy, I felt and the Drs. felt. Then I ended up climbing stairs every day to get to our housing and later found that caused my right hip to deteriorate very quickly and ended up with a lot of pain and finally a hip replacement the day after Christmas. Before that I had 2 teeth (which were supposed to be fine for more than a year) break at the gum line with cracks up into the roots. So they had to be extracted - including one dug out in pieces. At Thanksgiving we rushed to the hospital after tests on Elder Lynn to have his totally blocked carotid artery cleaned out. Then about a month ago I started having a lot of sinus problems and ended up with bronchitis and lots of stuff in my lungs and lots of coughing. I think I've finally conquered that. I'm beginning to feel better than I can remember for a long time. So, after telling you all that, I am going to try to write more often.
One thing I want to say, though, is that we have been tremendously blessed by being on a mission during all of this. Personally, being here and needing to be in the office from 8-5 daily has made a huge difference for me. If I'd been home these last months would have seemed to have lasted forever. Being busy has kept my mind of my problems and pain and I have been so happy. Plus, we've had wonderful Drs. found in really interesting ways - probably the best in the West.
And of course, to top all of this off, had we been at home, we'd never have known to have the tests Elder Lynn had. He would either be seriously disabled or dead from another stroke. The Dr. who worked on him couldn't believe he hadn't had problems before the surgery, the carotid artery was so totally blocked.
So we've been incredibly blessed because we are on this mission.
On to the mission....
We had a wonderful experience yesterday. An older woman drove up to the mission office and came in. She wondered if she was in the right place. Then she went to her car and brought in 2 bags of things. I asked her name and she wouldn't tell me. The President happened to be there and I called him out of his office and he came to meet her. She finally told him her last name. Then she returned to her car for one more sack. An Elder in the office went with her to carry it in. On the way out of the door she said, "The Lord has greatly blessed me and I want to do something in return." She got the sack from the car, gave it to the Elder, got in the car and drove off. She did not want any recognition. She had given us 8 new boxes of silverware and 2 toasters. The interesting thing is that an companionship of Elders had just called and asked for a toaster when we could get one. Each of those boxes can be divided for more than one set of missionaries!
What a blessing!
Just a few minutes later a Sister came with 2 chairs and a vacuum. We need those things.
We've had several people bring used men's suits, white shirts, neckties, belts, socks and shoes.
We've also gotten women's clothes. You should see the missionaries go through these things.
A woman called yesterday. Her husband has just gotten a job across the country. Their children are all grown and gone and they are downsizing pretty seriously rather than pay for moving things. They wanted to know what we can use in the mission. Plus some clothes her last missionary son can't wear any more (size change.) They are moving at the end of March so we will have more donated things by then.
Our next transfer is March 19. This is such a busy time! We have 4 missionaries returning home honorably and we will really miss them. We have 2 'Temple Square' sisters coming to work for 2 transfers at that time. Temple square missionaries go out to other missions for a time to work as other missionaries do. We have 6 'Visa Waiters' at our mission now and they will be leaving as soon as they get their visa's and go to Brazil for their missions. We will have 13 Sister's (1 Spanish Assignment) and 13 Elders (1 Spanish Assignment) arriving on the 19th. We are so excited and racing as fast as we can to get ready for them.
This means President will need to choose trainers (our best experienced missionaries) for each of them. There will need to be a place for them to live - furnished. A local couple, the Blankenships handle all of this. Apartment rentals or leases need to be signed and deposits made. Then the information needs to go to Salt Lake so they can be paid regularly Utilities need to be turned on. Elder Lynn does both of these things. Transportation (cars or bikes) will need to be arranged for. A credit card for each missionary needs to be ordered and arrive. (Elder Lynn) A phone for each companionship has to be ordered, received, turned on with phone numbers recorded. (Elder Lynn) A incoming book needs to be made for each new missionary. (Sister Blankenship) A transfer board card for the transfer board needs to be printed, cut out, laminated, cut out and a magnet needs to be put on the back for each new missionary. (Sister Lynn) Food needs to be arranged for the incoming missionaries for breakfast and lunch, and for the departing missionaries for dinner and breakfast. (Blankenships) Schedules need to be made with assignments for the President and Sister Hermansen, the Assistants, the Vehicle person, the Sister who does referrals and baptisms, (Elder & Sister Smegelski); Elder Lynn who talks about housing and problems and cards with money on them. I collect papers, put a photo on the back on the ministerial card and laminate it, and trim it; talk about name tags, letters and packages, communication with parents and others that missionaries aren't allowed to call; arrange forms so we can communicate with parents or guardians and arrange for the first letter home to be written. We all answer questions. This period of training lasts about 4 hours or so. Meanwhile, President interviews every missionary so he can determine who their companion will be and then prays about and chooses companions. By about 4 or so trainers have arrived and then there is a meeting where companions meet each other. I wish you could see this. There are so many hugs, back pats, so much smiling and excited - especially by the trainers as they meet their new missionary... New missionaries by this time are looking a little glassy eyed and smiling and acting as excited as exhausted new missionaries can! Then they all to a meeting where cars are assigned and keys given out by the Vehicle Coordinater, Pres. Hermansen gives instructions and the missionaries who are leaving bear their testimonies. Missionaries come to the office and collect mail and boxes sent there, gather up the new missionaries luggage, get in cars and trucks and leave. President and Sister Hermansen take the departing missionaries for dinner and to the mission home where they have a final meeting and spend the night. They have gone with the Hermansen's to the final temple session in Reno earlier in the week. Early in the morning they are taken to the plane or wait for people to pick them up.
