How about being more than a month behind in our Blog? Not Good. Guess we better turn over a new leaf, Right Now and catch up and stay caught up. Sorry family.
Thursday, October started out on the 2nd being "Our 38th Anniversary". Can you believe it? Where has the time gone to? We of course worked at the Archives, then went to dinner at the "Main Buffet". We had seen it in our travels so thought we would check it out. We thought maybe it would be like Chuck-O-Rama, but No, not quite. As soon as we opened the door and went inside we knew it was a Chinese Buffet. We went ahead and got seated and had to find our way around to all of the different things being served, on our own. We did find some things to try, but did not try the Shushi of course.
We know we are crazy, but it does not appeal to us. It was a good evening spent out together.
Friday, Oct 3rd, on our way to the Archives we pulled up to a stop signal just before pulling into the parking area when right before our eyes we see a Black Audi kiss a red Chevie Cruze. It was low impact and no one was hurt, but we had a ring side seat. The young girl driving the Cruze turned right in front of the Audi. Her car was not drivable so had to be towed. Grandpa and a lady who came by consoled the young girl. The lady called 911. In the meantime two Washington State Officers just coming on duty stopped to direct traffic until an Olympia Police officer could come take control of the situation. After all information was exchanged we took the young, shaken girl to her rental home since her car was not drivable. While Dad was consoling the young girl I stayed in the car visiting with Colette since she had called to talk to Dad and he was busy. Needless to say we were a little late getting to the Archives.
Saturday/Sunday October 4th & 5th--General Conference. We just hung out in the apartment and watched Conference on our laptop. It was wonderful as usual to see and hear all of the General Authorities and the Prophet speak and give us all counsel and advice from Heavenly Father. It was very spiritual and uplifting. Lots to go back to, read, listen to and digest into our lives.
Tuesday, October7th, We took a day off from the Archives to go to Ellensburg, Washington to a Washington State Volunteer Appreciation Event sponsored by The Office of the Secretary of State. This was by invitation and was also out of the Mission boundaries. We got approved permission from President Blatter. It was held in the Western Village V.I.P. Room. We had our picture taken with Kim Wyman, Secretary of State. Both of us also won raffle door prizes, pictures from the Archives. It was a BBQ lunch and there was entertainment from a retired physician, David Lundy, playing guitar and singing western songs. Also Kevin Barnhart, a 3rd generation Ellensburg rancher, who is a Cowboy Poet. Had some good pictures, but am still trying to get our pictures straightened out so don't have any right now. It was a fun and interesting event to be a part of as volunteers.
Wednesday, October 8th, we were able to Face Time so we could watch and hear Anthony open his mission call to Belo Horizonto Brazil. We are very excited for him. He will be a wonderful missionary. He has a while to wait since he won't be going to the MTC in Brazil until Feb. 18th, 2015.
Monday, October 13th, We now have another Volunteer doing Family Search digitizing of Microfilm this time. Bill Matthews is a widower so cannot be a missionary so serves as a volunteer and is being sent to various states to do his work. He has a 5th wheel he travels to different locations in. He thought he would be here for the winter, but has found there is not enough work for him to capture here so will move on November 24th to Arizona for a few weeks, then on to Texas for more extensive work.
Tuesday, October 14, Transfers. Took the young Sister Missionaries to Tacoma to the Transfer meeting. Sister Chapman is going home, sad to see her go. Sister Boone will get Sister Murdock from another area. Sure do enjoy having the sisters with their messages, prayers and visits. Glad they feel comfortable coming to our apartment on their way back to their apartment to visit, have some ice cream, etc. Gives us time to get better acquainted.
Monday, October 20th, Our Supervisor, Dennis Galbraith, came to be with us this week so he could help us with some situations we needed help with as well as for Laura and Jake. He lives in Texas, but has a large area to supervise. He drove to us coming through Salt Lake. We had him to dinner a couple of nights. He also helped Elder Martin with some computer things he needed help with. Enjoyed meeting him and getting acquainted in person instead of just on the phone or through e-mails.
Sunday, October 26th, Washington Tacoma South Zone Mission Fireside. It was done a little differently under President Blatter's direction. In the past we had music, but also testimonies from the Young Elders and Sisters. This time lots of good music, but the testimonies were from six recent converts. Also there were messages from President & Sister Blatter. Very spiritual and enjoyable.
Now we will move into November and get caught up to date.
Monday, November 3rd, Archives closed for an employee meeting. Gave us some time to get some shopping done and get ready to go to the Senior Missionaries Family Home Evening at Zion's Camp.
(about 47 miles north west of our apartment). It had been raining most of the day, at least what the natives call rain. We call it a constant misty drizzle. Smile! This continued as we traveled to Zion's Camp and it got pitch black dark. We have a GPS on our I-phone thank goodness or it would have been hard to find.
We had taco salads, etc. for dinner, then a short movie. Then we heard introductions of two new couples and testimonies of a couple that were leaving. We also heard from Sister Blatter and President Blatter.
Always enjoy our get-togethers with the Senior Missionaries. We are so scattered around we only get together every other month or so.
Tuesday, November 11th, Veterans Day--Archives closed so no work.
Had Sister Boone ad Sister Murdock for dinner. They are so cute and sooo funny, enjoy having them come.
Wednesday, November 12th, Washington Tacoma mission tour, with Elder Steven E. Snow, who serves as the Church Historian and Recorder as well as the Executive Director of the Church History Department. This was the South Zone day. All of the Elders and Sisters had been instructed to come prepared with a five minute talk on Faith. There were to be a few picked to give those talks. There was training from the Zone Assistants, as well as President and Sister Blatter and Elder & Sister Snow. Elder Snow picked 2 Sisters and 2 Elders to give their 5 minute talks and were evaluated after giving them. All did well. We found it interesting and funny that Sister Boone was selected because we teased he at dinner last night that she would be picked. It was good training and instruction for anyone, not just missionaries.
We have arrived at this Sabbath day and are caught up. Good lessons on Prayer and talents in our meetings today. Sure am glad we have the Sabbath to rejuvenate ourselves for the coming week. Very wise of Heavenly Father to make the seventh day for this much needed opportunity.
We think of all of you often and pray for the Spirit to be with you in all of your daily endeavors. We pray for your safety and protection from harm. Know that we love each and every one of you and know Heavenly Father has given us this wonderful family. It is our hope and prayer that we can each strive to make this an Eternal Family.
All our Love, Dad, Grandpa, Elder Martin & Mom, Grandma, Sister Martin
Sunday, November 16, 2014
Sunday, October 19, 2014
September 2014--Chapter 2
Monday, Sept. 15, 2014--This was our second Olympia 1st Ward Empty Nesters FHE. It was held this time at Brother & Sister Thompsons. The first for us was last month at Brother & Sister Smiths, it was a Bar-B-Q Potluck. We have found out that the Bishop encouraged them about 10 years to have these Empty Nesters FHE's, but to make them casual and not necessarily have any lessons, just a fun, social evening. Well girls (our daughters) it looks like we may just convert Elder Martin to games. We eve played cards. Can't remember what they called the game, but like the nine card game you guys play. It was a fun time evening had by all, even Elder Martin. Smile!!!
At the end of the evening as everyone else was leaving we got to talking mainly with Brother Thompson. We found out that he was in on the ground floor setting up of what is called "Camp Helaman". It was started here in Olympia 1st ward 19 years ago, then went to Olympia Stake, Lacy Stake and then stakes across the whole stake. It is now found in Oregon and many other places. It was initiated by Brother Thompson and other ward and stake leaders of young men of Teacher and Priest age because they saw a need for better preparation for Missionary Service. It was patterned as a mini MTC within a 5 day period. The whole program is run by the young men. There are only 6 adult Priesthood Chaperones who are only shadow leadership in the background. The young men leaders are chosen from the rest of the young men. Companionships are established by Zone Leaders and AP's of previous camps from previous years. The new ones coming in are assigned to older young men. They are oriented on camp and mission rules. Their manuel is Preach My Gospel as well as the scriptures. Their days are filled with study, role playing, service projects, physical exercise, Firesides, games, Testimony Meetings and guest speakers. If there is a situation that needs to be handled by an adult there is only one adult leader that the young men can talk to. There has been as many as 300 young men at the camp at one time. It is held at a church owned Zion's Camp here in the state of Washington. Interestingly it is not under the direction of Church Headquarters, but is under the local wards and stakes.
