Hello

Welcome to the Julanders from Bear River City, Utah.

They will be working with the facilities management group.

More wonderful, amazing, delightful people

to love.

Little Sisters

We have had many experiences on the mission

that have strengthened our conviction

that the Lord is mindful of His children and

that the world in indeed a very small place.

One of those experiences was having Sister Itri come to Nebraska.

We have known and loved her family since she was a little girl.

Sister Itri's father and President Kunz

served and worked together for many years.

Then 18 months ago, who should be assigned

to the Nebraska Omaha Mission?

That same little girl all grown up!

It has been a joy to get to know her again.

Here are many of our wonderful sisters.

They are strong, righteous women

who love the Lord.

I know their pioneer sisters are mindful of them

and feel a kinship with these, their little sisters

who are also sacrificing to build the kingdom.

Office Lunch and Goodbyes

Periodically we get to have lunch with the

wonderful office staff:

from L-R Sister Lund, Elder Lund, me and President,

Sister Taylor, Sister Sorenson, Sister Thompson,

Sister Trost and Elder Trost.

What talented, organized, efficient

and faithful people.

This mission would never last a day without them.

We combined this lunch with a farewell to our sweet

Sister Thompson who has been a lifesaver in her calling

and an absolute favorite with all the missionaries.

We love and miss you, dear one!

Capitol Building

We attended a preparation day activity with the Lincoln Zone

to the State Capitol Building.

This lovely building, constructed in 1932,

is filled with beautiful symbolism

of courage, industry and patriotism.

The ceiling is amazing.

We all decided that this tile work

is of a missionary doing his early morning studies.

Don't you agree?

The statue at the top is of a sower

planting his seed.

Perfect for Nebraska!

And here they are, on the steps of the capitol

looking G-R-E-A-T!

What a fun day!

Thanks, Elder Osmond, for all your preparation

to make this activity happen

and thanks for including us!

You're the best.

In the Footsteps of Giants

Recently our mission was privileged

to enjoy a visit from four general authorities:

Elder Christofferson, Bishop Edgley,

Elder Cook and Elder Reall.

They were here to attend several

Priesthood Leadership Councils,

Stake Conferences and also hold a

Missionary Fireside for all our missionaries.

We spent most of our time with Bishop Edgley

because we were assigned to accompany him

to the conference where he presided.

What an incredible man,

very down-to-earth, very funny

and a man of amazing intelligence

and inspiration.

We had lunch with all of them, toured around a little bit too

and then ended up outside the Winter Quarter's Temple.

All of our testimonies were strengthened

just being in their presence.

The missionaries are still talking

about their powerful counsel

and the strength of their testimonies.

Super Seniors

Here are many, but not all, of our senior couples.

I cannot imagine a more marvelous group of people

in all the world!

We are privileged to associate with them

and in so doing see the gospel in action.

These are people who have answered

the call of the Lord

and have left family and comforts

to proclaim His gospel.

These are people who have lived lifetimes of service

and sacrifice that have refined them to who they are today.

These are people who truly

"get it"

and oh how we love them.

Outside ZLC

The Council Bluffs Stake President

owns some incredible property which he

generously opens up to people who would like to use it.

We held one of our Zone Leader Councils there.

President Kunz taking advantage of

the comfortable chairs.

After some training we enjoyed lunch

and s'mores at the fire pit.

The assistant's training took us all over the area

using the landscape as object lessons.

Great training!

Elder Hoyt hurt his ankle earlier in the day

and required a little help from Elder Warby.

"Hey, he ain't heavy, he's my brother..."

We held a testimony meeting high on a hill

ending the day.

What an incredible group of missionaries!!!