Visitors and Easter Egg Hunts

April 2 , 2016 letter

Dear All,

            It has been a couple of weeks since I wrote to you.  Last week was so wonderful.  Our family came down to see our Zuni and our little Branch and town.  We felt so supported by this amazing family we have and love them so much.  We enjoyed every second of the time we spent with them.  We loved seeing

            The week before was very busy with helping others and visiting and teaching many.  We love helping the people. 

            On Saturday morning before we left for Gallup to see our family we had a Branch Easter Egg hunt and a hot dog lunch.  We had a lot of children come and they had fun.  The Young Women hid the eggs , the Elders and us talked and showed a very short video, and the Elders and Elder Dattage and President Walker cooked hot dogs.  Sister Walker and I were able to get the meal ready to serve and enjoyed some visiting.  We were able to bring two different families to the hunt.  Both are less active but had a great time.  We took them home then took the Elders with us to Gallup because the night before their truck had a flat time and we took them to Gallup to get it fixed.

            We met our family at the hotel.  They were waiting and we were so excited we could hardly contain ourselves.  So many hugs from the people we love more than anything in the world.  Saturday Night was the Women’s Meeting in Gallup so we took the Granddaughters to the Gallup Stake Center and I was able to watch with daughters, daughter in law (who is just like a daughter to me) and Taylor, Reagan, Kendal, Jordan and Samantha.  So so so amazing.  Love them.    

            Sunday we came to church in Zuni Branch.    Our family was one half of the people there.  One of my high lights was Elder Dotage and Hunter passing the Sacrament together.  The little ones went to Primary and the girls and Hunter went to Sunday School and Young Women’s.   Taylor was able to see the room with the decorations that she sent.  They love them.   Kendal and Reagan went to Young Womens also.   They said the Primary kids were amazingly good and Samantha and Jordan and Maelee kept them in line.   Hunter went to Priesthood because we do not have Aaronic Priesthood boys that attend.  They men held Preisthood in a little tiny classroom because their Priesthood room was too cold.  They were so crowded that Shae had to sit in the middle.  There was no room There was no one to teach Sunday school to the youth so Lance and Jeff went in and taught that class...  So wonderful to have my girls in Relief Society with me.  After we invited the Walkers and the Salts to dinner with our family.  It was fun using the ovens in the church and mine to prepare this dinner.  After we visited and the kids all played together.  They were so kind to each other and had so much fun.  The Elders were also to dinner and enjoyed some family time with our families.  Love all of these people.

            On Monday we headed to the Petrified wood Forest.  This took most of the day.  We ate pizza and let the kids swim.  They love that part as we visited with them and help and enjoyed them so much.

            Tuesday we went to El Morrow.  It is a beautiful mountain and a hike to see ruins and many signatures on the walls by Spaniards as they passed through many years ago.

            After we ate Zuni Chicken at the Holana Store.  We were so crowded that many had to stand and eat but it was fun then we drove around Zuni showing them the people and homes, schools, library, hospital, Wellness center, the Old Mission and the old town were people still live.  It was the original part of Zuni.  We showed them the bread ovens and couldn’t buy bread because the bakery wasn’t open while they were here.

            We went to Chinle to see the Canyon De Chelly national Monmument   This is a beautiful place – some say prettier than the Grand Canyon.  Some of them hiked to the bottom and saw the ruins close up.  We spent most of the day seeing this beautiful spot.  On that evening we went out to eat and the kids swam again.

            At this point we headed to Fort Bluff and Blanding.  We loved it there.  It is beautiful and the fort was so fun.  Hand carts, dress ups for kids, many cabins with stories of the pioneers that lived there and much more.  We loved the film and learning about the pioneers and their hard travel to Bluff.  So fun for us.  We also went to some other ruins and then it was time late. 

            On the next day we left early and went to Farmington to our District Training Meetings We were called as District leaders last week and are so humbled by this.  We know that a lot of responsibility comes with them.  We will have meetings and will need to work with the missionaries in the Window Rock District.  We learned a lot at our meeting and found out that the next training meeting is in Zuni.  We will be even more busy because we need to visit all of the people in our District.  There is one Zone leader and then four District Leaders in this Mission.   We will keep working hard and do our best. 

            Now we are back in Zuni and the first thing we did was get wood for our dear friend Pam.  We love conference and enjoyed it Saturday and also visited so many in between.  The Elders watch with us because they have no T V. 

            Conference is amazing.  We love it and hope we can use so much of it to help those around us.  Some of my favorite things we were taught have been to remember who we are.  Use and love the Preisthood authority and keys, To forgive is not to condone.   Be willing to say I am sorry,  I am wrong,  I am proud of you.  Blessings of family Councils and that Grandparents can encourage children. 

            Love you and hope you can listen and love what we learn in Conference.  Remember that Charity is the Pure Love of Christ.  Love and help those around us.  We love you.

            Elder and Sister Dattage

Temple Blessings

March 13, 2016

Hi all,

            Happy to report that it is beautiful weather in Zuni. We are continuing to stay busy...  We were able to help Brother Salt get a load of wood in a beautiful canyon.  It was warm and sunny and so beautiful.  Brother Salt and Elder Dattage were so excited when they saw 3 elk so most of the time they were looking for more.  We did finally get a load of wood for their family. 