Area Seventy and other General Authorities have come and been speakers. They have been impressed with the program and what they have seen and indicated this should be s church wide program. Brother Thompson told the Authority "No, if the church were to run the program it would ruin the program because they wouldn't let the young men be in charge." Smile!
The 5 day experience culminates with a Youth Dance at one of the Stake Centers. The Young Women look forward to this also.
Thursday, Sept. 25th, 2014--Tacoma Mission South Zone activity at Zion's Camp from 9:00am-3:00pm.We were able to transport 4 Sister Missionaries. The missionaries had out door activities that were at various stations where they learned to trust and have faith in their companions. After each station the Zone Leaders had some lessons for them.
After the activities they came back into the dinning area for lunch that had been fixed by the Senior Couple Missionaries who work in the Mission Office (Elder & Sister Hadlock, Elder and Sister Harwood) and some of us other Senior Missionaries who helped also.
Since they had been in casual P-day attire the Young Elders and Sisters changed in to regular Missionary attire and President Blatter spoke to them then showed us all the "Meet the Mormons" new documentary movie put out by the church that was out in regular movie theaters on October 10th. This was a wonderful opportunity for the missionaries to see the movie since they have been told to not go to it, but to just encourage investigators, etc. to go to it.
After the day there we got the sisters back to Olympia just in time for them to go "knock door" in the pouring down rain.
Saturday, Sept. 27th 2014--Sister Martin went to the General Woman's Broadcast with Sister Boone and Sister Chapman. What a wonderful meeting. Loved the Choir and the Korean Primary Choir as well as the wonderful talks.
Sunday, Sept. 28th, 2014-- For this day we need to give some back up information. Awhile back our previous Supervisor, Chuck Titus, had sent us an e-mail about a Senior Couple that had sent him a testimony of their mission as Records Preservationists (yes, like us). They had originally been called to the Alaska Mission, but the records were not ready for them so they were sent to Montana. While in Montana they served in 5 areas capturing records, having to move 3 times. They finished the documents in Montana before their 18 months were up, in 8. They were then sent to the Chicago Mission to serve in downtown Chicago at the Archives there or the balance of their 10 months. They are from Lacy (right next door to where we are) and have recently returned from their mission. They got our e-mail address from the Petersons (a Senior Missionary couple in their Ward) and got in touch with us asking us to dinner on this Sunday. Of course we went, but did not have much time to visit because they had volunteered to take the young Sister Missionaries in their ward to a baptism in the northern part of the mission where one of the sisters had been before coming here. They came to the Archives one day to see us and we have yet to get back with them for a visit.
That wraps up the month of September. Guess it was a little busy, but enjoyed every minute of it at the Archives and our other activities.
We think of you all often and pray for your good health, safety and blessings for your righteous desires. Hope you are all reading, studying and praying for the Lord to help you know the things He wants you to know to prepare so we can be an Eternal Family. We know that there is much 9n the country and world today for us to "Be in the world, but not of the world" so hope you are gaining strength and Faith to overcome all that Satan is trying to draw you to.
All Our Love, Dad, Grandpa, Elder Martin and Mom, Grandma, Sister Martin
At the end of the evening as everyone else was leaving we got to talking mainly with Brother Thompson. We found out that he was in on the ground floor setting up of what is called "Camp Helaman". It was started here in Olympia 1st ward 19 years ago, then went to Olympia Stake, Lacy Stake and then stakes across the whole stake. It is now found in Oregon and many other places. It was initiated by Brother Thompson and other ward and stake leaders of young men of Teacher and Priest age because they saw a need for better preparation for Missionary Service. It was patterned as a mini MTC within a 5 day period. The whole program is run by the young men. There are only 6 adult Priesthood Chaperones who are only shadow leadership in the background. The young men leaders are chosen from the rest of the young men. Companionships are established by Zone Leaders and AP's of previous camps from previous years. The new ones coming in are assigned to older young men. They are oriented on camp and mission rules. Their manuel is Preach My Gospel as well as the scriptures. Their days are filled with study, role playing, service projects, physical exercise, Firesides, games, Testimony Meetings and guest speakers. If there is a situation that needs to be handled by an adult there is only one adult leader that the young men can talk to. There has been as many as 300 young men at the camp at one time. It is held at a church owned Zion's Camp here in the state of Washington. Interestingly it is not under the direction of Church Headquarters, but is under the local wards and stakes.
Area Seventy and other General Authorities have come and been speakers. They have been impressed with the program and what they have seen and indicated this should be s church wide program. Brother Thompson told the Authority "No, if the church were to run the program it would ruin the program because they wouldn't let the young men be in charge." Smile!
The 5 day experience culminates with a Youth Dance at one of the Stake Centers. The Young Women look forward to this also.
Thursday, Sept. 25th, 2014--Tacoma Mission South Zone activity at Zion's Camp from 9:00am-3:00pm.We were able to transport 4 Sister Missionaries. The missionaries had out door activities that were at various stations where they learned to trust and have faith in their companions. After each station the Zone Leaders had some lessons for them.
After the activities they came back into the dinning area for lunch that had been fixed by the Senior Couple Missionaries who work in the Mission Office (Elder & Sister Hadlock, Elder and Sister Harwood) and some of us other Senior Missionaries who helped also.
Since they had been in casual P-day attire the Young Elders and Sisters changed in to regular Missionary attire and President Blatter spoke to them then showed us all the "Meet the Mormons" new documentary movie put out by the church that was out in regular movie theaters on October 10th. This was a wonderful opportunity for the missionaries to see the movie since they have been told to not go to it, but to just encourage investigators, etc. to go to it.
After the day there we got the sisters back to Olympia just in time for them to go "knock door" in the pouring down rain.
Saturday, Sept. 27th 2014--Sister Martin went to the General Woman's Broadcast with Sister Boone and Sister Chapman. What a wonderful meeting. Loved the Choir and the Korean Primary Choir as well as the wonderful talks.
Sunday, Sept. 28th, 2014-- For this day we need to give some back up information. Awhile back our previous Supervisor, Chuck Titus, had sent us an e-mail about a Senior Couple that had sent him a testimony of their mission as Records Preservationists (yes, like us). They had originally been called to the Alaska Mission, but the records were not ready for them so they were sent to Montana. While in Montana they served in 5 areas capturing records, having to move 3 times. They finished the documents in Montana before their 18 months were up, in 8. They were then sent to the Chicago Mission to serve in downtown Chicago at the Archives there or the balance of their 10 months. They are from Lacy (right next door to where we are) and have recently returned from their mission. They got our e-mail address from the Petersons (a Senior Missionary couple in their Ward) and got in touch with us asking us to dinner on this Sunday. Of course we went, but did not have much time to visit because they had volunteered to take the young Sister Missionaries in their ward to a baptism in the northern part of the mission where one of the sisters had been before coming here. They came to the Archives one day to see us and we have yet to get back with them for a visit.
That wraps up the month of September. Guess it was a little busy, but enjoyed every minute of it at the Archives and our other activities.
We think of you all often and pray for your good health, safety and blessings for your righteous desires. Hope you are all reading, studying and praying for the Lord to help you know the things He wants you to know to prepare so we can be an Eternal Family. We know that there is much 9n the country and world today for us to "Be in the world, but not of the world" so hope you are gaining strength and Faith to overcome all that Satan is trying to draw you to.
All Our Love, Dad, Grandpa, Elder Martin and Mom, Grandma, Sister Martin
Monday, October 13, 2014
September 2014 has come and gone................
Yes, it is hard to believe, but September 2014 has come and gone. It seems like the days and months just flit away without even asking. So guess we will see what we can do about getting put into this Blog what happened since our last Blog of September 7th.
