"We are all family"

June 5, 2016 letter

Dear All,

            It is now officially hot here.   Our truck air is not working.  We have been to Gallup two times to have them fix it but didn’t work.  Going in Tuesday to hopefully take care of this.  We had taken a lady to the grocery store yesterday and we waited in the truck.  The air was 140 on the dash of the truck.  Still cools off some at night.

            We have been working for a few weeks on a paper for our District which we will present at the next Zone Conference.  It has been hard work for us because.   It is to be mostly Doctrine and Principles.  Finally got our rough draft done for Friday’s meeting.  I actually sent it to Kim to proof and she had amazing ideas which I changed and am glad I did.  It will eventually be a power point presentation along with the 3 other District Leaders in this Mission. We had the Boyders help with the Power Point and I guess we will have it ready in time.    Eventually before the 4 of us present we run it past the Mission President.  This is quite an assignment but coming along.  Our District members sent us good ideas which have helped. 

            Lots of people have been sick or had surgery.  These people hate to miss church and will be back when they can.  They are so great. 

            We went to visit a non member with the Elders and the cute sister had bought ice cream and birthday cake.  It was her birthday and she had invited us over to give two blessings to members of her family.  We had a little party for her also.   She wants to be baptized but isn’t married to the person she lives with.  I know many people see so much of this on their missions.  It is just the way of the people here  but of course we try to get them  not to live together until they are married then they can become members and continue to be stronger.   Some have been engaged so they call it for 35 years.  Others say they are married because of being together for so many years.   Generally there are children involved. 

            Maria that we talk about a lot is now in charge of cleaning the church.  She takes this so seriously.  Our month to clean and planned on cleaning two times this month. Guess what – every week.  She cleans everything.  Right now nice to have a small church.  We do have a less active member helping us clean.  She worked hard and said she is glad to come again however; she didn’t come to church again.  We are hoping to show her we care and hope she will remember how it felt to be an active member.  Cutest lady ever.  She has an 18 year son who used to come also.  We sure do care about both of them.

            On Friday we went to Keyenta to a District Leadership Meeting with our Zone Leader.  It is at least 3 ½ hours from Zuni.  We are usually as far from things as anybody.

We met on the above mentioned project for 3 ½ hours then went to lunch at the Blue Coffee Pot.  A little mom and pop place ran by one of the Keyenta Ward members.  It was great food then we started home. Long day for a meeting.  As we were planning the place where we get our hair cut I said to Elder Dattage that we would be back waiting in that spot for the other car going to the Temple in less than 9 hours. 

            Saturday was one of the best days we have had.  We had organized this Temple Day to go to the Snow Flake Arizona Temple.  10 people were going so we took two cars.  It is about 2 hours from Zuni.  A Temple even smaller than Brigham but so pretty.  Many people down here call it the Native American Temple because it is decorated with their rugs and pottery.  So pretty.  It was one of the most amazing days.   One of the sisters that went had received her endowments only last month.  You have to have your clothes in Snow Flake so we had Jodi get clothes and mail down.  Jill put a dress in that she had and she wore it.  It was beautiful on her.  Two other people hadn’t been for years and we found out that one other lady wants to go but can’t quite fit her dress.  Jodi had slipped an extra dress in and I will take it to her and hope it works.  We were able to do a session and then some iniatory.  Some of the people did sealings so we were all over the Temple.  I have always loved initiatory so it was so beautiful to be doing that again.  After we ate here is a funny story.  Really funny if you have met Rose and John Park.  They are in their 70’s but great Temple goers.  O K in Relief Society today Rose is giving the lesson.  She is talking about family.  She says yesterday all of us were sitting at a big table eating in Snow Flake after the Temple  and she looked at all of us and though the Dattages seem like the Mother and Dad and we are all family.    She said we were all laughing and enjoying each other.   Right now I know Jodi is loving that story.  Dear Rose has lots of years on me but she is a  good one.  It was a funny compliment.

