NMFM Week 39: December 9-15, 2012

Dear Family,  We opted not to drive to Kirtland to meetings today since the road was snow packed last night.  Hopefully our car can make it up the hill to get onto Main to take us to meetings in Bishop Payne's ward today.  We really enjoyed the Tabernacle Choir broadcast and the program that followed it this morning.  It was all Christmas music and thoughts -- perfect for a Sabbath Day!  We are extremely grateful for a day of rest today.  Hopefully we will fill our reserves that have been drained this week and press forward with a perfect brightness of hope!  We send our love to each of you, Elder and Sister Hunt

Sunday:  We slept in a bit so decided to attend Kirtland 3^rd Ward which meets at 11.  During sacrament meeting there Sandy leaned over and whispered to me that William, Deanna, and Makenna were speaking in Farmington 8^th Ward (which starts at 1:00) so we decided to head to Farmington after Kirtland sacrament meeting. The Paynes did a nice job and it was good to hear from them.  I met Jared in the chapel at 4:00 for organ practice.  Maren joined us for dinner with the Paynes, which was a treat for all of us.  George hasn’t joined us for dinner all this month since tithing settlement has been going on.  He mentioned once that this may be his last tithing settlement as he has been Bishop close to five years now. 

Monday:  We left early to go to Tohatchi, which is about 25 miles north of Gallup.  The missionary trailer there has been vacant for over a month and needed to be cleaned up and made ready for missionaries that will be there in Dec. 18 after transfers.  As we opened the gate next to the chapel it looked like we were driving into the city dump.  The three large garbage bins next to the trailer were overflowing with garbage and the wind had blown it all around the yard.  Elder Hunt spent about three hours cleaning the yard and bagging the garbage.   The trailer was warm so I was able to dig in.  I started by cleaning out all of the kitchen cupboards and drawers as well as scrubbing the stove and refrigerator.  The elders who had been there before left a lot of clothes and “stuff” that needed to be taken care of.  We weren’t able to finish our job there so decided to go back to pick up the broken bed and other things that needed to be hauled out.   We worked hard until about 7:00 pm and headed back to Farmington, which is a two hour drive.   The bed of the truck was filled with garbage and some broken furniture etc.  We were exhausted when we fell into bed.

Tuesday:  Elder Hunt rose before the crack of dawn to go empty the garbage from the truck bed so he could head back over Buffalo Pass to finish his job of putting skirting around and winter-proofing the little trailer in Tsaile.  I stayed in Farmington to take care of the November baptism report and catch up on referrals. 

Wednesday:  I rode with Sister James to Kayenta to the Zone Conference for all of the senior missionaries in our mission. I had an envelope for each of them with a copy of the poem I wrote, a refrigerator magnet, and a copy of “Harvest Time”  and was amazed that I was able to hand all of them out – everyone was present (except Elder Hunt and Elder James).  I sat with the Blacks, my cousin Stuart and his wife Jody.  They are serving on Polacca and are having a tough time there.   We had some great speakers:  President Justice, Tuba City Stake President; President and Sister Batt; and testimonies from the missionaries leaving to go home before February.  After the luncheon they had a couple of musical numbers, including my piano solo of “Silent Night/Still, Still, Still.”  I enjoyed my visit with Sister James as we traveled to and from Kayenta –Elder James was under the weather and Elder Hunt was working to pull the ox from the mire in Tsaile.  Elder Hunt camped in that little trailer for three days while he was working there.

Thursday:  It was my turn to give the office devotional so I shared a thought given to me by Sister Gardner (the couple serving in Bitter Springs) about the wise men.  Her paper told of the significance of the gifts given by the Wise Men and then concluded with this thought:  “The Wise Men exemplify the journey each of us take as we seek the Lord.  They remind us that as we draw closer to Him, we will be led to continue our journey another way.”  After devotional I went shopping for some things for the Tohatchi trailer, including a new bed and frame.  It wasn’t as much fun shopping without my companion who was still slaving away in Tsaile, but I truly felt the Christmas spirit as I picked out items for our missionaries.  I was in and out of the office during the day as I had to leave in the afternoon for some lab work.  It was dark by the time I got back to our place (5:30!).  Elder Hunt didn’t get home until 9:30 pm and I tried hard to wait up for him.  After he got home he had to go to the Farmington Stake Center to get some chairs that had been replaced in the high council room and were sitting out in the hall.  A funeral was scheduled for the next day in the building and they needed to be moved out.  We now have 26 NICE arm chairs to distribute around the mission where needed.  It was 11:00 before he fell into bed.

