January Highlights and Snow-lights

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.

Is It Actually Christmas Without Snow??

L-R: (Top Row)- Serviceman's Group Christmas Dinner; Christmas Day w/Werners and family
(Bottom Row)- Elders Judy and Wyman on Christmas Eve; Aren't we cute???; Mesa AZ temple trip

Time flies when you are having fun and it continues to fly!  The past 3 weeks have flown and we have tried to stay busy. 

A few of the days this past 3 weeks haven’t been as full as we would have liked, but the rest more than made up for it.  These young soldiers we work with are amazing.  We have a really strong group right now - strong returned missionaries who are not only attending themselves but are striving to fellowship others who aren’t as committed.  We’re grateful for that since we can’t really do very much in the barracks to get these people coming.  

We  had a wonderful time taking the AIT soldiers to the Mesa Temple on December 12.  We had a van from the Chapel service, and took 9 soldiers - two of whom are non-members.  There is a great visitor’s center there and so the ones who didn’t go to the temple had a very enjoyable 3 hours learning in a very non -threatening environment.  We do this about once each quarter, and the soldiers love it.  Actually we love it also.

Occasionally we do get a little glimpse of how great this Church really is, and how this MRR service really is a blessing.  One of the soldier’s mom sent us a text thanking us for looking after her son.  Even though he’s a good kid and is mostly active, it still is reassuring to families to know that someone is exercising watch care over their children.  When we hear those kinds  of things, we see why the Lord has established this Military Relations function.  Those kinds of things would likely fall through the cracks without someone who focuses specifically on these soldiers and their movements and activity.  

Another way the system works - Two weeks ago our friends and new convert family,  the Whitworths were on their way to Florida to visit family for Christmas.  Sister Whitworth contacted us about how to get in touch with the missionaries in Colorado Springs. Her brother is interested in the missionary lessons. So we contacted our counterparts at Ft. Carson, who contacted the young missionaries, who met the brother and set  up an appointment.  So he’s now studying the missionary lessons.  Once Whitworths get back from Florida, we’ll get an update on how that’s progressing. 

One of the things we do on a monthly basis is to help with a chaplain’s program called Cafe Connection.  We help serve a evening meal to the AIT students - about 400 or so.  We always wear our missionary name tags even though we don’t do any proselytizing.  But at this past event, three soldiers whom we had not heard from identified themselves to Mom/Marie/Sister Phippen when they recognized the name tag.  Once the group starts meeting again - next Sunday - we hope to see them at our meetings.

One of our friends these three months have been Chaplain Smith and his wife, who are now on their way to Ft. Lewis, Washington.  We went to visit their home to see what help they needed.  We ended up going back two days later to help them clean their quarters.  Their household goods should have been picked up on Wednesday, but the movers didn’t come for the pickup until Thursday.  So the Smiths had to do a lot of the cleaning themselves, since the cleaners couldn’t work around the movers and the inspection was on Friday morning.  We gave then contact information for our MRR counterparts at Ft. Lewis, who are actually from Sierra Vista.  The husband is a former group leader here so he already knows Chaplain Smith.  In addition, the Smiths lived in Brigham City Utah for about 3 years before they came on active duty.  He was a baptist minister there.  They are very well acquainted with the Church, having been to several temple open houses.  They also have family who are members.  Some day…….

On our way to Arizona, back in August, we spent a night with Ron & Sandy Decker.  A few months later, they decided to take the plunge and submit mission papers.  They are serving as a MRR couple at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio.  Their route to the mission took them very near us, so we met them in Benson - about 30 miles from Sierra Vista - for lunch.  We knew Ron & Sandy at Hickam AFB in Hawaii about 33 years ago. Talking to Mom convinced Sandy that they could do this mission thing too.  

In this week's installment of "It's a Small World":  At a baptism about 10 days ago, four children (ages 9-12) were baptized. The family is a blended family - two daughters were his and the two boys are hers.  When we walked in to the back of the baptismal font room (AKA the RS room) I saw a woman at the front who looked very familiar to me, but not to Mom.  I said, that looks like one of my students (who was from Blackfoot).  Mom: “Naw.  What would she be doing down here?”  So after the service, I was standing next to this woman and I said, I think I know you.”  And she freaked out and said, “oh my goodness.  Dr. Phippen.”  It was my former student who is now married to the two girls’ dad. We had a great visit in a completely different context than what we had known at ISU.  

