Special Visitors and December 20

Special Visitors and December 20

Jodi, Jordan, and Tay flew to Zuni on Saturday to spend the days leading up to Christmas with Elder and Sister Dattage!  I can't wait til they get back and share all they saw and learned!  They are staying right in the trailor with them.  Jodi has texted to say that it is life changing to be there.  She also mentioned the people absolutely adore my parents!  So wonderful!

For now we have a wonderful letter from Elder and Sister Dattage and some great photos.

December 20.2015  

Hi All,

This will be a short letter.  We are so enjoying Jodi, Jordan and Taylor visiting in our little trailer.

We are all staying here and it is amazingly fun.  Thanks Jeff for sharing them for a bit.

This week has been so busy.  On Friday we went to Gallup to help with a Zone Party for the young Elders then picket up a few people to go to Albuquerque to do some Temple sessions and then our Stake had been ask to clean the Temple.  It takes around 3 hours to get there and back.  We were able to do two sessions and started cleaning at 9:00 to 11:00.  After when we were ready to leave the men wanted to eat before we drove back.  I thought are you serious – so at 11:30 we were eating sandwiches and visiting.  We did get home at 2:30 and were so excited that Jodi and family were coming that we couldn’t sleep.  The next morning we took lots of Christmas booklets out to Branch Members and then they came.  On Monday Elder Dattage and I had delivered 55 invitations to our Branch to come to our Christmas Party on Saturday night.  This was fun and we visited with many that we other wise don’t have the chance to visit with.   So Taylor had one of the boys sit by her at the party and on top of that he started writing notes and texting her.  He came to the trailer and gave her a good by hug.  Oh dear.  She is beautiful and Zach was just so happy that she was nice to her.    We did find time to do wood for a few people – but less than usual. 

            On Saturday night when we had the party about 120 people showed up.  Somehow we had enough food.  There were people in every room, every classroom and then the Primary children did the Nativity Story.  They sang and did a beautiful job with it.  So much fun.  Some how the food just lasted through that many people.    Jordan and Taylor got to help serve the people and to help dress the children for the nativity.   Love watched the interactions with our family.     

            Today we did our Church meeting.  It was fun to have Jordan in Primary, Taylor in Young Womens and Jodi with us in meetings.  There were the average 60 or so people there.  Great meeting.

            Also we had dinner with the Salts, President Walker and us.  The kids had fun and we love those people.    Thought it was like family dinner at home. 

            So grateful for this experience and to also share some of it with family.  We love the Zuni people and they are so kind and are learning a lot.  This is a blessing for us. 

            We still find time to look and listen to everything our kids and grandkids share with us.  Love them  so much.  Thanks for all the fun gifts and messages that you share with us.  We look at them and just laugh at how funny the kids are but are so proud of them and all they do for others.  Love all of you and continue to prepare for a wonderful Christmas.  Such a beautiful time of year to celebrate the gift of our Savior.  Love the good feelings we get when we remember how blessed we all are. 

Love,

Mom and Dad

 Our truck office.  Set for the day. 

 Chain saw queen. 

 Zuni Snowman. Notice the color of the snow 

 The snowman maker.  He thought we were going to take something.  He came out with a nigh-stick.  Luckily no harm. 

 Dinner with Pam, The Young Womens President, and Gayle.  She makes beautiful bracelets. 

 Jordan enjoying trailor life. 

 Jordan and Taylor at dinner with Salts and Walkers. 

 Salts, Walkers, and our family.  

 Grandpa sharpening the saw

 Wood outing with the Salts

 50 inch diamater tree.  Always goes for the big ones. 

We conquered the pile. 

Mission Updates December 13

Mission Updates December 13, 2015

 The spring at El Morow. 

 Sister Dattage at the top of El Morrow. 

 The ruins at the top.  Dating back to the 1600's. 

 Dinner after the hike. 

 Elder Dattage at the top of the white rocks. 

 Working on the wood pile. 

 Dave a less active member in the blue and Jess a nonmember after hauling wood.

