Our Back Yard

This lake is right behind our apartment.  It is a beautiful view each time we walk to our door on the side of the building.

Our Apartment

OUR FIRST WEEK IN VIRGINIA

The first few days in Yorktown were spent setting up our apartment. Elder and Sister DeLaney gave us some kitchen items, 2 chairs, an old recliner, a folding table, dresser, and a king-sized bed. They will be giving us a few more things when they leave on Nov. 18. We also bought some end tables, desk, night stands and lamps from thrift stores. Thrift stores here are plentiful but the prices are about double what we are used to seeing at Deseret Industries in the West. It is interesting to set up a home without any of our own things, since we came out here in our Buick, and didn’t have room for much more than our clothes, Bryan’s computer, and some books.

We stayed the first 2 nights at the home of Buddy and Lu Lord. He is the third counselor in the Newport News 2nd Ward Bishopric assigned to Fort Eustis and is the presiding authority in our meetings. He can conduct interviews and priesthood advancements. They have a lovely (immaculate) home and have been wonderful. He even found a desk and dresser on the side of the road and picked them up for us.

Our apartment is on the bottom floor of a nice complex, Clairmont, in Yorktown. In the back yard there is a beautiful lake, which makes a pleasant view each time we walk to our door, since our entrance is on the side. We got a 2 bedroom place because the DeLaneys said that their one bedroom place was too small. So we have plenty of room, especially since we don’t have much furniture and other “stuff”. We are glad that we got ground level though, because there will be a lot of hauling of materials and food bins to our meetings. We use the 2nd bedroom as an office.

We were given a television. We weren’t going to worry about getting one, but the DeLaneys told us that we need to keep up to date on the news and watch the weather warnings so that we can be safe and also alert the full time elders of any dangers. (They don’t watch any TV) This is a hurricane area and this week we even had a tornado warning in our county. It turned out OK, but the local channel was adamant about the possible danger for a couple hours. We got a lot of rain, but that was all.

Sunday we attended services at Fort Eustis. There were about 6 soldiers, plus Brother Lord, the DeLaneys, us, and Brother Benoit, the assistant group leader. Bryan will be the Group Leader when the DeLaneys leave. The full time elders also came for Sacrament Meeting. There will normally be 2 to 25 soldiers in attendance.

The first meeting is a combined Relief Society/Priesthood for 30 minutes. (I haven’t met any female soldiers yet, but they could show up at any time) A soldier taught the lesson. Next is a ten minute break, then sacrament meeting for 45 minutes. Two soldiers bless the sacrament, another one passes the sacrament. A soldier gave the talk. Some Sundays we will have High Council speakers or other guests. The soldiers usually wear their uniforms, so that helps to get their names right, since they are written right there on the pocket.

I was really touched by the lesson and talk given by the soldiers. It gave me a better understanding and testimony of why we are needed here. Military life is so harsh and stressful, it is a blessing for them to be able to attend meetings with other members and feel the Spirit. I’m so glad that they have this program and that we can be part of it.

The soldiers here are in the second phase of their military careers. They have completed basic training and are now in AIT, advanced individual training. They specialize in helicopter maintenance and repair. They are here from 6 to 30 weeks and do not leave the base during their training, without special permission. That’s why we hold services on the base, because they can’t attend wards in town. Some are just out of high school. Some are returned missionaries, and some are college graduates. They are married or single, but they are not living with their families here. A few have brought the family and housed them outside of the base and can see them once in a while. They feel alone and stressed here and are glad for a chance to mingle with church members and feel the Spirit.

We learned that the Military Relations Mission was established in 2002. Before that time 10-15% of members who joined the military remained active in the church. Now, with the help of this program, 50% remain active. Our official job is called “Activation and Retention” and we do not generally get involved with proselyting. Since we have non-members in attendance sometimes, the full-time elders do the teaching for anyone interested.

On Mondays we attend “In Processing”. This is the day that all of the new soldiers who have come in that week are briefed, taught the rules, given their jobs and assignments, and fill out all kinds of forms. We have about 1 minute to introduce ourselves as “representatives of the LDS Church” and invite any members or anyone who wishes to be associated with the church to fill out a form. We get their phone numbers and a little information so that we can contact them and invite to meetings and activities. Sometimes we will receive an email from missionaries at basic training, telling of some that will be coming to our base. In our introduction we do not use the word “missionary”, nor do we wear our name tags, since proselyting is not allowed on the base, and that would seem to send the message that we are looking for converts. We do however, wear our name tags when we conduct services on Sunday, in the Chapel Annex.

