Belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone!

I'll have to add pictures another time - sorry ~

This part was written before Christmas:

I think I mentioned Martina before; I don’t remember if she’s Catholic, or some other Christian religion.  She came into the office looking for whatever help she could get for work.  Many people come in thinking we are a staffing agency.  At times, it’s too bad we are not, but that is not our purpose.  We are a resource for job seeking skills, though we do have a tendency to try and match people and jobs together.  I have seen too many times in the almost 9 months that I have been here, where a job will come open, someone comes in the office in the next day or two needed that type of particular job, the person is referred, and a job is acquired!  It is amazing!  The Lord’s hand is definitely in this work.

It was one of those moments for me, however, when Martina came in the office just before Thanksgiving.  It is rare to see true, child-like faith as strong as Martina’s.  I was at a place where I needed to literally SEE her faith.  It surrounded my heart!  Another tender mercy in my behalf.  We have sent Martina job leads since she came into the office about 3 weeks ago.  She hasn’t responded much, but did send a txt back once that said she was applying at a couple of places.  We sent her a txt asking how things were going just in the last couple of days.

She actually called, needing help.  As she hasn’t been able to find a job, her power was turned off.  She had food in the fridge and freezer she was worried about, and! It was getting cold (for here) (in the low 30’s – I know – stop laughing all you cold weather folks!).  She thought of us, and asked if there was anything we could do.  I spent some time on the phone trying to find the right resources.  United Way has a program when called, which is 2–1–1, gives the names and numbers of resources that are willing to help.

Unfortunately, Martina has already used up some of these resources.  I did, finally, find someone from what would be her ward if she were a member and talked with the Bishop’s representative (Long story).  I don’t know what can be done, or even what should be done, but someone will go and make an assessment to see.  It certainly made me grateful for people that are willing to go out of their way to see what help can be given.  It has reinforced the knowledge of how grateful I need to be for all that I have; all the blessings from Heavenly Father; and all Tom did to provide for our family.  I recognize my dependence on others, in many ways.  I truly am blessed beyond measure – I am so grateful for all I have; all Heavenly Father is trying to help me become.

Martina emailed me back just the other day, and said the ward where she lives gifted the money she needed to get her power back on.  She is also going to church with one of the families from that ward.  Someone didn’t have to freeze, and hopefully that same someone will join the church.  Awesome!

Sister Morris and I have found the best thrift store!  I remember you, Mom, saying you had found one in one of the towns you served in!  It’s called American Vets, where the proceeds are giving to programs for veterans.  We have found some really cute skirts/tops, etc for us, and even some for the young Sister Missionaries.  After finding some several times, we decided our budgets just can afford that, so we talked with our Stake Relief Society President (who just HAPPENS to be in our ward!), got the names of the Relief Society Presidents of the different wards in our stake, emailed them asking for gently used skirts, and ending up with skirts, blouses, sweaters, even coats! from our ward, and I will be going to pick up things from another ward in the stake as well!  I know there are over 100, possibly 200 pieces of clothing on Sister Morris’ bed!

Sister Morris has been in Virginia this past week, attending her granddaughter’s baptism.  She received permission from President Gelwix to attend.  She will be back Saturday night (15^th).  Most of what is here will have been taken to Sister Gelwix before Sister Morris gets back.  I am currently looking for hangers, and a way to put what size each piece of clothing is.  It’s awesome to see such generosity!  Just like any person feels, it’s fun to get something new and different to wear when you have the same clothes day in and day out to choose from!

There is a sister in the ward whose husband died about the time Sis. Morris and I arrived here.  She is a sweetie.  I saw her at Michaels yesterday.  She was buying plastic flowers to put on her husband’s grave.  It was a hard moment for her, so I spoke with her for a bit, then I was talking with the cashier about it, and how sad that was.  She said her marriage ended about 3 years ago in divorce, which is just like a death or a loss, and how difficult that had been.  I told her I understood as my husband had died 2½ years ago, and said I was so glad I knew Jesus was there to help me/us through.  She said she believed in Jesus, so I handed her the Christ coming out of the tomb pass along card for her to “look at” when times were tough.  I’m always glad there are numbers on the back which people can call!

This part is written after Christmas:

Sister Morris bought a headstone for her grandfather’s grave.  We took it up today, to Winton, which is outside Merced.  It will be placed in the ground in about 2 weeks, so we will drive back up there to see it so Sister Morris can have a before and after shot.  Her grandpa has been identified!  It was a sweet tender moment for Sister Morris.

There was a funeral going on while we were there, which was why we could go up on a Saturday.  I started feeling that feeling we all get when we are supposed to share the gospel with someone.  I told Sister Morris I didn’t know what I was doing, but took out some Spanish Pass along cards.  We started taking with a couple who were walking back to their car that we were so sorry, and were they related to the deceased?  It happened to be the wife’s cousin.  I gave them the pass along card with Christ coming out of the tomb, sincerely told them I was sorry for what they were going through.  They were very kind and said thank you very much.

For some reason, we got into the car, and started driving around closer to the gravesite.  There were all these people with black shirts on, with something on the back, and we were thinking they were with an organization or a gang.  When we got closer, we realized it was a picture.  We asked one younger man if we could see the picture.  He said sure!  It was of a nice looking young man, with a nice smile.  He told us it was their 21 year old friend who had been found all shot up.  He said something that really gave us pause to think – “You know – that’s life.  He’s in a better place now.”   Isn’t that just sad?  Thinking being shot up and killed was “life”. That’s a pretty awful way of life.  The man saw the Christ pass along cards, and asked, “Can I have one of those?”  (What do you think I said!)   Then he asked for some for his friends.  WOW!  We told him we were so sorry, and to tell his friends the same.  He said, again, that his friend was in a nicer place, but this time, there was a question in his voice.  We said of course he was, then we drove away.  Heavenly Father is really so very good to us, to allow us to participate in spreading His gospel.  Whether or not anything comes of it, we followed the promptings of the Spirit, and when we do that, we are NEVER sorry.

On Sunday, Dec. 23^rd, I received a blessing to be able to function as the Mission Medical Coordinator.  Sister Gelwix really needed the help, and no one else offered, so I told Sister Gelwix I would.  It’s been an interesting experience so far!  Lots of computer input, and talking with Missionaries!  How cool is that?  It will be a great way to get my medical skills back into practice, and keep them strong, as well as helping these people who have dedicated their lives to Heavenly Father.  I’ve had some phone calls, so that’s good.

