A Sea of Missionaries - Look and Behold!

"Every member a missionary" is the urgent focus, although it was said many years ago by our prophet. We along with the missionaries and members all over the world viewed a special broadcast Sunday, June 23rd under the direction of our current prophet, Thomas S. Monson. Did you see it? He declared once again that everyone has the responsibility to spread the news - that Christ lives and His true and living church has been restored -that families can be together forever after this life through the blessing of the temple!

We can work together to spread the news! Russell M. Nelson, a member of the quorum of the twelve apostles said, “We work together in faith and unity, faith that the Lord will guide our steps and unity with each other and the missionaries,” he said, “always motivated by our love for Him, our love for one another, and our love for those we serve.” 

“Too often, we split the Lord’s work into parts we think are unrelated,” he said. “Whether it is preaching the gospel to nonmembers, serving with new converts, reactivating less-active members, teaching and strengthening active members, or performing family history and temple activity, the work is indivisible. These are not separate. They are all part of the work of salvation.” 

And my favorite part of the entire broadcast was: IT ALL BEGINS on THE KNEES! 

Okay, guess what came in the mail today? MY MISSIONARY OFFICIAL NAME BADGE! I thought I would cry or something because - well - do you know how long I've wanted to wear one of those? Let's just say - my whole life!! But I realized something - I HAVE been doing "missionary work" my whole life and even though I am set apart as a full-time missionary now - the experiences I have had before the "full-time" title have been the same as I am having now. The same spirit that I felt when I shared my testimony then - is the same spirit I feel now when I share my testimony. The point is - just do it. Make a commitment to share your "light" and tell your friends, your family, your neighbors, and the world about your knowledge of Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. It is that easy. You don't need to wait until you are "older" or "retired" or "on a mission". The time is now. Open your mouth. Ask if your friend wants to hear more - then give the missionaries a call. Take your friend to activities. We can look for ways to serve, lift, love, and bless. Yes?

Our family is jumping in with both feet. Clayton and Ty are "full-time",  but Austin is a teaching God's Army in the Missionary Training Center.  Kendy and Jeff are leading by example in leadership positions in a struggling ward in Florida. NeKell and Craig are already talking about "their full-time mission" although they are "full-time" parents. They are involved in the schools - influencing the lives of many young people. Autumn and Colt have a great influence on many less-active friends. We are so proud of them and their new life together which they have started by being sealed in the Salt Lake Temple for Eternity. Here is a quick shot of the day together.

The Church is True! Let's open our minds and heart to sharing the news! I know this work to be true. I am addicted to feeling the spirit! I have never know a happier time!

Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ - The Frosting

Kyle and I have had the opportunity to be with the young full-time missionaries and meet some wonderful people of the island. These experiences, for me, are the "frosting on the cake" while serving a mission! We usually are working in the mission office until 7 at night or driving back from some little town after a delivery to a missionary apartment. However, a few nights we have managed to squeeze in some precious time teaching with the elders.

The Rivera and the Suarez Family have won our hearts. We have had lessons and dinners in their homes, danced together at the ward party, and recently, we had them over for "Noche De Hogar" otherwise known as family home evening. The ward party was pretty amazing - check out the balloons! I don't know if they got those ideas from Pinterest - but it was well done. My favorite is sharing recipes! When we were living in Oregon, the sister missionaries brought us (several times) Missionary Banana Bread. Now I have revived the tradition and we have made Missionary Banana Bread for FHE and to give away. I will post the recipe below. Also my Grandmother Harriet Clayton often made Sticky Popcorn Balls for Family night. I have also brought her tradition back and the children love them!

I would like to share a little experience. We met with the Rivera Family and we were talking about how God can help us solve our problems, if we just ask. The mother, Yanira, picked her favorite hymn to sing, "I Need Thee Every Hour" - I didn't have it memorized (in Spanish) so I just listened and hummed along. Then, Elder Mellow led a powerful discussion in the scriptures about this topic. Afterwards, he asked me to bear my testimony about how God can hear and answer prayers. As I testified, I felt a whoosh go from my head to my toes and my words were guided - I know that because my Spanish isn't that great yet. It was definitely something to be remembered for a long, long time.

The Church is TRUE!

Missionary Banana Bread:

(Doubled)
2 sticks of butter
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
Blend well
Add 4 mashed very ripe bananas
Mix
Add 4 eggs
Mix
Add 4 cups of flour
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking soda
Mix
Add 4 tsp. Vanilla
Add 1 cup milk
Mix
Pour into two or three greased bread pans
Bake 375 degrees for 45 mins. or until the middle is done

Happy Baking!