Monday, September 8, was our Senior Missionary FHE at Brother Jim "Chip" Foley's. He was our host and speaker. He lives in Lakewood, an area just west of Tacoma, right on the edge of beautiful Gravely Lake.
"Chip" had his spacious home set up for 30 plus Senior Missionaries to enjoy our usual sit down pot luck dinner and activity. "Chip" has a very interesting life story with more year to play out. He was born in Merrick, Lon Island, New York in 1946, a Catholic. His mother was a faithful (but non-attending) Episcopalian. He and his brother later attended the Presbyterian church. He was very shy and attended public school. In 1956 LDS Missionaries tracted out their house. His mother and brother were converted by reading the Book of Mormon. He was instantly converted upon hearing about the Plan of Salvation. His father stopped listening when they told of the Word of Wisdom.
He entered BYU in 1964, went on a mission 1966-1968 and later graduated in 1970. He wanted to be a Dentist, but Anti-Mormon Draft Board changed that. They vowed to draft all the Mormons in their district and did so, he being one of them in 1970. The induction station was in New York City where all draftees were told they were going to Vietnam. They were all given a battery of intelligence tests and "Chip" scored very high. This resulted in him being told he "was to valuable to be cannon-fodder" and would he be interested in something more in line with his intellectual abilities. He then asked them what was the most difficult job in the Army? The officer replied that there was a cryptanalytic course (the breaking down of codes and ciphers used by enemy nations) offered by the Intelligence Services, requiring calculus, so he chose that. He was sent to Ft. Devens, Massachusetts, did well and was the Honor Graduate of the class. Some were then sent to Vietnam, but he was retained to help teach the next Crypto class.
At BYU he met and later married Carolyn Gambee in 1971, raised five children and after 10 years of battling cancer Carolyn died in 2000.
In 1972 "Chip" completed Officer Candidate School and a Commissioned a Strategic Intelligence Officer working on codes, intercept, satellites, etc. He and Carolyn visited all 50 states and 30 countries. He was moved 21 times in 30 years, twice in Europe, twice in South Korea, once in Central America and the Middle East.
In 1979, after nine years as an Intel Officer and being interviewed by LDS Church Leaders he was transferred to the Chaplaincy. He was a Chaplain for 21 years and then retired from the Army in 2000, a full 30 year man.
His Patriarchal Blessing gives him two main assignments: (1) Do Genealogy (2) Write his family history. From 2000, to date, he's been diligent and persevering in accomplishing those tasks. He has now assembled and entered into computer database 20,276 names of his ancestors, and has written and transcribed into database 52,278 single-spaced pages of his family's history. The Patriarch said to write his family's history, and that "it would bless thousands"- so, not wanting to make God a liar, he's chosen to do his very best in preparing the history. It will be well over 70,000 pages when finished, and will contain more than 18,000 photographs, with an index, hyper-linking, etc. People have given him their journals, diaries, letters and photos. He's also interviewed and tape recorded over 60 families world-wide and transcribed those interviews and combined them into the family history. Such takes most of his time. Additionally, he serves in a number of local church callings (teaches High Priests and is assistant Gospel Doctrine teacher; leads music in Priesthood and Men's Chorus; is Ward Finance Clerk; is ward photographer; is Ward Financial Counselor; is Ward Family History Consultant; cleans the chapel every Sunday--as well as serving each week in the temple--which he's done off and on for the past 42 years (when the Army assigned him close enough to a temple). He has four great Home Teaching families. He spends considerable time answering Gospel questions posed by many people.
For our evening activity "Chip" asked if any of us had heard and sometimes questioned the myths and outright lies which have been floating around about the church, Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith.
We all had. He then proceeded to pick out several bound 81/2 X11 booklets, each thoroughly researched and documented with dates, places, names and facts and time lines roving their untruth. His training and years in Intelligence Service served him well. The evening was a Spiritual Feast.
I am indebted to our fellow Senior Missionary couple, Elder & Sister Petersen for "Chips"
biographical information.
We were going to enter some pictures of the evening, but Sister Martin is having some problems with her downloads of the pictures from Brother Foley's Facebook page. So Sorry for that.
Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014-- We were finally able to get Laura Adair (the young lady contactor at the Archives) to come to dinner. She kept putting us off for a long time. We had a really nice visit and time to get better acquainted. We just do not have time to really visit at the Archives, because we are all so focused on the work we are doing.
Saturday Sept. 2014--This was the Olympia Stake "Day of Service." Our Olympia 1st Ward was assigned to "pulling ivy" at Priest Point Park from 9:00am--12:00pm. The ivy is not native to this area, someone brought it here and it has gone wild (like our Russian Olives). It was a very successful time with a lot of hands making light work so to speak. Bad news on my part, I had my glasses tucked in my sweat shirt and somewhere along the way I lost them. Good thing I had my extra pair to finish my mission with.
Monday, September 8, was our Senior Missionary FHE at Brother Jim "Chip" Foley's. He was our host and speaker. He lives in Lakewood, an area just west of Tacoma, right on the edge of beautiful Gravely Lake.
"Chip" had his spacious home set up for 30 plus Senior Missionaries to enjoy our usual sit down pot luck dinner and activity. "Chip" has a very interesting life story with more year to play out. He was born in Merrick, Lon Island, New York in 1946, a Catholic. His mother was a faithful (but non-attending) Episcopalian. He and his brother later attended the Presbyterian church. He was very shy and attended public school. In 1956 LDS Missionaries tracted out their house. His mother and brother were converted by reading the Book of Mormon. He was instantly converted upon hearing about the Plan of Salvation. His father stopped listening when they told of the Word of Wisdom.
He entered BYU in 1964, went on a mission 1966-1968 and later graduated in 1970. He wanted to be a Dentist, but Anti-Mormon Draft Board changed that. They vowed to draft all the Mormons in their district and did so, he being one of them in 1970. The induction station was in New York City where all draftees were told they were going to Vietnam. They were all given a battery of intelligence tests and "Chip" scored very high. This resulted in him being told he "was to valuable to be cannon-fodder" and would he be interested in something more in line with his intellectual abilities. He then asked them what was the most difficult job in the Army? The officer replied that there was a cryptanalytic course (the breaking down of codes and ciphers used by enemy nations) offered by the Intelligence Services, requiring calculus, so he chose that. He was sent to Ft. Devens, Massachusetts, did well and was the Honor Graduate of the class. Some were then sent to Vietnam, but he was retained to help teach the next Crypto class.
At BYU he met and later married Carolyn Gambee in 1971, raised five children and after 10 years of battling cancer Carolyn died in 2000.
In 1972 "Chip" completed Officer Candidate School and a Commissioned a Strategic Intelligence Officer working on codes, intercept, satellites, etc. He and Carolyn visited all 50 states and 30 countries. He was moved 21 times in 30 years, twice in Europe, twice in South Korea, once in Central America and the Middle East.
In 1979, after nine years as an Intel Officer and being interviewed by LDS Church Leaders he was transferred to the Chaplaincy. He was a Chaplain for 21 years and then retired from the Army in 2000, a full 30 year man.
His Patriarchal Blessing gives him two main assignments: (1) Do Genealogy (2) Write his family history. From 2000, to date, he's been diligent and persevering in accomplishing those tasks. He has now assembled and entered into computer database 20,276 names of his ancestors, and has written and transcribed into database 52,278 single-spaced pages of his family's history. The Patriarch said to write his family's history, and that "it would bless thousands"- so, not wanting to make God a liar, he's chosen to do his very best in preparing the history. It will be well over 70,000 pages when finished, and will contain more than 18,000 photographs, with an index, hyper-linking, etc. People have given him their journals, diaries, letters and photos. He's also interviewed and tape recorded over 60 families world-wide and transcribed those interviews and combined them into the family history. Such takes most of his time. Additionally, he serves in a number of local church callings (teaches High Priests and is assistant Gospel Doctrine teacher; leads music in Priesthood and Men's Chorus; is Ward Finance Clerk; is ward photographer; is Ward Financial Counselor; is Ward Family History Consultant; cleans the chapel every Sunday--as well as serving each week in the temple--which he's done off and on for the past 42 years (when the Army assigned him close enough to a temple). He has four great Home Teaching families. He spends considerable time answering Gospel questions posed by many people.