While we were there talking, President and Sister Gelwix said they were delivering the Missionaries Christmas gifts to the north and south parts of the mission.  We offered to go north so President and Sister Gelwix didn’t have to go south AND north.  We were able to see some of the Elders in Merced, Turlock, and Modesto and sang “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” to those at the stake center drop off points.  The last drop off however, in Modesto, was at a humble member’s home.  They found out we were just heading out to come back to Fresno, and invited us to dinner.  They welcomed us into their home; into their family, to share their Christmas Eve dinner.  As we were leaving, they gave us a little gift.  How kind is that?  It really touched my heart

Christmas was nice.  I skyped with Camden, Taegen and Karla; talked with family members; went to see ‘Les Miserables’, came home and helped Britta with the finishing touches for Christmas dinner with her family; talked with more family!

My father in law, Willis had broken some ribs, then had a problem with his bowel, then had a stroke.  He is apparently doing much better than last week, for which I am most grateful!

I had my "hump" day on the 26th - it's hard to believe I'm half way finished!

We went to the Fresno Fair Grounds to see the Hmong’s New Year Celebration today.  It was loud, colorful, entertaining, and the food we had was good.  We had Pho soup, purple sticky rice, grilled chicken – We met some people who were helping as much as possible with the organizers over lunch.  The gentleman felt happy to be called a VIP.  We asked a bunch of questions, and understood most of what he and his wife said.  These people are refugees from Mongolia, starting first in Laos then going all over the world.  There were some Elders there at a booth.  Their names look really different and long in Hmong.

We are giving a presentation at a ward tomorrow that starts at 8:30 am - ugh!  We hope it will go well.

We will probably have a movie night here on New Year’s Eve.  We are inviting lots of people, but most people are already busy.  Hopefully we can find a good movie.  Our friend Becky says Native Americans from all different tribes from all over will be having a Pow-wow at the convention center here in Fresno on New Year’s Eve from 12 noon to 12 midnight, and Becky asked if we would like to go.  We said sure!  As we are working during the day, we won’t be going to all of it, but if it’s anything like the Hmong celebration – it will be really cool!

I gotta go – yup – bedtime!  Things are going well – we are always busy, which is why it’s been so long since I’ve written.  I made an appointment so I could send this out!   I'm mostly kidding!

Thank you to everyone for your thoughts and prayers, for all that you do for me!  I am blessed to have the privilege of serving Heavenly Father, and am grateful to be here.

I hope all is well with everyone – Happy New Year to one and all!  Love, Sister Ure

Happy Belated Thanksgiving to everyone!  I hope you all had a wonderful time with your family and friends!  To all those who went out on Black Friday – I hope you found exactly what you were looking for at exactly the right price, and enjoyed the festive stores and air! 

We were invited to 4-5 different homes, one of which was from our friend, Becky, so knew we needed to support Becky (who has recently come back into the Church)and her brother, George, at their meal.  Everything was wonderful!  We just needed to bring a salad, rolls, and pie!  (Thank goodness for store bakeries for the pies!  There IS a Marie Callenders here; it’s just a little far and expensive for pies for Thanksgiving.)  We had a fun time, and were blessed to be able to attend.

We both were feeling a little under the weather, so we didn’t do much else.  It was a nice, relaxing day – a time to thank Heavenly Father for all of the blessings we receive by His hand.    I had started to cough, so I wore a mask and some gloves to Becky’s.

That night, Dan arrived!  Yup – Daniel, my son, drove all day on Thanksgiving to come visit me for a couple of days!  Isn’t that great!!  What a great privilege for me and how kind, generous, and thoughtful of him!

For Friday's meal at Britta's house because Dan was driving all day Thursday, we had assigned out some of the meal to those who were attending.  We didn’t know, exactly, how many people were coming.  We had a possibility of 8 guests, but ended up having 5 guests, which was just fine.  Britta went to Utah for Thanksgiving to be with her family.

We were trying to be organized and figured we had a few hours to kick around, after the turkey was in the oven, as dinner was at 4 pm.  So we planned (Sister Morris, Dan, and I) to go to a movie.  (Yes!  It IS okay that we go to movies!)  We were sitting there, the actual movie having been playing for maybe 10 minutes, when Sister Morris leaned over and said “I forgot to turn on the oven!”  I said something like “Really???  Are you sure??”  She said, yes – that she remembered placing the turkey in the oven, but did not remember turning the oven on!  I asked shall we all go make sure?

She chose to forgo the movie – told Dan and I to stay there, and she went home and turned the oven on, peeled the potatoes, and a few other tasks, so there wasn’t much to do after she picked us up from the show.  She said she was grateful for the prompting of the Holy Ghost – otherwise, it would have been a strange Thanksgiving feast without the turkey, and gravy!

I was feeling bad about her paying for the movie and not getting to watch it, but when Sister Morris picked us up after the movie, she said she had asked for a refund when she left, and they were okay with giving it to her.  Good for her!

It was a great meal and a great time – we had so much food, that no one felt like they wanted to eat much pie – we had a lot of leftover pie (and turkey, and potatoes, and… okay – that’s about it).  I am surprised I didn’t take any pictures at either of our Thanksgiving feasts!  Silly Grandma! (which is what Camden and Taegen say).

Saturday morning, Dan, Sister Morris and I went to some underground gardens here in Fresno.  There weren’t a lot of “gardens” but many fruit trees and grapes still growing.  The underground gardens were dug by one Baldasare Forestiere, a Sicilian immigrant, who started digging in 1906 here in Fresno.  It was too hot for him in the summer, so he decided he would live underground.  It is unclear how many chambers and tunnels he had actually completed, as he did not map anything.  He had 80 acres and tunnel going out from where he lived to the 99 highway, which doesn’t mean a lot to anyone in Bountiful, but we saw the map, and it’s pretty incredible!   Most of what he dug has been filled in, as most of the property was sold off after Forestiere died.

Here is the link if you want to see http://forestiere-historicalcenter.com   It was really cool!  Forestiere had grafted up to seven fruits on one tree at one time, but that tree doesn’t have that many fruits on it now: but I remember lemons, oranges, grapefruit and ??? something else.

 

 

This picture sort of shows the summer bedroom on the left, and the winter bedroom on the right.  The summer bedroom was open to the outdoors. 

We also went to downtown Fresno, as we hadn't really been there before.  We went to this lighthouse looking place, and Sister Morris set off the alarm - It was suppose to be open...   We walked the outside mall - Fulton Mall - took a couple of photos at the fountain there - it was a nice, warm day to be out and about.