            Vanissa Weekooty and I did visit teaching to 8 ladies.  She is an amazing person.  They called her to Primary as a teacher so I worked with her to help her with her lesson.  I am sure she will be an amazing teacher because she so badly wants to serve and loves kids.  She is 30 and this is her first lesson.  A new member of 18 months but so good. 

            I just have to tell you about a typical or maybe a little more than typical day in Zuni.

On Friday we knew we had District Meetings so we got up early and did our studying and took wood to Maria and to Sister Pam.  We came home and went in to Gallup after which we went to the usual errands of the dry cleaners and this time actually purchased Elder Dattage some new shoes and shirts.   District meeting was 2 hours long and after we went to get dinner with our district.  As soon as we got home we worked on our Temple Preparation Class and made cinnamon cake for the relief society activity on Saturday.  Just as we were thinking yea we are done, Vangie called and had been to the health fair and needed a ride home for her and her family.  It was 9:00 or so and we didn’t want them to walk 2 miles either so we went for them.  While we were waiting for them to get in a very drunk member we know came up to the truck and ask for a ride home.  We told her that we would come back for them after we took this cute little family home.  When the kids saw these ladies they had all pushed to the other side of the truck and were sitting on each others laps.  So cute.  We took Vangie and family and went back and got the two ladies and picked up one more also.  It was quite a day.

            We have had a very emotional week this week.  One of our less active members have a son that is 18.  He told people at school that he was going to kill himself so they called him into the counselor’s office but they let him go.  He didn’t go home so for 5 hours the police as well as the Elders, their family and us looked for him.  So scarry because he is diabetic and his numbers were too high.  A real worry.  At about 6:15 we told them we would take care of a short temple lesson and then join them looking.  We started to teach our class and prayed for this young man.  In the mean time the Elders had the idea to get his family together and pray for guidance in finding him.  We were all out of ideas and it was dark.  In 20 minutes Brother L. had an idea and they went to a dirt road that leads to the highway.  They found him about 2 miles from the highway.  He didn’t recognize anyone and was very sick.  They decided to call an ambulance to take him to the hospital.  We were invited to come up there and help them with him and just for support.  They ask for a Priesthood Blessing for their son and received it.  It was a very exhausting, emotional day.  We so want them to realize how blessed they are that they found him.  They took him to Los Cruises to a Hospital there and will get him in 5 days.  So hard for him, and for them.    This family had at one time been active and gone through the Temple.  They have since gone back to Zuni  ways and come to church only occasionally.  A few months ago when we first knew them they came all the time.  At the hospital the dad was given permission to help give the blessing and be a leader in his family.  He did great and loves his family a lot.  Elder Dattage worked with him a bit and he was amazing.  I took the mom a book I love about hard things.  I have given it to people that are going through hard times   It is a book about LDS Women that have gone through hard times and found ways through the help of Heavenly Father to get through them.  A lot of short stories but wonderful.  I feel I could write a chapter for it but realize that I am also very blessed in my life too. 

            Today in Sister Pinto’s last Temple Prep class she asks that we would be there with her to help her.  She has no family that will be in the Temple with her.  She is the best and so ready for the added blessings this can bring her family.    She hopes to change that with her example.  So proud of her.  I cried that she ask me to be an escort with her.  That was way more than I ever expected.  She has no family that can or has ever gone to the Temple. I love that lady and it is a very positive thing for this little Branch.   Right before that the Primary President came and grabbed me out of Sunday school and needed me to do Primary music.  That must leave most of you just laughing.  I was so glad Kim and her family had given me the two new songs for Primary in picture form.  I had given them to the Primary President and she gave them to me.  They saved me. 

            We had a District Activity and went to the Petrified Forrest.  It was fun to see and we had a great time.  I felt bad because I didn’t get back in time on Saturday to attend their fun Relief Society activity.  These Senior Missionaries are long winded for sure.

            Sacrament meeting was small today only 40 members but Primary was good sized.  Time change is big to them.  Many factors but they are good people trying to live in a very hard place.  We love them and are so blessed to spend a year with them.  We thank our family for all the good things they send us.  The pictures, short texts.  This week end alone this all was happening.  One family was in Salt Lake with their kids having fun, others were to Dance competitions and eating at the Training Table.  Another family had wrestling, play try outs in which two members of the family got parts  (Kim and Reagan)  sure hate to miss that and a cheer performance.

            Still serving with two amazing Elders who work hard.  They work hard and eat a lot.  Fun for us to serve with them.  

            Grateful you are all doing so well.  Continue to serve and to love those around you.  Can’t wait to see you soon.  Yikes we are excited.

            Have a good week – we love all of you and all the good things you do.

Love,

Elder and Sister Dattage

 Teaching a family with the Elders

 Found these two old rocks while getting wood in the Cedars.  They were most likely used by Pueblos for grinding corn and making flour.  

Another beautiful Zuni Sunet!  Love them!

My Dad sent the boys this video!  I have watched it 100 times and laugh harder each time!  That is Tamra standing in the back of his truck!  This seriously is THE BEST thing I have watched in a long time!  Elder Dattage, literally in his element and Sister Dattage getting dragged behind!!  LOVE THEM!!!

"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!