Some things are worth waiting for

We have been teaching a most wonderful young lady since July and yesterday, Jan. 24 she was baptized. Amber, who is 11 yrs old, and her parents have been faithfully making progress in the gospel since we first contacted them. Both Virgena and Richard were members, but had been inactive for many years. Neither were they married. So we had a lot of hurdles to surmount, and they had many things to change as well.

One by one those problems have been resolved, repented off, and corrected. They were married last month, and Richard prepared to be worthy to baptize Amber. Amber has been the one consistent shining light. Anyone would be thrilled to have such a wonderful daughter. She has been ready for baptism for several months, but waited patiently for her father to be able to baptize her. It was a thrill to see that happen yesterday.

Last Sunday all three of them were speakers in Sacrament meeting. Amber went first, and of course, she had never given a talk before to such a large group, but she did it with confidence and poise. She told about learning the gospel, and reading the Book of Mormon stories. She told the story of Lehi's dream and the tree of life. Then she shared her testimony. She did all of that without a single note. It was wonderful. She also told her parents several months ago that she wanted to be a missionary some day. I am sure this may happen, as they continue on God's path.

Both of her parents have completed either listening, and/or reading all of the Book of Mormon and we feel that this was a great impetus strengthening their testimonies. The Lord has truly blessed them and us.

Ganado Branch History Project

Yep, it's the English teacher coming out in me! I've asked the branch to write about their spiritual journey in life, and what they've learned from those experiences. Next Friday, Jan. 30 is their deadline, and I've had pretty good results with at least 6 early birds, who have their stories and photos in all ready. That is really encouraging.

As a reward for those meeting deadline, the sister missionaries are helping us put together a Chinese New Years buffet next Friday, and we'll all have a chance to share some of our experiences while enjoying great food.
Sister Dille ran a catering business for 40 years, so she is a Godsend in this endeavor, as I'm spending a lot of time writing, prodding, scanning, etc.

I gave the initial presentation about the project on the 5th Sunday in Nov. via a power point slide show. At the Christmas party, I did a shortened version of that, and was able to contact about 50 more new people. Then on the first of Jan. I pulled in all the ones who were at church, and presented it again during Sunday School class. I also gave two writing workshops, and then started going house to house doing the presentations to those I'd missed. I still haven't cornered everyone, but I gave it my best shot. If I hadn't had such a banged up knee we would have done a lot more. I hope the Holy Ghost will keep bugging them for me. I'm counting on that.
My goal is to get layout all done in Feb. and get it published in March, and have it ready to distribute before we leave in April. I hope it will be a valuabe treasure, and remind them about the things they need to "remember."

Chapters will include: Placement participants, Ganado branch memories, Ganado area information, Missionaries, and then family histories. I've been calling and e-mailing everyone I can track down who may have worked here over the past 30 years. The internet has also provided some amazing information. I even found an etching at the BYU art museum done my Mahonri Young entitled Baling Hay in Ganado. It was done in 1917, and I suspect it was sketched next door at the Hubbell trding post. There is an old hay baler there, that might have been the one in the pix. I've got a bit more research to do regarding that.

Also discovered that Steve Young made two separate trips down here to talk to kids at Ganado High School. Found out who all our past mission presidents were, one being the illustrious J Ballard Washburn from Page, Az who is a Blanding boy made good. For years he was a doctor at Page, Az but is especially remembered for his kindness to the Navajos, which is what I hope to be remembered for also. He is a great example. More later.. on this endeavor.

Monthly Fall: or "As the World Slips"

Yup, I did it again. It was just a month ago today, that I fell and cracked my ribs, then last Satuday on the 10th, I slipped on our icey steps and traumatized my left knee. Luckily, I had ahold of the railing, and didn't fall forward -- just landed hard with all my weight (of which is is plenty) on my left leg. Even though we were just leaving, I turned around and went right to bed, and my nice husband, packed my knee in snow (in a plastic bag) and he went to the baby shower alone. What a trooper!
I have fortunately been very blessed, and today (Tuesday, the swelling and most of the pain is gone, and it really feels pretty good. I may be back "Sweatin' to the Oldies" soon. I had just finished a near perfect week with Richard, and was feeling pretty motivated.

I am still having pretty painful hip pain on the left side, and broke down and went to a chiropractor today in Window Rock. He gave me several exercises to do, so I hope I am feeling nearly normal again by next week. I have a huge publishing project to pull together before we leave, and I need to be able to sit at the comptuer without pain. More about this in the next posting.

Tender mercies--daily blessings: Corey heads to College

Corey and his sister Nisha work on scholarship applications

It is amazing how often the Lord blessed us, in so many ways--big and little. One recent experience shows how his hand prepares and blesses his children. On January 5, Steve had a dental appointment in Blanding, and we also made arrangements to take Corey Wauneka up to CEU/San Juan Campus at the same time. We were to leave Sunday after church, so we could get there before dark.


You can see the kind of young man Corey is, by his friendly countenance.
That morning there was about 2 inches of new snow on the ground, and by the end of church there were 4 more inches. Go, or not?? That was the dilemma. I called the missionaries in Chinle, and they reported no snow storm there, so we felt roads would be clear once we dropped down past Chinle. That proved true, which was a great blessing. Who likes to travel on snow packed roads?!

Corey's mom and sister also went up with us. Just as we drove up to our home, Rob, Kathryn and Ethan met us, with fixings for a delicious turkey dinner. We had a great time visiting, eating and playing games. Boy, was there a lot of snow in Blanding, and it took forever for our house to warm up. We then went over to visit the Carrolls, as Bishop and Diane had generously consented to let Corey live with them this semester. We are so thankful for their kindness and hope it will be a good experience for all.

The next morning the Pincocks fed us a delicous full course breakfast at 7 AM, and got us off on a good start. Corey was first in line to finalize his registration, and Dennis Bradford gave him lots of good advice. Right across the hall he met with Pam Hosler, who squared him up with the last of the scholarships he needed to send off. By the time we got finished there, there were all kinds of kids lined up, up and down the hall. He quickly got in to see Charles Lyman next door, to get the loan for books, and his dorm refund. I'm so glad Charles had everything ready, and had already ordered the $500 book check, which came the very next day, so Corey was able to repay me for the books we got for him next.

Corey's family in Ganado, getting ready to head out to Blanding

It seemed like everything just fell into place that morning. He also got signed up for the computer lab, got a library ID card, met all except one of his teachers. He also met Terri Winder in the writing lab, Bob McPherson, Gail Glover, and the Institute president. He located all of his classes as well, and got to meet the nursing teachers. Nursing is his long range goal.

Then a great surprise, when we went to meet Silvia for lunch at the cafeteria, she had invited all of our home evening group, so we had a wonderful reunion with them during lunch. Luckily, Steve hadn't had to have deadening on his dental appointment, so he was even able to eat with us. Steve was also able to go visit is good friend Ardell Ostergaard. We next made a quick trip to the credit union to set up his account, and then to Alco, and then dropped Corey off at Carrolls, and were headed back to the Rez.

I felt so thankful all the way home, knowing Corey was in good hands, and that he felt excited and confident in starting his college career. I know his mom and sister were also relieved to see what a friendly, and helpful campus CEU/SJC is, and knowing he will have people to help him. We are so hopeful, that he will continue to grow in the gospel, and prepare to serve a mission. His patriarcal blessing is very direct about that goal. He is such a good person, and we hope the gospel light continues to rub off on his parents and siblings. He is the only member in his family. Our little branch is really going to miss his friendly smile and helpfulness but we know this is a good decision.