Some thoughts…

Here’s one of my favorite recent pictures of Karen, my eternal partner in this great adventure called life. It was taken on a little side trip we took way up north to Traverse Bay over the Christmas holiday.

Can you believe that Karen and I celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary in October! Seems like only yesterday that we were 22 and in love, getting married in the Salt Lake Temple. Now, all these years later, we have 3 sons, 3 daughters, 3 sons-in-law, 3 daughters-in-law, and 20 terrific grandchildren, two of whom are also serving missions at this time (one in Chile, one in Iowa). We are so proud of all of them …and we’re even more in love.

In 2009 we took our little 11,915 mile “Roadside America” circumnavigation of America road trip. In a way it was kind of a trial run to see how it would work out with us being together 24/7 as missionaries for 18 months. It turns out that it works very well. We're having a great time!

We spend all of our time together teaching, preparing for classes, preparing meals, and – the highlight – getting to know a great many of the young members of the church in this area. A big bonus is the increase we see in our own knowledge and testimonies. We live in the Student Apartments by the Institute Building, so when we have those “below 8 degrees F” mornings, our commute is a short walk across the parking lot. Not bad!

These young folks are inspiring to be around, and very sincere about advancing not only their academic and professional careers, but also their knowledge and testimonies of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We really do believe we were called to serve here for an important reason, and as we see the institute grow and spend time with these young adults, it is becoming very clear what that reason is.

We just returned from a five stake Young Single Adult fireside here in the East Lansing Stake building. I didn’t count but there seemed to be at least a hundred young folks in attendance, and it was a fantastic meeting with really incredible talks by the Stake Presidents. President Richie, of our stake, is a fantastic leader and it is so clear that he and Bishop Robison, of the University Ward, really love and care for all the members. They are inspiring – and inspired - men to work with.

We’ve been working very hard to help build up the enrollment at the Institute. We’ve had some success, but it could be better. While most of the young adults primary focus is on their education and jobs, they really do want to be able to find the time for a spiritual uplift during the week, and that is what we offer. In the last three weeks we visited the Williamston, Lansing, and Owosso Wards, and the Charlotte Branch. We made presentations in each about the institute program, and I think that has helped. Next week we will visit the Holt Ward in addition to our own.

We are reminded of President Monson’s promise: “Think of it. Friends will be made, the spirit will be felt, and faith will be strengthened. I promise you that as you participate in Institute and study the scriptures diligently, your power to avoid temptation and to receive direction from the Holy Ghost in all you do will be increased. Divine favor will attend those who humbly seek it. That is a promise that I leave with you.”

We Live in a Winter Wonderland!

There is so much snow everywhere and sometimes when we walk , the snow crunches under our feet and I was telling Craig that I feel like I am living in a real nice condo at a ski resort. One big problem with that pictures is---no mountains at all and we are living in student housing right across from MSU. We do find it beautiful here in the winter and yes it is very, very cold, but we have outfitted ourselves with warm clothes and our apartment and the institute, where we spend much of our time, are both warm and cozy. There is something so serene about seeing the entire landscape covered with a blanket of snow. Yes, we have fallen in love with Michigan, snow and all, and especially the wonderful people here.

We had a little break during the holidays as many of the students had left town and so we had a little time to do some exploring when the weather had a slight break. However, they are all back now and things are in full swing around here again. We've done lots of teaching this week, attended lots of classes, attended lots of meetings, shopped and prepared food for the institute, and hung out with the students. Do we have the best mission or what??

Landscape is gorgeous here. We love the beauty of the farms all covered with snow.
We love these portable docks on Lake Lansing. Just what we need at Bear Lake!
Getting ready to ice sail on Lake Lansing
Breakfast with our district missionaries
The actual lighthouse is on the left. This is the Pentwater Pier Lighthouse. That is major ice

along the breakwater.
Ice fishing in luxury

This is the Frankfort North Breakwater Lighthouse on eastern Lake Michigan. Lots of ice build-up starting around the lighthouses.
Walking on water
Ice fishing on the Pentwater Inlet
This is how to protect a tree from beavers - a little late. We tried to find the beavers, but only saw their handiwork.

We found lots of interesting tracks.
Red Cedar River very frozen


We spotted a couple of white-tail deer running through the woods behind our apartments.
Looking at the snowy weather outside from our office window.
Our classroom at the institute. Our CES Director David Draut is teaching this class.
Klea Juhl and Michelle Heizer
Jon Fowler
Jennifer Wilson and Roy Merker
This is our district when we met in Jackson.

Merry Christmas to All Our Family and Friends!!!!

David, and Gavin Poulsen, Sam and James Mason, Boone Poulsen and little Rose Mason
is Mary. We were happy to share this sweet scene via google chat.

Another picture from our trip to the world's largest Christmas store, Bonner's Christmas Wonderland. While we were there I picked up a little brochure that had such a good message that I wanted to share it. "When the angel announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds, the personal importance of His coming was emphasized. Luke 2:10-11 'And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.' Have you ever thought that it was for you the Saviour was born? Do you realize that when God sent His Son into the world, He sent Him to become your Saviour?...Yes, it was for you that Jesus came. " .....(by Dr. Willard M. Aldrich)

This was our very first Christmas with just the two of us in the forty five years that we have been married. I would be lying if I said I wasn't lonely for my family, but we really did have a lovely day. We had more time to think about the true meaning of Christmas; I love Jesus Christ so much and am so grateful for His birth and His atoning sacrifice for all of us.

