"Thank you for finding me"

March 6, 2016 letter

Dear All,

I can’t believe it is March.  We have had beautiful weather the last two weeks but today the wind is blowing hard and we are going to have a week of storms.  Here comes the mud but the people do need the water so badly. 

            It seems like the family back home is so busy right now.  I know that March through May is as busy as Christmas.   Lots of fun things to attend.  So glad Samantha’s play was so successful.  Sounded fun.  Andrew’s baptism – what a blessing for our Andrew.  Sounds like even though the day before the baptism lots of family members were sick including Andrew that on Saturday all was beautiful and went well.  Lots of blessings. 

            We had New Beginnings here on Wednesday,  It was done so well.  It was beautiful.  They used Taylor’s decorations and others they made and it looked great.  The girls all had parts and presented them well.  The leaders spoke and shared their love and of course President Walker talked to them and was perfect.  The girls had a great night.  They all helped clean up even though we kept telling them to go home.  Each family brought a treat and Sister Hooee made yummy fruit kabobs. 

            We have felt the need to take dinner to a few of our families.   We can’t change their poverty level but we can help them with a few hot meals especially when little children are involved. 

            Zuni Library had a very fun Dr. Suez Day.  I visit teach  Jennifer that runs the library so we went by.  She had them doing all sorts of cute crafts and watching a DVD about it.  The little children sure had fun.  She runs the library so well.  Still working on getting her to come out more because she is one talented lady and has so much to give and receive.

            Still taking wood to Sisters that need it.  When we went to chop to take wood someone had already chopped some of it.  That is amazing progress. Our District Leader visited this week and has asked us to explain our wood distribution program to the District meeting on Friday.  He likes because it gives them wood but asks them for something in return such as their testimony written down to share will others and teaching them that we all have the ability to give of ourselves.

            Marie and Grandma potato Chips needed a service project which included dirt and gravel.  We ask and the Priesthood organized a service project to help her.  Interesting enough we were able to go up the road and get sand for the first layer then return and get the gravel part.  All of this is to no cost but you have to take picks and dig it out of the mountain and haul it.  Most all of what is done here is done by the people themselves.  Very few things are done by paying someone to fix or help them.  We also organized meals and the sisters were very happy to do this.  I visited with her for a half hour and even taxed Hayden to see what would be good menus for them.  The ladies were so happy to help and wondered if they could do it on more days than I had listed.  I worked with Sister Vicente the Relief Society President because she is a great leader.  She continues to learn and is so loving and concerned.

            We were invited to the Lalios to learn how to make Zuni bread and tamales.  So I worked in the kitchen with 4 other ladies all of which were seasoned in making these items.  They were nice but spoke in Zuni the whole time so I started to watch carefully and tried to make my bread look like theirs.  Marcella was so busy but she was able to stop and shop me how to make the neck of the bread and little things like that.   It was definitely a Grandma Fern experience because when I got there the bread was made and raising so we punched it down and let it rise a bit and then shaped it.     The tamales were complicated and they even make the string they tie around them to hold them together.  We don’t like them but interesting to see how they put them together.  All of the meal was cooked in the outdoor ovens – 20 plus loaves of bread and 30 cinnamon rolls.  Lots of tamales also. 

            In the Sunday School lesson material today Elder Richard G. Scott presented an object lesson.  He said, In the middle, it is difficult to discern what is right and what is wrong.  This middle area is where Satan works with righteous people.  It is easy to become confused here.  Live well within the wonderful area of good the Lord has defined, and you won’t have any problems with temptation.  If you are not sure whether something is appropriate to look at, to listen to, to think about, or do to, then avoid it.  You could be headed for one of Satan’s traps;  I sure liked that it was great advice to all of us

            This week has been Spiritual.  Many contacts have called and ask for blessings.  I think Elder Dattage and the Elders have given at least 8 this week.  People have very hard lives down here especially if they haven’t learned to rely on the Lord yet.  Many of them are coming.  Great people.  Kendal the little girl you gave clothes to always wears them.  She loves them and is so happy to have them.

