"We are all family"

June 5, 2016 letter

Dear All,

            It is now officially hot here.   Our truck air is not working.  We have been to Gallup two times to have them fix it but didn’t work.  Going in Tuesday to hopefully take care of this.  We had taken a lady to the grocery store yesterday and we waited in the truck.  The air was 140 on the dash of the truck.  Still cools off some at night.

            We have been working for a few weeks on a paper for our District which we will present at the next Zone Conference.  It has been hard work for us because.   It is to be mostly Doctrine and Principles.  Finally got our rough draft done for Friday’s meeting.  I actually sent it to Kim to proof and she had amazing ideas which I changed and am glad I did.  It will eventually be a power point presentation along with the 3 other District Leaders in this Mission. We had the Boyders help with the Power Point and I guess we will have it ready in time.    Eventually before the 4 of us present we run it past the Mission President.  This is quite an assignment but coming along.  Our District members sent us good ideas which have helped. 

            Lots of people have been sick or had surgery.  These people hate to miss church and will be back when they can.  They are so great. 

            We went to visit a non member with the Elders and the cute sister had bought ice cream and birthday cake.  It was her birthday and she had invited us over to give two blessings to members of her family.  We had a little party for her also.   She wants to be baptized but isn’t married to the person she lives with.  I know many people see so much of this on their missions.  It is just the way of the people here  but of course we try to get them  not to live together until they are married then they can become members and continue to be stronger.   Some have been engaged so they call it for 35 years.  Others say they are married because of being together for so many years.   Generally there are children involved. 

            Maria that we talk about a lot is now in charge of cleaning the church.  She takes this so seriously.  Our month to clean and planned on cleaning two times this month. Guess what – every week.  She cleans everything.  Right now nice to have a small church.  We do have a less active member helping us clean.  She worked hard and said she is glad to come again however; she didn’t come to church again.  We are hoping to show her we care and hope she will remember how it felt to be an active member.  Cutest lady ever.  She has an 18 year son who used to come also.  We sure do care about both of them.

            On Friday we went to Keyenta to a District Leadership Meeting with our Zone Leader.  It is at least 3 ½ hours from Zuni.  We are usually as far from things as anybody.

We met on the above mentioned project for 3 ½ hours then went to lunch at the Blue Coffee Pot.  A little mom and pop place ran by one of the Keyenta Ward members.  It was great food then we started home. Long day for a meeting.  As we were planning the place where we get our hair cut I said to Elder Dattage that we would be back waiting in that spot for the other car going to the Temple in less than 9 hours. 

            Saturday was one of the best days we have had.  We had organized this Temple Day to go to the Snow Flake Arizona Temple.  10 people were going so we took two cars.  It is about 2 hours from Zuni.  A Temple even smaller than Brigham but so pretty.  Many people down here call it the Native American Temple because it is decorated with their rugs and pottery.  So pretty.  It was one of the most amazing days.   One of the sisters that went had received her endowments only last month.  You have to have your clothes in Snow Flake so we had Jodi get clothes and mail down.  Jill put a dress in that she had and she wore it.  It was beautiful on her.  Two other people hadn’t been for years and we found out that one other lady wants to go but can’t quite fit her dress.  Jodi had slipped an extra dress in and I will take it to her and hope it works.  We were able to do a session and then some iniatory.  Some of the people did sealings so we were all over the Temple.  I have always loved initiatory so it was so beautiful to be doing that again.  After we ate here is a funny story.  Really funny if you have met Rose and John Park.  They are in their 70’s but great Temple goers.  O K in Relief Society today Rose is giving the lesson.  She is talking about family.  She says yesterday all of us were sitting at a big table eating in Snow Flake after the Temple  and she looked at all of us and though the Dattages seem like the Mother and Dad and we are all family.    She said we were all laughing and enjoying each other.   Right now I know Jodi is loving that story.  Dear Rose has lots of years on me but she is a  good one.  It was a funny compliment.

            Amazing that the Temple has an impact on everything we do.  Today in Church it was a huge Spiritual Testimony to every other member.  Then when we got home last night and we were tired we still were taking Vangie for groceries there was a package from Carolyn and Steve for my birthday and also for the Relief Society Cards.  They are beautiful and just perfect for all of us right now.  They said, “All the ordinances necessary for salvation and exaltation are accompanied by covenants with God.  Making and keeping covenants means choosing to bind ourselves to our Father In Heaven and Jesus Christ.”  Linda K. Burton.  I love these words.  They are for people all over the world and for people at home.  Love this lady and her words.    We enjoyed the present, cards and had Carmel popcorn and peanut clusters for our dinner.  Great night when you think of it.  

            Elder Tillefson is being transferred to Farmington where he will be a Zone leader.  He has been an amazing Elder and will be a great leader.  He lives in Murray, Utah and think we will see him again at times.  Elder Huston will stay and have Elder Daniels as a new companion.  Hope he likes Zuni. 

            Glad you are all out of school.  A time to work hard and enjoy summer and family.  Good luck to the Disneyland goers.  Nothing more fun than taking two 5 year olds to Disneyland.  Love those boys and of course Kendal and Jordan will be dancing   . I still remember when Jane Peterson and I did that with Jill and Jenny and now they are Mothers of cute little children.   Thanks for all the good wishes we had this week.  Saw big trucks, the ranch,  Harry Potter the play which I so want to see Reagan and Kim, playing in the water, seeing Mae and Andrews amazing summer day plans, watching Ryan and Jason talk about Africa (still laughing)  talking to Lance and Kim  .  Kim kept us laughing as she told us how much Hunter and Shea love working at the ranch.  So appreciate this even when pumps break.    Love our family and friends.  Have a great week and continue to do well.  Summer is fun.  Keep all fun pictures, videos and anything else coming. More than anything we appreciate your prayers.  We rely on them and know they help us so much.

            Love,

Elder and Sister Dattage