Happy Thanksgiving! ( please pass the Derby Pie)

We, Ron and Karen, have been studying the Doctrine and Covenants together and have recently been studying section 100. I would like to quote just a little bit of it and then tell you how it relates to what we have been doing.  I think I mentioned that we are teaching an investigator.  He got interested in the church because his girlfriend really wants him to study the church and decide if he wants to be a member and adopt the teachings. Sometimes we meet him at the church but lately he has been coming to our apartment.  We let him ask a question and then we just talk about it rather than plan a formal lesson. Here are some recent verses from our studying of section 100.   

5. Verily I say unto you  lift up your voices unto this people; speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts, and you shall not be confounded before men; 

6. For it shall be given you in the the very hour, yea, in the very moment,  what ye shall say. 

So... Ron is talking to the investigator about a question he asked and I know that Ron didn't prepare to talk about this--but he explains very well the question, the answer, the way to apply in our lives. And because I know there wasn't preparation, I am sitting in my chair marveling about what he says and how amazing it is.  Suddenly, Ron says, "Karen, do you have anything to add?" and usually I do because that is my teaching job.  I look at him, still in awe (he will like this part) and say, "I am just sitting here being impressed. You are saying just what the Lord inspired you to say and it is amazing."  

Wow, we are just like the scriptures, yes?

Elder Te'o and Elder Schmidt, who live in the apartment below us.  (Yes, that is a mannequin head he is holding and there is a story here for another time.) We did get a bunch of snow; but so did many of you, so no one is very impressed.

A huge bulk carrier (about 1,000 feet long) going through the passage that leads to the bay.  Did you know there is an online site where you can track all the ships in the Great Lakes to see where they came from and where they are going?  Also posted is a photo and name of the ship and  its specs and what it is hauling.  (This is obviously a boy thing. I think it's interesting but I didn't, like spend three hours on it.)

I spoke in church today about being thankful.  I am going to share a few quotes I found: 

Be thankful for the bad things in life.  

For they opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before.

It's not happy people who are thankful.  It is thankful people who are happy.

Gratitude turns what we have into enough.

The man who forgets to be thankful has fallen asleep in life.

Waiting for the snow!

This week we have learned ominous news that a big snowstorm is coming.  While we wait, this is what has been going on.

This is Sister Simpson and Sister Ballif who come to our apartment to use the computers.  They are sleuthing for inactives that they contact through Facebook. They bring such a good spirit when they come.  And they are contacting people who let them come over and teach.  It's a good plan!

Two really awesome things happened this week.  We are teaching an investigator and the spirit was so strong as we talked about the steps to baptism and why Amanda would want to be married in the temple.  Wow!

We visited a seminary class in Duluth, actually next door and we drove to Ashland (1 1/2 hours) for an Institute class on Wednesday night.  It is so wonderful to visit these religion classes and meet the teachers and the students.  They are so sincere and trying to do good.  I LOVE getting to know the saints in Minnesota!  I LOVE this mission!!

Saturday morning missionary correlation meeting at our apartment. We love hanging out with the missionaries.  Elder Schmidt cooks the bacon and Elder Stratton cooks the pancakes. Brother Faerber runs the meeting and appreciates my green smoothies.

Duluth ward trunk or treat party.  Sister Simpson and Ballif came up with the cat idea. Can you believe that the Duluth ward has this many full time missionaries living in it?  One set of S&I senior missionaries, one set of zone leaders and  Sisters and the Elders.  Lots going on!  Whiskers on elder Wilcoxson.  And cute cat Sister Simpson.

Elders Wilcoxson, Dameron, Stratton & Schmidt.

Elder Te'o. Sisters Stratton, Simpson & Ballif.

Priesthood lesson in Carlton, MN branch. Our teacher wears a flashlight on his side.  There is a lot more to talk about here.

  

So on Saturday night it was really quiet at our apartment, so I decided it would be a good time to dye my hair.  I got the goo mixed up and had trimmed a little and had put dye on the first section of hair when there was a knock at our door.  It was the Elders and I had told them to come and get olive oil from me for blessings.  So I let them in (I was wearing my pajama pants and a stained t-shirt) and we went in the kitchen to get the oil and put it in a small container.  Then the Sisters came.  Sister Simpson was going to stay with us because she didn't feel good.  So I finished with the oil and the elders and sisters are in the living talking and I still haven't gotten to the next section of my hair.  Then the sisters go into the bedroom to have a prayer and next to them, my phone rings and rings.  I did finally get my hair dyed and things were quiet again.  But it was pretty exciting for a while.  Did you really think senior missions are quiet and peaceful?

Checking in with the family--

Happy Halloween from Boise (Sean)!                   

You are looking at the next Stratton grandson!  (and his Mom) Hooray!