3 October 2010
Greetings from Texas,
We have been enjoying our General Conference weekend. It's rather different to have the sessions not begin until 11:00 and 3:00, but it all works. Yesterday we set up a TV at the Center and we were able to watch the 1st session with only minor interruptions. The afternoon session we were able to watch on our computer at the apartment. Technology these days is great! Jack went to the Sunbeck building for the Priesthood meeting.
Afterwards we met some of the Latham crew for ice cream at Braum's. Cierra and Kaitlin were in town visiting Paul and Katey. It was very fun to see them and get caught up on their latest adventures.
We had another special treat this past week when Don Whipple called and said he would be landing at the DFW Airport Friday afternoon. We were able to pick him up and then take him out to Ritchie Bros. in Fort Worth where he was picking up a truck and driving it back to Moapa for Eagle View Construction. It was so good to see him and have a few minutes to catch up on family and valley life. Sounds like he made it back to Nevada in record time!
On Monday Sister Gloria Lyle received word that her mother-in-law had passed away. She had been very close to her and even though she had been ill and not expected to live much longer it came sooner than expected. The mother-in-law lived in California so she had a long trip ahead of her. She needed to get some new tires and have her car checked over before she left so Elder Nelson helped her out with all of those matters. She left early the next morning. We kept in touch as she traveled and she reported that she made it there Wednesday in good shape. She manages the front desk so we really miss her but we're also glad that she was able to go be with her family during this time.
Elder Nelson did an interesting mock interview with a man who interviewed this week to be the lead lawyer for the Corporate office of Boy Scouts of America here in Dallas. Jack knows a lot about a lot of things so he is really able to do a good job with these interviews. He seems to be able to ask that one question that they hope they don't ask in an interview. But it ends up being good practice for the candidates to think through the questions before the 'real deal.'
Tuesday evening Donna T. and I went out to the University of North Texas (UNT) Institute Relief Society meeting and did a presentation. I did the first portion and spoke about having career goals, quoting church leaders speaking to women to be prepared to raise a family and to provide for or supplement their income if it becomes necessary. I used the analogy of a ship, but let them come with the ideas before I gave my ideas, they came up with some great thoughts. We then did the 'Coat of Arms' activity as found in the Career Workshop. They all got into it and participated with enthusiasm, as young college age girls can do.
I left 10 minutes for Donna T. to wrap it all up. She is such a great lady and an expert in what she does I wanted them to be able to hear and learn from her too. We had a good fun meeting.
Wednesday evening was the Spanish Branch piano class. We haven't had it for a couple of weeks because I had conflicts and we needed to reorganize due to the 2 Sisters reassignment to Utah, West Valley Center. It was good to see them again even though we only had two sisters come. That is to be expected after a break though. It was fun to see Sister Hernandez again. She had thought that I had left too and it was fun to see her face light up when she saw I was still there. She speaks no English and I only a few words of Spanish but we find our way of communicating with each other.
The other lady who was there had been working with the other Sisters but of course this week she came in with me. Towards the end we had time for her to play some of the music she had been playing and struggling with. She is at the end of a book one adult course. She was struggling with doing quarter notes in the left hand against quarter dot rhythms in the right hand. I had her do a couple of rhythm exercises, clapping and tapping, then put it back on the keyboard and Ta Da.... she could play it. She was sooo excited!! She said she had been struggling with that for 14 years and had worked with 4 different teachers without being able to master it. It was a fun evening and nice to have some positive response to my efforts. As we know it's not always that way.
We went to the Texas State Fair on our P-day this week. The Morell's were interested in going too so we were able to go together. We had a fun day, it's a huge fair and covers many acres. We didn't see it all but enough. The highlight was riding the Ferris Wheel, 'The Texas Star.' Of course it's the biggest in the land, true Texas style. I was a little worried about it at first but it proved to be a ride that even a grandma can enjoy. It didn't go too fast and felt very stable. From the top you can see to the edge of the earth in a 360 degree radius.
That evening Jack went out to the Frisco Stake Networking meeting with Will Boesewetter. They both teach Networking meetings so they wanted to support one of the others and of course you can always get good ideas.
We also spent an evening with the Morell's playing music and another with the Book Club. We continue to enjoy our friendship with Charlie and Carla, they help make our stay here so pleasant.
This last week we had a man from Reno, NV fly in and spend the week taking our workshops and getting job ready from the Center. He had an acquaintance in this area and so he stayed with them and came to the Center everyday. He said he was glad he came, that it was worth his time and effort.
Yesterday when we arrived at the Center, Julie had sent an email requesting that we change all the office space around in preparation for Monday. This is in preparation for Monday morning when the new Development Specialist will begin work. He will go in the Phelp's office, Donna T. will go into our office, and for this week The Phelps and us moved our materials into Donna's office. However, in the new future that will be made into a study/library room for candidates, a quiet place where they can work. The missionaries will end up with a file drawer out in the main area. So lots of changes. It was good to go thru and sort out all the papers and files however.
Tuesday thru Thursday we will have a couple of people from Salt Lake here to do training with the new Specialist and another to train – evaluate - ?? the rest of the workings. So it will be an interesting week.
This afternoon Kim Marshall Heaton invited us out to her home to watch the last session of conference with dinner to follow. We enjoyed the afternoon with her and her family. So nice to have some home folks here. They invited their Bishop and his wife for dinner also. We discovered that she is from Cedar City and they met at SUSC so it was fun to compare notes with them. Then following that I had Stake Choir practice, a couple more weeks till show time.
The weather has really cooled off. It is so pleasant now, a beautiful time of year here. We expect the fall to be beautiful when all of these trees begin to turn colors but for now there are fall flowers in bloom and very enjoyable.
We so appreciate your notes, letters and calls. It's always good to hear from home and keep up on family, friends and valley life. We are grateful for this opportunity to serve. It is not without its challenges to be sure, but we are learning so much and enjoying our time together in being able to serve the Lord fulltime. We have several that talk to us about extending, we just smile...... It's a great and wonderful opportunity but ...
We pray that you are all doing well, learning and growing as we walk our path of life. We are grateful for the gospel in our lives, what great blessings we have. Grateful for a living prophet!
Our love,
Mom & Dad, Grandpa & Grandma, Jack & Gaye
Elder & Sister Nelson
The down side of the deal was that left the Center in the hands of Elder Nelson and Elder Phelps. The two mangers were both on assignment in different locations.
The Two Sister both commented on the great experience the Time Out was for them! Elder Chuck and I got a Time In as a result!
The speakers and the Music was just wonderful
They drove themselves out to the Convention Center and made it make safe and sound.
The Lillie pads are all in bloom
a white Crane on the far side of the pond
I-35 in the background
A beautiful fall morning. This was my Time Out for Elder Jack
