Spring

What a gorgeous spring that was....

I'm ready,

spring, where are you?

Hello, Elders

We welcomed a great group of Elders

at the beginning of March

and with them came that fresh spirit

of enthusiasm and faith.

They are prepared and ready to get to work.

Back row l-r: Elders Jackson, Fairbanks, Hancock, Clark,

Bell, Christensen, Elkington, Kowallis, Money and Ragsdale.

Front row l-r: Elders Holmes and Carrier.

Welcome to NOM, Elders,

we're glad you're here!

Good-byes

Elder and Sister Flake

If I could omit one thing from this mission experience

it would be all the 'good-byes'.

I know it has to happen

because the mission would be bursting at the seams

if no one ever went home,

but I feel like we are constantly losing

such dear friends

and who knows when we will see them again.

Elder and Sister Averett

Sister King

One of our assistants, Elder Bowyer

and below:

Back row l-r: Elders Stoddard, Stahn, Butler, Jones, Gaines,

Hansen, Sheppard, Hemmingway, Terry.

Middle row l-r: Elder Flake, Sisters Lamplugh, Ellis, Worthen,

and Elders Ward and Bowyer.

Front row l-r: Elder LeBaron, Sister Flake, Elder and Sister Averett,

Sister King and Elder McClain

...till we meet again...

Trail Center Treasure

It is I, Be Not Afraid

We are privileged to have a marvelous set of sculptures

on display at the Trail Center for the next few months.

There are 12 pieces in the collection,

each depicting a scene from the life

of the Lord Jesus Christ

and is called

The Healing Power of Christ

Be Thou Clean

This is My Beloved Son

This one is my favorite

and is situated to be at the end of the collection.

All through the gallery we see how the Lord has healed

both physically and spiritually

the people of Israel.

But this last piece depicts

His entrance at the last dispensation,

introduced by His Father,

as He comes to heal the world.

Each sculpture is lovely and very tender.

I could look at them for hours.

I've only posted pictures of a few,

if you would like to see more, let me know.

Elder and Sister Watson

Introducing our new Trail Center Directors,

Elder and Sister Watson,

coming to us from Salt Lake City, Utah.

They are very talented people

who are already making their mark on the Trail Center

and falling in love with the wonderful

people here in Nebraska

as well as all the delightful missionaries

who serve there with them.

Dan's 19th Birthday

David calls during birthday dinner to wish Dan

a Happy Birthday.

Then he gathers up his stash from the paper trail.

Later, homemade ice cream cake, made with

chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream and

topped with

lots of candles!

Happy Birthday, Bud!

Car Show at the Strategic Air and Space Museum

It's a "guy thing".

Roses are Red

A dozen beautiful red roses

from my valentine.

I love you too,

President Kunz.

Specialized Training and Random Silliness

#1

These pictures were taken randomly during and after

specialized training in Council Bluffs.

See if you can tell which are real

and which are posed.

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

#10

Answers:

1- unposed, right before training began.

2- posed, when they realized I was taking pictures of them.

3- posed, although that is exactly what Elder Bowyer looks like when he's teaching.

4- posed, silly.

5- unposed, break in training.

6- unposed, roll plays.

7- unposed, sacrifices we are willing to make for the work.

8- unposed, all cleaned up.

9- posed, I think.

10- posed, but distracted.

I love everyone of these sweet faces with all my heart.

A special blessing that accompanies this calling

is that the Lord

literally opens the windows of heaven

and allows you to feel a little of what He feels

for all of His missionaries.

If I were asked to describe our mission

I would say

we are surrounded and filled with love!

A Visit From Elder Young

Our beloved, Elder Young surprised us with a short visit

during a zone conference.

He was just returning from a business trip on his way home

to California.

We begged him to lead us in the Mission Song

of which he and his sweet wife are the authors.

He agreed

and

it was just like old times!!!

Our wonderful missionaries may leave us

but they never are far from our hearts.

We love you Elder and Sister Young!

For those of you who do not know about our mission song

it is sung to the tune

"In our Lovely Deseret"

and was lovingly written by the Young's

to lift and inspire all of us here in NOM.

Following is the first verse and the chorus:

In this peaceful prairie land

we are missionaries grand,

come to teach the Gospel message plain and true.

In the service of the Lord

never seeking a reward

two by two we're marching forth to spread His word

(Chorus)

Missionaries of Nebraska

valiant servants of the Lord,

we will talk with every one

and not stop till we are done

bringing tidings of salvation to the world.