On Tuesday we hold two Family Home Evening sessions in the morning and one in the evening for any soldiers who wish to attend. We have a short lesson, then games, refreshments, and visiting. The morning sessions are not well attended, but are offered because of the various class schedules.

Friday we attended 2 graduation ceremonies. Three LDS service members graduated this week. We take pictures and mail them a copy. It is nice for us to be there, since families aren’t usually able to attend.

So our first week was filled with gaining a wonderful testimony of our mission here. We are desperately needed for these service members to have contact with the church, a blessed relief from the stress of military life and worldly influences. Since Bryan is retired military, and we both have military ID cards, we can get on the base daily without hassle, which would be impossible for other people. What a great thing to know that we have been training for this mission all of our lives.

WEST VIRGINIA

As we're driving in the mountains we often have to stop,
If we don't pay at toll booths we'll get stopped by a cop.
Toll roads have a ransom we are required to pay,
We have already paid at three toll booths today.

Nevada lets the gamblers pay to pave the street,
A plan that I agree with and think is kinda neat.
I think I'll tell them next time, "A brilliant thought just struck...
Replace toll booths with slots, and let me try my luck."

ILLINOIS

(Or taking wrong turns)

We took a road to Illinois but found us in Missouri.
We turned around & finally crossed the mighty Mississippi.

We found Nauvoo then followed signs to "Joseph Smith Historic Site"
We walked around & looked at things but thought "Things just aren't right."
About then we both realized what we had failed to guess--
"Community of Christ" it said, (Ah yes--RLDS!)

We finally found the temple and felt much better there,
Magnificent and lovely and flowers trimmed with care.
A peaceful confirmation of why we're going east
A testimony to the truth, a missionary feast.

WELCOME TO IOWA

(Even if we may not ever mention it again.....)

Iowa stubbornness carries no shame.
They earned their pride from Music Man's fame.
Corn by the acre as silos are filled
Breathtaking scenery, this artist is thrilled!

Des Moines has a silent "s".
Why is anybody's guess.
Illinois isn't any better
Dropping that important letter.

As visitors to Boise find
The natives aren't so very kind--
Please use "s" instead of "z"
But Iowans would say Boi'ee.

LAMENTATIONS OF A TRAVELER

LAMENTATIONS OF A TRAVELER
Hotel, motel, motor inn
Some you lose and some you win.
Soft beds, hard beds, mine's just right.
But that's not where I sleep tonight.

I had to leave my bears at home
Around the house they're free to roam.
Will I say like Goldilocks said:
"Who's been sleeping in my bed?"

Duma Addendum:
20 questions in the car is difficult at best
Not like playing with our kids while traveling in the West.
The game would last forever, not ending very soon
We'd have to wrack our little brains to guess a flat raccoon.

KENTUCKY

Jenny was our baby dear
When we used to live out here.
Charleston, when she started school
Soon she proved she was no fool:

"There are 2 ways to say 'nine' she said
As she tossed her auburn head,
"You can say 'nine' or 'na-an'"
(That last one rhymes with man)

Last night at our motel, we met a southern belle:

"Have a good night sleep, y'all and don't forget the plan-
A continental breakfast is served from 6 to 9"

TREATISE ON NEBRASKA

Crossing time zones makes me later
And these roads can't get much straighter.
When will all these corn fields stop--
Cobs of corn and Jiffy Pop?

Cattle farms feed corn to cows
As much as cow diet allows.
We pass and stare in disbelief --
I guess that's how they grow corned beef!

.

DRIVING THROUGH WYOMING

Traveling in our P-day clothes
(Minus nametag, no one knows).
Crossing miles of brush and sand
Scenic hills and barren land.

I wonder what our God had planned
When He created barren land.
Maybe so we'd bend our knees
And thank Him when we reach the trees.

Jack-a-lope!  Is that a myth?
Something they just tease us with?
We'll show 'em up.  Did you hear --
Nevada has a big mule deer.

Moses must have passed through here,
Smiting rocks till springs appear.
I suppose they could make the claim
"That's how Rock Springs got its name."