 Elder Blazzard showing how happy Elders are when they receive Christmas from home.

home

 Elder Dattage dropped the roast on his shirt and on the floor. Oh well what the Elders don't know....

Elders don't know....

 Right next to missionary work Grandpa's favorite thing is watching re-runs of Hunter wrestling 

 Mount El Morrow in the back ground. Elders and Sister Dattage waiting to hike.

 The El Morrowmissionaries going on a hike. 

 The pile of ashes after the first two days of cooking for Shaliko. They are considered sacred.

considered sacre

The pile of ashes after the first two days of cooking for Shaliko. They are

considered sacre

 Pile of wood to cut for a nonmember. Look like Grandpa Glens piles.

 Jordan's daily message asked for a Selfie, so we sent one. 

 Better picture of elder Blazzard's happiness.

 Salt family when mom graduates. 

We will be home in Zuni for Christmas. Lots of love.

December 14, 1015

Dear All,

            What a great week this has been.  First of all thanks to all of you for the many pictures, texts and such this week.   It just makes the week so much better. 

            We started the week by visiting El Morro National Monument which is about 45 minutes from here.  It is beautiful and a place where many of the Spanish explorers passed by and some of the Indians also.  On top there is a place that has been excavated and shows rooms where they once lived.  Tiny, tiny rooms mostly underground.  We are lucky to have all of things we now have to make our lives comfortable.  The hike was beautiful.  We went with about 20 plus young Elders and Sisters and a Branch President and his counselor.  Lots of fun energy from the young ones.    I think it reminded Elder Dattage of his years with YSA wards and Stakes.After we ate hot dogs and treats.  I think it was very beautiful and fun to do.  Not a hard 2 or 3 mile hike at all.

            Of course we had the usual wood excursions.  We supplied wood to the widows that do not have anyone in their family to help.  The wood is stored at the Salts and we can get it for them.  However Brother Salt and Elder Dattage and I seem to be the ones that add to the supply so there is always plenty.  The Young Elders come a lot and they always get to split it for the people. 

            The mutual girls had lots of fun.  They made decorations for their trees and for their friends trees.  Most of them were paper but pretty.  I tried but of course mine didn’t turn out very good.  The boys played board games and again 3 of the 5 came.  They had a few treats and had a great time.

            When Elder Dattage went for wood on Friday I didn’t go.  I was busy with making treats for a Relief Society get together and for a District Christmas Party.  He went with Dave Lasiloo who has been less active and his sisters son who is a non member.  That is such a good chance to be around them and to share testimony while they all work.  We have spent a lot of time with Dave and his family and he is a great man.  So willing to share the wood he gets with anyone that needs it.  Hard working man.  So glad to meet people like him.

            We have so many opportunities to visit with people in Zuni about the gospel.  We mostly visit with those that are already members but have become less active which is such a blessing to us as we visit with them and bear testimony.  We try to help them remember why they became members in the first place.  They know and they are humble as we visit. 

            We were blessed to go see our friend Sister Salt be pinned and to receive her Associates degree in nursing.  This family is an example of  caring, hard work and love to all of this branch.  We are so happy for her and know this will bless her family as she takes her tests that she has to pass then gets working. 

            Saturday was our District Christmas Party.  We had to travel about 90 minutes to be there.  It snowed but the roads were fine.  We had a great dinner and laughed a lot.  They also talked to us and strengthened our testimonies so we can continue to serve our Heavenly Father.

