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!!!

Missionary Workshop and Movie Night

Hi All,

    A few weeks ago we were ask to do a Movie Night.  The Branch Council decided that a Monday Night was a fun way to go with all of this  We decided to show Once I was A Beehive.  Such a fun show and I knew Taylor, Jordan, and Reagan liked it so we went with it.  We got here garbage bags  (white ones) full of popcorn and made 120 rice krispie treats., about 100 or s0 little cookies and made arrangements for the equipment to show it.  passed out 50 invited and then hopped  some one would come.   We were happy when two less active families ask us to pick them up.  Many people do not have a car to drive.  We got there just as the Branch President had started it after picking up our car pools.  There were 50 plus people there and they ate every piece of food we had.  They laughed, cried and really loved the movie.  Great night for this little Branch. 

    The Zuni people love to have parties and to get together and enjoy each other.  I think they want good things to do and when they are provided they love them.  Our Branch President, President Walker , wants to provide opportunities for his Branch to meet together other times than Sunday also.  Great man with a great wife.

    Sister Vicenti our Relief President, ask us to look for 50 less active members to find out if they are still in Zuni, still alive and well and get  their information for our Branch records. This is harder than it sounds.  We have been working with three members who give us information and some directions.  Theh directions are so funny as they say you know where those roads meet and one goes to the West, well behind that and back three houses by the house that is being remodeled it is the cinderblock house.  We kept hearing about the Lasiloo Subdivision and so we finally ask where it was.  We found it and it is a group of houses for sure.     

While we were looking for one of the people we saw two people sitting on a step waiting for the person we were trying to see.  We talked to them and told them we would take them to their friends house.  They were a bit under the weather for sure but as it turned out one of the ladies was a person on our less active list we were looking for.  That was great - one down 49 to go.  We are about 1/2 done and will go with a member the first of next week to find the ones we can't find.  I am glad they are trying to upgrade their records.

     Mutual was great.  President Walker showed the video from the Church Web where the youth ask questions.  It was done so well and if any of you haven't seen it or for sure ;your kids get on the web and look for it with the General Young Womens President, Elder Bednar and others.  Great questions by youth and great answers.  More popcorn and cookies and cupcakes.  The Zuni people like treats.

    We hauled wood with the Salts also.  They are fun and work hard when we go.  We still get wood at least two times a week for members.  The stock pile seems to go very fast .   Lance and Ryan I wish I had got a picture because we got a big load of wood and then we were stuck.  Used straps, tied around a tree and Dorsun Salt and dad working very hard.  I sure wanted to call on you boys to help us but we had to do it the hard way.    I think they have us pegged.  A man at the post office told me he used to go to that Church and he needed wood.  I told his to call the Branch President and make arrangements.  He of course didn't .   Glad the sun is warmer down here than at home in all the snow you have and cold. Also I have a Visiting Teaching list of 6 less active ladies with a very less active partner.  When I told one lady I was her Visiting Teacher she ask what that was.  We assume so much as we live in the center of the Church and are raised knowing the programs.  Enjoyed my visits.  My partner this month was Elder Dattage.   I will keep inviting my teaching partner and hope to get her to come.

    We visited a little family in the Black Rock area.  They are in a picture with Jodi holding their beautiful little baby.  Cute little family.  I wrote some things down in my notebook and they wanted it so we told them we would bring them notebooks.  They were so excited with little notebooks, pencils and crayons.  So cute.

Elder Dattage was able to have a great talk with a less active member while they were on a wood trip.  It is really pretty in the mountains here and lots of chances for wonderful visits.