The past two Sundays we have attended the entire 3-hour block in Huachuca Ward.  We don’t usually do that since the services mans group schedule conflicts.  But the soldiers are on holiday leave right now so the group doesn’t meet these two weeks.  It was kind of different.  We had been spoiled by the quality of teaching in Priesthood and Relief Society and Sunday School while serving with the Young Single Adults.  So in some ways we just had to sit on our hands and work to feel the Spirit.  But that YSA calling - or callings - was excellent preparation for this type of mission, since these soldiers are YSA who just happen to wear military uniforms. The soldiers will be back the end of this week, but the Huachuca Ward will go to the 9-12 schedule.  So we will attend the whole block and then go to meet with the group.  If any of you have suggestions on how outsiders - us - can help improve ward unity, please reply by endorsement (that means in confidence).  we would really like to help in this regard but aren’t quite sure how to proceed.  

On the 23rd, we had two important mission events.  One was Mom’s 21st birthday (President Passey said so).  The other was a half mission conference/Christmas party/devotional.  It was lots of fun to see how much the young missionaries loved each other as old companionships were reacquainted during the conference.  We had a great lunch, played some games (Simon Says) and did a gift exchange.  Then we had a devotional.  Good way to spend time with other missionaries.

We had a great Christmas.  Spent Christmas eve with the Castles, our Servicemans Group leader.  The full time missionaries and the Castles daughter Emily and SIL Cody and their boys were there also.  Christmas Day we went to the Werners on post.  The 3 couples in the picture are the Werners, her sister and BIL and, and a new couple, the Sullivans,  that just moved on post, that the Werners knew in Louisville while at dental school.  The Werners have 5 children age range 7 -  4 months. The sister and BIL have 4 and soon will have 5.  They children played happily and the adults were able to visit.  It was amazing.

With the church and the military there are so many ways you have connections.  In conversation with the Brother in Law at the Werner home, we discovered we have a common relative.  I mentioned that I had grown up in Morgan Utah.  He said I have a cousin that has property up there.  Do you know Robert Workman?  Well yes, I do.  His dad was married to my mom’s sister.  Funny connection. 

We love you all and are grateful for your support and commitment to the Gospel.  We try to find ways to serve and be of use to the Lord.  "Keep the faith, for it is worth the fight."

The Work Rolls On...

One exciting thing that happened was that a family on post was baptized. The Whitworths. There was the mom, dad, 14 year old and 9 year old all baptized.  There is also a 7 year old and 5 year old that will eventually be baptized.  There is an amazing story of being friendship and loved and gaining their own testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel. Brother Whitworth is a purple heart recipient. He had stepped on an IED, I think.  It blew half his heel away.  He now has an artificial heel and was able to stay in the military.  They will be a great asset where ever they go. Miranda read the Book of Mormon from cover to cover one weekend.

We continue to volunteer on post at the Thrift Shop and the Turn Around Point each week. We visit families and continue to teach Seminary.  It is amazing what we are learning as we study the Old Testament.  It truly testifies of Jesus Christ and has helped to strengthen our testimony of Him and His restored Gospel.  Our mission president gave us a 40 day challenge and some scriptures about the Savior to read between Zone Conference and Christmas.  Those scriptures also increase our knowledge and testimony of the Savior of the World.  

The recent national and world events make us ever grateful that we have a prophet on the earth to guide us through these troubling times.  We know that our Savior is over all and will return again someday.  This brings comfort and peace to our hearts.  

This is from Nov 10, 2015

Last week was a really good one for us.  We had lots of service opportunities, a convert baptism that we attended, and several very nice visits with members - and the soon to be member family whose baptism we attended.

Service opportunities abounded.  On Thursday October 29 - it’s been a few days since we wrote - we went with the young missionaries to the Echoing Hope Ranch to help with some work there.  This ranch is a facility for youth with special needs.  A few even live on the property.  Our assignment was to haul gravel from the pile - AKA Rockpile - to the top of  a hill (1/4 mile long) and fill up chuck holes.  Elder Dilworth and some others actually did this hauling with a wheelbarrow - see photo below - but most of the hauling was done with a pickup truck.  Thats why we have them, right?  Anyway, we were once again amazed at the energy of these young missionaries.  They really keep us going.  We’re grateful to get to work with them and learn with them.  The sisters - Brown and Inman - came and worked too.