Friday:  We left the trailer with chairs in it parked in the Paynes’ yard and picked up the new bed from the AP garage and two NICE arm chairs and an “easy” chair before heading to Tohatchi AGAIN!  It was raining in Farmington when we left and it turned to snow as we got further down the road.  It was nice to drive into a clean, but muddy yard next to the church.  We worked hard and fast and hoped to leave by 1:00 so we could be at the mission office for the 3:00 pre-transfer planning meeting.  We arrived in Farmington at 4:30 and the APs were still  there so they gave us a quick briefing.  They told us that Elder Sherwood, one of our favorite elders would be in Tohatchi as a trainer for one of our new missionaries coming in.  That made us feel well repaid for our hours of labor there.  We had more Tohatchi “stuff” loaded in the truck that we needed to find a home for so our first stop was Good Will.  They were so kind to take the old, ratty couch, the old bed, 2 big bags of clothes, some chipped dishes, and a few other treasures.  We only had one bag of garbage to dispose of this time.  It was another exhausting day and I was in bed and asleep by 8:00!

Saturday:  We woke up to a winter wonderland with white all over the ground.  My intentions were to stay inside and keep warm all day. Elder Hunt went to the office to work on his phone report and also his key indicators report.  He also printed up Culture Books for our new missionaries coming in next week and did a few other odds and ends.  He hoped that the weather would clear so he could unload the chairs at the AP garage, but it was still snowing a bit while that process was taking place.  He called to see if I could pick him up at the mission office after he returned the truck and trailer to the mission corral.  It was dark and still snowing and Maren was here visiting me and offered to take her car.  It turned out to be a good thing because her little car with front wheel drive handled the snow packed streets quite well (our car does NOT like snow!).  We were thankful to be back to our place safely and were relieved when Maren called to say she made it back to her apartment safely as well!

It was a busy, busy week and we had a warm feeling about all of our hard work and efforts to care for our missionaries. 

 

Farmington library

Yesterday I went to the library at closing time to see if Maren wanted to go to dinner with me since Elder Hunt was out of town. I took the pictures of the hand-carved doors at the library by the children's story room. The doors were carved by the Taylor family here in Farmington to look like a book that opens when the doors open. Maren invited me to go home with her for left-over stir fry and we were both happy with that suggestion. The stir fry was delicious and the company was wonderful.

thankful for you!

I thought I sent this out a week ago, but both Maren and Duane told me they didn't see it, so will try again.

Dear family, Thanks for joining with us today as we fasted for special blessings for family members. We felt your faith, strength, and love and enjoyed the spirit we felt today. The First Presidency Christmas Devotional was wonderful, as usual, and gave us much good counsel for the Christmas season. Yesterday Joanne gave us a little Christmas tree for our apt with white lights on it. We have no decorations for it, but would like to invite each of you to send a small (tree is small) decoration with your favorite scripture and name on it. We loved visiting the Bloomfield Stake Nativity display and also the Farmington Stake's last night. We especially enjoyed their live nativity outside in front of their stake center (and thought it was a moment of note to see a little 12 year old shepherd slip into the cultural hall to enjoy hot chocolate and cookies with his family -- I bet those shepherds of yester-year would have enjoyed that too!) We send our love to you. Elder and Sister Hunt

November Wishes

I'm sending you a copy of the email that I just sent to all of my first cousins, both Payne and Hatch.  This is your reminder of a very important day coming up, NOVEMBER 19.  Please take note!  I love all of you!  Sister Linda Hunt

Dear Family, My parents will be celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary on November 19 and my wish is that their mailbox will be filled with cards/letters from family and friends. I invite each of you to take the time in the coming week to put something together for them and have it in the mail so it will reach them before November 19.  My dad is in a care center in Lordsburg - his worn out knees finally gave out on him and he needs additional care. Their hope was that they could end their days in the comfort of their own home, but life's realities have not made that possible.  Thank you for your love and support and prayers in their behalf. We send our love and best wishes to you and yours during this special season of giving thanks.  Sister Linda Hunt     Ed and Jean Payne    474 State Highway 92     Virden, NM  88045-8023

NMFM Week 31: October 14-21, 2012

Dear Family,  We've had quite a week and this one is off to a good start!  Maren just had breakfast with us before leaving for her first day on the job at the Farmington Library.  We love having her close by.  My parents did not have a good week and for the first time have recognized that they need to make a change in their living arrangement.  Please pray for them and also John and Wendy that they can find a suitable situation for them asap.  I know there is power in prayer and I also know that help is there for the asking. We love you and pray for each of you each day.  Love, Elder and Sister Hunt

PS I'm going to try to attach a pic of Elder Hunt in front of the Mexican Hat Rock, Sister Hunt at Monument Valley, and Monument Valley chapel

 

Sunday:  Maren wanted to attend Kirtland 3^rd ward which is Jimmy and Sandy’s ward so we all went together.  After sacrament meeting, Dennis and I took Lauana back to the Beehive House.  We visited with her while she ate her lunch and then she wanted to go lie down and rest.  I helped her take her shoes off and tucked her under a blanket.  I bent down and kissed her on the cheek and told her that I love her to which she responded, “I love you too, good-bye Linda!”  Boy, was that a surprise!   

