Elder & Sister Dattage: Happy 4th of July

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