More later....
It has been a long time since I've written - all during this blog from the beginning. When I left for our mission, I was healthy, I felt and the Drs. felt. Then I ended up climbing stairs every day to get to our housing and later found that caused my right hip to deteriorate very quickly and ended up with a lot of pain and finally a hip replacement the day after Christmas. Before that I had 2 teeth (which were supposed to be fine for more than a year) break at the gum line with cracks up into the roots. So they had to be extracted - including one dug out in pieces. At Thanksgiving we rushed to the hospital after tests on Elder Lynn to have his totally blocked carotid artery cleaned out. Then about a month ago I started having a lot of sinus problems and ended up with bronchitis and lots of stuff in my lungs and lots of coughing. I think I've finally conquered that. I'm beginning to feel better than I can remember for a long time. So, after telling you all that, I am going to try to write more often.
One thing I want to say, though, is that we have been tremendously blessed by being on a mission during all of this. Personally, being here and needing to be in the office from 8-5 daily has made a huge difference for me. If I'd been home these last months would have seemed to have lasted forever. Being busy has kept my mind of my problems and pain and I have been so happy. Plus, we've had wonderful Drs. found in really interesting ways - probably the best in the West.
And of course, to top all of this off, had we been at home, we'd never have known to have the tests Elder Lynn had. He would either be seriously disabled or dead from another stroke. The Dr. who worked on him couldn't believe he hadn't had problems before the surgery, the carotid artery was so totally blocked.
So we've been incredibly blessed because we are on this mission.
On to the mission....
We had a wonderful experience yesterday. An older woman drove up to the mission office and came in. She wondered if she was in the right place. Then she went to her car and brought in 2 bags of things. I asked her name and she wouldn't tell me. The President happened to be there and I called him out of his office and he came to meet her. She finally told him her last name. Then she returned to her car for one more sack. An Elder in the office went with her to carry it in. On the way out of the door she said, "The Lord has greatly blessed me and I want to do something in return." She got the sack from the car, gave it to the Elder, got in the car and drove off. She did not want any recognition. She had given us 8 new boxes of silverware and 2 toasters. The interesting thing is that an companionship of Elders had just called and asked for a toaster when we could get one. Each of those boxes can be divided for more than one set of missionaries!
What a blessing!
Just a few minutes later a Sister came with 2 chairs and a vacuum. We need those things.
We've had several people bring used men's suits, white shirts, neckties, belts, socks and shoes.
We've also gotten women's clothes. You should see the missionaries go through these things.
A woman called yesterday. Her husband has just gotten a job across the country. Their children are all grown and gone and they are downsizing pretty seriously rather than pay for moving things. They wanted to know what we can use in the mission. Plus some clothes her last missionary son can't wear any more (size change.) They are moving at the end of March so we will have more donated things by then.
Our next transfer is March 19. This is such a busy time! We have 4 missionaries returning home honorably and we will really miss them. We have 2 'Temple Square' sisters coming to work for 2 transfers at that time. Temple square missionaries go out to other missions for a time to work as other missionaries do. We have 6 'Visa Waiters' at our mission now and they will be leaving as soon as they get their visa's and go to Brazil for their missions. We will have 13 Sister's (1 Spanish Assignment) and 13 Elders (1 Spanish Assignment) arriving on the 19th. We are so excited and racing as fast as we can to get ready for them.
