October 29, 2016

I know I am always commenting on how quickly time goes by!   But it really does!    It seems the older I get the faster time just slips away!  In about 11 days, we will have been here 8 months.   That means we only have 10 more months to go.  We continue to stay pretty busy!    We have started subbing at the Independence and Liberty Jail Visitors Centers.   We really enjoy doing that.   We are the host and hostess, and are responsible for greeting people and assisting the young Sisters.  Elder Tefteller has been able to take people on the History part of the Tour at Liberty Jail.  He is amazing.   He can tell the history without looking at any script! We have also been to Adam Ondi-Ahman 9 times since we arrived.  7 of those times we were taking friends and family on tour of AOA and Far West.   I'm the drive and Elder Tefteller is the Guide.   He sure knows his Church History!!!   (I'm not bragging, just stating a fact!!!)    Oh, once in awhile, I will say something or bear my testimony.  One person I have learned a lot about that was involved in the Church History here was Alexander Doniphan.   He was an attorney, he was a Colonel in the military, and he was a politician.    But he was also a friend to the Saints.   He was the man who kept Joseph and the men with him from being executed.   He was the man who got approval to divide Ray County, and make Caldwell, and Davies Counties for the Saints to live after they were driven out of Jackson County.    There is a statue of him in front of the County Court House in Richmond, Missouri.  In his old age, and 40 years after the Saints were in Missouri, Alexander Doniphan took a trip to Salt Lake City.   He was given hero's welcome and was honored for saving the life of the Prophet Joseph!!

Larry and Paula Kay, (Glenn's Sister and her husband) and Glenn in front of the statue of Alexander Doniphan at the County Courthouse in Richmond, Missouri.

Paula Kay and Larry came to visit us for a few days.   We sure enjoyed having them here and taking them to all the Church History sights.

 The Oliver Cowdery monument in Richmond, Missouri.

 Brother and sister.

 Larry and Paula Kay at Far West.

 At Haun's Mill...

 Walk down memory lane......Tower Hill at Adam Ondi-Ahman...

 Reading the plaque at Adam Ondi-Ahman....

 The cemetary where Oliver Cowdery and some of the Whitmer brothers were buried....

 When you belong to the Church, it's a very small world.....when we were at Far West, the Carpenters, (a Senior Missionary Couple we serve with) came to the site.   They are FM missionaries.   Long story short, Larry and Elder Carpenter are cousins!!!!

 The Independence Visitor Center....

 At the Visitor Center at Liberty Jail...

The Eight Witnesses Monument in Liberty.

So, we get asked a lot what we do on our mission.    Aside from Glenn's AMA calling, which does not keep him very busy, we have the pleasure of subbing at the Visitors Centers.   Liberty Jail and in Independence.    We are MLS missionaries, and are busy in the Ward we were assigned.  We teach the 15-18 year old SS class, and I play the piano in RS every week.   Once in awhile, I play the organ in Sacrament Meeting.   Which scares me to death, for I haven't played the organ in 28 years.  I cook twice a week for some missionaries.   I also bake cookies for some Senior Missionaries who then give them to the younger elder's and sister's.    I have been fixing dinner for the Sisters who are at the Visitor Center when their dinner appointments don't show up.  Then when anyone comes to visit, we take them on a full tour of the Church History sights.
We are so grateful to be serving a mission together.   I once again, and I won't stop....encourage all you who have retired to serve a mission.   It's the best decision you will ever make.
Until next time, read your scriptures, and be happy!!!
Much Love,  The Teftellers

Christmas in October!!

I'm spoiled!!!   Actually, I've been spoiled since we came here.   It seems like when I need something for my kitchen....I get it.    Our microwave was old, and I happen to mention it.   The next day, the Housing Director and his wife showed up on our doorstep with a new microwave,   And it's the same color as my new oven!!!!  I know....I'm spoiled!!!!

 The "spoiled" baker!!!

 Do you see what's baking in the oven?

October 20, 2016

This past Monday, the Ross's hosted FHE.   It was at the Pavillion by the Stake Center,   We gathered with some other Senior missionaries and played games and had S'mores!!  It was a fun evening had by all!!

 We got home after FHE, and Elder Tefteller said, "I don't know why I ate a S'more, I don't even like them!!    FunnyHoney!!!

 Elder Tefteller playing checkers with Elder Boyer.

 Elder Peless and Elder Ross playing RumiKub in the background, and Elder and Sister Treasure playing Yatzhee with Sister Tefteller, Sister Christensen, Sister Boyer and Sister Sharp..

 Sister Treasure standing on the left.   Sister Carpenter and Elder Carpenter sitting on the left.  Elder Dance sitting and Sister Peless on the right.

Sister Ross and Sister Dance.

October 13, 2016

We had some wonderful experiences the past week!!!

 Sister Boyer and I at transfers....

 Sweet Sister Gonzales!!!   She got transferred and was sad because she loves working at the VC.  We got to work with her at the VC and grew to love her!!

Being able to sub at the VC is a wonderful experience!

