July 24, 2016

July 24, 2016

Dear All,

            Happy 24^th of July.  Yesterday we went to the little Mormon town of Rama to a parade.  It was a very good parade for a small town.  Their floats were done around Family History and some did them just for fun.  Zuni was going to make one but didn’t get to it until it was too late.  They had a town celebration in which their were vendors like at Bear Lake on Raspberry Days except only about 15 booths.  Three women from our Branch had their tables there selling jewelry.  There was a farmers market selling lettuce and some herbs.  The Rama High School had a booth selling sodas and candy to made money for their class.  It was small but so fun to see. It was more people than we had seen in 10 months in the same place. 

            Compared to last week this has been a very calm week.  Elder Houston left for home and Elder Brurud came.  He is very tall and from Montana.  We miss Elder Houston and his enthusiasm but am sure we will get to know Elder Brurud and love him.  We fixed a salmon dinner for our dinner today – his favorite.   A little more rain this week but not much.  Hot and dry and dusty most of the time.  We think it is good though because the alternative is mud.  That is tricky also. 

            Our family likes chocolate peanut butter krispie treats.  Because they are so each I have made them a few times down here.  People haven’t had them so they ask me to make them.  Glad they choose easy.

            Still working with Nicole and Gina and her little girl as investigators.  The Elders mostly work with them but they often ask us to go with them because they need Elder Dattage.   Last week we spend a birthday evening with the Walkers and the Salts.  When Jodi heard that she said she was jealous.  They are good, kind people.  We will always love them and feel they are our friends along with many others.

            On Friday we went to our Zone meeting in Farmington.   Elder Dattage and the other District leaders had to do a power point presentation they will be used when all members come to this mission.  Just in case you think this was easy – oh no.  We worked hard on ours, sent it to Utah to have Kim proof read it, then collected more information and change some of it.  We are so glad to have this done.  Not something we expected with we brought our little old lap top with us as our computer.  It works and we are glad for it. 

             Such a privilege to talk to people in this town and learn about their thoughts and feelings.  They are so traditional and because of not writing down their history they have made many changes from how things were.  Blessed when they will listen and want to know more about how they can be even happier.  They are amazing to talk to and we get to visit a lot of the people here.  Our biggest push has been to get them to go with us and the Elders to visit the people.  They love hearning from their own people and listen and laugh together.  Such a blessing to watch them.  They are amazing.  We are learning that even though we think we have said something and we think they were listening that they often do not get it.  So many complex yet simple things to tell them.  What they do feel is the Spirit and they will say was that what I was feeling.  Wow they are good words to hear as we bear Testimony to them.

            Today President and Sister Adams came to Zuni to Church.  They were in the Gallup area and stopped by to our Church.  President Adams spoke to the members and ask them to work harder to get their friends and family to become active members of the church.  He did an amazing job and the Spirit was so strong.  Loved their visit.  They are such good leaders and kind people.      

Pretty sure we are going for wood for a few people tomorrow.  Haven’t gone for a few weeks.  It will almost be fun because the wood is found in pretty places.  
            Today I read a quote from President Gordon B. Hinckley that said, “Go Forward in Life with a twinkle in your eye and a smile on your face, but with great and strong purpose in your heart.  Love life and look for its opportunities, and forever and always be loyal to the Church.  Those are words I want the Zuni people as well as my family to live by.  I love them.   Being happy and kind to those around us is so important.  We should treat everyone with respect because everyone is a child of God – everyone.  As much as I love that part I love the twinkle and smile.  Life is so much nicer when we are happy and share that happiness with those we love.  Being loyal to the Church is a beautiful blessing.  It is there for us.  Helps us raise our children and blesses our lives. 

            Hope our family had a good time at the Pickett Family Reunion.  What a blessing it is to have family around and to share our love with them.  Thanks Carolyn and Wendee.  Looked like a fun week by the Watrins, Morgans, and Johnsons and as someone said a bonus Hayden in St George.  Love Jodi and Jeff’s beautiful home and they share so kindly.  

            Thanks to all of you for your love and help as we are gone.  The older we get the more we realize the important of being self sufficient, cleaning up our messes, thanking those around us and , taking care of the things we have been blessed with and just respecting those that help us.  Never take someone for granted  Thanking those helping any of us deserve our thanks. Last night we had a very beautiful New Mexico Sky and it made me think that it is the same sky for all of you – all the people we so care about.     Love and appreciate all of you and your lives that you are living as you continue to serve and love our Heavenly Father.

Love,

Elder and Sister Dattage

 Bear Lake Raspberry Day's parade has nothing over the Rama parade!