This means President will need to choose trainers (our best experienced missionaries) for each of them. There will need to be a place for them to live - furnished. A local couple, the Blankenships handle all of this. Apartment rentals or leases need to be signed and deposits made. Then the information needs to go to Salt Lake so they can be paid regularly Utilities need to be turned on. Elder Lynn does both of these things. Transportation (cars or bikes) will need to be arranged for. A credit card for each missionary needs to be ordered and arrive. (Elder Lynn) A phone for each companionship has to be ordered, received, turned on with phone numbers recorded. (Elder Lynn) A incoming book needs to be made for each new missionary. (Sister Blankenship) A transfer board card for the transfer board needs to be printed, cut out, laminated, cut out and a magnet needs to be put on the back for each new missionary. (Sister Lynn) Food needs to be arranged for the incoming missionaries for breakfast and lunch, and for the departing missionaries for dinner and breakfast. (Blankenships) Schedules need to be made with assignments for the President and Sister Hermansen, the Assistants, the Vehicle person, the Sister who does referrals and baptisms, (Elder & Sister Smegelski); Elder Lynn who talks about housing and problems and cards with money on them. I collect papers, put a photo on the back on the ministerial card and laminate it, and trim it; talk about name tags, letters and packages, communication with parents and others that missionaries aren't allowed to call; arrange forms so we can communicate with parents or guardians and arrange for the first letter home to be written. We all answer questions. This period of training lasts about 4 hours or so. Meanwhile, President interviews every missionary so he can determine who their companion will be and then prays about and chooses companions. By about 4 or so trainers have arrived and then there is a meeting where companions meet each other. I wish you could see this. There are so many hugs, back pats, so much smiling and excited - especially by the trainers as they meet their new missionary... New missionaries by this time are looking a little glassy eyed and smiling and acting as excited as exhausted new missionaries can! Then they all to a meeting where cars are assigned and keys given out by the Vehicle Coordinater, Pres. Hermansen gives instructions and the missionaries who are leaving bear their testimonies. Missionaries come to the office and collect mail and boxes sent there, gather up the new missionaries luggage, get in cars and trucks and leave. President and Sister Hermansen take the departing missionaries for dinner and to the mission home where they have a final meeting and spend the night. They have gone with the Hermansen's to the final temple session in Reno earlier in the week. Early in the morning they are taken to the plane or wait for people to pick them up.
More later....
Thursday, January 31, 2013
End of January
So I'm now 5 weeks past a hip replacement. Got home tonight from my 8th therapy, which I love, and am walking without my canes. Yipee! I've been soooo blessed.
We get more and more beggars every day! We're finding out there are a lot of professional 'pan-handlers' out there - and a lot of them who follow the LDS church from city to city supporting themselves entirely by their stories. We had a guy come in about 1 1/2 months ago. This guy is about 45 or so I'd guess. A professional at crying. He cries from before he comes in the mission office until when he goes out. The first time I believed him. He sounded and acted so sincere.
'He and his wife had just come by Amtrack from Hurricane Sandy in Long Island where they lost their house. The had been given some money by the recovery act to come to Reno to begin work at one of the casinos. He didn't have enough money to pay for a motel and just needed money for one night. I am a Mormon.'
By now we had an established a rule in the mission which is that we give no money of our own to anyone. Period. Fortunately Elder Lynn wasn't there. ;D Unfortunately no men were. We just couldn't get him to leave so I called a local Bishop and asked him to come and talk to him. He couldn't but arranged to meet him downtown at 5:00. Finally the guy left.
He came back a week ago and fortunately Elder Blankenship (who has been a Bishop) was there. After I told him we had no money, no food, no housing, no anything he asked to speak to 'the brother'. Elder Blankenship came out, listened to him for a couple of minutes, borrowed the guy's cell phone and went in the back room to look up the names of a couple of LDS people the guy mentioned. Elder Blankenship got an earful. He came back out and repeated what he'd been told. 'After checking - the guy is not Mormon, his story is a lie, he's told everyone he's talked to different details,' etc. Everytime Elder Blankenship would mention a fact, the tears would turn on more and the guy would loudly cry the people were lying about him. Elder Blankenship, who has been a high school teacher, would immediately hold up his hand and move his straightened fingers together, indicating 'close your mouth.' At the same time he would go 'shshshshshsh' so loud you couldn't hear the guy. It was priceless. When the guy would be quiet Elder Blankenship would continue on with his recitation of facts. Then the whole thing would repeat itself. Finally Elder Blankenship escorted him out the door by taking his arm.
Then Sat. Elder Lynn and I were at the office on Sat. about 4:00 waiting for someone. Here comes this guy again. This time he is telling me his truck is broken down and he is selling the parts and the place will 'send him the money.' He shows me his 'receipt'. I asked him where he got the truck. He 'drove it here from Hurricane Sandy', Etc. I repeatedly told him 'no' and he got in to 'is this how you Mormon's treat other Mormons here in the west?'
This week we had 2 people come in on Monday. Two phone calls asking for help the next 2 days. We found out that 'Savers' is sending them to us. That isn't the only way they get to our 'Mission'. The word gets around on the street. Our office is quite out of the way...no one just 'happens' by us.
We run into pan-handlers outside of stores, on street corners. They are everywhere. Finally I called the City of Sparks to ask their policy. They don't have an ordinance here and they don't have enough police. So if someone calls and they have an officer available, they will come and ask them to 'move on.'