    On Wednesday we had a Missionary Workshop.  Missionaries from all over the World have had the opportunity to see at Stake Centers.  They said remember to teach repentance baptism to the converts.

they stressed the importance of our attitudes.   Elder Bednar said to remember that we can bring the Holy Ghost to them but we can't put it into their heart.  The investigators have to invite it in.  If they are less active we were reminded to ask them to remember what it felt like when they were baptized and had the Holy Ghost as their guide.  We are sons and daughters of God and that in itself is an amazing blessing.  We have the Priesthood of God to bless our families lives and we have the blessings of the Temple.  Such wonderful reminders from our leaders.  We loved the conference and of course a quick trip to the Sizzler in Gallup and on our way home.  We took the young Elders with us.  We are often ask down here just what is the difference in our Church and in what they already have.  The above reasons say a lot of it.     

     We are having 40 degree weather so instead of a lot of mud we snow we have tons of mud.  We try to park in just the right spot as we visit with people   There is a $1.00 little spray car wash here and it keeps the top coat of mud off.   Can't get enough pictures of all of you and hear about your lives.  So much good going on - you at home are amazing examples to us in working hard and listening  what we are supposed to be doing.  Love our family - we have the most amazing grandkids and children for sure. 

     Hope you all continue to have a great week. We are going to and who knows maybe we will find the other 25 people and where they are.  What a blessing this is in our lives.  We are learning so much and having so many opportunities to see the Spirit guide our lives and help us to do what we were sent here to do.  Love you all,   Elder and Sister Dattage

    

 TONS of mud!  It is about 40 degress and snows sometimes.  The snow all melts and then we are left with a muddy mess!

 Picture of a family who came to the movie!  We have been working with this family for a while!  This baby was born at 4 lbs and is up to 9 lbs!  Must be Indian fry bread

Picture of Greg Olsen and wife (to the right of Elder and Sister Dattage) at the Zone Conference!

Picture of the kids witht his dream catcher that Elder and Sister Dattage sent!  They love them!

Grandma's potato chips and zone meeting!

January 17, 2016

Dear Friends and Family,

            Hope everyone is doing well in snowy Utah.  Jodi sent pictures of the snow and it sure is deep.  Must be great for skiing. 

            What an amazing week this has been.  We have been driving around in a car because our truck has been in the dealership and no one recognizes us.  We were ask to do a Movie Night for the Branch.  We decided to show Once I Was a Beehive.  We hope people will come and bring their friends and neighbors to it.  We took 55 invitations around.  Hope for the best.  We are getting popcorn in Gallup Lumber.   We made lots of rice krispies treats and drinks.  Hope it will be lots of fun. 

            We had a District Meeting and a Zone Meeting this Week.  Greg Olson the artist brought pictures and talked to us at the Zone meeting.  It was really great.  He knows Mike Malm and thinks a lot of him .

            We only got wood one time this week with Brother Salt because of no truck.  We did take emergency wood to two Sisters in the trunk of the rental car.  We sure have a lot of mud here now.  It snows then melts and you step out of your car and are in mud up around your shoes.  It reminds me of Ryans Pig mud story from his mission.    We just scrap it off and keep going.  Not much gravel and no grass for sure.  Your snow looks so pretty but ours is quite black or orange from dirt. 

            We presented the Theme in Mutual.  I am so happy that we both get to work in the young Men and Young Womens organization.  We enjoy the very few people that are that age and they are just like our girls, they laugh and giggle.  They want to heart attack peoples houses for Valentines and such. 

            We had so much fun this week because for a few days we took Maelee’s snowman around with us.  When we visited people and talked to them and ask for a picture with him they really liked it.  I liked that we went to some of our favorite people’s houses that we don’t get to visit often because we are visiting the less active.  They are mostly a happy people and willing to help each other out. 

            We invited anyone that wanted to go to the Albuquerque Temple once a month.  When the list went around even though not many signed up they raised their hand and ask how they can get a visit with the Branch President so they can renew their recommend.  Two ladies ask that and I was so excited about something this important.

            We visited with a family today that said they sure wanted to come to church but had no way to get there.  They used to be active and we said we would love to come get them.  They are coming to the Monday Night Movie Night and to Church next week.  It seems we never know what will touch their hearts.  We don’t even always understand their reasons for not being places.   Understood they used to be active but don’t come any more.  Hope something that simple to us as a ride can help made a difference.

