October 1st through October 4th, 2024

 And then there were three...

We got a phone call late one evening from Elders Potter and Acevedo.  They had just received a phone call from President Peckham asking them to come to Lansing to pick up a third Elder.  Elder Haws was returnng to the mission after being home to take care of some things for a year.  We told him we were so proud, and impressed, of him that he stayed focused and chose to return.  He
is from St. George, Utah like Elder Potter.  Funny thing is they didn't know each other, but the counted 20 mutual friends.

Tuesday, October 1st:

We had to feed them breakfast then next morning, of course!

Wednesday, October 2nd we headed to Mt. Pleasant for Zone Conference.  Two hour drive south.  A chance to see many of the missionaries we have come to know.  So fun and boy do they love to be around each other.  And man are these young missionaries so articulate.  They know the Gospel too.  So impressive.  The last training segment by President Peckham he invited 12 missionaries to come to the front of the chapel and share why they chose to serve a mission and second why obedience is such an important principle.  To my surprise, he asked me to come forward.  I was the second from the last to speak.  Not really remembering what came into my heart I just know that I touched on the fact that Elder Gibbons and I love the Lord and have made covenants that as His disciples we are striving to keep them. We also chose to serve for blessings promised to our families.  Lastly that we love to learn and continue to learn as we serve.  I just referred back to our Temple Covenants as to why obedience is so important. 

The Traverse City Zone (ours), the Lansing Zone and the Midland Zone

Thursday, October 3rd:

Sister Chris Amundson invited all of us missionaries (5) to dinner at their property in her "fort" that she had finished building.  It was so much fun!  We roasted our own hot dogs and s'mores.  We had great conversations and it just felt relaxing to be there...even if we did come home smelling like campfire.  LOL.

Friday, October 4th:

The five of us missionaries invited Joan and Roy over to our home and fed them dinner this time.  Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, apple pecan salad, green salad and a really yummy orange juice bundt cake.  I have picked up some really good recipes from Facebook while we have been here.  I only took a couple of pictures.  One was during the meal.  We looked out the dining room window and realized the deer were in the backyard eating too.  If you look closely, you can see one through the window screen.

After sharing a video with Joan and Roy, "The Church at a Glance," answering their questions, sharing our testimonies and inviting them to watch General Conference, we chatted for a while.  Elder Haws plays the violin and Roy brought his mandolin at our invitation. While they played together, the other three Elders played Uno Flip while Joan and I had a sweet conversation.  I absolutely adore her.

Just a couple of days after arriving with Elder Haws, the evening after Zone Conference actually, President Peckham called Elder Potter to tell him that he was going to be transferred to a town called Manistee with a new companion coming out to the mission.  What?!  He's only been here a couple of weeks.  We've learned that is how it happens.  You go where the Lord wants you to go.  So this next Monday afternoon we will be driving Elder Potter down to the mission home where he will pick up his new companion.  Manistee is still in the southern most tip of our Zone, the Traverse City Zone) and to the west by Lake Michigan.  We are so grateful to get to know so many wonderful young missionaries.  But its heart-hard to say goodbye.