'COMPLETE DAY'

There are some days when a single event can make it a complete day, irregardless of what else happens or does not happen. One of those 'single events' occurred last week. My son James called, and asked if I would give him a father's blessing prior to him leaving on an extended trip. It brought back so many wonderful memories of the times that I was given father's blessings by my Dad. I think that one of the things I miss the most, since my father passed away, was the opportunity I had to receive father’s blessings from him. Sometimes, just having him place his hands on my head was all that I needed. His warm, loving and calming spirit immediately made things better even before he pronounced the blessing.

I am grateful that the Lord has allowed us to serve here where I can be reminded of, and participate in, father's blessings. 

                                                             TEMPLE TRIPS

Saturday we had the privilege of bringing Karol Gamez to the temple for the first time to do temple baptisms. Karol is a single mom from Honduras and supports herself and her young 4 children working at McDonalds. She just finished up the temple preparation class with us and hopes to receive her endowments in the near future.                                                                                                        
The temple is usually not too busy Saturday afternoons which is why we like that time so much. They were a little shorthanded at the temple so not only was I was able to baptize and confirm Robyn and Karol for family file names, but also help out with some other young people who had come. This was another 'complete day'.

Gabriel Almaraz

A Spanish language temple session is held on the second Wednesday of each month. We try and take a new or returning member with us when we go. This past Wednesday, we picked up Gabriel Almaraz and enjoyed the session. This was his first time to be in the Kansas City temple, but it won't be his last. The ward was well represented as usual. 

MULTI-TALENTED

At Relief Society this week, all the sisters were given the opportunity to learn the basics of water color painting by a member of the ward who is a very talented artist. Mike Albrechtsen is a world famous painter who has painted a couple of murals in temples here in the Midwest. He periodically teaches a class for Enrichment Night. The women were taught how to paint a sunflower, or at least that was the plan. Robyn's creation is now hanging in a place of honor behind the coat rack in our closet. ;-)

The Professor

 THREE WITNESSES MONUMENT

This past week we drove to another of the many church historical sites here in Missouri - the Three Witnesses Monument. It is about an hour drive north of Independence in the small town of Richmond, in the old cemetery. Oliver Cowdery is the only one of the three witnesses that is buried here - David Whitmer is buried a few miles away in the new Richmond cemetery and Martin Harris is buried in Clarkston, Utah.
It was a beautiful summer day and we were all alone to contemplate the significance of what these three men had seen and testified of.

HAPPY SISTERS

Last Saturday, Sister Rowley and Sister Littell asked us to go with them to a teaching appointment. They taught a wonderful lesson on the Restoration to Rudy and Julie Peralta. They both accepted the sister's challenge to be baptized on the 24th of this month.
As a reward for inviting us to accompany them, we treated them to lunch. :-)
And then Friday we were able to visit the Sanchez family with the elders serving in our ward and encourage them to prepare to go to the temple. It is always such a treat to be with these great missionaries, who are such wonderful examples and representatives of the Savior.
Alan and Sharon Treasure from Washington state, were recently assigned to our ward. They are here for 18 months serving a records preservation mission at the National Archives in Kansas City. At ward council last week, Bishop Miller asked Elder Treasure and I to team teach a ward missionary preparation class. We will be starting the week after conference. I can't wait.