September 17th through September 23rd, 2024

The Lord taketh and the Lord giveth...

Tuesday, September 17th:

As requested, we hit the road again.  This time two hours south to Mt. Pleasant.  We were about to have a first hand experience with "Transfer Day."  The good news was, WE WERE GETTING NEW ELDERS!"

Meet Elder Potter (from St. George, Utah) and Elder Azevedo (from Spanish Fork, Utah)

Elder Potter and Azevedo have just finished their 12 week training as missionaries.  Separately with different trainers.  Elder Potter was made our District Leader and Elder Azevedo was made "Designated Driver."  Since their car was sitting at the apartment in Cheboygan we loaded their things into the trunk...alright it didn't all fit so one of the companionships from the Soo took the rest in his car and dropped it off to us.  Sometimes we really regret not having a truck still, but when we get 46-50 miles per gallon we stop complaining.  They are "white washing" this area.  Meaning two new Elders are assigned with neither of them knowing any friends or members.  Fortunately for them Elder Rogers and Kaiser had left detailed notes and info about lessons taught with names and contact info into the Preach My Gospel app the missionaries use.  These young men have hit the ground running and are so happy to be here in northern Michigan.  They are still excited about the newness of serving.

One of the fun parts of being asked to help with transfers was we got to see some of our former missionaries in our District.  Like Sister Froelich, Bridge and Radmall who served together in Petoskey.  Love these young women so much!

We did have to say goodbye to Sister Clanton who was only with us for a few weeks.  She headed to an area down state.  Sister Wehrmeister was picking up her new companion, Sister Richards who we will have pictures of soon!

The sad news (for us) was on transfer day, Elder Rogers was transferred to the city of Jackson to be a Zone Leader in a completely different zone.  I think he was a bit sad to not be able to continue to teach a few of the friends that are progressing towards baptism.  But, he will bless all the companionships in his Zone through example.  He says when he gets home he is going to buy me an ice maker.  LOL.  And he and Elder Sines promise to visit us.

The next day we took Elder Potter and Azevedo for look around town.  They loved seeing Lake Huron and it happened to be a beautiful night.  They kept saying, "It's so pretty here."

Friday, September 20th,  Branch Movie Night

Second movie night.  We showed "17 Miracles."  We had about 15 people, but two were friends.  Jennifer and her son, Luke.  It was Jennifer's birthday so Sister Pugh made her cupcakes and brought ice cream.  I think it meant a lot to her.  They are in the middle of the picture just in front of Elder Gibbons.

This is one of the scenes of the movie (true story) where two young girls came upon a ton of snakes.  They froze, said a prayer, had the idea to continue forward an leapt over each snake without any harm.  I snapped a picture because Elder Rogers and Elder Sines always joked about this scene whenever we talked about any of the movies we might show.  "Oh you mean the one with the girls jumping over snakes?"

It has definitely turned towards Fall here.  Summer was not really summer for us.  There were beautiful days and warmer temperatures, but it is still 95+ degrees back home.  Here are some gorgeous scenes we are seeing.

Sunset as we drove down the street

Fall colors at Sister Mary Rybarczyk's house

The two female deer, each with two fawns, that play in our yard everyday.

Devan found a colorful catepillar

And finally, Joshua Hetrick.  He is the first counselor in the Elders Quorum Presidency and our landlord, Raymond Olson, hires him a lot to do repairs around his house and our house here we live in.  He has been painting our steps to the front and back door.  Well he discovered, after being stung, that there was a colony of bees at the front door so after donning the proper equipment went to work.  We drove in and had to take his picture.  Josh is a quiet, loving man with a tender heart.

September 10th through September 16th, 2024

This week was a roller coaster ride for us.  One of the toughest on our mission.  Don't get me wrong, there was so much good, but in the midst of it all Elder Kaiser went home.  

There were joyful times with Joan and Roy.  There is something very special about Joan and her desire to learn.  She has become dear to our hearts.  We have shared three dinner meals with them.  She is a generous soul.  Joan lost a young child and the doctrine of eternal families really touched her heart.

                                                   

We made a new friend a few weeks ago, Devan.  He has attended church several weeks now.  Even decided to wear a shirt and tie all on his own.  His life has been filled with dysfunction and addictions.  He even spent time incarcerated where he read the Bible enough to quote verses.  He is especially drawn to the Book of Revelation.  He has been homeless at times and came to Mackinaw City for summer season work which is winding down.  He will be "wandering" again and says he thinks he will go to Los Angeles next.  We are "planting seeds" and trying to help him feel good and draw him to Christ's love.  Underneath it all he is a nice young man, a child of God and just needs to believe Christ atoned for his sins.

