March 6th 2011

Our favorite bike ride along Lewisville Lake

6 March 2011

This has been a special weekend for our family in Logandale, NV. Yesterday Caleb Dalley was baptized, we are so proud of him and happy that he wanted to become an official member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and receive the Holy Ghost.

Today, about the time I am typing this, possibly at these moments, Luke Stanley Nelson is receiving his baby blessing. What wonderful blessings in our lives are these two wonderful grandchildren and blessings they have received this weekend. We, of course would have loved to have been there to be with the family but very grateful that these things are happening.

There have been several days of beautiful nice weather this week and as a result there are many trees in blossom in the area. I love the spring time when the flowers and blossoms begin to pop out.

By the end of the week the news was saying that the economy was showing signs of growth and improvement. However we were able to see that first thing Monday morning; All morning Elder Nelson and I were busy talking with employers who wanted to post jobs with us and Elder Nelson was busy helping them sign on their companies so they could look through the candidates who have signed on AND completed their profile. We had several people get emails while they were in the Center from companies who wanted to meet with them.

Monday night there was a revision in the ldsjobs website. There were some very significant changes that we had need of learning about. Some of them we knew about and then there were 80 other changes; many of which have crept up on us as we use the site. Several things became broken while fixing or redoing other sections. Se have to try all sorts of things to try to figure out if things have changed or if they are actually non-working. We have found both. Elder Nelson and I worked for 2 days trying to figure out what had happened to the companies, finally by double teaming it we were able to get it figured out – I think. A couple of days later we got a message from headquarters explaining the problem and that in a revision in late April they will make some changes for it to run more smoothly. I guess someone else will get to see that. In the mean time we have figured out how to work around it – I hope!

The monthly web-i-nar held Wednesday evening was getting the Stake Employment Specialists up to speed on the new changes.

At the Sunbeck Spanish Branch Piano Classes I had a classic foreign language mission experience. It was during the teenage/adult session – Sister Hernandez only speaks Spanish and we were going to play some music all together. I had the young girls teach me how to say something like ‘let’s begin’ in Spanish. I practiced and used the term several times in getting us started together. Then I tried it another time but after saying the words all of their smiling faces fell to this astonished look and no one started playing. I finally asked if I had said the word right; they all very grimly said that I had just told them that they had all done very horrible. I apologized and we all went on with smiles on our faces. I went back to saying 1-2-3-4 in Spanish, then beginning.

I told them that I would be leaving in April so we needed to practice and learn as much as we could before that date. They were all very gracious and pleaded for us to stay, it didn’t work however. I will miss my new friends here in the Branch.

Tuesday evening Jack went to a meeting held by Jim Russell of the Dallas 6^th Ward. It was held at the Farmer’s Branch Library and was a community meeting, even though most of those in attendance were from the Dallas 6^th Ward. It is a series of lectures, ‘Make America Stronger’, by Kleon Skousen. Of course Elder Nelson loves this topic and the people of the Dallas 6^th Ward so he very much enjoyed the evening.

There has been some sickness among our staff this week; Julie P. was out most of the week with a swollen jaw, with infection in the bone. Elder Nelson stayed at the apartment sick all day Friday and half of Saturday – we are happy to report that he is feeling much, much better now. It seemed to be something in his lungs, possibly bronchitis. It may have been brought on by all the pollen in the air. Sister Burgess was out 3 days sick also with bronchitis and asthma brought on by allergies. Fortunately all were there on Tuesday for it was such a busy day. We had people backed up waiting for help as it was. Not enough computers to go around on that day.

Our P-days of late find us staying closer to Carrollton, with gas prices so high we think twice before venturing out too far. With the longer daylight hours we have enjoyed going out to Lewisville Lake for some fresh air and a bit of exercise. It is only about 10 miles away and is so peaceful and beautiful.

We have also enjoyed our weekly evening with the Morells. Carla continues to fix a delicious meal, some visiting and then music. The past couple of weeks we have had another violinist join us, Katie. I have several pieces of music for three solo instruments, cello and harpsichord. This always revives and refreshes my spirit, what a blessing being able to participate in some music making has been while serving here.

The cannery at the Bishop’s Storehouse has been very busy this past couple of weeks. They can hardly keep up with the people who are wanting to come in to can and buy bulk food items. They are running out of some items, (deliveries expected soon) and having to limit how much they can sell to individual costumers so they don’t run out of everything. The world news always affects this. News of trouble is always a grim reminder of the need to keep our food supplies up to date.

Today we went to the Fort Worth 8^th Ward. The Ward Employment Specialist there needed to get 4 people registered on the site, some of them needed to set up email accounts first, some have very limited reading and computer skills. We volunteered to go out and help her. She willing accepted the invitation. We originally thought we would meet on Wednesday but Julie P. was concerned about us being gone from the Center and leaving them short handed so we were able to set it up for after Sacrament Meeting today. It’s about 40 miles out to their ward building. We picked up Andy and he went out with us also. With both Elder Nelson and I helping someone on different computer we were able to get it all done rather quickly (2 hours). Andy went to Sunday School class and Priesthood Mtg during that time.

This has been the week of broken arms for family. Elise broke her arm Wednesday, I think the hardest thing for her was that they were out of pink casts, but Dad to the rescue with some spray paint. Thursday Grandma Bonnie broke her arm. We hope both have speedy recoveries. Our prayers are with you.

We are both doing well, keeping busy in the work. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve. It is amazing that we can now say that we will be home ‘next month.’ Our love and prayers are with you. We pray the Lord to continue to bless us all, to make us equal to the tasks at hand. With His help we know we can all go forward with faith and trust in the Lord.

And that’s the news from the Big ‘D’, Grandpa & Grandma, Mom & Dad, Jack & Gaye

Elder & Sister Nelson

Bike trail along Lake Lewisville, Dallas Tx.

Jack n Gaye