            Today in Relief Society we were talking about coming unto the Savior and how Visiting Teaching and finding those that are not coming can help.  I was sitting by Sister Hattie and she reached over and said, “Thank you for finding me.”  We didn’t find her but the Savior did – we only found her name on a list and visited.  She is amazing and so eager to learn.  Love her and love the work we are doing here.

            There is something special about having a Baptism in a family.  We all reflect upon our own and the many blessings we have as members of this Church.  I have been doing that today and know that I am such a blessed person because of my Membership in the Church.  I know that Andrew will be blessed as well as all of our other children and grandchildren because of this in their lives.  Be grateful for all you have.  I can’t begin to list them because each of us treasures different blessings in different ways. Our family is our blessing and we have many others.  Love all of them and the good, busy people they are.  Blessed to have Alicia who is having a birthday today.  Fun to talk to her and wish her happy birthday.    She is beyond a joy to all of us.  Thanks to her.

            Hope everyone has a good week and feels well.  So many colds and sick people but people are getting better. 

Love,

Elder and Sister Dattage

            Elder Dattage fixing a storm door.  They wanted it changed from right to left hand.  Lots of sanding and hard work!!

 Zuni rock in the dully

 What activity would be complete without food!  A member sent BLT sandwiches to eat!

 From dirt to gravel.  Pick and shover here.  Hard work!

 Teaching a re-activated member

 The lady in the white blouse in the librarian in Zuni that put on the Dr. Seuss day.   It was so cute!  She is less active and we are working with her!

Fun on Dr. Seuss Day

 Thank you Tay for the great stuff for New Beginnings!!  The girls loved it!

Sister Dattage with "her" fry bread!

Small and Simple Things

February 28 Letter

Hi to all,

            Hope everyone is well and enjoying the little relief from the snow you are having.  The weather here is beautiful.  It is in the 60’s but windy. 

            Many people here are still sick with bad colds.  Of course Elder Dattage has a cold but still trying to keep himself busy.  We are having the most wonderful time teaching the Temple lessons.  Every time we teach one I learn more and the Spirit as we teach this is amazing.  The people here want the Temple but are a little worried about adding tithing to their very poor lives.  Those that have done it tell them over and over that it works.  The Lord blesses those who attend the Temple.  He wants all of us to have a Temple recommend and attend as often as possible. 

            It seems as though at this time of year every Saturday night there is a dance in houses.  Most members say they do not attend them because they are very traditional Zuni religion and they don’t feel a good feeling when they are there.  So many more people outside sitting or walking where ever they need to go.    Lots of people selling onions, peppers, pinions (by the way did anyone try the pinions that we sent at Christmas)  fry bread, and slurpies.   They sell out of their houses or in front of their houses and people pull up and buy. 

            We have done a lot of visiting this week.  Many people ask for blessings and help because they believe in the help they can give them.   The great need for wood has slowed down.  We did go wood hauling one day this week and now the Elders will chop it.  First we usually block it for them. 

                        Have to be careful when you drive the roads outside of Zuni.  We were coming home and someone had hit an elk – a big one- .  Two ambulances and two police cars came quickly.  We were so glad we had pulled over to talk on phone to Kim because we were the first car behind the one that hit the elk. 

            The Elders truck got hit because it was parked on the street.  It was hit and run so they will get a new truck soon. 

            Had a wonderful time preparing our talk for Andrews’s baptism.  We are so happy that he ask us .  The two great Elders we have helped us get it on a flash drive and it should be in Utah on Monday.  Hopefully.  So neat I took it into the Post office Saturday before we went to get wood.  The cute postal worker lady was there and just putting mail out.  I was going to drop it into a box but she helped me get it ready to go faster and was just so kind.  Loved it because I will be glad when it is in Utah.   Thanks Andrew for involving us.  We will be thinking of you and your family all week.  What a blessing to be baptized, confirmed and ask to receive the Holy Ghost on Saturday. 

            We went to Maria and her mothers on Saturday because Grandpa Potato Chips had been sick.  She had received a blessing but she just doesn’t feel well.  Before we left I ask if we could do anything and she said no.   She said her mom had been asking for beef stew.  She hadn’t been sleeping for a few nights.  I ask if we could run and get the ingredients for her to make the stew because they both have special diets.  They were so happy; her eyes were full of tears.  In church today she said that they had a wonderful night.  Grandma has enjoyed the stew and felt a bit better.  She was so grateful and I felt so humble about what small and simple things can do as we serve others.  One of my favorite parts of this mission.  We feed two men tonight that live in a shack.  One chops wood for the bakery next door.  I am not sure they have any stove but they do have fires.  We took a meal and then we are going to President Walkers for our dinner.  It all works for sure. 