It was his decision to grab his Book of Mormon for this picture.

On Thursday night we got a call from President Peckham asking us to bring Elder Kaiser to Lansing the next day.  Elder Kaiser needed to go home to work on some things.  He had become quite connected to Elder Gibbons and I could tell he looked up to him a lot.  He was trying really hard to be positive and brave, but it broke our hearts and we have prayed his family and Ward friends would scoop him up and love him as he develops a closer relationship with his Savior.

With Elder Kaiser gone, Elder Rogers had to be picked up by our Zone Leaders, Elder Sines and Elder Hom.  We got to see Elder Sines again, but suddenly the work in Cheboygan changed.  Leaving the missionary car here and their apartment empty, Elder Rogers drove away.  So sad to say goodbye to all the missionaries we've come to consider "our boys."  And we were without our missionaries.

Elder Sines, Elder Hom, Elder Rogers, Elder Gibbons and Sister Gibbons in the kitchen of our home.

On Friday, September 13th, we headed south to Lansing to the mission home and it seeing the look on Elder Kaiser's face told us it finally hit him that he was leaving the mission.  In his short three weeks he had grown and come to love being a missionary.  There is always hope he can come back out, but more likely that he could serve at home as a service missionary.  We know is God loves him and the Atonement is real.  We then drove back north and all the way to the Soo (Sault Ste. Marie) to take care of the apartment inspections we had scheduled with three sets of missionaries.  All in all we were gone 12 hours and drove 601 miles.

The next day we drove to Alpena once again to inspect the Sister's apartment only to find them without a car (it was in the shop unexpectedly) and that Sister Fowler was sick.  Elder Gibbons gave her a blessing and we went to the store to pick up some things and to Jimmy John's to get them lunch.  

With Sister Fowler and Sister Biggs

One day we hit 40,000 miles on the car.  

Sunday, September 16th:

Another milestone for Arthur Woollard and his family.  He was ordained as an Elder and received the Melchizedek Priesthood.  He asked Elder Gibbons to do so.  And he and Sheree invited all their family and some came.  What a wonderful thing to witness.

September 3, to September 9th, 2024

 (I am three weeks behind on sending emails and posting on the blog.  This is written on September 25th.)

Two events during the first week of September to record:

Saturday, September 7th:

We had our second Traverse City District Conference.  We opted to stay here in Cheboygan and set up the Zoom meeting in our building giving members here the ability to watch without having to drive two hours.  Some can't go on that long of a car ride for health or body issue reasons.  Some can't afford the gas money.  We enjoyed the conference a lot because several of our Branch members were involved.  Arthur Woollard, who was baptized on June 2nd, shared his conversion story at the Saturday night session.  He has an amazing gift for words.  We were so "proud" of him.  We also saw Ashley, who was baptized on August 24th, sing in the choir at the encouragement of our RS President.  

Then Elder Rogers, from here in Cheboygan, was called forward by the Mission President to share a miracle he had experienced.  He told of the miracle he witnessed when Sister Woollard said that joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints saved her marriage.  That is quite rewarding to know your efforts, combined with the Lord's hand in people's lives, can make such an impact for good for people you come to love.

We belong to a District here.  Not a Stake.  The Traverse City District is comprised of 11 Branches in northern Michigan.  We are a long way from becoming a Stake, but our missionaries are working so hard.

Just for the record, here is a picture of the District.  It includes every area above the green line.

Monday, September 9th:

Since it was our PDay, and Elder Rogers' 20th birthday, we had a District get together here.  The Sisters came over from Petoskey and we BBQ hamburgers.  Elder Gibbons thought it would be funny to give Elder Rogers prunes seeing as he was getting so old...not.  But the joke was on us because he didn't even know what the prunes signified.  That old people eat prunes to help with...well you know, right?

The Sisters brought them happy birthday crowns.

President Nelson turned 100 years old on September 9th too!  Saints celebrated all over the world.  There was a worldwide broadcast and we had a watch party at our church building.  We got our typical 15 people, which includes us four missionaries.

President Nelson is such a beloved prophet.  His kind, genuine love for us all is deeply felt.  Since becoming the senior living apostle and prophet he has doubled the number of temples the church will have once they are all built.  He has, under the direction of our Savior, made adjustments to temple presentations and words in ordinances.  He has asked us to minister to one another in higher and holier ways by changing Home and Visiting Teaching to simply Ministering.  His counsel to us in his General Conference talks, have included direction such as "Peacemakers Needed."  (Isn't that the truth?!)  He has encouraged us to "Think Celestial."  He has taught us about "Spiritual Momentum."  "Building Our Spiritual Foundations centered in the Temple."  And he has taught us about Hesed.  Meaning when we make a covenant with the Lord it binds us to Him in a covenantal love.  And so much more.  We know President Russell M. Nelson is God's prophet.

