Temple Blessings

March 13, 2016

Hi all,

            Happy to report that it is beautiful weather in Zuni. We are continuing to stay busy...  We were able to help Brother Salt get a load of wood in a beautiful canyon.  It was warm and sunny and so beautiful.  Brother Salt and Elder Dattage were so excited when they saw 3 elk so most of the time they were looking for more.  We did finally get a load of wood for their family. 

            Vanissa Weekooty and I did visit teaching to 8 ladies.  She is an amazing person.  They called her to Primary as a teacher so I worked with her to help her with her lesson.  I am sure she will be an amazing teacher because she so badly wants to serve and loves kids.  She is 30 and this is her first lesson.  A new member of 18 months but so good. 

            I just have to tell you about a typical or maybe a little more than typical day in Zuni.

On Friday we knew we had District Meetings so we got up early and did our studying and took wood to Maria and to Sister Pam.  We came home and went in to Gallup after which we went to the usual errands of the dry cleaners and this time actually purchased Elder Dattage some new shoes and shirts.   District meeting was 2 hours long and after we went to get dinner with our district.  As soon as we got home we worked on our Temple Preparation Class and made cinnamon cake for the relief society activity on Saturday.  Just as we were thinking yea we are done, Vangie called and had been to the health fair and needed a ride home for her and her family.  It was 9:00 or so and we didn’t want them to walk 2 miles either so we went for them.  While we were waiting for them to get in a very drunk member we know came up to the truck and ask for a ride home.  We told her that we would come back for them after we took this cute little family home.  When the kids saw these ladies they had all pushed to the other side of the truck and were sitting on each others laps.  So cute.  We took Vangie and family and went back and got the two ladies and picked up one more also.  It was quite a day.

            We have had a very emotional week this week.  One of our less active members have a son that is 18.  He told people at school that he was going to kill himself so they called him into the counselor’s office but they let him go.  He didn’t go home so for 5 hours the police as well as the Elders, their family and us looked for him.  So scarry because he is diabetic and his numbers were too high.  A real worry.  At about 6:15 we told them we would take care of a short temple lesson and then join them looking.  We started to teach our class and prayed for this young man.  In the mean time the Elders had the idea to get his family together and pray for guidance in finding him.  We were all out of ideas and it was dark.  In 20 minutes Brother L. had an idea and they went to a dirt road that leads to the highway.  They found him about 2 miles from the highway.  He didn’t recognize anyone and was very sick.  They decided to call an ambulance to take him to the hospital.  We were invited to come up there and help them with him and just for support.  They ask for a Priesthood Blessing for their son and received it.  It was a very exhausting, emotional day.  We so want them to realize how blessed they are that they found him.  They took him to Los Cruises to a Hospital there and will get him in 5 days.  So hard for him, and for them.    This family had at one time been active and gone through the Temple.  They have since gone back to Zuni  ways and come to church only occasionally.  A few months ago when we first knew them they came all the time.  At the hospital the dad was given permission to help give the blessing and be a leader in his family.  He did great and loves his family a lot.  Elder Dattage worked with him a bit and he was amazing.  I took the mom a book I love about hard things.  I have given it to people that are going through hard times   It is a book about LDS Women that have gone through hard times and found ways through the help of Heavenly Father to get through them.  A lot of short stories but wonderful.  I feel I could write a chapter for it but realize that I am also very blessed in my life too. 

            Today in Sister Pinto’s last Temple Prep class she asks that we would be there with her to help her.  She has no family that will be in the Temple with her.  She is the best and so ready for the added blessings this can bring her family.    She hopes to change that with her example.  So proud of her.  I cried that she ask me to be an escort with her.  That was way more than I ever expected.  She has no family that can or has ever gone to the Temple. I love that lady and it is a very positive thing for this little Branch.   Right before that the Primary President came and grabbed me out of Sunday school and needed me to do Primary music.  That must leave most of you just laughing.  I was so glad Kim and her family had given me the two new songs for Primary in picture form.  I had given them to the Primary President and she gave them to me.  They saved me. 

            We had a District Activity and went to the Petrified Forrest.  It was fun to see and we had a great time.  I felt bad because I didn’t get back in time on Saturday to attend their fun Relief Society activity.  These Senior Missionaries are long winded for sure.

            Sacrament meeting was small today only 40 members but Primary was good sized.  Time change is big to them.  Many factors but they are good people trying to live in a very hard place.  We love them and are so blessed to spend a year with them.  We thank our family for all the good things they send us.  The pictures, short texts.  This week end alone this all was happening.  One family was in Salt Lake with their kids having fun, others were to Dance competitions and eating at the Training Table.  Another family had wrestling, play try outs in which two members of the family got parts  (Kim and Reagan)  sure hate to miss that and a cheer performance.

            Still serving with two amazing Elders who work hard.  They work hard and eat a lot.  Fun for us to serve with them.  

            Grateful you are all doing so well.  Continue to serve and to love those around you.  Can’t wait to see you soon.  Yikes we are excited.

            Have a good week – we love all of you and all the good things you do.

Love,

Elder and Sister Dattage

 Teaching a family with the Elders

 Found these two old rocks while getting wood in the Cedars.  They were most likely used by Pueblos for grinding corn and making flour.  

Another beautiful Zuni Sunet!  Love them!

My Dad sent the boys this video!  I have watched it 100 times and laugh harder each time!  That is Tamra standing in the back of his truck!  This seriously is THE BEST thing I have watched in a long time!  Elder Dattage, literally in his element and Sister Dattage getting dragged behind!!  LOVE THEM!!!