The Huachuca Ward also had a ward temple trip on Saturday (31 October) to the Gila Valley Temple.  The weather was so perfect it reminded me of Idaho or Utah in early September, only with less grass.  This makes the third new temple Mom and I have been able to attend on our mission (the others were Provo while at the MTC, and Mesa with the serviceman’s group on September.  Your keen sense of detail will tell you that the Mesa Temple isn’t in our mission boundaries.  But one of the perks of being a senior missionary is that we have a lot of discretion about what we do and when we do it.  A friend who also served a senior mission told us his mission president told him to “Not do anything stupid.”  That covers most of the rules.

We had a great sacrament/fast meeting with the group on Sunday (1 November).  It is particularly inspiring to hear these young men - and women - bear their testimony and speak or administer the sacrament while wearing the uniform.  One can really feel the Spirit as well as the spirit of military service.  I think we sent a picture of this a few weeks ago so I won’t put another one in this time.

Tuesday (3 November) we did our regular volunteer shift at the turn around point.  This isn’t the coolest thing we do, but every time I think we could be better engaged, a family or  - usually - a young wife comes in to get some things for her family who really need the items.  So it is a blessing to them and I just have to keep reminding myself this isn't about me.  And it is a good opportunity to interact with the post chaplains, who are in overall charge of this facility.

Wednesdays are usually occupied with district meetings, where we train on how to be better missionaries.  The district - or zone - leaders do all the training and they do a great job.  But since last week was Zone Conference Week in the mission, we did service on Wednesday instead.  This service was to assist at the Arizona Food Bank and distribute the food to whose who needed it.  And my observation tells me there was a lot of need.  The distribution was from the back of a semi truck at a nearby park.  I handed out bottles of Dad’s Creme Soda.  Never thought that was a necessity, but nobody was turning it down.  Elder Dillworth, one of the Zone Leaders, was kind of in charge of our part of the project.  He even had a special hat to designate his leadershipness.  The photo doesn’t do the hat justice - it’s covered with gold glitter and is all sparkly.  We will probably do this service about once a month.

Zone Conference was Thursday.  This was my first one since I was a young missionary.  They’re a lot different from 45 years ago.  President Passey talked about attributes of Christ, but he related it mostly to goals in order to achieve our purpose - see Preach My Gospel, page 138.  Each missionary sets his or her own goals, but the mission supplies standards of excellence to help us achieve our purpose and set inspired goals.  Goals take faith - do we trust the Lord to help us achieve the goals He would have us perform in His work?  Sister Passey gave an excellent presentation on effective study, and how we should use our evening planning session to also plan our study for the next day.    For missionaries, and maybe for everyone, we study the Gospel to help others come unto Christ, not just to show what WE have learned.  When we focus our study on the investigator, we ask “What is the next ordinance THEY need?”  Then we plan our study and teaching to help them get there.  For must of us, having already been baptized, the next ordinance is the sacrament.  So the task becomes what we need to do to be prepared for that experience.  The AP’s trained us on how to ask inspired questions that move the discussion to the desired end and engage the investigator.

One of the young Elders in the Zone is an Elder Hale.   He and Mom/Marie are 2nd cousins once removed - or something like that.  It was really fun for her to go through the “chart” and be related to all the same family people.

Mom’s the cute one.

Thursday night we had dinner with a family form a ward we don’t regularly attend.  But they are members and we had met the husband  two weeks ago when he came to speak in our Sacrament meeting with the high counsellor.  He serves in the bishopric of his ward.  He’s been a member about 6-7 years.  Really interesting story.  He met his wife at a restaurant where she was working as a waitress,  It was love at first sight, apparently for both of them.  They got married a few months later - he still wasn’t a member - and then he deployed to the Middle East for 6 months.  A really fun family and people we could really bond with.  Her Dad actually graduated from the same HS that Marie/Mom did.

