Last Saturday we traveled to an all West Virginia Seminaries and Institutes yearly training in a little town 144 miles NE from us called Sutton. This was what was probably the center of the State so we all came together there. As we drove there we crossed many bridges of every size and structure you could imagine. Because of the hills, valleys, streams, rivers and train tracks, there are bridges all over. Going thru Charleston alone we crossed the Kanawha River multiple times and these bridges are huge, a real engineering marvel. Some are really old metal and some are newer concrete. Most of these bridges are named for war veterans with posted plaques at each entrance. It was actually very interesting.
The S/I training was really great. We were taught a wonderful concept from Elder Kim Clark regarding Alma 49:1-8. Here we read about the Nephites preparing for the Lamanites. Nephi had taught the Nephites how to fortify themselves in a way that had never been known among the children of Lehi to protect themselves against the adversary to the uttermost astonishment of the Lamanites. This, as Elder Clark says is the way we need to teach our Gospel learners and our families to be prepared for the adversary in their lives. Each of us should be in a constant state of Recovering, Rebuilding, and Reinforcing our lives and that of our families thru our Faith in Jesus Christ.
Yesterday we attended both Huntington Wards. In Huntington 1st ward we had the opportunity to speak (on the fly I might add) in Sacrament meeting. One of the scheduled speakers called in sick so as we walked in we got the assignment. I spoke on this seminary meeting we had just had the day before and encouraged the members to enroll their young people in Seminary and Institute. Pat spoke on Faith in Jesus Christ. We are getting more comfortable with these opportunities. Although I have decided to have a few printed talks in my purse just in case.
Life is good here. The trees are lush and green and the humidity is high but I am dealing with it. Fortunately the air conditioning works great in our comfortable yet very small apartment.
We love you all and love seeing all the family and friends visits, via Facebook, to the Tucson Temple. It's all so exciting. Tucson is blessed.
Almost Heaven, Traynors
Monday, June 19, 2017
Tuesday, June 13, 2017
Our literacy learners
In the past we had reported that we had completed our training to be qualified and certified as tutors for the Tri-State Literacy Council. Well we have been assigned our "learners" that we will be working with and teaching. Our lesson time is about an hour each week and we meet at the Huntington Public Library. We have lesson preparation time each week before the lessons.
Our learners are very nice fellows that have some real challenges. Pat's learner Keith is a 42 year old fellow on medical disability that is a very pleasant guy who is eager to learn, but he has significant reading comprehension challenges.
My learner Antoine, is in his late thirties and received a gunshot to the head 12 years ago. The damage done is hard to reverse and learning is difficult. He is very willing to try and work hard so I hope to help him stay positive and want to keep coming.
I am amazed at the people that have such struggles in their lives. Times are hard here in West Virginia and finances are tight for many people here.
On to a new topic. Huntington Stake had a wonderful Seminary Graduation last Sunday evening. Pat was one of the speakers and I was asked to do refreshments. Who didn't guess that. The evening went well with more people attending than they were expecting, although hoping for. Fortunately Sam's club came through again with cakes and fruit and Frape.
On the home front. Darian graduated from High School Saturday night. Brian and Natalie flew up to be with him along with David. Brian is getting the boys set up in an apartment and both boys will work as well as get into college in the fall.
Matt and Ann's group are doing well. Sarah, Jason and Nicole got to participate in the Idaho Temple Cultural Celebration and Matt has helped out as an usher for the open house. Matt's business, Premier Eye Care of Eastern Idaho, has been building a new office building and it is just about ready to move into. Pull it up on the computer, it is beautiful.
William had his UCLA graduation for his Pediatric specialization. He will finish up in California at the end of July.
Emily and Erik have some exciting news. They will add to their little family in early December. The whole family is excited to have a new baby and they are waiting to find out the gender at the birth. Our hope is that we can go at Christmas time, but as we are getting a new mission President in July we will have to wait to ask permission to get to go.
Annie and Greg have exciting news too. However their's is because they bought a new home and are thrilled to move at the end of July and have some much needed additional space.
We miss all of you, our family and friends. However we love these folks here too and are thankful for this opportunity to serve at this time.
Our Testimonies of the Gospel of Jesus Christ are strengthened each day as we study and prepare for our Institute classes. We love the fine Young Single Adults that we work with and they teach us so much.
Almost Heaven, Traynors
Our learners are very nice fellows that have some real challenges. Pat's learner Keith is a 42 year old fellow on medical disability that is a very pleasant guy who is eager to learn, but he has significant reading comprehension challenges.
My learner Antoine, is in his late thirties and received a gunshot to the head 12 years ago. The damage done is hard to reverse and learning is difficult. He is very willing to try and work hard so I hope to help him stay positive and want to keep coming.
I am amazed at the people that have such struggles in their lives. Times are hard here in West Virginia and finances are tight for many people here.
On to a new topic. Huntington Stake had a wonderful Seminary Graduation last Sunday evening. Pat was one of the speakers and I was asked to do refreshments. Who didn't guess that. The evening went well with more people attending than they were expecting, although hoping for. Fortunately Sam's club came through again with cakes and fruit and Frape.
On the home front. Darian graduated from High School Saturday night. Brian and Natalie flew up to be with him along with David. Brian is getting the boys set up in an apartment and both boys will work as well as get into college in the fall.
Matt and Ann's group are doing well. Sarah, Jason and Nicole got to participate in the Idaho Temple Cultural Celebration and Matt has helped out as an usher for the open house. Matt's business, Premier Eye Care of Eastern Idaho, has been building a new office building and it is just about ready to move into. Pull it up on the computer, it is beautiful.
William had his UCLA graduation for his Pediatric specialization. He will finish up in California at the end of July.
Emily and Erik have some exciting news. They will add to their little family in early December. The whole family is excited to have a new baby and they are waiting to find out the gender at the birth. Our hope is that we can go at Christmas time, but as we are getting a new mission President in July we will have to wait to ask permission to get to go.
Annie and Greg have exciting news too. However their's is because they bought a new home and are thrilled to move at the end of July and have some much needed additional space.
We miss all of you, our family and friends. However we love these folks here too and are thankful for this opportunity to serve at this time.
Our Testimonies of the Gospel of Jesus Christ are strengthened each day as we study and prepare for our Institute classes. We love the fine Young Single Adults that we work with and they teach us so much.
Almost Heaven, Traynors
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