            Today is Sunday and we had a  very special day.  We and the young Elders have been lead to a few less active families and have visited, hauled wood, stopped by and just  told them how much we love them a lot.  The Lord is softening their hearts.  We and the young Elders have challenged them to come to church    Today the Lalio mom, dad and Logan came to church.  They have been very active but became less active, then the Pinto family came in.  Some are members and some are investigators and they all came.  On top of that we have been trying to visit a lady, Sister Lonjose about 7 or 8 times.  We took her daughter in law home from work last week so she wouldn’t have to walk home at 9:00 in Zuni alone.  Elder Dattage went wood hauling with her husband and with Brother Lalio last week.  When Relief was about to begin I saw that I was sitting alone and was talking to them about missions and giving the closing prayer.  I sure wanted to stay in the front but know I should go back and sit with the Sister sitting alone on the back row.  When it was over I introduced myself and she was Sister Lonjose.  She was once very active and was so happy to be there.  She and Sister Pinto said  please come by this week and visit again.  Wow is all I can say.  The people want to be there and they are making changes because of the strength that this Branch is gaining.  We have a wonderful Branch President.  The people love him and his family.  He accepts and loves everybody.  The youth love him because he is a friendly good guy.  He and his counselors are blessing lives.  Brother Hooee who was less active after many years of activity is not a counselor in the Branch Presidency.  He reminds me of my dad Farrell.  He is legally blind but he carries a very strong magnifier.  When he takes charge he has to really use it and rely on his memory.  He  is a very strong member as is his wife and daughter.  I watch him and think of my dad and his magnifier and how he kept going.  Brother Hooee doesn’t lelt this keep him down.  Lesson to me for sure. 

            We just received a branch calling (I think mostly Elder Dattage)  We are the wood distributers.  I call from the Branch President.  )  Perfect!

            We have enjoyed our birthday cards giving.  People are happy to receive them.  There was one that we couldn’t find the brother home so we finally left it.  At 11:30 at night we got a call.  I think Elder Dattage thought he was off on the tow trucks but it was him thanking us and saying this was his first ever Birthday card. 

            We have our usual ups and downs  While I was typing this Elder Dattage was putting the roast and potatoes into the cooker over and dropped all of it on the floor.   It was hot and he got it all over his shirt, suit and the floor.  Oh well we live in a small place and it was an easy clean up. 

            The Elders have transfers this week.  I had no idea until we came here how much that means to them.  They found out we are keeping both of them for one more transfer.  They are working so hard and hope they can continue to help those in this area.

            Love your great communication.  Pictures of our Denver Fans, our swimmer, our math student of the trimester at South Cache, our cheer leader, our maker of such a cute Christmas Village, our Emma and her continuous smile, face time call from the Johnsons so we would know what they had purchased last week at the family outing.  Loved talking to them.  Short texts from our Hayden that we treasure, Jordan adding notes to the packages that come in the mail, cards she made, scores on our wrestler and videos of our wrestler and swimmers (great job both of you.)   Package from the Alicia and Ryan and kids with pictures and warm things and goodies with updates about the amazing three children there.  Loved all of this and all of you. 

            I hope all of you know that you are the reason we are able to enjoy our mission and to work so hard.  We want to do all we can to set an example for our kids , friends and grand-kids.  We are so lucky to be here.

            I want to close with a quote from President Monson from the Ensign this month:

“Let us have ready hands, clean hands, and willing hands, that we may participate in providing what our Heavenly Father would have others receive from Him. …..There are feet to steady, hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts to inspire and souls to save.  The blessings of eternity await you.”

            We are learning and have learned that the little things are so important.  We live in a small place that is very humble.  The people are happy and humble.  They love what is important and that is the Lord and living so they can return to him again.   What a blessing all of the knowledge we have today is.  Love all of you, 

Elder and Sis. Dattage

December 5th Letter

December 5th Letter

December 5^th, 2015

Dear Family,

            Hope all of you had a fun shopping day.  We sure missed you but loved seeing the pictures and fun texts.  (Taylor)  Loved the little kids also in fact loved every picture and Saturday wrestling scores we got.  You are great kids.  Love, love you.

            Last Sunday we finally cooked our turkey and invited the Elders over.  It was yummy and they were good company.

            The Branch decided to get a Mission Plaque for our one missionary.  They sent us to Gallup to find one.  We worked with the Salts.  The missionary is their daughter Megan.  What a fun project.  It turned out so great!

            We decided that if the Young Men got pizza on Wednesday they would come to mutual and have a planning meeting.  We made notes and took out to 5 boys in the branch.  3 of the 5 boys came and planned things like:  game night, snow boarding, getting clay and making ceramics but they said you had to offer a prayer before you could dig up the clay.  Oh well on that one.  They girls wrote testimonies to take with Books of Mormon when we all go caroling in a couple of weeks.   There were 5 of the 7 girls there.  They are great girls with good testimonies.  They had a short lesson on what a testimony really is.  Loved it!

