Independence : 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 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.