 Rama Navajo Queen in the parade.  She walked, no fancy convertibles

 Elder Dattage helping President Walker after the parade.  Alternator went in his truck.

Note:  Elder Walker's wife actually sent me a similiar picture and said how much she loved Elder and Sister Dattage and how they are always "saving" them.   Some of the finest people I know!

 Pam selling her jewelry

 Viola selling her beautiful things.  Love all of these ladies!

 Elder Dattage at the craft fair in Rama.  Waiting for the parade to start

 Vivian selling at the craft fair

 Lena from our branch selling at the craft fair

 Raspberry Days craft fair has nothing over Rama's craft fair

Horses in the parade

 Elder Huston went home to Texas!  What a great missionary he has been!

Pans of peanut butter krispies because the members ask for them!  

July 10, 2016

July 10, 2016

Dear Friends and Family,

            Another quick week in Zuni has gone by.  Again this week has been full of many good experiences to help us grow and to build testimonies.  What a wonderful experience serving a Mission can be. 

            As District Leaders, We have been working so hard on a project with Elder Boyter our Zone Leader and his wife.  It is a power point to show all new Senior Missionaries as they come to the New Mexico, Farmington Mission.  The 4 District leaders and Elder Boyter will present it in Zone conference this Month.  It has been approved by our Mission President.  Wow we are learning here also.

            On the 4^th of July we met the Boyters and finished then we wanted to see some of the Indian dancers and the Fireworks .  All of this was in Gallup.  The dancers were interesting.  Elder Dattage and I were the only white people there.  We were not even sure if we could sit down to watch them dance but they said sure have a seat and we did.  The Zuni Pueblo did the retirement of the flag.   We knew one man and they did a great job.  We decided to go back to Zuni and not stay and watch the fireworks because there we 100s of people there and we knew it would get a little out of hand before it was over.

            Kim had sent us some mail about Elders CDL License and we were so glad she did.  We found a little place to get a physical by the Walgreens.  We decided the safest thing was to get to Utah to have them put the information in the computer.  We went to Blanding and back on that day but it was a relief to have that done.  Before we left on our trip in we helped a sister get from the place that she had been doing laundry the day before with here 4 kids.  It was sad because they had to stay over night at the people’s house because they couldn’t get home.  We took them home, took her to school and left for blanding.  When we got home our little friends Maria came by and said someone had been trying to break into her trailer.  It was 9:30 so we had her get into our truck and we headed over to her trailer to check.  The window was up 1/8 of on inch.  We stopped by the police department to tell them and promised her we would put wooden poles in each window in the morning. 

            We had some amazing visits on Friday.  One was with Tammy Waaco and her mother.  They just got back from Colorado where her mother is on the liver transplant list.  We had talked to them about flying and tried to prepare them before they went.  They feel like they were being watched over because they got there, and back safely.  They loved the Doctors who treated them so well and did lots of tests, then told them she was on the list.  We enjoyed sharing our testimonies of how the Savior knows each of us and is very aware of all they are going through.  He loves them and knows what is the very best for both of them.  We will see how this turns out but they are hopeful now and hope is a great thing in so many ways. 

            Also on Friday we took Vangie home from school and she said her son had cut his lip badly and she needed to take him to the hospital to have it stitched up.  We knew we were getting up at 5:00 a.m. Saturday morning to go to the Albuquerque Temple with some people from the Branch.  We took her and Kendall up there at 8:00 and came home to do things to be ready for Saturday.  I called her at 10:00 p m and she said they were not in a room yet.  Finally about 12:10 p m a text comes through in fact 3 tests came through telling us, we are almost done, we are done, we are waiting so we head up to the hospital.  When we get there we don’t see them so I get out and get let in through the security door at the emergency room.  I look all over, ask people at the desk who say she was waiting at the door but she wasn’t there.  So I go back out and we call them.  They had just made it home.  I do not who came for them but the texts she sent took 20 minutes to get from the   hospital to our phones.  We have had such phone problems this last little bit but this one was just discouraging.  We haven’t seen them but will stop by.   Just imagine not having a car for just such emergencies.  They sure have some trials in their lives for sure. 

            After maybe 4 but probably less hours of sleep we get up to get ready to go to the Temple.  There are 9 of us going to Albuquerque and 2 to the Snowflake Temple.  What a great day it was.  The session was packed.  It was so Spiritual and loved being there with the people from the Branch.   3 of the Salt family were there because Megan has returned from her Mission in Texas.  She served the same place Lance did a (few) years ago.  That was special for that good family to be in the Temple with their daughter.  That is a very wonderful thing for parents to be in the Temple with their children.  Wow what a blessing Temples are.  Of course after we ate at some all you can eat place.  Seems like they all love those places .  Thanks for our safe ride home with our tired eyes. 