For our evening activity "Chip" asked if any of us had heard and sometimes questioned the myths and outright lies which have been floating around about the church, Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith.
We all had. He then proceeded to pick out several bound 81/2 X11 booklets, each thoroughly researched and documented with dates, places, names and facts and time lines roving their untruth. His training and years in Intelligence Service served him well. The evening was a Spiritual Feast.
I am indebted to our fellow Senior Missionary couple, Elder & Sister Petersen for "Chips"
biographical information.
We were going to enter some pictures of the evening, but Sister Martin is having some problems with her downloads of the pictures from Brother Foley's Facebook page. So Sorry for that.
Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014-- We were finally able to get Laura Adair (the young lady contactor at the Archives) to come to dinner. She kept putting us off for a long time. We had a really nice visit and time to get better acquainted. We just do not have time to really visit at the Archives, because we are all so focused on the work we are doing.
Saturday Sept. 2014--This was the Olympia Stake "Day of Service." Our Olympia 1st Ward was assigned to "pulling ivy" at Priest Point Park from 9:00am--12:00pm. The ivy is not native to this area, someone brought it here and it has gone wild (like our Russian Olives). It was a very successful time with a lot of hands making light work so to speak. Bad news on my part, I had my glasses tucked in my sweat shirt and somewhere along the way I lost them. Good thing I had my extra pair to finish my mission with.
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| Sister Martin, Sister Chapman, Sister Boone |
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| One of many loads by wheelbarrow |
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| One of may loads on the John Deer small truck |
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| Sister Martin really did work |
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| Looking down the trail |
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| Looking across South Sound towards the Capitol |
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| Last clean-up and take to the large truck at the top
Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014--We also had the opportunity later to feed Sister Boone and Sister Chapman between 4-5 so they could go knock doors at 5pm. We can only feed them on Saturday or Sunday because of that time because we don't even leave the Archives until 4:30pm. We always enjoy having them to dinner (or drop by for ice cream grandpa has told them to come for). This time gives us time to get better acquainted and they always leave a message and prayer.
We will close this portion of September for now, because it has become so long and it is time to get off to bed. Sister Martin tried to do this Blog for September a week ago and clicked Save, but it did not save so got lost somehow. Now she will have to take another day to finish the month of September. Hope you all do not get to bored or tired reading this and will look forward to more later.
We love you very much and pray for your safety and blessings of your righteous desires.
Love, Elder Martin, Dad, Grandpa & Sister Martin, Mom, Grandma
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Sunday, September 7, 2014
7 Septembrer 2014
Oh! my goodness, where does the time go? We are not sure why we don't do better in putting more into our Blog, but maybe it is because we do not lead very interesting and exciting lives while here on our mission. We have a daily routine of getting up a 5:30am, getting ready for the day, fixing breakfast and a lunch to go. We leave the apartment between 8:10am and 8:20am. We cannot get into the Archives until 8:30am. We sign in and turn on the lights and the camera and wait until the lights are warm enough to capture the images we are working on. Then we need to set up things and make sure the focus is accurate or we will get rework if not. Then we take turns capturing, right now the big books of Assessment & Tax Rolls. Since we stand to do our capturing it helps that we can take turns to give each other a break and to sit down. We don't know how Laura and Jake can stand as long and as much as they do and not have someone to give them a break. We have lunch about 12:30pm and if the weather is good like it has been we eat at a picnic table in front to the Archives.
As you can see this poor trees leaves are turning and has been since July. We think it is off in its seasoning. We have heard from the natives that it is because of the dry summer we have had here.
Back to our daily routine. After lunch we do more capturing and have to be off of our work stations and out of the Reading Room by 4:30pm. Then off we go to our apartment, unless we have errands or shopping to do. On a normal day we get to the apartment about 4:50pm, check the mailbox and settle down to get dinner, read, study, etc. In the case of Elder Martin he usually tries to get a nap in before dinner. Smile! Unless we have appointments, which we usually do not, we read, study, do laundry, etc. and Elder Martin tries to get in what we call his "pre-sleep", in other words a nap. I believe he has a sleeping sickness of some sort. Smile!
Here are some of the things we did during the month of August:
We finally got Laura to come to dinner. We had a nice visit with her. We don't get much visiting done at the Archives. She is usually causing such a breeze around the room because she is flipping pages so fast to capture the books she is working on. Smile!
On Monday the 11th we had a Senior Missionary FHE and got to meet and visit with some of the new Sr. couples and President & Sister Blatter. We are not the newest anymore. Each of our areas take turns planning the FHE. We usually have a buffet and a speaker.
Finally found a day we could feed the Sister Missionaries on the 16th. The Olympia 1st Ward is so good about feeding them we have to work our turn in on a Saturday or Sunday because they are to be fed and back out knocking on doors by 5:00pm and we don't get home in time to feed them during the week. We still have Sister Boone, since Sister Wilken got transferred, but now have Sister Chapman from Arizona.
Sister Boone & Sister Chapman
They are cute, fun and crazy. Elder Martin has told them that they are to come have some ice cream whenever they have a good day or a bad day or something to celebrate. So they text us when they are about to their apartment, here in our complex, and ask if they can come over. We don't turn them down of course.
During the month of August we have continued to have really great weather. We had rain overnight the 13th/14th and a huge downpour on the 30th. Of course we think we have traded weather conditions with Vernal and their downpours and flooding.
On the 18th we were invited to go to a Bar-B-Q FHE for the Empty Nesters of Olympia 1stWard. Good time to connect a few faces and names and get acquainted. It was a lovely evening in a beautiful patio and back yard of the Smiths.
On the 19th I was able to help Rachael McOwen with her new baby girl. Rachael needed to pack and the baby would not let her put her down, so I went and held her while Rachael packed. She was going to Utah for a Family Reunion and also is packing to move out of our complex. They cannot stay in the one bedroom with a baby so will be moving in September to a Condo close to the chapel. We will miss them. Aaron is in the military and is gone a lot with his assignments.
OH! Yes! Sister Martin had her 77th birthday on the 22nd and we worked at the Archives, but Elder Martin took her out to dinner to Applebees. Sweet huh? Later in the month he bought her a wonderful present. He brought her up to date in technology with a I-pad Mini. She was very hesitant at first, but has really taken hold and loves it. Elder Martin calls her a techy.
On Saturday the 23rd and Sunday the 24th we had a wonderful Olympia Stake Conference. The stake has had some really wonderful things happen during the summer, a Trek, Zions Camp for the Young Men, Girls camp, etc. Saturday the youth had a music and picture display of the Trek. Sunday President & Sister Blotter spoke as well as the Temple President and his wife and the Stake Presidency.
The month of September started with a no work day on the 1st because the Archives was closed for Labor Day. We were invited to Elder & Sister Petersons for lunch with Elder and Sister Foulgers. These Senior Missionaries are Military missionaries working with the military in the various wards in this area. It is a wonderful thing they are doing giving these families the support and help they need.
One of the couples they are working with was also to lunch, Lisle & brother Li. He is a convert from China and is in the United States Army. A very cute couple.
L-R--Sister Peterson, Elder Peterson, Brother Li, Leisle Li, Sister Foulgers
We have a really nice walking path behind our apartment complex that runs about 5 miles. We have not quite taken it as much as we should or would like to and have not walked the full 5 miles.
Since getting out on our mission in April Sister Martin started having some pain in her right shoulder. It has gotten worse as time has gone on. Doing her therapy did not help. In fact it made it hurt worse. Dr. Young was consulted because we have thought maybe the rotator cuff had torn again. He said he would be glad to order pain pills or suggested seeing an Orthopedic doctor for a cortazone shot to see if that would help. We tried the local Orthopedic Group, but they would not take our Humana Insurance so we found the Multicare Orthopedics & Sports Medicine in Tacoma. One doctor said it was not his specialty so referred us to Dr. Coons. When he walked into the room he held out his hand and Said Elder Martin, Brother Coons. Yes, he is LDS. Since we had been praying we know the Lord guided us to him. He gave me a cortazone shot and it has so far been helping out great. Hope it lasts at least until we get back home.