            Amazing that the Temple has an impact on everything we do.  Today in Church it was a huge Spiritual Testimony to every other member.  Then when we got home last night and we were tired we still were taking Vangie for groceries there was a package from Carolyn and Steve for my birthday and also for the Relief Society Cards.  They are beautiful and just perfect for all of us right now.  They said, “All the ordinances necessary for salvation and exaltation are accompanied by covenants with God.  Making and keeping covenants means choosing to bind ourselves to our Father In Heaven and Jesus Christ.”  Linda K. Burton.  I love these words.  They are for people all over the world and for people at home.  Love this lady and her words.    We enjoyed the present, cards and had Carmel popcorn and peanut clusters for our dinner.  Great night when you think of it.  

            Elder Tillefson is being transferred to Farmington where he will be a Zone leader.  He has been an amazing Elder and will be a great leader.  He lives in Murray, Utah and think we will see him again at times.  Elder Huston will stay and have Elder Daniels as a new companion.  Hope he likes Zuni. 

            Glad you are all out of school.  A time to work hard and enjoy summer and family.  Good luck to the Disneyland goers.  Nothing more fun than taking two 5 year olds to Disneyland.  Love those boys and of course Kendal and Jordan will be dancing   . I still remember when Jane Peterson and I did that with Jill and Jenny and now they are Mothers of cute little children.   Thanks for all the good wishes we had this week.  Saw big trucks, the ranch,  Harry Potter the play which I so want to see Reagan and Kim, playing in the water, seeing Mae and Andrews amazing summer day plans, watching Ryan and Jason talk about Africa (still laughing)  talking to Lance and Kim  .  Kim kept us laughing as she told us how much Hunter and Shea love working at the ranch.  So appreciate this even when pumps break.    Love our family and friends.  Have a great week and continue to do well.  Summer is fun.  Keep all fun pictures, videos and anything else coming. More than anything we appreciate your prayers.  We rely on them and know they help us so much.

            Love,

Elder and Sister Dattage

"Great people with limited things"

May 30, 2016

Hi all,

            Thanks for the birthday wishes, texts and calls.  You are all so wonderful. 

I think it is colder in New Mexico than in Utah right now.  They all say that is good because as soon as it is warm we get a lot of mosquitoes.  Yikes sounds fun.

            We certainly have had some good visits this week.  Some times when you visit some one and they just needed a visit you are so glad you were there.  That happens a lot here.  They are down a lot because of lack of money to pay lights, water and other things.  They know they should be self reliant but they often struggle with that.  Great people with limited things. 

            Monday was fun.  The Salts. Young Elders and we went to get a load of wood for them and we took hot dogs and marshmallows.  First cook out of the   year.  It was yummy and we had fun and listened to their stories.  Their missionary daughter comes home in a month and they are so excited.   So uplifting to here their good stories.  They are very spiritual.  Brother Salt said that one time he was wood cutting with previous Senior Missionaries.  He was ready to cut a tree down and saw the missionary standing right behind him.  He prayed that the tree wouldn’t fall and crush him .  It stood up until the man could move then it fell.  The power of prayer is in our everyday lives.   We use it then we should ponder our blessings.  They happen for good reasons.  So blessed.

            Elder Dattage has been fixing Marie’s things since we got here.  Now he will reinstall a seat belt it we can find the right one to fit.  Bless her heart she orders from the junk yards to get her parts because her car is very old and can’t get them any other way.  Wish him luck on this one. 

            Of course we went to the homes on the Visit Teaching list.  Vanissa is the best visiting teacher I have seen.  She wants to go back until she gets them which isn’t easy in Zuni.  She is a good one for sure.  Love going with her because most of the people we visit have not had a visiting teacher ever before and they are so nice to welcome us in.  I always take thought cards from Carolyn so she has a message from them. 

            We met with President Walker to come up with a Zuni Branch Mission   He likes what the Relief Society is doing with their visiting and is working with the men.  The problem is that there are so few men that are members   They have to work overtime to help everyone that needs helped.  Down here it is evident why we needs Home Teachers and Visiting Teachers to help each other.  Just another blessing in the lives of all of us.

            We had a meeting with President Haws during the week.  He is a good Stake President.  He tries to help Branches and Wards and it is a challenge.  He wants them to become self reliant but knows of the problems.  He works hard and loves the people down here.  I am impressed that he meets with the Zone leaders from the young Elders and Elden and I each month to get feed back from what he sees we need and to have us help him with the things we see on our end.  He works so well with everyone.  We really think a lot of that man.

