SMALL AND SIMPLE THINGS

Arnulfo Valenzuela gave a humble talk about Small and Simple things and the difference they make.  It is always good to recognize the difference we can make in just small changes, or small things we do that can make the difference for someone else.

http://bcove.me/aoalptnt

“Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.

“And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls” (Alma 37:6–7).

COUNSEL:

• Be humble
• Love people for who they are- show that love!
• Do simple things like sing a hymn with someone
• Don't be too proud to do just a small thing/small calling
• Reach out and invite someone

PROMISED BLESSINGS:

• Happiness
• You can invite others to come unto Christ
• You will feel the Spirit
• People will respond to your love and return to Church/the Lord
• You will have joy with them now and in the kingdom of God

We watched this with a young couple we know. (The wife is one of our Returned Missionaries.)  We then showed them the Mormon Message "By Small and Simple Things" about another of our RMs and his story of conversion due to a small and simple invitation.  During watching it, I got a text from that RM...it was pretty sweet!
I have always liked the story of Naaman, the leper, who thought it was too small a thing to be asked, not by the prophet, but by his servant, to go wash in Jordan.  We listen to the story and think, "I would not be like him."  And then, as we are told things to do by servants of the Lord AND EVEN BY HIS SERVANTS, THE PROPHETS, we ignore them and want to find our own way...looking for something more dramatic and seemingly purposeful than what the Lord really wants us to do.  We seek for the praise of men, or women instead of humbly just doing what we have been asked to do.
The Gospel is simple.  We do not need to make it more complicated than it is.  There is order in the Lord's Church.  That makes perfect sense, because it follows the patterns of God and how he created Everything with perfect order...its simple.

MEEKNESS DOES NOT EQUAL WEAKNESS!

I am a little behind in my updates on our Conference Talk project, so you get another this week.  This is Elder Ulysses Soares.  I love his accent and his message! He lives what he teaches...super humble guy!

http://bcove.me/guvrfpcg

COUNCIL:

• Be willing to follow Jesus Christ- try to be like him
• Have a calm, meek temperament
• Be willing and anxious to improve
• Show strength, serenity, self-worth and self control
• Improve day by day--a little at a time
• Control your temper/convey your feelings with patience and gentle persuasion
• Become humble

PROMISED BLESSINGS:

• Attributes will come as we use our agency righteously
• As we try to improve, the Lord will give us that which we are not able to attain due to our own imperfections and weaknesses
• The Holy Ghost will give His approval and sacred promises and covenants will become sure
• The Lord will lead us by the hand and give us answers to our prayers- we will recognize those answers as we are humble
• You can make the difference for good in other people's lives

We really loved this talk.  With what we do with missionaries, it is hard many times to be patient with them and their issues...we needed this reminder on how we can treat people (even when we know what they should be doing.  Remember my little plaque that says "I'm not bossy...I just know what you should be doing!")

2 TIMOTHY 2:24-26

 24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

I loved this scripture.  It told me that we are not to react with defiance or unkindness...even though this is REALLY HARD.  We need to be "apt to teach, gentle..."  We can give instruction and then allow God to give others repentance as THEY acknowledge the truth.  THEY recover themselves.  In other words, we help them learn for themselves.  We kindly teach and let them come to knowledge themselves.  This has been my philosophy as a teacher and hopefully as a parent.  HANDS-ON LEARNING  It just makes sense.  It goes along with being taught correct principles and then letting us govern ourselves.  It works.
MEEKNESS DOES NOT EQUAL WEAKNESS!!  That is my new catch-phrase!
Next time you are feeling defensive and angry...think of our new catch-phrase!  LOVE YOU ALL!

Some Random Events Last Week

OK, this is me setting up the camera and trying to get it to automatically take a photo of our dinner group with Elder Teh of the First Quorum of the Seventy at the Mission Home...you would think I would have it down by now...but I could not remember how to do it for the life of me!
















Obviously I figured it out.  This is our Office Staff and Mission Presidency along with Elder Teh in our living room turned Dining Room.  Worked really well for a nice dinner and I have a good recipe for Thai Sweet Chili Meatballs that is super easy for a crowd if you want it!

 We took Elder Teh to visit three of the AZ temples.  First to Mesa where the Recorder took us on a LONG tour all over in the temple...into the workrooms and laundry and everything!  It was more than we bargained for, but we were gracious and enjoyed it.