            We took a huge load of weeds to the dump – last one for a bit.  Sister Leonard invited us and the Elders to dinner.  I was worried because I thought she was old and it would be hard for her.  It was yummy with corn tortillas and such.   Found out during the dinner that she is 4 years younger than me. 

            Here is an example of us driving down a street in Zuni.  One white truck and 9 dogs chasing us.  Wow I may never like dogs again after our Mission.

            Got to take birthday card to Sister Hooee.  We really love this family.  We had a good visit and the next night Brother Hooee said that this was the first card she had and she was so happy.  They do love little things.

            Did some service for Marie and grandma by fixing her trailer skirt, lifting her t v so she could dust beneath it, and fixing her smoke detectors.  She had a list when we stopped by.

            Had a great start to our day on Thursday.  We were invited to Sister Vicenti’s to see her son’s pottery.  He is a member living in Santa Fe.  His pots sell for $2,400.00  Showed us how he makes them.  We will sent a few pictures of his amazing talents.

            Another neat story.  We bought a few Christmas presents from a very talented lady in our Branch.  When we paid her she said she was so happy – now she can buy her daughter Gail the special light bulb she has wanted and needed.  Just wonder some times at the small things that make them happy.  I told her she made me just as happy because I could send some of her very beautiful things home to Utah.  Love these talented people.

            We were ask to go to the hospital in Zuni to see a boy from Ramah.  He has been in there 3 days for infection .  He is 13.  His grandpa won’t leave his side.  We tried to get him to leave for a few minutes to rest but he loves his grandboy like we love our grand children.  Such beautiful commitment to family.  We were so touched by him we went and bought treats and took back to him.  He finally opened up and liked the same things all kids like – beef jerky and potato chips. 

            President Walker wants a nativity done at our Christmas Party.  I found what we did as a family last year on the internet and took it to him.  When we see him tomorrow we will see who he has to this.  So glad they are doing this. 

            We visited with Brother Hatch.  I think I told you how glad I was that one of the Melchesidek Priesthood holders in our small Branch is on eye Doctor.  He is a great man.  He retired and he and his wife served Missions then when she passed away he came here to work.  His family is in Albuquerque and close to him.  A very great man.

            The Elders came over with a peanut bar cookie like we make at home.  Only difference is they smear an inch of peanut butter between the bar and the frosting.  Yikes for the eating that we are doing.

            Went back to visit Eva Marie the lady we took chicken to last week.  It was her birthday so we visited and took a card.  We were glad to see her sitting there eating chicken her daughter had brought to her.  What a cute lady.

            On Friday we needed to go to Gallup to get the Missionary Plaque.  We left at 6:30 so we could go to the balloon festival.  They launched 45 balloons at 7:30 a.m.   It was beautiful.  We are sending pictures.  We noticed that the Panda Express is now open in Gallup.  Yea

Saturday and Sunday are the Shalako  days here.  It is a big religious celebration day that I sent you the pages of information about.  They have people represent their gods.  They come off the hill and meet together.  The fire god goes first and actually lights a big fire of the weeds at the dump.  I think it will burn for days!  They go to the Shalaco houses that were built this year for them to stay in for a few days while they do their praying and rituals for health and posterity.  Lots of traditions and some not very happy ones.  They will be up all night and then tomorrow they will have the race between them and hope no one falls because they whip them.  The ladies have been cooking all week to feed these people and their families.  There are around 25 cars around each Shalako house today.  We went to the craft fair only and made a few purchases.  We are staying away from the races and the religious things.  It is a little uneasy down here right now.  There are quite a few people that come to see this but it is not something we want to attend.

            Elders just came over and we made Luminaries to put out front of the trailers.  It is Elder Blazzards family tradition and he wanted all 4 of us to make them.  I can’t draw but had fun with them.