Dan and I went on a bike ride after some lunch – as there are only 2 bikes – Sister Morris wanted to stay home and work on her black and white quilt (more on that in a bit).  It was a really nice afternoon, and a very nice bike ride.  I’m grateful Dan chose to come for Thanksgiving.  Though it was hard to see him go, it was super nice for him to be here!  I appreciated some tips and helps he gave as well.

See all you seniors and pre-seniors!  There are many advantages for us as older missionaries!  My companion is going to Virginia in less than 2 weeks for her granddaughter’s baptism!  Of course everything is based on mission president approval, but as most of you know – we have our own cell phones and computers, etc.  It isn’t like it is for the younger missionaries, in some aspects.  It would, also, depend on the type of mission you serve.  We are Welfare Missionaries, but have been called and set apart as missionaries for our Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ.  So we still talk to people all the time, give ‘pass along’ cards, Books of Mormon, family helps, etc.  You all should try it!  What a learning experience!

Monday (the 19^th) was Sister Morris’ birthday.  It was one she didn’t like having.  I suggested to her to not worry so much about what age she was turning, and to think of it as she was having the 21^st anniversary of her 39^th birthday!  I don’t think she thought that helped much.  We had cake, balloons, posters, etc. up.  It was fun to … I wouldn’t say tease, because I tried to be…. kind?  So I guess I will say, it was fun to get everything ready!  I do have some pictures of that here.  There was, also, a surprise birthday dinner at Applebees that night, which was fun as well!

 

(Notice the question mark by the 40th)  Sister Morris determined that she needed a pity party, and …. requested…. everyone wear black and white last Monday to the office.  (not everyone got the memo, and not everyone was there).  She also decided she wanted a black and white pity blanket which she had asked I make for her, though later decided she needed to make it so she could really feel sorry for herself!  I’ll try to remember to get some photos of it when it is done.  It keeps evolving, as projects so often do.

We have moved the furniture around in the office, again…..  This time I was determined to not move the heavy desks around without the use of those mover disks dealies that when placed under furniture help it glide, and yes – they work wonderfully! – so I went and bought some.  They saved our backs, hands, legs – you name it!  We now have our workshop classroom in the back where my desk and our associate manager’s desk were.  This is the conference room now -

 

The associate manager had previously moved into a different office.  We, partially, took apart those two desks, and moved them out front.  There are now 5 desks in the front office.  The conference table has been moved into that back room   I’ll see if I can take a picture or two and post them later.

Break a leg to the Sterling Singers and their concert at the Tabernacle tomorrow night, and especially Marie and Lyle!  You are the best!

I am heading to InstaCare – I’m pretty sure I have a lovely sinus infection, and feels like it might be heading south to the bronchi.  Time to go to the doctor!  SO – everything is par for the course – nothing new there!

Well – I am back from InstaCare, after 2 shots given where it now hurts to walk, a breathing treatment, 3 prescriptions …..  it’s not just a sinus infection – I also have ear infections and pneumonia.  The last part really surprised and dismayed me.  I really didn’t feel that bad until last night.  I was coughing a bit here and there, but it hit pretty hard in the middle of the night last night which is why I went to the doctor today.  I feel okay, a little tired – which is weird.  I am not contagious, which is great, but I can’t go to work for a couple of days so I will rest.

Not too much more to report here!  Just laying around, having been ordered to bed by 3 or 4 people…  I really do appreciate their concern – it makes one feel loved.  I, also, see Heavenly Father’s hand in this, as I prayed I would be healthy enough to spend time with Daniel, and not get our friend, Becky, sick.  Blessed, and more blessed!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!  Through all of life’s ups and downs, through disappointments, fears, heartache and sinful sorrow – we ALWAYS have our Savior to turn to for his redeeming and saving grace.  I don’t want to think what my life would be like without Him.  I am so very thankful for all that He does for me, and for all of you, too.  Best wishes to all – Love, Sister Ure

Sister Morris and I have had an amazing last couple of days!  It truly takes our breath away.  We normally do not have a lot of opportunity to preach the Gospel, but we have spoken with 3 people in the last 3 days about the Gospel - about the Plan of Salvation, the Gospel, the Restoration of the Gospel - those 3 are amazing, prepared by the Lord's hand, people.  We have been told frequently here that Heavenly Father has prepared many - thousands of - people, in this mission alone, to receive the Gospel.

The first was a younger man who was there to fix and perform regular maintenance on the heating and air conditioning.  Sister Morris kept asking him if he wanted to know about this, or that, and could she have the phone number and address - he just kept saying yes.  He left with 3 pamphlets and a Book of Mormon. 

Next was a woman who knows God.  I have not seen such great faith, no, not among any of the Nephites - just kidding - but she, truly, has such great faith!  I was humbled by her witness of God.  She calls Him "Pops" - which, from her, was not demeaning at all!  She truly loves our Heavenly Father.  She, too, left with 3 pamphlets, a Book of Mormon, a blessing, and a ride home, as she had taken the bus, and it was dark, and the name and number of the Bishop over the area she lives in.

Today, not only did we give this man (Herb) a Book of Mormon and the 3 pamphlets, but Heavenly Father needed this man to KNOW He knew him.  He came in to look for work; he had been told we are not a staffing agency, and was okay with getting as much information as he could receive.  We had been out running a couple of errands, and met the man at the office.  While we were gone, a copy of an email listing a recent job posting about farming/agriculture on Sister Morris' desk - she placed it aside as she tried to help this man.  

He had driven his "adopted" mother from Arizona to Fresno so she could be by family in a retirement community.  He didn't have much money left, and could not get back to Arizona.  He said there weren't any jobs there and thought he could get one in Fresno to earn some money to go home.  Little did he know Fresno has 18% + unemployment!  He was telling us of his work history, farming, sprinkling systems, HVAC at a hospital.  Sister Morris picked up the email job posting and asked if he had done what was listed on the email.  He said he had!  Sister Morris decided to call about the job.  In speaking with the person who had sent the email, he asked Sister Morris if Herb had done sprinkling - Herb asked which of the two kinds, but he had experience in both.  Then the person asked another question, and Sister Morris said, "why don't you just talk with Herb.  He's right here." 

Herb had a phone interview right there on the spot!  He is to send in a resume, and we will help him with that tomorrow.  One of the most amazing things was that this job was sent by someone on the coast to Fresno, for a position in Arizona!  Herb from Arizona in Fresno needing a job to get back to Arizona and has an interview over the phone almost right after he walked in the building for a job in Arizona!  I was/am so very aware of Heavenly Father's hand in Herb's life!  I have been allowed to be a witness of this great blessing and miracle.  It is so humbling - so exciting - so wonderful!  We prayed for Herb tonight, and ALL of those that come into the Employment Center, that they may obtain jobs to help them become self-reliant. 

