Family Trip to Conference 4.8.2013 and notes from Elder E

Sister Sister and Elder Eph

We had a great time. We had some amazing experiences. We got there Wednesday night, did not do much but check in to a .....hotel that Landon and I thought we saw a drug exchange or something like that. The hotel was in a really bad part of town, and the beds were awful, the people around were very scary. It was a bad hotel.  ..... I woke up with a sore throat, and a determination to get another hotel. We got on line and found a new one. We were able to get into Red Lion Hotel about 6 blocks off temple square.

We got dressed to go to temple square and to go do baptisms at the Salt Lake City Temple. We were able to get there and had a great experience. Dallin had fasted on the way up to SLC so that he could have a spiritual experience. We finished there and went around temple square again, and looked at the temple on the outside and then went to the museum. We went on a tour of the humanitarium center, they talked a bit about it during conference. We had lunch/dinner at Cheese cake factory and ended the evening visiting with the Pedersen's which was fantastic. I'll try and put together some notes and send them later.

Friday Dallin really wanted to go to the the Bountiful Temple to do baptism there also. So we got up early and went and did that in the pouring rain. When we got done we went back to the hotel and got ready for the day. We ended up going shopping, we went to the Brick Oven pizza palor in Provo, and we stopped by the Provo books and got for each of you Lectures on Faith. We will get that to you soon.

.....

 

Saturday we got up and got ready to head down to temple square to see if we could get in to conference on Stand by. As we were waiting in the hotel entry for the shuttle to take us to the rail. There was another couple waiting also. Dale felt like he should talk with them and started a conversation. They were going to conference also and needed a ride to the rail. We started talking about where we were from and ...... their son teaches seminary at Chiawania High school in pasco, which Dallin just meet on Friday before spring break. His name is brother P. He is also Chelsie and Paul's bishop and teaches Madisen in seminary. Small Mormon World!!! Get this, they were meeting some friends that happened to have four extra tickets to conference... they called them and were able to get them for us. SO we got into conference. ...... It was a blessing for serving him. Anyhow it was fantastic.

As we were crossing the road to get to the conference center we heard this "Sister DeCoursey's Sisrer

DeCoursey's!!" We turned and we saw Addision Q.  I was so surprised to see him. It was like seeing one of you, I mean it was just so good to see one of your friends that I started Shaking and we got a quick picture.

 

We enjoyed conference so much. Dallin and Landon both had spiritual experience this weekend. We left this morning and came home. It was a great weekend.

I love you both.

MOM.

 

Emails back and forth with Elder Eph 

Mom, that is so awesome. Certainly the Lord was helping you to listen to a Prophet's voice in person. I certainly had a moment with conference that really touched my life. Before the Priesthood session, we went to see a less active member of the branch. It was immediatly apparent that he joined the Church because of the sisters that taught him years ago but we did our best to bring to conference. Actually, Elder R did all of the talking. I sat like a lump on the log and said nothing. After we left, I felt horrible. How can I be serve the Lord if I couldn't even open my mouth to say one little thing. As we sat down to listen to prophets and apostles, I said a prayer in my heart that what is spoken in the session will help me to speak or I would go home .... Almost immediately after I closed my prayer, Elder Robert D. Hales was first to speak. As he opened his address with Ephesians 6 on the Armor of God, tears began to stream down my face. This had been what I was waiting for! Not only was my prayer answered, but every word that was shared that night touched me in such a way that amazes even me. I really did grow 5 feet that night. I am so grateful for prayer.

 

I have come to realize this in my studies recently. I am studying the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I want to know everything about it. I feel that was something that I've been slacking on. Now I know more about our Savior's last days on earth more than I have and that has given me great courage to go out and to speak

 

I feel like I could do better. I feel like I could work harder. Do you believe that each area has it's own personality? Greenville certainly does. It's way to chill for us to come in to a home all business-like and not get to know them. Greenville is deffinetly a difficult area to work with. Our main focus with with the Less Active members. And when we're with investigators, we are mainly getting to know them. I feel like they think that we just want to sell them something. And even when I tell them that salvation is free, they still reject us. I know that there is so much potential to work with here but I don't know how to go about it the best way.

Elder DeCoursey

Elder Eph,
Sometimes an area is about your willingness to bear the rejection, which is so HARD!!!. Just keep on keepin on is all you can do, don’t get discouraged, go find a way to serve at least once a week, maybe contact the community center and see what you can do there. I don’t know if you are suppose to, but I will be praying for you this week much more, I will put your name in the temple and your companion, what is his first name?