Want to apologize for being delinquent parents and grandparents. We love you all and thank you for all of your support and wonderful thoughts and prayers. You seemed to have had a great Martin Family Reunion and sorry we missed it, but are so very thankful we have such a wonderful family who looks out for each other and loves getting together and doing things. May the Lord Bless you all on your road to hold tight to the Iron Rod and in staying close to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
All our Love, Elder Martin, Dad, Grandpa & Sister Martin, Mom, Grandma
As you can see this poor trees leaves are turning and has been since July. We think it is off in its seasoning. We have heard from the natives that it is because of the dry summer we have had here.
Back to our daily routine. After lunch we do more capturing and have to be off of our work stations and out of the Reading Room by 4:30pm. Then off we go to our apartment, unless we have errands or shopping to do. On a normal day we get to the apartment about 4:50pm, check the mailbox and settle down to get dinner, read, study, etc. In the case of Elder Martin he usually tries to get a nap in before dinner. Smile! Unless we have appointments, which we usually do not, we read, study, do laundry, etc. and Elder Martin tries to get in what we call his "pre-sleep", in other words a nap. I believe he has a sleeping sickness of some sort. Smile!
Here are some of the things we did during the month of August:
We finally got Laura to come to dinner. We had a nice visit with her. We don't get much visiting done at the Archives. She is usually causing such a breeze around the room because she is flipping pages so fast to capture the books she is working on. Smile!
On Monday the 11th we had a Senior Missionary FHE and got to meet and visit with some of the new Sr. couples and President & Sister Blatter. We are not the newest anymore. Each of our areas take turns planning the FHE. We usually have a buffet and a speaker.
Finally found a day we could feed the Sister Missionaries on the 16th. The Olympia 1st Ward is so good about feeding them we have to work our turn in on a Saturday or Sunday because they are to be fed and back out knocking on doors by 5:00pm and we don't get home in time to feed them during the week. We still have Sister Boone, since Sister Wilken got transferred, but now have Sister Chapman from Arizona.
Sister Boone & Sister Chapman
They are cute, fun and crazy. Elder Martin has told them that they are to come have some ice cream whenever they have a good day or a bad day or something to celebrate. So they text us when they are about to their apartment, here in our complex, and ask if they can come over. We don't turn them down of course.
During the month of August we have continued to have really great weather. We had rain overnight the 13th/14th and a huge downpour on the 30th. Of course we think we have traded weather conditions with Vernal and their downpours and flooding.
On the 18th we were invited to go to a Bar-B-Q FHE for the Empty Nesters of Olympia 1stWard. Good time to connect a few faces and names and get acquainted. It was a lovely evening in a beautiful patio and back yard of the Smiths.
On the 19th I was able to help Rachael McOwen with her new baby girl. Rachael needed to pack and the baby would not let her put her down, so I went and held her while Rachael packed. She was going to Utah for a Family Reunion and also is packing to move out of our complex. They cannot stay in the one bedroom with a baby so will be moving in September to a Condo close to the chapel. We will miss them. Aaron is in the military and is gone a lot with his assignments.
OH! Yes! Sister Martin had her 77th birthday on the 22nd and we worked at the Archives, but Elder Martin took her out to dinner to Applebees. Sweet huh? Later in the month he bought her a wonderful present. He brought her up to date in technology with a I-pad Mini. She was very hesitant at first, but has really taken hold and loves it. Elder Martin calls her a techy.
On Saturday the 23rd and Sunday the 24th we had a wonderful Olympia Stake Conference. The stake has had some really wonderful things happen during the summer, a Trek, Zions Camp for the Young Men, Girls camp, etc. Saturday the youth had a music and picture display of the Trek. Sunday President & Sister Blotter spoke as well as the Temple President and his wife and the Stake Presidency.
The month of September started with a no work day on the 1st because the Archives was closed for Labor Day. We were invited to Elder & Sister Petersons for lunch with Elder and Sister Foulgers. These Senior Missionaries are Military missionaries working with the military in the various wards in this area. It is a wonderful thing they are doing giving these families the support and help they need.
One of the couples they are working with was also to lunch, Lisle & brother Li. He is a convert from China and is in the United States Army. A very cute couple.
We have a really nice walking path behind our apartment complex that runs about 5 miles. We have not quite taken it as much as we should or would like to and have not walked the full 5 miles.
Since getting out on our mission in April Sister Martin started having some pain in her right shoulder. It has gotten worse as time has gone on. Doing her therapy did not help. In fact it made it hurt worse. Dr. Young was consulted because we have thought maybe the rotator cuff had torn again. He said he would be glad to order pain pills or suggested seeing an Orthopedic doctor for a cortazone shot to see if that would help. We tried the local Orthopedic Group, but they would not take our Humana Insurance so we found the Multicare Orthopedics & Sports Medicine in Tacoma. One doctor said it was not his specialty so referred us to Dr. Coons. When he walked into the room he held out his hand and Said Elder Martin, Brother Coons. Yes, he is LDS. Since we had been praying we know the Lord guided us to him. He gave me a cortazone shot and it has so far been helping out great. Hope it lasts at least until we get back home.
Want to apologize for being delinquent parents and grandparents. We love you all and thank you for all of your support and wonderful thoughts and prayers. You seemed to have had a great Martin Family Reunion and sorry we missed it, but are so very thankful we have such a wonderful family who looks out for each other and loves getting together and doing things. May the Lord Bless you all on your road to hold tight to the Iron Rod and in staying close to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
All our Love, Elder Martin, Dad, Grandpa & Sister Martin, Mom, Grandma
Sunday, July 27, 2014
July 2014
We are in the last week of July and all of the family will be joining together for the Martin Reunion the end of this week. Sorry we will miss it all and hope everyone has a wonderful time without us. We will be thinking of you all and looking forward to seeing pictures on our family reunion Blog.
We started out the month working two days then had a three day week-end because of the 4th of July on Friday. Since we had the day off we decided to just do our shopping so we wouldn't have to do it after work the next Tuesday. Then Dad painted some wood to use at the Archives to help lift the book pages. He has carefully cut the wood and painted them black. When we went to bed we could hear the fireworks from the Puget Sound. They send them up from boats in the sound. Guess we are pretty boring people even on a holiday. Smile!
Laura came back on June 30th from her two week vacation and then Jake took two weeks off and went to Utah. He came back on July 14th. When they are gone it seems funny not having all of the lights on and hearing them flipping through the pages on the books they are capturing so quickly
On July 8th we got a call from the Sister Missionaries that our friend Don Ericksen had taken a fall and wanted Elder Martin and his home teacher to give him a blessing. Of course we went over and found out he was in Junes apartment and just blanked out and fell. In his fall he cut the back of his hand and they don't even know how he did it. As the month has gone on his hand has healed well.
Don is quite unsteady since his knee surgery a year ago and either uses a cane or a walker.
Talked to Annette on her birthday. Heard she had a surprise birthday party that turned out great. Thanks to all who stay so close and do so much for and with and support each other.
We finally got to invite and have Sister Wilken and Sister Boone to dinner on the 19th. The ward is so good about feeding the missionaries that it is hard to find a spot on the calendar that is not taken. The mission has asked that they are fed at 4:00pm so they can get out to do their teaching and knocking doors between 5:00pm and 9:00pm and that makes it hard for us on week days because we are in the Archives until 4:30pm so we need to have them on a Saturday or Sunday.
Tuesday July 22nd was transfer day so we helped with transfers. Sister Wilken has one more transfer but was transferred to the Lacey area and will be living in Yelm. Neither are far from here. Hated to see her go. The transfer meetings are always very Spiritual. The Elders and Sisters that are being released and going home always bear their testimonies and lots of songs are sung as well as our new Mission President, President Blatter and Sister Blatter talk to the Elders and Sisters that are there. The new coming in Elders and Sisters are also introduced. There were 18 going home and 28 new missionaries coming in. That is the most they have had.