            We were invited to Vivian Hatte for breakfast on Friday.  This was the menu:  scrambled eggs, fried eggs, pancakes, sausage, bacon, biscuits and gravy, three juices, milk.  That was a feast.   She is the only member in her family but her daughters and husband are always there and listen to the Elders teach.  They are a good family.  They make me homesick because they laugh, talk and eat.  That is very familiar to the Dattage Family at home.  Love all of them.  Sure enjoyed talking to you on my birthday.  Loved the text messages and also the cards and gifts.  Still laughing at the card Jill Cazier sent.  Thanks to all.  Thanks to our family for the fun gift of getting away one night and enjoying a meal and shopping.  We went Friday night and went to dinner.  On Saturday we went to the flee market which we have been wanting to attend.  It was fun and we picked up a few things.  Our neighbors the Pawyas were there selling their bread.  We had much better talks with them there than we do at home because Jim is always too busy to talk.  Great people.

            Before we left on Friday sister Vivian ask Elden and I to help her prepare a talk for Church on Sunday on Self Reliance.  We spent time with her and she had great personal ideas.  As we were leaving , President Walker called Elden and ask him to talk on Sunday on Self Reliance.  We laughed because we gave Vivian our best ideas.  However both Elden and Vivian did wonderful jobs today in church as they taught this important principle.  I was in Primary music.  I just know Janie and Jill are laughing at this.  However somehow with Kim sending me ideas on what would be fun to do I make it through this.  I even lead a bit.  I think I am getting extra help with that one.  Today it was music leader, baby tender and 2 year old tender.  Sister Walker and I with her teachers made it through and the kids are adorable.  What a blessing it is to work in all of the organization at once.  We are constantly reaching out and learning more and expecting more of ourselves with the help of the Lord

We have had two unusual things this week.  First the neighbors in the trailer in front of us were drunk and the lady came over for help because her son had been drinking.  We got her some help and he came back , said he was sorry and what else.  They the Pawya bakery grandson were out their last night with friends drinking.  They are very close to our window.  Honking horns, laughing and yelling.  So grateful for the good people here that lift us up and more for the Word of Wisdom.  . 

            We hate missing such good things at home.  The walk for Jaxon was one that was hard to miss.  Our family surrounding him in love. Kendal winning the race.    We do love that little boy.  Plays, dance reviews, graduations, soccer games,Wellsville Mile runners, lots of good grade certificates,  golf tournaments, t-ball games,  reading awards assemblies, Emma just being so funny and cute, grandsons going to BYU and seeing the school as they grow up into such amazing young men.  Grandsons getting the highest score in their school on a test and working so hard in school.  These are the things we miss but I can assure you that we are being blessed so much.  We pray the blessings we receive trickle down to our whole family.  This week Jodi sent Temple clothes and Jill and Jodi  sent a Temple dress and we took them to a sister down here.  Her tears were very touching as she realized what all of this meant.     Primary ideas come on over e-mail and help me so much and little requests to her about end of school things for kids.   When I ask Jodi about flowers for memorial day she said no worries already done. The family would take them as usual. The Watrins send pictures of the ranch as they work hard to keep it up.  That makes Elden feel so good not to worry.   I felt so blessed to have the family the Lord blessed us with.  Everyone of them.    It is such a blerssing to have this wonderful family.    Love every picture that Ryan Lance send to show us more truck work.  They never tell us about the no sleep and such but just how much they love this.    We feel blessed to have this opportunity in Zuni.  We love these people and they are blessing our lives.  We love our friends and family and they are blessing our lives.  This is the Lords work and it is a privilege to be a part of it.  Love all of you.  Enjoy the beginning of summer and getting out of school.

            Can’t wait to hear the summer stories – let the fun begin.  Love all of you,

Elder and Sister Dattage

 Above and below is a tree called an Alligator Cedar.  These are protected trees and you cant cut them down

 Stories around the fire

 Brother Salt enjoying a more

Christine Salt carrying wood to the truck

 Three waiting and one working

 Breakfast at Hatties.  2 meats, 2 potatoes, 2 eggs, 3 juices, hot cakes and biscuits and gravy! I ate lots of them!!  

Notice who is eating and not cooking

 Dad checking to see which way his tree will fall!

