Dinner at Bishop's then VC duty

         We are having dinner at Bishop Munger's home.  Bishop Munger is at the head of the table in front.  We have three sets of Senior Missionaries in our ward.  Elder & Sister Burgess are left of the table.  Elder & Sister Lillywhite are at the end.  Elder Atwood is taking the picture.  Sister Atwood is behind Sister Munger.  Sister Munger is from Cambodia.  She invited all of us for Dinner last Monday evening.  She fixed Chicken & Dumplings and loves to cook.

         These are all the little Mungers.  They ate on the floor.  Makayla is nine, Ket is five, and Zack is 2.  They are full of life!

         After dinner, we went to the VC to substitute.  Sister Jorgensen, the fourth girl from the right with the long blond hair, used to teach this couple sitting on the couch.  He said he would never step foot in the church again, but they were both fans of the Wisconsin football team.  So, they let her visit them.  One week before she was transferred, he came to church.  It's been some time now and they came to visit her at the VC.  She took them thru the tour and asked, how they felt or if they had any questions.  They both pulled out new recommends!  They are going to be sealed in 4 more months.  It was an exciting evening for everyone.  We got to be part of it!!!

         The young sisters sing at the end of the tours.  The sister on the far left is from Las Vegas.  She is a strong girl, but was harassed by a couple just before we got there.  Unfortunately, some people are bitter and unkind about religion.  But, she bore her testimony to them and was a trooper!

        These are two of the Elders we work with in the ward.  Elder Grzan & Elder Hart.  They are teaching this lady, Amy Snow.  She went to the VC with us and the Elders and her son Gavin, who is seven years old.  She enjoyed it.  By the way, I gave her a copy of the Book of Mormon from Lanae Kirkham, with her testimony in it.  She loved the personal message.

Fireside at Liberty Jail

         This is a bank in Liberty.  It is down the street from the Historical Liberty Jail where Joseph Smith was incarcerated.  This is the first bank in the US that was robbed in broad daylight by none other than Jesse & Frank James, Missouri boys.

         This is the outside of Liberty Jail, taken at night.  We attend a bi-monthly fireside here on Sunday evenings and listen to President Keyes and his wife.  We also hear testimonies of recent converts in the area.

         This is the original key to the Liberty Jail when Joseph Smith was held there.  It's on display.  Elder Atwood is taking the picture.  His hands are reflected in the glass.  Oh, well?

         This is one of the six converts who bore his testimony.  He is a student here from China.  He had no idea why he ended up in Kansas City.  But, he was contacted by the missionaries and taught the gospel.  He read the Book of Mormon and tears ran down his cheeks.  When he visited the VC and watched the film about Joseph Smith, he couldn't stop the tears.  Though he wants to learn more, he knows that it is true from the witness of the Holy Ghost.  It was so touching to listen to his humble testimony.  He is also just learning about Jesus Christ and is so humble and feels the truth.  Awesome!

        This lady and her son were also baptized.  She let the missionaries in because she felt sorry for them being ridiculed by neighboring people.  She had been a member of several religions, including Jewish.  When she read and studied the Book of Mormon, she believed it.  She had recognized the prophecy in Ezekiel about two sticks, one for Judah (Bible) and one for Joseph (Book of Mormon.)  She also knew some Hebrew and was fascinated by the truths she learned about how the two books came together.  She studied hard and bore a powerful testimony.  I was very impressed with her knowledge and how it again verified to me that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of Jesus Christ.  This Church is so TRUE!!  I'm reminded every day and it's so comforting to know that we're on the right path!

A side note:  President Keyes told of a Hebrew Linguist who asked to be baptized after reading D&C 113.  He said, Joseph Smith would have quoted that ..."in the name of Jesus Christ."  But, John the Baptist would have quoted it, ..."in the name of Messiah."  So, he believed!

More Historical Sites

         This is the hill where the Battle of the Blue was fought.  It was a skirmish between the Missourians in Jackson County and the Saints.  It is located on this hill above the Blue River, which is in the far background.  During the shooting, two men from Missouri were killed and one Morman was killed.  It was the battle that began the saints being driven from Jackson Co. into Clay county in 1833.  It is located in our Ward boundaries.

         This is inside the Community of Christ's Temple,  It is the spiral leading up to the tower pinnacle.

         This is also inside the C of C Temple, (the Reorganized Church), in the main foyer where flags from each nation are displayed.  They represent the nations where their members are located.

         This is a restored home of Mr. Flournoy, who sold Edward Partridge the 160.3 acres in 1831 for the church.  On this acreage, the temple ground was dedicated and Zion was to be built.  The house has been moved up the street and is now located across from the temple lot.

         This is the Gilbert and Whitney store.  It is still named that today.  It was the location of the old Gilbert store which served as the bishop's storehouse in 1832-33.  It was one of the properties owned by the church back then.

         This is the site of the WW Phelps Printing Office that was leveled to the down to the ground in 1833.  His press was thrown out the window in the second story room and later ended up in Liberty where a Missouri Newspaper used it.  This violent act happened right after Edward Partridge and Charles Allen were tarred & feathered on the town square (across the street.)  for an example to the saints that the mobs meant business!  The Printing Office was located in now what is seen here as the parking lot.  I put the picture in because Levi Hancock remodeled the two story building for the printing office.  Phelps and his family lived in the downstairs.

         This is the Independence Jail on the right.  It was a regular place for Jesse & Frank James who lived in Missouri.  It has a tour etc.  On the left is the place or site where the original jail was built in 1829 and housed Joseph Smith and others.  It was rebuilt in time to house Porter Rockwell when he was waiting for trial for attempting to shoot Governor Boggs.  He pled innocent and was eventually released.  But, the jail is in the same (sort of) place.

