Stake Conference

It was our Stake Conference this weekend and the meetings were incredible.  The closing remarks by our Stake President, President Little, were the ones that totally touched my heart and confirmed again to me through the Holy Ghost that the church is true.

One of the things he said was that there were a lot of changes in the Church since April Conference and that we are now, as members, being asked to live the Higher Law.  He said that because the focus has changed from Home Teaching and Visiting Teaching to Ministering and with very little guidelines that most of us are going from having training wheels to having them taken off our bikes and that we are all a little wobbly and unsure.  But, like our parents helping us steady the bike as we learn to ride without the training wheels so will our Father in Heaven be at our side and inspire and guide us.  I thought that was the most incredible analogy.  I love things like that.  It really helps me see the whole picture a little better.

"We turn to Him who knows us best - our Creator.  He allowed us to come to earth with freedom to choose our own course.  In His great love, He did not leave us alone.  He provided a guide - a spiritual road map - to help us achieve success in our journey."

I don't remember who state that but I thought it was a beautiful Sunday thought.

To all my posterity:  The church is true!  Hold tight to the iron rod.

Dinner with friends

Last night we went to dinner with the Fry's, Thompsons and Milnes.  After dinner at Market Street we all came back to our home and played bridge.  Just an FYI for my family - I won!
Jim and Midge Fry with Neal.

 Howard Milne, Merril and Sheri Thompson.

 Myself and Tibby Milne

Abby and Saint

It was a sad day this week when Abby had to bid a farewell to Saint.  It was time for him to go to the Oregon Guide Dog final training school.  This is where he will learn how to be comfortable with a harness and how to understand and guide a non sighted person.  It is an amazing program and to think that Abby was involved in such an incredible journey for Saint.  When he is ready to graduate from the Guide Dog School and is assigned his or her master, Abby will be invited to the graduation ceremony and will be able to meet the person who will be Saints companion.  So, that was the sad news.  The happy news is that Abby was given permission by her parents to take another puppy to train.  She is very excited.  I'm hoping to get a picture this evening when her new black lab puppy is delivered.  Very exciting times for Abby and the Gertson family.

Picture of Abby saying "goodbye" to her constant companion for the past year.  We will all miss Saint but recognize that he will be doing an amazing service to a human being who will rely on him for their eyes.

Maren's 44th birthday

Maren celebrated her 44th birthday by going to breakfast with her dad.  Neal said it was a wonderful time for the two of them and he said he felt closer to Maren than he ever has.  They had an incredible visit with each other.  When Neal got home I asked him if he had given Maren something for her birthday and he said, "Yes, I took her to breakfast."  Somehow I didn't feel like that was quite enough so I went up to REI and got her a gift certificate and then to Brown Floral.  I picked out a plant and attached the REI gift card with it and had it delivered to her for her birthday.  We love you Maren and wish you a happy, happy 44th year!

A letter from Mallory

Mallory sends amazing letters home each week.  But as I read this one, I was amazed at this beautiful woman who is giving 18 months of her life to her Heavenly Father.  I know that she is keeping all of her letters home but I just had to post this one.  What an amazing woman she is and what an amazing missionary!  She titled her letter, "The Best Kept Secret".

"Helaman 10: 4-5
4  Blessed art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people.  And thou hast not feared them, and has not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments.
5  And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever;  and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will.

Missionary work truly is the best kept secret.  As the transfer was ending this week and 4 of our district members are going home, I've been thinking a lot.  Monday was our final district meeting and the last time I'll see those going home.  I feel like I need a different word than 'bittersweet', but I haven't found one.  13 short weeks ago I never could have guessed how much my district of Elders would impact me.  Sure they're goofy and obnoxious sometimes, but I've learned so much from them.  I've learned to laugh more when I make a mistake, and to let the little things go.  To work so hard all day but have fun while doing it.  They may not remember me, but I'll never forget this district.  It wasn't a coincidence that we all stayed together for two transfers, the Lord knew I needed them.  So, instead of being sad that they're leaving I'm going to be happy that I had the pleasure of working with them to build the kingdom of God.

As for me, I'll be staying in Franklin!  What a tender mercy!  Franklin definitely has my heart and I can't believe I get to stay!  I strive everyday to find those in this area who are ready for the gospel, and after 13 weeks I haven't found them yet.  And its been hard.  This is where the 'best kept secret' comes into play.  A lot of the time when we talk about missionary work it's only the positives.  Things are great, you have tons of people to teach, and they're lining up outside the font!  Right?  Unfortunately, that's not so is most cases.  We work all day, talk to everyone, knock on door after door, and it's 98 degrees outside (also here in the South even the shade is hot, it's in the air and you can't really escape it).  Some people show interest but in reality they're just polite Southern people.  Sometimes it's hard.  But we don't dwell on that.  We don't talk about all the tears of lost investigators and fervent prayers to find anyone that will listen.  Those are just the 'behind the scenes'.  And I wouldn't trade any second of it.  It's not always like that.  We do have fun and meet some really amazing people.  Sometimes I can't believe I'm actually a missionary!  It will hit me when we are walking down a road with no sidewalks or shoulder in the lovely Tennessee humidity, helping out at a little Baptist church, and walking up to anyone to talk about Jesus Christ.  I can't think of a greater joy than sharing the gospel with everyone!  I've been blessed so much as a missionary, having my testimony strengthened beyond what I ever thought, and loving complete strangers the way the Savior does.  I literally think my heart will burst, I can't fit any more love in there!

