Elder & Sister Dattage: 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!