Dear Family and Friends,
I know it seems like I don't write as regular and I always feel a little bad, because things are happening all the time and I
think I need to record it, but then I get tired and have lots to do, so I talk
myself out of writing it down. Then I
think, you are doing family history right, so what is up with that kind of
thinking?
We did get to go to Utah for about 8 days
over the Christmas holidays. The
missionaries now need to get special clearance to leave even for Dr. or dental
appts. when they are out of zone which is every time we go to Flag or Page or even to one of the other units in the Stake,. I
don't think anyone is ever turned down, but they need to keep tract of where
you are, just in case. It is actually
one of my responsibilities to keep tract of the gardening missionaries. I tell them it is just a safe guard, so we
know which way to start looking if they don't get home safely.
While in Utah Elder Olson was able to shovel
Shelaine's driveway about seven times. He loved
it, trust me. He had good help with
Brock and Braxton although Brock was a little more interested in doing back
flips into the snow banks. ;o} I took
his picture which looked like he was doing a headstand in the snow bank, which
I guess you might say was exactly the effect he was trying to get.
We were suppose to leave the day after
Christmas, but Shelaine had prayed for snow, which came in abundance. We stayed 2 extra days. You need to know that we did have our
baggage packed and by the door and were ready to go, so we did try. ;o} even if we didn't
leave the driveway, which Elder Olson gladly shoveled again.
On the Saturday before Christmas all our
kids, grandkids, (minus JaKohbi, who called) plus Deana and Ricky came together for dinner, which was
wonderful. I didn't have to do much
except enjoy being a mom and grandma and watching everyone have fun sharing
memories, good food, tender moments in
time and laughing their heads off.
As
usually I heard "memories" that the kids shared and that I wasn't
privy too at the time they were being made. Some of them
probably could have remained their secret, but maybe the fact that they can
remember and laugh makes it OK.
We did head out on Friday at 5:30 AM and got
back to Tuba around 2:30 PM The roads
weren't bad until we got to Jacob's Lake and then we had to drive more slowly,
but all went well.
Elder Olson went with a member to cut wood
for the member's mother-in-law the next week.
They drove about 40 miles away and then off road in the snow. If I can find the picture I will post
it. I say this for all the comments we
get about being in sunny Arizona and basking in the sun. It went down to 8 degrees the last couple of
nights. Many people are dealing with
frozen pipes, which is certainly not fun.
Sister Goldtooth continues to make me stand
in awe of the amazing testimony and the great faith she has of the Savior and
the Atonement. A week ago she ended up
coming to Relief Society long after opening exercises. She is the president and right now both
counselors are unable to be here, and she still doesn't have a secretary. She
also showed up in pants, which was a surprise.
Well, we are not suppose to judge and so often we do without knowing the
whole story.
Sister Goldtooth had had a young man come late at
night, knock on the door, and simply say, "You need to come with
me." After a few questions and
prayer, she ended up going. She also
ended up spending the night in Flagstaff with his mother who did not want to be
alone. She just told her something to
the effect that she had watched Sister G and knew she could trust her because
of what she had observed in her.
It is a tragic story in many ways, but also
an amazing story that confirms that people do watch us and what we do. I do not know how that part of the story will
turn out, but I know that Sister G takes her calling very seriously and felt it was more important to come as she was, because she
was the president and no one knew where she was or why she hadn't shown
up. She had left Flagstaff at 9 am that Sunday morning after
spending the night with someone she didn't hardly know, but who knew her to be a good woman and someone
who could be trusted when she needed someone the most, who would stay by her and not judge her.
The other part of the story is that when
Sister G did not show up, the other Sister Missionary asked Sister Goldtooth's counselors
daughters who were there if their mother had told them what to do, and if their mom could not be there then they were taking over by default I guess you might say. Both girls got up. One played the piano while the other
conducted the singing. Then quickly one of them used her Ipod, found a conference talk, and gave a beautiful lesson.
Sister Goldtooth came in some time later and quietly sat in the back. After the girls finished the lesson, she shared her story. For obvious reasons I have not shared the details of her story, which is one that you hear in stunned silence, and which fortifies your testimony of having the gospel in your life and seeing the wisdom and strength of members here who help those who do not have the gospel, but who recognize the Savior's attributes in the example that the member lives and knowing what they see in the member, they will come forward and ask for help.
I am not sure I have written what I wanted to say, exactly how I should have, but I hope you will continue to keep the people here in your prayers. Members here have a number of challenges that other members do not. Those who have found the gospel and gained strong testimonies are amazing examples of what the gospel does to change lives and provide strength in difficult circumstances.
The weather continues to remain well below average temperatures for this time of year, and it is suppose to continue to stay cold throughout this week.
Something that warmed our hearts yesterday was a picture sent to our phones, showing Carter Michael Kjar Olson as the newest deacon in the Church. We are very proud grandparents of Carter and hope we can attend his ward so he can pass us the sacrament.
We would enjoy hearing from you. Letters, comments, or emails, warm our hearts. ;o}
Elder & Sister Olson
No comments:
Post a Comment