         This is the now Kansas City Temple, right off I-435, just west of Liberty.  We went through a session two days ago.  Dad loved the new film.  It is beautiful!  How blessed we are to have temples and the correct way to return as families to our Heavenly Father.  We know that the gospel is true!  The church is the vehicle to carry us back to God's presence if we are dedicated to staying in that vehicle.  The Savior, Jesus Christ, has made it possible to get back in that vehicle if WE CHOOSE.

        This is an area in our ward boundary where the Whitman Settlement was.  The houses are new, but the land is the same rolling hills, trees, meadows, as the early Saints lived in.  Being close by, we see it daily.  Come see us any of you and we'll show you what we've learned in this Historical Paradise.

Sites and Experiences

         This is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints' Visitor Center in Independence.  We call it the VC.  The missionaries often take investigators through this building.  It is well done and a "must see" when visiting Independence.  We will substitute here, but haven't yet.  I am standing on the Temple ground where the corner stones were placed for the Temple that never was built.  All of the seen property and more (63) acres was purchased by Bishop Partridge in 1831 for the church.  At present we own the VC and to the left or east of it and some other land of course.

         This is the first baptism we attended.  These two children were baptized because their loving grandmother (in red coat) took them to church.  She doesn't speak a word of English, but has gone to church for five years just because she loves the feeling there.  Their father is not a member and is on the left.  Elder Kiene (who lives upstairs from us) baptized them.  Elder Everett (standing next to Elder Kiene) is a cousin to Michael and Russell Bird from American Fork.

         This is me at the dest at Historic Liberty Jail.  Elder Atwood and I welcomed visitors as the Young Sisters took them through on the tours.  I put "Historic" because people call to find out if a friend is in the Liberty Jail.  In fact, someone called while were were there, asking if a particular person was in the jail.  I of course had to say, "This is the Historic Liberty Jail."

         This is the Slober family.  They are from Liberia.  They are members.  From left to right: Alice with her son Frances (who wouldn't look at the camera.)  Their two sons, and Brother & Sister Slober.

         This is the parents.  She doesn't speak very much English.  They collect money from other Liberians to help bring individuals to our country from Liberia.  It costs $4800.00 to bring one person into the US.  He came ten years ago.  His family came about five years ago.  They joined the church here.  One son, Augustine, and Alice joined with their parents.

        Brother Slober is 75 years old.  When we asked if we could take his picture, he said yes.  Then he disappeared.  We wondered what happened and if he had understood us.  But, in a few minutes he returned all dressed up in his suit and tie.  He looked great!  It was so cute.

The New Year of 2014

         This is New Year's Eve at our apartment.  Yes, Elder Atwood was sound asleep at 11:30.  No worries, I braved it out till 12:20.  Had to see the New Year come in.

         Our area is probably not as safe as American Fork.  Just down the road from us, on our same street, we witnessed this arrest.  There were five police cars, officers with guns, approaching a car.  One lady emerged from the car with her hands up.  No one else came out.  We don't know what the situation was.  But, every day their are about 10 sirens down out street.

        But, it's worse down town Kansas City.  Here is our church at Riverview Ward.  It's the first time I've seen fences and locked gates around the church building.  But, the people who we've met are so kind and sweet that we know among difficult areas, there are awesome people who are humble children of God. Two teenage converts last night bore their testimonies of their happiness to find the church in their troubled life and environment.  It was touching.  We have so much and sometimes don't even realize the blessings we have of the gospel.

Dinner at President Keyes Home

         We had our Bi-Monthly dinner and fireside at the home of Mission President Keyes.  This is his home.  They had a wonderful dinner for all the Senior Missionaries in the field.  We filled up two rooms of tables and had plenty to eat.

         After dinner the President and his councilor spoke to us.  Elder Haws, one of the Senior missionaries was called to serve as the Executive Secretary.  My picture of him and his wife was too blurry (I'm not used to taking pictures)  Then, we had two sets of missionaries bare their testimony since they are both leaving for home soon.  Elder & Sister Godfrey (above) work at the VC in Independence and Elder & Sister Stevenson (below)  work at the Historic Liberty Jail. They are from Alpine and friends of Dave Paskett.

         We met new couples this night.  This is Elder & Sister Perrish from the area.  He taught at Kansas University and can remember names right after meeting you.  Something I need to learn better.

        This is Elder & Sister Stout MLS missionaries like us.  They are assigned to a small rural branch with only 600 in the town.  She lived at Winter Quarters and he served a mission to Independence years ago with President Keyes.  In fact, President Keyes stayed at her home when he was a young missionary to recoup from illness.  He then, spoke at her mother's funeral just awhile ago.  They were a fun couple to get to know.

Relief Society Board Meeting/Breakfast

         We had a breakfast at the Riverview Ward, Saturday morning.  The RS Board were instructed by the Presidency on their callings and how to do them.  I was privileged to attend and help.  We ate well and enjoyed their company also.  Elder Atwood was the Priesthood leader there, but visited with the janitors out in the hall most of the time.

         This is Sister Abelda Contreres, in charge of activities with Sister Santos, and Sister Espadas, compassionate service, who recently sent her son on his mission to Brazil.  They all speak Spanish.  Abelda translates and speaks English well.

         This is Sister Kenye Katadrik with her sister-in-law, Sister Grace Dinteru.  They are from the Marshall Island and not Polynesia.  They speak English well and I call her Grace (much easier)  I'm working on pronouncing names along with remembering who they are.  Bit of a challenge.  But, they are all sweet and give lots of hugs.  So, they are patient with me.

        This is the RS Presidency:  Sister Campos (newly sustained), Sister Johnson, Sister Martinez (the translator) and Sister Roberg, Secretary.