            It was Fast Day for Farmington 8^th Ward and the Payne’s tradition is to have breakfast foods to break their fast.  For dinner we had hash browns, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, rolls, and fruit.  We always enjoy our Sunday visits at their house. 

Monday:  President Batt met with the mission office staff to begin our day.  He advised us of upcoming assignments and happenings that we need to prepare for.  He also wanted us to be aware of the Zone Conference schedule the following day and Elder Paul Johnson’s visit to our mission.  By afternoon the place was buzzing with elders and sisters from all over the Farmington, Bloomfield, and Durango zones.

Tuesday;  Zone Conference Day:  A tradition in our mission is to have all of the elders who will be going home before the next zone conference have an opportunity to bear their testimony.  Two of our APs, Elders Nielsen and Jeskie both had that opportunity and it was good to hear from them.  President and Sister Batt gave exceptionally good talks as did Elder Johnson and his wife.  The theme was “Exact Obedience.”  It is always fun to observe the missionaries interacting with other missionaries they haven’t seen in a while.  We enjoyed visiting with the Sr. couples that we don’t get to see very often.  Elder Johnson spent some time discussing with the missionaries the impact of the new ages that missionaries will soon be as they come into our mission and what the implications will be of training, etc.  We loved being a part of that meeting.

Wednesday:  We spent a good part of the day picking up the pieces from the day before.  In the afternoon I went to Kirtland for organ and piano lessons.  I always get more than I give during those sessions and have made some dear friends.

Thursday:  We spent the morning at the office and came home at noon to get ready for another inspection tour.  We made cookie dough and cookies to take with us to our missionaries.  It’s quite a trick to bake cookies in a toaster oven!

Friday:  Red Mesa, CO was our first stop.  The elders there live in the barn loft and it is actually quite unique.  They spend the first part of the week there and the end of the week in Mancos, CO.  We caught up with them in Mancos and that is a rather unique place as well.  The elders live in an apartment the Bishop there built to the side of his house (kinda like George’s).  Their big double doors overlook the mountains and a meadow with a pond.  They have to have the best view of anyone in the mission!

            From Mancos we drove to Cortez, CO where we have two sets of elders.  It certainly warmed our hearts to see how both of those places have been cleaned up.  We had been to Dolores during the past month so we didn’t revisit there, but instead headed on up the road to Monticello.  We checked into our motel and went to the 5:00 pm temple session.  We saw quite a few deer hunters around town.  After the session, we visited our sister missionaries in Monticello—they are both cute girls.  They live in a cozy, tidy, small, pink house which is perfect for them.

Saturday:  In Blanding we have two sets of elders also.  We were lucky to catch one pair just as they were leaving for a service project.  The other pair was still “studying” when we got to their little house as one of them is a trainer and the other still in the 12 week training program. We made a quick trip to Alco to pick up a few things for them (map, dustpan, frying pan). From Blanding we drove to Bluff.  We didn’t see the elders there as they were at a baptism in Montezuma Creek, but Elder Hunt DID have an opportunity to fit the Styrofoam insulation into place inside the trailer skirting there and spent a couple of hours finishing up that project.   We decided to spend the rest of the day sight-seeing so took the “scenic route” back to Farmington which included Mexican Hat, Goosenecks State Park, Monument Valley, and Kayenta.  The highlight of our afternoon was stopping to see the beautiful little chapel that has recently been completed at Monument Valley.  It has sandstone facing on the front of the building and has desert landscaping.  They haven’t been able to dedicate it yet because the Navajo Nation has not given them water rights to the property.  One of the elders who has served in Blanding told us that the Blanding Stake has had many fasts in behalf of that little chapel (which is in their stake).  I’m sure a miracle is in the making for Monument Valley. 

            We visited the elders in Kayenta, and then visited with the three Sr. couples there.  One

couple had just pulled their 5^th wheel in the day before, and one couple was leaving to go home

in a couple of days to Spanish Fork, to the same ward we lived in there.  They knew all of our

old neighbors, what fun!  We arrived home around 10:30 and were glad to have a bed to fall into.

It was a glorious weekend and we so enjoyed the beautiful fall colors and the wonders of nature

and people everywhere we went.  It was a special time for us to be able to share such a fun

weekend together.