Craig and I had our own fondue party Christmas Eve and, because we are such creatures of habit, we had our own little program which was me sharing a Christmas thought and then Craig reading the Christmas story out of Luke. We then hooked up with the Clovis bunch and watched their Christmas Eve dinner and program via Google video chat. It was wonderful and we got to chat with some of our children and grandchildren, listen to Ian recite a scripture, Michael play the clarinet, James play the french horn, Gavin share his origami talents, Seth at the piano while he and Connor sang "O Holy Night", witness the annual live nativity scene, and all the other wonderful Christmas activities that were going on. We almost felt like we were there. Technology made being away from our family so much easier as we were able to see or talk to all of our children and it has been wonderful. We are also so grateful for all the cards and letters from friends and family.

Because most of the MSU students are gone during the break, we have been able to start getting prepared for next semester's classes. We are also cleaning out closets, and organizing the kitchen at the institute getting ready for a very busy next semester.

It's the most wonderful time of the year....

The Christmas tree in our humble little apartment. As you can see, our family has taken good care of us as far as presents go. We will miss our annual family Christmas get together, but will try to share with our kids and grandkids courtesy of iPhones and Skype. What a wonderful time of year as we again celebrate the birth and life of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We miss very much not only our family but all of our wonderful friends, and wish for each of you a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with peace and happiness.

Last Saturday, on our preparation day, we drove to Frankenmuth, MI. which is up in the "thumb", near Saginaw. It is a Bavarian themed town, settled in the mid 1800's by a group of Lutheran missionaries. One of the big attractions there is Bronner's Christmas Wonderland. It is 8 acres of CHRISTMAS ! They have in the huge store over 600 kinds of nativity scenes from many countries, and over 5000 different Christmas tree ornaments for sale! Fun place to jump start the Christmas spirit. We walk most mornings - unless the temps are single digits or below - on the MSU campus and along the Red Cedar river, which flows behind our apartment and through the campus. Whoops...did I say "flow"? Until spring, any water movement is below the ice and snow, as the river is mostly frozen over. Beautiful sight, though!

Weather Report: 14 Degrees Feels Like -1 F

We got our first big snow storm today and it was quite a storm. I looked out the window at church and it was not only snowing, but the wind was blowing the snow all over. I really do understand now about those coat closets in churches---people actually use them! It is super cold here, but so gorgeous. It felt like Christmas morning when we woke up this morning and looked out our bedroom window and saw everything covered in a blanket of snow. (I worried for the little squirrel I saw clawing at the snow covered ground looking for something to eat.)

We had another baptism in our ward after church today and we also had one last Saturday--two really wonderful young people. The ward mission leader organized both baptisms and they were so well organized and very spiritual.

The young people in the ward never cease to amaze me. Today the elder's quorum president so gingerly helped a new deacon pass the sacrament for the first time. It was touching to watch as the new deacon is completely blind. We have another student who is blind in our ward and everyone is so helpful to her as well. Her name is Jo and she lives in the apartment here in the Living Center and lives independently. Our dear friend Michelle, who is a student here at MSU, told Jo that she would give her a ride to the airport in Detroit. Thinking it over, Michelle realized it would probably cost her about $40 dollars to take Jo to the airport with gas and lunch not to mention the time it would take and the hassle of the airport. (Michelle works at a local convenience store so I am sure money is tight.) Michelle found out that she could get a shuttle for Jo which would only cost $30, which Michelle paid for it. She didn't stop there. Michelle then called the airport to make sure someone would be available to assist Jo with checking in etc. when she arrived at the airport. What a dear sweet person Michelle is and Craig always says she reminds him of our Heather. These young people continue to teach us a lot about being Christlike. We are looking forward to a wonderful holiday season.

A Joyous Season begins....

Last night the Lansing Stake had an event prior to the Salt Lake First Presidency Devotional. It included many choir numbers celebrating our Savior's birth, performed by the Childrens Choir, the Youth Choir, and the Adult Choir. It was excellent, accompanied by a pastoral symphony comprised of organ, piano, flute, oboe, cello, viola and violin. We have some amazing musical talent in our Ward among the MSU students. There was also a display of many creche's and, finally, a living nativity by the University Ward. What a great way to start this season of gratitude for the birth of the Savior. btw that is a real live baby being held by Mary...he was calm and restful for the entire presentation!

When Karen and I headed out for our morning walk, about 7 AM, it was "24 degrees, feels like 13". That's code for adding in the wind chill (locals call it "lake effect") factor. We made it about a mile and decided it was time to get smart. Brrrrr!

Good bye Thanksgiving and Hello Christmas!

All the beautiful trees outside our apartment are now bare. It is getting super cold too!!
The Dessert Table

I can't believe it is already the Christmas season. We even put up a little Christmas tree in our apartment yesterday so we are all set. We continue to be so blessed on our mission. I took my damaged iPhone to the Apple Store to see if we could get it repaired and they GAVE me a new phone to replace my shattered back iPhone. (I didn't buy the insurance plan when I purchased the phone.) Then after leaving the Apple Store, we were at a stop light and a car ran into the back of our car, hitting us pretty hard. The police came. The paramedics came. The fire department came. The bad news, the guy that hit us took off. The good news, although Craig got hurt and had a lot of neck pain, within a few days he was fine and I didn't get hurt at all. Also when we got out to examine the damage to our car, we could not even find a scratch. Miracles do happen! I think we have angels watching over us.

We attended Zone Conference in Grand Rapids and had the opportunity to hear Elder Ringwood of the Seventy and his wife speak. It is the season of Thanksgiving and I especially liked this scripture Elder Ringwood quoted found in Alma 34:38 "That ye contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye receive it, and take upon you the name of Christ; that ye humble yourselves even to the dust, and worship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you."

We hosted a Thanksgiving dinner here at the Institute for about 21 people and it was a fun day, but super busy. Our classes are going well and we continue to enjoy the young adults we serve here.