Friday was the highlight of our week.  We went to visit a family on post named Whitworth.  They were scheduled to be baptized on Saturday.  We had a wonderful time.  Our intent was to only spend 30 minutes, but we finally left 1 1/2 hours later.  Sister Whitworth made contact with a member family who owns a doTerra business here in Sierra Vista.  From first contact to baptism was one month.  Then she learned she had been blessed in a ward in California, when she was about 5 months old.  So the Lord had really been preparing this family for the Gospel.  They are moving to Korea with the Army in about 6 months.  They will be a great asset to any church unit they meet with.  Brother Whitworth was awarded the Purple Heart as the result of an IED (car bomb) in Iraq.  As I said. really cool people and those who we’ll remember all our lives.  Missionaries have those kinds of things.  The baptism was awesome - very spiritual and a definite highlight of the week.

Sunday our stake participated in a regional stake conference broadcast.  We heard from Elder Lynn G Robbins of the Presidency of the Seventy.  He talked about simplifying our lives - decluttering.  He quoted Don Aslett on the topic.  He also quoted Buzz Lightyear “To infinity and beyond.”  The question became “What is sufficient for my needs.”  Then get rid of the rest.  Throw away some of the apps on your phone and use it for actually talking to people.  Sister Reeves from the Relief Society General Presidency talked about repentance.  That’s how we qualify for the Atonement and Eternal Life.  Elder Corbridge of the Seventy posed the question that Jesus asked some of his disciples when others were being critical of Jesus.  “Will ye also go away?”  The four basic questions that are essential for us to answer here are 1( Is there a God, and is He our Father; 2) Is Jesus His Son and the Savior of the world; 3)was Joseph Smith the prophet of the Restoration; 4) Is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints the Lord’s kingdom on earth today?  Once we have an answer - see Moroni 10:4-5 - then everything else can wait.  Elder Dallin Oakes presided and was the concluding speaker.  He said a number of important things, but the main message I (as in Dad) got was to commit yourself to put the Lord first in your life.  Don’t wrestle between two opinions - Choose between the Lord’s way and the world’s way.  I recommend his book on this topic.  It’s called The Lord’s Way.

This week in Sierra Vista!

This has been a relative uneventful week.  We had our regular things to do but made 3 trips to Tucson.  The Monday one we posted last week.  Then Friday we took a couple sisters over for an appointment.  Then took a couple of Elders over on Saturday to attend a baptism of one of their contacts.  That was an interesting ride.  The interstate was blocked by an accident of some kind, but we were able to take another route and still made it on time.  Thanks for phones that have google maps to show other routes.  Roads that take off out in the boonies.  Fortunately, there were no javelinas trying to cross the road.  It is dark in the desert at night.

Wednesday at district meeting the district leader set up a "course" in the cultural hall of the church.  The course was just chairs laid on their sides.  It was to represent the darkness and uncertainty
of the path during the apostasy.  The cultural hall was dark enough even with the exit lights lit that you couldn't see the chairs.  Then they turned a spotlight on a picture of the first vision and it showed enough light it was easier to find your way.  It was pretty effective.

Our serviceman's group is going well.  A week ago we had 17 soldiers in attendance and this week we only had 14, but it is awesome.  We got messages from our counterparts at other posts and should have 3 or 4 new next week.  It is amazing how we can feel the spirit so strongly in those meetings with the young people in uniform.  They give great talks and their faith and enthusiasm is very contagious.

A couple of weeks ago when we went to Tucson we went to Davis Monthan Air Force Base.  We took the time to look at the planes and then drove through the middle of the "bone yard".  Elder Phippen loves to reminisce about his Air Force Days.  The commissary and BX at Davis Montana is much nicer than the one here at Fort Huachuca.  They have a bigger community over there though so that is part of it.  Here are some pictures.

C 130's

Sister Phippen taught a really awesome 4th Sunday priesthood/Relief Society lesson.  The topic was how husbands and wives support and strengthen each other.  Try teaching that to a bunch of young adults, more than half of whom aren't married.  But she did a great job adapting it to a more general discussion about how we need to be the kind of spouse we want to find someday.  And speaking of teaching, we only taught seminary one day last week since our class was taking turns having Strep Throat.  But they're on the mend so today we had the first of two lessons on the Ten Commandments. Tomorrow is Elder Phippen's turn to talk about the second part.  Yeah, we still have to keep the Ten Commandments.  As President Monson noted, they are commandments, not recommendations.

