A week full of work

Neither one of my parents have ever been afraid to work!  This has served them well in Zuni! 

Dad helping a member gather wood for the winter.  Personal note:   This may be my favorite picture we have received thus far! I just love how that sweet man is watching Dad work! 

 Grandpa and I spent a few days winterizing the trailer.  It gets cold here!

 I was looking for pinon nuts.  They roast and sell them here.  Hunter you would love them!  They are a lot like sunflower seeds.

 A beautiful sunset

 We unloaded wood that was cleaned off a yard.  Full truckload!  Didn't make a dent in yard work!  Love wearing a skirt to do this!!!

 Dad and Elders cleaning up a yard.  Cutting down trees and loading them.  They all worked hard.

 A small part of a cemetary.  The graves are mountes.  They build little fences around them sometimes.  

Our friend Vivian.  She is a good person.                                                                                                                           

A busy week for Elder and Sister Dattage

A Busy Week for Elder and Sister Dattage

 Elden is looking for a new job. 

 So much water. 

Learning how to make a new oven. 

 Nutra set of five resivors. . Was a  big agricultural area but not any more.

 Thrashing machine at Nutra. Probably made in the early 20's.

Great rainy car wash. We get thunder and lightening with it.

10/25/15 Dear Wonderful Family,

Another week in Zuni and we are so so, so busy.  We know quite a few people here and they are good people.  They are nice to each other and treat us kind also. 

A little about last week:

On Monday of last week we took the Elders to the SnowflakeTemple.  It is a very pretty little temple.  We drive for 2 hours plus to get there.  A bit different than 8 minutes to the Logan Temple.  After we went to a Stake House a minute away and had dinner provided by the members.  We visited and were on our way home.  It was a 12 hour trip but we were so happy to go to the Snowflake Temple and enjoy our time there.

On Tuesday we worked on the trailer skirt and finished it.  So glad.  We went on a ride to Nutura which is a place that has a water source.  Many years ago they tried to be farmers and this is a huge valley that they farmed in.  Now it is desolate - no water and no crops, cattle or anything buy maybe two houses.  We did a bit of visiting in the North West part of Zuni.  We have seen most of the people in this area.  We were asked to do service with the Young Elders.  There is a yard close to the church and to us.  They would like us to week eat it or shovel the weeds and cut down a few trees.  Trees are mostly gone but a lot of work is needed.  We wish we had weed eater like Lances that chops. 

On Wednesday Elder and Sister Potter, our Zone Leaders, came to visit us.  They were just making the rounds in the lower part of the mission - and we are the lower part of the mission.  Good visit.  Then we went to a family called the Pintos.  We had such a good visit.  They don't come but want to come back.   We visited other homes also.  At night we went to Mutual where the girls were making decorations to decorate the young Womens’ room.  They cut pennants from material in the value colors and wrote the value names on them with paint.  They framed the theme and the motto and talked about getting pictures of Christ and the Temple.  They were excited.

On Thursday, after we studied, we went to see Marvis and Viiola and couldn't find them home.   We worked on the service project cutting and loading and unloading for part of the day.    I went visiting Teaching with Lena and Sue and we went to 3 homes.  They visit just like we do.  They talked about the things they do and their families and their love for the Church.  It was great.  After we went to Relief Society and learned to made washing soap.  It is very inexpensive but our washers can’t use it.  You put two cups of detergent in with each load.  Yikes it could run all over our trailer.

Friday talked to the Seleons and asked them to come to church.  They didn't come today.  Maybe someday they will come back.  The best part was the caregiver for the old mom wants to hear the Missionary lessons.  She has heard of the church but hasn't had the lessons.  We turn her over to Elders for that. 

We also visited with Sister Lewis.  She is 75 and not a member but a great lady.  She believes in all the right things but has never joined the church. 

Then when we were home and thought we were done the Elders called us.  They were trying to visit Sister Chevas and the member from our Branch Presidency that was going with them could not go so we headed over.    She has 4 kids and we were teaching her about the Family A Proclamation to the World.  As we were  eaving we invited the family to church .  Them as we were on the porch the mom and daughter who is 10 came out and ask if they could ride with us.  Of course we said yes to them.  They came today and we are taking them to the Church trunk  or treat and chilie dinner  on Friday  It was a great experience for us.

