Yesterday and today were Stake Conference.  It was tremendous!  And that is putting it mildly. 

President and Sister Paulson were the first speakers.  They are concluding their 3 years of service.  I admit to having no idea the extent of service mission presidents give.  President Paulson always says "eating and sleeping are highly overrated."  They both live by that, sometimes not by choice.  It is hard to fit every needful thing into a day.  Somehow they seem to get it all done.  He has a memory like a computer and remembers small details, names and dates.  It is amazing to witness.  The Lord knows who to call, when and where. I have an even greater respect and appreciation for Tim's parents who have served as Mission and Temple Presidents.  Talk about lives of service!!!!  What examples.   President Paulson mentioned in his talk the story of the " Jaguar and the Boy." I don't know if you have heard this so I will paraphrase.  A man had done well for himself financially so he rewarded himself by buying a Jaguar.  As he was cruising around in his beautiful new car he thought to slow down in one area with children present, just in case one ran out in the street.  Just when he thought he was safe, a big thump.  He slammed on his brakes and got out to find that a little boy had thrown a brick, visibly denting his new car.  Angry, he demanded to know why this little boy had done such a thing.  The little boy, crying said, "because I couldn't get anyone else to stop!  He proceeded to show the man  his brother.  He had fallen out of his wheelchair and the little boy wasn't strong enough to lift him back in by himself.  The man helped the boy and watched as they walked off.  As he perused the damage to his car, he left.  He never did have that dent fixed.  When asked why, he commented that I always want to remember , "Don't go so fast in life that God has to throw a brick at me to get my attention."  Life is moving at a rapid pace and Satan can win if he keeps us busy doing "things" even if they are good things, because we forget to slow down and take care of what is "most" important. 

A few more highlights include:  Repentance is much more than being sorry, it causes a change of heart that is permanent.   2. The safest road to hell is the gradual one, no rocks, no signs, it is the easy road. 3.  Make a change in your life and have the courage to stand by it. 4. We have to openly oppose evil. 5. We need to learn to unite the Gospel with the Church.  6.  When we judge others....we condemn ourselves.  (Good thought).  The theme Saturday night was from Matthew 6: 19-21.  7.  Family Home Evening needs a week's preparation in these last days, especially if you have older children.  We need to find out for example, is anyone having a big test that they could use help preparing for.  Or, is anyone going to a dance that they may face certain temptations.  Then you practice different scenarios, like what will you do if (this happens).  If they have practiced in advance they will be able to react in a positive light.   And in FHE, tell family history stories about your ancestors.  They will never remember the lessons you prepared but they will remember their ancestors and have love and affection for them.

Sunday was a broadcast from Salt Lake for all of Canada, its 47 Stakes and 6 districts.  The first speaker was born and raised in Raymond, Canada.  His name is Elder William Walker.  His entire talk was on pointing your children to the Temple.  His mother prayed every day without fail that everyone of her children would grow up to marry in the Temple.  When the children grew up they never wanted to disappoint their mom.   In 1912, there were 7,000 members in Canada.  On July 7, 1913, Joseph F. Smith broke ground in Cardston, Alberta for the temple.  He did not live to see its completion so Heber J. Grant came to dedicate it.  The Stake President was called as the first temple president.  He served as president for 25 years, while continuing to serve as Stake President for 19 of those years!!!  Wow!!!  In 1955, there was a total 9 temples functioning in the world.  When the Winnipeg and Halifax temples are complete there will be 9 temples in Canada.  We were challenged to replace a little time spent on our recreational activities with service to our ancestors in the temple.  Good idea.  He quoted President Hinckley at the Nauvoo Temple dedication as saying when he looked at the little children:  "Please, please, please never do anything to disqualify yourself from going to the Temple."

