March 26, 2017
Dear Family,
Sorry I didn’t write last week. Some group froze my computer and claimed to be Microsoft and they were walking me through saving me from some problem. When they got control of my desktop, and told me I had to pay for some outrageous program. I turned off my computer called Jon. In rather picturesque terms he said that letting someone on my desktop was like having unprotected ___. I won’t forget that! He told me not to turn it back on until I had someone check for malware. So my computer sat in the repair shop waiting its turn to be fixed. I got it back Friday. Fortunately, they didn’t find anything on there. They told me that the security program I had bought was not good. They put a free program on that they like called Avast Free Antivirus and Avast Safe Zone Browser. Has anyone heard anything about this or does anyone suggest a good security program?
I had planned to tell you about a good lesson I learned last week. Someone brought fruit from Arizona for a sister in the mission that is from Yuma. I volunteered to drive it up to this Sister who is living in Georgetown, ID. I was warned in the office I had better get permission from the President. I did and he was happy to let me drive it up there. I was excited to have a nice drive now that the weather has improved. I have to admit I never got a feeling of peace about this adventure. I had a restless night and had decided I would tell the mission Pres I didn’t feel right about going. I no sooner got to the office than I had a call from the President. I was about to explain my change of mind, but he was excited to tell me that Elder Dietz mission call had arrived and his parents were driving down from Idaho Falls to watch him open it in the President’s Office at 2:00. The whole office has been excited to hear where Elder Dietz would go. He is a “two transfer elder.” This a program where young men that family or priesthood leaders are concerned that they may not be able to handle missionary work, are given the opportunity to give it a try. So they come out to a mission not far from their home and serve for two transfers ( 2- six week periods). They are then evaluated and either return home or are given a real call and they go to the MTC before going to their new mission assignment. We have had two such missionaries in our mission. One elder was miserable and decided he wanted to go home. Elder Dietz on the other hand has been a delight. We all were so excited that he was going to get a call. In all the excitement of watching him open his call I totally forgot my concerns and when I had learned where he was going I started out on my adventure.
I had scheduled an appointment to have the gas gauge fixed on the next Tuesday. I wanted to be sure I had enough gas so I stopped in Inkom a short distance from Pocatello and filled it up. It said I took 7+ gallons so that seemed about right. Each Saturday I have filled the tank and it has usually taken 8 + gallons. I drove up to the sister’s in Inkom and they were thrilled to get the citrus from Sister Jarvis’ family. It was a beautiful day! I had the sun roof open and enjoyed the ride. When I was back on Interstate 15, I began thinking how glad I was I had gone on this little jaunt. But then my car failed to respond when I pushed on the gas pedal. I was slowing down. I pulled over to the side of the highway.
I called Onstar and told them I thought my fuel pump was broken, I was sure I could not be out of gas. They said they would have a tow truck sent out. I figured I was about 15 minutes outside Pocatello. I didn’t think it would take long. Apparently, both trucks were out on call and they told me it would be about 2 hours. Well it was closer to three. Fortunately, I had a good book on Audible to listen to and the day was lovely as the sun began to set.
Eventually, the tow truck arrived and took me to the Buick Dealer. The driver asked for my keys because the sun roof was still open. He closed the roof and put the keys in the envelope I had filled out, and put the keys in the drop box at the dealership. It was about 8:00p.m. and I couldn’t find a car rental open, so the driver offered to drive me to my apartment. As we approached the apartment complex I told him to just drop me at the entrance because the roads are narrow and horribly bumpy within the complex and his huge vehicle would have problems. He was fortunately a true gentleman and insisted on driving me to my door. When I hopped out of the truck and started for my apartment door I opened my purse and realized that my door key was still on the ring with my car key in the lock box at the dealership. The only people I know in my apartment complex were not home and I began to panic. I ran back to the parking lot and fortunately the tow truck was just getting turned around. I ask if he were headed back to town could I get a ride down the hill to the Red Lion motel. He agreed and dropped me off. I spent a night in the motel, called a taxi in the morning because Enterprise only brings your car to you on weekdays and it was Saturday. I drove straight to the dealership and got my apartment and office key. They told me that they put gas in the car and it ran just fine. I still cannot fathom how that was possible. It is only 62 miles from Inkom to Georgetown. They did find that my brakes were bad. I figured that was true because I nearly put myself through the windshield when I put on the brakes in the rental car. They also said my front wheel bearings needed replacing. So the car was there until Wednesday.
No harm came to me just my bank account. What a hassle I could have been spared if I had stayed in the city until Tuesday, when I was scheduled to go to the dealership. One should listen for that feeling of peace. Excitement can confuse the answer. One should always wait for the feeling of peace.
This week has been busy in the office. I have been trying to catch up on the mission history. Last year’s history is due the end of this month. Sister DeWitt had last year’s put together. I am just waiting for the President’s overview of the year. I have been trying to summarize the events of each month so there won’t be a problem at the end of 2017.
This coming week will be busy. We have transfers but only one elder is arriving and we are losing a sister and an elder. Elder Bradfield’s parents are coming from New Zealand to pick him up. I am so excited to see them. Who thought I would ever see my favorite couple from New Zealand again. So many happy memories of being in their home while on my first mission.
Sister Christensen invited me to go with her family to see “Beauty and the Beast”. It was fun to be on a family outing and I enjoyed the show though it seemed a little overdone. I liked Belle very much and the beast was lovable.
One of the Stakes here puts on an annual “Walk with Christ” I think it must be a little like we did the Christmas story one year in Lehi where parts of the story were told in different rooms in the building and we had a donkey ride and the nativity in the back of the church. I have met the man that will be playing Pontius Pilate. The office staff says it is really worthwhile. I took a picture of the poster with my phone and will send it to our group chat. Would any of you in Utah like to come up. If Katrina has something else planned for Jon’s birthday, maybe you could come up Friday night. I would get motel rooms for any of you that want to come up. Let me know what you think.
Love and hugs to you all, Grammie
P.S. The Gospel is true!!!
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