Then the man from the City of Sparks told me never to give money to someone in a parking lot. The night before Elder Lynn and I had gone to Staples for supplies and ordered a stamp. A young guy - teen or early 20's with a small red plastic gas can had approached us asking for money. Dee gave him some. We left, did other errands and went back an hour later to pick up the stamp. Same guy - walking the parking lot. This is in a strip mall so a lot of small stores open at that time of night.
Tonight we were at Burger King and a woman walks up to me in the store, "Sister, I am so hungry and have no money and we can only share 1 hamburger. Can you spare $2.00?"
Change of subject:
On Feb. 12 we have 19 missionaries coming to us. 18 Elders and one sister. This Sister is special and Elder Lynn and I are praying for her. She is a really sharp and attractive young woman. However she has had health problems for a number of years. Now she is doing better and really wants to go on a mission. She is coming to our mission, with Salt Lake's instruction, without a call to try out a mission for 12 weeks, to see if she physically can do this. If it is determined she can, then she will get her call and go to the MTC and go into the field for the remaining 15 months. Please include her in your prayers. How I admire her!
We also have a great young man who is now starting a 'mission' with us. I believe he is autistic, or something similar. He comes 1 day a week, works with other missionaries. The day I gave him his name tags you should have seen his face. I just love him. Isn't it wonderful that he wants to do this?
He also works one day a week for the church at the Food Distribution place. I am SOOO glad the leaders work to allow these young people a chance to do what they want so much to do.
The last note is that so far (now almost Feb. 1) we have 31 missionaries arriving in March: 15 Sisters and 16 Elders. The great influx has begun. I can't wait to see what happens!
Love to you all. Serving a mission is just so great!
We get more and more beggars every day! We're finding out there are a lot of professional 'pan-handlers' out there - and a lot of them who follow the LDS church from city to city supporting themselves entirely by their stories. We had a guy come in about 1 1/2 months ago. This guy is about 45 or so I'd guess. A professional at crying. He cries from before he comes in the mission office until when he goes out. The first time I believed him. He sounded and acted so sincere.
'He and his wife had just come by Amtrack from Hurricane Sandy in Long Island where they lost their house. The had been given some money by the recovery act to come to Reno to begin work at one of the casinos. He didn't have enough money to pay for a motel and just needed money for one night. I am a Mormon.'
By now we had an established a rule in the mission which is that we give no money of our own to anyone. Period. Fortunately Elder Lynn wasn't there. ;D Unfortunately no men were. We just couldn't get him to leave so I called a local Bishop and asked him to come and talk to him. He couldn't but arranged to meet him downtown at 5:00. Finally the guy left.
He came back a week ago and fortunately Elder Blankenship (who has been a Bishop) was there. After I told him we had no money, no food, no housing, no anything he asked to speak to 'the brother'. Elder Blankenship came out, listened to him for a couple of minutes, borrowed the guy's cell phone and went in the back room to look up the names of a couple of LDS people the guy mentioned. Elder Blankenship got an earful. He came back out and repeated what he'd been told. 'After checking - the guy is not Mormon, his story is a lie, he's told everyone he's talked to different details,' etc. Everytime Elder Blankenship would mention a fact, the tears would turn on more and the guy would loudly cry the people were lying about him. Elder Blankenship, who has been a high school teacher, would immediately hold up his hand and move his straightened fingers together, indicating 'close your mouth.' At the same time he would go 'shshshshshsh' so loud you couldn't hear the guy. It was priceless. When the guy would be quiet Elder Blankenship would continue on with his recitation of facts. Then the whole thing would repeat itself. Finally Elder Blankenship escorted him out the door by taking his arm.
Then Sat. Elder Lynn and I were at the office on Sat. about 4:00 waiting for someone. Here comes this guy again. This time he is telling me his truck is broken down and he is selling the parts and the place will 'send him the money.' He shows me his 'receipt'. I asked him where he got the truck. He 'drove it here from Hurricane Sandy', Etc. I repeatedly told him 'no' and he got in to 'is this how you Mormon's treat other Mormons here in the west?'
This week we had 2 people come in on Monday. Two phone calls asking for help the next 2 days. We found out that 'Savers' is sending them to us. That isn't the only way they get to our 'Mission'. The word gets around on the street. Our office is quite out of the way...no one just 'happens' by us.
We run into pan-handlers outside of stores, on street corners. They are everywhere. Finally I called the City of Sparks to ask their policy. They don't have an ordinance here and they don't have enough police. So if someone calls and they have an officer available, they will come and ask them to 'move on.'
Then the man from the City of Sparks told me never to give money to someone in a parking lot. The night before Elder Lynn and I had gone to Staples for supplies and ordered a stamp. A young guy - teen or early 20's with a small red plastic gas can had approached us asking for money. Dee gave him some. We left, did other errands and went back an hour later to pick up the stamp. Same guy - walking the parking lot. This is in a strip mall so a lot of small stores open at that time of night.