            Hope all of you enjoy the Church Christmas fireside tomorrow night.  What a great time of year to love your family, celebrate with them, hug them and grow together in love and Spirituality.  We can’t look at our little Cache Valley Christmas tree without thinking of all of you, loving all of you and missing all of you.  There is nothing as important as spending time with your family.  Put them first above all else.  Some times that is hard but it is so important they know they are the most important thing in the world to each of you.  We were all sent here to help each other.  We are all Heavenly Fathers children and will some day return to Him.  We are so thankful for our Testimonies of Jesus Christ – it is such a beautiful blessing in our lives.  Be kind and respect each other.  Love all of you,

            Mom and Dad

 Zunis don't don't do much work. Tree growing up through cat. The cat is buried. I bet it has been there 15 years.

Bet it has been there 15 years on Main Street Zuni.

Balloon launch pictures at Red Cliff Park in Gallop

 Balloon launch

Love this picture. A little Zuni child sleeping while shopping in Walmart

 Wellsville Founders Day has nothing over Zuni Shalako celebration.

 Fur salesman selling at Shalako celebration.

 A family giving burnt offerings of food for their uncle who passed away one month ago. They say

he will receive the food on his Journey to one of the Gods.

month ago. They say he will receive the food on his journey to the gods

 Elder Blazzard's family tradition of making luminaries. We had fun. The other Elder is Elder

Yorgensen.

elder the shorter one is Elder Yorgenson

 Sis Vecenti and her sons pottery. Sells for around $2,200.

 Shalako pictures. Fire god sets fires to cleans and purify as he runs into town.

 Picture of another beautiful hill.

 Dads Shalaco head gear. Officially the biggest turkey in town.

Soft ball game in plowed field.

Our Christmas devotional with President Walker and family.

Letter from November 29th

 November 29, 2015

Dear All,

            This has been a very unusual week.  We have of course done service but lots of unusual experiences also.  Our District ask for a service report and I estimated about 84 hours this month including cutting, chopping, splitting and delivering wood, fixing tables, toilets,  clearing weeds, hauling garbage, cutting down wild trees and bushes, helping members rip out and remodel their bathroom, cleaning chimneys and covering air vents, cleaning the church and other small things.  We also feed families and take lots of treats to families. As well as feeding the Elders on Sunday for sure.

            Two nights this week around 9:00 we are just thinking we were done and some one calls or shows up.  One night Brother Hooee needed someone to help give a blessing and the other night was good also. A 16 year less active boy that does attend Mutual

Knocked on our door.  He was coming home from school after doing some night classes.  He had no way to contact his mom and it was cold.  We live a mile and a half from the school and he lives 2 miles at least from us.  We took him home.  On the way we met his mother who was worried about him and heading to the school.  Got a good visit with the family.   They can’t give up their Zuni ways 

            We really cleaned to church this week.  We even used Magic Erasures I had – did all walls, washed curtains and much more.  These ladies love their building and are willing to work hard to keep it nice and clean. 

Funny story.  We visited an elderly Sister that has been away now came back to Zuni.  She reminded me of Grandma Gayle.  As we came in a health care provided was leaving – so we got to see her medicine and hear how she felt.  She was fun but as we were leaving she said, I am so hungry so we ask her how we could help her.  She said, “The Helena Deli “in town have really good chicken and a side salad and it goes good with the chili hot sauce to dip it in.  I told her we would go get her lunch and she said I shouldn’t have sugar but I want a coke – now Sister she said not a diet coke a real coke.  She said I told my health care giver that we have good delis here with good food.  We had a great laugh when we went to do this for her.  We may be doing that again.  Zuni has a deli (kind of) in the Giant Service Station, in another gas station and at the Holana which is the grocery store.  People line up at lunch and dinner and buy their food out.  At breakfast most of them buy their food from someone sitting in a car and selling breakfast burritos out of the window for $2.00 a piece.

            So we had a very different Thanksgiving Dinner.  We actually had 5 people invite us to dinner.  We thought we would be having the Elders to dinner until right before Thanksgiving.  When we found out we would not be we decided to go for a ride and see some of the things that are in New Mexico.  We actually stopped at McDonalds twice that Day and no turkey for us.  It was a great day anyway.  We did miss out wonderful family for sure but we did our best and enjoyed ourselves. 