This time is your time to grow and become who you are going to begin to be in this life time. We heard from Pres. Pedersen and it was so great. One thing he said over and over is that we were ....................  we have beat Satan, we can do it again. So go out and be a warrior, a real warrior one that is willing to open your mouth and let Christ put things into it. Do it Eph, and then report to me on how it went. Will you do that this week?
mom

Yes mother. I will. I think my main problem has been letting go of my own thoughts and stop worrying about what I'm going to say next. I know that I should let it go but it's hard. Too much runs through my mind that it's difficult to bring words together. I'm going to do my best to let my mind go blank and let the Lord fill my mouth instead of my mind with the everlasting gospel

I know that this area will define and refine myself into the missionary and the man that I need to be. Thank you for you're words of advise. They mean so much to me.

I got the Easter package you sent me. I got it on Saturday. Thanks for the chocolate eggs. They made me feel at home during conference. Did you go to all sessions of conference?bye mom your awesome.  I love you,
Elder Ephraim DeCoursey

Elder Eph, I will call over  to the Temple and put your names on the pray roll and do that in a few minutes. Also we did not go to all of the sessions. We were in the morning one, we did not hear the afternoon or the priesthood. We did listen to the Sunday ones on the way home it was so great.
I love you too,
your mom.

Orson Pratt's Works"The Kingdom of God" 1849

                                               The Kingdom of God. 
                                                        Orson Pratt’s works
                                                               Printed in England 7.14.1849

Why has God been silent for over 1700 years, when men have built grand churches
after Him,
have spoke his word, and organized his church?

“I will now tell you the reason why the King has kept silence so long. It is because He has had
no subjects to converse with; all have turned away from Him and advocated other governments
as being the rightful and legal authority. They killed off, and utterly destroyed, every true
subject of His kingdom, and left not a vestige of it upon the earth; and to add to their guilt and
wickedness, they have introduced idolatry in its worst forms, and utterly turned away from
the true and living God. They have introduced a god without body, parts or passions. They
have had the audacity to call this newly-invented god by the same name as the god of the
ancient saints, although there is not the least resemblance between them.

Indeed there couldbe no resemblance between them; for a bodiless god, without parts
or passions, could be noresemblance between them; for a bodiless god, without parts or passions, could resemble nothingin heaven, on earth, or in hell. This imaginary
modern god has become exceedingly popular. It isto him that a vast number of
churches have been erected; It is not to the true and living God thatthey send forth petitions,
but it is to this imaginary being. No wonder he has not honored them
with a visit. As he has no parts, he could neither be felt nor seen if he should visit them. Such a
being could not speak, for he has no “parts” to speak with.

There have been various species of idolatry in different ages of the world. The sun, moon, stars,
beasts, crocodiles, frightful serpents, images of wood, of stone, and of brass, have been erected
into gods, and worshiped by innumerable multitudes. But the system of idolatry, invented by
modern Christianity, far surpasses in absurdity anything that we have ever heard of.

One of thecelebrated worshipers of this newly-discovered god, in his “Physical Theory of Another Life” say   ( this is mom, the first time I read this quote from probably a popular priest of the Catholic
church, it made no sense to me. I went back and read it again and realized the reason I could not
understand it was because it was not Orson Pratt’s words, but a popular “worshiper”)

This is the quote. “A disembodied spirit, or, we would rather say, an unembodied spirit, or sheer mind, is nowhere. Place is a relation belonging to extension; and extension is a property of speaking of which we deny that it has any property in common therewith, can in itself be subject to none of
its conditions; and we might as well say of a pure spirit that it is hard, heavy, or red, or that it is a
cubic foot in dimensions, as say that it is here or there. It is only in a popular and improper
sense that any such affirmation is made concerning the Infinite Spirit, or that we speak of God as
everywhere present. God is in every place in a sense, altogether incomprehensible by finite
minds, inasmuch as His relation to space and extension is peculiar to infinitude. Using the
terms as we use them of ourselves, God is not here or there, any more than he exists now and
then”

This species of idolatry, according to the foregoing quotations, approaches so near to
Atheism, that no one can tell the difference. Reader, can you see the difference? A god without
a body! A god “without parts!” A god that cannot be here or there! A god that is nowhere! A god
that cannot exist now and then! A god that exists in no time! A god that has no extension- no
“parts”- no conceivable relation to time or space! O, blush for modern Christianity!- a pious
name for Atheism! Some, perhaps, may think that I have not sufficient charity. But why should I
have charity for a god that has no parts- no relation to space? Let him first have charity for
himself. But this would be impossible; for he is a god without passions. He can have no charity
nor love for himself nor anyone else. There is no danger of offending him; for a passionless god
is not capable of anger.

