Dana's Baptism

 The LONG AWAITED day finally arrived for my dear friend & neighbor Dana...

Here we are with our current missionaries...who incidentally share the same birthdays with Dana and I...Elder Tucker and I May 19 and Dana and Elder Gerritsen on March 16!

 ...This has been a WONDERFUL JOURNEY for both Dana and myself as we both have learned what it means to be instruments in the Lord's hands.

 Dana claims that I came into her life to save her...

And I claim that she came into mine to save me!

We are both right.  We have loved getting to know our neighbors and love socializing with them almost weekly.  They have been a blessing to us in many ways.  We love Ed & Dana!

 We joy in the journey and in the experiences we have shared together.

It was a sweet reunion with 4 of the Elders that have taught Dana in our home.  Left to Right: Elders Gerritsen, Vaoga, President Taylor & I, Dana & Ed, Elders Tucker and Lynn.

 Heavenly Father knew I needed the experience of being a missionary up close and personal...so Dana was placed in my path...my path home from a run one morning.

Then her dog Tater placed herself in our yard to break a walklight so Dana had to come meet me again...and the rest is history!

 Questions were asked and answered...friendships were formed, missionaries were involved in lessons here at the Mission Home and now Dana knows the Gospel of Jesus Christ and what it means to be a member of Christ's restored Church...

And the Taylors know what it is like to have an investigator, to worry about what the speakers in Church will say, to wonder whether someone will come to church, to be a part of lessons and see what works well and what does not.

President Taylor knows what it is like to baptize in his own mission!!

 We NEEDED EACH OTHER!

It was a great celebration with family and friends at the Church last night for the baptism!  Dana is such a good friend to so many; and a lot came to support her.

 We had a little open house back at the Mission Home so we could chat more afterwards.

We embrace the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and just love sharing that with all who are ready to embrace it!

Friends Conrad, Barbara, Janet and Amy.

Friend Carmen with Dana.

Her granddaughters Zeah and Alexis dancing in the hallway here.

Today the Confirmation was just beautiful!  President said what the Lord wanted her to know.

WE LOVE THIS WORK!

Parallel Paths

( I had to post a picture of President Taylor carrying a guitar...pretty much fun for him.)






June and July were busy months of going to the airport for us.
We are constantly on the go taking care of the needs of our missionaries and we love it.

We took Elder Jensen to the airport and he is doing great at home getting healthy and ready to come back to us ASAP. We love him and miss him but know he is doing really great!

And we took our Elder Stott to the airport another day so he can get back to us as well!!! We look forward to having him back soon!











Also, we recently took Elders Carlos Posada and Steven Wood to the airport. Because of visa situations, Elder Posada remained an extra 10 days in the APM after his group departed — then he was off to Salt Lake City (where his family had moved from Colorado while he was serving). And we anticipate a prompt return to Phoenix of Elder Wood, who returned home to Cache Valley on the same flight as Elder Posada.

 Yesterday we took Sister Bailey to the airport.  She is loved by all who know her.  Sister Davis, in whose home she lived, just loves the Sister Missionaries and the Spirit they bring into the home.

Sisters Parks and Robinson will take over the area and continue to do great things there!

Sister Bailey will be remembered and missed while she is away!

We LOVE each missionary for the individuals that they are, for who they are and who they are BECOMING!

This mission is part of their journey in life.  Sometimes there are parallel detours that allow them to become more physically, emotionally or spiritually healthy for the rest of their journey.  It is SO GOOD!

We look forward to the next time our paths intersect as we all PRESS ON IN THE WORK OF THE LORD!

Peoria Zone Activity July 2012

One of the benefits to being in the Peoria/Peoria North Zone is that you occasionally get to have a zone activity at the Mission Home.

We hosted an activity this week that was perfect for the hot summertime.
Above is a ward member, Brandon, who joined us for the activity, eating a snow cone.  Perfect summer snack!

Also above is Elder Brown, one of the zone leaders, choosing some games to play.

Left, is Elder Gerritsen, writing some letters for his p-day activity.  GOOD JOB ELDER G!

 For those willing to brave the heat of the garage, which the AC can never keep up with in the summer, there was pingpong and weights.
Elders Hafoka, Duke, Wood & Tucker above & left.

Elders Beeston, Gerber, Brothers and Wood playing Ping Pong...

And even some guitar by Elder Campbell with Gerritsen and Tucker listening.    We played SETTLERS OF CATAN with Brandon, Elders Brown, Pehrson and Kelley.  It was a lot of fun!!  (And Sister T even won the game:)

 Here is the AWESOME PEORIA ZONE...minus the amazing Elders King and Gerber who had to leave early.  Front:  Elder Kelley, Sisters Follett & Fluckiger & Brandon.
Back:  Elders Hafoka, Duke, Wood, Baldree, Brown, Tucker, Gerritsen, Beeston, Brothers, Campbell & Pehrson.  LOVED HAVING THEM OVER TO PLAY!!

PEORIA/PEORIA N. ZONE INTERVIEWS JULY 2012

 We love meeting with the Peoria Zone...they are close to our hearts since we live in this zone.
Above, Elders Gerritsen and Tucker wonder what can be in their trunk...and Elder D. Gerber scratches his head in unbelief.

Sisters Fluckiger and Follett are just plain cute as they check out their car!

 AND YES!  They all got CLEAN CAR AWARDS from Elder Rodgers!



Sisters Fluckiger and Follett first.

 Elders Tucker and Gerritsen next.

 Then Elders D. Gerber and King show off the certificates and CANDY BARS.

 The Zone Leaders are not exempt from cleaning cars either!

 Next we moved into the Obedience Activity led by the Zone Leaders.



We all learned a lot from this and it strengthened our faith to learn why we are asked to do what we do as missionaries a certain way.
Left- Elders Duke and Hafoka.

Elders Gerritsen, Kelley, Beeston and King.

 Elders Pehrson and Campbell with Elder Tucker.








Elders D. Wood and Brothers

 The zone is blessed to be led by Elders Baldree and Brown.  They are inspired, loving and hard working!

It was great to be with them for the day and to feel the great spirit that was there!

 We ended the day with a powerful testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ by Elder Duke!  I cannot believe he will be heading home soon!  We love him so much!


THANK YOU PEORIA/PEORIA NORTH ZONE!!!

 Riding off into the wild blue yonder are Elders Hafoka and Duke!  They brave the heat and just SMILE!

 And President wanted to try backing a car for the Sisters...

 See where this gets him!!!!!



OH HOW HE LOVES A GOOD JOKE!