Tonight we were at Burger King and a woman walks up to me in the store, "Sister, I am so hungry and have no money and we can only share 1 hamburger. Can you spare $2.00?"
Change of subject:
On Feb. 12 we have 19 missionaries coming to us. 18 Elders and one sister. This Sister is special and Elder Lynn and I are praying for her. She is a really sharp and attractive young woman. However she has had health problems for a number of years. Now she is doing better and really wants to go on a mission. She is coming to our mission, with Salt Lake's instruction, without a call to try out a mission for 12 weeks, to see if she physically can do this. If it is determined she can, then she will get her call and go to the MTC and go into the field for the remaining 15 months. Please include her in your prayers. How I admire her!
We also have a great young man who is now starting a 'mission' with us. I believe he is autistic, or something similar. He comes 1 day a week, works with other missionaries. The day I gave him his name tags you should have seen his face. I just love him. Isn't it wonderful that he wants to do this?
He also works one day a week for the church at the Food Distribution place. I am SOOO glad the leaders work to allow these young people a chance to do what they want so much to do.
The last note is that so far (now almost Feb. 1) we have 31 missionaries arriving in March: 15 Sisters and 16 Elders. The great influx has begun. I can't wait to see what happens!
Love to you all. Serving a mission is just so great!
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Dec. 6, again
Just thought of a couple more things. Remember the 'rabbit wreck?' The Sister's driving that car hit 2 rabbits in a couple of days - driving 70 mph out between where they live and where they had been teaching. It was night both times. The bunnies were not big jack rabbits but both were tiny little white rabbits.
Well, next they hit a coyote. The car side-swiped it so it wasn't damaged so much as the rabbit times.
There are large areas of uninhabited land in Nevada with wild horses, wild burros, and about every other kind of animal. We are so glad our missionaries so far have just hit little bunnies.
Talking about people coming in asking for money, one man has been in regularly - always with a different story about why he needs 'just $20.00'. Unfortunately, Elder Lynn can't turn people away - so he keeps coming back. Yesterday it was to apologize about all the stories and lies and 'could I talk to you privately for just a minute?' which ended in another sob story and another $20.00. I hope there are blessings given to people like my husband who are kind and often taken advantage of.
Just thought of a couple more things. Remember the 'rabbit wreck?' The Sister's driving that car hit 2 rabbits in a couple of days - driving 70 mph out between where they live and where they had been teaching. It was night both times. The bunnies were not big jack rabbits but both were tiny little white rabbits.
Well, next they hit a coyote. The car side-swiped it so it wasn't damaged so much as the rabbit times.
There are large areas of uninhabited land in Nevada with wild horses, wild burros, and about every other kind of animal. We are so glad our missionaries so far have just hit little bunnies.
Talking about people coming in asking for money, one man has been in regularly - always with a different story about why he needs 'just $20.00'. Unfortunately, Elder Lynn can't turn people away - so he keeps coming back. Yesterday it was to apologize about all the stories and lies and 'could I talk to you privately for just a minute?' which ended in another sob story and another $20.00. I hope there are blessings given to people like my husband who are kind and often taken advantage of.
Dec. 6, 2012
Wow! It has been so long since I wrote. We have been really busy. Since I wrote last a lot has happened.
We have had Elders leave and more arrive. Every incoming set of Elders is sooooo exciting! We get to meet them fresh from the MTC. They are soooo tired. They have probably not slept a lot the night before they leave. They have had to pack and usually have tried to wash or go to the MTC bookstore. Then the hardest part has been saying good-bye to all the Missionaries they have worked with and especially those going to other missions. Once they've gotten to bed most have not been able to sleep because they have been worried/anxious/excited etc.
So when they arrive most are a bit bleary eyed. Once they get here to the airport they have to listen to lots and lots of instructions. The first is to get their luggage and put it in the van/trailer at a particular spot. President Hermansen and the 2 Assistants to the President are usually the ones who pick up the new Elders and Sister Hermansen drives the sisters. They come to the mission office where we have a 'brunch' ready for them to eat. (They have most likely not eaten at the MTC.) We have fresh fruit, cold cereal and milk, muffins, bagels and cream cheese, juice and hot chocolate. While they are eating they listen to instructions. "Put all the papers you were told to bring in the envelope in this box." Questions are answered. "Line up over here for photos with President and Sister Hermansen." Names are called. Poses made. Camera's snap. Then they gather outside for a group photo in front of the Mission Office. Meanwhile Sister Hermansen has been taking candid shots while everything happens.
Then off to one of the first LDS church buildings in the Sparks/Reno area. It is across the parking lot and we have some of our mission meetings there. President and Sister Hermansen and the Assistants talk. President leaves the room to begin individual interviews. More instruction is given. Sister Hermansen talks about health - how to stay healthy, exercise, what to do if you are sick, how to eat, how and what to clean and when. Elder Smigelski talks about cars, car safety, and what you need to do to be able to drive. Videos are shown about this. Sister Smigelski talks about referrals and how to fill out baptism papers and what to do with them. (Send them to the office IMMEDIATELY!)