            Enjoyed all of the good news we got from Utah.  Jeff hope you are up and moving a bit.  Shea good to have you back in Utah , Ryan has been trying to sell Elden another tractor he was hauling,  beautiful work done by Adam on Ryan and Alicias house, talking to Lance on phone, Andrew so excited about Cub Scouts and a buck knife, Hunter’s outstanding score on the ATC – wow a family first in the 30’s and being Senior Captain on the wrestling team next year, all of my beautiful , good pictures of our granddaughters – they are amazing girls, busy, busy busy weeks as Jill and Adam prepare for Andrews special baptism and so many other things.  So many good , wonderful things happening in all of your lives.    We feel blessed to hear from you and thanks for keeping us updated on all of the activities.  Can’t get enough of it.  Love all of you.

Elder and Sister Dattage

           

           

            

Kids found a lizard in the dirt!

Elder Dattage got hit on the head again

Another on of Brother Salts "little" stumps

 Grandpa had to fix his his chair!  Ate too much Indian fry bread!

Sister Dattage and Brother and Sister Salt with Salt Valley Lake in the back ground!

The Salt Lake in Zuni Mountains is like the Great Salt Lake, only smaller!  They get salt from the shore lines!

Thanks Jeff!  The phone case saved Elder Dattage's phone when we ran over it in our truck!  Post this on your ad for a touch case!

Elder Dattage getting primarl lesson ready!  The wise man and the foolish man!

Cake we won at the ball game!

Elder and Sister Burt's with a convert going to the temple in Albuquerque

Day out seeing the country by Zuni 

Above and below is street sweeping in Zuni!  No vacuuming, just blowing the dust everywhere!

Thanks Sister Watrin!  I got the primary music helps!  So fun!

Sister Walker and I decoratged the Cushmans door welcoming home their new baby girl

Three Zuni back hoes loading dirt!

February 14th Letter and Pictures

February 14th Letter and Pictures

February 14, 2016

Happy Valentines Day,

            I was done typing this weeks notes and the computer turns off and starts configuration.  Lost all of it.  So this might be shorter than usual.

            It has been a very good week.  We have had a lot of good experiences.  We were asked to talk in our District meeting and teach the Churches information and stand on same sex marriage.  We prayed a lot about this one but it was a good meeting.  We went to Golden Correl after so that really makes my day.   We went to the Albuquerque Temple and that is always a good experience.  Once a month now we are taking members into the Temple it is 2 ½ hours away.  After Sister Vicenti wanted to go to a material store.  It was a little place in a ladies house.  I was wishing Jill was with us.  She would have loved it.  I did get the fleece for the young women to make their throws to give away.  Great day for sure. 

            We were able to meet several new people and visit a lot of others.     Zuni people are so happy to invite you into visit.  Today a few of them came to church .   Some of them bring their children and they love Primary.   We have been working with them and so have the Elders.  Hope they can feel the Love of the Lord that exists in our meetings.  Good examples to all of them.

            I spent a whole day visit teaching.  Vanessa came with me again.    Elder Dattage some times comes in and some times he sits in the truck while we talk to them.   I am so proud of her.  She has lots of hard things in her life but she is such a good person.  She has a brother that drinks all night and then sleeps all day.  It is a noisy house and not a good atmosphere for her but she finds her peach in service.  Sure do love that girl.  We have 12 ladies to visit between us .  We found some of them home and others we left the beautiful cards Carolyn keeps sending me.  The ladies love them.  They are a wonderful way to leave a Visiting Message in their homes.

            One of the best days has been today.  I talked in church and felt so much love for those I was talking to.  Wow they want to learn.  Elden and I taught the Temple class.  Those taking the class ask good questions and are anxious to learn more and more.  The best part of the day was taking the beautiful Young  women posters and values framed that Taylor Forsgren made for them.  I took them into Young Womens and the girls were so excited.  They said she is such a special girl.  They can’t wait to use them to decorate for New Beginnings in a week.  Thank you Taylor for an amazing project.   You have certainly earned your Honor Bee with that one.   I will get a picture for you with the girls for a memory of how happy you made the Zuni Branch Young Women.  They are beautiful. 