Carole M. Stephens spoke next.  She focused on strengthening our family.  She read 2 Chronicles 20 about the multitude that would come against Jehoshaphat.  She compared this story and the multitude of things that are thrown at us now.  Multitude is an understatement especially through the media.  She concluded with don't waste time on thinking, "I wish I would have.... start today to strengthen your home. "

Next was Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve.  His theme was service.  Why is it that the Lord must command us to serve one another?  Service is not something we endure in life but it is the fiber of an Eternal Life.  In the Celestial Kingdom God will no longer have to command us to serve, it will be our way of life.  It will come naturally.  As you know the Quorum meets once a week.  They each give an accounting of what they did with the past 7 days.  He said that President Monson, with all of his responsibilities still finds time to minister unto the one.  Little things but important acts of service. He refuted the premise  that a person can be fine not attending church because he is a good person and confines his religion to just himself.  This is contrary to everything the Savior taught by serving and loving everyone He came in contact with and taught His followers to do likewise.  We should give a life of service;  Church service,  missionary service (Elder Richard G. Scott was his mission president in Argentina) and most importantly service in our own home.  He told a story about a remarkable woman of the Presbyterian Faith.  Her name was Ophelia Compton (I have no idea if I spelled that correctly).  She was given an honorary doctor of Law degree for her service to her children.  You can look her up.  It is an amazing story. 

Then our concluding speaker was President Boyd K. Packer.  I fear his health is failing but his teaching is still powerful.  He focused on being proud to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ.  He said it may not be easy to be a member but it is easier than anything else, if you understand the patterns of life.  Are we strange people?  Yes, compared to the standards of the world.  We live the Word of Wisdom, we don't smoke, drink,  we eat healthy.  We believe in being moral people.  We do not believe in abusing the powers of procreation but waiting for marriage.  We don't swear in the sense of profaning......Yes, different from the world.  Then he related the story of Joseph F. Smith who when asked by a mobster holding a gun on him, "Are you a Mormon?"  His answer, Yes sirree, died in the wool, true blue through and through."  President Packer said that standing up for what he believed probably saved his life and it will do the same for us if we are not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  At the end of his talk he invoked an Apostolic blessing on Canadian Saints and it was quite touching.  He even promised that they would have no children missing from their families if they hold fast.  What a Promise!!!  We all know what is coming and soon but we need not fear if we strengthen our families and hold tight to our covenants, which is really a privilege. 

What a weekend.  It concluded with the missionary fireside in which our former FBI Agent and his wife give the message.  This was #5, Enduring to the End.  I will just share one story he told of his father.  He received a call from his mother telling him that his father had passed.  He returned home to help make the arrangements.  A younger sister from his ward said, I need to share a story with you.  The night your father died, he came first to my home, home teaching.  This was after a long day at work.  I am living in the mission presidents home while I attend BYU.  My husband left me with 5 children to support and I am trying to get an education so I can do that.  But, their term is up and they are coming home, I don't have any place to live.  Brother Christensen left and then returned with a fan, because the air conditioner had quit.  He told her not  worry about a place to live.  Two days later I received a phone call from, ___name?  He said I have been called to be a mission president and you can live in our home for the 3 years free of charge, if you just take care of the place for us.  She happily agreed but then asked him, how did you know to call me.  This brother said.  I had a dream last night and Phil Christensen appeared to me.  He told me your name, your dilemma, but said I don't know her number but you can get it by calling the BYU switchboard.  So I did!  What a valiant home teacher.  He finished after he was dead!  No wonder Elder Christensen is thankful for his father.

I love you all....send pictures.  xoxoxox  mom

Hello dear family, sorry for the long hiatus in writing.  Our days are repetitious which leaves little new to write about. We try not to repeat ourselves too much as is common in older people, so we won't bore you.   The missionary work is going well here.  It is awe-inspiring to watch the young missionaries at work and the excitement in the new converts as they take this leap of faith and change their lives for the better. 