One other part to each of these situations is that these people had said they were looking for a new church!  There are NO coincidences in this life.  Heavenly Father knows ALL things!  He puts into place those things that are for our best eternal welfare!  Each of these people still have their agency and maybe nothing will happen right now, but a seed, at the least, has been planted!

I am feeling so very blessed - how wonderful is our Father!  How great is His love for each of us!  I bear testimony this is true, in Jesus Christ's name.  Love, Sister Ure

This part was written last week -

It actually looks like Fall here in Fresno!  It's starting to FEEL like Fall too!  When we leave for the office at about 8:00 am - it's only 60 degrees ~  What's up with that?

Chance of rain:  0%     Wind:  WSW at 7 mph        Humidity:  64%    UV Index:  4 - Moderate

Snow: 0 inches

 

Saturday:  Sunshine and some clouds. High 76F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.

Oh my!  I don't know if I can handle it being only 76 degrees F.  I'll have to wear a long sleeve shirt instead of a short sleeve shirt!  Hey!  I figure - we suffered through the 40 + days of over 100 degree Summer - we can truly enjoy the very beautiful Fall we've had, and it has been nice.  I think we had 1-2 days of rain, but that's okay. 

Here are a couple of tree pictures - sorry for the poles and telephone lines!










It could probably use some more, but around here, they pray to not have rain until the raisins are harvested!  Sister Morris had a couple of pictures on her camera of the grape harvest. 

 

There were an amazing amount of grapes on the vines!  (yes - that's me in my weird hat! This is just a photo opp, as my wrist wouldn't let me do more at the time.)




I rotated and emptied the gathering bowls.

 

 You are suppose to carefully lay the grapes out on the brown paper.  You can see the papers laid out on this row.  This is just a part of the row.  Each row was 1 mile long and I think our ward had 5 rows.  The Spirit was fabulous though! Something to remember!  I might be here for next year's harvest as well - that would be cool!

 

Another couple of pictures that were on Sister Morris' camera were from our Memorial Day trip to the Sequoias.  The first one is a shot of what are called Snow Flowers around here.  During the Spring, if it snows, these flowers pop up!  It had snowed the night before we arrived.  Aren't they beautiful?!? 

 

We always seem to be busy!  We have had some health issues, but seem to be on the mend.  Last week I had the worst headache ever, and it lasted for 2-3 days!  I don't know if it was a virus, or a migraine.  I've not had a migraine before, so how would I know?  It was something I hope to not have again - ever!  Sister Morris has caught a couple of colds, besides having the coughing issue.  She seems to be getting better with all of it.  We are praying for her immune system to kick in gear now.

 

This is a picture of Becky after coming out of the Stake President's office in getting her temple recommend!  She truly was happy!  She is great!

 

 

 

Sister Scoffield gave Sister Morris and I these cute pumpkins that she made!  Very clever and gifted.  Bunny Ursenbach gave the adorable brown pumpkin made from the sleeve of an old sweater, and the jam!  Yum! yum!  Talk about being spoiled!

 

 

 We had a real scare with our friend, Becky.  She was vomiting, and her blood pressure was up to 212/106.  We ended up taking her to the hospital on Wednesday evening.  We were there until .... a time I can't tell you .... , we left her there as they said they were going to admit her to the hospital shortly.  We stopped by before going to the office the next morning, and she had JUST gotten to her room!  We could not believe it!  It took ... a LONG time - many hours ... to get her into her room.  If we'd known it was going to take that much time, we would have stayed with her.  We felt really, really bad.

 

She had a really rough day - as a matter of fact, it was so bad, she doesn't even remember it.  Her blood pressure was still up, and she was having back pain (sciatic nerve pain), and she had a seizure.  We were very worried about her, and asked our District, and ward members here, to pray for her.  She turned the corner midday today, and it's hard to believe she's the same person, but oh so thankful, as she has become our sister.

 

We are grateful for all the people who prayed for her, and know it was because of their faith and their prayers that she is doing as well as she is now.  We hope she can come home on Sunday or Monday.  She was going to go through the temple tomorrow, but it has been postponed until next Saturday.  We are so happy for her, though, to be at this point in her life, that she can go! 

 

11/10/12

 

Becky went home last Sunday!  She is still really weak, not eating enough, but!  We were blessed to be able to go to the temple with her as she received her endowment today!  It was humbling to be there with her and we are grateful to know her.  She knows she has work to do for those in her family who have died.  We pray she will have the strength she needs to complete the task she needs to do.  We've told her we will help her! 

 

This is a post hospital picture - you can tell she still doesn't feel well - it was hard on her to go, but she was SO determined to not postpone it another week.  She now thinks she's 100% Mormon!

 

We went to do an initiatory session on Thursday - we actually have a standing reservation for every Thursday night at the 6:45 pm initiatory session.  We are still taking sisters with us, though we didn't have anyone for this past week.  Friday we had a Senior Missionary Conference all day.  It was really good - we had a couple of musical numbers, and training, and meeting in groups. 

 

 

A couple we have in the mission are Elder and Sister Brimley.  He is a professor at BYU and spoke with us for over an hour about marriage.  It was good, because it can be applied to all of our relationships.  We were fed lunch by Sister Gelwix, and her helpers, but mostly Sister Gelwix, as the helpers are missionaries!  

 

 

It's kindof weird having training meetings with the senior couples, in that we don't do much of what they do, and they don't do what we do.  President said every position in the mission is vitally important.  We have been out looking for people on our ward's membership list that are less active.  Only a couple of them have been found.  We still have some more to look for!

 

Last night, after the conference, we went to a play put on by the Fresno North Stake YW/YM.  It was called "In God We Trust".  It was really good, and the youth did a fantastic job.  It was really crowded, and we arrived 1/2 hour early and sat on the back row!  We saw quite a few people we know, including our associate manager, Brother Addington and his wife, missionaries, people serving in the storehouse - Sister Morris recruited someone to come volunteer to do resumes!  Wow!  that's awesome!

 

Britta signs up to feed the missionaries once a month, and she has her home teachers over too, and we did that tonight.  There was another couple this week, so there were nine of us.  We had stew and Sister Morris made some great French bread!  I had 3 pieces - not a great way to lose weight.