 Then we went to the new Gilbert Temple that will be an open house in mid Jan-Feb...that would be a good time to come and see us and take a tour.  It is gorgeous!

 Then back to our Phoenix Temple which does not look like much is happening, but they are working like crazy inside and doing landscaping outside.

On our way back down from Sedona and the long week, we stopped for dinner in OLD TOWN COTTONWOOD and could not resist a photo with this sign.

LOVE YOU ALL!  Looking forward to a visit from Susan for Thanksgiving...and Austin and family for New Years.  Schedule your last AZ Mission Home visit soon!  

M RUSSELL BALLARD- PUT YOUR TRUST IN THE LORD

The talk for LAST WEEK was Elder Ballards talk "PUT YOUR TRUST IN THE LORD"

http://bcove.me/34xm8m2q

I don't know about you, but I am really enjoying looking for the counsel and the promised blessings.  As a matter of fact, I think I am going to get a paper copy of the Book of Mormon and read it through marking these two things in 2 colors...what do you think?

COUNSEL:

• It is a commandment to do Missionary Work!
• We are to work as members and missionaries TOGETHER
• Make the decision to do what we have been asked to do
• Kneel in prayer personally and as a family to ask for missionary opportunities
• Demonstrate faith and watch for opportunities
• Just be positive, trust in the Lord and you will know what to say
• Ask for inspiration and then go and do as the Spirit directs
• REACH OUT TO JUST ONE BETWEEN NOW AND CHRISTMAS!
• Reach out in "normal, pleasant ways"

PROMISED BLESSINGS:

• We will be assisted in our labors if we act in faith
• We will be given the "gifts" that we need as we ask (Matthew 7:7-11)
• Fear will be replaced with confidence and faith
• Opportunities will come; they will flow naturally
• People will feel your love- they will not forget that feeling
• It is impossible to fail when we are on the Lord's errand
• Millions will feel the love of the Lord Jesus Christ
• You will find joy and witness miracles
• The Lord will hear your prayers and you will have many opportunities now and for years to come

You know, we are serving a full-time mission, but this advice is some we plan to take ourselves.  We do try to talk with people when we are out and about in public.  We need to pray for more missionary experiences too!  We get a lot with members, but we meet people all over that we get to interact with in small ways that can help with understanding that members of the Church believe simply in following Jesus Christ.  

Share with us if you have simple ideas on how to share the Gospel in your everyday life!  

WE LOVE MISSIONARY WORK!

TEACHING WITH POWER AND AUTHORITY

Teaching with Power and Authority:  Brother David McConkie   

http://bcove.me/gce621uc

I did not expect myself to love this talk when it started, but found myself really relating to it and loving the counsel.  I have been a teacher in many settings over the years, and have often felt uncomfortable...still do all the time!  It makes me nervous to speak to people when I feel unprepared.  So I really liked the simple ideas in his talk and how well put together they were...he practiced what he was preaching.

I also feel that this counsel applies to being a parent or partner...we are all teachers in our homes, workplaces, anywhere that we are talking with others.  

Counsel:

• Teach based on correct principles and you cannot go wrong- “God Speaks”
• Rely on priesthood authority; you are set apart
• Remember that you must teach what the Savior would teach if He were there, not your own philosophy
• Live so you can have the Holy Spirit as your companion: Keep commandments/Pray daily/ Study scriptures
• Prepare lesson after you prepare yourself
• Learn to listen
• Stand as an independent witness

Promised Blessings:

• You are entitled to help when you are called to teach
• You will be saved through the power of the Gospel
• You will have the power of God unto the convincing of men
• You will have sound understanding- a testimony of the truth of what you teach
• The Holy Ghost will help you to know what to do. Your own testimony will grow, your conversion will be deepened, and you will be strengthened to meet the challenges of life.”
• The Holy Ghost will testify of truthfulness and the words you read will become your words
• You will learn something from what you teach 

I know I will use this talk with missionaries to help them in their teaching.  That is one of our focuses this month.  I plan on using the advice myself!  I get to teach all the time, and need to do a better job of being in the scriptures as a background to everything that I teach.  I know I can find something that relates to every topic that I could teach, even if it seems not-Gospel related. (exercise, health, finances etc. they are all there!)