We have gone out with the young missionaries on several occasions which is great fun.  One night we were to pick up the member who would translate for a Chinese sister who speaks no English.  She didn't come but this afforded us the opportunity to hear the conversion story of Sister Chan.  I think you will enjoy this.  She was actually born into a Christian family in China.  I am guessing that is rare.  This was before communism.  She married young (18).  Her husband graduated university with a degree in entomology.  He briefly went to the USA to do some research on food and bugs???  She moved to Hong Kong with their 5 month old baby.  Living with his family,  their baby died.  I don't know what caused his death.  She was extremely sad and lonely.  She started reading her brother's Bible.  She was raised Anglican but noticed something was missing.  "Love." "Where is the love as spoken by our Savior?"  Every sermon they preached told us we were sinners and going  to hell.  She searched other churches.  This took 8 years.  She couldn't find anything better so she returned to her church for another 7 years. Then one afternoon 2 missionaries (one from Indiana and one from Idaho) knocked on their door.  In the interim her husband had been asked to be a principal of a Christian school, so he decided he should become a Christian and joined his wife's church.  On her first meeting with the missionaries  she told them to return at 5:00.  She called her husband and told him to come home early from school because they had an appointment with these missionaries.  The first good impression they made was coming at that hour because dinner was at 5:00 p.m. and if you missed, you received no food.  They missed dinner for the Chan's, without blinking an eye.  "Back in the day"  the missionaries taught 17 lessons.  Chan's were very interested but were afraid to join in case it wasn't true and they had made irreversible changes.  They asked how much it cost to receive the discussions because in China everything cost money.  They were excited to find out there was no cost, a bit shocked, too.  The night after the 16th discussion she had a dream.  She saw a bright light.  She said isn't that funny, I was already asleep with my eyes closed, but in my dream I had to close my eyes.  A voice said to her, "Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand."  She never mentioned the dream to her husband.  The next morning she announced they would be baptized.  He agreed.  This was 1958!  She has been active for 50 years.  They had 6  children, 4 are still living and he has since passed away.  She said her husband made many sacrifices for their family. Sacrifices so they could have a family:  so their children could have the Gospel, freedom and an education.  They were sealed in the Hawaii Temple and their children were sealed to them in the Salt Lake Temple.  Sister Chan, this tiny little 84 year old Saint, melted my heart.  I walked her back to her building and offered to walk her to her apartment.  She takes the stairs not the elevator.  At parting, she was hugging and kissing me, telling me that she loves me.  She was not a stranger but surely a fellow Saint and I love her too.  My life was lifted by this short encounter with a Saintly woman who has given all to know Christ.  I will try and attach some pictures of her and our trip to Minnesota.  I love you all, you are the greatest treasures in my life.

                                                                                              

Relatives?

Assiniboine Park

Assiniboine Park

More of the park

Sister Chan and Sister Basting

Seth, whose twin is this?  Moore's Clothing store, buying dad new suites

.

Our trip to Minnesota was wonderful.  I wanted to get out of the car when we crossed the border and kiss the ground.  After meeting the border guards I thought better of it.  But how great is America!!!  International Falls is a cute little city, very quaint.  We took the Sorensens out to dinner, did some banking so we didn't lose any money and dad took care of the Elders car licensing, importing.  All went smoothly. The Sorensens have encountered much mental illness in their area, too.  Plus, lots of apathy.

We drove back through Kenora which is one of the most beautiful, scenic rides I have ever had.  The President let us take the mission van which added to the comfort and fun of the trip.

I love you very much, mom

Nestor Lake

Kenora Rail Bridge

City snow disposal area

City snow pile

Esplanade Reil foot bridge & resturant

Lumberjacks at Assiniboine Park

Remains of an outdoor hockey rink

Selkirk Bridge

Smokin' Bob's eh?

The Forks

Thin ice on Assiniboine River

Red and Assiniboine River confluence

Winnipeg

Greetings from Winnipeg, we have been here four months and enjoying our opportunity to serve as missionaries. The daily contact with the Sr. and young missionaries is wonderful, they are all grand people. We are still learning lots in our daily duties as well as being instructed in our weekly District Meeting. President Paulson told all the missionaries that we should be spending over 50 % of our study time in Preach My Gospel. He said everything we need to know in order to simply teach the Gospel is in that manual. Everyone should be familiar with it.

Last Saturday March 10th, was a pleasant but cold day. We went to the park to walk and make some vitamin D since there was plenty of sun to enjoy. We ran in to two women who saw our missionary tags and began visiting with us. It turns out one woman had had the discussions but said the Branch President wouldn't allow here to be baptized because of her race. She is Mate, half native and half French. I told her that couldn't be and she wandered off into how we weren't Christians etc. Anyway through the conversation we found out there were legitimate reasons for her not being baptized and it wasn't her heritage. I don't think we convinced her about us being Christians because she attends another church and they have swayed her thinking. Our visit was pleasant enough and maybe we will see Ruby again at the park.