            Today was the Zuni Branch Conference.  Wow so many Stake Leaders were in the meetings.  The meetings were powerful.  One of the biggest joys for us and the Elders was that there were 4 of the Lalio family , 5 Ponchuellas there     - some investigators and some less active members, Sister Hattie who has become active but brought her investigating daughter Nicole.  Nicole has set a Baptism date and to see her in church was very special. An investigator and her little daughter, and  also a part members less active family came and stayed all three meetings.

He loves to fish and will go fishing with the Young Men next week because Elder Dattage ask him to come and help the boys.  He is overjoyed.    It was a beautiful meeting and President Walker really spoke to them from the heart and Spirit.  He is perfect for this Branch.  A wonderful leader.  We sure pray for all of the people and extra hard for those that are becoming more active.  Their lives will so be blessed as they continue to search for the Love of Jesus Christ in their lives.  Great day for sure.

            Just letting you know that just when I thought the day could not get better Jordan and Taylor sent their testimonies about their experiences from trek.  Can’t wait to hear from Hunter and Reagan and Know they will be coming from trek and Hayden from EFY.  What a Spiritual week it has been for Elden and I as well as many of our family members as they have had special experiences.  I think Jodi and Jeff were very tired but I can only imagine how hard they worked and how effective they would be as parents on the trek.  Wow what great experiences.  Love them.  Of course no one could have more fun than Andrew as he is all dressed up to go to Cub Scout Day Camp.  He will probably be the all time best Cub Scout ever.  We are excited to hear about his experiences also.  We also loved the pictures as some of the Watrins were working at the ranch.  Beautiful pictures of the ranch and seeing all they are doing.  The fish going into the water was something to see.  Thanks for all of that work for grandpa.  Loved the two pictures we saw from the blow ups at the Glen Dattage Reunion.  I hope you girls made it through getting all the food and serving it and all you were required to do – Jill, Kim and Alica.  Thanks for that.  Hope they were well also.  Looked like the three little boys were having so much fun on the blow ups Who has more fun than Kyson, Kinnick and Jaxon.  I guess they need Mae to help them.  .  Hope you gave your Aunts a big hug for us.  Miss those ladies for sure.  It just goes to show that life moves on when we are there and when we are gone.  We have a wonderful family and they continue to keep things going for all of us.  Maxine said that the bushes are dug out from around the house.  Yea for that.  Can’t wait to see what goes in.  They were as old as we were and also just worn out.  Maxine we are thinking of you and your beautiful mom .  Also lots of prayers for her and you also.   Continue to serve the Lord and each other and most important your families.  Love all of you so much and miss you constantly even when we are busy.  Have a very good week and Jill good luck with sewing camp.  You are so amazing at things like that.  Lucky kids that are coming to camp.  Keep the pictures and all other information coming.  Love you,

Elder and Sister Dattage

July 17, 2016

July 17. 2016

Dear All,

            Each week brings so many new experiences and opportunities to serve Our Heavenly Father and the people in Zuni.    There is some celebration going on here in which the dancers have been dressing in their dance clothes and walking around and then dancing and asking for rain in the evenings.  Their costumes are amazing for sure. 

            You have heard me talk about little Keisha who is 11 years old.  Kendal Dattage has sent her some very cute clothes and we have tried to help this family.  Last week we helped Vangie the mom take Kendell  to get stitches by his eye and to get them removed after Keisha threw a spoon at him.  Yes kids are the same in Zuni as in Cache Valley. Monday night about 9:00 we get a call from Vangie that she has Keisha in Gallup and she is getting her appendix out.  She had not been feeling well and they sent her from Zuni at the hospital to Gallup by ambulance.  We told her we would go into Gallup the next morning to see how she was doing.    She gave us a list of things that Keisha felt would taste good and we headed out Tuesday morning after our appointments for the grocery store and the Gallup Indian Hospital.  When we got there she said they would be discharging her some time that day and would we stay and help get her home. We didn’t have to wait long and about 3:00 they said she could leave.  She was so sick and hurt a lot.  We had the white truck so we tried to make her comfortable in the front seat that tilts back.  She fell asleep and slept all the way home.  I felt bad for her and hoped she could rest.  Next day in the afternoon we were taking Kendell up to get his stitches out and she came out with her mom.  Her mom said she wanted to rest in the truck because her 3 brothers wouldn’t be quiet in the house and she was so tired.  My heart really hurt for her and her family because of the limited circumstances they have and how sick she was.  By the next day she looked better and we hope is still improving.  Here again be thankful for your cars, your homes, your doctors, your extended family and for the Love of Heavenly Father as you are guided through hard times.  Can be pretty hard down here for children.