 Another Senior Couple, the Sharp's bought this hand cranked icecream maker at a yard sale for $3.  We made peach icecream for FHE.

 We took a road trip and went to visit the Nebraska Omaha Mission.   These are the wonderful folks we met in the office!!!   We also got to meet Sister Gardner, the Mission Presidents wife.

 Elder Tefteller standing in front of Council Bluffs Tabernacle.

 I got to play this organ.  It is over 100 years old.   It sounded really good!  I didn't play so bad either!!!

 For being over 100 years old, it sure was in excellent condition!

 Look how amazing the keys look!

An artist's rendition of sustaining the First Presidency in the Council Bluffs Tabernacle.

 The fireplace in the tabernacle

 A covered wagon with all it's equipment.

 The tour guide in the background......Elder Tefteller taking his turn!!

 Council Bluffs Tabernacle and visitors center.

 We drove to the Iowa Des Moines Mission when we left Nebraska....we saw a sign that said John Waynes birthplace, so we took a detour.....

 It's been a very long time since we both have seen a Ben Franklin.....

 Elder Teftelleller wanted a picture of the Madison County Mercantile....

 One of the bridges of Madison County.....

 Elder Tefteller was checking out "One of the Bridges of Madison County!!

 I got the most sweetest, awesome card from Rebecca.....

A friend from back home, Tami, sent me this puzzle!   I love it.   The puzzle and getting surprise packages in the mail.

We went to the Mission Office in Des Moines Iowa only to find that everyone had gone to Iowa City for transfers.    There was only one person working in the office.   She was very nice, and spoke to us for awhile.   We decided on our visit to Minneapolis, we would stop again in Des Moines to pay another visit.

As always, we are grateful for our safe trip these past few days.   We are so very grateful to be visiting some of the Church History sights we have never been to.   I have decided that if anyone is struggling with their testimonies of the Gospel, PLEASE, go on a Church History Tour.   Take your time and visit all the sights. My testimony has been strenghtened so much since coming on our mission here in Independence.   It was strong when we came out.   Some good advise, and this is a quote from the movie Pollyanna:  

"When you look for the good in other's expecting to find it, you surely will!

This applies to judging others in and out of the Church.

I am so grateful for this time in my life when I get to serve a mission with my sweet husband, who is so patient with me, and is my rock!!!   We enjoy this missionary life and walk about how many more missions we will be able to go on.   (If the Good Lord is willing!!)

Until next time, read your scriptures, say your prayers, and BE HAPPY!!!

October 2, 2016

It seems like before you know it, one week has passed by then it's two.  We were looking forward to serving at the VC in Independence and at the Liberty Jail, and now it's over and done.  We do get to serve again in Independence VC on Tuesday.  We have the privilege of serving with the younger Sisters.  They are all amazing!!  Once in awhile the Elders will come in with investigators to teach them!    It's easy to see that the Lord has saved his most valiant spirits for these latter days!!!

 The Ross's

 Elder Corpus, Elder Parker, Sister Bishop and Sister Bentley

 Me and Sister C.

Sister Tefteller modeling her new missionary attire!!



 We got to serve with one of our favorite missionaries, Sister Peterson at the Liberty Jail.

 Elder Tefteller at the VC in Independence.

 With Elder and Sister Lovell at the Liberty Jail...

With Elder Duarte.....

We are having such wonderful experiences!!!    Being able to sub at the VC'S has been a very rewarding experience for both of us! Between Elder Tefteller's medical assignment, visiting people....feeding others, baking cookies and all sorts of goodies....FHE.....and fun excursions, we stay pretty busy!!!  Being able to serve missions, is literally The Icing on the Cake!!"    It has strengthened my testimony of the truthfulness of this Gospel.    It has helped me develop a closer relationship with my Savior.   My companion and I are working on that as well.    :):)  Being together 24/7 is a real eye opener to how much you really like your "Eternal Companion!!!"   We really like each other!!!!    And ours is a deep love, that we cherish.   But being together 24/7 will test your patience sometime!!  HA!!!1  Try it you will like it!   In talking to people who are on vacation here, a lot are Senior Couples, it has led me to believe that the reason most Seniors don't want to serve a mission is because they don't want to leave their grandchildren.  The leaders of the Church have told us that our families will be more blessed if we serve a mission, than if we were to stay home.   After serving for over a year, we can testify that this is TRUE!!!   I can't begin to tell you how we as well as our children and grandchildren have been blessed since we decided to serve.   To hear stories of our grandchildren telling their friends and others that "their grama and grampa are serving a mission, and how proud they are!   One a positive example we are trying to be for them!!!    So, once again, to ALL Seniors who read this......PLEASE go on a mission.   We can never repay our Heavenly Father or our Savior for all they have done for us.   But speaking from experience, how I live my life does show my gratitude and love to Them!!!   I feel so much love from them by being on a Mission.   Don't delay...put your papers in today!!!!!
Until next time.....read your scriptures and BE HAPPY!!!
Much love,
The Teftellers