We attended Church in a small town called Selkirk which is about 35 miles north of Winnipeg. Selkirk has about 10,000 people and is known for is abundant catfish population. We went there to check a missionary apartment and car. It's one of the jobs we have. While there we were able to watch the ice breaking machines called Amphibex' working on the Red River right at the town bridge. It's really fascinating but watching for any length of time is like watching paint dry eh, it's a very slow process. Check them out on u tube it's worth a look. There were three machines working in tandem making a pass up river then down breaking out the center ice. Just up river from Selkirk were many (?) ice fisherman out on the ice with trucks, snowmobiles and ice fishing shanty's. I think there days on the ice are numbered because here in the city the rivers are showing thin spots and even open water in places. On the way back we saw snowmobilers riding alongside the 4 lane road in the wide ditch line at a brisk pace.

On Monday the temperature began to warm up and is still climbing. The last several days have been in the mid 50's F so spring has sprung here and the snow is almost gone. Just a few piles here and there. Lots of potholes and sand on the streets. It's amazing to see all the dead grass appear as well as all the trash and leaves from last fall that were buried under the snow all winter. I saw my first tank top today although most people are still wearing boots and a light jacket. In one week it has gone from being in the mid 20's F to nearly 70F. Crazy weather.

I have been waiting to transfer money from our US account to our Canadian but the exchange rate is not the best. The rate seems to be tied to world unrest and hasn't gone up even though there is lots of talk about the US economy improving. We watch the news most nights on the computer trying to keep up with what's happening in "the states". There always seems to be a problem everywhere we are located overseas. The Republican primary race is quite interesting as well.

We had a chance to go with our Ward and work an evening ( March 1st) at the Salome Mission in downtown Winnipeg. It occurs four times per year. Last time we cut up heads of lettuce, this time it was mounds and buckets full of sweet potatoes. Mom raised her hand to help serve and I kept cutting. After cutting I got to peel even more sweet potatoes then I manned a broom and swept the kitchen for awhile. Finally we helped mop the floor and wipe down tables and chairs. It was a good evening and when we left for the night it was snowing.

Yesterday (Saturday March 17th) on "P" day Mom and I went to "The Forks" located at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers. We went to check it out, walk along the river and see the sights and make vitamin D. It was once where early settlers and the Indians meet, lived, traded etc. Now it's a big park where people come and mingle, eat and see the history of the area. In winter there is ice skating on the river and in summer lots of grass for playing as well as a skateboard park. I was in hopes when we went we would see the ice breakup on the river. I may have mentioned before that the video of last year's event was spectacular. It has been very warm here (68F today) and the ice has melted quickly with lots of open water showing and no ice breakup to see. Maybe next year. Also motorcycles have appeared overnight and there are lots of them on the road to comingle with the potholes and jaywalkers.

That's all for now. Take care eh. Love Dad.

Ice Breakers

Elder Paulson & Elder Basting

Shoveling snow at the mission office

Ice fishing

Hello from Canada.  We have so much to tell you.  I will start with the most tremendous news first.  We taught our first discussion Monday evening.  It was one of the most wonderful experiences of our life.  This is how it came about.  At church there is a young woman who comes.  She is a member.  Her husband often accompanies here.  He is a terrific man.  He is not a member but was raised Catholic so he has very strong family values and a good understanding generally.  They have 4 children.  One is a firefighter/paramedic, he lives in Thompson.  The next child is a daughter, she is studying to become a doctor, and is attending BYU.  Their third is attending University here as a freshman.  And they have a bonus baby, a young deacon.  Dad is a farmer.  They have 1800 acres in the rural area of Oak Bank.  They met at a BYU volleyball game where she was attending and he was playing on the U of Manitoba's men's volleyball team.  He looks like Tom Selleck (Magnum, P.I.) only thinner.  They have been married for 24 years now.  She kindly said to him, "I am not pushing you, but I would like to prepare to attend the Temple (3 of their children are of marriageable or mission age) so I can attend with our children.  She asked him if he would mind or did he want her to wait for him?  He said "wait" and the next day she asked us to come and begin the discussions.  We were thrilled, more then  I can explain.  Dad was cool and calm.  I got really nervous just thinking how much this means to her and their 4 children.  So I couldn't sleep Sunday night.  Monday we drove out there, about a 1 hour drive.  It was slow starting.  Then we explained that we had never done this before and were a little nervous.  He said great!  That makes me feel better.  Things picked up from there.  We are invited back.  The next discussion is on the Plan of Happiness.  I am excited all over again.  Hope I can sleep. 

