May 16th 2010

16 May 2010

Dear Family and Friends,
Can you believe it, we’re half way thru May already. The days and weeks hurry by.
Today was our Stake Conference, and the Dallas 6th Ward sang. I was amazed at how well it all came together in the end. When you get everyone there at the same time and have an extra practice it makes a big difference – that coupled with some prayers. Last week it was sounding pretty weak, but it was quite nice today.
The talks were centered around families and the importance of having the Savior in the center of all our relationships; also keeping the husband and wife relationship strong, remembering to take time for that outside of time with the children. Another theme was ‘that everyone is important; don’t ever think you’re not.’
Each person we meet each week gives just that many interesting experiences. It seems that we met with several ‘friends’ at the beginning of the week, who are getting more desperate in their job search as their funds run out, become late on rent payments, car payments and only have a few dollars left. It can become such a downward spiral, if you don’t have computer access, gas or even a car to get out and look for a job, no phone to leave a number for call backs etc, it gets harder and harder. We remind them that they can come to the Center and use our phones, computers and we will fix them something to eat if they are hungry.
Both of the new Sr. Sisters have been able to come to the Center this week. We are each getting more specific assignments and more specialized as we get more help. That is a good think I think, you don’t feel like you have to know EVERYTHING. We are helping them get to know the ways of what we do and they are really getting the idea of it.
Tuesday Elder Nelson and I went to a resource mtg in Fort Worth regarding helping people with criminal records get back into the work force. (One of my areas). It was helpful and gave us another contact or two on people to visit and find out more information. This meeting was sponsored by Catholic Charities, held at the Baptist Church and the Mormons were invited too. The have a lot of unity, all working together to help people.
I also helped a young lady who has been leading a very rough life but is trying to make a turn around and leave her past life behind. She came in just an hour before closing time so we didn’t have much time to work together but we had a good visit and shared some ideas with her. We know where to pick up on her next visit, possibly tomorrow. We will do some personality tests and interests tests in career development to help give her some ideas on a direction she might like to go for a job/career. (Career development is another one of my assigned areas.)
We’ve done some checking on a job we heard about in Louisiana where they are hiring 500 people to help clean up the oil spill. Some have shown an interest in this, they have to be willing to work 24/7 for 3-4 months. The long timers give a word of caution however, I guess they did a similar thing with Hurricane Katrina but many of the people didn’t get paid. The companies just left with the $$.
Which brings up another topic. We had the opportunity to learn about storm clouds that spawn tornadoes. Julie P. invited us outside Friday and explained the sky to us. There were a couple of different banks of clouds moving in opposing directions, then they turned a shade of dark green, these are some of the warning signs for tornados. Fortunately we only received some strong winds and heavy rains for about 30 minutes. We never felt threatened but it was very interesting.
Jack had a man come in that was preparing for an interview and wanted him to help him through some questions. He had some difficult things to address about his recent history of being employed, poor credit etc. That afternoon the man went to his interview, the next day he called and they had notified him that he had got the job. They were both pretty happy.
I worked with a middle aged man originally from Viet Nam. He had been in the newspaper industry for many years but had been let go. Not a thriving business anymore. He is a friend, but has a son on a mission in Sacramento, CA. He is very proud of him and was interested in our mission experience.
We’ve also been working with a man who is in construction management. He has a job he is applying for this week. He had applied for one last week and was told for that one job there were 600 people from all over the country applying for it. That is some pretty tough competition.
Jack helped with measuring the grain in the silos out back recently. He enjoys his time out there. With 9+ people (that’s just the staff) in the Center most of the time, 7 of them being women, he slips out there a little more frequently, just to get a little fresh air. I think he’s about got Art convinced that he is a country boy and knows about physical/manual labor. Art sees him as a business type guy – but then all he sees him in is his suit and white shirt and tie. He’s shown some people a picture of him with his beard, hat, on a horse and they recognize him.
Brother & Sister Stoddard came in with his daughter this past week. He moved here a couple of years ago from Henderson. He worked at the LV temple on the Wednesday evening shift. He appears he left just a month or two before we started but we enjoyed a nice visit about common friends serving on that shift.
Jack also helped with the web-i-nar Wednesday evening, explaining to the Ward and Stake Specialists how to sign on companies.
Also fairly frequently people will come in needing a priesthood blessing. Jack and one of the other brothers always gladly respond. We always keep oil close by. He had that opportunity this past week again.
Thanks to Jack’s support I was able to have some fun recorder experiences this week. Tuesday evening he drove me to where the Dallas Recorder Society was meeting. The first portion of the evening we listened to some professional level performances. Then we all played together. There are about 15-20 people there. It was great fun. I was somewhere in the middle ground – there were those that were better than I, fortunately it worked out that I sat next to them and was able to enjoy their playing – there were also some that were not as skilled as I so I felt comfortable there. They were all very gracious and welcomed me there.
Saturday afternoon Charlie invited us out to his home. We had some pizza and salad, the four of us. Then Charlie and I played recorder/harpsichord music and Jack and Carla visited. What great friends they are.
The weather prediction for our P-day this week was stormy so we stayed close by. We went out to Fair Park in Dallas and enjoyed some of the museums and the Grand Canyon movie at the Omni Max. It was good to see the desert and a few shots of Las Vegas.
It’s great to see the new babies that have been added to the Miller family recently. What precious little spirits. Thanks for sending pictures. We send our congratulations and love.
Thanks again for your love, prayers and support. What wonderful family and friends we are blessed with. Our prayers are with you daily too. We are grateful to be having these many wonderful opportunities to serve.
We love and miss you and hope y’all have a great week,
Grandpa & Grandma, Mom & Dad, Jack & Gaye
Elder & Sister Nelson

Jack n Gaye