Mission-Wide Conference

On February twenty first,

Elder L. Tom Perry and Elder Donald L. Hallstrom visited Nebraska

to train the Stake and Ward officers in missionary work.

It was their fourth mission tour of the eight

they had planned for the week.

On February twenty second they held a mission-wide conference

for all the missionaries.

We were privileged to hear Elder Perry speak

for about forty five minutes.

He bore a powerful testimony of the Lords

"order and pattern" for this world and His children here.

He reviewed the dispensations and the lessons we can learn from each.

He reaffirmed that there is no disorder in Christ's kingdom

and that He makes all the decisions.

He then reminded us that the Lord has entrusted us

to do His work here, at this time.

We were so blessed to be taught by this great Apostle of the Lord.

There was time for a group picture or two.

Here are all the full time sisters.

Aren't they wonderful!

And to end this incredible day,

a final

"Hurrah for Israel."

2-22-92

Happy birthday to you,

happy birthday to you,

happy birthday, dear Daniel...

happy birthday to yoooooouuu!

To Our Departing "Experienced" Couples

When Milan and I grow up

we want to be

just like

Elder and Sister Williams,

Elder and Sister Slater,

and Elder and Sister Johnson.

We have learned so much from each of you

of hard work, service, sacrifice and love.

You are our heros

and

we love you

and

miss you already.

That Time Again

It can't be that time again.

Not so soon.

But it is....

-so-

"good bye"

to six incredible young missionaries and

three marvelous senior couples.

We will miss you terribly.

And now a new season of life awaits you.

Please let us know how it goes.

It also means:

"hello"

to four incredible young elders

and three marvelous young sisters.

We love you already!

Welcome to the best mission in the world!

Phoebe

Cat for sale.

One big, fat, sassy cat for sale.

I don't know where this one came from,

she is definitely not the one we had in Pennsylvania.

That one was sweet and gentle.

This one is feisty and mad.

So,

cat for sale.

One big, fat, sassy cat for sale.

The Mormon Trail Center

The Trail Center sits right across the street

from the Winter Quarters Temple.

It draws many visitors who are interested in Nebraska history,

and the pioneers who crossed this land.

Often members of the church come here

trying to find information about their ancestors.

For whatever reason they come,

everyone leaves with a wonderful feeling

about the people who sacrificed so much for their beliefs.

This is due in large part to the incredible Sister Missionaries

who serve here and give such inspiring tours.

The center itself is beautiful (as are all things the Church builds)

and the displays are interesting and informative.

But...

it's the sweet young missionaries who's testimonys

are evident in every word they say,

that win the hearts of all who hear them.

Just like the pioneers,

they have sacrificed a lot to be here,

and also like those heroic pioneers

it is the fire of their testimonies

that motivates them to move forward

in the work of the Lord.

We love them all!

Helena Millard Kunz 1919-2010

A loving grandmother,

a devoted mother.

It's hard to say good-bye to anyone but I think especially a mother.

Milan told me that it is like he's lost the anchor to his past,

to his childhood.

Helena was the most gracious woman

I have ever known.

As a young bride I remember taking detailed notes

of all the things she did

to make us feel welcome in her home:

candy around in little dishes,

clean fresh sheets on the beds,

lovely jellos waiting in the fridge for dinner and

every picture or card we ever sent

carefully displayed

as if we were the most important people in the world to her.

As our children grew she remembered every birthday with a lovely card

and a sweet note inside written in her beautiful script.

She was a private person and a little shy, I think.

It wasn't until her daughter Diane made scrapbooks of her life

that I really got to know who she was.

She was an 'only child' and so

grew up in a world of adults,

she enjoyed being alone and spent a lot of time that way,

she played the saxophone in the marching band,

she taught preschool and forever loved little children,

she met and married a dashing young man

who took her away from home

and provided her a home of her own,

which she made beautiful,

and filled it with her grace and dignity.

She never looked her age until the end

and even then had an air of style and beauty.

So now she's gone home to Foster,

and her mother and father,

where it is quiet and beautiful

just as she was.

She is missed by her four children,

her eleven grandchildren,

and four great-grandchildren.

Her fifth great-grandchild will be born next month.

We will make sure that this little one knows about her

sweet great-grandmother too.

Thank you, Helena.

We love you.

Friends

My wonderful friend Laura, back in PA

knows that I did not bring my decorations to Nebraska.

So each holiday she sends me a few fun things

to put up in the mission home.

Every time I get a package from her

I'm just amazed at her thoughtfulness

and

hope

that someday

I can become a friend like her.

Effective Family Nights

Our last family night reminded me a lot of Elder Bednar's talk called

"Being More Diligent and Concerned at Home".

I was trying to lead a discussion about balancing our time

with fun as well as productive things.

I had purchased a timer for everyone to use when

playing with anything electronic.

I think I must have been a little too serious in my presentation

because soon Daniel felt the need to enhance my chart

adding a whole lot of interesting data

that he felt was pertinent to the subject.

.....hmmmmm.....

I don't know if anyone learned anything.....

but I know Elder Bednar would be impressed with our

consistency!!!!