Mission Report #5 (Sept 27 - Oct 9)

It doesn’t seem possible we have been gone for two months already. As far as our service goes, we are finally getting to the point that the service we render (in the Data Quality) zone isn’t so overwhelmingly difficult and some days are actually enjoyable. It is so important to realize we are a team in this zone and as we work together to solve these cases we work on, the burden is lightened.
This past week we got a little taste of what is to come, weather wise. Our first cold storm came through and brought snow down to within 800 feet of Salt Lake proper. We learned the value of Deseret Industries as a result as we made a fast trip there and picked up excellent long rain coats for $8 each. It is interesting how many of our fellow missionaries do all their clothes shopping there. So trust me, those donations to DI are put to more uses than you might imagine.
In reference to General Conference, I just want to mention the fact that we had the pleasure of having one of our children and family with us for conference. Our Laura and her family arrived late on Thursday night. On Friday we had arranged to get off “work” at noon so we could spend the afternoon with them. They came to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building to meet us so the kids could see where Grandma and Grandpa “work.” We then took them up on the 10th floor so they could see the temple from that great view. As we were leaving to go down and get some lunch we just missed an elevator – which was the best thing that could have happened. When the next elevator arrived, out stepped the Prophet. (He was meeting family in one of the big rooms on the 10th floor.) He started away from us to join them, but when he saw our three grandsons he made an about face and went straight to them. He shook each one’s hand and talked to them for a few seconds. Of course each conversation ended with – “Are you going to serve a mission one of these days?” What a tender mercy for my little grandkids to have this experience.