Week 38

October 8, 2017

Dear Loved Ones,

This has been a relatively quiet week.  It was nice to get to know the Rasmussens who will take the Parkin’s place next month.  I was wrong in last week’s letter that Sister Rasmussen would be in Rexburg with her grandchildren.  That will be later. I understand now why Sister Rasmussen wants me to answer the phone.  She has hearing aids and the phone causes distortions making it hard to hear. She is a very likeable person. Elder Rasmussen is a “get-things done” kind of guy.  It will be interesting to see the changes he will make in the mission office.

Friday, I went into the office to do the mail. There wasn’t much else to do.  It was the Watkin’s turn to be in the office, so I went home and listened to Elder Hales’ Funeral.  What an amazing life he led. No wonder Elder Uchtdorf seemed a little subdued at conference.  I bet those two former fighter pilots liked to share flying stories from time to time. I remember on our mission President Halverson came to our office, closed the door and told Dad he just needed to talk about airplanes for a few minutes. He needed a little relief from the heavy- duty work of the Area Presidency.

Saturday, I went to a Just Serve project that was amazing! The organization is called “Sleep in Heavenly Peace” its motto is “No child in our community will sleep on the floor”.  It was started by a man in Rexburg. They make bunk-beds for less- fortunate kids. They started on Friday night.  I didn’t go then because missionaries are not supposed to use power tools. I went Saturday to help with staining the wood.  I was surprised that they dipped the head and foot boards into a vinegar bath with a little stain in it.  The vinegar is supposed to preserve the wood.  It turns some of the wood gray like old barn wood that is quite attractive. After staining, a woman with a branding iron burned the logo on the headboards. The mattresses and pillows are purchased with money raised. Quilts are tied by the girls in a teen detention center with donated fabrics.  Hundreds of these beds were made in the two days of effort.  It wasn’t a good project for missionaries because of the power tools, but two sisters showed up to help with staining.  I was late getting there, so missed out on most of the activity because everything moved so rapidly from station to station.  It was amazing to see the operation.  Our missionaries will be able to serve by helping to set-up the beds.

I am getting so much junk mail at the office that I decided to change my address to the Apt. address.  The Post Office told me if I turn in an address change card, even if I say “Individual only” I  will probably get the office mail sent to my apartment.  I don’t want that.  So, I am telling everyone to mail me at my apartment 1222 Freeman Lane, apt. 181, Pocatello, ID 83201.  Hopefully all the catalog places will find out and send their catalogs to my apartment address. I’ve contacted USAA and changed my address there.  Hopefully, I can stop getting mail at the office by the time I leave next July.

Love and Hugs,

Grammie