Saturday it was off to the Albuquerque Temple.  That is our Temple district.  It is about 3 hours away.  Our district all went and we went to an "All you can eat place."  I kept wishing Kim was there to eat with us.  It wasn't good at all.  Oh well.  When we got home I had a text from the Primary President.  She had lost her voice and was trying to get someone to do sharing time.  So I started to prepare after we had been gone about 13 hours.  I am so glad for the computer, internet and printer.  Thanks Shea.  I was able to pull it off about Temples in about a couple of hours.  I was glad I did some preparation because the Stake Primary President was there.  We had 14 kids which is a recent record.  They are so much like kids in Providence, Wellsville, Nibley and Hyde Park. They are wiggley and funny but they are eager to learn and sing. 

At 4:00 I am headed out Visiting again.  I know we don't like Sunday teaching.  I am going when Sister Vivinte wants to go.  After that we will feed the Elders and that is always a good time.  They are fun. Nothing is as fun as being with all of you on Sunday dinner.  It is the best ever but this is good for now.  We also saw some big elk this week finally after Elden looked for weeks.  There was one really big guy. 

We are blessed to have the family we have, the love you share and we share with you.  We know that sometimes we go through such hard times it seems so hard.  We just have to rely on our Heavenly Father through these times.  He knows us better than we know ourselves and he will help us if we turn to him with our problems.  He knows what we need and we think we do - not always for us however. 

Love this though from the Visit Teaching message, "Charity is having patience with someone who has let us down” said President Thomas S. Monson.  "It is resisting the impulse to become offended easily.  It is accepting weaknesses and shortcomings.  It is accepting people as they truly are.  It is looking beyond physical appearances to attributes that will not dim through time.  It is resisting the impulse to categorize others."  Wow I think that is one of my favorite thoughts ever.

T

hanks for all the pictures, thoughts and love we get from each of you.  We are praying for all of you and love you so much.  Continue to do good things.  Enjoy school and learn all you can to prepare yourselves for life.  Love you so much, Mom and Dad

Snow Flake Temple

Snow Flake Temple 

 Snow Flake Temple with the Young Elders~ A great Day!

About Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saint Temples

Link to Church's Official Website

http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/

Blessings of the Temple

“I think there is no place in the world where I feel closer to the Lord than in one of His holy temples.”

—President Thomas S. Monson

In addition to the closeness we feel to the Lord when we are in the temple, we can continue to receive blessings even after we have returned to our everyday lives. Attending the temple gives us a clearer perspective and a sense of purpose and peace. President Thomas S. Monson described temple blessings as follows:

“As we go to the holy house, as we remember the covenants we make therein, we will be able to bear every trial and overcome each temptation. The temple provides purpose for our lives. It brings peace to our souls—not the peace provided by men but the peace promised by the Son of God when He said, ‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’”

President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, described additional blessings of attending the temple:

“When members of the Church are troubled or when crucial decisions weigh heavily upon their minds, it is a common thing for them to go to the temple. It is a good place to take our cares. In the temple we can receive spiritual perspective. There, during the time of the temple service, we are ‘out of the world.’

“Sometimes our minds are so beset with problems, and there are so many things clamoring for attention at once that we just cannot think clearly and see clearly. At the temple the dust of distraction seems to settle out, the fog and the haze seem to lift, and we can ‘see’ things that we were not able to see before and find a way through our troubles that we had not previously known.

“The Lord will bless us as we attend to the sacred ordinance work of the temples. Blessings there will not be limited to our temple service. We will be blessed in all of our affairs” (“The Holy Temple,” Ensign, Feb. 1995).

Letter from October 17th, 2015

Letter from October, 17, 2015

Dear Family, 

Hope all; of you had a good week.  Some dear hunting, wisdom teeth, and doing and having fun at so many places including swimming at Scotts.  Looked so fun.  Of course even some shopping with Aunt Alicia.  Thanks for all the pictures and texts.

We have had a different week with Zone Conference all Day on Friday.  There are 74 seniors here.  A lot of them live like we do - just a senior couple and two or four Elders or Sisters.  The conference was   good.  It was our Districts  :turn to be in charge.  We were the new guys so we just had to tp set up, clean up and bring two lazannas .  I made kims good one with spinach .  I cooked it in the oven at the church.  At 6:00 Friday morning I was going into the church to cook it.

We were glad to find the place to cut and color hair.  She is cute but of course it is not like   home.   Good also to get the washer fixed finally.a door latch problem but when you  w. ash two or three items in a load you do get behind in a week. 

   We have visited a lot of people this week.  We are trying to visit everyone on their Birthday and take a card and then visit in regions.  We are trying to help find out who has moved or died for the Ward records.  There are hardly any families that include a husband and wife.  Many children however.   When we visit one house they tell us about their sister, brother....that lives down the road that was baptized also.  So many less active that don't attend church.  Very sad.  So many were baptized when they were 8 and then sent to the Indian placement program.  They came back home and their parents weren't members so they didn't go to church and still don't. 