NMFM Week 33: October 28-November 3, 2012

Sunday:  We attended the Kirtland 5^th Ward meeting block and I was pleased that one of my organ students showed improvement in her organ skills as she played for sacrament meeting, one directed the Primary children’s singing for their sacrament meeting program, and my piano student played for Relief Society.  We went directly from the Kirtland Stake Center to the Farmington 8^th Ward building so we could watch the Payne kids do their parts in their Primary program.  Isaac was the narrator as he is the oldest boy in Primary (his birthday is Nov 29) and my cousin William’s kids said their parts well.  Maren joined us at 8^th Ward and also for Joanne’s dinner – yummy as usual!

 

Monday:  We left our apartment about 7:15 and went to Safeway to rent a carpet cleaner. With a machine and carpet shampoo in our car, we headed to the Bloomfield elders’ apartment.  They were ready for us – all of their furniture was stacked in their kitchen and bathroom and their carpet had been vacuumed.  We coached them a little and they took to the task like pros.  It was fun watching them work together.  They were done in less than two hours and we packed up our equipment and headed to the 22^nd street Farmington elders’ basement apartment (they live in a member’s home). 

            The Farmington elders weren’t such a jolly crew, but worked together to get the carpet cleaning job done.  They were a 3-some and Elder O’Conner  was being ET’d (emergency transfer) the following day and felt stressed because he needed to pack and prepare to leave the area.  Elder Coesens vacuumed all the rooms and Elder Moser drug that carpet cleaner in all the rooms (two bedrooms, hall, living room).  They left to meet a family for lunch and we stayed to finish up a bit.  After we left their apartment we returned the rug cleaner and came home for lunch and a nap.  We DID make it to the office later in the afternoon.  We got there in time to tell the McNeils (our senior zone leader) good-bye before leaving for their home in Manti UT.  The new senior zone leader, Elder Zaleski and his wife (from Parowan UT) will take over the duties that the McNeils had.

 

Tuesday: I was delighted to sit down at my desk at the office and find eight baptism forms waiting for me to enter into the computer.  It was Zone Leader Council meeting at the mission home and after their meetings the office was buzzing with zone leaders taking care of business for their zone (picking up packages, mail, teaching supplies, etc.).   It is always a fun day when they come because we get to catch up on what they have been doing.  We especially enjoyed our visit with Elder Lamph (one of our favorites) who is serving in the Winslow/Joseph City area. He told us who they are teaching and how the work is going there.

 

Wednesday:  We left our apartment about 7:30 headed to Colorado for a “bed check.”  Bishop Coppinger in Mancos called to tell us the elders who are living in his garage apt. needed a bed as his daughter took the bed that belonged to her that the elders were using.  When Elder Hunt loaded in the box springs from the AP house, he noticed the frame was broken so we stopped at Sam’s Club (the only place open that early) to pick up another box spring to go with our mattress (which was fairly new).  Our first check was at the sisters’ apt. in Durango – Sister Pielstick had complained of bedbug bites so we gave her the bed we intended to take to Mancos.  After we left their place we stopped at a furniture store in Durango and got another bed set and were fortunate enough to have them take the broken frame and also bed-bug bed off our hands.

            It was a gorgeous Indian-summer day and we had taken a picnic lunch with us so we went down to the river walk in Durango and sat on a big rock by the river to eat our lunch.  Durango has a seven mile river walk along the Animas River that is paved and VERY nice.  It was fun to stroll along the river and enjoy the beautiful fall foliage and bask in the sunshine.

            Our next stop was Mancos and we found Bishop Coppinger home – what a fun guy to visit with! We left our new bed there and headed to Dolores to take a mattress “encasement” to Elder Searle, who had recently received a new bed to replace one that was bed-bug infested. 

            Maren called us just as we were driving through Shiprock on our way back and asked if we were available to go furniture shopping with her, so we just stopped by her place after we parked the Silverado in the mission corral.  Maren found a cute table/chair set and it will be here next week –just in time for Thanksgiving!  We didn’t get home until after 8:30 so missed the trick-or-treaters – it was the best Halloween I’ve ever spent!!

 

Thursday:  I had seven baptisms to enter – yeah!  Elder Hunt spent the morning shopping around for a washer for the Cameron elders and didn’t come up with one in the price range he had set for himself.  We left the office about 3:30 on another shopping spree and by 5:30 had a washer/dryer loaded in the Silverado and ready for a delivery.

            We received Cami’s email that she sent out to family with the challenge to write down something we are thankful for each day during November.  Thanks, Cami, for encouraging us all to open a “Thank Account” (Mormon Ad term).  I accepted Cami’s challenge!