            We had so much fun as we received a box from the Johnsons saying that we had been heart attacked.  We decorated our trailer with the hearts and are now fixing dinner and using the table ware with the young Elders.

            We also had another special package from home.  The hands of our Grand Children were hooked together with a string that represented a special hug.  We put those hugs around us and took pictures.  The best it could be if we can’t hug them personally.  We love it also.  Elden loves the back scratcher and I wore the pretty heart to church today.  Good luck for my talk and lesson.  Thanks so much. For the cute ideas and the time you spend making us enjoy our mission more. 

            We hope you get our picture that we sent for Valentines.  It was fun to walk into the little Zuni Library to see Sister Van Jose.  We visit her and her daughter Brittney.  They work there and were taking pictures of people with the fun back ground they had created.  It was so cute.  Oh holidays the vendors come to Zuni.  They set up booths outside and sell flowers and jewelry that you can give as gifts.  We were surprised to see that.

            Friday night at 7:00 we had a visit from President Adams and his wife.  They came to interview the Elders.  It was dark so they couldn’t see Zuni.  We gave them some Zuni bread and some turn overs that they liked.  A short good visit with the hard working President.  They have a huge mission to travel to.  This was their first time in Zuni because we are on the Southern part of the Mission. 

            We hope you all have a great week and know we love and miss everyone.  We thank you for all the texts and love that is sent our way.  Remember that the things we are doing right now in our lives will determine the rest of our lives and our eternal lives.  Each thing we do is important as we share our love for the Savior and serve him.  Have a great week all of you.

            Love, Elder and Sister Dattage

Dad can't get away from cars

 Thank you family for all the Valentines boxes.  So Fun!

 Some of the heart attack hearts from the Johnson. 

 Cute fireplace decoration. 

 Thanks for the hugging hands. 

 Our table setting. 

Oh Yes, Even in Zuni a photo booth.

Water freezes on 0 degree days in Zuni.

 Finished shelf job with Elden's "Two Bosses."

 Zuni's even have snow angels.

 Installing shelfs for a member.

 Nephi breaks his box.  The new elders broke their axe.

New Elders and the 14 Day Love Challenge

January 31, 2016

Hi to all that live in the land of snow,

            Wow we have seen pictures of Cache Vallley and it is so pretty but so much snow.  We have no snow right now but a storm is coming tomorrow.  It will snow and melt in the same day.  Today there is a lot of wind and that creates a lot of dust. 

            We have two new Elders in our Branch Elder Tollifson who has been out 6 months and Elder Huston who has been out 18 months.  They are really hard workers and very friendly.  They will be great Elders.

            This week has been full of good experiences and hard experiences.  The people go through very hard things down here.  We have a little mom with 4 children that we look out for.  One of the children is a member and the others aren’t.  We went to check on them and she had us take her to a relative’s house.  Their father is out of jail and has a restraining order but keeps calling her and telling her he is coming over.  They don’t always feel safe which would be very hard. 

            On the total flip side we have been working on our list of 50 very inactive people and we are making progress.   Sister Maria who we take wood to weekly said she would go with us and show us where some of them live.  She was so helpful.   Some of them have asked for the Missionaries to come over and teach them.  Along with that I have been visit teaching a lot and love some of the Sisters that I go to.   Some of them don’t know what a Visiting Teacher is.  I love that but even better I ask a lady if I could help her with her list because she had never been Visit Teaching and her partner couldn’t go.   We had really wonderful visits plus Vanissa who was my partner loved it.  She talked and encouraged and said she would go any time that I wanted.  She was amazing.  However on Sunday she was so heart broken.  Her mother is living in a safe house for a bit and right now is wandering around feeling homeless.  This is very hard on Vanissa and wants her to come to her house and to get a blessing by the Elders.   Their lives are difficult for sure.  She is growing leaps and bounds in her Church attendance, testimony and her service. 