I think you all saw the pictures of us helping Sister Viente.  Maybe not but Shea and Taylor have them and can send them on.  Dad was on the roof cleaning out the chimneys with her homemade room.  She used cedar and a long pole and old nylons to wrap it all together.  She won't use a chimney sweep pole because she may scratch her chimney.  She is so cute.  We also ate dinner with her.  Delicious with home-made tortillas.  I ask her how she made them and got a grandma Fern answer.  A little of this and a little of that. 

We also visited 7 or so other families we hadn't visited before.  We went to the home of Marie Jaman.  Her 86 year old mom lives with her.  We were going back to help with her wood.   .She had hurt her arm and it was swollen.  We stopped back two days later to get a time to split wood and she had her arm in a sling.  She had broken it  right before we saw her the first time.  Shee said she hasn't been to church recently but she ask us to tell President Clawson and Sister Vicenti that she wouldn't be there on Sunday.  She said she had been making arrangements to come and her niece was going to sit with her mom.    We have had amazing visits with great people.  

So fun at Mutual l the girls were planning their Young Women in Excellence.  There were two girls there but they were as excited as 10 girls to show their projects they have been working on.  They want to go caroling in December just like Providence.  Fun. 

   Today we worked 7 hours on the skirt of our trailer so we won't get frozen pipes.  Sure missed Adam and Shea’s help on this one.  We still have a few hours left but we need bigger staples for the gun and we don't live by a store that has anything like that.    After we visited 3 homes.  One lady was having nothing to do with us coming by 

  to visit but she was honest about it for sure.    It is and has been raining so hard this evening.  Sent pictures because everything is just muddy  Water runs down the street and into a place that is low.  I have no idea where but people are outside sweeping water away from their front doors.    

 Just want to tell Hunter and Hayden and anyone preparing for a mission to read and study now.  Be willing to work reall hard .  Most of you already know all of this.  Today when we were working on our trailer Elder Blazzard was away on splits so Elder Taylor and another Elder were out here.  They were in their trailer, walked out and talked to us a minute and went back in.  Always be ready to help people out.  One thing for sure our family understands is good ole hard work.  I am glad.

We are doing real good.  Thanks for your texts, e mails, kids little pictures,, videos and many messages of love.  There is nothing in this world as important to us as our family.  We pray for all of you every day.  We talk about the fun things you share.  I am so glad you are staying close and doing things together.  It sure strengthens a family to have fun, help each out and laugh together.  We love our mission.  There is an amazing Spirit, lots of work to do which is good.  Monday we take the Elders and go to the Snowfake Temple.  I am  excited to go.  It is about 3 or so hours away.  Our entire mission is going to some Templle that day.  That is closest in our mission.  Well be safe and remember all of the blessings you have as members of this Church.  We are so lucky to be able to have the blessings of the Temple and the gospel in our lives.    Love all of you and will continue to pray for every family. 

Pictures of the water and rain!  Wow!  Looks Muddy!

A few other fun things ~ Grandma bought all the girls these cute bracelets in Zuni and shipped them home.  

Sister Dattage, Grandma to these kids has always worked hard to make holidays special.  She has understood the importance of tradition and used Holidays as a springboard to bond the family.  She put Jodi over "Grandma Duties" for holidays.  Jodi got the kids each a haloween blanket, from Grandma, for Haloween.  I am sure they will think of Grandma and Grandpa as they use them. 

Check out the 70 Year Old and Beauty in Zuni

Check out the 70 Year Old and Beauty in Zuni

This just could be one of my favorite things ever!  Today they went to help a lady clean her chimeny.  They made a home-made chimney sweep.  Of course Elden, who is 70, is the one up on the roof!  I love how the two 20 year old elders are holding the ladder and up goes the older fella.  Just shows age is just what you make of it!  Good job dad.  What a great service!

The home-made chimney sweep.

Up he goes!

 My mom said she was nervous the entire time he was doing this!  I can tell he was in his glory and not nervous at all!

Beauty in Zuni

One of my mom's concerns about serving in such a small area was where she would get her hair colored.  Yesterday they found a lady who does hair, in a trailor, right in Zuni!  Elden got a cut and Tamra a color!  What an adventure!

 My mom also sent these pictures of flower posts made from tires.  Very cute, super clever!  Just a bit more beauty in Zuni.

Service

Service

Elder and Sister Dattage have shared a wonderful letter and some great pictures of themselves performing service in Zuni.

