Special Trip to the Temple

May 8, 2016 letter

Hi All,

            Happy Mothers to all.   Zuni is so windy this time of year and rain and of course that causes mud.   We have had a great day here.  The 16 Primary Children sing the same songs to mothers as they do at home.  We had a real neat thing in our Sacrament Meeting.  President Walker ask a non member who comes to church some times with his member wife to speak.  He said yes and today he stood up at the pulpit and talked about the love he has for his wife and his mother.  It was amazing.  He then went to the Gospel Principles Class and stayed to all meetings.  Wow there is power down here some times.  Also Sister Hattie has been coming to church for three months now and she was ask to say the opening prayer.  She said I might not be ready but President Walker said I think you are so she did it and did a very great job.  There are a lot of things that happen to give people opportunities in little Branches.  So few people and it takes everyone to help.

            Elder Dattage is a great Visiting Teacher.  Sister Vicenti has her visiting going so well.  Before we were here they didn’t visit teach but she has worked so hard with her sisters that they are now going.  We go with them to any home they haven’t been to before and introduce the teachers to the people.  Most of them know them because they went to school with each other years ago.  Any way we do a lot of visiting and we love it.  It makes a big difference when we take some one from the Branch with us because they relate so much to each other.  We will be going with two groups this week.

            It is our first District Meeting we are in charge of this Friday.  We have been putting it together but still not done.  One good thing is that we got the District Leaders Instruction Meeting done last week.  Our Zone leader and all District leaders for Senior Couples  in our Mission came to Zuni.  We had a good meeting then after that we walked to the bakery where Jim Pewya showed them how you take 88 loaves of bread from one big outside oven.  They loved it and ask how to build one.  I am not there yet but it is amazing for sure.  After we went to the only restaurant we have called Chu Chus.  The food was less than average for sure but we had a meal for them.  They drove around Zuni a bit and then headed home.  Some of them were 3 plus hours away and needed to get going home. 

            Also next week on Saturday we will do another Movie Night.  We have most of that ready but still have invitations to take out.  Thank goodness Jill can make them and we just have to copy them off and cut and deliver.  It takes a lot of time and we have to finish tomorrow.   We hope for a big group of families.  Lots coming up for sure.

            Saturday was the best day .  Sister Brenda Pinto went to the Temple to receive her endowments.  Wow what a great day. We love her and had the blessing to teach her the Temple class lessons.  She always was interested in the lessons and had such a desire to go.    I was so happy to be her escort and she was so ready to do this.  11 people from the Zuni Branch came to Albuquerque to be with her on this day and go through the session with her.  That also made her happy.  The Temple is as nice as the people in Logan.  Just making her feel loved and caring about her time spent there.  After we all went to get dinner and then home.  It was a very full day.  It takes us between 2 ½ hours plus to get there and up to the Temple.  Sister Pinto and I had to be there at 7:30 so we left at 4:30.  Sister Vicenti road with us and she did iniatory  I was with Brenda Pinto.  It was a very special day and will be one of the high lights of our Mission.  Another good thing was that Maria that lost her mother hadn’t been to the Temple in a long time and she came with us also.  She loved it as she is having a very hard time without her mom Grandma Potato Chips.     

             I had a great visit with Maxine Peterson this week.  She filled me in on how our Ward is doing.  Thanks to her for the call.  It was better than anything to face time our family today.  The Elders talked to their moms first and loved that time.  Then we called our family and face timed them.  We a great talk.  Each cute little grandchild.  They are all so different but so wonderful.   Busy doing good things in their lives and having fun .  I am proud of them as students, good friends to others, athletes, dancers , soccer players, golfers, even proud when the little ones sing their Mothers Day songs in Primary.  Oh Kim I just remembered that must have been you leading them.  Wow I bet they did a good job.  We had fun handing out chocolate Heresy bars that said Mothers on the front that Jodi and her family had put together.  They loved them and we think a few kids got their hands on them because everyone was taken.  That is fine that is why they were there.   I love the Grandma bracelet the family sent me.  It is beautiful and I already wore it to church.   Being a parent is so important and my grandkids have amazing parents and I am so happy they have the good Spiritual, happy homes they have.  Love all of them.  