Our District

Richards are going to Poland, Hydes to California, Elkins to Virginia (Fort Eustis), and Gays are going to Russia.  We got to be very good friends.

MTC

Nametags, backpacks, suits and ties,
Crisp white shirts and shining eyes,
Teachers, scriptures, foreign tongue,
Sitting, learning, old and young.

"Called to Serve" with tears and smiles,
"Preach My Gospel" - crossing miles.
"Two by two" to far off lands,
White haired couples holding hands.

To Fort Eustis, Army Base -
Off we go to our new place.
We'll see what old hands can do.
(Helaman served an army too!)

LEAVING HOME

Big decisions, lots of prayer
When to go and what to wear...
He'll prepare the way - we know
Let's just trust in God and go!

Autumn weather nips the air
Off we go - an anxious pair.
Leaving grandkids, friends, and home
Thus begins our mission poem.

Teaching Lessons

     Today we practiced teaching an institute lesson.  We team-taught for 20 minutes, then were evaluated by 2 other couples and an instructor.  Then they had their turns teaching.  I was really frustrated last night trying to figure out how to do all they taught us, but today it came together and we did well.  Teaching isn't as scary when you sort of know what you're doing. 
     There are 2400 missionaries here now.  Usually there are between 1700 and 2200 but many are awaiting visas for Brazil and other places.  I'm glad we don't have to wait for that. 
     Have I mentioned yet that the food here is incredible?  Imagine feeding 2400 hungry people 3 times per day every day.  The menus are great and there is quite a variety to choose from at each meal.  If anyone goes hungry it is their own fault!  It is very organized and runs smoothly.  The lines aren't even very long at any given time because of the variety of places that are serving.  The only problem is gaining weight.
     The Spirit is so strong here.  We are learning so much, and it is all good.  We love the teachers and the other missionaries.  They have become such good friends, just like family to us.  We are all going to different situations and it will be fun to follow their adventures as well as having our own.
     The blogs for some of the couples are linked here on this blog.    

Where Will We Serve?

We have had a wonderful first week at the Missionary Training Center.  We learned many new ways to teach the gospel and even had some volunteers to practice on.  It turned out to be fun and not as scary as we thought it would be.  This week we are getting CES training, (Church Educational System) in case we are able to teach some institute classes while we are out there.  Our brains are so full, we literally fall into bed at night.  6:00 comes early in the mornings, and I've never been a "morning" person.  It's a challenge, but we are doing great and loving all of the association with the other couples and the young missionaries too. 

Leaving our Home

Today we made the break from our "things" and our home. We decided on everything that we would need for the next 18 months and left everything that wouldn't fit into our car. It was quite a challenge to pack, not knowing what we really did and didn't need. Fortunately, we will be able to buy things that we couldn't fit in. At least we won't be in a foreign country where they don't have soap and deodorant and hairspray and floss and those kinds of necessities. Ha ha.
Since we decided to turn off the electricity and water in the house, we had to drain the water heater and everything that holds water. Our neighbor used to be a plumber so he directed the process. We were SO greatful for the help. Then we put antifreeze in the toilets and all the drains (traps) so that the sewer smell won't back up into the house through the empty lines.
We also had to get rid of all the bottles and cans of food that wouldn't survive the heat and cold. We gave most of it away. An interesting operation, after being taught for so long to store a year's supply of food, then getting rid of it! IT sure takes a lot of faith to go through this whole process.
But we're on our way! We left our house and got part way to Salt Lake City tonight. We will watch conference with some of our children, then enter the Missionary Training Center (MTC)on Monday.
Wasn't Conference great today? We listened while we packed and cleaned. I can't wait to review those talks. The Spirit was strong and I loved listening.

It's Official

We got set apart last night! It was awesome. Now we just have to finish packing and finish securing the house and we'll be on our way. Our adventure in service is about to begin.........

Our Call!

We received our official "call" in the mail today! We will be going to the Virginia Richmond Mission to serve on Fort Eustis Army Base. What an exciting time! We will report to the Mission Training Center on October 4th - not very far away. Since we are retired military, we are uniquely qualified to serve this kind of mission, so it will be a great experience.
We hope that all of our friends will check this site weekly and we'll try to keep posting updates about what we're doing.