January 9th thru Jan 16th

Aha the fun of Winter.

16 January 2011

Where to begin?? This has been a week of trials and a week of blessings. Thursday we were notified that Kristi & Corey’s home was burning but the most blessed news of all is that they and the 5 children are safe and without injury, we are so very grateful for this. From what we hear it appears the walls are still standing but everything inside is a loss, it will have to be totally gutted and rebuilt. Fortunately they have insurance that will cover most of the cost.

One of the great blessings of our serving a mission at this time is that they have a home to go to. That day Dustin and Jill, along with many other family & friends worked tirelessly to prepare our home for them. Bedrooms were cleaned out to make room for children’s beds and cribs, beds made; ward members and friends brought in the beds, bought some clothes for the kids so they would have more than what was on their backs; the fridge was stocked with groceries, bathrooms with shampoos and soaps etc, etc.

That afternoon Kristi had to James to Mesquite to the ER because of labored breathing. He was diagnosed with pneumonia, after several hours he was stabilized and that night they were able to return to their new home. We are so grateful that he is doing well and that he was well enough to return home that night so all of the family could be together. There have been so many people that have done so much, it is truly humbling. We knew this from the moment we heard the news that there would be many who would be there to help and assist, we know the hearts of our family, friends and the entire community. We are truly blessed.

Friday morning at the Employment Center we had a training that we both attended. Elder Nelson stayed on through the day but I was excused and prepared a Care Package for the Dalley family. It’s one thing to buy Christmas presents and wonder what they would like and what they don’t have but quite overwhelming to consider what to purchase when they are completely starting over. At the same time I became aware of the blessing of them being able to move into our home where there are furniture and house wares and kitchen items. We hope this makes the children feel more secure in being in a home they are familiar and comfortable with. A place where they know the surrounding hills that they have loved to play on and where they have cousins and friends, and even Grandpa and Grandma Whitney close by.

Saturday after the Center closed we were able to attend the temple. We were able to feel peace and the love of our Heavenly Father as we were within those sacred walls.

Saturday evening the Dalley’s called and were able to share with us a special occasion that had taken place earlier. There is a Charity organization that involves the firemen in Las Vegas, it was started by the 911 dispatch operator. During these few weeks and months after Christmas they donate to people who have lost their homes to fire. They find out what Santa had brought to the children and they replace those items. Kristi had told them the special toy that each child had received but they went way over and beyond that. It seems that somehow they sensed what each child wanted but didn’t get and they brought too. The fire trucks came with sirens and horns blowing. At first the kids were quite scared, bringing back many fresh memories. However when they went outside to investigate they saw several fire trucks and an ambulance. The 911 dispatcher was there along with our local crew of volunteer firemen who fought the blazes on Thursday. They began by a ceremony of presenting each of the kids with a badge and fireman’s hat and honorary induction as a firefighter. They also let them climb on the fire trucks, spray water hoses etc. etc. Then they directed them to the stack of brand new toys that they had brought to them. At first they were stunned and didn’t know how to respond but with a little coaxing they were each able to gather their new toys with a smile on their faces. I think their goal of helping the kids work through their fear and trauma associated with sirens and fire trucks was well achieved. Kristi and Corey said that his has helped the kids turn the corner and there is a sparkle back in their eyes. What another marvelous outpouring of love from so many.

This morning we attended church in the Dallas 6^th Ward. Both Jack and I had determined that we could keep all of this to ourselves, that we were fine and would be fine and there was no need to tell the story. The Lord had a different idea. It was High Council Sunday today; after the sacrament the Counselor conducting got up and announced that the youth speakers were not able to attend due to some family matters and he called on me to come and bear my testimony – what a shock!! I guess Bishop Robertson leaned over to him after the meeting started and told him to call on me. I don’t think they were expecting what they got, but as the Bishop said to us afterwards, the Lord is in charge of the meetings. As I shared what my testimony is and the circumstances surrounding us at this time, there were many who shared a tear with us. I’m so grateful for our testimony and the testimony of our children that know where to turn in times of trial. It is really in the difficult times that we define ourselves and our testimonies. We are grateful for so many wonderful Christian people who follow in the footsteps of the Savior in caring for those in needs. Even though we didn’t think we needed the hugs and concern of our Ward family here, it was truly a blessing to have so many come up after church and give us a hug and express their concern for us all. Now we have many more friends from Texas uniting their prayers with all of ours. Several even offered money but we told them that we thought their needs were being met.

Once a gain we are grateful to our good friends the Morell’s. Thursday afternoon we visited with them and they helped buoy our spirits during a time of great concern.

Some very, very good news was received from Brian and Jill Thursday evening. Brian was able to go before the water board and petition them about his job. We are so thrilled and grateful that he has been reinstated with out any loss of demotion of any kind. This is such wonderful news!!

And now for a few comments about our work and activities this past week. I mentioned last Sunday that the missionaries were coming over for dinner. We enjoyed a nice evening with them, they are two great missionaries. Because it was snowing that day they were grounded from driving, fortunately they live just next door and were able to walk over. Because all of their appointments were canceled they were able to stay a little longer and share some of their mission experiences with us. It was a very pleasant evening.

Earlier in the week a Bishop from one of the nearby wards came in to the Center job searching. Elder Nelson helped him and visited with him. Come to find out he is very good friends with Malayna Dalley’s first husband, Rich Shipp, and was even his best man at their wedding. They are all from Joseph, UT, which is where Grandma Bonnie Nelson is from. Rich’s mother Joyce is one of Grandma’s good friends. They had a great time sharing stories and acquaintances. After their visit this man emailed Rich to tell him about their visit. Rich was able to share a job lead with him in a company in Idaho that is just what he is looking for. We are hopeful that something good will come of this for this fine man.

A young man, who knows four languages and is working on his doctorate degree, his main interest is artificial intelligence. He called in wanting to make an appointment with someone to prepare for a phone interview he was going to have in a couple of days. I worked with him before and a very pleasant courteous young man but I knew I better have Elder Nelson help him this time. My intelligence struggles just to know what he is even involved with. Their practice interview went well. We haven’t heard how the real interview went.

Sister Gloria Lyle has been out very sick all week so Sister Phelps and I have taken turns covering the front desk. That has kept us pretty busy. I have also spent quite a bit of time entering jobs on the web site, Sister Page will be out for a while now, this last week was her pre-op and next week will be her surgery. As time allows I like to do keyword searches for some of the job postings and find people who have signed on with the particular skills needed, then I call or send them an email letting them know about the job posting and where to find it on the site.

We were able to get together with the Morell’s for dinner and music one evening and Tuesday evening was the Dallas Recorder Society Mtg. Jack is such a good sport to take me over and then just read while I play with them.

It has been very cold this week, gradually warming towards the end of the week. Several days the highs were in the low 30’s. I know many of you have had much colder weather and don’t feel a bit sorry for us but it is unusual for here.

This is the close of our letter this week, we pray for the Lord’s continued love and blessing to be us all. We are grateful for the opportunity to be serving a mission together her in Dallas. It is a great learning experience from many different aspects. We love our Father in Heaven, we are grateful for Jesus Christ and grateful for the power of the Holy Ghost and its guiding influence. May the Lord continue to bless and strengthen us all as we continue in faith.

We have to find some corals and some cattle so we can feel at home

Our Love,

Dad & Mom, Grandpa & Grandma, Jack & Gaye

Elder & Sister Nelson

Jack n Gaye