Independence

'She will find what is lost'
Brian Kershisnick

Over the past year, we have come to know and love Karol Gamez and her sweet kids. Karol is truly a 'savior on Mt. Zion' with regard to her ancestors and her desire to bless their lives through finding them and then completing their temple work. When we saw this beautiful painting, we were sure it was painted with Karol in mind and gave her a copy. She has felt the influence and spiritual presence of her loved ones that have gone before.
This past Wednesday, we accompanied Karol to the temple and assisted her as she was able to complete the sealing ordinances for a number of her ancestors. The sealer was Brother John Ovard who also serves as the stake patriarch. This was a very special tender mercy for Karol. Brother Ovard had given Karol her patriarchal blessing about a year ago and promised her that there were those on the other side of the veil who loved her and were aware of her and were anxious for her to help them by doing their temple work. She has worked non-stop since then to search out her ancestors and complete their ordinances in the temple.
Helping members do their family history and accompanying them to the temple has been one of the highlights of our mission. We love this work.

BREAD MAKING 101

Elsa Toraya and Robyn shaping loaves

Elsa and her mom, Rita, asked Robyn to teach them how to make her homemade whole wheat bread. On Monday we went to Rita's home in the morning, and then to Elsa's in the evening. We brought over our mill, bread mixer, a sack of hard red winter wheat and everything needed to make bread from start to finish. Elsa and Rita were quick learners.
Rita loves to cook, and after finishing up her batch ordered a mill, mixer, yeast, dough enhancer and wheat gluten from Kathleen so she can continue to bake bread for her family. Elsa plans to borrow her mom's equipment until she can afford her own. ;)

Rita posted this picture on her Facebook page
to show off her bread

This is Rita's post that accompanied the pictures
of her freshly baked bread

AMISH AUCTION

recommended attire - suspenders and straw hats

We (Robyn) decided that we were going to the annual Amish horse auction in Jamesport on our P-Day last Saturday. It turned out to be a lot more fun than I thought it would be. Jamesport is about an hour from Independence, near Adam-ondi-Ahman. The Amish came to Jamesport in the early 1950's and their numbers have grown quite large since.
Each year they have a public auction of all kinds of live stock, farm equipment and a huge assortment of beautiful homemade quilts. Robyn was mostly interested in the horses and the only reason we didn't bid on one was that the Prius doesn't have a trailer hitch and the mission handbook says 'no horses'. :)

auction arena

All his buddies were envious of his pony

Auctioned off for stud fees
winning bid - $400

wagon included

$3500 each for the pair

Amish parking lot

KANSAS SPEEDWAY

We were able to go to a NASCAR race at the Kansas Speedway thanks to the generosity of brother Paul Nielson who works for one of the sponsoring companies of the race. All the young men in the ward were invited and he had enough left over for James and his kids. It was my first experience with NASCAR and my ears are still ringing. The kids had a ball.

MOTHER'S DAY

Proverbs 31:28

"Her children arise up, and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praiseth her."

We spent a wonderful few days with Jerry and Maureen. They flew in on Friday and were able to stay until Tuesday evening. It was so much fun to catch up with them and do some fun things together. We visited Adam-ondi-Aman, Liberty Jail, Jamesport, Haun's Mill, the steam ship Arabia museum, Gallatin, had dinner at Kansas City Joe's, toured the temple lot in Independence, and visited with James and his family. We also took advantage of their visit and put them to work. They taught a family home evening lesson, helped teach our temple preparation class on Sunday, and made a home visit with us. They will be great senior missionaries someday. :-)

dinner and family home evening with the Gamez family
The kids immediately started calling them Uncle Jerry and Aunt Maureen.

FHE lesson on missionary service -
Maureen showed the video of their grandson, Kade
opening up his mission call the day before,
and encouraged the kids to prepare for missionary service.

Visiting the Toraya family

the Toraya family - Junior, Perla, Carlos and Mia

temple preparation class with Rita and Roberto Jeronimo

As temple ordinance workers in the Payson, Utah temple,
Jerry and Maureen were able to share their testimonies
of the blessings of the temple.