Brother Salt checking to see which way his tree will fall

 Young Elders making fun of Senior Elders

 Look how they roast hot dogs!  Makes wood cutting fun

In Bluff.  3 cowboys.  The middle one Elder Boytedhas has never been on a horse and wanted a lesson from Elder Dattage

            Our District minus a few

That I Might Draw All Men Unto Me

May 16, 1016

            It is beautiful weather down here.  Warm but much too windy most of the time.  That is typical in May here but it usually comes with a little rain.  We are not getting much rain and it is so dry here.

            We had a fun visit with Ron Liechty and showed him a little around Zuni.  Fun to hear about how Providence is doing.  So many good people there. 

            We have been helping fix cars since the wood has slowed down a bit.    Elder Huston is very good with cars and fixing them so people ask him and he says yes then Elder Dattage gets involved.  People down here go and buy the parts then look around for someone in their family or friends to fix it.  Not much towing a car to a shop to be fixed.  Lots of duck tape for body work.   Also lots of pushing cars and they all just tow them by a strap.  There is a towing company down here and he does some work but most figure out how they can do it alone.

            Lots of good meals by members.  They feed us too much.  They have so little money but they will cook three meats at a time for a meal.  They are good cooks but lots of oil and very heavy food.  They love their food just as we do when we are at home.  We seem to fit in in that area for sure.

            We have been trying to get the post office box numbers so that the less active members and all members for that matter can get the Church magazines free.  Someone gave the Branch money to do this.  We have physical addresses that we have already found but now we have been going to visit them, asking about the magazines and getting their box number.  Some of you remember the magazine drive years ago – well this is a huge one.  It is a reason to go and visit them and they all say they want them.  What a great idea someone had.    The        visits have been good.           

            Our favorite visists have been when we visit the inactive list that Sister Vicenti made with some of the members going with us.    We go about two to three days a week and the people want them to come back.  They are so receptive and some lonely and want to visit with their friends.  This is a wonderful idea and I know that she has put a lot of prayer into her lists and her methods.  Love helping her with this.  Right before mothers day my Sister Wendee gave me about 35 of her famous dish cloths that she crochets.  I started taking them with us on these visits and they love them.  I try to give some two and they say no only one there are plenty of people that need these.  So humble. 

            Friday was our first District Meeting as District Leaders.  I was pretty nervous about it because our last District Leader was amazing.  He is now our Zone leader and does a great job.  We made it through it and accomplished a lot.  We used  the talk from Conference “That I Might Draw All Men Unto Me” as our theme.  By Elder Renlund.  His concept was that “the greater the distance between the giver and the receiver, the more the receiver develops a sense of entitlement.”  This is both physically and spiritually.  We see it down here so much physically.  We have some pretty unique requests from people.  Some we feel we can do and otheres we have learned to tell them no.  Spiritually is teaches us that Our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ are the ultimate Givers.  The more we distance ourselves from them, the more entitled we feel.  We begin to think that we deserve grace and are owed blessings.  We are more prone to look around, identify inequities, and feel aggrieved – even offended by the unfairness we perceive.  While the unfairness can range from small to big, when we are distant from God even small inequities loom large.  We feel that God has an obligation to fix things and fix them right now.  Many people down here really believe this.  He taught us of the importance of attending sacrament meeting each week and partaking of the Sacrament.  In the talk he promised us that you will feel nearer to God.  Natural tendencies to childish whining, disgruntled entitlement and skepticism will leave.  These will be replaced by feelings of greater love and gratitude for Heavenly Fathers gift of his son.  This is an amazing talk and all of it is true.  We have to do our part and be close to Got and Jesus Christ but the blessings are amazing.   I encourage all of you to reread it for you and see what you can gain from this message.

            On Saturday we were going hard again because we had a Missionary Movie night.  We popped popcorn for 2 ½ hours after we borrowed a big popper from the library, made rice krispie treats and set up.  We had 35 plus people come.  We would like to have had 50 but 35 was a good crowd.  Lots of laughing and fun for our  people.