            We still take a bag of chips to Grandma every week.  She can eat a bag in two days.  She weighs 62 pounds so they don’t seem to be hurting her.  We didn’t take any the last visit and I don’t think she was very happy with us. 

            We are so glad that our family is doing as well as possible right now.  Love our grandkids and feel bad when Taylor is sick, or Jaxon doesn’t feel well, or someone is disappointed with things that happen.  We pray and think about you always. 

            We were so excited when we received a sunshine box from the Watrins.  Tons of cute yellow things came and we love all of them.  We have shared some of the candy but the notes are right above the computer.    Saved the cute box because it was so fun and cheerful.

            Today in Relief Society the piano player was gone and the lady that leads the much was gone.  Sister Vicente turns to me and asks if I will come up and lead without a piano.  Of course I went us gave them one note from the piano then proceeded to lead.  No a shinning moment for me for sure.

            No one cleans the church so yesterday I went over and cleaned.   It looked much better and today in church they sent around a sign up list to clean the church.  YEA 

            Just wanted to tell you that we went to the Salts for a birthday party for their girls and they sang Happy Birthday as bad as we do.  They were laughing and trying to be silly.  That made me a bit homesick because that is just how we do it.

            I love studying the Book of Mormon in Sunday school when I am there.    We gave Books of Mormon to all the Primary kids a week ago and they were so excited.  So much to learn.  Love all of the thoughts that we read each day.  Every time we read one I think of the time it took to make them and how much we really love them.  Thanks.

            We heard Ryan was on T V We know that the game Sunday was a family divided and loved Shea picture of that.  The Johnsons pictures in the snow looked so cute.  Looks like they got Adam good with the snowballs.  Have been checking on Taylor everyday and love every positive thing she says.  Love Hunter and Adndrws videos of their sports.  We love those boys also.  Got another two worder from our Hayden and just have to say we sure to love him as well as all of you.  Thanks for your amazing support to all of you.  We feel it and we love it.

            We are in close contact with Uncle Hoot and praying for him and their family.  If you guys hear anything more let us know.  Bless their hearts.

            Just want to say that many times this week we have been told to be still and listen.  Take time to ponder and above all have Charity.  The best advice ever.  Love all of you.

           

            Love mom and dad  (Elder and Sister Dattage)

Elder and Sister Dattage also write a little personal note to the family that we usually share.  Let's just say this one included a good story for Sister Dattage!  She will now have an easy answer to the question:  What is your most embarassing moment ever???  Not sure if she would want it all over FB but it is FUNNY!!

Picture note: Maelee sent Grandma and Grandpa a snowman to travel around Zuni.  So you will see the snowman in many pictures!!

Hauling wood with the Elders and a less active member Dave

Another day of wood for Brother Benn in front.  The Salts helped us!

Men will be boys!  District meeting and Zone leader Brother Potter and District Leader Brother Boyder trying out their rubber gun!

The beautiful mountain in Zuni takes on the color of the sun!

Wishing all a happy New Year!

Grandma "Potato Chips" as she is called and  Marie with the snowman.  This bag may last 3 days!! 

For all you Pickett cousins:  I can just hear Gayle saying  "have a bar and go to bed."  Looks like this Grandma likes her chips like Grandma loved her O'Aggie Bars!

Zuni Branch Young Men!  Brother Park and Elder Dattage are the leaders with Zach, Austin and Chandler!

Elder Dattage and Brother Sale getting wood for the branch!

Sowman visiting thte bakery!  Rose and her niece!

Talking to the Young Women's President Pam.  She is a beautiful silversmith, pictured is some of her work.  She made bracelets for all of the girls for Christmas!

Box of "Sunshine" from the Watrins!!  Thank you!

A local pottery makes made this vase.  This is right before he fired it. Beautiful!

This is the same vase after it was fired.  Notie the color change!

Vivan, Sister Dattage and Maelee's snowman.  Vivian is Elder and Sister Dattage's neighbor!