Love this MOther's Day apron made by my Grand kids.  Also love the bracelet and fun picture they sent.  Love them!

            Sister Dattages dream come true.  Sunshine and flowers.  Love them!

 Albuquerque Temple with Marie (shorter lady) and Sister Pinto.  What a wonderful day!

Some of the branch members that went to the temple.  

Side note:  I have been to the Zuni branch 2 times.  I am guessing there are probably only around 20 endowed members.  So 1/2 of the branch showed up to support Sister Pinto.  Imagine if we could garner that sort of support around here!  What wonderful things could happen!!

 Lunch after the temple trip

Outside the Albuquerque temple with Sister Pinto

Rose Park (branch member) sitting down and makiner her pies at the Pewya Bakery.  Jim Paywa's daughter is helping her.  

Seniors at the Pewya Bakery after DLC

Sister Dattage's caption for this photo was "Poor Wood"  

Newest member in our branch.  Cruz John Walker.  So Cute!

Note:  This is Asha Walker.  Her husband is the branch president and a dentist in town.  She is the Primary President in the Branch.  This is her 5th little one!  This family is such a perfet example of devoting their entire life to serving our Father in Heaven.  

Fun with Carolyn and Steve

April 24 Letter

Dear Family,

            This may be a bit short but we had a great week.  Lots of things to do.  We were ask to check if we could do the Gardening Program here in Zuni.  We had told them that there is no water but we were willing to look into it.  The Zuni water department said no that no water can be used to water gardens unless you catch it in barrows and water your garden.  They said that it is the law as well as Zuni tradition. 

            We had good visits with Rose and John.  They teach us a lot about the history and the people in Zuni.   Lots of great visits with less active members. 

            On Tuesday we took Vanessa Weekooty to the Employment center in Gallup.  They are offering her some schooling and also some opportunities to work in a school as a teacher’s aide.  She is home all the time now and wants to better herself.  Within two week she may be working as she works through this with the people.  Love helping her as she is one that really tries

So excited we got Pam Lasiloo to go visit teaching with us.  This is her first time and she did great.  She knows the people and they like her.  Lots of challenges and she just makes people happy to be around her.    She will go on her own now that she has seen how easy this really is.

            On Wednesday night there was a race in Zuni.  They have wellness races once a month here.  All of our runners home would love this.  They have one you can run, one you can walk and one that you just sit and move your feet if you are really old.  We went to watch the Elders and others – next month I will walk it – no sitting and moving feet.  When it was over Vanessa the girl we had taken to Gallup for employment handed me her shirt and said I ran this one for you.  I just thought that was so nice because the shirt is one she would wear a lot as they have so little.  Also one other lady – Marie gave us her shirt.  I traded it for big so Elder Dattage could wear it. 

            So much fun to have Carolyn and Steve come for a few days.  We went to Chaco Canyon to see the dwellings there.  It was beautiful.  We hadn’t been there and seen the ruins before but we loved it.   We shopped in Steve Colemans store and on the Old Route 66 in Galllup for things for her to take home. We went on the District Activity to Rock Art Ranch and they came with us.    We saw a museum of old things that pioneers used.  Really old sewing machines, saddles – you name it , it was there.  They we hiked down and saw the Petri glyphs on the walls of the canyon.  He had uncovered a keeve and had build logons and such.  This took much longer than anyone thought it would.  All day and until about 10:00 that night.  A lot to see so it was interesting but a little too long for my likes.  I was glad they got to meet our District and the great people we work with each day.  Sunday was Church and after we showed them around Zuni.  Church was great because they got to meet our members.   Great members and they were happy to have a visitor in our Branch.  We drove all over Zuni and by the Corn Mountain, up where we sometimes get wood.  We also walked over to the Pewya Bakery.  It wasn’t open but Jim came out and talked about his bread.  Great.

            One of the really funny things was on Sunday night, Vangie called up to take her to her friends to do her laundry.  Carolyn and Steve were in the truck riding around with us at the time so we picked her and Kendale her son up.  As they were getting  in a very drunk person climbs in.  She lives above them and needed a ride about two blocks down from her house.   When  she got in she called Steve Bernie Sanders and Carolyn Hillary.  She laughed and laughed.  When we went to let her out (She was in the back by Carolyn)  Carolyn got out first and she got out but fell to her knees.  As she did that her bottle of whatever she was drinking fell out and she laughed and said it is only water.  Still on the ground she looks up and says praise the Lord.  We are trying hard to keep from laughing so hard – even though it was pathetic.  They got to see the good and the bad of Zuni for sure while there were here.  They left early Monday morning and we went about doing what we had planned.  What a great time for all of us.  They slept in the trailer two nights and we just made do.  Lots of reminiscing for sure and bragging about our families, children and grandkids.