No matter how hard it gets, how much my heart aches for these people, I'll always love every second.  I know that no effort is wasted, and if I don't baptize a bunch of people at least I've planted seeds.  Some day, whether in this life or the next, someone will harvest those seeds and bring others unto Christ.  that's what this is all about, bringing souls to Christ.  And I'm so privileged to help!  How great is my calling?!

I hope at the end of the day I can be like Nephi in Helaman 10.  Unwearyingness is such a great word.  the footnotes say that it's dedication, dependability, and steadfastness.  that's the kind of missionary I want to be!  Working with unwearyingness all day, everyday!  God is good and is at the head of this great work!

Love y'all!

Sister Gertson

A few more pictures from our trip

Jamie is always a good person to talk with.  I love our times when we can just visit uninterrupted.  I love to pick her brain about family and life.  She is like a human lantern for me, illuminating the better way.  She seems to always the light when I feel like I'm tripping around in the dark.  She is never short on simple pragmatic solutions.  No matter what I want to talk about she never conveys shock at anything.  She is amazing.  Thank you Jamie for all my therapeutic conversations.  I love you!

 "We all have a 'today' to live, and the key to making our day successful is to be willing to sacrifice.  Sacrifices we make for others, and that others make for us, result in blessings for all."
Elder Taylor G. Godoy

Golfing

Tucker, Neal, Jordyn Lyn and I decided to go golfing this morning.  We piled in the car at 7:00 a.m. and headed out to the Sherwood golf course for nine holes.  We had a really fun time and were back home by noon.  Here are some fun pictures:

 On the way back from golfing we stopped at one of the fruit stand along the way and bought some plums, peaches, pineapple and pistachios.

I'm doing this a little backwards.  I should have posted last nights activities first.  Last night we played some games and had such a fun evening.  Picture of Neal and I (well Neal) watching the Sunday golf game.

For Father's Day dinner Jamie fixed salmon, vegetables, baked potatoes and I made rolls and we also had brownies.  It was a delicious dinner!  Happy Father's Day Neal and Tucker!

 After dinner we played some Foosball and Neal and I about wet our pants we were laughing so hard.  Neal and Tucker were on one team and Peyton and I on the other.  Whenever the ball got down to mine and Neal's end of the game board the play certainly slowed down to senior citizen pace.  It really made us all laugh.  When the ball was on Tucker and Peyton's end it was a fast battle.

 This is the group of us playing Shanghi.  FYI = I won!!

 I actually had to post this picture because I it is probably one of few pictures taken of me that I like!  Believe me, they are few and far between.

My new project

Just had to post the beginning of my new project.  You notice again that it is an Americana theme.  I do seem to gravitate to them.  This one will be a challenging one because some of the stitching is done in two threads over two and some in two threads over one.  It will be interesting to see how it works out.

 Just getting started on Father's Day, June 17th.  This little guy is on the front of the ship, center of the picture.

The Dance Recital

We spent all day Saturday over at the high school auditorium watching our three beautiful g..d dance abilities in the two years since we saw them dance last.  We loved every moment of the 6 hours we were there.  It was amazing.
These are the pictures I have right now and I think I will have a couple more to post after Jamie goes through her pictures.  This is the program that Jamie designed.  It was amazing.  

Some pictures after the recital ended.  Tucker, Jamie and the girls

 Jamie and the teachers and crew who were part of putting the whole production together.

 I took this picture of Tucker helping the guys roll up the $5,000 covering that had to be put over the stage floor for the girls to dance on.

Post Candy Making

Jamie and the girls came in just as the boys were finishing the candy making.  All tasted and loved them.  We sat in the front room and visited before going to bed.  I was so fun to actually have a little time with Jamie.  I'm anxious for Sunday and Monday to spend more time with all of them.

Tucker caught another picture of his dad sleeping!

A fun picture of Jamie with her face mask.  Dang, she still looks cute!

 Picture of the three dancers as they were leaving for their dance recital.  cute girls.

 Just having some fun with the camera

 Picture of the finished candy.

Making Candy

Apparently this has been a long time goal of Tuckers to learn how to make candy with Neal.  They had such a fun evening together laughing and talking.  It made me happy to see them having so much fun together.  Here are some pictures:

They ended up making about two dozen cashew turtles and a dozen chocolate covered caramels and some plain caramels.  They all ended up delicious!!