My own advice would be to:

•  LOVE both who you teach and what you teach.  It helps to have passion.  
• You don't need to know everything, you just need to know the basics.  
• When possible, find something in your own life that is relatable.

THE LORD'S GAME PLAN

HASTENING THE LORDS GAME PLAN : Elder Gifford Nielsen
http://bcove.me/pn7eajr7

I remember the enthusiasm of Elder Nielsen giving his talk.  Of course, as fulltime missionaries, it was even more exciting for me to think that he was giving this advice to every member of the Church.
What we have found to be true is that the Gospel is shared from heart to heart, most effectively by friends or family. Knocking on doors is the least effective method of sharing the Gospel.
Even when we find someone that is prepared to understand the Gospel, they need a friend to help them through the journey of joining the Church and becoming involved in a ward/branch family.
We have enjoyed watching our ward pray for the missionaries by name in Sacrament meeting...at first they would pray that Elders Dunn and Madsen would "find people to teach."  But by about the second week, they had caught on to pray that "we can find people for Elders Dunn and Madsen to teach."
I had forgotten to ask the missionaries each week who we should be praying for.  I plan on doing that this Sunday if we are not speaking in a Stake Conference.  If we are...I may remind the members to do the same!

COUNSEL:

• We have all been called on missions by the Lord through his prophet
• Have a “Game Plan” for missionary service
• Pray to bring someone closer to the Savior
• Pray for the missionaries in your area by name
• Pray for those they are teaching by name
• Invite someone to an activity in or out of your home

PROMISED BLESSINGS:

• Great joy! (Exclamation point)
• You can know the hearts of people
• You will make new friends
• You will know the missionaries better and be able to help them more
• You will be directed by the Spirit

I spoke on the phone this week with our dear friends, the Ellsworths, (whose daughter is renting our Provo home) and asked how it was being home from the mission.  She said that the only way they have been able to survive is to be busy doing missionary work at home, they are both ward missionaries!  I bet we are not far behind!

The principles of the Gospel are true.  The doctrine is sound. The greatest joys in our lives come because of the impact these truths have on our eternal family.  We feel compelled to share that same potential for happiness with our brothers and sisters.

What have you thought of that you could invite someone to that would help them feel the love of God in their life?

COME JOIN WITH US

The talk we studied this week was by President Uchtdorf from the Saturday morning session of Conference.  COME JOIN WITH US

Click on the line below to go to the talk.  Please let me know if this is a better way for me to imbed the code for the talks rather than the way I have been putting the video right into the blog post.  Let me know what you prefer.

http://bcove.me/fqj362il

Here are my takes on the counsel and the promised blessings from this talk.  What do you see??

Counsel:

• Do not be afraid to consecrate ALL to the Lord.
• Participate actively in your faith. DO GOOD!
• Put your faith into practice by serving others.
• Respect all those who honestly seek for truth.
• Don't stumble because of the mistakes of men in a   perfect Gospel.
• Do not allow your doubts to keep you from the love, peace and gifts that come through faith in Jesus Christ.
• Do not judge members of the Church who are not perfect. We are all hypocrites if you judge that way.

Promised blessings:

• "Our daily walk with Jesus Christ leads to peace and purpose in this life and profound joy and eternal salvation in the world to come."
• "Those who follow this path faithfully avoid many of the pitfalls, sorrows, and regrets of life."
• "The poor in spirit and honest of heart find great treasures of knowledge here."
• "Those who suffer or grieve find healing here."
• Those burdened with sin find forgiveness, liberty, and rest.
• "God will not allow His Church to drift from its appointed course or fail to fulfill its divine destiny."
• "Here you will find the words of eternal life, the promise of blessed redemption, and the pathway to peace and happiness."

I loved this talk.  It spoke peace to my heart.  I have had enough experience in life to recognize the truths taught in this talk.  

I am never happier than when I am serving others.  

I know I have been blessed by making promises to God.  

I have learned that people are not perfect, but the Gospel is.  

Having a principle guided life makes all the difference in the world as to what some may see as "restrictions" that are embraced in the LDS faith.  I see the principles behind commandments and it makes so much more sense.  

I also know that I do not need to have the answers for everything right now. 

I know enough.  

I know God created this earth and each of us.  This earth was designed as a place for us to gain experience.  

I know we knew God and Christ and each other before we came here.  We are re-discovering things we knew before, but with a body.  

