Sister Mackenzie Malm

Mackenzie Malm

We had a sweet reunion with Sister Mackenzie Malm at the Historic Liberty Jail last Monday evening. She arrived in the Missouri, Independence mission a few weeks ago and is currently assigned to the visitor's center in Liberty. I believe that this is a tender mercy for Mackenzie.
Our connection to Mackenzie began long before she was born. Almost 30 years ago, my folks served a MLS mission in Scotland. While they served in the Livingston ward, they met Angie, who was taking the missionary lessons. Angie was baptized and mom and dad took her under their wings and fellowshipped her and loved her unconditionally. Through my folk's persistence and love, Angie thrived in the church. The bond between my folks and Angie continued strong after their mission. She emigrated to the U.S. where mom and dad helped her to get settled and continue to progress. Angie lived with Robyn and I for a while when she came to California and we became very close and grew to love her. She met a wonderful young man, Greg Malm, and they were sealed in the temple. Soon thereafter, Mackenzie was born.
Unfortunately, Angie and Greg divorced after a few years and Mackenzie was raised by her father in Utah. Due to circumstances beyond her control, she really never got to know her mother very well. We met Mackenzie once when she was about 10 years old. We look forward to visiting with her more and reminiscing about her mom and the times we spent together. Hopefully this will fill in some of the blank spots in her life and she will come to know her mother better.
Angie passed away a few years ago, but I have to think that her influence and love had something to do with her daughter's desire to serve a mission. Mackenzie took us on the tour of the 'Jail' and we can see that she already is a wonderful representative of the Lord.
Every connection we make with someone during mortality can bless their life if we are worthy of the Spirit. The connections that my folks made 30 years ago, continue to have had a profound impact on others today. We also hope and pray that the connections we make here on our mission will likewise bless the lives of the people we have grown to love.

Mackenzie's mom, Angie - 1988

FAMILY HOME EVENING AT THE 'JAIL'

For family home evening, we took the Gamez family to the Liberty Jail. Karol and the kids had never been here and so they learned a lot about the history of the church in Missouri and the many spiritual experiences the Prophet Joseph had while incarcerated. We are so blessed to be able to serve where so many amazing events took place in church history, and where many more are yet to happen. There is such a sweet spirit to be found at these historical sites. We love serving here. 

ELDERS QUORUM PRESIDENCY INDEXING TRAINING

This week as I met with the elders quorum presidency, I felt that they needed help in understanding indexing and to get them started. With a little training, they picked it up quickly and hopefully they will be able to model this family history work with the rest of the quourm. Any activity or service that ultimately connects members to the temple can have an eternal effect on their lives.

SATURDAY MORNING TEMPLE TRIP

Daniel Hernandez with his stepfather's paperwork

Daniel joined the church almost two years ago. He is now preparing to serve a mission. We accompanied him to the temple for the first time so that he could do the baptism for his stepdad. I know that this experience has increased Daniel's desire to do missionary work not only for the living but for those that have passed on. 

PINEWOOD DERBY #2

One of the first family activities we were able to enjoy last year after we arrived in the mission field was to attend Luke and Josh's pinewood derby competition in their ward. It's that time of year again. James' unbeaten streak as the 'crew chief'' continues. I think after Noah as an eight year old, didn't place well in his first race, James decided to research the matter and spend the necessary funds and resources to ensure a 'better outcome'. His boys, Noah included, have taken home the first place trophy every since. This was the second year in a row that Josh took first place. With his dad's help, he designed his car for speed. Luke on the other hand is into 'heavy metal'. Last year his car was an army tank and this year he told his Dad that he wanted a Humvee with a machine gun on top. Although his car didn't finish first, the rest of the boys were impressed with his design.

PRESIDENT BRUCE PRIDAY

President Bruce Priday of the Lenexa, Kansas stake will be released next week. It has been such a blessing to work under his inspired leadership here in this stake. On Wednesday, he asked Robyn and I to come in to give him a report of some of the things we have been doing in the Kaw River ward. He has such a love of the people in his stake and has led this part of Zion for the last 9 years. He will be missed. 

