Christmas in Houston...

It was a nice Christmas. I missed all my kids, especially the grandkids, but this has been one of the most spiritual experiences of my life. I am enjoying my mission and there are good and bad days, but serving others is really the true meaning of the season. I have had wonderful experiences and met a lot of really wonderful people. I love my Heavenly Father and I know this is where I should be at this time of my life. I have missed my eternal sweetheart a lot, and I know this is something that he would want me to do as well. I know that my savior lives and I know this church is true. I hope that I can make a difference in someones life here in Houston.

A Trip to San Antonio...

The missionaries from the Employment Center all went to San Antonio. We went to move the office to a new location. It was in the same building, just a quick move upstairs. We really didn't do much since the trip from Houston was almost three hours and by the time we got there they were almost finished. The manager wanted us to have the opportunity to see San Antonio, so we stayed two days and went sight seeing and shopping, fuuuunnn. We got to see the Alamo, the San Antonio temple, and we had the best BBQ I think I have ever eaten, the original Rudy's BBQ. It was a real hole in the wall, but realllly good. We went shopping at the river walk, which is a river running thru downtown where you can shop and eat for hours, fuuuunn, again. I had a great time and it was such a nice break from the normal.

Out with the old and in with the new...

It was a sad time to see my companion,Marilyn Higham,go home. I got a new companion, Betty Jo Young. Life is a little different in the mission field, you make friends, they complete their mission, and you never know if you will see them again. I have enjoyed living with Sister Higham. She is a wonderful lady and become a wonderful friend.

Thanksgiving...

I had a great Thanksgiving. The senior missionaries all got together for a Thanksgiving feast. It was a little strange not cooking, I did miss my family, but I enjoyed the dinner and the great friends.

Catching up...

I am really getting behind. This is going to be an attempt to catch up on my blog. It's been a busy few months. We're really busy at the Employment Center, but we still find our weekends to go out and see the area. We made a little trip up to Huntsville. It's north of Houston and besides the college town they have lots of memorials there for Sam Houston and, of course, it is known for the prisons there. We made a stop at a prison museum (really strange place)

Quilt Festival...

I went to the quilt festival....

Sister Chestnut and I went to the International Quilt Festival here in Houston. It was so much fun. We saw such wonderful quilts and the latest quilting methods. It was such great fun and I just love Sister Chestnut, she's a great lady. She and her husband are serving in the mission office. They are from Spanish Fork, Utah.
The Quilt Festival was at the Brown Conference Center downtown Houston. It was huge and we walked from 10 in the morning until 3. I got my picture taken with Alex Anderson. She hosted the show "Simply Quilts" on the hgtv channel for years. She was really nice. We saw wonderful antique quilts, these are pictures of a few of my favorites.

Two months into my mission...

It was a great week. Monday all the missionaries in our area had the opportunity to spend time with Paul V. Johnson of the Seventies. He met each one of us individually and then we listened to him, President Hansen, and Sister Hansen for four hours. I can't believe I actually sat through a four hour meeting. Afterwards, all the senior missionaries prepared dinner for him, so then we were able to have dinner with him and his wife at President Hansen's home. It was a great experience for me. He and his wife were such warm and down to earth people. I've been in the mission field for two months already. I'm enjoying every minute of it and making some wonderful friends.

My roommate is Sister Higham, she's a very sweet lady. She's from Logan, Utah, she's about 72 and this is her second mission. She works in the Mission Home. Then Sister Lish works in the Employment Center with me. She's lots of fun. She's from Idaho. She's about 56 years old. Then Steve Stott is the Employment Resource Center manager and Alex Lamar is the Assistant manager. The couple is Bro and Sister Walker. They were in the MTC with me. They will be working at different locations as need throughout Houston. I just love them, they are the nicest people, they're from Delaware. They will be here for 23 months.

My first week in the mission field. I've been really busy and trying to get settled in. When I arrived last weekend I met everyone in the mission home and the employment center. I got a tour of the bishop's storehouse and the cannery. They will be canning peanut butter here in a few weeks when the crops come in. I can hardly wait. Our apartment is very nice, it's called Cypress Lakes. We live on the bottom floor.

My companion and I

July 26, 2009

It's been a great week. I've met lots of wonderful people and learned so much. My companion, Nancy Morgan from Salt Lake, has gone on to Oklahoma. It was nice getting to know her. It's amazing how much we had in common. I will be spending this next week training for Welfare, Employment Resource. Tomorrow we will be going to Salt lake to tour Welfare Square. It'll be another busy week. Up at 6:00 am and classes and training until 6:00 pm. I'll be flying to Houston next Saturday morning nice and early.

I'm at the MTC...

Well I'm finally here at the MTC. It's been a crazy week so far. Lots of meetings and learning discussions. Next week I'll have training for special assignments, which is my calling at the Employment Resource Center. It's a wonderful experience and the spirit is so strong here. I'm enjoying every bit of it.

I'M GOING ON A MISSION !!!

Well, it finally came. I've been waiting for my mission call for over two months. I am going to the Texas Houston Mission. The assignment is The Texas Houston Welfare Employment Resource Center as an Employment Resource Specialist. I have to admit I was taken back a little. I wanted to get out of the heat, not into the humidity. I guess I'm really not surprised at the assignment, since I've worked as a payroll specialist for the last 20 years. I am excited, and looking forward to a little change. I love the Lord and will serve the best I can.

Easter

On Sunday the family came over for dinner and a little Easter egg hunt. The kids are all growing so fast. I enjoy my Grandchildren and their cute little personalties.

IT'S SPRING....

Well it's hard to believe spring is here again, but all the signs are here. My yard is getting green and the roses are blooming...

This is my last week at work..I'M RETIRING. I have mixed emotions over it. Part of me is a little sad to be leaving a job I've had for 20 years, but I'm anxious for some change in my life. They're having a little farewell party Thursday at the office. My boss asked me if I wanted a rocking chair or luggage. I told him luggage would be great since I don't plan to sit around rocking...

Yesterday was a fun day. I went to Katana's basketball game. She's good...but she's good at everything she does. Then last night I went to Paul's Scout Court of Honor. He conducted the meeting and it was fun seeing him get his advancement and patches. Have I said lately I have the most beautiful grandchildren in the world...

It's been a busy week. Last weekend I went to Amazing Jakes for Jayden's birthday party. He is such a cute kid and everyone loves him. He was cute with all his friends and cousins.