            We sure love all of you.  Have a great week and keep us posted with the fun, adorable pictures we get.  Love all of them.

            Love,

            Elder and Sister Dattage

            

 Petrglyphs at Rock Art Canyon

Rock Art Canyon with Hillary, I mean Aunt Carolyn!

You are the message: Elder Quentin L. Cook

May 1, 2016 letter

           

            Dear All,

                        Wow already May.  Each May 1, I think of my  grandma Mae Pickett.  She played a big role in our life because she lived across the street.  She was so nice, kept busy quilting as long as she could see and very frugile.  Loved her. 

            Another busy week has gone by.  They go fast but we wouldn’t change that.  Kept thinking of Kendal as she became a teen ager – and a beautiful one at that. 

            We had such a great time with Carolyn and Steve.  After they left we went on our first visits with two sisters to the very inactive people.  Sister Vicente thinks that since we have met these people 1 time we can introduce them to them and help activate them.  She is an amazing lady and will work hard to give everyone a chance to be active in our true Church.  We loved watching the Zuni people relate to Sister Vicente and  Sister Walela.  Lots of talks of their childhood and the fun they used to have together. 

            Early afternoon we headed to Grants to see the New Missionaries there.  Elder and Sister Evans.  They are very talented photographers, great with music, and the autoharp.  Fun to get to know them.  We then went to see the Burks that live in Grants also.  We know them and so love them.  They fed us dinner and we just had a good visit.  Sister Burk got very sick on Tuesday and by Wednesday she was in the Hospital  They moved her from Grants to Albuquerque to take care of her.  She has  a problem with her blood and all of her counts were low.  She had a rash.  She should be coming home today with lots of good meds and follow up.  It happened so fast.  Glad they are able to help her.

            Tuesday We spent most of the day visiting Maria, and Punchellas.  Marie ask us to help her with her move her old stairs.  They finally got the ramp built for her trailer but too late to help Grandma Potato Chips who has passed away.  She now has a good ramp any way. 

            When we visited the inactives on Monday we met Sister Laate.  She has two little kids and no wood.  We decided to take her some on Tuesday from the very small Branch pile.  So hope others can help her also.  She was so thankful and nice.  It can be very hard to live in Zuni without a truck and lots of help.  Getting to meet a new person that is trying but doesn’t have much is a blessing in out lives.

            Today was quite busy.  I wasn’t feeling my best but it all went well.  We love Sister Hattie and went to visit her.  She is a blessing to my life.  She loves her family so much and I constantly relate to her and the things she wants to do for them.  She works hard to help her grandkids.  They come to her house after school most days.  She has snacks for them and helps them understand the importance of Prayer and the Book of Mormon. 

            We are preparing for another movie night.  We have had Jodi sending DVD’s and I think we will pull it off.   Jill always makes my invitations for these.   Thanks Jill saves me lots of time.   We are going to give each member three invites and ask them to share two with neighbors and friends.  There certainly are plenty of people to invite. 

            We are still helping our friends Vanessa with school.  We took her up to the University to get her classes in order.  Lots of prayers for her that she will stay with this and better herself.  She is a very great girl.  On top of this I was in charge of Young Womens .  The two leaders were coming late because of commitments.  The girls wanted to make Lasagna and I was ask to teach them how and let them make some of their own.  I felt pretty tired because of this lingering cold.  One of the girls said – are you tired.   I tried to stay upbeat and we had fun.  They were excited and made six extra small pans full to give to other people.  It was a fun night. 

            Thursday’s best thing was that we talked to Kendal on her birthday.  No surprise that she was eating steak.  She still loves it.  So proud of this 13 year old girl.  She always texts us with little things.  We sure love that girl.

