May 9th 2010

9 May 2010

Happy Mother’s Day
We hope that all mothers everywhere have had a good day. What a blessing our mothers have been in our lives. The sacrifice and support of our good mothers is more than we could put into words. What a blessing they have been in our lives.

Six months ago this day we entered the MTC in Provo as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. What a blessing and rewarding experience this has been in our lives. The greatest sacrifice is that we are separated from our family and loved ones. However, we have received so many blessings and opportunities for being in the full time service of the Lord.

We often hear about proselyting missionaries going out and finding that person/s that they were sent to teach the gospel – the ‘I’ll find you my friend’ moments. We see and experience those same kinds of moments here as people come into the Center and there is one of the missionaries serving there that seem to have just the right background and experience to help that person.
This week Elder Nelson took a phone call from a man who owns a furniture company in Canada and has 8 stores here in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. He is from a city that Elder Nelson recognizes that one of the Adam’ girls married a young man from there. This young man’s father and the company owner serve on the High Council together. Because of this connection he feels like he trust Elder Nelson to help him find someone to do some audit work for him. 2. A young family man has been in the Center receiving help for the past month or two. This day he accepts a ward assignment to come to the Center and do some volunteer service. These two people are able to speak on the phone together and this young man is able to find some work for next week – something temporary but may work into more permanent work if it all goes well. Elder Nelson has been able to be an instrument in the Lord’s hand in bringing these two people together, each is served and blessed.
We see so many examples of this weekly, if not daily, where the Lord, through a series of many events blesses the lives of His children.
We learn so much from every person that we associate with and help. As the days go by and our experiences increase, we are able to share more with the next person what we have learned from the previous experiences and all are blessed. The things that we teach and say are empowered by the experiences of others that confirm the principles that we teach.
I’m afraid the economy is not very nice to those people in their 50’s and 60’s (our age group). Often they are being the first ones to be laid off in the company cut backs. They often got a job when they were young, moved up the ladder of experience and responsibility, oft times without an education degree. Now in this economy, to return back into the work force that values a degree and youth is very challenging to say the least. Oft times their only option may be to look at some type of self-employment venture.
I worked with a man this week in that category. He is a master plumber, because of my conversations with Bruce I could relate to many of the things he was saying about the current economic situation in this industry. He has not been active for many years in the church but feels such a good spiritual, uplifting feeling when he comes into the center, a feeling he gets when he goes to church. He shared his testimony and the desire he feels to return to activity.
I met with another doctor this week. What a delightful man, willing to go through the regular steps that we basically offer to all. Humble and happy, open to ideas and suggestions. I was able to share contact information from the other doctor, maybe together they can share ideas and help each other.
Many of the volunteers who come in are also job seekers. Some we know already and some are new to us. This week they have helped us as we try to reorganize the materials for the youth conference ‘Game of Life.’
Jack worked with a man who works for piano companies selling pianos. He is over a region that covers 11 states. He is concerned about his job and looking at other options because for the past 3 years the sale of pianos has been reduced by 50% each year. It was interesting to visit with him and see how the economy is influencing that area also. He knows a lot about many kinds of pianos. Unfortunately I was busy with someone else and couldn’t pick his brain for very long.
Several weeks ago the sister missionaries had given out one of the Center’s cards to someone they had met briefly. A kind black friend of the church in his early 60’s. He has been looking and looking for some kind of work and nothing has worked out for him. He had tried all that he could think of, explored all the options he could think of and nothing had come of it. As he was going thru his wallet he noticed our card and decided it was time to see what we might have to offer. He has been trying to get day labor jobs, but there are so many seeking that kind of work that there are not enough jobs to go around each day. He has been living in shelters to survive. His money and options are quickly running out. We discussed jobs and places that he could apply for. I suggested he talk with people at his church – he is a Baptist – but he says he hasn’t been in a long time and doesn’t know where a church is. I told him I knew of a good church he could go to. Elder Nelson helped him write a resume and find a few jobs to apply for. He even found a job to could call on while he was there at the Center. We told him he was welcome to come in anytime and use our phones and computers for his job search. We also offer to fix some lunch from the store house for people when they come in under these circumstances.
During the moments that we are not busy with candidates who have walked through the door, we are busy making contacts by a phone call or an email to people who have signed on to the new ldsjobs.org website. Letting them know about the services that we offer, the resources the web site offers, the people in their ward & stakes that can help them etc. etc.
Jack continues to work with companies and I work with job postings.
We are still trying to help Ward and Stake Specialists, Bishops, Stake Presidents, Clerks learn about the site and how to register and get their leaders assigned to assist. It’s proving to be very tricky. The MLS has to be absolutely correct or it doesn’t happen. For the Stake President who doesn’t know how to read email it is being a challenge for him and those trying to assist him. The next step will be to call headquarters in Salt Lake and have them ‘turn the switch’ for him. If you forget your user name and password you can recover them, BUT you have to go to your email to pick up the information.
The new Sr Sister has been feeling well enough to come into the Center this week. Sister Wolfley comes with a background in small business ownership and will be a great help to those in this area. They take an hour or more for lunch, leave the Center and go to their apartment. We are just going –wow, what a difference. When we came we didn’t have that luxury and so we’ve just kept with our routine. We were so busy seeing 25-30 people a day that there was hardly time to breath, let alone leave. There were always several you were working with at a time and more coming in the door as one left. It is very nice to have that kind pressure relieved as there are not quite so many coming in each day and we have more people available to help. Three sets of missionaries is the most that the Center has ever gotten. With this we are each now assigned 2 stakes to work with rather 4 stakes (or 8 stakes per companionship). That is also more manageable. So good things are happening.
Jack found another great adventure for out last P-day. Going out to Fredericksburg was a delight. We traveled on a back rural road and their was field after field of beautiful wildflowers to enjoy. The town of Fredericksburg was settled by Germans in about the 1830-1840 time period. We saw many things that reminded us of our Waymire heritage. We found out that there were even some Waymires (probably spelled differently) who were a part of the original German settlers.
We appreciate your love and support. Your prayers in our behalf bless us and sustain us. We are truly grateful for our firm foundation of family and friends. We have so many, many blessings in our lives. It is a wonderful experience to be in the full time service of the Lord. We are having so many great experiences and meeting so many wonderful people.
We appreciate it when you have a few minutes to share with us the things that are going on in your lives and the things you are doing. It’s so good to hear from home. Missionaries seem to like that.
May the good Lord continue to bless you all and watch over you.
As many Texans would say, ‘Have a blessed day,’
Our Love,
Grandpa & Grandma, Mom & Dad, Jack & Gaye
Elder & Sister Nelson



Jack n Gaye