I know that we have infinite potential to learn and grow through this plan and the Atonement.  

It is all about family.  We are grateful that YOU are part of our eternal family.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN???

NEXT WEEK: Read Elder Gifford Nielsen's talk and Brother McConkie's talk.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!  WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!

TRICK OR TREAT!

We hope you all had a very fun and spooky Halloween...full of tricks or at least treats!

For us, it was a treat just to go out and do a little Trick-or-Treating missionary style.

This means that we took treats with us to visit missionaries and see how their apartments or homes were.  We were inspired by last years visits with Mitch and Jennifer!

 Our first stop was in Peoria at the "Wright House" named after the homeowners who let 6 missionaries live in the home.  Here are President Taylor as the cat...or wookie, however you see it, Elders Crapo wearing the nose and tie...how appropriate for a missionary...
and Elder A Jensen wearing the pumpkin head.  Yes, his eyes looked just like that inside the pumpkin.
Our missionaries were inside from 6 PM on, so it was time for housecleaning, working on updating new digital area books and some time to play a game or two.

 We both signed the picture on the wall of the knights...putting on the whole armor of God!

Next stop was in Glendale N Zone with Elders D Jones and Fackrell.
They also live in a member home, but she was gone for the week, so they were home alone.
Treats were in full supply from a box Elder Jones received and we added to the booty!.
Gnomes were also in full supply...lots to choose from in this home.

 Next we went to Glendale Zone where we met up with Elders Stevens and Buechter and Elders Nield and Kellett.
You get an idea of how Scott and I worked our "costumes"
I am sporting a full circle top donated to the Mission by Sun City ward members...and play the CRAZY CAT LADY.  Scott was my CAT.  Here, Elder Buechter does the honors.

Last, we went to Glendale to a couple more apartments, one of which contained Elders Crane, McFarland, Shin and Pehrson.

They were in good spirits and were happy for the visit.

We made our final stop at their Zone Leaders, Elders Brothers and Parsons...sorry, no picture.





All in all, it was a good night of Trick or Treating.  We tricked them by showing up unannounced and left treats to encourage clean apartments.  AND, we felt the Spirit in each place we visited!

Finally, a reminder from our clever pumpkin that the work of the Lord is rolling forth in many new ways.

 #hasten
#happyhalloween
#spiritfilledlives

HOLD TO THE ROD- Elder Kevin S. Hamilton

Counsel:
Consistently read the scriptures
Don't pay heed to those that want to mock or make fun of you
Attend Church weekly to take Sacrament
Attend ALL 3 meetings each Sunday
Observe to keep Sabbath holy
Choose BETTER or BEST activities
Have daily personal and family prayer
Live the Doctrine of Christ (Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Holy Ghost, Endure to end.)


Promises:
Safety
Security
Increased measure of Spirit
Friendship
Joy
Peace
Receive all that the Father hath
Strength to resist temptation
Ability to navigate successfully in life
Protection

The POWER of Honoring our Covenants- Sister Carole Stephens

Really liked this talk and how it made me remember the importance of every good thing in my life and that it relates to the promises I have made to someone, whether it is my husband, my kids, my friends, or my God.  My relationships are BETTER because of underlying promises/covenants.  I know we WORK HARDER because we have made those serious promises and I love that aspect of commitment.
Trust is HUGE with us.  It is one of the most serious sought after qualities that I would seek for in any of those people I mentioned above.  I feel that trust is based on keeping promises, which just makes sense that God expects us to keep promises with him.

Counsel:
Recognize that we NEED TO MAKE, KEEP AND RENEW COVENANTS
Renew our baptismal covenants weekly through sacrament
Renew our temple covenants weekly through sacrament
Priesthood blessings are available to us, we should use them!
We have to EXERCISE faith...or we lose strength
Respect each other as sons and daughters of God

Promised Blessings:
We receive the Holy Ghost to be our guide
We can be sealed to our families forever
We receive POWER, God's power
We can return to live with God
Comfort, direction, encouragement, and inspiration come from Heavenly Father through worthy                priesthood holders.
God will keep his promises with you
Receive personal revelation
Be blessed by the ministering of angels
We can commune with God

We are grateful for covenants that bind our family eternally together.  Peace speaks to my soul knowing that no matter what, this promise will be fulfilled.  WE LOVE OUR ETERNAL FAMILY!!!