Sister Boone, Sister Wilken, Sister Martin
We did get to keep Sister Boone and got Sister Chapmen. Sister Chapman is from Arizona, Sister Boone is from Utah.
Elder Martin says our weather here is pretty boring. The nights range from 55-65 degrees and the days vary from 65-80 degrees. We have had some really nice days to sit on the bench or picnic table outside the Archives for lunch. We have even started showing a little tan. Smile! We did get some rain in the AM on Wednesday 23rd and overnight. Glad it stayed nice during the day on July 24th for the two ward (Olympia 1st and 4th) Pioneer gathering for games and desserts and socializing.
Friday, 25th, Don and June invited us to attend the Karaoke time at the Firs, where they live. The Firs is an apartment complex for senior citizens. There was a small group and it was fun to just sing along with them.
After church today, 27th, Don & June invited us to have dinner with them. They eat in the dining room at the Firs. They like to invite us to eat with them because they say it is their way of paying us back for taking them everyplace, like church, etc. Of course we don't need payback, we just enjoy them and being able to help by taking them to church and anywhere else they might need to go. They indicate it is hard to depend on us and others and not have their own cars to go as they want.
You would think all we do is play. Well not quite. We do enjoy these activities, but are set on getting our capturing done. This Records Preservation is a very important work. We are just a small part of what is being done all over the world to help gather documents for people to search their ancestors to take them to the temple. We are doing BIG books right now and have a 4 page list of this particular county, Clallam, Assessment and Tax Rolls. Elder Martin has his camera almost to the ceiling in order to get all of the array (what is on the capture table). Picture of capture table with a big book. Also the 50 megapixel camera almost to the ceiling.
After the above picture of the big book we have gotten even bigger ones. Elder Martin is really having to try hard to get the focus on these big books. A real challenge for him.
The following pictures will show you the trees that are growing on the top of the Archives building. They have been there since 1963 when they were planted in cement planters. We don't think they thought they would get as big as they have. Dah! There is a concern that the roots might go through the ceiling of the Archives, but no one really has thought it was a problem until recently. Now they are thinking that just maybe they should remove them. Smile! Here you will see what they look like above from the street level behind the archives.
Well, we do want our family to know how much we love them and appreciate their support. Even though we are not proselyting while on our mission we do share the gospel and have testimonies of the truthfulness of the Restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We have strong testimonies of the Atonement, the Book of Mormon, and of Jesus Christ. We have a living Prophet, President Monsen and all of the Priesthood organization Jesus had while on the earth. Our prayer for each of you is that you will also gain testimonies, if you have not yet, to all of this truth.
Until next time God Bless and keep you all in the Hollow of His hand.
All our Love, Dad, Grandpa, Elder Martin & Mom, Grandma, Sister Martin
We started out the month working two days then had a three day week-end because of the 4th of July on Friday. Since we had the day off we decided to just do our shopping so we wouldn't have to do it after work the next Tuesday. Then Dad painted some wood to use at the Archives to help lift the book pages. He has carefully cut the wood and painted them black. When we went to bed we could hear the fireworks from the Puget Sound. They send them up from boats in the sound. Guess we are pretty boring people even on a holiday. Smile!
Laura came back on June 30th from her two week vacation and then Jake took two weeks off and went to Utah. He came back on July 14th. When they are gone it seems funny not having all of the lights on and hearing them flipping through the pages on the books they are capturing so quickly
On July 8th we got a call from the Sister Missionaries that our friend Don Ericksen had taken a fall and wanted Elder Martin and his home teacher to give him a blessing. Of course we went over and found out he was in Junes apartment and just blanked out and fell. In his fall he cut the back of his hand and they don't even know how he did it. As the month has gone on his hand has healed well.
Don is quite unsteady since his knee surgery a year ago and either uses a cane or a walker.
Talked to Annette on her birthday. Heard she had a surprise birthday party that turned out great. Thanks to all who stay so close and do so much for and with and support each other.
We finally got to invite and have Sister Wilken and Sister Boone to dinner on the 19th. The ward is so good about feeding the missionaries that it is hard to find a spot on the calendar that is not taken. The mission has asked that they are fed at 4:00pm so they can get out to do their teaching and knocking doors between 5:00pm and 9:00pm and that makes it hard for us on week days because we are in the Archives until 4:30pm so we need to have them on a Saturday or Sunday.
Tuesday July 22nd was transfer day so we helped with transfers. Sister Wilken has one more transfer but was transferred to the Lacey area and will be living in Yelm. Neither are far from here. Hated to see her go. The transfer meetings are always very Spiritual. The Elders and Sisters that are being released and going home always bear their testimonies and lots of songs are sung as well as our new Mission President, President Blatter and Sister Blatter talk to the Elders and Sisters that are there. The new coming in Elders and Sisters are also introduced. There were 18 going home and 28 new missionaries coming in. That is the most they have had.
We did get to keep Sister Boone and got Sister Chapmen. Sister Chapman is from Arizona, Sister Boone is from Utah.
Elder Martin says our weather here is pretty boring. The nights range from 55-65 degrees and the days vary from 65-80 degrees. We have had some really nice days to sit on the bench or picnic table outside the Archives for lunch. We have even started showing a little tan. Smile! We did get some rain in the AM on Wednesday 23rd and overnight. Glad it stayed nice during the day on July 24th for the two ward (Olympia 1st and 4th) Pioneer gathering for games and desserts and socializing.
Friday, 25th, Don and June invited us to attend the Karaoke time at the Firs, where they live. The Firs is an apartment complex for senior citizens. There was a small group and it was fun to just sing along with them.
After church today, 27th, Don & June invited us to have dinner with them. They eat in the dining room at the Firs. They like to invite us to eat with them because they say it is their way of paying us back for taking them everyplace, like church, etc. Of course we don't need payback, we just enjoy them and being able to help by taking them to church and anywhere else they might need to go. They indicate it is hard to depend on us and others and not have their own cars to go as they want.
You would think all we do is play. Well not quite. We do enjoy these activities, but are set on getting our capturing done. This Records Preservation is a very important work. We are just a small part of what is being done all over the world to help gather documents for people to search their ancestors to take them to the temple. We are doing BIG books right now and have a 4 page list of this particular county, Clallam, Assessment and Tax Rolls. Elder Martin has his camera almost to the ceiling in order to get all of the array (what is on the capture table). Picture of capture table with a big book. Also the 50 megapixel camera almost to the ceiling.
After the above picture of the big book we have gotten even bigger ones. Elder Martin is really having to try hard to get the focus on these big books. A real challenge for him.
The following pictures will show you the trees that are growing on the top of the Archives building. They have been there since 1963 when they were planted in cement planters. We don't think they thought they would get as big as they have. Dah! There is a concern that the roots might go through the ceiling of the Archives, but no one really has thought it was a problem until recently. Now they are thinking that just maybe they should remove them. Smile! Here you will see what they look like above from the street level behind the archives.
Well, we do want our family to know how much we love them and appreciate their support. Even though we are not proselyting while on our mission we do share the gospel and have testimonies of the truthfulness of the Restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We have strong testimonies of the Atonement, the Book of Mormon, and of Jesus Christ. We have a living Prophet, President Monsen and all of the Priesthood organization Jesus had while on the earth. Our prayer for each of you is that you will also gain testimonies, if you have not yet, to all of this truth.
Until next time God Bless and keep you all in the Hollow of His hand.
All our Love, Dad, Grandpa, Elder Martin & Mom, Grandma, Sister Martin
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Bring you up to date 7-1-2014
I know, we wait to long in between our posts. Sometimes there is not much to add except our daily work. So excuse us when we are delayed with updates.
Since our last post Father's Day came about with some calls from some of the Kids. Dad really enjoyed hearing from all of you and had good visits. He also loved the cards and those that even drug out for a eek or month. Smile! It is fun to keep our holidays and other events lasting for more days.
