June in the Mission Field- 2017

Life is interesting in that it can change so quickly!   We found out that our dear friend Papa Cato has terminal cancer.   He is 95 years old, and in visiting often with him and mama Cato, they couldn't wait to have their name in the Church News having been married 70 years.  Now it looks like they won't be doing that.  We visited with them last Saturday, and they were both in very good spirits.  Sunday, Father's day we were invited to Sister Ortiz's home for dinner with her families.    They are from the Dominican Republic.  She is an amazing cook.    Her family is another family we will dearly miss when we go home.  We have met some amazing people here, and it will definitely be hard to say goodbye.
Monday, we took dinner to Sister Zarate and Sister Garay at the VC.   They serve in an area where the members don't feed them dinner.   it's rare.  So we try to feed them when we can.  I decided to make Alfredo Sauce, french bread, (Little loaves). cookies and salad.   Come Tuesday, we fed 2 more sisters in our home, and took dinner to the VC for some other Sisters.   Then on Tuesday morning, I got a phone call to take dinner to a couple in the Spanish Branch.  We fed four companions on Alfredo sauce, bread and cookies and salad.
Wednesday, we had the Senior Missionaries over for dinner.   This time we ate salmon, baked potato, salad, green beans.  One of the couples brought a huge bag of peanut M&M's.   My weakness.
We woke up early Thursday to work our shift at the Kansas City Temple.   We came home and then went to dinner at a young sister who she and her husband use to live in our ward.  They have a little girl.    Katie and Adam Ahmu and Elsbeth.  We were supposed to meet Sisters Anderson and Simpkins to help teach an investigator, but she backed out at the last minute.
Andrew told everyone yesterday that little Baby Jonah tested positive for PKU.  Not good news.   We fasted today, and put their names on the prayer roll at the Temple.  I have very positive feelings that everything is going to be ok!  They drew blood yesterday, ,and will find out the results in about 5 days. Gina and Andrew have been through a lot together lately.   They are so faithful and are weathering life's storms with courage!  There are no guarantees in life, that is why it is so important that we build our testimonies on the Sure Foundation, and that is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

June 13, 2017

Time seems to pass by so quickly in weeks not days.   I don't know if that is something that happens as you get older, or if the Lord is hastening His 2nd coming!!!   I do know that the past 15 months on our mission has gone by incredibly fast!   We are winding down to our last 13 weeks.  We have made some amazing friends here, and are sad to leave them, yet on the other hand, we are happy to be going home.   We haven't seen some of our kids and grandkids for 2 years.  We wouldn't trade the 2 missions we have served in the past two years for anything.  We love serving the Lord, and have witnessed many blessings while serving, not only with us, but with our children and their families.  We want to serve another mission......we don't know when,,,,but we'll know when the time is right.
   We have spent the last two weeks with all of Elder Tefteller's boys and their families.   Johnny flew out from California, but unfortunately, Megan and the kids were not able to come.  We were able to hit most of the Church History sights.  Matt and Allyson and the kids spent a week with us, then David and Rachel and their kids followed us home, and spent a week with us.  Here are some pictures taken during the last 3 weeks: