Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch...

 Back home(s) were some great happenings, thus the title. More on that later.

This week we spent a lot of time up dating records. Our Welfare, Self-reliance manager informed us about a couple of things about which we have not been paying attention (the royal "we," I do the computer responsibilities). When we work at something like a presentation, contacting responsible leaders, etc., I feel like the work is done. However, like the sign on the outhouse wall says, "The job's not done, 'til the paperwork's complete." So, I have been going over the calendar and notes, trying to catch up some of those things that have been neglected.

We were called upon to assist with the transfers this week. It is one of our favorite outings. The new missionaries are always excited and nervous; their new companions are always excited and nervous, too. Two of the elders in our district were transferred and we got two more. Elder Rosas to Brooklyn and Elder Bedell to Staten Island. Elder Young is now working with Elder Christiansen; Elder Tipps has a new missionary, Elder Harris, from Draper, Utah, just blocks away from President and Sister Holmes' house.

Sister Carranza is from Modesto, CA, but
originally from Sinaloa, Mexico - the same
area as our daughter- in-law, Ruth.

It is always good to make acquaintances with the other missionaries. Sister Carranza is on her way home. I started talking to her while loading Elder Young's luggage into our car. That is how we found out that we had a connection. She seems like a sweet young woman; I am sure she will be a blessing to her family and the Church.

Our district council meeting with the new missionaries was revealing - in a good way. Elder Young taught and has a very effective style of teaching. Elder Harris is not completely comfortable with Spanish, yet, but when we were role playing, he nailed it. Elder Christiansen was highly complimentary.

Friday was Veterans' Day, so we celebrated by going to the temple. We are getting a touch of tropical storm Nicole, so it was raining some while we walked. The temple is right in the City, so it always includes a fun trek. There are so many people of every race, ethnicity, language and dress that we are entertained on the long walk from the Metro station to the temple.

Olivia explained that I should be the
only one in the picture, since I'm
the only veteran.

She found a hotel along the way that
was flying the flag, so she asked the
doorman to take a picture of us to 
commemorate the day.

We were invited to attend the Leadership and adult sessions of the Brooklyn Stake conference on Saturday, and the general session the following day. In those sessions we try to listen to the leaders to discern what their main concerns might be. It also gives us a chance to meet old and new friends.

Stanley (left) and Juel (right)

Gabriella

Stanley was the facilitator in the Find a Better Job class. He has been self employed for 12 years, but is now anxious to have a regular paycheck. Former military, he really wanted a job as a security guard. He got the job during week 9 of the class. The last lesson, week 10, is how to succeed once you have a job. Stanley has been a member only 9 months, and on Sunday, he gave a talk in stake conference, and was one of 23 converts sustained to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood. We met Juel (not sure of the spelling; pronounced jew-EL) at an employment fair in the stake some time ago, but he remembered us. He has been a member a couple of months. 

Gabriella has been a member 21 months and recently received her temple endowment. She also spoke in stake conference and was very impressive. We had been meeting with her and a couple of other women on Zoom for the Emotional Resilience course. 

We met with members of their bishoprics and had long conversations about the challenges of having more new converts than established members in their wards. They agreed that Self Reliance is a key tool in helping new members remain active and addressing some of the serious issues they face on a practical level, but some lack the ability to call facilitators. It really needs to be conducted stake-wide. Brooklyn has been pretty good at doing that.

Elder David S. Kinard, Area 70

Presiding at the conference was Elder David S. Kinard. It's hard to believe that he is the son of Spencer Kinard, who was the voice of the Tabernacle Choir following the death of Elder Richard L. Evans. It seems to me that his father should be the son's age. Time is relentless. His discussion of the Atonement was enlightening. He quoted Elder Renlund, "The Church is an Atonement delivery system." He also compared the Church to his parents providing piano lessons. To him the lessons were free, but to get the full advantage of them, work was required. Everything worth achieving comes at the cost of significant effort.

Virtually every message emphasized the temple and the saying that we are not earthly beings having, from time to time, spiritual experiences. We are, instead, spiritual beings having an earthly experience.

Later that day, we were able to Zoom the Primary presentation in our home ward's sacrament meeting. I took a really good screen shot, then promptly deleted it permanently before pasting it. You'll just have to believe me. It was such an inspired program. Instead of giving the children a written part to memorize or read, the Primary President gave them each a question and their part was their answer to that question. Our daughter, Hannah, led the music and her son, Ollie, was one of the speakers. Maggie, whose family is staying in our home for now, was not well, so she missed it. Her siblings, Scout and Baxter, and Ollie's siblings, Maisy, Laurel, and Norah joined with the other youth of the ward on the last song. 

- Picture would have gone here -

You may have seen the articles about President and Sister Nelson speaking to the Nevada area stakes. Two of our grandchildren were in the choir, so we watched the entire devotional. Again, President and Sister Nelson talked about the power and inspiration gained while in that sacred space, the temple. President M. Russell Ballard also spoke acknowledging that leading a pure life not only allows us to enter the temple, but gives us access to His guidance as we enter. Nevada is getting 2 more temples that are now under construction, in Elko and North Las Vegas.

Wendy W. Nelson

M. Russell Ballard

       

President Russell M. Nelson

As evil intensifies, President Russell M. Nelson told Latter-day Saints across Nevada, “there is nothing that will protect us more than regular time in the temple.” 
“Every time a temple is dedicated, more light comes into the world,” said President Nelson. “Every time we go to the temple, our lives are reinforced by that light and by the covenants we make with God.” 

Rebeca Anderson is two over from the girl in
front of the afro hair in the back right. 

That's her, the angel with the 
dark hair!

Massey Anderson is toward the back with
the cool hair and glasses.

See, cool hair
and glasses!

Waving at the choir (and the rest of us) after.
Elder Pieper, who conducted, and his wife are at 
the far left

Earlier that day, our daughter, Britta, and her family participated in their own stake conference and their daughter, Abby, sang in the choir. We got some video by text, but we couldn't really see her.

With the moisture, we have had some wonderful sunsets. This one, Olivia found to be exceptional. 

The sky over Queens

We are growing more appreciative of where we live and what we are doing every day. The Lord is always in the details. We appreciate you each and all and pray for your direction in life. All our best to you.