Monday June 16th we had a Senior Missionary FHE. It was a yummy pot luck. We had Chaplin from Fort Lewis come and speak to us. Elder & Sister Martin were assigned to have a game or activity after our speaker. We pricked Brenda's brain for an idea and she gave us several things to pick from of which we picked "Pick a side" which was a good game to get better acquainted since there are several of us that have not been here long and some new ones too. My new cousin that I found while on our mission in Illinois, Karen Waldron, had some friends who were coming into our mission to serve in "Zions Camp" and this was the first time we met them, Elder & Sister Noel.
Wednesday, June 18th, we had a Special Pot Luck to recognize everyone who had helped with the flood and helped get things get back to some sort of normal. Got to meet some from the Archives we had not met yet.
Thursday, June 19th, was what is called "park day" in the mission. When we have seen it on the calendar we just thought it was a day of activity for the Elders and Sisters. BUT, not so it is one day a month that all of the Young Elders and Sisters park their cars for the day and do their tracting, etc. on foot. Since Sister Wilken and Sister Boone needed to have the District Elders (Elder Penny & Elder Brow) interview two children for baptism and the Elders were clear on the west side of the stake (or district) we were asked to go get them from their apartment and bring them here close to our apartment for the interview. So, we took time from the Archives to help them out by bringing them over and taking them back.
Sunday, June 22nd, was the last Missionary Fireside for President & Sister Weaver to give before they leave on June 26th. They instigated these fireside to give the members an opportunity to bring in-actives, non-members, investigators, etc. for a spiritual experience. They have done this by Stake and used the Elders and Sisters working in that stake to perform musically and bearing their verbal testimonies. We have been to several and enjoy them every time. The Spirit really resonates. We thought Don & June would enjoy it so took them. Since June is 99 and still not sure of many things even though she has been baptized it was a long meeting. She was getting really antsy and was glad to be getting on home. Smile!!
Jake, Kat & Kyson left Thursday, June 26th, to go to Utah and will be back July 14th. Laura has been gone for a week and will be back on July 1st. With both of them gone it makes our area a little dark without their light on.
Since we will be doing BIG books Elder Martin has been working on getting a larger work area so when he puts them down and has to raise his camera he will be able to get the whole aray (sp) (in other words capture the whole book).
Friday evening we had the Brenda, Corey and the kids come to stay for a few days visit. We drove west to the coast and up to see some of the Olympic National Forest on Saturday. We found the U.S. Fish Hatchery and the kids were able to fee some of the salmon that are being spaund in the pools getting big enough to let go on the river to make their treck upstream.
Then we went and found the worlds largest Spruce tree. It's circumference is 58"11", 191' tall, 922 AFA points and is about 1000 years old. It is in the Quinault Rain Forest.
Sunday we went to Sacrament meeting and did not stay for the other meetings because June did not make it to church and we needed to take Don
home and have the Enloe's meet June.
Our Sunday afternoon was spent at Corey's Assistant Nate Rowland's parents (Jane & Tom Rowland) farm about 30 miles south of us in Tenino, WA. They had invited us to visit and have a Bar-B-Q. What an awesome place it is. They have a beautiful home set in a beautiful wooded area. Tom will be harvesting his hay this week. We took a walk around their property and loved every minute of it.
Our apartment is just to the right. The leaves look like lace to me.
Since our last post Father's Day came about with some calls from some of the Kids. Dad really enjoyed hearing from all of you and had good visits. He also loved the cards and those that even drug out for a eek or month. Smile! It is fun to keep our holidays and other events lasting for more days.
Monday June 16th we had a Senior Missionary FHE. It was a yummy pot luck. We had Chaplin from Fort Lewis come and speak to us. Elder & Sister Martin were assigned to have a game or activity after our speaker. We pricked Brenda's brain for an idea and she gave us several things to pick from of which we picked "Pick a side" which was a good game to get better acquainted since there are several of us that have not been here long and some new ones too. My new cousin that I found while on our mission in Illinois, Karen Waldron, had some friends who were coming into our mission to serve in "Zions Camp" and this was the first time we met them, Elder & Sister Noel.
Wednesday, June 18th, we had a Special Pot Luck to recognize everyone who had helped with the flood and helped get things get back to some sort of normal. Got to meet some from the Archives we had not met yet.
Thursday, June 19th, was what is called "park day" in the mission. When we have seen it on the calendar we just thought it was a day of activity for the Elders and Sisters. BUT, not so it is one day a month that all of the Young Elders and Sisters park their cars for the day and do their tracting, etc. on foot. Since Sister Wilken and Sister Boone needed to have the District Elders (Elder Penny & Elder Brow) interview two children for baptism and the Elders were clear on the west side of the stake (or district) we were asked to go get them from their apartment and bring them here close to our apartment for the interview. So, we took time from the Archives to help them out by bringing them over and taking them back.
Sunday, June 22nd, was the last Missionary Fireside for President & Sister Weaver to give before they leave on June 26th. They instigated these fireside to give the members an opportunity to bring in-actives, non-members, investigators, etc. for a spiritual experience. They have done this by Stake and used the Elders and Sisters working in that stake to perform musically and bearing their verbal testimonies. We have been to several and enjoy them every time. The Spirit really resonates. We thought Don & June would enjoy it so took them. Since June is 99 and still not sure of many things even though she has been baptized it was a long meeting. She was getting really antsy and was glad to be getting on home. Smile!!
Jake, Kat & Kyson left Thursday, June 26th, to go to Utah and will be back July 14th. Laura has been gone for a week and will be back on July 1st. With both of them gone it makes our area a little dark without their light on.
Since we will be doing BIG books Elder Martin has been working on getting a larger work area so when he puts them down and has to raise his camera he will be able to get the whole aray (sp) (in other words capture the whole book).
Friday evening we had the Brenda, Corey and the kids come to stay for a few days visit. We drove west to the coast and up to see some of the Olympic National Forest on Saturday. We found the U.S. Fish Hatchery and the kids were able to fee some of the salmon that are being spaund in the pools getting big enough to let go on the river to make their treck upstream.
Then we went and found the worlds largest Spruce tree. It's circumference is 58"11", 191' tall, 922 AFA points and is about 1000 years old. It is in the Quinault Rain Forest.
After leaving the Nation Forest we drove to Westport at Gray's Harbor to take a walk on tour of the Lady Washington (a clipper vessel), the official ship of the state of Washington. It was docked at Westport to help them celebrate their 100th birthday. Westport is located on a peninsula on the south side of the entrance to Gray's Harbor. Westport was incorporated on June 26, 1914, and is the home of the largest marina on the Pacific Coast of the Pacific Northwest.
Our Sunday afternoon was spent at Corey's Assistant Nate Rowland's parents (Jane & Tom Rowland) farm about 30 miles south of us in Tenino, WA. They had invited us to visit and have a Bar-B-Q. What an awesome place it is. They have a beautiful home set in a beautiful wooded area. Tom will be harvesting his hay this week. We took a walk around their property and loved every minute of it.
The Enloe's left Monday morning and we went to the Archives to see what we could accomplish in half a day.
Tuesday, July 1st, we took the day off to attend a "Meet the President" meeting to meet President and Sister Blatter, our new mission president. It was a short meeting where he shook hands with all of the Elders & Sisters in the three districts in our part of the mission. Then they each spoke to us and bore their testimonies. They will be wonderful and a great addition to the mission.
Here it is July already and we have been here since the 25th of April, two months have gone of our 23 months. Time does not wait for anyone and this mission is going quickly like our last. We are rally enjoying our time in this "Evergreen State". We have changed the weather like we did in Illinois. At least we think we have. We have not had much rain, but it has been scattered with some really nice sunshine and pretty even temperatures. we will see how the rest transpires.
By the way we found out that the tree Sister Martin loves out our patio door is a Cedar. Take a look:
Our apartment is just to the right. The leaves look like lace to me.
We love our family very much and think of them all often and pray for their health, and safety and answers to their righteous desires. We appreciate all of your prayers and support. Thank you all for being part of our family.