            Sunday was Gallup Stake Seminary graduation.  Brianna Salt graduated so we went into Gallup to support her.  It was a great graduation and lots of kids graduated.  Sister Walker came to church with her 5 kids.  President Walker was on the stand and sacrament meeting went well.  I offered to keep the baby during the rest of the block because she is Primary President also.  What a beautiful little baby born into a beautiful family.  Love this family so much.  They are examples in doing the Lords will.  Their service is amazing.  Lots to learn from this young little family.  Sunday we  were able to take the Punchallo girls to church.  One of them wants to go to camp.  Their mom has been coming but was working and they are down to one car.  They are 21 and 16 and love coming.   We had a funny thing in church.  We thought we had the music so we down loaded it and had our blue tooth there.  A lady came that could play the piano so we didn’t need to I pad.  We turned it off.  When a High Councilors was talking and he was really off on a side kick for sure the blue tooth said machine is disconnected.  It was perfect timing for sure.  It let a little of the pressure of the moment go away.  Also when the other one was talking it said “Power off”.  It was funny because of the circumstances for sure. 

            What a great week at home.  We had so much fun trying to keep up with all of our children and grandchildren.  We are so glad they still involve us in their activities from a distance.  Lance and Ryan were at a tow shop and we got lots of great pictures there, Jaxon had a 5 year old birthday.  We are so grateful for this cute little busy 5 year old in  our family.  His birthday looked fun.  Lance wore an old baseball shirt of Elders because it was a baseball party.  We sure did laugh at that.  Kendal played her last soccer game – and danced beautifully.  Thanks for that video.  I have watched it twice already.  Jordan danced and looked so beautiful.  Hunter and Taylor went to Senior Ball and they must have been the most handsome and beautiful  ones there.  The pictures with them and dates were so fun to get.  Looked so fun.  So glad Hunter used our big table at home for part of his date. 

I text our Hayden and lot and love to hear from from him.  He is doing so well in school and extra things.  Proud of him also.  Reagan did her school play.  We absolutely loved the pictures of her.  I can only imagine how well she did.  She has great talents in this area.  Samantha is busy getting ready for her camps at her house and they will be amazing.  Andrew is loving his new basketball birthday present.  He is good.  Maelee is always busy with school field trips and starting t ball with her mom as her coach.  Emma is  a delight as she tries to do all of the things all of the kids do.  Love her pictures.   Kinnick, Jaxon and Kyson’s pictures of the stuffed animals in Jodi’s tub was the best .  They must have been busy filling that entire big tub.  So funny.    Loved the boys pictures of their soccer games.  They look like they are going for it this year.  So happy all of you are going to Salt Lake for the race for Jason.  Our family is so sup portative that it just makes my heart full.  It is a mother’s desire that her family will love each other and help each other.  Since we have been on this mission we are noticing from a distance all that goes on with the way they support each other.  Love and miss our friends also.  Here good things from you.  We appreciate you calls, e- mails and texts.  You are great people who have influenced us before we came here and now many people down are influencing us in so many different ways.  They are so grateful and talk about ways to help those who are poor.  It is very humbling to me to watch them .   This Mission is a blessing.  We are busy as can be helping all of them and hope something lasting will happen as they go to the Temple and build stronger families.  It is our blessing to be here and we are very thankful.  We are even thankful for our little trailer because we have learned to enjoy it a lot. 

            Thanks to all of you for the lives you are living and the service you give to friends and family.

            Love,  Elder and Sister Dattage 

           

            

Special thanks to Aunt Wendee for making all of these dish clothes for the people of Zuni!  So many stitches.  Love them!  Thank you Wendee!!  

 Working with big trees and just 2 saws!  Plenty of weight training going on here!!  I just wait!

Our friend the snake lives in our front yard!!  AHHHHHH!

 Some things never change!  Dad has added plenty of butter!  He is cooking this meat and potatoes for President Walker and his family!!  

We sure miss Dad's cooking on Sundays!!!  

 Thanks to Ron Liechty for the salsa!  Elder Dattage is loving it!  Note: I am jealous!!  Ron Leichty makes the BEST salsa!!!!!

The cards Carolyn sends monthly have opened doors!  They love the message and design on the cards!  Thanks Carolyn!

I love these Mother's Day flowers!  Using the lights from the Watrins with them!  So Pretty!!!

Loved the cute candy bars from Jodi's family!  The Branch had a good laugh!

 Grandpa using Kinnick's bug catchers!  Thanks Kinnick we are bug free!!

Popcorn for movie night!

 Marie broke down again!  Another repair job!!

 Dad doing his usual!  Telling the kids how to do it!!

The Elders ran in the color run!  Wwe just cheered them on!