            Saturday  our District was invited to the Daltons which is about 90 minutes from where we live.  They were going to watch Utah State Play BYU.  We decided to go and we all brought finger foods.  We had a good visit with some of them and ate way too much fun , yummy food.’  We stopped and got a little Christmas Tree to put the fun ornaments on that Jodi and Jeff sent us.  How fun this tree is going to be.  We will send pictures to all of you when it is finished.

            I talked in Sacrament meeting about family and gratitude.  I talked a lot about the gratitude I had for our family and what amazing people you are.  How unselfish you are and how you are trying to live good lives.   I also used the parts in the “For the Strength of Youth “Pamphlet about gratitude and families.  I love that book and hope all of you have one in your home with little kids, teen agers or any age.  It is so amazing to me the wisdom in that book.  Love it so much.   After that I had been asked to do sharing Time in Primary.  I went upstairs and the only person that came to help me was Brianne Salt who is a senior in High School.  She had been asked to do a 20 minute activity.  I said no problem the two of us can do this and I just prayed that I could fill in the extra hour or so.  Some how it worked really well.  I did the opening, lead the music – yes everyone I led the music,  Brianne did her activity then I turned my sharing time into a lesson.  We played a fun game with it and even had time to color a picture.  I was so glad that things worked out for us.   I was so grateful for the experiences I have had to teach children in Church and in Primary lately because I could use these experiences today.  I felt very blessed to have this opportunity and to have the Spirit help me so much as I was working through this. 

            We have had ups and downs in our Branch this week.  It is their time for Shalako.  I will write and tell you guys about this.  It is two week of different things that the Zuni people do.  They have mud heads, different Gods and many things.  They build those houses and much more.  I am a big worried about all of this and how we can  not be apart of it.  Also they close their stores for 4 days and nothing opens.  It is very complicated and confusing.  Yes Jodi and Kim and families it is even more political than the Sham Battle.  It makes me love the Sham Battle for sure.  We will be find but it will be a very different time for us.  This is a village steep in old traditions and believes.  They can’t seem to see beyond most of them.  Very hard for them.  The members are wonderful and we are trying to work very hard with the less active members to help the core of this Branch.  Love them a lot.  Sometimes when we are with people I feel the Spirit so strong and feel like the right words even come from my mouth for a change because they are not my words.  What a blessing a Mission is.    

            Love our family at home.  You are blessings in our lives as you continue to grow and Love the Lord.   Kinnick thanks for the wonderful picture.  We hung it by our table.  Love every and all pictures you guys send on the phone or by mail.  We are lucky to have all of you.   We sure pray for your health, Spiritually and safety as you move ahead with your lives.  I feel we have been blessed with the best grandkids ever.  We loved talking to each one of you on Thanksgiving.  You are all so fun, kind and caring for us and for each other.  Have a really great week in school and keep in mind who you are and what you stand for.  You are all Sons and Daughters of our Heavenly Father.  I love the Young Women theme where it reminds us just who we are – girl’s daughters and boys sons of their Heavenly Father.  What a beautiful blessing it is to me to know and believe that.  I love you.  Never forget who you are and the potential you have in this life.  I want you to know that it is a blessing to be a member of this Church of Jesus Christ.  Because of it we are stronger, smarter and understand so much more of what Heavenly Father wants us to know.  Teach your little children all you can while they are home with you.  The Scriptures are so important in their lives and guide posts for them  You are the best.

Love your children with all the love you have because they are so special and are growing so fast.     When we get back it will be a different group of grandkids that have became even better than they were when we left if that is possible. 

Love you,

Grandma and Grandpa

 Adrianne Ann Salt out getting wood 

 Sunset in Zuni.  Beautiful sunsets every night. 

 Beautiful picture of Twin Buttes. 

 Elden and the Elders out drumming up business. 

 Vivian, our neighbor, wishing us a Happy Thanksgiving. 

 Look what Gallup is getting. 

Christmas in Zuni.  We love our Cache Valley tree.