Week 8 & 9 Idaho Nampa Mission

Well, it has been 2 weeks since my last report. Time is flying by and we are now in our 3^rd month.  Things in the mission are running smoothly (knock on wood) as the snow has now melted and the Elders and Sisters can get out and about.  Hopefully, the utility bills will start going down as the weather has taken a turn for the better.  Sister Waller and I were at lunch the other day and looked out the window and saw a fat red robin sitting in a tree, at the time there was still lots of snow. I think maybe his wires were crossed but low and behold, the weather has made a turn for the better.  Sure hope this sunny weather continues for a while, as it is nice to dry out!

                                                              Baptism day everyone is happy.

                                                                       Snowmeggedon!!!

                                                                          Short study time! Elder Mata & Shoemaker

                                              Companion frustration with being in lock down during Snowmeggedon.

                                       Sister Helm puttting on a happy face.  Notice the frozen quail.

Sharon made a quick trip to SLC for the baptism of Evangline, our granddaughter.  She turned 8 and was baptized on the 4^th of February, by her father.  Sharon gave a talk on the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and from comments I heard, it was great.  She always does a wonderful job on speaking.  Unfortunately, while there, she was sick and had to go into the Doctors and received some IV fluids. They have placed her on a Fodmap diet thinking she might have IBS.  So out goes all the wheat products and dairy.  It has been difficult for me with this new diet, finding things I like to eat, but we will make the change so she feels good.

I am finding out that the financial part of my job is the easiest and the housing is a big pain.  I am lucky to have E/S Moomey to assist in the housing department.  I also have two other couples that do inspections and help with moves, but finding housing facilities can be difficult.

The President has asked me to prepare a Zone conference presentation on Temples; we are getting ready to have the Elders and Sisters teach members how to invite their friends and neighbors to the Meridian Temple Open house this coming October/November.  So, I am learning again the Power Point features and using videos and pictures to make it interesting, just part of office work.

Hope this finds all well and looking forward to an early spring.

E/S Waller, Chuck & Sharon, Mom & Dad, Bama & Bampa

Week 7

Idaho Nampa Mission

It is amazing ow fast the weeks are flying by in the mission.  It seems we wake up and go to the office and the next thing I know it's time to write about the week. We had a World Wide broadcast this week to all missionaries.  Elder Oakes, Bednar, Andersen spoke from the missionary coordinating council, they spoke a lot on the missionary purpose ( to bring others unto Christ), and how to accomplish that goal.  They then went over some new policy change with regards to missionary hours.  Finally they talked about the key indicators and changes in the reporting of key indicators. For those not familiar with the key indicators; there were 9 indicators that missionaries report back to SLC every week.  These have now refined down to 4; Baptism and confirmation, new investigators, number investigators attending sacrament meeting and investigators with baptismal date.  Since I am the one that has to make sure all the key indicators are reported each week, this will make my job easier.

We were to attend the Temple on Thursday with the Mid group of missionaries. those that were half way through their mission, but Sharon came down sick and we had to miss. On Wednesday I had to give a presentation to the Mia Maids in the Ward on scriptures and how we can find answers to our everyday problems by continually reading.  I was able to give a few examples of how the scriptures can be related to our every day problems, when we are taught by the spirit.  In preparing, I was reminded of how I need to continue to memorize scriptures.  It has always been helpful to have scriptures in the back of my mind

One of my favorite scriptures is in D&C 50:24;
"That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light and continueth in God; receiveth more light, and that light grows brighter and brighter until the perfect day."

May you all have a wonderful happy week.


E/S Waller, Bama and Bampa, Mom and Dad, Chuck and Sharon

Week 6

Idaho Nampa Mission

Like all weeks in the mission, this one has flown by with constant changes in all departments. We again are fighting the weather as more snow and ice   continues to invade the area.  Traffic has been extremely hazardous and we have encouraged the missionaries to keep a low profile, not venturing out.  They are getting bored though with all the closures and limited driving.

I helped in emptying an apartment, it was a poor place to have Elders living, so I was not disappointed that they closed the area.  Th elders sure can accumulate stuff.  They had a treadmill, stationary bicycle and lots of weights.  Sure makes it hard when you have to move all that stuff.  But we made it just before the storm hit with the help of some Elders.  I drove the office truck and enclosed trailer, sure was hard to back up on icy slick roads though and our storage shed is getting full.

This next week we will start having our 6 week Zone Conferences, so we will probably have lots of missionaries coming into the office.