Elder Lynn instructs on apartments. Keep them clean. Do not make holes in the walls, etc. He talks about mission funding cards which have the money for each missionary on them and are used like a credit cards, how to use them and to NOT lose them or attach the pin number to the card. (Duh?)
Elder Blankenship talks about bikes and bike safety. Sister Lynn talks about mail, name tag purchasing and gives a grandmotherly bit of advice. (Wash your hands as often as you can during the day. Consider the member homes some of you are living at as their temples. Write your parents. Write your first letter now.
You will get homesick. You will have stomach aches and colds. You do not need to go to the hospital for these things, but if you really get sick, call Sister Hermansen. This is a once in a lifetime chance. Do your best. Etc)
Somewhere in the middle of this we break for lunch which is always the same. Pizza, salad, cold water, dessert.
Then it is back to the finish of the above instruction. There are also papers to fill out during all of the above and to be collected. Drivers liscenses which have been collected and photo-copied are returned. Visas from the out of the country missionaries collected, copied and kept by the mission office and the copies given to the missionary until they leave the mission.
When President finishes his interviews he returns to the office and determines which new missionary will go with which previously selected trainer. Meanwhile the trainers have arrived and are waiting in the gym. (Or just 'happening by' the kitchen to see if there is any extra pizza.
President returns to the Church and then the FUN begins, as he calls out the name of the trainer and the new missionary (who is waiting in the hall.) Hugs are given, cheers are cheered and everyone is smiling. After all the new missionaries are assigned, everyone troops into the chapel. A song and prayer, business by the President as necessary and then a testimony meeting by the departing Elders. Then everyone leaves. The new missionaries pick up their luggage which is now in the gym along the wall. A trip is made to the mission office to pick up mail and packages and then they are off to their new residence with their new companion.
This is a hectic, busy and happy occasion for all of us.
Once every has left, the missionaries who have finished their missions say good-byes to old
companions. Photos are taken. President and Sister Hermansen have dinner with those departing. Usually a temple session has been attended earlier in the week or after dinner. The departing Missionaries go with
President and Sister Hermansen to the mission home where there is a special meeting. (I don't know what happens from the time they leave the Church.
This is a sad time for me because I gotten to know and love these Elders and Sisters and know that I probably won't see them again during this earth life. But it is an example of the cycle of life going on.
In addition to all the arrivals, departures and transfers Elder Lynn and I moved from a 2nd story apt. to a ground level one. Some of the Elders moved us. Thank you, Thank you, Elders. You are great life savers.
Our first Senior Couple arrived!!!! We are just so happy and appreciative of them being willing to serve a mission. The missionaries helped them move the things from their car into the apt. They will be working with missionaries in Sparks where we have a less-active ward. They are very excited and we are so grateful!
Two more couples will be coming, one the first of January and one the end of January. We can't wait to get them here.
In the middle of this, on the day we moved, Elder Lynn went in and had kind of emergency surgery. He had his cartodid artery cleaned out. It was completely blocked and bent. The surgeon did a great job and Elder Lynn is back running full speed here. This was a result of a regular 6 month exam he has for his heart. He had a stroke in July 2011 and recovered so well that we were able to come on this mission. While he was having all of his tests they uncovered the need for this surgery, called on Tues. evening and the surgery was the next day. He will go in soon for a check of his other artery and we will see if he needs that one done, too. Meanwhile, since I have been here I have developed problems with my right hip and am going to have a hip replacement here in Reno the end of Dec. One of the things that we have learned from our missions is that life goes on for you while you are on your mission. Things happen. You just adjust and go forward. However, you are greatly blessed in these trials. We are very aware of our Heavenly Father caring for us, especially on our mission. We are so thankful he is there and knows us and takes care of us. We just do our best and keep going.
We are greatly blessed to have President and Sister Hermansen to work with. He is so supportive of all of the missionaries, including us. Our missionaries are soooo blessed to have him for a Mission President.
One of the things that had me laughing (tongue in cheek) was that an Elder called to report a 'few dents' in the roof of his car. When ask how they got there he said an unnamed Elder had been dancing on the roof of the car. Later when someone told us who the unnamed Elder was, all of our mouths dropped open. We aren't sure if we were given the right name, but if it was, then none of us would have EVER guessed he would be on top of a car doing anything. He is one of our model Elders.
So life goes on in the mission. I've got to write more often. I keep forgetting great things I could tell about...Until later, then.
Sister Lynn
Wow! It has been so long since I wrote. We have been really busy. Since I wrote last a lot has happened.
