Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Happy Birthday Elder Dattage (August 7th letter)

August 7, 2016

            Thank you for everyone that wished Elder Dattage Happy Birthday.  We had a very amazing day.  There were 13 of us at one Temple that day and 3 in the other Temple.  We left at 6:30 in the morning and traveled to Snowflake Arizona.  The best part of this whole trip was that we had 3 Young Women with us that were doing baptisms for the dead.  They don’t get to do them very often and we were so excited.  While we were there we all went to different parts of the Temple and did Temple work.  It was such a wonderful day.  After we went to the food storage place and some of them got cases of food then we went to have lunch.  Because it was Elder Dattage’s birthday they gave him a card and we all had a wonderful time.  We were blessed to be in the Temple with good people.  We love it and love the work that is done there.  Pray for all of you at home that you can find time to be in the Temple, learning and feeling the amazing Spirit that is there.  I have been serving in Primary the last few weeks and it is all about Temples and the body being a Temple.  I love teaching that to children.  They listen and  learn.  We are very blessed to be here at this time. 
            We had a good experience this week also.  We helped our friend Pam clear up her weeds.  They had been raked and she had lots of piles.  When we were done our truck was full so we headed to the dump grounds .   We were unloading and a man from Zuni safety (clean up guy) came over to our truck.  We were both in the back with this huge load.  Three of them said they would like to help us unload.  They had seen us doing service and wanted to help us.  We had a very good talk and were very thankful for them. 
The next day we went back and took the Salt girls with us as for the next few weeks they will be working as our Branch Missionaries.  They share a beautiful video with her and talk to her.  We really love her and are so wish she was coming back to church.  It is so hard to see someone you love loose their testimony.  Pray that all can continually build on their testimonies so when someone is having a very hard time we are sad but we still love and care about her so much. 
            Here is a funny story and it is true.  We got home late on Thursday night.  We were so happy that the girls had their recommends for the Temple but President Walker couldn’t get his printer to work.  We printed them and he signed them and they were delivered.  We had just got on our Pajamas and decided to go up the road and call Brother Park who was driving another car to make sure all was good with them.  We said oh we could go in our pajamas because we were just making a call.  Well the phone didn’t work anywhere so we drive over to his place.  He is just getting home so he comes over to the truck to check what we want and laughs at Elder Dattage’s flannel pants and old shirt.  We get a feeling that we need to double check with Sister Pinto to make sure if she would let two other girls ride in her car.  So I won’t get out of the truck without going back and changing but you know Elder Dattage he marches right up to their door and makes the plans with the daughter and asks her to call us as soon as she is home.  We end up taking a recommend out to another young girl and all of this dressed in flannels.  All we could do is laugh about it. 
            I have learned that even though I am a little bit uncomfortable coming some places that some times we just have to do it.  Last night we went to a birthday party for Marias little niece who is turning 4.  She was adorable.  This is a very Zuni traditional family and I was a little nervous.  We took Marie and went and they were very nice to us.  Maria had told them it was Eldens birthday so they sand to him also.  Good week, busy week  Enjoyed a visit from Ben Jenkins and his sister on Sunday.  They came to dinner after they went to church with us and stayed and visited with us and the Elders.  We are having one more visit tonight – the Lalio family is bringing a birthday cake over later and another celebration begins.  If any of you are deciding about going on a Mission do it.  You are busy, happy and it is such a Spiritual experience as you want people grow in the gospel.  Even more you want yourself grow in the gospel and your Spirit.  Love all of you.
            So excited for Providence first Ward for having Janie as a Young Womens President.  She is the best of the best and they are very lucky girls. 
 So happy our girls are in good hands.
            Love our family and sure enjoyed phone calls from all but a few grandkids and their parents.  Such a good time talking to them.  Love that some of you were together because it is such a hard week for our family.  We seem to be blessed every year as we let the Lord bless us and let the atonement work as we go through the week that our Ryker was killed in.  Never get over it but just know more and more that he is so busy and doing many good things for our Heavenly Father.  We all have a lot of work to do to be able to love and understand him and know we will all be together some day.  Love him.  Enjoy some few days before school starts.  Wow what a fast summer.  The kids start school down here this week and they are glad.  They need to be busy and school keeps them busy
            The pictures of the Raspberry days were priceless, parade, rodeo and water.  So love that you were there together. 
Thank you for your love as we love all of you.  .
            Love,

Elder and Sister Dattage

 Great Zuni people helping us unload our weeds
 Cutting boards for Vivian with the Elders
 Beautiful Zuni Mountain
 So much RAIN!  This is the view from our trailer.  So many places are flooding
Visiting Blackrock Dam with Gina and her little girl
Grandpa's Birthday Dinner after a temple trip!  Note:  The Zuni Branch is held together by some of the most wonderful people and faithful members of the LDS Church!  Grandpa's dear friends the Salts are on the right.  Sister Vecenti is sitting next to Grandpa on the left and she is the RS President.    I have been able to meet these people are few times and feel so so grateful to know them!  Brother Salt is like Elder Dattage's bestie  (if grown men have besties:)in the mission field!  

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