Mission Updates

We are pleased with our mission work so far. We contacted our orthopedist (who did Dad's knee last year) and he was very agreeable to see our branch friend whose knee is "killing" him. The orthopod had previously seen this man for an industrial injury to his wrist or hand, and so was very pleased to see him again. Just talked to the wife. X-rays Friday confirmed arthritis as they expected. Dr. D injected his knee with the 1st of 3 inj and already Hector is feeling relief. Hurray! Hopefully the relief will be long lasting as they have no ins. since Gracie lost her job in Nov. when the company she worked for closed down.

We are working closely also with the family of the RS President. Her 2 boys want to serve missions, but are not documented. They can still serve but since they have no papers, they cannot fly and so will be assigned close by and will go to the mission by bus. Their immigration status will not be resolved as easily.

The lady who went to the shelter was "passed off" to Salt Lake missionaries since she is planning to stay in SLC.

The next family we need to track down, may be dealing with an ex-husband who is threatening to sue for custody (prob. to avoid paying child support). We are still trying to reach them to set up an appt.

Last Thursday night was the Spring concert for the TSP group. This is the Tooele Sign Pride club for the high school sign language students. This was Breanna's last sign concert and Emily's 2nd. Not being proficient in sign language, it is hard for us to judge their skill's, but they both did very well. Never seemed to hesitate or scramble for the next sign. Breanna and her friend Brianna do "Who's on First?" This is very fast paced as well as very hilarious. They keep up and do well. I keep suggesting to Bre that if she ends up having to go to SLCC next year, that she take all of the sign language classes there that she can so that she can certify as a SL interpreter. She could then, very likely, get a job at a 4 year college and work her way thru school.

Last Fri. night we went to Mapleton. Lindsey was playing in the orchestra for the school's production of Midsummer's Night Dream. The orchestra was quite good and we enjoyed the play. This was the first time we had been able to see/hear Lindsey perform in a smaller group--I think we may have been to one of her orchestra concerts, but I'm not sure. When you have so many g'kids performing, sometimes it's hard to keep track.

This past weekend was stake conference for our branch. So, Sunday, we went to conference. I am quite impressed with our Stake President there. He is a convert of about 30 years and now works for the Church architectural department--apparently working on temples.

After conference we went to our home ward block. We miss seeing our friends. Cynthia and Max left after the sacrament (he had to drive her home) as she felt pretty punk--sore throat. But I stayed for the whole meeting. The speakers were Br. and Sis Ursenbach who are long time temple workers and who have just been home for a year from serving as the Hawaii Temple President and Matron. Sis. Ursenbach knew my high school friend Yvonne Curnow. Maureen Ursenbach Beecher is part of their extended family and they know her well. My cousin, Dale Beecher, is in their stake and they see him periodically.

Today we plan to go to the local LDS Employment Office for a tour and orientation. Then we will arrange to take Gracie in tmo. or Wed. This mission for us feels like when Max was Bishop and I was RS President--except that we have a lot more to do than I did as RS President.

Overall, we have to say that we are enjoying our mission. It makes us feel good to be able to be a positive force in the lives of the people we work with.