We have had Elders leave and more arrive. Every incoming set of Elders is sooooo exciting! We get to meet them fresh from the MTC. They are soooo tired. They have probably not slept a lot the night before they leave. They have had to pack and usually have tried to wash or go to the MTC bookstore. Then the hardest part has been saying good-bye to all the Missionaries they have worked with and especially those going to other missions. Once they've gotten to bed most have not been able to sleep because they have been worried/anxious/excited etc.
So when they arrive most are a bit bleary eyed. Once they get here to the airport they have to listen to lots and lots of instructions. The first is to get their luggage and put it in the van/trailer at a particular spot. President Hermansen and the 2 Assistants to the President are usually the ones who pick up the new Elders and Sister Hermansen drives the sisters. They come to the mission office where we have a 'brunch' ready for them to eat. (They have most likely not eaten at the MTC.) We have fresh fruit, cold cereal and milk, muffins, bagels and cream cheese, juice and hot chocolate. While they are eating they listen to instructions. "Put all the papers you were told to bring in the envelope in this box." Questions are answered. "Line up over here for photos with President and Sister Hermansen." Names are called. Poses made. Camera's snap. Then they gather outside for a group photo in front of the Mission Office. Meanwhile Sister Hermansen has been taking candid shots while everything happens.
Then off to one of the first LDS church buildings in the Sparks/Reno area. It is across the parking lot and we have some of our mission meetings there. President and Sister Hermansen and the Assistants talk. President leaves the room to begin individual interviews. More instruction is given. Sister Hermansen talks about health - how to stay healthy, exercise, what to do if you are sick, how to eat, how and what to clean and when. Elder Smigelski talks about cars, car safety, and what you need to do to be able to drive. Videos are shown about this. Sister Smigelski talks about referrals and how to fill out baptism papers and what to do with them. (Send them to the office IMMEDIATELY!)
Elder Lynn instructs on apartments. Keep them clean. Do not make holes in the walls, etc. He talks about mission funding cards which have the money for each missionary on them and are used like a credit cards, how to use them and to NOT lose them or attach the pin number to the card. (Duh?)
Elder Blankenship talks about bikes and bike safety. Sister Lynn talks about mail, name tag purchasing and gives a grandmotherly bit of advice. (Wash your hands as often as you can during the day. Consider the member homes some of you are living at as their temples. Write your parents. Write your first letter now.
You will get homesick. You will have stomach aches and colds. You do not need to go to the hospital for these things, but if you really get sick, call Sister Hermansen. This is a once in a lifetime chance. Do your best. Etc)
Somewhere in the middle of this we break for lunch which is always the same. Pizza, salad, cold water, dessert.
Then it is back to the finish of the above instruction. There are also papers to fill out during all of the above and to be collected. Drivers liscenses which have been collected and photo-copied are returned. Visas from the out of the country missionaries collected, copied and kept by the mission office and the copies given to the missionary until they leave the mission.
When President finishes his interviews he returns to the office and determines which new missionary will go with which previously selected trainer. Meanwhile the trainers have arrived and are waiting in the gym. (Or just 'happening by' the kitchen to see if there is any extra pizza.
President returns to the Church and then the FUN begins, as he calls out the name of the trainer and the new missionary (who is waiting in the hall.) Hugs are given, cheers are cheered and everyone is smiling. After all the new missionaries are assigned, everyone troops into the chapel. A song and prayer, business by the President as necessary and then a testimony meeting by the departing Elders. Then everyone leaves. The new missionaries pick up their luggage which is now in the gym along the wall. A trip is made to the mission office to pick up mail and packages and then they are off to their new residence with their new companion.
This is a hectic, busy and happy occasion for all of us.
Once every has left, the missionaries who have finished their missions say good-byes to old
companions. Photos are taken. President and Sister Hermansen have dinner with those departing. Usually a temple session has been attended earlier in the week or after dinner. The departing Missionaries go with
President and Sister Hermansen to the mission home where there is a special meeting. (I don't know what happens from the time they leave the Church.
This is a sad time for me because I gotten to know and love these Elders and Sisters and know that I probably won't see them again during this earth life. But it is an example of the cycle of life going on.
In addition to all the arrivals, departures and transfers Elder Lynn and I moved from a 2nd story apt. to a ground level one. Some of the Elders moved us. Thank you, Thank you, Elders. You are great life savers.
Our first Senior Couple arrived!!!! We are just so happy and appreciative of them being willing to serve a mission. The missionaries helped them move the things from their car into the apt. They will be working with missionaries in Sparks where we have a less-active ward. They are very excited and we are so grateful!
Two more couples will be coming, one the first of January and one the end of January. We can't wait to get them here.