One of the persons of this imaginary god is said to have been crucified.
But this must be a sad mistake; for it would be impossible to crucify a portion of something that
had no parts. The reason, then, why the people have not received any word from the Great King,
is because they have petitioned the wrong god. If, then, your petitions Are addressed to the
bodiless, passionless god of modern Christianity, you must not be surprised if the true God does
not pay any attention to them. You need not expect that the true God will make any reply to
petitions offered to any other being.

A true God exists both in time and in space, and has as much relation to them as man or any
other being. He has extension, and form, and dimensions, as well as man. He occupies space;
has a body, parts, and passions; can go from place to place- can eat, drink, and talk, as well as
man. Man resembles Him in the features and form of his body, and he does not differ materially
IN SIZE. When He has been seen among men, He has been pronounced, even by the wicked,
as one of their own species; So much did He look like man, that some supposed Him to be the
carpenter’s son. Like man, He had a father; and He was the express image of the person of
the Father; The two persons were as much alike in form, in size, and in every other respect as
fathers and sons are of the human race; indeed, the human race are His offspring, and in His
likeness and image, not after His moral image, but after the image of His person. There is no
such things as moral image. Such as image cannot exist. Morality is a property of some being
of substance. A property without a substance or being to which it appertains is inconceivable. A
property can never have figure, shape, or image of any kind. Hence, a moral image never had an
existence except in the brains of modern idolaters."

( I will write more as I study it.,  Love mom"

Letter from Mom 3.3.136

Hi sweet missionaries,

We watched the clock yesterday as we have for several Saturdays lately. We know that sis was to have her first baptism and this is the first week that Eph has not had a baptism for nearly a month. Each Saturday afternoon we count a head four hours for Eph's time, and three for sisters, just to be thinking about where you are each at and what you are doing. At night when we says our prayers we know that you are fast asleep, but it give me comfort to know your time of day. We went to a baptism yesterday of Jenny Yale's boyfriend. B Conner A. It was good. Zack R was there and he told us his one year anniversary of his baptism is today. He invited dad and I today to go with him to the temple in a few weeks. He leaves sometime in the next few months for New Mexico for his mission. His sister got baptised not too long ago also. So we are excited to see what happens with his family.

Your brother Landon bore his testimony today. It was very pure and heart felt. He is really trying to have the spirit with him all the time. He only listens to gospel based music now, and prays often during the day. He got put in as Pres. of Teachers quorum today and I think he will do a good job. Dallin has his Eagle court of honor scheduled for the 24th of March. We will send you pictures when we have it. We start out Weight Watcher diet tomorrow and pray for his success. How are you doing sister on this area? Do you even have time to think about that?

I want each of you to not worry about emailing back and forth with me when you get on. I want you to write your mission pres. first and then you can tell me if you have time to talk. I think it probably is really distracting to have me interrupt you when you are trying to do that.

Dad finished the book "continues Atonement" by Bradley Wilcox. He was the one that wrote that talk about His Grace. Sis did you get a copy of that? If not you really need to have me send it to you. As you are talking to others about forgiveness this talk is great at explaining how Jesus's Grace does make use worth of returning home. It gives an analogy of the child learning to play the piano and how the child can never repay the mom for paying for the lessons, but the mom does not want the child to repay her back, she wants to give this gift to the child. She just wants the child to practise. She does not expect him to be a master at the piano quickly, but enjoy the journey and to keep trying when it gets hard, or when a mistake is a challenge to overcome. To not give up- or not to practice- for then her gift of lessons is wasted. The payment has been paid, even if the child refuses to practice or show up for the lesson. Do you each need me to resend that?

Anyhow dad has absolutely loved the book. In fact he is going to get me my own copy, since I like to mark up the books as i read them, and we are going to start studying as a family the book. I will send you thought from it as I read it. Your dad is in a really go place right now. He is really striving to have the spirit with him, he is reading - which in that fact alone is something. I am really proud of him. He is getting stronger and stronger all the time.