 

Friday:  Elder Hunt left for Cameron at 6:30 and promised to call during the day.  He got to his destination before noon and helped the elders get their new appliances hooked up and the old ones loaded into the truck.  He took them to the Cameron Trading Post for lunch where he had a Navajo Taco and the elders had a Shepherd Sandwich (a sandwich on fry bread).  His next stop was Tuba City where he picked up a gas range that came out of one of the missionary trailers and also misc. furniture/stuff that was left in the elders’ apartment that was vacated recently. He called before he left Tuba City and said he hoped to be home before dark and he was! 

            I spent the day working on unreported referrals and other catch-up tasks.  Maren and I went to “The Big Fat Greek Restaurant” for dinner.  I was glad Maren was with me instead of Elder Hunt, because it wasn’t the type of place he would enjoy.  I don’t need to go there again.

            George and Joanne came over to visit with us and it is always a treat to spend time with them – they are the best!

 

Saturday:  We slept in and had a slow morning catching up on chores etc.  The Silverado was parked out in the yard with “stuff” to take care of so we unloaded it at the AP house and also Good Will.  Jimmy and Sandra came by to visit us and share some goodies with us – they are certainly fun people to be around and we appreciated their kindness.  We set our clock back an hour and went to bed an hour earlier than usual!

 

            I love November and the time it gives us to reflect on our many blessings.  I like the Mormon Ad that says, “Show your thanks through your giving.”  I want to give a little bit more and be a little more thankful!

 

NMFM Week 32: October 21-27, 2012

Sunday:  We went to the Kirtland 2^nd Ward Meetings and since we hadn’t been there in a while, some of the folks thought we weren’t around any more.  It was nice to be missed!  I met Jared at their chapel at 4 for an organ lesson – he told me he plans to play in sacrament meeting on Nov 18 as a birthday present for his mom.  I love that kind of gift!  We joined the APs for Sunday dinner with the Paynes so they should get LOTS of blessings for feeding four missionaries.

 
Monday:  Monday is always planning/correlation day at the office.  Several of our senior gardening missionaries are leaving this week to go home for the season.  They will be greatly missed as they are a strong support for the church unit where they serve.  We aren’t getting in very many replacements and President Batt is working to recruit more senior couple to this mission.

Tuesday:  Maren returned from Seattle today and her first day on the job at the library is tomorrow.  She left her car parked at the Albuquerque airport the week she was gone. Jimmy’s Mayflower truck picked up her stuff on Friday – a tender mercy for us. He has never made a trip to the northwest before, but had a delivery 20 miles from Seattle the very week Maren needed to move to begin her new job.

            After my lab work and Dr. appointment I went to Kirtland to give organ and piano lessons.

Wednesday:  President Batt called Elder Hunt from Gallup to tell him of his phone conversation with Elder Tadd Callister.  Elder Callister told him that the church would be able to send 90+ additional missionaries to what our numbers are now to the New Mexico Farmington Mission in the next six months and wanted to know how many we could find housing for and be able to use.  President Batt had less than a week to send his report back to SLC so asked for help is figuring where more missionaries could feasibly be sent.  This is going to take a LOT of “stepping up” for every member of the church in wards, branches, missions.  It will definitely have a BIG impact on the mission office staff.

            We filled out our absentee ballots and got them in the mail today.

Thursday:  Elder Hunt went to Chinle by way of Lukachukai to check out housing situations in both of those places.  President Batt wants to put a travel trailer in Lukachukai for elders to live in – we already have a missionary couple serving there.  Our trailer there is parked on the college property and trying to acquire another trailer space from the tribe/college  has been a bit tricky.  In Chinle he checked to make sure that our new travel trailer there is winterized sufficiently,

            After a day at the mission office I went furniture shopping with Maren  to look for a kitchen table/chairs.  We saw some nice stuff!

Friday:  Elder Hunt met with the APs to discuss housing possibilities for 90+ extra missionaries – they took copious notes to share with President Batt as they met him later that afternoon.  At 5:00 we met Jimmy and Sandra at the mission office parking lot and followed them to Farmington High School’s cafeteria where they treated us to a spaghetti dinner that was sponsored by the FHS dance team.  It was a nice meal and the company was great!  Elder Hunt stayed there with the Paynes to attend the FHS football game and I drove to the mission office parking lot to meet Maren to go to the Piedra Vista High School’s “Spooktacular” evening at the Totah Theater which was sponsored by their choir department.  It was really a fun program – all of the choir members were in costume and Josh, Jared, and Makenna were lots of fun to watch.

Saturday:  We told Maren to call us when Jimmy would be there with his truck to unload her stuff so she did.  The guys did a great job unloading while Sandra and I had a nice visit.  Maren has LOTS of books that were all boxed up neatly.  They put the mattress on the floor and Maren unpacked her quilts for me to crawl under and I had a cozy little nap while Maren and her dad put her wooden bed frame together.  We spent the rest of the day doing errands and chores that needed our attention.