A new to our ward sister, bore her testimony Sunday.  When the missionaries knocked on her door she smoked, drank coffee, tea & alcohol and was living with a common-law husband.  She listened and the lessons rang true to her.  Then the missionaries taught the lesson on the word of wisdom but instead of being defensive she accepted that too.  She was taking chemotherapy and her doctor had just told her to quit drinking coffee (I did not know this) because 1 cup will deplete your body of 5 cups water.  Apparently chemo contains dehydrating chemicals and the combination can prove deadly.  It never ceases to fill my heart when modern science proves something we received from a prophet 179 years ago!  "We Thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet"! 

There are some people who think they can drink decaf and be alright.  Then I mentioned to one, did you know that the 4 chemicals they use to cut the caffeine are all cancer causing?  Yep, follow the prophet.

We had 2 baptisms last Saturday. We meaning the mission here.  Zin Xavier Yu, another college student and Nadon Huntinghawk, a young boy, 9 years old.  It was a wonderful baptism.  I could see the back of Xavier's head and he never quit smiling.  I met him afterwards and tried my knowledge of Chinese on him.  Nin hao, welcome my brother.  He said something in Chinese thinking I spoke it well, C: and I am glad to meet you my sister.  I received 2 more referrals in the office from Chinese immigrants.  One had an attachment on it that said "Hurray, please save my people!"  I wish I knew how this is going to work but the Lord knows and these wonderfully humble people are going to get their chance!  I also filled 2 orders for Books of Mormon in Amharic (Ethiopian) and Tagalog (Filipino).  This is very exciting work.   FYI, our office has the Book of Mormon in 64 languages.

Our FBI agent (retired) Institute teacher and his wife gave a great fireside on repentance.   He mentioned, in an analogy, that they had U2 planes that flew at 13,000 Kilometers over L.A. on special reconnaissance.  From that height he could hold up 4 fingers and they could be counted.  He also said that the plane could register his body temperature and that of each person in the car they were following and the building they entered.  Wow,  someone needs to ask DeLewis if he flew any of those missions being stationed at Lancaster.  I think we might be wowed at the technology we know nothing about. 

We also attended a special meeting:  Dad went to the High Priest meeting and I went to the Relief Society meeting.  In this meeting the Stake President told us that the Church has changed the wording of our 3 goals:  Perfect the Saints:  Redeem the Dead: and Preach the Gospel through missionary work.  Have any of you heard this?  1.  Gathering Israel through Missionary Work;  2.  Enabling Salvation for the Dead;  3.  Helping members live the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and a new one:  4.  Caring for the Poor and Needy.  Tell me what you have heard?  I can't wait for General Conference, this should be a topic of discussion.  One sad thing in Canada, their are no Bishop's storehouses, no dry packers and no source to get the food storage like we have in the States.  If there is any one thing I hope you are doing after building your individual testimonies of Jesus Christ and teaching your children, it is get prepared.  Put in food and water storage a little at a time so it doesn't drain the budget, but be steady at it.  There is counsel to store that which you could at least survive on because storing food to eat like we do every day now would be impossible.  We love you all so much.  Thank you for your prayers, emails, skypes and mail.  Thank you Kase, Grant and Molly for the valentines!  


xoxoxoxoxo Grandma and Grandpa

P.S.  Thank you for all the birthday greetings.  I was really spoiled on my birthday.  Plus the Assistants sang to me.  I love these elders.  I get so touched when we come into the office and from upstairs where the assistants live you can hear them singing before their companion study.  These are choice young men!  Even if one of them commented of my inheriting the blue winter coat from the "Blueberry" who had it before.  He decided to call me Mama Smurf, I don't understand?  He still calls me Sister though.

Elder Skinner shinning dad's shoes before transfers

Nadon Huntinghawk

 

Xin Yu