FAT MANS LOOP

 Saturday we were up overnight in Flagstaff and hence got a new Saturday hike destination!

We did not really know where to go, so I looked online for some ideas and found this hike very close to town.

We chose FAT MAN'S LOOP, a fairly short loop in a really beautiful spot East of Flagstaff.

 Unfortunately, the exposure on the camera was set at something strange after interviews this week so too much light was getting in.
The tree I was sitting on was really so cool...the colors and textures.


And Scott on another view of the same tree.

We kept wondering where the narrow pass meriting the name FAT MAN'S LOOP would come into play...until we were towards the end of the loop, on the going back down side.

 So, you can see it is a bit of an exaggeration, but a fun description of the trail nonetheless.

 Coming back down, we saw this cool tree with another tree or stump rather imbedded into it.  It was such a contrast of texture that it was really striking and I wanted a photo...inspired by Breanna's photos of the textures of the desert that she just posted this weekend as well, which was rather a coincidence.  I had been thinking of how she enjoyed seeing all the interesting textures when we would hike.


So, next time you are here in AZ with us, let's hike!  One more destination in our list of places we have hiked!

Opening Up- Jeffrey Holland

Dear Friends and Family,  We recently asked you to join with us in studying the conference talks from the past conference.  This past week we studied Jeffrey R Holland's talk about mental illness.  We admired his courage in opening up and sharing his personal experiences.
As we study the talks, will you join us in looking for the things we are asked to do (counsel) as well as the promised blessings.  We invite you to share your thoughts in the comments section of the blog.
COUNSEL:
Never doubt God's love
Never harden your heart
Take time for daily devotion- prayer/scripture study/worship
Seek counsel of those who hold keys for your spiritual well-being
Take sacrament every week
Hold fast to promises of the Atonement
Believe in miracles
Watch for stress indicators in selves and others- you may be able to help
Take time to be well
Seek advice of professionals- be honest with them
BE PATIENT
Have charity for those with illness

PROMISES:
The Savior will lift us above our trials
Divine love will make our suffering bearable, understandable and redemptive
Broken minds can be healed
Weakness will be raised in power
Those with disabilities will become grand and perfect

We also invite you to check out the resource recently released through the LDS Missionary Department entitled ADJUSTING TO MISSIONARY LIFE.  You will find that it is a booklet based on true principles of how to care for ourselves knowing who we are, children of God.
 If you are interested in seeing it for yourself, click on this link and then it will ask you to log into your LDS ACCOUNT in order to view it.
 https://missionary.lds.org/m-content/bc/PDFs/AdjustingMissLife_Booklet-LowRes_6-7-13.pdf
 Basically, you could call it "ADJUSTING TO_________________LIFE"and fill in the blanks.
For this week, please take a look at Sister Stephens talk and Elder Hamiltons talk from conference.  WE LOVE YOU!  HAVE A GREAT WEEK!

Dear Breanna's Cat...

One day after Breanna left and Addie did not, we came home to find this note and pile of cat goodies.

Since you may not be able to read the little card, here is what it says:

"Dear Breanna's Cat,

Recently I have learned that you will not be leaving any time soon.  As you may have noticed, I am not too fond of your kind.  This in no way is your fault, simply due to past experiences I keep my distance.
Included in this note are items you may enjoy.   I hope you like it.  I'm sure you are a great cat...
However, our relationship will need to continue the way it has.  This was simply to let you know it's not you personally...just your kind.  Good luck in all your endeavors.
                Elder Austin Bartleson
P.S.  If you could try not to scare me anymore when I come over, that would be great."

Elder Bartleson is one of our Assistants and is pretty afraid of cats.  And you know how terrifying Addie is!!!  Well, she does rush around the house sometimes at night, but other than that, she is so mellow it is funny to think anyone could be afraid of her :)

He still comes over, and we let her walk around...cat therapy, we call it!

TRIP TO GRAND CANYON BRANCH/ ROUTE 66 9/13

This month we had our first chance to get up to GRAND CANYON VILLAGE for Church!

We had hoped to get up there and when we saw that we would be in Flagstaff on Sunday, we worked it out to come up the day before, go out with missionaries at night and then spend the night so we could head on up to Grand Canyon Village to meet with the branch up there.