I was able over the week end to fly to Seattle and attend Bud’s funeral (my half-brother). My brother Pat met me at the airport, as he flew up from Phoenix and we enjoyed the time together. The funeral was long but the memories shared were worth the time. Bud’s wife Jackie sure is a trooper and is already serving a CSM in her stake with the military.

I was unable to attend Lora Bailey’s funeral in Moses Lake.  It would have been difficult getting over the pass in Washington as the weather was bad all over. I want to send my deepest condolences to Brent and his family.

While sitting in the terminal waiting for my delayed flight to Seattle.  I was able to watch some of the inauguration and saw our good friend Lori Bikhazi Meldrum in the choir. They did a wonderful job and the music was uplifting.

Well hope everyone is doing well and staying warm.

Love to all

Lori Bikhazi Meldrum

Buddy Leroy Watson

E/S Waller, Chuck & Sharon, Mom & Dad, Bama & Bampa

Week 5 Idaho Nampa Mission

Well this has been a difficult week.  We have had to fight the bad weather, with lots of snow and ice.  The roads have been terrible and I-84 has been a night mare with closures for pothole repairs.  The sub divisions are getting a little better in our are, but Nampa and Caldwell still are buried.

This has also been a sad week for our family.  Bud Watson, my older half brother, passed away. He has suffered greatly over the last year or so and is finally are rest.  We of course are sad to see Bud leave us but know in our hearts he is happy.  He was a great example of quiet humility and Christ like behavior.

We also lost a dear friend in Sister Lora Bailey from Moses lake, Washington.  She and her husband Brant have been good friends for years.  Our children all remember Lora as a elementary teacher, her kind and positive attitude.  Our hearts go out to Brent and the family.

Sisters Helm, Jensen, Sorensen, Shurtleff

The mission continues tomove forward.  We have had a few hickups, car wrecks, over the last couple of weeks but no one injured.  The jobs Sharon and I are doing, are coming into focus and we are feeling more at home each day.  Sometimes new task arise that requires help, but the Salt Lake hot line is always available. It is always fun to be around the Elders and Sisters, they bring a lot of life into the mission.

We recieved some new missionaries last week and had our transfers.  Transfers were dificult due to the bad weather, but eventually we got everyone in the right area.  The new missionaries arrived on Tuesday; Elders Villalobos, Romero, Anderson, and Sisters Fong, Hymas.

Sisters Hymas, Fong, Elders Anderson, Romero & Villalobos

Well that is it for this week, hope everyoe is warmer than we are.

E/S Waller, Chuck & Sharon, Mom & Dad, Bama & Bampa

Week 4

Idaho Nampa Mission

This has been an extremely cold week. We missed Wednesday do to bad weather. We were

unable to get out of the sub division do to snow. Even with chains on driving was difficult for

small cars. The temperature was in the low teens and on Friday it was -10 on the way to work,

warming to a balmy 9 for a high of the day.

The office continues to be a learning area as, new problems arise that require seeking help from

some source. Usually I call Salt Lake City and they are very helpful in giving direction. I missed

the meeting that happens before the next transfer, which happens tomorrow. So I am out of the

loop when it comes to the housing. But there are no fires that need to be put out that I can tell,

at this time.

Friday evening we went to a Ward Luau at the stake center. The missionaries from around the

Zone came together and put on a dinner for the Ward, where the members were to invite

friends. We enjoyed the food and watching them do the hula and Hakka! We were totally

surprised to see Sister Hoyt and MacKenzie doing the hula, they were pretty good!

Saturday was spent getting ready for the next snow storm, the area was put under a severe

winter advisory and so the stores were packed with people get supplies. We had a nice evening

with Scott, Yahiza and Ehylah, watched Seattle beat Detroit. Plus w found out church was

cancelled due to he storm coming.

Sunday was a quiet day doing genealogy. This should be a good week, maybe the weather will

warm up some.

E/S Waller, Bama & Bampa, Mom &, Dad, Chuck & Sharon

                                                    Daily Task

                                                                             Sisters Hoyt & MacKenzie

Snow rainbow

Week 3 Idaho Nampa Mission

 Well it has been a busy week in the office as I continue to learn my duties. We had a great Christmas weekend. The week in the office was slow as we are experiencing some really cold weather. Everyone says that this is sure unusual for the area, but we have been here 6 yrs now an this is the 2nd time we have had a severe weather. The office continues to be a challenge as I am now preparing for the annual audit. Now I have to change all the files and put last years records away. Sharon is doing well with her responsibilities and enjoying meeting all the missionaries when they come into the office.

