Well they say that the journey of a thousand miles begins with
the first step (unless of course you’re going to ride a bike - then it’s the
first pedal stroke), So here we go. Checking earlier dates, I note
that its been about 6 weeks since our last “weekly" message. We appreciate
and love the cards, letters, texts and e-mails that you send. They lift
our spirits and help us know whats happening in your lives.
The soldiers in this photo (on the right) were here for basic officer training - usually about 5 months. The young lady in the picture is a married returned missionary in her way to Vicenza Italy. Her husband will be able to join her there. We sent another family there a few months ago. So the Ft, Huachuca group is taking over that part of Italy. I don’t remember going to Vicenza myself, but it’s close to some cool paces I did go - like Venice (and the smelly canals) and Pisa ( and the extremely leaning tower). The young man in the middle was from the Idaho national guard and was headed back to Boise. The man on the far right was headed to Georgia. He and his wife attended the Huachuca ward. So we have a variety of people we try to keep track of.
In addition to attending graduation ceremonies, some of the
things we do with/for our soldiers is provide family type care and offer
priesthood blessings. The young lady in pictured has been a off-and-on
attender. But when she got sick, her Mom called us and asked us to visit
her in the clinic. Brother Castle and Elder Phippen administered to her.
Turns out she had some kind of a staph infection, but got the proper care
and medication and is doing fine now.
Like most areas in and out of the mission field, Thanksgiving
was a big deal here. Some of the sisters in the ward organized a group
dinner, and reserved the community center on post. WE had over 50 people
in attendance, including the families of some of our soldiers. Five of our AIT
soldiers were able to make it. Sister Phippen prepared one of the
turkeys, and also made cornbread dressing. The center had a big screen TV
so the guys - not counting the young missionaries - were able to see as much
football as they wanted to take in. The girl in the photograph below (Katie)
brought her boyfriend to the dinner and he enjoyed himself. She has been
sending him notes she takes at services and - last week - stake conference.
As we have mentioned previously, we serve lunch after
Servicemen’s Group on Sunday, So on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, we
also provided a full Thanksgiving dinner. These pictures were of the
tables for THAT event as Sister Phippen and others were setting it up.
The Pies in the first picture were Sister Phippen’s contributions.
As you probably could guess this was an excellent effort.
Two of our dearest friends also left for others adventures the
week before thanksgiving. One family is going to Ft. Gordon GA (Which is
right next to Augusta National Gold Course). The other family is headed
of about an 8 month deployment separation. The husband is going to eastern
Europe - Poland to begin with, The wife and kids are going to live in
Rexburg. The family owns property there, and she will be close to her
family in Teton Valley. We hope to get to see them next summer when we
get home. The only sad thing - other than the fact that these dear
friends have moved on - is that we didn’t get any pictures of them. But
we shall not forget them even if we never get to see them again in this life.
We have also included a picture of a little family that we got
to be good friends with the past 6 months. He came to attend training,
and she joined him later. She had one child from a previous marriage, and
had the tiny baby (less than 5 pounds at birth) not too long before they moved
on to their new assignment in Colorado Springs. Since they only had one
car, and were living off post in an apartment, Sister Phippen got to chauffeur
her to some medical appointments and so forth. We discovered that she was
not actually a member of the church, but the plan was for her to start the
missionary discussions once they got settled in CS. They were a cute
family, and that oldest little boy was bundle of energy. And he had the
cutest little facial expressions as he went about exploring his little world.
The husband had not been particularly active before coming to the Group,
but as he visited with the bishop and began to get things on order, his whole
countenance changed and you could just see the light of the Gospel illuminate his whole life.
The last 10 days or so have been particularly rewarding for us.
We got to see our friends the Deckers again. We had stayed with
them as we traveled to Tucson during August 2015 - the beginning of our
mission. After this visit, they decided to serve a mission and were called
to San Antonio. They went for 12 months beginning in December 2015.
We had lunch with them in Benson, at the Horseshoe Cafe, as they traveled
TO San Antonio. They finished their mission just after Thanksgiving this
year, and we got to see them on their return trip. We had lunch again in
Benson at the Horseshoe Cafe - close to the same table as the previous year.
Small worlds and small circles, aren’t they? Their replacement in
San Antonio was our friends from Chubbuck, Kim and Debbie Ellis. Again,
small world.
One of the choicest experiences of our whole mission occurred in
conjunction with the Sierra Vista Stake Conference last week. We have
become very good friends with the main post Chaplain, an AME (African Methodist
Episcopalian) minister who’s also a full colonel in the Army. He had
attended sacrament meeting with the Servicemen’s group a couple of homes.
We, in conjunction with the Group Leader, extended a formal written
invitation to attend stake conference, and he had told us he would try to make
it.
Elder Edward Dube of the Seventy was the presiding General Authority.
He is from Zimbabwe. We had hoped he could meet our Chaplain
friend. But we didn’t think the Chaplain had made it. But as the
Saturday evening meeting concluded, we saw him in the back of the congregation
- he had arrived about 10 minutes late. A member of the stake presidency
made a beeline for him and got him to come to the front of the chapel. He
met Elder Dube and they had a very nice - although brief - conversation.
Elder Dube had talked almost entirely about the Book of Mormon. Our
Chaplain friend promised Elder Dube that he would read it. We were
really stoked, so much so that we forgot to take any pictures of the event.
But we promise that we will not forget how cool it made us feel.
A second choice experience was on the Sunday afternoon after
conference. A family we have been trying to fellowship were in the final
stages of moving. They were finishing up cleaning on Sunday - their
inspection was to be on Monday morning. Although we have not done
cleaning on Sunday, we felt a strong impression to make an exception in this
case. So we spent about two hours with this family on Sunday afternoon.
We hope our friendship can motivate them to resume activity. The
husband is a returned missionary and they were married in the temple. And
they are really neat people. The wife will spend the next 6-8 months in
Syracuse UT with HIS family while he goes to Iraq.
Yesterday we had the opportunity to spend the afternoon and
evening with some of the Senior couples in the mission. We were able to
attend the Mesa Temple and then spend a little time enjoying the lights of the
season. As with most light displays, this one was spectacular.
There was audio of Jesus birth and President Monson bearing witness of
Him as our Savior and Redeemer. We love these great Seniors that we serve
with and have developed friendships that have richly blessed our lives.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is true. Living it will bless
all you come in contact with. We are so grateful we have this opportunity
to serve. It is a blessing in our lives and hope that all of your can
continue to serve and let your light shine for all to see.
#Lighttheworld.
Well, friends may the Lord bless all of you. At this time
of the year, keep in mind the ”reason for the season.” Give
everybody hugs for us and drop us a note if you have time. We love you
all.
Mom
& Dad/Elder & Sister Phippen