 

 

 

NMFM Week 30: October 8-14, 2012

Monday: A phone call from Darren was the highlight of our day. He called to tell us that Cherise and Cami plan to go on missions now and Cherise had already made an appointment with her Bishop for an interview. Hooray for Sister Missionaries!
Elder Hunt left at 7 am pulling a trailer full of furniture with Flagstaff as his first delivery point. He took the sister missionaries a new couch and side chair that came from the Farmington Stake Center – they were still is good condition and more attractive than most, so the sisters were happy about their good fortune. They also got a new chest of drawers and desk chairs. Four elders in Flag helped with the move and Good Will was blessed with the old furniture that was moved out. He spent the night on Hunt Road.
I had a busy day at the office entering baptisms and doing referrals.
Tuesday: Elder Hunt cleaned out the Joseph City apartment where the elders had lived. The Winslow elders had gone over previously and had taken the things that they could use and stacked everything else in the living room. His next stop was Holbrook where he picked up a microwave the elders there weren’t using and then on to Sanders to deliver a newer couch and chair to the elders there. The Sanders old red couch had a hide-a-bed and the cushions were starting to fall apart. I mended the worst one on our stop in Sanders in September. He pulled into Farmington in early evening and hustled to unload “stuff” at the AP garage. We pulled into Good Will five minutes before closing time and they were kind enough to take the red couch and a VERY large old desk before they closed their gates
I walked out of our apartment with my lunch box and an armload of music a little after 8:30 thinking that I had plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful fall morning before arriving at the mission office. Just as I pulled the door shut I realized that I had left the car and apartment keys on the kitchen table. Then I looked down and realized that I had left my bag with cell phone, keys, drivers license etc. on the couch inside the apartment. I sheepishly walked over to the Paynes to see if they could help me with my dilemma, but no one was home. I tried all the windows in our apartment, but they were locked. I decided to walk down the street and see what might work out. I ended up at the Ward’s front door (a family in George’s ward) and was so grateful when Sister Ward answered and invited me in. I asked her if she could call Joanne for me, which she did and Joanne told me they were on their way to the temple. I told Joanne to have a nice day and I would talk to her later. Next I asked Sister Ward if she knew a good locksmith, she said she did and their shop was only a couple of blocks away. The locksmiths arrived in about five minutes, opened our apartment door, and I was happy to pay them for their prompt service. I arrived at the mission office at 9:30 and was more focused for the rest of the day.
In the afternoon I had lab work done and a Dr. appointment before I went to Kirtland for organ and piano lessons. I really enjoy working with the Kirtland sisters. About 5 pm I got a call from Maren saying that the Farmington City Library had just called and offered her a job as their Youth Services Librarian. I momentarily forgot I was in the chapel and let out a big yell. That was a joyful moment!
Wednesday: Elder Hunt and I worked on key indicators together and took care of other office work.
Thursday: Maren arrived not long after we got home from the office. We are all really excited about her new job. George and Joanne offered to let her stay with them while she is here this week (our apartment is pretty small and doesn’t have a spare bed). We thought of our Griffin and hoped he was having a wonderful birthday at Disneyland!
Friday: We had an appointment for a “re-check” at the Bloomfield elders’ apartment at 9. We found their apartment clean and tidy this time (I told them the week before that if it wasn’t clean, they would be grounded with the Hunts until it was clean!) I guess that didn’t sound like a lot of fun so it was all cleaned up. We also went to the Spanish speaking elders in Bloomfield and found their apt. in tip-top shape. Then we visited the Farmington elders for a “re-check”and found they had been busy cleaning also. That made us happy! When we got back to the office we found everyone in the cleaning mode there as well in preparation for our visit next week from a general authority, Elder Paul Johnson. After I finalized the monthly baptism report for September, Elder Hunt and I cleaned our work area. Our mission had 43 baptisms in September, the lowest since we have been here. But I think our missionaries are working harder – we all need to pray harder that doors will open and hearts will soften to receive the gospel message.
During the evening we went with Maren to the Totah Theater for a story telling program (sponsored by the library and other organizations) and enjoyed it. Maren found an apartment fairly close to the library and put a deposit on it. She plans to fly to Seattle on Tuesday to pack up her things there so they can be shipped to Farmington.
Saturday: Snow and rain was predicted for Colorado, but the sun came out and it was a nice day to be out enjoying the beauties of nature. We drove to Bayfield, Durango, Pagosa Springs, and then Dulce before returning to Farmington (300 miles). We visited our missionaries along the way and found each apartment to be in good shape and well taken care of. We took Elders Chapple and Dobson to lunch in Pagosa Srings – Elder Chapple will be going home at our next transfer. When we got back Dennis went to more story telling with Maren and I went to bed.