All Our Love, Dad, Grandpa, Elder Martin & Mom, Grandma, Sister Martin
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Running to catch up/June 15, 2014
Seems like we are always running to catch up. The time is going so quickly. It has been three weeks since our last post. We took you up to Memorial Day in the last post. As if we had not had enough flooding with what happened at the archives, we came home from our work at the archives the day after Memorial Day to find our apartment was flooded. A pipe in the wall between the kitchen and the one bathroom had broken and had been pouring out under the bathroom sink for heaven knows how long. Both bathrooms, half way into our bedroom and closet, part way into the extra bedroom and the kitchen had standing water about to inches. We got ahold of the manager and she got the maintenance man and the carpet guys headed out way. Had to shut off the water of course. The pipe was fixed after cutting into the wall. The carpet was sucked out. We slept with fans for a couple of nights to dry out the carpet. Another maintenance man came to repair the wall in the bathroom and kitchen and it was two days before we could use that bathroom again. Quite an experience that was indeed. We just worked our capturing and preparation work at the archives the rest of the week.
Our Field Supervisor, Chuck Titus, came to train and help us from June 2nd to the 5th. He was a big help in getting some updates and easier ways to do our work. He is a great guy. He was our Supervisor when we were in Illinois also. We went out to lunch and had him over for dinner while he as here.
Starting Sunday June 8th the Olympia 1st Ward is and will be meeting with a different Ward, Olympia 4th Ward, and at the same time in their chapel while some renovation and upgrades on our chapel inside and outside will be done. It is a real new and different experience. Olympia 1st ward started out being the ones to conduct and teach. This will be every other week for the next 3 months.
It is very interesting having two active wards meet. It is like going to Stake Conference each week. Sacrament meeting overflows from the chapel into the back of the cultural hall. They use two sacrament tables and a full force of deacons and teachers to pass the sacrament. And yes, all of the Aaronic Priesthood dress in white shirts and ties and suits. Quite wonderful to see them like this.
We have met two very interesting and wonderful people that we have been helping with things they need to have done. They live just down the street in "The Firs" a retirement living apartments. Don Erickson, who is 85 years old and June Rose Doyle, Just turned 99 years young on June 11th. They both have lost their spouses and met at The Firs. Don was able to teach June the gospel and she was baptized about 6 months ago. She is still in the learning process about the church. There was a special birthday party for her at The Firs on Saturday.
Don was born in Provo, Utah and grew up in Vernal. His family had a farm and ranch on the land where Steinaker Reservoir now is, it was Steinaker Draw then. He left for college, then the Navy and has only been back to Vernal once or twice in the last 40 years since living here in Olympia. He was so excited to find out we were from Vernal. He has quite a memory and remembers name of many of the old folks we have heard of from when he lived in Vernal.
June was raised here in Washington on an island in the northern part of the state. She does not look or act 99 years old. Has a really good memory and it is fun to hear the stories of her growing up.
Since being up here I have made contact with my brother Greg's daughter from his first marriage, Michelle Warren. I had not seen here since she was a little girl. She use to spend quite a bit of time at my mother's and was close to her. I knew she lived in this part of the country so called her and on Saturday, June 14th Dad & I met her in Chehalis, Washington for lunch at Applebee's. She lives in Longview, Washington, but it is out of our mission so we could not go to Longview and she suggested meeting in Chehalis. We had a real good visit and shared pictures. She does not have many from her time with my mother, so told her I would send her some pictures when I get back home. We will have a hard time getting together after this week because she is starting a new job and will be working Friday, Saturday and Sunday and every other Thursday from 5:00 pm to 5:00 am. We will do it when we can though.
Sister Martin has been doing preparation work for Jake since there has not been any preparation with Elder Martins books Now Elder Martin is doing Probate Records and I have had some preparation on the 5 boxes he has to do, but I finished the preparation Friday, so am out of work for awhile so guess I will have to learn how to capture to help him. With my preparation work I have been sitting on a wooden chair. It has been a little hard sometimes on my bony bottom. Smile! Elder Martin has his feet go to sleep while standing sometimes so has to sit down and rest them to get circulation in them or walk around.
There is a wall clock in the room that chimes every hour and every half hour. It reminds me of home with my grandmother clock.
We will include some pictures of the things we have been working on to give you an idea of what we do.
Dad's cart of Big books
Laura's cart of Big Books & some of Dad's
Jakes Cart of Probated files
Elder & Sister Martin
Elder& Sister Harwood (from Idaho)
Elder & Sister Hadlock (from Vernal)
Our Field Supervisor, Chuck Titus, came to train and help us from June 2nd to the 5th. He was a big help in getting some updates and easier ways to do our work. He is a great guy. He was our Supervisor when we were in Illinois also. We went out to lunch and had him over for dinner while he as here.
Starting Sunday June 8th the Olympia 1st Ward is and will be meeting with a different Ward, Olympia 4th Ward, and at the same time in their chapel while some renovation and upgrades on our chapel inside and outside will be done. It is a real new and different experience. Olympia 1st ward started out being the ones to conduct and teach. This will be every other week for the next 3 months.
It is very interesting having two active wards meet. It is like going to Stake Conference each week. Sacrament meeting overflows from the chapel into the back of the cultural hall. They use two sacrament tables and a full force of deacons and teachers to pass the sacrament. And yes, all of the Aaronic Priesthood dress in white shirts and ties and suits. Quite wonderful to see them like this.
We have met two very interesting and wonderful people that we have been helping with things they need to have done. They live just down the street in "The Firs" a retirement living apartments. Don Erickson, who is 85 years old and June Rose Doyle, Just turned 99 years young on June 11th. They both have lost their spouses and met at The Firs. Don was able to teach June the gospel and she was baptized about 6 months ago. She is still in the learning process about the church. There was a special birthday party for her at The Firs on Saturday.
Don was born in Provo, Utah and grew up in Vernal. His family had a farm and ranch on the land where Steinaker Reservoir now is, it was Steinaker Draw then. He left for college, then the Navy and has only been back to Vernal once or twice in the last 40 years since living here in Olympia. He was so excited to find out we were from Vernal. He has quite a memory and remembers name of many of the old folks we have heard of from when he lived in Vernal.
June was raised here in Washington on an island in the northern part of the state. She does not look or act 99 years old. Has a really good memory and it is fun to hear the stories of her growing up.
Since being up here I have made contact with my brother Greg's daughter from his first marriage, Michelle Warren. I had not seen here since she was a little girl. She use to spend quite a bit of time at my mother's and was close to her. I knew she lived in this part of the country so called her and on Saturday, June 14th Dad & I met her in Chehalis, Washington for lunch at Applebee's. She lives in Longview, Washington, but it is out of our mission so we could not go to Longview and she suggested meeting in Chehalis. We had a real good visit and shared pictures. She does not have many from her time with my mother, so told her I would send her some pictures when I get back home. We will have a hard time getting together after this week because she is starting a new job and will be working Friday, Saturday and Sunday and every other Thursday from 5:00 pm to 5:00 am. We will do it when we can though.
Sister Martin has been doing preparation work for Jake since there has not been any preparation with Elder Martins books Now Elder Martin is doing Probate Records and I have had some preparation on the 5 boxes he has to do, but I finished the preparation Friday, so am out of work for awhile so guess I will have to learn how to capture to help him. With my preparation work I have been sitting on a wooden chair. It has been a little hard sometimes on my bony bottom. Smile! Elder Martin has his feet go to sleep while standing sometimes so has to sit down and rest them to get circulation in them or walk around.
There is a wall clock in the room that chimes every hour and every half hour. It reminds me of home with my grandmother clock.
We will include some pictures of the things we have been working on to give you an idea of what we do.
Dad's cart of Big booksLaura's cart of Big Books & some of Dad'sJakes Cart of Probated files
When we went to the Seattle Temple in May we did not put pictures on that part of our blog so will put some pictures on now.
Elder & Sister MartinElder& Sister Harwood (from Idaho)Elder & Sister Hadlock (from Vernal)
Will close for now and begin a new week of adventures to bring to you next time. Love our family so very much.
Monday, June 2, 2014
Scenes in & out of our apartment & Contractors
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| Stairwell to our apartment |
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| Courtyard out our window |
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| Out our sliding door |
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| In courtyard out our window |
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| Courtyard--Out our window |
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| Laura Adair |
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| Jake Levingston |
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