Life is Good!

A Temple Is Coming to Tucson


Last week was a relatively busy one.  On Monday we finished up checking the young Elders and Sisters apartments for cleanliness.  A couple of them need a lot of work and consequently we will be remedying that next week.  We said good bye to 2 Elders and 1 sister and have 1 green Elder and 1 green sister.  One of our Zone leaders was transferred and so we have a new zone leader.   Elder Judy is from Pocatello!  He will be an asset to the mission.

 Sister Mizel, in pink                Elder Whittle, on the left
       from Georgia                          from California


Elder Chinas is from Virginia, Via Mexico.








This flower is outside one of the apartments.  Notice it has pink and yellow petals.

Monday noon we had the full time Seminary Teacher at Buena High School over for lunch.  School was on fall break.  Brother and Sister Clark are here from Utah and he is in his first year teaching.  They have a 2 month old daughter.  It was fun to hold a baby for a minute or two.Monday afternoon we drove to Tucson to pick up a soldier who had been on emergency leave.  His wife is in the hospital in Phoenix.  Thankfully she is doing better.

Tuesday we had our usual volunteer at Turn Around Point.  It was busy because it had been closed on Monday.  

Wednesday we had our weekly district meeting. And met the new Elders and Sisters.  Pictures of them will be on later.  Thursday we had our Thrift Shop assignment.  We have been trying to meet with the military families on post.  We are enjoying getting to know them.

Friday was a graduation.  We had a couple soldiers graduate from AIT and are headed to their new assignments.  

Saturday morning we attended the Temple Ground breaking broadcast at the stake Center.  

President Uchtdorf presided and talked about turning over the soil and breaking new ground in our lives in preparation to be ready when the temple is completed.  Our mission president and their 16 year old daughter were able to turn over a shovel full also.  There were many leaders from other faiths present.

On Monday this week we went over to Tucson to our monthly Senior missionary luncheon.  While we were there we went to the site and took a few pictures.  These represent what day 1 of the construction project looked like.

October 11, 2015

This week in Sierra Vista Arizona.

Lucky us.  We were able to get a "hot spot", which I didn't even know what was, to use for general conference.  The magic of modern technology.  We listened to all of Saturday and the afternoon of Sunday.  We didn't have a place for the Sunday a.m.  because our "chapel" is used by other groups on Sunday morning.  Here is a picture for your viewing enjoyment.  Notice the flag, on the left, we are singing the intermediate hymn and on the right table is sacrament set for catholic service the next day.  We really enjoyed conference and was particularly struck by the number of times we were counseled to sustain our leaders and to recognize the Holy Ghost in our lives.

We had our grandma and grandpa fix, by enjoying dinner with a family named Werner.  He is a dentist on post and they have 5 children and the oldest is not yet 7.  The baby is 6 weeks old and is not pictured.

We continue to teach early morning seminary.  We are learning a lot.  We have been discussing Moses and the children of Israel.  It was amazing to learn that Moses was 80 years old when he went back to Egypt to start the plagues.  They lasted 30 years.  He was certainly no spring chicken to have that responsibility.  At least Noah had a boat.  Moses had to walk the whole way.  Here is a picture of the last 1/2 mile of our journey to seminary.  

There was an Advanced Individualized Training graduation this week.  This picture is of one of our faithful grads.  Brother VanWagoner and his wife.  They are going to the Defense Language Institute where he will learn to speak Mandarin Chinese, I think.  They are expecting their first child in December.

The bottom picture is Brother VanWagoner after a conference session and 3 of our new AIT soldiers.  Brothers Williams and Miles and Sister Bybee.  I think Brother Miles looks like our son, JD.  We always serve lunch following meeting and this was after a conference session.

This week we had a zone meeting with another district of Elders and Sisters.  They are always so well done.  We have fabulous elders and sisters.  Here is a picture.  There are at least 2 elders and 1 sister that will be transferred on Tuesday.  It's so hard to get a good picture and I am not a good photographer.  But here's at least an idea of some missionaries.

Life is Good!