NMFM Week 26

Dear Family and Friends,  We are so looking forward to going to Joseph City this weekend to celebrate my birthday.  We still haven't had a complete RSVP from those we invited to join us, but look forward to spending the weekend with family.  We haven't had a P-day for about a month and look forward to having a day this weekend to get pumped up to help us make it on the homeward stretch.  This past week marked the half way point of our mission.  Since I just sent an email on Wednesday, here is the rest of our week:
Thursday:    In the early hours of the morning we heard a big BOOM and wondered what it might be.  In talking to Maria about it later, we deducted that it was a missile being sent off from the nearby Ft. Wingate army base (Maria said she had seen it on TV news).  We finished up in the afternoon and stopped at Tohlakai (about 15 miles north of Gallup) again to visit the Freestones.  They gave us more produce, but this time they also gave us a loaf of bread fresh from the oven!  The Freestones are such delightful people and it is always hard to get away from there.
 Friday:  I was able to finalize the August Baptism Report and also work on 250 referrals from the Navajo Nation Fair in Window Rock on August 8, while Elder Hunt worked on phone messages and bills that needed his attention.  We came home and had lunch at 2:30, ran a few errands, and by then the day was over.  We returned our rental car just as my phone alarm rang at 5:30 (which was the  Enterprise deadline).
 Saturday:  We did a few chores at our place  in the morning before picking up the Silverado to haul a bed that was stored in the AP garage up to Dolores for an elder there who was dealing with new bites every morning.  We also stopped at Walmart to get a new vacuum for that apartment.  Elder Hunt had been reading up on bedbugs so we went prepared to do battle.  Elders Lambert and Wilkinson in Dolores were friendly and helpful.  It is always fun to visit with our missionaries that we don’t see very often.  It was evening before we got home, so threw our contaminated clothes in the washer and then called it a day.  We both commented that we were glad that Sunday was almost here!  My mom called to say that my  dad had been having chest pains during the day and had gone by ambulance to the Safford Hospital.  The ER doctors didn’t find anything wrong so sent all of them home to rest!
We have been blessed with the strength and stamina that we need to take care of the heavy work load that we have had recently.  We know we are where we are supposed to be and doing what we are supposed to be doing!  We love each other, we love our family, and we love the Lord!  Elder and Sister Hunt

NMFM news

Dear Family,  I'm a bit late in sending greetings this week.  We have been on a whirlwind schedule the past two weeks and right now we are in Ft. Wingate again finishing up our "cottage" project.  Actually, it has been a fun project for us as we've been able to enjoy a different setting and do things that we enjoy doing.  I brought my sewing machine and put together curtains that I got at Family Dollar that needed alteration to fit the windows here.  It has been a welcome change from scrubbing and cleaning the place.  Elder Hunt has hung mini-blinds on all the windows, put down a new vinyl floor in the kitchen, added shelves in the kitchen, sanded doors that wouldn't close, worked on plumbing problems, and other fix-up details.  We brought our own bedding and  have spent four nights here  We are almost finished and it is a rather cozy little place, a place that we wouldn't mind living in.

     My little organ student, Jared, played the organ for sacrament meeting last Sunday and we were there to see him do a really nice job.  Lauana was there also and it was one of her better days, she seemed to know George and his boys and acted like she recognized me as well.  Farmington Stake is getting a new stake president next Sunday and the Payne boys have been kidding their dad about being in the running for that position.  George is really in tune with the youth in his ward so I kinda think he might just stay where he is.  

      We have definitely noticed a change in the weather this week.  A quilt is a welcome companion at night and a sweater feels good in the early morning air. We have certainly enjoyed many beautiful days since we have been in Farmington.

      Our car is in the shop this week so we are driving a little gray Mazda rental. It is a fun car to drive around Gallup and the roads to and from.  Our car developed a cracked manifold cover and it was leaking anti-freeze into the engine.  Hopefully it will run like new when we get it back tomorrow.  

      I'm eagerly looking forward to my birthday and I'm especially thankful to have enjoyed another wonderful year.  We send our love, Sister Hunt

NMFM Week 24: August 26-September 1, 2012

Dear Family, Today our thoughts and hearts are with you as many of you will gather for little Ellany Sue's special day.  We hope you will feel our love and support across the miles.  We know that our Heavenly Father will be smiling down upon you at this special time.

