Elder & Sister Dattage: Small and Simple Things

February 28 Letter

Hi to all,

Hope everyone is well and enjoying the little relief from the snow you are having. The weather here is beautiful. It is in the 60’s but windy.

Many people here are still sick with bad colds. Of course Elder Dattage has a cold but still trying to keep himself busy. We are having the most wonderful time teaching the Temple lessons. Every time we teach one I learn more and the Spirit as we teach this is amazing. The people here want the Temple but are a little worried about adding tithing to their very poor lives. Those that have done it tell them over and over that it works. The Lord blesses those who attend the Temple. He wants all of us to have a Temple recommend and attend as often as possible.

It seems as though at this time of year every Saturday night there is a dance in houses. Most members say they do not attend them because they are very traditional Zuni religion and they don’t feel a good feeling when they are there. So many more people outside sitting or walking where ever they need to go. Lots of people selling onions, peppers, pinions (by the way did anyone try the pinions that we sent at Christmas) fry bread, and slurpies. They sell out of their houses or in front of their houses and people pull up and buy.

We have done a lot of visiting this week. Many people ask for blessings and help because they believe in the help they can give them. The great need for wood has slowed down. We did go wood hauling one day this week and now the Elders will chop it. First we usually block it for them.

Have to be careful when you drive the roads outside of Zuni. We were coming home and someone had hit an elk – a big one- . Two ambulances and two police cars came quickly. We were so glad we had pulled over to talk on phone to Kim because we were the first car behind the one that hit the elk.

The Elders truck got hit because it was parked on the street. It was hit and run so they will get a new truck soon.

Had a wonderful time preparing our talk for Andrews’s baptism. We are so happy that he ask us . The two great Elders we have helped us get it on a flash drive and it should be in Utah on Monday. Hopefully. So neat I took it into the Post office Saturday before we went to get wood. The cute postal worker lady was there and just putting mail out. I was going to drop it into a box but she helped me get it ready to go faster and was just so kind. Loved it because I will be glad when it is in Utah. Thanks Andrew for involving us. We will be thinking of you and your family all week. What a blessing to be baptized, confirmed and ask to receive the Holy Ghost on Saturday.

We went to Maria and her mothers on Saturday because Grandpa Potato Chips had been sick. She had received a blessing but she just doesn’t feel well. Before we left I ask if we could do anything and she said no. She said her mom had been asking for beef stew. She hadn’t been sleeping for a few nights. I ask if we could run and get the ingredients for her to make the stew because they both have special diets. They were so happy; her eyes were full of tears. In church today she said that they had a wonderful night. Grandma has enjoyed the stew and felt a bit better. She was so grateful and I felt so humble about what small and simple things can do as we serve others. One of my favorite parts of this mission. We feed two men tonight that live in a shack. One chops wood for the bakery next door. I am not sure they have any stove but they do have fires. We took a meal and then we are going to President Walkers for our dinner. It all works for sure.

Enjoyed all of the good news we got from Utah. Jeff hope you are up and moving a bit. Shea good to have you back in Utah , Ryan has been trying to sell Elden another tractor he was hauling, beautiful work done by Adam on Ryan and Alicias house, talking to Lance on phone, Andrew so excited about Cub Scouts and a buck knife, Hunter’s outstanding score on the ATC – wow a family first in the 30’s and being Senior Captain on the wrestling team next year, all of my beautiful , good pictures of our granddaughters – they are amazing girls, busy, busy busy weeks as Jill and Adam prepare for Andrews special baptism and so many other things. So many good , wonderful things happening in all of your lives. We feel blessed to hear from you and thanks for keeping us updated on all of the activities. Can’t get enough of it. Love all of you.

Elder and Sister Dattage