            Tuesday was great as we visited with Nicole who wants to be baptized on August 2.  We took Megan Salt with us because she is young and so are the young Elders of course.  We hoped she would enjoy and relate to her and she did.  They talked about High School and how much had changed since them in the past 2 years.  It was good.  We will all see Nicole again on this Wednesday as she is getting close to her date. 

            Another hard thing that happened was when Brother Lalio told us his power was turned off when they got home from Albuquerque.  They were for dental work and hadn’t paid the bill so it was turned off.  We invited them to super that night and had the Elders come over.  I don’t know but I think their power is on now.  That happens a lot down here.  They go without a few days then have to go in and get it turned on again. 

            Elder Huston leaves on Tuesday to go home.  He has very mixed feelings.  He has served very well in Zuni.  Elder Daniels will stay and we get another Elder on Tuesday to work with him.  It will be quiet here with out Elder Huston.  He is a lot of fun and has been good with the people down here.  Changes can be good and he is ready to go back to Texas.   Saturday night we cooked dutch oven for the Elders because Huston is leaving.   We did the family rice and chicken dish and then peach cobbler.  Thought of how much our family enjoys this.  It was a reminiscing day any way because it was Rykers Brithday so lots of things went through our minds about love of family and love of Heavenly Father.    We thought of the Cook family on that day and of our family and the support we saw come from all of you for Lance.  I laughed as each of you told of eating at Taco Bell because Ryker loved that place.  Just a small tribute to our love for him.    He truly was a light in all of our lives and is now still an example to us to be the best we can to serve and do what Heavenly father wants us to do to in our lives.  We are blessed to have each other.   We also have had Maxine on our minds because of the loss of her mom.  Appreciated all you did back home to show your love to her at this time.  Sure love that great lady and miss her. 

            So love the visits we have with the people down here.  We still go around with the Visiting Teaching cards and talk and share our testimonies and invite them to Church.  Last Sunday we were so thrilled to see so many investigators and less active members there as well as all of those we love that are amazing members.  This week was just as special as they all came back and also our Vanessa came.  We have missed her so much  but she has been busy for about a month.  Today she was able to make it back.    This isn’t to say that the Elders and us with the help of our Heavenly Father guiding us haven’t visited 100’s of other people but we are so thrilled with each one as they come and learn to be more like the Savior and to take the Sacrament. 

            When I taught the Primary lesson today on Prophets, Nicole was there.  She wanted to see Primary.  I can’t tell you how I felt when she shared her testimony and answered questions right along with the children.  There were 14 of them today and they are cuties.  She helped me a lot during the lesson .  I involved her in any way I could think of because they could feet her goodness and her Spirit.  Love this 20 year old girl. 

It is so amazing to me to hear their questions.  They want to learn and listen and read.  I looked down and Nicole was helping a little 6 year find the place we were studying in Helaman.  Wow she great. 

            On top of all of the opportunities to work we have had we also took a detour of 2 hours to go to Pie Town.  We didn’t even know if they had a pie place open there any more.  Dorson Salt had told us about it one day when we were getting wood.  Well we found it and it is a town of 57 people.  There is a little shop that sells pies and sandwiches.  The sandwiches are very good and the pies are amazing.  We bought one for the Salt family because Dorson has been sick with gout in his feet.  We also got one for us and the Elders.  They are amazing pies – worth the 2 hour detour we took.  Fun ride and great food.  It is for tourists and she said they stay open all year.  The man and woman love doing this and living in Pie Town.

            We are going to President and Sister Walkers for Sunday dinner tonight.  We love this family and their children.  They are great examples in service and loving all.  They work so hard for this Branch.  Today in Church this Branch decides to do a float for the parade in Rama on Saturday.  Rama is a little Mormon town and they celebrate the 24^th,  No plans have been made but we are all meeting at the church on Tuesday at 6:00 to make a float.  Hope we have a few supplies.  How fun these people are.  Love them and all we are learning from them.  We have many opportunities to rely on the Spirit and are so blessed to be serving here at this time. 

Love,

Elder and Sister Dattage

 Sister Hooey and one of the young women

 Navajo Indian dancing ground

 The women dance around the outside of the area

Elder Dattage's berry pie from Pie Town