 

I had best sign off -

 

My deepest condolences to Rosie and her family for the passing of her mom.  Death is never easy for those of us left behind.  My thoughts are prayers go to you all ~  Love, Sister Ure

 

We have been having wonderful weather - I hear it's suppose to change tonight and tomorrow, as there is a storm coming in from the Alaskan Gulf.  I could have it be 75-80 degrees with a beautiful, blue sky and sunshiny forever!  Maybe I wouldn't appreciate it after a while, but I'm willing to find out!

We were really busy at the office this week!  Sister Morris was sick a couple of 1/2 days, but seems to be feeling a little better.  We are going back to Merced for an appointment Wednesday afternoon, so maybe she will hear something that will help her be well.  She is starting to think it's her gallbladder!  Hopefully the Dr. will let her have some imaging done - like an ultrasound of her gallbladder, AND her esophagus!  That would be a blessing!

We have been helping more people with their resumes.  Some of the people cannot type on the computer, as they are older, so at times, it's just easier for us to do it, though we ARE supposed to be teaching them self reliance!  We had a gentleman come to the door and asked if we were an employment agency.  We told him we aren't a "staffing agency" for temporary workers, but we help people with their job seeking skills; that we teach the Career Workshop on Tuesdays, and can help people with their resumes.  He thought that would be great, so he came in.  As most companies have people fill an application out online, then email a copy of their resume, he needed to have an email address.  We set up an email address for him.  Then tried to get him onto ldsjobs.org, but had a problem with the password, etc.  So he decided he would go home, and come back the next day for some resume help.

Before he left, he said, "I think my son is a member of this church."  I asked if he belonged to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or 'the Mormons'.  The man said he thought he did.  I asked what he knew of the Mormons.  He said he had grown up Catholic, and had gone to a couple of other Christian churches - I said our church was Christian, and we have Jesus Christ in the name of the Church - as it was His church.  We talked a bit about a few other things, like how Jesus set up His church when He was on the earth, and had Apostles like Peter, James and John, etc. and then I asked him if he would like a couple of brochures.  He said yes, that he would like to know more about this church.  I gave him The Plan of Salvation, The Gospel of Jesus Christ, and The Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.  He said that would be great, and he could read through them.  Then I gave him a Book of Mormon telling him that it was my most favorite book in the world, and when he read it, to be sure to do what it says in Moroni 10:4-5, marked the passage, and sent him on his way. 

I'm really blessed!  It is such an amazing feeling to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with people.  I am so grateful for the times I listen to the Holy Ghost - SO grateful!  I let a couple of people slip by without saying anything to them, but I am trying to not do that again, so I talk of Christ, or I talk of families.  Sister Morris is good at it - as I am good with writing things, she is good talking about things and has an easy time making "connections" with people.
The man did come back the next day and Sister Morris, Brother Tanner (one of the volunteers), and I each gave a section of the Career Workshop to this gentleman, then I helped him with his resume.  All throughout this time, we, each, are trying to build him up, and help him by pointing out, as it says in the Workshop, all of the talents and skills he possesses.  He is really skilled - he has put together and organized a whole processing plant than manufactures boxes!  He knows how to repair them, refurbish them, and design and build them.  He's pretty talented.  During our time, we talked of how Heavenly Father knew him, and had guided him to our office.  What a priviledge it was to work with him.

  Later than night, after going to the temple with Sister Metler from our ward here, we stopped at a place called Yodiggity Yogurt - where you get whatever you want, yogurt, toppings, etc and pay by weight (reminds me of Brasil, Dan!) - And I wonder why I've gained weight here!

The girls behind the counter said they thought we were members of the same church the owner of Yodiggity was from - as they recognized the name tags.  We asked what do you know about the Mormons, would you like to know more?  One of the girls said yes, and the other said her extended family that live in Idaho were Mormons. but she didn't really know anything about the Mormons.  So we gave them a couple of brochures - The Plan of Salvation and as I had only 1 Book of Mormon, gave it to both of them.  The girl that said yes seemed really pleased. 

We went to a birthday party for our friend Shamara, and the Elders were there.  They asked us if we would like to go out on a team up with them.  I was only slightly paying attention, so I didn't realize it was for that night (Friday).  We went, yes in separate cars, to a woman named Launa.  She was a hoot!  She is an investigator who at one time if you were Mormon, you belonged to a cult.  She has had her heart softened, though she still has issues, she even talks about being Mormon at some point in her life.  That was a priviledge to be there.

We went to the baptism of a 91 year old man from our ward yesterday.  His name is Eugene, and he is a cutie!  The Spirit was so powerful there.  The Holy Ghost helped me to feel that Heavenly Father was so pleased with Eugene for choosing to be baptized.  It was really nice. 

We took our friend Becky, and she just absorbed all that was there like a sponge.  She is feeling very tender hearted, as she had her Bishop's Interview for her temple recommend today.  She can go this Thursday to see the Stake President!  As her car didn't pass inspection, she has no wheels to get her where she needs to be.  We will pick her up and take her to the appointment.  We normally go to the temple on Thursdays, but we feel this is really important!

After the baptism, as we were gathering around eating these yummy sugar cookies, and pumpkin shaped rice krispie squares, etc (now you KNOW why I've gained weight!), I was talking with some of the people there; one of them was the boyfriend of Eugene's granddaughter; a really polite young man.  The Holy Ghost was telling me to talk to him about the Church, but for some reason I thought the Elders would do it; so just as this young man is heading out the door, I sense the urgency from the Spirit to go up to him. 

I asked him how he felt during the baptism.  He said it felt like it did when he had been baptized.  I was a little confused after that comment, thinking he WAS LDS, but asked what ward he was in.  He said "a what?"  Luckily I'm not too dense, and The Spirit helped me realize he wasn't a member, and I asked him if he had ever read the Book of Mormon.  He said no, and I asked if he would like to, and he said yes, that he would.  So - luckily I had put another Book of Mormon into my purse, and gave it to him.  He, too, seemed pleased!

I gave the Elders, and Eugene's daughter, who is a member, a head's up and said to make sure they followed up with that young man!

I am trying to talk with more and more people.  We need to!  I don't know about you, but I feel time is getting short - I felt that from Conference too. 

We were invited to dinner this afternoon.  We went to Brother Greg Cook's home, and his fiancee, Tamera Perkins, fixed a yummy meal!  There were 9 of us total - Britta, and other single sisters from the ward - we felt blessed to be counted among them.  It was nice of Brother Cook and Sister Perkins to invite us along.  Britta was nice to ask if we could also come.  We appreciated that!  Then we had choir practice.  I'll try and remember to take a picture next week of our choir.  It's really wonderful being able to sing in a choir again.

