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| We finally got a picture with President Passey! We finally got snow! We love going to the temple with the other senior missionaries! |
Greetings to all. Yes in fact Elder and Sister Phippen are alive and well in Sierra Vista.
We have had quite a bit to do this past several days, but I think we’ve had some conversations with some of you. The weather has been cool - temperature wise I mean. Lows at night in the mid 20’s, and highs in the low 50’s. About 10 days ago we had quite a snow storm. It was a standard type storm - big wet flakes sticking to the roads. We had dinner with a new family on post. When we came out of dinner (at about 7:30) the temperature had risen about 10 degrees, it was mostly raining and melting, and the water was running down the streets. We had thought the storm would continue to so, in conversation of the mom of our three seminary boys, we canceled seminary. By morning the parking lot by our apartment was dry. But at least we got to sleep in that morning. The past week had been more pleasant. Almost good enough to get back out on the bike.
We have been teaching with the young elders a fair amount. They do 95% of the teaching - we just nod pleasantly and share an occasional experience. But its been really fun. We'll try to get a picture of our new district soon.
The last transfer sort of shook thing up in this district. Four missionaries were moved out - and obviously 4 moved in. One was a green elder from the MTC and Oregon - that’s Elder Wilson. You would never know he’s greenie. Very into the mission and spiritually mature. His companion - Elder Judy from Pocatello - was the Zone Leader but is now the District Leader while he also trains a new missionary.
The previous District Leader - Elder Whittle - is now the Zone Leader. He has a new companion, Elder Ruiz. Elder Jeffrey was the last of the missionaries that were here when we arrived, and he was transferred so Elder Ludlow. who was his trainee, now has a new companion, Elder Mazatlan (not the correct name but neither of us can remember what that correct name is; its some weird and starts with an “M,.)” So we have now seen a complete changeover in this district since we arrived in August.
There are two sisters here but they’re somewhat in a state of flux. One of them was here on a 3-month mission to see if she could handle it. She had not been to the temple or the MTC. But she did just fine, so during our 1/2 mission Christmas conference (December 23), she actually got her official call from President Monson. To everyone’s surprise, she was called to this mission. President Passey did not expect this, and he and all of us were visible moved by it, This sister will attend the MTC starting in February and then return to Tucson. It was really fun to be there when she opened her call - all the missionaries give her a standing ovation.
On December 29, we had a senior missionary temple session. Wonderful experience, and a great catered lunch after the session. The senior missionaries have a get-together about every month. Elder & Sister Phippen finally got a picture with our mission President, President Passey.
In the past two weeks, we have finally gotten some requests from the Ward Council to check on families and individuals on post. This has been both fun and uplifting. Not all of these people will come to church, but at least they know we are here and that the Church is aware of them. For this area, that is a major move forward. Over the next two months, we hope to visit other ward sacrament meetings and perhaps ward councils to try to develop similar kinds of leads and work.
One of the other things we frequently get involved with is service to members, including moving and cleaning. Mom is getting quite proficient at cleaning fridges. One of our pictures shows Elders Judy and Wyman, who were the Zone Leaders until the transfer. The clothing they are in were borrowed from the RS presidents husband. We were helping a member move to Eagle Pass Texas, which is on the border about an hour south of where Elder Phippen went to pilot training.
And speaking of missionaries having fun, two of the pictures show Elders Judy and Dilworth visiting with some members on post. This family put up a climbing wall in their living room, and of course the Elders HAD to test it out. Not everybody has one of these in their house, and it’s a great conversation piece. The dad in this family is at a career training course in San Antonio, so we spend a fair amount of time with them. 5 little kids who now call us Granny and Grandpa.
We had a very nice visit with the Brigade Chaplain this week. We had met him at the Cafe Connection - a monthly informal meet and eat and socialize event sponsored by the Chaplain’s office. We presented him with one of our challenge coins - it's an Army tradition - and had a very nice conversation about teaching the Old Testament. He’s a fine man and does a lot to help us minister to the LDS soldiers here for training. He loves his work and his warmth and friendship are contagious.
And speaking of Cafe Connection - it’s a monthly event where we serve a meal - stuff like fried chicken, pizza, roast beef, etc. Different groups in town - including churches - take care of preparing the food and coordinating the serving of it, The chapel pays for the food, the sponsoring organization does the preparation and serving. We approached Chaplain Fox about the LDS Church sponsoring an event, so I think about April we will do that. As far as we know, the LDS stake here has never done this. We’re excited to see how it will go - once we get the Stake President’s approval. Given that time of the year, we’ll probably do Hamburgers and Hot Dogs for about 500 people. And think of how much potato salad that will be.
There are so many ways to serve. One of the things Marie/Mom did this week was help fix dinner at the Good Neighbor Alliance. It is the homeless shelter. We just go in and fix the meal then leave. They typically feed about 20 people. The residents have to do all of the cleanup.
It is a blessing to serve this mission. We are exhilarated each day that we serve. The Gospel of Jesus Christ brings so much joy and hope to peoples lives. It is so hard when we see people struggling and they can’t grasp how the gospel can bring them peace.
We hope that all is going well with all of you and that you all got off to a fabulous start of the year.
Love to all, Granny and Gramps, Earl and Marie, Mom and Dad, Elder and Sister Phippen.
