Independence : March 2017

Dr. Tracy Barrand with Filiberto Vazquez

Employment for a good number of the members of the ward is a big problem. Many of the members in our ward are underemployed and work long hours for minimum wages or have 2, sometimes even 3 jobs to support their families. Some of them do not have legal documents or the education to obtain a decent job or the money to go back to school and receive career training. This limits their ability to take care of their families and serve in the church. The ripple effect is enormous as the cycle of poverty follows their children.
Robyn and I were asked to arrange to have some employment and career counselors come to the ward building to speak with and counsel some of the members one on one.
Sister Tracy Barrand is a full time employee of the church and works for Deseret Industries in Denver. Elder and Sister Boehner, senior missionaries working at the regional employment office in Independence, also came to help. Between the 3 of them, they were able to see 30 members of the ward. It was great.
Along with her wonderful enthusiasm and knowledge, Tracy has access to some great resources that she can make available to the members, Tracy is able to offer up to $3000 assistance with job training, or tuition or purchasing equipment to start a business. This money does not come from church 'funds' but rather from the money that the DI makes at their stores. It is not a lot, but it sure helps.

Dr. Barrand 'interpreting' the WOWI results with Filiberto

Everyone that signed up to see one of the counselors had to first go on line and take the World of Work Inventory (WOWI). This assessment is very detailed and thorough and usually takes almost 2 hours to complete. The WOWI is able to predict an individual's strengths, weaknesses, likes and dislikes with regard to employment. It factors in personality traits and educational backgrounds to give an assessment of what careers or jobs would be well suited to pursue. On top of that, it also factors in the current job market and growth potential for different jobs and the current average wages and salaries that one could expect to make. It is a great tool.

Ramon Andrade works for a cement contractor.
He spoke to Dr. Barrand about starting his own business.
Received lots of great ideas and suggestions.

Elder Boehner and Robert Deutsch discussing career goals

I was happy to learn that Elder Boehner and I served in the same mission - the Argentine South mission. He was released about a year before I arrived there so our paths never crossed, but it was fun to reminisce about some of the areas we both served in and some of the members we both knew. Small world.

Medor Chavez going over the pros and cons of different career options.
Bella just wanted to go back to bed...

Sister Boehner showing Fabia Merritt her WOWI results

Dr. Barrand and Cynthia Siezmore

Heidi Chavez

Moroni Toraya

Carlos and Perla Toraya discussing starting a new business

Dr. Barrand and the Toraya's

GENERAL WOMEN'S SESSION

Robyn was able to go to the General Women's Session of conference on Saturday with Kaui and Kelehua. One of the many blessings of serving here is the opportunity to be with the kids at times like this. We will miss that.
Ashli was invited along with her mom to join the party. Kelehua has become a good friend and example to Ashli and they they had lots to talk about. Everyone went to Jason's Deli before the meeting to visit and eat. Since it was Kaui's turn to feed the full time sister missionaries, they also were invited to come.
The girls said that one of their favorite parts of the conference was President Eyring's talk, especially when he talked about his seven year old son jumping on the bed. I know that they could really relate to that. :)

The sister missionaries were also invited to Jason's Deli

PRIMARY SUBSTITUTES

Last Sunday, one of the primary teachers had to leave right after sacrament meeting with a sick child. Knowing how stressed out the new primary president is, we offered to help. Daniel Hernandez was good enough to join us to teach the 5 year olds. With no preparation and manual, we decided to share a Book of Mormon story, and so had the kids act out the experience of Laman and Lemuel threatening to throw Nephi off the cliff into the ocean. I wonder what the kids told their folks when asked, "Well, what did you learn about in primary today?"
Since it was such a beautiful spring day, we took the customary walk outside to talk about Heavenly Father's creations and pick pretty flowers for their mothers.
I haven't decided which I prefer, camping with 12 year olds or substituting at the last minute with the 5 year olds. I am leaning toward the 12 year olds... :)

THE BOYERS LEFT THIS WEEK

Elder and Sister Boyer left to go home this week. Robyn and Sue became fast friends as soon as they arrived. The Boyers were in charge of all the mission iPads and apartment inspections. They had their hands full. We will miss them.

YOUNG WOMEN SURPRISE

We received a special St. Patrick's Day 'care package' from the young women of our ward back home. Lots of green candy, chips, Easter peeps and other goodies were in the box along with a sweet photo and note from all the young women. Lots of changes since we left. We think we recognized just one of the girls...

The past couple of weeks we have been preparing for a young men campout and shooting outing. Fortunately, the boys have access to some great resources to make it a fun and safe learning experience. Brother Larry Brown, the High Priest group leader, is a range master at a local indoor shooting range. He has a wealth of experience and is always willing to share his expertise and extensive collection of firearms with the young men. Larry's good friend, Brother Gene Chambers, let us shoot and camp on property that is owned by his uncle about 45 minutes south of Kansas City. The weather could not have been nicer.
I was reminded of our annual shooting outings with the scouts back home in the foothills of the Mohave Desert. Larry and Gene have the same willingness to share their time and abilities as Dan Frazier, Mario Klappoth and David Allen. The young men of the Kaw River ward will always remember their kindness and the lessons they were taught regarding the safe use of firearms while having a great time in the outdoors with their friends and church leaders.