Is It Spring Yet?

In one word--NO. The calendar notes Spring started yesterday--but it lies! It has snowed most of the day. Elder Mendenhall can't hang up his snow shovel yet.

This picture from our balcony is a view of Spring in Chicagoland. Looks more like winter to me.

Hmmm, I think we are getting a lesson in patience.

Terrific Talbots in Iowa

President and Sister Talbot invited us to attend and teach at their March zone conferences. Elder Schooff, Area Seventy, was presiding. We traveled to West Des Moines on Monday and stayed at the mission home.

The Tuesday conference was held in a church only a few blocks away. It is difficult to describe the love and admiration we feel for the Talbots. What great people of faith and devotion! We enjoy meeting the elders and sisters, some of whom Elder Mendenhall has given medical advice. We shook hands with all the missionaries. They really are changing the eternities for good.

Tuesday evening we traveled about two hours to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Downtown Cedar Rapids is home to a large Quaker Oats plant. We drove past the manufacturing plant along with three other lanes of traffic going our way and four lanes going the opposite direction. Huge cement silos were in front and in back of the plant. As we drove by, the air permeated with the smell of oatmeal! I couldn't help but think of Quaid because he's loving called "Quaker Oats" by Pat.

The Wednesday zone conference was especially spiritual. Prelude music in the chapel gave us the opportunity to reflect and ponder the majesty of heaven. Sister Talbot shared the Easter story with the 12 eggs like we have done in our family for years.

After each of the conferences, Elder Mendenhall examined and gave advice to missionaries. We have a lot of dictation to catch up on.

The drive back to Chicago was relaxing. We drove along the flight pattern for migrating geese. Waves of geese made us feel like Spring was on its way.

Good Friends, Good Food

We were excited to see Kim and Sheila Anderson in Chicago. Kim was attending hospital meetings. We met on Tues., March 11 for a scrumptious dinner in the city.

We dined at the Lux. It is owned by the same company as The Cheesecake Factory. Oh my, were our dinners delish! Doc had salmon prepared three different ways. I had the pan-roasted chicken and it was divine. Visiting and getting caught up with the Andersons was even better.

I guess we've found another "favorite" place to dine in Chicago.

After dinner, we walked back to Ogilvie Transportation Center and caught the 8:40 p.m. Metra back to Lombard. Twilight was beautiful and it was a grand way to end the evening--strolling among the lighted skyscrapers.

"Let Them Eat Cake" --Marie Antoinette or Martha Stewart

Hippy Hoppity, Easter's on its way! At least that's what the dessert looked like that we took to the Senior Family Home Evening last night.

The first Monday of each month, President and Sister Roach host the senior missionaries for a great potluck dinner, lesson and socialization.

The three-layered cake was a hit. I used strawberry, lemon and vanilla dyed green as my cake layers.

Elder Mendenhall and I taught an Easter lesson. I used the filled Easter eggs that contained the scriptures of Christ's Crucifixion and small items representing the incidents. It worked out well because we have exactly 12 people (not including Doc and I) who went on the hunt for the 12 eggs. They opened and read their scriptures contained in the eggs in order. Elder Mendenhall read from Cleon Skousen's account of the resurrection and the empty tomb.

It was Elder and Sister Randall's last get together. They finish their 18-month mission the end of March. They concluded the FHE with their sweet testimonies.

A grand time was had by all.

It's hard to believe but we had just started our mission last Easter. I remember listening to Elder Robert Oaks deliver a stirring Easter lesson surrounded by all the mission presidents and their wives. How we have grown to love and admire them. How we have grown spiritually with the experiences of our mission.

Oh Baby, It's Cold Outside

This cartoon really applies to Chicagoland! It may be "Springtime in the Rockies," but it's just plain cold in the Midwest.

The weather is a bit deceiving. The sky is bright blue and sunny, but when you step outside, it's like stepping into a deep freeze. Today the temperature is projected to rise to 48 degrees but go down into the single digits again this week.

It feels like a loooooong, coooooold winter.

Morningside at Pulaski

Yesterday morning, March 1, 2008, we attended a morningside for the missionaries who work in the city. Elder Douglas Callister, a grandson of Elder LeGrand Richards, from the Second Quorum of the Seventy was visiting a Chicago Stake and asked to speak to the missionaries first.

We arrived at 8 a.m. The meeting was to start at 8:30 a.m. The missionaries were all seated in the chapel. We sang hymns until Elder Callister and President and Sister Roach entered the chapel. I just can't adequately explain how beautiful the hymns of Zion sound when sung by missionaries. The Spirit touched all of us.

During the two-hour meeting, Elder Callister didn't use a single note. He quoted Shakespeare and told faith boosting experiences. Elder Callister said one of the characteristics the Lord looks for when choosing His leaders is not the number of baptisms, not likeability, not the offices they have held in the church; but rather the Lord wants those who are absolutely obedient. He also said the Lord keeps his eye of the ones who find joy in serving. He said the Lord has a mission for all of us to do. We were all held back to come to the earth now. He told us to be noble. He said, "Father remembers you and has a great work for you."

Other key points he stressed included to be a master of your language whether it is English or Spanish. He said to become a master of the message. Elder Bruce R. McConkie would take a subject and prepare a talk about it as he walked to and from college. He could give a talk on any gospel subject at a moments notice because he continually mastered the message. He also counseled the missionaries to strengthen the church. He challenged us to see our companion as God sees him or her. He said perhaps the most important work you do is through or for your companion.

President and Sister Roach also gave inspiring talks about work and service.

We left feeling spiritually fed.