            The Young Women cleaned the Church building this week and did a great job.  The Branch is now assigning families to clean for a month.  By the way those of you back home – it is one family for one month.  They are signed up until July.  We are the giver of the keys of the building and overseers I guess.  Lots of little callings just happen but I think they are ready to do most everything of their own.  Great members.

            We have offered to drive to Albuquerque once a month to the Temple and take 4 others with us.  Last Thursday was the first time and we had 4 members go with us.  It takes close to 3 hours to drive in there and their sessions start at various times.  We went for the 11:30 session and it was so wonderful.  The members sat after and just enjoyed the feeling and the Spirit they felt in the Temple.  It was a Spiritual boost to us for sure. 

After we went to lunch at a Sweet Tomato Restaurant.  The three women loved it but the men were eating all the bread they could get.   Great visits as we drove in and back to Zuni.  

            We have been introducing the new Elders to the Branch leaders and many others.  They are reaching out to many and today taught a Gospel Essentials class which we sure needed.  They taught their investigators and some visitors in with them.  It looked like a great idea. 

            On the Church website I found this 14-Day Challenge.  I think we need it and it could help most of us.  Just passing this on if you are interested in trying to show actions that show love and caring to all around us

Day 1:  Show patience with someone

Day 2:  Overlook someone’s short comings

Day 3:  Look beyond looks

Day 4:  Resist the impulse to categorize someone

Day 5:  See a situation through the other person’s eyes

Day 6:  Forgive somebody who has wronged you

Day 7:  Don’t cricitize actions or circumstances

Day 8:  Show mercy to someone

Day 9:  Give 10 minutes to really listen to someone

Day 10: Speak kindly

Day 11:  Say thank you to somebody

Day 12: Focus on what you have in common with everybody you meet.

Day 13: Offer up genuine compliments

Day 14: See everybody you talk to through God’s eyes

            I thought I could use so much of this advice and am going to try to make February a very positive one. 

            Right now the wind is blowing so hard – the hardest since we came – hope this trailer can handle this. 

            Love all of you and hope you are working hard at the things that are really important.  I know you have so much snow and are all helping each other shovel.  I even see the little boys out shoveling.  Thanks Jaxon and Kyson for all of your work while your daddy is so busy. So much fun for all of you as you go skiing .  Must be really great or just build a big snowman.  We have laughed hard this week about some of the little things you share with us – Andrew and drying on his clothes, Jaxon, Kyson and Kinnich and the funny things they say,  Maelee at school with her snowman.  Glad he made it back to Utah.  We had so much fun with him in Zuni.  Telling Jodi Elder Dattage needs some macadamia nut treats and finding out that she has sent them that very night.  Wow perfect.  Taylors team winning soccer games.   Receiving beautiful flowers on Ryan’s birthday from Ryan and Alicia and a beautiful card.  They liven up our trailer.  So beautiful.  So thoughtful.  Kinnick at the Daddy Daughter time with cute Samantha.  Loved this.  The kids at the Ice skating rink.  Reagan you look so grown up I had to do a double take.  Beautiful.   Updates on all the kids from all of you.  Love all of you and the people and examples to us you are. 

Love Elder and Sister Dattage

Dinner with the Branch President (President Walker) and his family!  Mya dressed Grandpa up!

Sometimes we are just tired!  

I LOVE this picture!  My Dad can fall asleep in this exact position ANYWHERE at ANYTIME if he is tired enough!  

Wood hauling with the 2 new Elders, Sam and Brother Salt

These Elders trust each other!  One is pouding and one is holding the stake!

 Grandpa and Brother Salt!  He is Grandpa's favorite wood buddy and finds the biggest logs!

Temple Day with branch members in Albuquerque

We ate at The Sweet Tomato!  Sister Vicente's favorite place!!

Fixing the door on Maria's trailer!

 Grandpa enjoying the raisins from the Watrin's sunshin box!

Grandma got flowers on Ryan's birthday!  Somehow when Ryan and Alicia started dating Ryan started sending his Mom flowers on HIS birthday to Thank her for giving birth to him and raising him!  Funny how HE started doing when once Alicia was around!  LOVE Ryan and LOVE HER!!

We sure enjoy our daily thoughts from our family!  This one was SO cute!!!