FAMILY HISTORY WORK AT THE TEMPLE
With the Bishop's encouragement, we are trying to strengthen the connection members have to the temple and to increase their testimonies of it. We have found that one of the most enduring ways is by helping them do their family history and then bringing names to the temple to complete the necessary ordinances for their loved ones. This week we shared some very spiritual and sacred experiences with three - Ramon Andrade, Karol Gamez and Patricia Houtchens. There is no better place to experience the love of the Savior than in His holy house.

Ramon

Karol

Patricia

THEY TAKE THEIR ICE STORMS SERIOUSLY HERE 

DENTISTRY MERIT BADGE

The scouts worked on the Dentistry merit badge this week. I am hoping that the greatest 'take away' from this experience will be their understanding that they need to work harder on their oral hygiene. A few drops of red 'disclosing solution' was all that was needed to show them that their tooth brushing skills leave a little bit to be desired. 
I guess it is a good thing, because their tooth brushing skills will ensure job security for James in the long run...

NEW MISSION PRESIDENT

We've had a feeling for years that our dear friends back home, David and Melody Hales would be called as mission presidents. Their leadership and commitment to the Gospel and their love of the youth of the church, qualified them to be called to serve in the Texas, Lubbock mission. 

The California Los Angeles Mission presidents over the years have had a special relationship with President Hales and often would take things that he was inspired to do in our stake and institute them throughout the mission. He and Melody are supremely qualified to lead and guide the missionary work in Lubbock. We wish them well.

We are also grateful that we will be finishing up our mission with President Randy J. Vest here in the Missouri, Independence mission. He and Sister Vest will be released in July. Their influence and example has blessed our lives.

From the Church News

David G. and Melody Hales

David Glen Hales, 59, and Melody Winder Hales, four children, Manhattan Beach Ward, Torrance California North Stake: Texas Lubbock Mission, succeeding President David Heap and Sister Mary Heap. Brother Hales serves as a stake president and is a former stake presidency counselor, bishop, high councilor, and missionary in the Florida Ft. Lauderdale Mission. Aerospace IT project manager and principle engineer. Born in Clovis, New Mexico, to Glen Herbert Hales and Sarah Mari-Lynn Marcil Hales. 

FAMILY HISTORY WORK ➽ TEMPLE WORK

Pedro Porras with his brother's Family Ordinance Card

Karol imputing family names

Patricia Houtchens, Robyn and Jessica Andrade
doing family names at the temple

We have felt very strongly that helping the members here learn how to do their own family history will strengthen their love and commitment to the blessings of the temple. This will in turn provide them with the sure foundation that will keep their testimonies bright and their desire to always be found worthy of their covenants. 

We are fortunate to have a satellite family history library in the Kaw River chapel that makes it easy for the members to learn and then do their family history. And with the temple so close, the blessings can be immediate.

Starting them young

SURPRISE BIRTHDAY PARTY

Four families in the ward that we have grown very close to, - the Gamezes, Torayas, Bravos and Porrases - approached me with the proposal to plan a surprise birthday party for Robyn. Fortunately all the little ones kept it a secret and we were able to surprise the guest of honor. Dinner and cake and lots of visiting made for a very special evening.

Ashli calls Robyn, 'Grandma'

Disney

Carlos and Perla Toraya

Anabel Bravo cooked dinner

All these kids love their adopted 'grandma'

DINNER AND CAKE WITH JAMES

ANNUAL YOUTH ICE SKATING ACTIVITY AT THE CROWN CENTER

The most popular ward youth activity each year is the annual ice skating at the outdoor rink in downtown Kansas City. It was a little colder than I am used to, but the kids had a great time. My ice skating days ended after they shut down the outdoor rink in Arrowhead about 40 years ago. I decided not to try my luck this time. There were 31 youth + leaders that went. Hot chocolate and cookies afterwards helped everyone thaw out. 

Victor and Noe

Antoinette Molina

Andres and Noe

Jesus and Alexis

Jeremy Birdwell

Leslie Garcia and Angela Molina

Juana Jeronimo

Jayro and Andres

Adela Birdwell

Tommy Merritt

Cousins Karime and Joscelyn