 The Branch meets in the building in the park called "Shrine of the Ages."  It is an interesting stone building that houses any denomination that can come up with a congregation.
In the past, they have had larger groups, but they have a small branch that is thriving!

It was Branch Conference so there were Stake visitors as well, so that was really a treat!

 We were delighted to see our missionaries, Elder and Sister McDaniel, serving in their Branch and doing a GREAT JOB!  They are so loved up there and are the perfect fit for the job!  It was a rainy day, but had absolutely POURED the evening before at a Branch activity!
 We came down from the Park and went through Williams, AZ, and drove on historic ROUTE 66 for a while.

So, what do you think Carter???

Pretty cool that Grandpa and Grandma drove on...

ROUTE 66!!!

For those of you who do not know the connection, it is famous from the Disney film CARS!

The song even says "Flagstaff, Arizona" in it.

We also saw some railcars from the GRAND CANYON RAILWAY.  GCR.

Apparently they have a neat winter train ride with hot cocoa etc. sort of like the Polar Express that they do to Heber, but this goes to the Grand Canyon from Williams, AZ...anyone want to come along??
We are loving getting to know even more of AZ.
Thanks for letting us share!
WE LOVE YOU!

SAN ANTONIO MISSION PRESIDENT SEMINAR 9/13

Each September and April the North America Southwest area of the Church holds training for the Mission Presidents and Wives in that area.  It is a highlight of our year!

This September we flew to San Antonio to meet our group.

The first day, we traditionally go to the temple, and it was just a beautiful experience!
For one thing, we treasure each trip we get to make to a temple...but to be there with missionaries of any sort, is really special!

Once inside, we have no tags to say who we are, we are all servants of the Lord Jesus Christ, helping others to come unto Christ as we serve in the temple.  But is is always great to remember those covenants that we made to obey commandments, and even greater to reflect on how much we continue to be blessed as we try to follow Him.

 That evening, we had a nice introductory dinner where we all got to introduce ourselves to new Mission Presidents and Wives, and got to mingle with our presiding authorities from Salt Lake.

This year, our authorities included, Elder and Sister Andersen from the Quorum of The Twelve, Elder & Sister Callister, Elder and Sister Foster and Elder and Sister Teh.

 That night, we had time for a walk around the area.  We had explored it the day before, so we knew how to quickly get over to the Alamo area.

It was rather charming at night, and not so hot as in the day.

 We walked over with some old friends, I say old, because they came out to serve the same year we did!

Presidents Pingree, Taylor, Killpack and Durrant!

And Sisters Taylor, Pingree, Killpack and Durrant.

 The next day we spent in training meetings all morning, started off with doctrinal training, which sets the stage for everything we learned the rest of the Seminar!  What could be better than things like
FAITH
OBEDIENCE

 We had dinner in a private room at Casa Ria near the Riverwalk area.  Perfect in every way!
And I loved speaking Spanish with the Maluenda's!  They are great!

 After dinner, we were taken on guided river tours by riverboat.  Two great LDS members were our tour guides and did such a good job!


We were staying in Marriott tower to the far right in this photo...there are two right by each other here.

 The whole Riverwalk area is really taken care of beautifully, and we really loved this little trip.

There was interesting architecture, and up close, really old and charming!

 This little river changes elevation, so in order to make it function, they have a lock and dam partway up to get you up to the next level.

You can see the other boat going in, the doors closing...

 ...and the same when we got in.  Then up the water level goes til you can continue on your way!

 At the end of the line, President Taylor tried his hand at steering the boat...good thing we were stopped at that point.  But he is hoping for a tip!

 We got a photo with the Callisters at one of the stops...they are delightful people!

 There was great artwork all along the river at different crossings.  This one had large fish that lit up at night.

This bridge was also famous for having bats that fly out at night in a swarm.  We waited a long time that night with no luck...

 So, we walked a couple miles back up there the next night just to try our luck and got to see them.
They did not come out all at once, but in a small stream, but it was still cool!

OK, this really did not turn out as a video...but it flips through shots as I filmed...

By the way, I learned how to say BAT in Spanish from the Maluenda's...
MURCIELAGOS!

The Gospel is true.  Serving a mission is the most rewarding thing we have ever done.  We admire those that come to teach and train us so much!  We get a strong witness each time we are with them of the truth of their message as well as the power of their callings!
Can't wait to hear them again at GENERAL CONFERENCE IN OCTOBER!!!