In the middle of this, on the day we moved, Elder Lynn went in and had kind of emergency surgery. He had his cartodid artery cleaned out. It was completely blocked and bent. The surgeon did a great job and Elder Lynn is back running full speed here. This was a result of a regular 6 month exam he has for his heart. He had a stroke in July 2011 and recovered so well that we were able to come on this mission. While he was having all of his tests they uncovered the need for this surgery, called on Tues. evening and the surgery was the next day. He will go in soon for a check of his other artery and we will see if he needs that one done, too. Meanwhile, since I have been here I have developed problems with my right hip and am going to have a hip replacement here in Reno the end of Dec. One of the things that we have learned from our missions is that life goes on for you while you are on your mission. Things happen. You just adjust and go forward. However, you are greatly blessed in these trials. We are very aware of our Heavenly Father caring for us, especially on our mission. We are so thankful he is there and knows us and takes care of us. We just do our best and keep going.
We are greatly blessed to have President and Sister Hermansen to work with. He is so supportive of all of the missionaries, including us. Our missionaries are soooo blessed to have him for a Mission President.
One of the things that had me laughing (tongue in cheek) was that an Elder called to report a 'few dents' in the roof of his car. When ask how they got there he said an unnamed Elder had been dancing on the roof of the car. Later when someone told us who the unnamed Elder was, all of our mouths dropped open. We aren't sure if we were given the right name, but if it was, then none of us would have EVER guessed he would be on top of a car doing anything. He is one of our model Elders.
So life goes on in the mission. I've got to write more often. I keep forgetting great things I could tell about...Until later, then.
Sister Lynn
Saturday, October 6, 2012
We are so excited!!!
We are so excited! Conference today has been so wonderful! And now 18 year old young men and 19 year old young women can go in missions if they want! Yeah!
Tuesday Oct 9 twenty-five new missionaries arrive from the MTC and 11 - our first to leave - go home. We will miss those who leave so much. I have learned to love them. They will do so well at home.
I want to tell you about one young man leaving - he will return to California with no one waiting for him, no home to go to, no job, no car. Nothing. His parents abandoned him a long time ago and he has survived on his own. He said to me, "I am scared." He is taking his bike because it will be the only way he has to get around. His branch president is 'his dad'. Some young people leave all to go on a mission and when they get here they work so hard.
One missionary arriving on Wed. has 2 bachelor's degrees - no father - his mother doesn't want him to go on a mission - he is a convert but he has prayed and knows this is what he is supposed to do. He is 24.
There are other stories like these. I'll share more later.
Love, love, love conference..
Our son-in-law - Larry Chipman, husband of our daughter who died, is spending the night with us on his way to Oregon. He is by himself - all kids are on their own and is on this first long trip alone - to take photos of all the waterfalls he can find - and anything else that is beautiful. He does beautiful photography. He is a wonderful man. I wish we could find him some 50 yr or so old woman with no children at home (which is what he is looking for) to marry. He has so much potential and is SUCH a WONDERFUL man. He is one of the kindest most angelic men I've ever met - cared for our daughter for 15 years as she was sicker and sicker until she passed away 2 years ago. And worked full time, took care of the family, house, food and everything else by himself for the last several years plus was busy with church callings the entire time. I have so much respect for him. If anyone has any ideas about a good woman - please let me know. We love him so and our daughter wanted him to remarry and so do we. If the woman is good to him, our entire family will welcome her with open and loving arms.
More later...
Tuesday Oct 9 twenty-five new missionaries arrive from the MTC and 11 - our first to leave - go home. We will miss those who leave so much. I have learned to love them. They will do so well at home.
I want to tell you about one young man leaving - he will return to California with no one waiting for him, no home to go to, no job, no car. Nothing. His parents abandoned him a long time ago and he has survived on his own. He said to me, "I am scared." He is taking his bike because it will be the only way he has to get around. His branch president is 'his dad'. Some young people leave all to go on a mission and when they get here they work so hard.
One missionary arriving on Wed. has 2 bachelor's degrees - no father - his mother doesn't want him to go on a mission - he is a convert but he has prayed and knows this is what he is supposed to do. He is 24.
There are other stories like these. I'll share more later.
Love, love, love conference..
Our son-in-law - Larry Chipman, husband of our daughter who died, is spending the night with us on his way to Oregon. He is by himself - all kids are on their own and is on this first long trip alone - to take photos of all the waterfalls he can find - and anything else that is beautiful. He does beautiful photography. He is a wonderful man. I wish we could find him some 50 yr or so old woman with no children at home (which is what he is looking for) to marry. He has so much potential and is SUCH a WONDERFUL man. He is one of the kindest most angelic men I've ever met - cared for our daughter for 15 years as she was sicker and sicker until she passed away 2 years ago. And worked full time, took care of the family, house, food and everything else by himself for the last several years plus was busy with church callings the entire time. I have so much respect for him. If anyone has any ideas about a good woman - please let me know. We love him so and our daughter wanted him to remarry and so do we. If the woman is good to him, our entire family will welcome her with open and loving arms.
More later...
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