Specially Designed Walmart - 1 of 2 Out There!

Check this out!

Kyle and I went to a little town called Santorce to see a missionary apartment and figure out why the cold water in the shower wouldn't turn off. Oh Boy! We are in charge of housing and transportation for the entire mission - lots of adventure!

We passed what looked like a double-stacked Walmart. Sparkling new but with that same Walmart Yellow Sunshine Logo, well  - I just had to check it out. Plus, I needed to buy some cleaning supplies for the apartments.
(wink wink)

So when we went in - instead of a "door greeter" they had a man in full police uniform - actually one at each door. This NEW Walmart had super High-Tech carts. The wheels were like those wheels on the new suitcases that go in every direction, not just forward and backwards. The merchandise was about the same, however when you looked up... there was a second floor and a large escalator going to the top (like in Macys). The carts were designed to automatically park - so you didn't have to "hold" the cart going up. The escalator had a gradual slope - no popping up and down stairs. It was rather "fun" with the new carts. Okay, so on the way out - the Policeman talked to us for a bit. He said that this Walmart was 1 of 2 Second-Story Walmarts out there - the other is in Chicago.

I felt pretty honored to be an early one of millions to experience it. hahaha

Come to Puerto Rico for the Walmart experience of a lifetime!

Breath Taking Beauty - Our 2nd P-Day in Dorado, PR

On Saturday, the 15th of June, we spent time in Dorado, Puerto Rico viewing the breath-taking sites.  This city is cerca de mar  - near the beach - at the northern tip of Puerto Rico. We were able to enjoy the city festival - where we saw a night parade! Each neighboring city has a "Princess" or  a "Prince" representing their town. Under the warm sky, my iphone snapped pictures of these beautiful people. Many had lights attached to their costume. It was quite the sight.... and yes, the pictures don't do it justice. My only regret is not having my good camera with me!

We also spent time at the beach and the water was bath-water warm! This time of year, the island is in FULL bloom. Many trees have bright red blossoms. These Flamboyant Trees are my favorite. Although these pictures may look like postcards - they are the real deal - everyday sites here on the island of PR.

Kyle Celebrates 50 with the Elders

On Sunday, Kyle turned the big 5 - 0! We had planned a big surprise party for him in the states, however, when our mission was moved up a month - we had to change our plans! Kyle said he would rather be serving his mission  in PR on his birthday anyhow. Thank you to all of you who sent in a message of memories, birthday wishes, and love for him. It is not too late to add yours to his binder. Just email it to youngsmission@gmail.com.

So for his birthday, the AP (assistants to the President) Elders came over to eat with us after church. One missionary, Elder Stout, sang Kyle his most favorite hymn, "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief".  Very moving! I gave him a Puerto Rico San Juan Mission T-shirt, which he really needed because we forgot to pack him any casual clothes! And we had donuts to make him a somewhat "cake" with matches for candles. Yes, it's been tough to find a major shopping/grocery store.

The day before, Saturday the 8th, we went on a historical tour to an old sugar cane factory called, La Esperanza. It was fascinating - especially because they restored the old steam sugar cane machine so that it worked (with electricity though)! We also enjoyed getting to know the other senior missionary couples a little more. On the way home, we came to a bad accident on the freeway... slowing us down to 5 mph for the next hour or two.  A new missionary from Peru was flying in that night. When we finally got through the accident traffic, it was so late that (all 15 of us)we went directly to the airport to pick her up. Bless her heart, she had been waiting for an hour all alone. We had to split up in different directions to find her. It didn't take too long and she was still smiling. Whew!

Tuesday night was really special.  We went out "on splits" with the APs (assistants to the President) and Elder Mello took us to two less active homes. We had a beautiful experience with both families and the spirit testified of Christ and his true gospel. I felt a whoosh from head to toe as I testified of the power of prayer and taking our problems to the Lord (in Spanish by the way- yes it's coming back). This experience has been the highlight of our weeks. One family invited us  - yes invited us - to a ward activity on Friday! We are looking forward to going!

Last night, Wednesday, the 12th of June, was our one week anniversary in Puerto Rico! We were honored to be invited to the testimony meeting with the Mission President's family and all the missionaries going home. It was powerful to hear testimony after testimony of how these young missionary lives had changed and their knowledge of a living Savior, the power of the atonement, and the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. It was a perfect "one week anniversary" treat.

ahhhhh - life is beautiful. I saw my first COLORFUL huge parrot fly past our window this morning.