Engaged to Be Married...Forever!

Congratulations to Scott & Hillary!

We are thrilled that our beautiful granddaughter, Hillary and her fiancé, Scott have chosen to be married for time and for all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple May 23, 2009.

These two have been friends for many years and dated before Scott's mission to the Massachusetts Boston Mission. He is now attending university toward a degree in digital media and is also holding down a job. Hillary is a talented artist and is working and studying at UVU. Between work and school schedules, they have been cleaning, painting and preparing an apartment where they will live after their marriage.

There is nothing more beautiful than a worthy young man or woman who marries the right person, at the right time, in the right place. And it's particularly wonderful when it happens to be our first granddaughter!

We are so proud of Hillary & Scott.

Memories at Conference Time

Seeing the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and hearing their music at Conference gave us another moment of appreciation for the time that Elder de Paula and I served there for eighteen years. It was a glorious assignment. Even then, we were set apart missionaries - complete with name tags. We loved every wonderful, difficult, glorious, busy, amazing thing about those years! There are many ways to serve in this Church, and we truly love what we are doing now.


Newest Apostle - Elder Neil L. Andersen

I have a soft spot in my heart for Elder Andersen. While we were serving our mission at the MTC in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Elder Anderson was President of the Brazil South Area. But even before that, Elder Andersen took part in a blessing of healing for me. Years ago when the Tabernacle Choir was recording music for the video "The Testaments of One Shepherd and One Fold," I had a serious health concern.

At a break in the recording session, a friend from the choir who knew my situation asked me to walk with her as we ate ate our light snack. Momentarily, I looked up and was standing before Elder Richard G. Scott who was there to over-see the recording session. I could barely breathe! He asked what I needed and looked me in the eyes for 20-30 seconds, then, said "I think you need a blessing. Would you like me to give you one?" The two general authorities later gave me a blessing of healing - an experience that changed my life.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true and complete church on the earth today. It brings comfort and peace to our lives and assures us of a life after we leave this one. It answers all of life's questions.

Do you have questions about our Church?

LDS Conference in the Mission Field

Crowds gather on Temple Square in Salt Lake City while we gather at the giant screen.

This was our view at the 179th Annual Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. What a thrill it was to be with many dear friends from the ward and wonderful missionaries as we were spiritually fed by the inspired talks of the general authorities. We could have listened for many more hours!

Elder Evans arrived in the mission a week ago and is working with Elder Law in the Spanish-speaking Brentwood ward which meets in the Bay Shore building. They make a great team and will be found shooting baskets on P-day:-)

A few of us ward members provided lunch on both days of the Conference to feed those who attended the satellite broadcast at the church. I made chicken enchiladas, Texas sheet cake, vegetable beef and lentil stew, garlic bread, and brought a big bowl of fruit. Many hands pitched in to help.
Sisters Frodsham and Burton were hoping some of those investigators and less active who they have been teaching would come to the church to attend conference. They were blessed to have a few people in attendance.

Again...we were spiritually and physically fed.

Changes, Transfers and New Missionaries

One thing you can always count on is change. Friday at District meeting, we met the new arrivals to the New York New York South Mission on March 30 - Elder Evans and Sister Mullens. They are getting acclimated to their surroundings, their companions, the assignments and missionary work in general. We know they will be wonderful additions to their areas.

Meet the New District

These are the great young missionaries who will be our "going home kids!" there will be no more transfers until after we're out the door and on the road headed west. Let's introduce everyone. Front row (l to r) Sisters Mullens, Frodsham, Burton, de Paula & Elder de Paula. Middle row (l to r) Elders Carcel, Powell, Powell (new district leader), Maughan & Sister Brimhall. Back row (l to r) Evans, Law, Oliverson & Carimia.

We meet new missionaries and remember the ones who have left with great fondness and love. Each one has a place in our hearts and our lives.

"The Family is Ordained of God"

"Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children."

There is a family in our ward here in the mission that brings to mind a phrase from the Church's The Family: A Proclamation to the World

"Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities."

There is a love and peace in their home, in their hearts and in their countenances. They treat each other with tenderness and respect. They love the Savior and serve in Church assignments without hesitation. They are without guile. They live simple lives and embrace all people. They share the gospel with others. They have diverse talents and share them freely.

We love the La Fleur family.

Happy Birthday To You...Garrett!

Garrett is one of "our kids" and what a fine young man he is! As his birthday treats, he chose fresh pineapple and rice crispie treats. You got it fella'!

He has been a stalwart in our Institute class, having arrived from sea duty a few months after we were assigned to teach in January of 2008. Garrett served a mission and will graduate in June from the US Merchant Marine Academy and will begin a maritime career with the Coast Guard. He has a good understanding of the scriptures and is a real asset in the class discussions. We really get attached to these young people.

Thanks, Garrett, for making our time at the Academy so rich and memorable!

"Preparing to Enter the Holy Temple"

Temple Preparation Class

Class members are (seated) Ron, Crispin, Frank, (standing) Maria, Jim, Toni, Jeanette, (back) Sister dePaula, Patricia and Luis.

Today our temple preparation class in the Bay Shore ward just completed the fifth of seven lessons. We feel deep gratitude as we discuss making covenants and receivings further blessings from on High. It has indeed been a blessing in my life - and one of my choicest missionary assignments - to teach this class. I dearly love each of these people.

The Salt Lake LDS Temple

These wonderful members have learned many important truths:

• We must be prepared before we go to the temple.
• We must be worthy before we go to the temple.
• There are restrictions and conditions set.
• They were established by the Lord and not by man.
• The Lord has every right and authority to direct that matters relating to the temple be kept sacred and confidential.
  
  I will be so thrilled for each one as he or she is qualified to enter or re-enter the temple...and that will not be too far in the future.