We got some fit bit's for Christmas. I had order and received two and then saw Sharon searching for one, so I told her not to buy any. She said "to late I already have one and was going to order another". So we returned all 3 and she bought 2 other ones. Now we awake to vibration on our wrist, hourly reminders to get up and walk around. So we walk around the DI warehouse every hour for 2-3 laps. We also go over to Karcher Mall across the street and walk it during lunch. Still need to do more, not getting enough exercise.

We have had sone problems with pipes freezing around the mission, so news went out to let the faucets drip a little, hopefully we can prevent some pipe damage. We get enough auto damage with the slick roads, we don't need other cost.

Elder & Sister Bayley have pretty much finished their mission. They were released about 2 weeks early, I think they were a little trunky!! President & Sister Sorensen are really not use to this weather, he won't let her even drive on the roads!

It is always a rewarding experience to be around the young Elders & Sisters. We hate to see them leave and rejoice with the new arrivals. The mission is pretty active with about 4-5 baptism's a month and most missionaries are busy. Some areas are not as productive but over all I think they are having a good experience. We want to to wish everyone a Happy and prosperous New Year.

                   Scripture of the week:
                     "Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak
                    the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon
                    the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all
                    things what ye should do." 2 Nephi 32:3

E / S Waller, Mom & Dad, Bama & Bampa, Chuck & Sharon

                                                 Sister Park from Korea

                                            Elder Moomey and Leota (he is recovering from knee sx)

                                                Elders Rettig & Hamlin

                                                Sisters Layton & Helm

Sisters MacKenzie & Hoyt

Week 2 Idaho Nampa Mission

Bom Dia;

Well this past week has been full of activity around the office.  We held two Zone Conference Christmas get together's and met so many Elders & Sisters it is hard to remember.  We enjoyed wonderful  Christmas program from the talented missionaries.  Elder Medieros played the guitar, extremely well, had a cello solo, violin solo, flute performance and gifted singing.  We even had our own Christmas Bells musical.

Thursday arrived and the Sisters in the office had forgotten to take our Christmas gifts for missionaries who families were unable to send any gifts.  so Elder Bayley and I hopped into the Silverado pickup and made a mad dash to La Grand, Baker, Ontario and Nyssa to deliver Christmas packages.  It was a long day of driving but luckily the roads were clear.  The storm arrived that night.  It was all well worth the trouble to see the faces of Sister Tabeia from Kiribati, Sister Hernandez, and Elder Campos.  Their faces lite up with the gifts they received!

Friday was a slow day at the office as all the Church offices were closed, so Elder & Sister Anderson went to the office to finish up the mail and let the rest of us have an extra 1/2 day off.  We received about 3 inches of snow Thursday evening so it was nice not having to drive over to Nampa.  Then Friday night we received another 3-4 inches on top.  Saturday was busy clean the driveway, sidewalks and putting on chains.. The little Accord was no match for the thick snow even with chains, so it was stay inside and watch football!!!!!

Saturday night the children came over and we had a wonderful Christmas eve dinner and small program.  Everyone wore their pajamas and we had a short but fun evening.  soon it was time for all the grand children to head off to bed so home they went.  Sunday, Christmas day arrived nice and clear but cold.  We had a wonderful Sacrament meeting with lots of music.  It was nice to see everyone at church.  The children were excited to head home to open packages.  I think I like having Christmas day on the Sabbath, it just feels right.  Later that afternoon we went over to Scoot & Yahiza's to see what Ehylah got for Christmas.  Were able to have a short Face time with Maiclinn and Meliah, they looked happy and grown up. My how the children grow.  we then headed over to Alisha's for soup and White Christmas exchange.

Monday arrived crystal clear skies and freezing temperatures. The office is closed to day and so we get to kind of hang out cleanup and prepare for a busy week.  This will be Elder and Sister Bayley's last week, I think they are excited to be finishing the mission.  So Sharon and I have to garner all the wisdom we can in the short week.

We want to wish all our friends and their families a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I am sure 2017 will bring lots of new adventures. Love to all!

E/S Waller, Mom & Dad, Bama & Bampa, Chuck & Sharon

Elders Ainsworth and Lamb Christmas Music in the Office

                                                              President & Sister Sorensen

                                                             Elders Anderson & Ah Sue AP's

                                                      New way to be shipped Home!!