Lessons and the Temple

 Us in front of the temple on Friday.

We thought this week would be a slow one for us.  It started out that way.  We have come to realize there is no such thing for a missionary.  Literally, on Monday, our calendar seemed pretty empty.

Monday evening, the Bishop called and asked if we could talk on Sunday.  We feel like we can’t really tell the Bishop - No.  We are here to help in any way we can.  Walt was also asked to lead a 15 minutes discussion in the Missionary District Meeting.  We have that every Wednesday.  We also are teaching a couple the Marriage Relationship lessons each week.  So all of a sudden, we have a lot of preparing to do.  

Usual chocolate covered strawberries for
Walt's Valentine's Day

Then Tues morning, the Bishop called to see if we could give a ride to a woman (not a member but her mother-in-law is and lives in Colorado) from a shelter to a local hotel.  The Bishop was helping out this woman with the condition she listen to our spiritual message.  We got her moved (just clothes), gave her a Book of Mormon and encouraged her to read it.  Reading scriptures helps in times of trials.  She ended up coming to church with us on Sunday (today).  She really enjoyed it and would like to come again next week.  

The Valentine I made to give out

I made some Valentines for people we visit and for 5 of the widows in the ward.  We just wanted them to feel like they are being thought of and cared about.  I made chocolate cupcakes with a heart on top.  On Thursday (Valentine’s Day) we delivered the cupcakes and valentines.  I think most of them really appreciated the kind gesture.

There is a man, named Gary, who lives in the next town over.  We visited him our 3rd day in Newcastle.  We had been to Walmart in Gillette and were on our way back.  Walt suggested we stop and visit someone in Upton, since we pass right by there.  He is the name I chose.  We called and asked about visiting - only giving him about 15-20 minutes of notice.  He said - Yes.

We have visited him nearly every week since.  He is wheeled-chaired bound and has not had contact with anyone in the church for years.  I think he stopped coming to church before he moved to Upton.  The visits are great and we all enjoy them.  He has told us several times, that he feels God put us in his path and that God is trying to talk to him through us.  That’s very humbling.  Some other members of our ward have since gone to visit him as well.  They have encouraged him to read the Book of Mormon again.  Gary has and it seems to be changing his heart towards God.  Gary is so kind and caring.  He is always giving us food when we are there, and gave us one of his small freezers.  We nearly have the freezer full after our visit to Costco on Friday.

Our Marriage Relationship lesson went very well.  They are very similar to Walt and I.  They like that because they can see the potential their relationship has.  As a young couple, things can seem very discouraging at times.  Marriage is a lot of work, but so worth it.  We are really happy to be able to help someone out.  Both of them are willing to share their thoughts and feelings and do the “homework.”

We visited the couple who lost their son (Jerry and Pat) on Thursday and took the Elders along.  Those young men are great at helping out with the hard labor.  The Elders and Walt got a lot of wood split and stacked with Jerry’s wood splitter.  The Elders were really hoping to chop with an ax, but Jerry’s was old and needs reparied.  Pat and I sat by the cozy fire and talked.  She is doing better this week - not as devasted.  We talked a lot and also roasted marshmallows.  We had talked about both of us liking to do that, and she had her husband buy a bag of the giant ones to roast when we came again.  It was also Jerry’s birthday, and I asked his favorite dessert.  It was pie.  So I  brought a pie to share.  Jerry felt like it was a regular birthday party.  It was great to visit them and bring some joy into their home.  They are such great people.

Walt, Bob Goodart, Colleen Goodart, Becky Checketts, Bishop Checketts, Me, and April Aylesworth (front in blue) at the entry way of the Billings Montana Temple.  It was too cold and snowy to pose outside.

and Saturday was our temple trip in Billings.  We really love going to the temple.  There is no other place like it on earth.  It is the House of Lord and the spirit there is so strong and there is such peace.  Visiting the temple each week in Philadelphia was a life saver when Michelle died.  There is such a closeness to God felt there, and we felt close to Michelle as well.  We’ve been looking forward to this trip for weeks.  

The road to Gillette.  Blowing snow!

Not much visibility

A sister, named April, was going through for the first time - so exciting.  Her husband, Keith, is the guy who felt like we were his answer from God to come back to church.  Such a neat couple!!  April’s appointment was on Saturday at 1 pm.  We left Friday morning, having just gotten 5 inches of snow.  So glad it’s dry snow, makes it so much easier to clean off the car.  The drive is about 5 hours.  The roads were perfect once we got outside of Gillette.  After Gillette the scenery starts to change to more mountains and rolling hills.  It was so beautiful.  The weather turned really nice - 25 degrees (seriously - that felt like Spring, since the sun was shining).  

The trip went by fast, it seemed.  We stopped by the Mission Office, in Billings.  It was nice to put faces with names of people who have been helping us out since day one.  We made it to the 4 pm session at the temple.  The Billings temple was just recently updated and looks so beautiful.  We checked into our hotel, and then off to Costco (right beside our hotel).  I was so excited about that too.  A great chance to stock up.  Most of the cold stuff, we just left in the car because it was barely in the double digits.  It’s funny - now to have the temperature not be in the negative numbers is exciting.  We’re adjusting well.

Stocking up at Costco

Saturday, we went again to the temple and attended with April and several other members from our ward.  We also were able to get “paperwork” pushed through for us to be Ordinance Workers in this temple.  That was amazing!  We had really wanted to serve our mission somewhere we could work in the temple again.  That didn’t seem likely here in Wyoming due to the distance.  The temple presidency felt because we were experienced, working only once month would work out fine.  I am so excited about that.  What a blessing for us! So now on the 4th Friday of every month, we will drive to Billings, do temple work for our family on Friday, and work the morning shift on Saturday.  Then we’ll drive home.  It will be so worth it!!  The Temple Presidency member  that interviewed us said we would get double blessings because we were serving a mission and serving in the temple.  Bring them on!!

Our talks went quite well.  We are both glad to have that behind us.  Both times, Walt and I have talked on the same day, I went first.  He always tells me to take a long time.  He is the last speaker and has to fill up whatever time is left.  I usually prepare my talk with a section that can be left out if needed.  Both times, he has told me to take a long time.  Both times, we have run over because he has enough to fill more time than I leave him.  I told him, next time, I am giving the shorter version.  

We are surviving the cold weather and snow.  Layers help a lot.  Sometimes it’s tricky to plan what to wear, because outside is way colder than people’s homes.  There isn’t any one we have visited yet, who keeps their home chilly or cold.  Sometimes we are too hot during our visit.  We feel very blessed in every way since we have been here.  Heavenly Father has always provided a way for us to accomplish all we need to do each week - without fail.  Even when the Bishop throws a few curve balls or two in there.  

We miss you all and are grateful for all prayers on our behalf.  We pray for you guys as well!

Deer outside our front door

Icicles hanging from our back door.  This is the one we use all the time

Trip to Billings

The first time we saw this sign, we thought it meant the bird - crow.  It refers to the Indian Tribe - The Crow.

Trip to Billings

Welcome to Montana sign.  A little snow covered!

Our Zone.  President and Sister Larson are in the middle.