I best go - sorry there's only the one picture! I didn't take pictures anywhere else.  We have a very busy week this week, something every night!  Tuesday we are taking Becky out to see if we can find some sisters who are on the Relief Society roster, but no one knows who they are.  As we are at the office during the day, we need to go visiting at night, so hopefully the area is not too scary!  The addresses are over where Becky lives, which is not necessarily a very good part of town.  We will be careful.

My best to all!  Thank you for your prayers - I feel the strength, love, and power from them!  Love, Sister Ure

Today is just lovely outside - just lovely!  It is 78 degrees = beautiful sun-shiny day!  It was cooler in the house than outside, so I went and sat outside.  This is really a pretty place.  The summer has been very hot with over 40 days of it being over 100 degrees, but I have been blessed to be able to withstand it - which is a HUGE blessing for me, as I would prefer every day to be 78 degrees with beautiful sunshine!  I tried to take a photo to show the wonderful day!  This is a shot of going east on Britta's street.  I'm amazed there aren't any cars on the street!


We had Stake Conference last night and today.  They were enjoyable meetings~ I felt the Spirit so strongly today.  We sat on the back row of benches just before the overflow in the chapel.  We usually sit there because Britta likes to sit there as there is a walkway between the other rows of the chapel.  She knows so many people and she likes to greet each one. 

Britta was on the end, then Becky, Sister Morris and me.  On the other side of me was a young man who had been baptized 5 months ago.  His name is Martin, and he lives in the Sanger Ward which is a community about 15 minutes away, max.  He is a nice young man, and we spoke about a few things, one of which was him needing a job!  How convenient!  I gave him an office business card, and encouraged him to call.  I hope he does!

There are no coincidences.  Heavenly Father places people in our lives that we can help, or who can help us.  That is His way.  We choose whether or not to heed the promptings we receive from the Holy Ghost.  I felt impressed to ask Martin if he needed a job. He does -
Now Martin can choose whether or not he accepts the help the employment center can give him.

In September, Robin and Janene Phillips went to Yosemite National Park.  Isn't it wonderful that Yosemite is in our mission!  I was blessed that Sister Morris was willing to go to Yosemite so we could meet with them.  What a treat for me!
 

 We had breakfast at a really old lodge, then toured the Mariposa Sequoia Grove. The following are some of the pictures.

 

 

This is a really big tree root!  Guess what?  It was attached to a really big tree!  Can you believe it? 

 

 As you can see, the above tree is the Grizzly Giant!  It is massive!  It's amazing how many of the trees had survived forest fires.

 

This tree is the Faithful Couple, as it started out as two, then became one.  Kindof like the people in the picture above and below!  You guys are awesome!

 



 

  Nice photo of you two!

Cool walkway cut out in this tree. 



Sister Morris is still having some health issues.  We went to Merced a 2nd time on Friday for her to see a pulmonologist.  He and a respiratory therapist did a bunch of breathing tests, as the doctor, who was so willing to adjust his schedule for her, (another blessing!) thinks the problem might be asthma.  We shall have to see what the results say.  As this area is so agricultural, there are all kinds of things, including chemicals and smog, in the air.  This is the "chamber" where some of the tests were given.  Not fun!  She was pooped afterwards, and rightly so. 



While in Merced on the first doctor visit, we stopped in at the County Recorder's Office where Sister Morris was able to get a copy of her grandfather's death certificate.  It's amazing that she felt prompted to do that, because the family records show Feb. 26, 1956 as the death date, and his death certificate shows Feb. 25, 1956.  This is important as her family is getting together to buy a headstone. Heavenly Father is amazing!


We are blessed to have good people to work with; good people in Britta's ward and this area; of course, the best people at home!!  Thank you, everyone, for your thoughts and prayers.  It's hard to believe, sometimes, the amount of blessings we are receiving.  It is an amazing experience to give someone a Book of Mormon, or to testify of Jesus Christ, and to know with certainty this is the Lord's work, and in some small way, we are priviledged to be  a part of it.

I hope everyone has a great day and week!    Love, Sister Ure

Oh - this is a big, huge post!  Sorry!

09/16/12

Hi to everyone!  I know it’s been awhile since I last updated, but I’ve been out of town!  We have gone to Modesto twice for workshops (this is the 1st trip). 



 
We also went up to the Sacramento Temple on our 1st trip up to Modesto.  We had permission from President Gelwix to go outside our mission to go to the Temple there.  It is a beautiful temple!
 

 

 

 
 

 

 One of the Saturdays, we drove a young sister missionary up to the Yosemite ward/branch (?) so she could be at her 1^st investigators’ baptisms.  Two sons in one family were baptized.  It was so cute, because the younger of the two saw her walk in, and he ran to her and gave her the biggest hug!  Very touching!  I didn't get a picture!  drat!
 

This is a picture of someone we met at the baptism up at the Yosemite ward/branch.  His name is Chase Splan.   And this is Mrs. Chase Splan, as I don't remember her name.  He was a missionary “2 transfers” in front of Matt Belliston in the Italy Rome mission.  There have been several connections to the Belliston Family here.  Our former manager of the Employment office was in the same ward as Troy Belliston in Michigan!  Unreal! 

 
Marianne, I'll send it in a separate email to you so you can forward it to Matt.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Labor Day was good – we had a barbecue with some people from the office, and our friend, Becky, came as well.  We had “tri-tip”, a very nice piece of sirloin this area is known for, but happened to cook it twice as much as was necessary!  We weren’t told the correct information, so instead of a nice piece of beef, we had a tri-tip burnt biscuit!  We did have enough to feed everyone from the middle of the meat, but we know better for next time and will probably have it again sometime soon….. when we are home long enough to have a barbecue  …..  Britta went on a cruise to Alaska – she said it rained most of the time, but that it was so beautiful it was worth every drop!

 
 
 
 

 This is a picture of snow flowers.  It was taken when we went to the Sequoias National Park.  It had snowed a couple of days before we were there.  We saw these when we went over Memorial Day - they are so cool!   I finally downloaded Sister Morris' pictures from her camera.  There are pictures from when she first bought it, months ago! 

