Working Remotely

 Note: I thought I posted this one on September 14th 🤪 - the pace of the mission is like a bullet train ride.

Dear Friends and Family,

For the past two weeks, I’ve been in Colorado and Arizona hanging out with some really sweet grandkids and their parents. Thanks to Lindsey and Hillary for having Rudy and Everett (both born in August 11 days apart) and providing me a little mission vacation. And by vacation, I mean playing with Josh and Jane, cooking, and doing whatever our daughters wanted me to do for them. Their families are a joy to be around. I’ve had such a good time getting to know these new grandsons, playing with the two-year-old set, pulling weeds with Josh (he's good for one weed and is also a good mimic), keeping up with Jane's energy, visiting with Newel, Hillary, Ammon, and Lindsey, and taking in the dry heat of the West. 

Elmer covered our assignments including stake conferences in Holland and Lansing. He also interviewed about two-thirds of our missionaries without me by his side.  He kept on schedule (sort of - see last photo), ate healthy (salmon and kale mostly), and was not found wandering the streets of Lansing lost and alone. We are grateful! 😅 I did get many messages and photos from the missionaries pleading for me to come back asap.

Love you all,

Elmer & Amy


While in Colorado, I got to go to church with our friends, Afton and Marc Reid, who were the only senior couple in the mission when we arrived in 2020. They came out on a Spanish-speaking assignment and served in the Grandville Branch until the pandemic. Then they were needed to keep the mission office up and running in East Lansing. They are such an example to us! Love them.

Hillary and baby Everett

The Mecham Family - Josh is not really available for family photos at this stage in his life. 😆 The second one has my vote for family Christmas card photo.

Josh the Shark

Everett!

Josh will pose for a photo with me, because I am pretty much his favorite. ☺️

With Everett


Jane is preparing for her future appearance on American Ninja Warrior

Jane



With Jane in Phoenix

With Rudy

The Bennion Family

Rudy getting out and about with Lindsey

Miriam and Barb (Elmer's sisters) were so kind to bring dinner, and we loved visiting with them. We are so thankful for our wonderful family!

Jane - kicking back at the public library
Kristen Sweeney and Michelle Wright (if you can't tell they are mother and daughter 🤩) also came for a visit with Michelle's twins, Lo and Maggie. What dear friends!

Our sister-in-law, Anita Heap, sent this great photo of Gavin and Marnie with Uncle David and Aunt Janis. The Rowberrys may be the most popular and loved couple in Provo as they have looked after all their grandkids, nephews, and nieces who are in school in Utah. They are amazing!

My idea of a successful family photo is one where over half the people are looking in the same direction. Andrew, Stacy, and kids are crushing it!

Lucy is 2! And Stacy made this cake (just bragging about her).


When I was in Colorado, Elmer walked the Mackinac Bridge on Labor Day - 10-mile round trip - with the Sault Ste Marie District (missionaries who serve in Petoskey, Cheybogan, and Sault Ste Marie). The Mackinac Bridge spans the Straits of Mackinac, where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron meet, connects the Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula, and is the longest suspension bridge between anchorages in the Western Hemisphere. 

I had an assignment at the Grand Rapids Stake's Women's Conference. When I had to leave town to be with our new grandsons, Sister Richins and Sister McNeill covered my assignment doing a much better job than I would dream of doing. The stake Relief Society President reported that their presentation was the most attended along with the presentation on family history. Gathering Israel really is the most exciting, greatest thing happening on earth.

Elder Elliott, President Heap, Elder Call, and Elder Sargent - Saying goodbye to Elder Carter Call who has the biggest heart and loves all the missionaries. We will miss him and are so grateful for his service in the Michigan Lansing Mission.

Overheard at Kalamazoo Zone Interviews (via Messenger Voice Message): "Sister Heap, please come back soon! It's just not the same without you here even though we are happy you are with your family. We are sending our love!" Also it appears that at least three companionships are waiting for President Heap to get back on schedule. 😁


Comments

  1. Hillary MOctober 14, 2022 at 12:38 PM

    You are Josh's favorite! He still talks about pulling weeds with you. And I seriously think your second photo of our family will be our Christmas card this year. 😂🤦

    ReplyDelete

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