August 19th through September 2nd, 2024

We know time is rolling by quickly by how soon another transfer or Zone Conference comes along.  Every six weeks these things happen on the mission.  On Wednesday, August 21st, we drove two hours south to Mt. Pleasant, Michigan for Zone Conference.  Three out of six Zones attend which is half of our mission.

One take-away from this Zone Conference, meaning what I needed to hear.  One of the wise Elders shared an experience that made great impact on my heart.  He was talking about walking and knocking on stranger's doors in areas with humble people.  He said, "I saw a rough looking house, knocked on the door and found tender-hearted people."  What a great reminder to not judge and to trust that God is leading us to those whom He has prepared.

Saturday, August 24th

We had the opportunity to participate in a baptism here in our Branch. Ashley Nicole Barison chose to enter the covenant path, follow Christ's example and be baptized.  She had to be brave in her decision as her mother's boyfriend worked very hard and very often to convince her not to.   He even told her if she got baptized she wouldn't be able to live in his house anymore.  She was drawn to the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the joy she felt as she learned more.  What an inspiration she is to us for choosing to do so.  We know the Lord will bless her.  BTW - he didn't kick her out of the house.

  

Ashley asked Elder Gibbons to baptize her

Elder Kaiser and Sister Gibbons were the "witnesses."  It was our responsibility to make sure she was completely immersed, symbolically being buried, raised and "born again of the water which provided her forgiveness for her sins and all because of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Elder Rogers then confirmed her a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and through the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood gave her the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

Sister Pugh (left) the Relief Society President gave the talk on Baptism and Sister Harris (right), one of her counselors gave a talk on the Gift of the Holy Ghost.  There is something very wonderful and sweet feeling at baptisms.  When someone chooses to be baptized, it blesses everyone in attendance.

Sunday, August 25th

We and the Elders were invited to dinner at Joan and Roy's house.  We met Joan at The Lord's Kitchen as she serves there on Fridays too.  She loves to have the missionaries over for dinner and she always prepares a feast!  

She is Methodist and loves her congregation, but she keeps asking to learn more about our beliefs.  Without fail she expresses such appreciation for the principles and truths she is learning, but continues to say, "I love my church."  She is a wonderful person, even if she was an admitted spitfire when she was younger.  I need to get a picture of her!  But the picture below is of Roy playing the banjo and entertaining the Elders while Joan and I worked in the kitchen.  Once Roy got started he didn't want to stop and Elder Kaiser "sang" along.  

Saturday, August 31st

We had another baptism.  Theodore Ford Ormsbee, Jr was baptized by his father Ted, Sr.  Theodore's parents were baptized a few years ago, but never had their son and daughter baptized.  That was changed on this day.  Another baptism on Lake Mullett at the Pugh's beautiful home.  The wonderful things is his father wanted to baptize him and made some changes in his life so that the Aaronic Priesthood could be conferred upon him giving him the proper authority to do so.

Left to right:  Susan Ormsbee (his mother), Joyce (his sister), Theodore, Ted Sr. (his father)

Left to right:  Theodore just after his baptism.  David Hudson (who was baptized a few months ago).  And Hunter Woollard who attends church with his Grandparents who were baptized on June 2nd.

As soon as the baptism was over, we had to head back to our church building to fill the font so two people could be baptized from a different Branch from Sault Ste Marie, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  As we sat on the couch with Arthur Woollard watching the water in the font rise, we noticed we could see our reflection in the protective glass and thought it would make a cool picture.

Happy Labor Day!  Monday, September 2nd, 2024

There is a tradition in upper Michigan.  Every Labor Day they close down the Mackinaw Bridge and let people walk the 5 miles from one end to the other.  If you are able to do so in the allotted time, you can walk back the five miles after reaching the other side and earn the title, "Double Crosser."  Over 30,000 people did so this year and included in that group were some of our missionaries up her along with our Mission President and his wife.  After they were done, they came to our house for lunch to hang out for a while.  They kinda moved liked they had walked ten miles when they got here.

Front Row:  Elder Kaiser, Elder Rogers, Sister Clanton (new to our District and from Vancouver, Washington), and Sister Wehrmeister.

Back Row:  Us, President and Sister Peckham, Elder and Sister Smith who serve in Lansing doing records preservation for Family History (genealogy.)  We have mutual friends back home and we only met them here on the mission.

My favorite Elder and companion wearing Elder Kaiser's hat.