            We also took the famous visiting teaching cards around.  They were so beautiful this month and I didn’t want to waste one of them.  They said, “your Father in Heaven knows your name and knows your circumstances, ‘  He hears your prayers.  He knows your hopes and dreams including your fears and frustrations.”  Elder Jeffery R. Holland   This was perfect for all of us and more than perfect for these ladies.  Love the visiting teaching messages.

            We had our first Missionary Meeting with President Haws the Gallup Stake President on Thursday evening.  It was really great to hear his appreciation for the Missionaries and how we can work with the people in the Wards and Branches.  Very much like at home when we are ask to help the Ward Missionaries.  The big difference is that there are so many people down here that need reactivated.  He reminded us that many of their cultural differences are good – they are not all bad.  He also said that some of ours are challenging.  What a great man with an even greater message. 

            We have taken wood to Vivian who just returned from Utah and helped her cut up the big logs. 

            On Saturday we were invited to Farmington with the young Elders.  Elder Quintin Cook was there with Elder Ecco Hawk.  Wow it was amazing.  Most of the time when a General Authority comes we get to make a line and walk through and shake their hand.  It is always a very special minute to do this.  We loved Sister Cook – she had all of us up singing rounds with church songs.  She is a fun lady.  Elder Cook taught us about 4 missionary Statements.  They are for everybody because those of you at home can do so much Missionary work with your own families, friends and neighbors.  Every time I hear the wonderful words of our Apostles I just want every member of our family to be here with us and to hear what they have to say but way more important to have them feel of the Spirit that is in these meetings.  You can’t deny the truth of the Gospel and the love for Jesus Christ as you listen and feel the Spirit in the room.  Feel very lucky and blessed.

Here are the 4 Missionary Statements for all of us:

1. We are Ward and Branch builders. 
2. You will have success when you invite someone to come to church regardless of the outcome.  We should be stepping forward and inviting others to come unto Christ.
3. You are the message – I love this  by the way you look, your obedient, if you are warm and friendly and gracious.    The words we say when we re out and around others and in our homes tell what we really are.  We need to all learn to be kind to our families and others.  It is amassing how much others may be watching all of us.  Heavenly Fathered is relying on His Children to help him with others. 
4. Focus our Spiritual powers on teaching, planning and our purpose.  As we ask others to commit we are teaching repentance.  So grateful for repentance.  Thankful Heavenly Father loves us no matter what and that we can repent and be better than we were before.  Love remembering this.   He told us that our Mission is not just for us.  It is for everyone at home – and everyone we love.  That has been my prayer since we came to Zuni that our amazing family would be blessed and that they would allow the Lord to bless them and their families.  Wow that meeting really touched me.

On the way home I found out that because our darling Sister Walker had her baby boy Elder Dattage and I would be doing all of primary.  We were able to prepare the Sharing time and some songs to sing but the next morning Vanessa called and was sick so she couldn’t come to give the lesson.  I started studying fast..  Elder Dattage did the teaching of the Sharing time about the restoration.  I got the lesson and an activity for them to make a gift for Sister Walker.  The kids loved making the cards and hooking them on small baby diapers.  They were cuties and we had about 14 of them.   So glad that Elder Dattate is finally getting better from his cold.  He kept going as he always does but good to have him feeling better. 

            A great Sunday as we took wood later to a person that was burning old shoes to keep warm.  We didn’t cut it but we took some from the Branch pile so they would be warm tonight.  Please remember how fortunate all of you are.  You are blessed and loved by so many.  Love all of you for the amazing soccer players, newspaper writers, dancers, friends to many people, doing plays, wrestlers,  being so smart and using it to do good things, and fishing,learning to read, working hard at school  and loving Emma.  Thanks all of you so much.  You are great.  Everyone offers to do so much.   Thanks to Shea and whoever went to the ranch.  You are so kind and so amazing.  Thanks to Kim for doing little things to help me and also for getting the lights down at some point.  You are workers and helpers.  Elden loved the pictures Ryan sent him Saturday about the wreck.  I thought he might head back to Utah he was so excited.  Thanks.    Pictures and love are amazing.  Happy for our friends that are doing well at home also.  Love you guys,

Elder and Sister Dattage

            

Young Elders & Sisters waiting to hear Elder Cook

Elders at the Zuni fun run!

Elders and Branch members at the fun run