     We have been especially blessed with good health, safety, and divine direction during our recent mission assignments.  We are thankful to be a part of this great work.  We love you and hope all is well with each of you.  Love, Elder and Sister Hunt

 

 

 

Sunday:  We attended meetings in Kirtland 3^rd Ward, the ward Jimmy & Sandy Payne just moved into.  Linda Crum (Wagner), a former friend from Virden grade school days, came up and introduced herself after Relief Society and we had a fun visit.  As we were walking into the Farmington 8^th ward building for Jared’s organ lesson I met my cousin Paula Hatch Evans on the front sidewalk.  Her son and his family recently moved into George’s ward.  We got a call from the Aztec elders saying their frig had gone out for the 3^rd time in two weeks so after dinner with the Paynes, we drove out to take them a new one. We were late getting to bed.

 

Monday:  We worked hard at the office until after noon (I entered 10 baptisms + a few referrals) and then we left town in the Silverado to begin our “big adventure.”  Our first stop was Ft. Wingate, which is 15 miles east of Gallup just off I-40.  President Batt decided to move the elders out who were there to make a place for a senior couple per request of the Gallup Stake P  President.  It is a really old “cottage” and we wanted to see what we will need to do to make it comfortable and livable for seniors.  The door was jammed so we went next door to report that to the owner.  With a little divine intervention, he eventually softened and brought over a new door knob. we were able to take window measurements and assess the layout of the place.  It  needs an “extreme make-over” and we will certainly give it our best efforts, hoping they will be sufficient for the new folks coming in.  After dinner at the Gallup Sizzler we headed to Joseph City and enjoyed sleeping in our own bed!

 

Tuesday:  We were at the Navajo County Building at 8 am to take care of tax and voting business.  In Joseph City we took a new frying pan to Elder Iverson that he had called to ask for, voted at the polling place (and had a fun visit with the election officials there), and renewed our PO box for another year.  Our next stop was Bitter Springs and we were disappointed that the Gardners weren’t there – we left them a note on their doorstep. 

            We arrived in St. George at 5:05, just after closing time at RVzz, the place where we were to pick up the mission’s travel trailer. The temple was closed for cleaning and repairs so we were disappointed that we weren’t able to do a session.  We DID enjoy the visitor center, however.  We especially enjoyed their new exhibit, “God’s Plan for His Famly” which portrays sections of the Proclamation to the Family. We had reservations to stay with the Isoms in Hurricane and had a fun visit with them. 

 

Wednesday:  We were at RVzz just after they opened at 8:00 am and we spent the next couple of hours having them show us how to use the trailer and get it hitched up for its ride to Bluff.  I was a little apprehensive about how we were fare on the hill up out of Hurricane, but the Silverado climbed up with no problem.  Our first stop was at “The Three Bears” in Kanab for lunch before heading to Page.  At transfers a week ago we closed out one of the places the elders were living in there and we spent four hours helping the Page zone leaders load the mission beds etc. into our truck and trailer and helped them clean out that place. 

            It was close to 8:00 pm when we got to Kayenta and we were really tired.  We called the Chapmans, the senior couple who live next to the church at Denehotso (30 miles on past Kayenta)and asked if we could spent the night in the parking lot there.  They said they would leave the gate unlocked until we got there and they were out with a flashlight to help light our way in.  They also had the church open so we could use the facilities.  We slept in the travel trailer and had a delightful breakfast and visit with the Chapmans the next morning.  It was the first time we had met them – they are from Loveland, CO and are serving an 18 month mission.

Thursday:   Sister Chapman served a wonderful breakfast and they showed us their garden and told us about their experiences in Arizona.  We didn’t get on the road until close to 11:00.  It was only an hour and a half on to Bluff and we found the RV park easily and got our trailer situated.  The park owner came to help hook up the utilities.  We had lunch at a quaint little café  and I had a nap on the couch while Elder Hunt renovated the bedroom so it would work better for two junior missionaries.  Elder Adams and Miller (who will be living there) came about 4:00 so we spent some time orienting them on how to operate the trailer (since both of us are such great pros!).  We hope it will work out well for them.  They were living in Blanding so were having a 30 mile commute each day to get to their area.  It was after 8:30 when we pulled into the driveway at the AP house to unload the mattresses etc. that were tied down in the back of the Silverado. 

 

Friday:  We worked hard all day at the office trying to get caught up on things that had piled up during the week.  We worked until six and then decided we would just leave what wasn’t done and come back the next day.  We found George and Joanne out in the yard working so Elder Hunt put on his work clothes and found a shovel and helped while I fixed dinner.  We all enjoyed watching the “Blue Moon” make its appearance above the horizon.

 

Saturday:  After breakfast, haircuts, laundry, and a little nap, we went back to the mission office to finish up what we left undone the day before.  When we came back William and Deanna Payne were here so we visited with them.  They are planning to move to Farmington and were house hunting.  They were a bit discouraged at their housing prospects, but seemed to be hapy to be moving to Farmington.  After having something to eat and a little rest, we went on a short shopping trip for next week’s adventure:  “The Cottage” at Ft. Wingate.