Last weekend was really busy.  We left for Modesto on Friday.  On the way up, we went searching for Sister Morris’ grandfather’s grave.  We had tried to find it on the trip back from our 1^st time to Modesto, just walking through a couple of the cemeteries, but were, obviously, unsuccessful.  Part of our workshop includes having a family crest.  Sister Morris asked her “family history” cousin if their family had a crest.  Her cousin sent some information about their family crest, some family history, and without knowing it, had, somehow, also sent a copy of her grandfather’s death certificate.  That was Heavenly Father’s hand in their lives.  Her grandpa wanted people to know where he was buried.  I saw the death certificate – it said Merced, CA which is on the way to Modesto. 

One of the parts that are Heavenly Father’s hand in this is that after the initial opening of the death certificate, Sister Morris could not open the copy of the death certificate again.  The cousin said the death certificate had never been found!  Sister Morris came home from that 1^st trip determined to find her grandfather’s grave.  She called the county up there, a funeral home, and also the coroner’s office.  She was blessed with a miracle in finding someone who was willing to do some research, and this person actually found the gravesite.  He was buried in a town by Modesto, called Winton.  The cemetery secretary was able to find the grave.  The gravesite in the cemetery registry did not have a name on it.  They didn’t know who was buried there – but they do now! 

When we got to the gravesite on the way to Modesto on Sept. 7th, we were shown where it was on the map.  After looking for about 5 minutes we found it!  It was a cement block with a raised circle with “B61” on it. 
 

 
That was sad, but Sister Morris’ grandpa has been found!  She is, now, trying to organize her family to have a headstone put on the grave.  It will be done before she leaves the mission in March.  We will help her make sure that happens!  Isn’t Heavenly Father wonderful!!!  It is amazing to me, though it shouldn’t surprise me at all, the intricacies of even the smallest of things in our lives that Heavenly Father weaves around us, through us, and through other people to make things & truths known; to have things happen for our eternal good.  How great is our God!

We gave the workshop on Saturday in Modesto, then came home Saturday night, and were very blessed to have a sister and her husband invite us over for dinner, the Rasmussens, then we arrived at home and started making 12 pans of granola bars for a 4-Zone conference that was being held as Elder Golden of the 1^st Quorum of the Seventy was touring the mission.  Wednesday, Sept 5^th, our mission president’s wife, Sister Gelwix, came and toured our office, then took us out to lunch!  How cool is that!  Lunch lasted for 3-1/2 hours!  No ~ we weren’t in trouble!  We just talked and had a great time!  Sister Gelwix, while there at Wendy’s, asked if Sister Morris and I would make some of the granola bars for Monday’s conference for a midway snack.  Of course we said yes!  We offered to make … well … 12 pans worth! We made a big variety!  It was a lot of work, but it was fun and they tasted good, and everyone seemed to like them!  I should have taken a picture of all of them!

Sunday evening we were invited to a Single Sister Missionary fireside with Sister Golden at the Mission Home which was very pleasant!  Sister Golden had us, each, tell where we were from, how long we have been out, and why we chose to serve a mission.  Then she asked what we enjoyed most about the mission.  It is ALWAYS fun to be with the younger missionaries and feel of their spirits!  The Spirit just seems to radiate from them.  Sister Golden is a warm, lovely woman; very kind and caring!  She told how she met Elder Golden, and all that happened leading to their marriage.  They are a devoted couple.  It was wonderful to be able to be with them.  They are from South Africa and have great accents too!

At the 4-zone conference we were spiritually fed, and had a great meal provided by the Fresno North Stake.  Monday night we had our Senior Missionary FHE, at the mission home again.  Sister Gelwix asked that Sister Morris share her ‘little miracle’ of her grandpa’s grave story.  Later, Elder Golden told Sister Morris that wasn’t a little miracle, but that it was huge!  She is grateful to know she was an instrument in the Lord’s hands in finding her grandfather’s grave.

Thank you to everyone for acknowledging my birthday!  I appreciate the cards and the Facebook comments.  It means a lot to me.  This is only the 2^nd time in my life I have been away from family and friends, and the 1st on my birthday, so having those remembrances was extra meaningful to me!  Thank you!  Thank you! 
 
 

 

Oops - left the 2nd one off by accident - it's the party dance card!

Sister Morris asked what kind of birthday cake I liked, so after having Happy Birthday sung to me a couple of times, we had some cake and ice cream at the office, and here at home.  YUM!    Jeremy Jensen, at the office, gave these hand sanitizing soaps - very thoughtful and considerate!  He's a good man - wonderful wife, and 3 young children.

Britta had come home from her trip to Alaska that day.  Here is a picture of the flowers she gave. 






Dan sent a necklace which is lovely! 








 
 
Sister Morris gave a day of service and a car wash!  Let me tell you!  It is SO dusty here - it’s always needed and as with everything else given, appreciated!  My mom gave me some money, so I'm on the lookout for something special.



 Our friend, Becky, gave a plant – a fern from her garden and her brother fixed it up real nice! 
 
 
 

She also gave a silver candle snuffer – if that’s what they are called.  It was very thoughtful, generous, and I am touched that she would be so kind to me.  

Becky’s birthday is Sept 14^th, so we planned to celebrate our birthdays’ together by going to a movie and out for dinner!  It was fun – we went and saw The Odd Life of Timothy Green.  I liked it!  It is a really good story!  We have been making a blanket for Becky, so thanks to Terrie Wright for her help – AGAIN!

 

Then, as we had some extra material, we also made some pillows for Becky for her birthday.  It took us FOREVER to choose the fabrics for the blanket.   

If you can see, the middle of the quilt is like reeds at the bottom of a stream, and the blues & greens are Becky’s favorite of all the colors of the ocean.  You can’t see the quilting, but we had the person program it like waves.  She really liked it!  We were glad!   I’ll try and get copy of the picture she sent.  She was going to take a picture of it, then her dogs jumped up on the blanket, so she took a picture of her dogs on the blanket, then she shooed them off. 

Britta is good to have Becky over on Sundays a lot of the time.  Becky is good company! 