“To find real happiness, we must seek for it in a focus outside ourselves,” President Thomas S. Monson teaches. “No one has learned the meaning of living until he has surrendered his ego to the service of his fellow man. Service to others is akin to duty, the fulfillment of which brings true joy.”

Elder and Sister Dattage Wrote on October 10th, 2015

Dear Family,

   So excited to e-mail you.  Today he came and it took 4 hours to set us up.  We are happy here.  Our Mission is interesting and a challenge.  We  have had trailer problems.  Our washer broke but can be fixed on Tuesday.  We were using our printer wrong for some reason and now that is working as it should and we were waiting for the Internet all on the same day.

    We are finding out that as people do not know us they don't come right away to fix or install.  When we mention it is a trailer it may or may not be even slower.  Some come because of the church a bit faster. 

     We have visited 23 or so homes of active and less actives .  We have offered to go home and visit teaching with anyone also.  Tomorrow I am doing sharing time in Primary.  I have put together a lesson with activities but so different not to have every picture and book I usually use at my disposal.

     We have eaten dinner at several homes.  They are nice and love to visit.

     The baby shower last week was at the church in the chapel.  We just moved tables and chairs around and about 30 ladies and kids came.  They served hot dogs and pot luck - some salads and some cookies. 

   We go to the Giant gas station and convenience store for diet coke a lot.  The market in town is called Halano and we go there a bit.  It has most food items we need.  They have fresh fruit and some greens.  They have meat but I will buy my meat at the Safeway in Gallop when we are in there.

   I have baked cookies and a cake in our small oven.  We have made breakfast burritos and get them out for Elden's breakfast.  I stick with cereal.

   It is getting cooler here and we have been told we will see snow and mud this winter.  It gets cold even below zero.  I have sent Jill to send me more warm clothes for sure. 

    I sure love the  pictures and talks the kids sent from conference.  I am using them in my sharing time lesson on Prophets.  I will also let the kids here make one.  I am glad I brought markers and crayons.  I can get all of that in Gallop but it is 45 minutes away and so glad I brought some.

     We sure like Elder Blazzard.  He is the tall one and is from California.  He is a leader and works hard. He did a great job conducting a meeting this morning with the Missionary Committee in our Branch.  Actually we are the committee with Sister Viecente the Relief Society President and a member of the Branch Presidency.  Elder Taylor is quiet but gain confidence. Elden can find a lot of places now but we sure love his I pad to help with maps except so many places do not have addresses or street numbers.  Some of you will relate to that from your missions.  We are glad Lance talked us into getting T V.  We have just a bit but it is a nice touch with news and some foot ball, a few Date Lines and such. 

   Hope the girls get their bracelets.  I sent the little boys postcards.  I will send something to the older boys also.  Just when I find things.

   We are learning about the struggles of people lives.  So many people are poor but the mothers love their children and care for them.  We are reading the thought books you gave us every morning.  Today is kisses from  Maelee.

   Each week we buy bread and tarts from our neighbors.  We pray for our family and love all of you.  We appreciate the sacrifice of time you are all giving to our home and to each other.  Pray always and read the scriptures together.  We love and miss you.  This week read 3 Nephi 18:21.

     Oh buy the way dad has learned how Jordan,  Reagan, Samantha , Taylor and Kendal do those funny photos .  We thinks he is pretty funny on some of them.   However the texts and pictures may not show much improvement.  We can text on dads phone for sure.  We will keep working away at all of this. 

  Enjoy Kinnick and Jills birthday dinner tomorrow.  If the Elders do not get invited anywhere else they know that on Sunday they are welcome here. 

Love you so much, Mom and Dad

Pictures!!!

 Brunch with sister Sheka after splitting wood

 After chopping sister Shekas wood.

 Good day for service

 Teaching 

Jenkins family visited us.  Fun family. 

On Saturdays, people sell food from their backyards.

Yard by our grocery store that was selling food

Elden's idea of an elk hunt. 

In the Zone

In the Zone

Wow!  It sure does look like Elder and Sister Dattage are settling nicely into their life in Zuni doing Missionary work.  The pictures we get are incredible and paint a happy picture. They surely appear to already be in the "Zone"! Some people are just doers and my parents surely are doers!  So fun to see them make the most of every single day!

 Study, Study, Study!

 Haa...my mom wrote that this was a picture of Elden doing his new job in Zuni as a carpet layer.  Not really, just had to get a new rug and cut it out for the heater vent. 

Cherry pies made in stone ovens next door.  Friday is pie day.  

Wow...sign me up!