19 Oct 2014 Dedication of Lukachukai Chapel, Tasille, AZ

I get pretty frustrated when I am merrily typing along and then all of a sudden half of what I typed disappears for no apparent reason. :o{  which just happened while I was posting to my BLOG page, so I am going to type on word, then cut and paste.

This morning we left at 7 A.M. and drove the 165 miles to Lukachukai where they dedicated the first chapel for the Lukachukai Ward.  Ronnie figured it was about 46 years ago that he was transferred there, almost to the day.  How awesome is that?

We got there about 9:40 and Elder Rogers and some of the young men were directing traffic and showing people where to park.  We figure there was over 190 people all together for the dedication.

There were 4 speakers, Ed Tano the First Chinle Stake President, he is now a member of our 2 Ward in Tuba City.  Bishop Ralph Begay who read the letter from Salt Lake saying the chapel had been approved.  We were actually at the sacrament meeting in the gym at the college in Tsaille when he read it. Then Brother Harvey Gardner a Former Area Seventy who does an amazing job in helping further the work among the Navajo people.  He lives in Page and when he turned 80 a grandson gave him a birthday card that said Happy 80^th birthday Grandpa, written below in gold lettering it said, Inside is a special message from God.  When he opened it he read, See you soon.  Fortunately Brother Gardner has a great sense of humor.

The final speaker was Stake President Romero Brown.  Each speaker told of how things had been and what the people needed to do as they go forward with this beautiful new chapel.  Attend meetings, pay and honest tithing, magnify callings, keep the church clean and a make it a sacred place.

I am confident they did not compare notes, but the messages were all the same in the counsel that they gave.  It was a wonderful meeting and I am so glad we were able to go.

We renewed our friendships with the people that we had meet the first season we were here.  The O’Daniels now have a baby girl, Cassidy Rose.  They are always so gracious and welcoming.  Brother O’Daniel is the 1^st counselor and he conducted the meeting.  He is a great help to the people who garden over there.

Bishop Ralph Begay and his wife Priscilla also made us feel welcome and thanked us for driving so far.

Wesley Clement gave the closing prayer.  He is the one who goes out and helps new gardeners.  His wife and daughters are in the one picture.

We also got to see Rudy and Gloria Begay who drove over from Chinle.  They have been called to serve in the Family History Center.  I am hoping they will get the training they need very soon, so far it hasn’t happened, but hopefully soon.

We had a lot of memories flood our minds as we got closer to Lukachukai, I even suggested that we might ask for a transfer, only kidding LOL,  but it did cross our minds.

The all day sitting was hard on Elder Olson and since falling it wasn’t as easy as it usually is for me, but we are back safe and sound and very grateful for an amazing day.  The meeting was so full of peace and hope.

The family that did the Demo garden that first year over there has been baptized, how awesome is that?  I am pretty sure she did not remember me, but I remembered her and told her how happy I was to see her there with 3 of her sons.

Tomorrow is our last missionary training meeting for the season, so I need to get some sleep.

Sister Olson

 Members after Dedication

Rudy & Gloria Begay,  Elder & Sister Olson

Brother Harvey Gardner,  Brother & Sister O'Daniels and Family

Bishop Begay's wife Priscilla and girls.  Elder & Sister Olson

The front of the new chapel as you turn in off Hwy 191

No Broken Bones 11 Oct 2014

To:

Subject: No Broken Bones ;O]

Today I went walking and managed to take a grand spill on the sidewalk.  Not knowing where dad was I called Sister Simpson, since I had my cell phone.  I told her not to panic, that I was fairly sure nothing was broken, but my elbow hurt pretty bad and I did not want to try and get up without help.

  She was just getting out of the shower and even though I assured her that I thought I was OK she and Elder Simpson must have gotten there in about 3 mins.  We laughed and talked a while before I felt like getting up.

  I hit my leg just above my right ankle, both knees, then my elbow, before I completely landed on my back, so somehow I rolled as I fell.  I am glad I did not hit face first. ;o}

  I have managed to stay down the rest of the day.  Sister  Deaton's , mom retired just a month ago.  She is a nurse and she came over to check me out.  She did everything they would have done at the emergency room minus the big bill.  She is confident that I did not break any bones,  but the bruising is a big reminder that I am not invincible.

  I know that I was blessed because of your daily prayers.

  Oh yes, I did call dad and while I was still on the ground he called and drove home immediately and lathered me up with essential oils.  Then I got a blessing.  I have learned from previous blessings that the priesthood holder who pronounces the blessing is only a mouth piece for the Lord.  There is no way that they can know  what questions have been plaguing you and to which specific answers are given as the blessing is given.

  I have learned much through the years about the "Why me?" questions and have realized that the better question is "Why not me?"  I was and have been greatly blessed this day.  The  soreness will go away. the bruising will go away, but the memory of the blessing will bear special witness of God's love for me as His daughter and that He watches over me daily..

Love,

Mom