We live in the boundaries of the Fresno East Stake, in the 7^th Ward.  The Stake has a Relief Society Christmas Choir.  The fireside to start that up was tonight.  From what I understand, Britta says it’s usually just the Relief Society, with occasionally a men’s choir, a mixed choir, or a children’s choir singing a couple of numbers.  This year the stake presidency has decided to change a few things about it.  The name will be the Fresno East Stake Choir; there will be other choirs from the Stake involved, and the young missionaries will be singing carols out in the foyer before the program.  The vision is to utilize to capacity the ability of music to touch peoples’ hearts, and have this event be a great missionary tool!  This choir has been singing for 30 years!  30 years!  Since 1982 - unreal!  That’s the year Jen and Justin were born!  (You all knew I was 9 when I had them, right?)  I’m so excited to be a part of it!  The theme is “Joy to the World” – a very fitting theme, I think –

I almost forgot this story.  While we were in Modesto the first time, just as we were leaving town, we stopped at a red light, and there on the corner, a person was cleaning out their landscaping of all these large river rocks.  Sister Morris is the world's best, for lack of a better word, scrounger!  She can find the weirdest things for very little money, or free!  She asked the worker what was going to happen with the rocks and was told they were getting rid of them and if she wanted any she was welcome to them.  Sister Morris got that "look" in her eyes, so I just turned the corner, drove into the parking lot, moved all of our supplies and suitcases to the back seat and we, in our dresses, put a ton of rocks in the back of my car.   This is about 1/2 the amount of rocks.   Yup - it was great.   0_0         Sister  Morris has enjoyed telling the tale, I can assure you ~
 

We put them in the flower bed at the office.  The picture is blurry but it was 9:30 at night by the time we got over to the office on Saturday night.  I was quite adamant about not driving to church with the rocks in the back of the car.  Go figure.




09/18/12

These fine looking young men were the missionaries from Britta's ward, until last transfer.  The missionary on the right is Elder Berg - a fine, young man, who was transferred last transfer.  We have had Elder Synder since then.  I will need to get a picture of him.  The other is Elder Jensen.  Elder Jensen left the mission on medical leave on Monday.  We hope he can be healed and come back.  These Elders were here when we arrived, so we are grateful to have been associated with them.  They are great!

Sunday night, one of Britta's dogs started acting sicker than he normally does.  This is Roady.  Roady lost 13 pounds since April, when we last helped Britta take both dogs to the vet.  Roady was not eating, his nose was dry, and he was really shaky when he walked.  I was concerned about him, and Sister Morris and I could see that he was having problems.  He had been really shaky for a couple of weeks.  We had discussed with each other the fact that Roady may not be with us much longer.  We really didn’t want him dying at all, but certainly not while Britta was gone! 



This is the stuffed saugage weiner dog Roady.

 I went outside to check on him and I couldn’t find him.  I walked around the yard a couple of times before I saw him under a bush.  I tried to get him out, but he wouldn’t budge, and I didn’t want to have to lift him up.  He was acting like he was going to die… I told Britta, but she didn’t know what to do, so I just sat out by the plant and reached in and petted, and patted his head.  Just when I thought “oh oh  - this is the end”, Roady stands up – climbs over the little brick wall by the plant and stands there staring at me!  I was like “WHAT THE HECK?!?”  I was glad he hadn’t died, but when he seemed like he was dying, then suddenly get up, walk over the little wall, and stand there, about blew me away! 

I went to bed after that!  I did expect him to be gone when I got up though, but there he was – not in good condition, but still there.  Britta took him to an animal hospital, where her vet practices.  They hydrated him, gave him some antibiotics, took xrays of him, did one or two other things I shouldn’t mention, but it was all for naught.  Roady’s kidneys were twice the size they should’ve been and were not working.  There wasn’t anything to be done, so Monday afternoon – Roady went home to Heavenly Father.  We aren’t sad for Roady – he can see again, and run and try to catch the squirrels.  We feel bad for Britta, and for Marley - Roady's brother.  It seemed to me that Marley was pretty sad tonight.

09/19/12

Another busy day – Marley barks at us when we don’t pay enough attention to him.  I think he’s lonely.  Sister Morris and I went to a Resume workshop tonight, put on at one of the county libraries.  We found we were doing things correctly, according to the presenter.  We wanted to make sure we were up to date with all the rules of thumb.    We had cookies to take over to the new neighbors, but they are pretty dried out, as they were made Saturday, so we had to sacrifice and eat them… oh sucks!  We did take a couple into the office.

President Gelwix has asked that missionary companionships set the goal of reading Preach My Gospel by the 24^th of December.  Sister Morris and I are trying to finish it earlier, as she will be going to Virginia the first part of November for a grandchild’s baptism, and we thought it best to have it done before she left.  It doesn’t really matter, but it’s worth a shot!

We were hoping the Brigham City Temple Dedication would be broadcast to our stake center, but alas, it won’t be.  I would have loved it, but I will just need to go to that temple when I get home.  For those that have asked, my release date is September 26, 2013, so I have another year.  Sister Morris’ release date is March 26^th, as hers is a 12 month mission.

There are 19 missionaries going home today.  I’m sure a lot of them are already home.  There were quite a few from Utah, one from Korea, one from the Philippines, a few from the eastern part of the country, two from Mexico – We personally knew a couple of the missionaries – one was our zone leader, and one was the first Coordinating Sister (like an AP, but over the temporal and emotional needs of Sister Missionaries), and we went on splits with her and her companion. 

Well – I guess I will need to finish this tomorrow or Friday pm, as we are going to the temple tomorrow night.  We have a standing reservation for Thursday nights.  We are trying to find a new/different sister to go with each week.  We are having a harder time finding someone lately.  Almost everyone we ask can’t go, or can’t go on Thursdays or whatever.  I am thinking of someone, but I don’t know if she can go right now.  Hopefully we will be able to find someone real soon.  Bye

09/20/12

Can you believe it’s already the 20^th of September?  In 6 more days, it will be 6 months on the mission for Sister Morris and me.  Unreal!  And I’m still alive!  Incredible!

Sister Morris prayed for us to find someone who could go with us to the temple.  I can tell you He answers prayers because we had not only 1 person, but 2!  There is only room for 3 patrons total in our pretty, tiny temple in initiatory at once, but!  Sister Morris sacrificed and went to participate in sealings.  We went to Rite Aid and had Thrifty ice cream afterwards!

09/21/12
I had another hair cut - see the one on the left side, above my ear.  Sorry - I'll be good.... tomorrow.  As my mom wanted to see the additional new hairstyle I received from Sister Morris, (who, without formal training, really does a good job), here is a picture of the side/back of my hair.  Sister Morris and I have had a talk about our definitions of short!

Things are going well!  I look forward to the time when I can say that all the time, but until then, I take the opposition in all things, rely on my Heavenly Father, and Savior, to save me when things are not well.  I am blessed abundantly by your thoughts and prayers.  I am so grateful to you for your prayers, as I am strengthened, and protected, and helped beyond measure!  I know Heavenly Father will bless you for praying for all missionaries!

I look forward to continuing to help Heavenly Father and His children as much as I can!  I figure, as I owe Him my life, and everything else, it’s the least I can do!  May our Father bless you all with those things of which you are in need!  Love, Sister Ure