We are planning on going to SLC this April to hear from Pres. P at dad's mission reunion. We are going to take the boys so they can hear Pres. also. We have Tracy and Yubron as well as Gpa and Gma DeCoursey over for a turkey dinner tonight and your dad read them the account of Pres. conversion experience with the Methodist Minister Bro. McM. Then we ready the Orson Pratt lesson that Pres gave at that conference. Tracy want to have it to translate into Spanish.

I am loving nursery. I enjoy the children. I actually got one of the girls that is new in our ward to finally talk and another to start singing and another to sit on my lap. I read to them and we play games. My new game is "parachute" I bought a big piece of light weight fabric and we lift it up and down. we put balls in the middle of it and they roll around and then fall off. It is fun for them and I think they will enjoy that as an added addition to our nursery.

Dogs are good. They were in tonight for a while. Butch loves attention, Maggie tolerates it.

Daniel M leaves in 31 days for his mission in Brazil. Derek just got moved to San Diego this last week. I don't have his current address yet, but when I do I will let you know. Cody McCarry is engaged to Chelsie H, Britney H older sister? Do you know her? They will be married in May. Dillian Titus leaves here soon for his mission. I cannot remember where. Jared N was called to ....Brazil for his mission. He leaves in July. He graduates in June.

Chelsie is in Hawaii for the next 10 days, I am taking all of Spring Break off, even if we just stay home. ...We hired a new receptionist and I think she will work out. She is 50, LDS, mother of 6, only two at home, same age as Lou and Dallin. She saw Gpa at the temple the day she interviewed and Dad felt she was going to be a the one to hire. And we did. Falina's baby is doing better and we are waiting for her to come home. We heard one more month on Monday, but by Thursday they were thinking two more weeks is all. So she is doing much better- the baby.

Dr.  D is due with her baby girl here soon. I have seen Dr D at least 7 times since Dec. with my illnesses, and Dallins doctor appointments. She said she was getting a bit scared. She is due in 4 weeks.

Sister F. is having another baby in Aug I think. Mitchel got his driver's license and is now having to drive his little sisters around. He was stuck in the court club about 25 minutes waiting for them to come out of the girls bathroom. Since he had no one to go in and get them. That was not fun.

We send our love. We are so happy that you are both happy. LOVE is the only way to bring the spirit in to any situation. even if it is a evil situation you find yourself in, the spirit will always guide you if you try and see the good in them. Eph doesn't your P Blessing tell you that you will be able to see the good in others when they can not even see it in themselves?

Have a great week.

I am sorry I have been demanding of your time, I know you are busy about the Lords work. I would however like to have Amicherie send me her MTC map picture please.

LOTS OF LOVE,

your mom.
____________________________
From Amicherie.....
MA!! Don't be silly. I always have time to write president and talk with you? Why do you think that I won't have time for both? What makes you think that you would be taking up my time? This is the ONLY time I have to talk with you and it is very precious and important to me that we are able to write back and forth.

Lecture on Faith #3 by Joseph Smith

Elder and Sister DeCoursey,

I know that you and I have studied this when you were home, but I wanted to share it again with you.  I get to share lecture 3 and 4 next Saturday at Stake Women's Conference.  I am so thankful for that opportunity,  with Grandma on the Stake Relief Society Presidentcy, I will probably get to do a few things like this.  The teacher always benefits the most.   

These seven lectures can be found in copies of Older Doctrine and Covenants.  I have read these 7 lectures many time now.  I keep gathering additional knowledge each time I do so.  Lecture 3 and 4 are especially worth studing and gaining great knowledge and worth memorizing the Characteristics and Attributes that Our Heavenly Father has and is.  Knowing these will give us "power" that will enable us to know deception immediately, truth without doubt, and obtain the humble confidence, that Pres. Herschel Pedersen is an example of.    

I have included Lecture three only.  I will send Lecture 4 later. 

Just a quick review of what are on Lecture 1-2.  Lecture 1 is very short, Joseph Smith, this master teacher, talks about what the lectures will teach us.  What faith is itself, the object on which it rests, and the effects which flow from it.  Faith is the principle of action in all intelligent beings. It is the moving cause of all action.  For if you go back and reflect on your life you will see that all things that you have done has been because of faith.  You would not have knocked if you did not think it would be answered, or planted if you thought you would not have something to gather, nor asked if you did not believe you would be heard, or sought unless you had believed that you would find.  

This chapter shows that faith is power.  Hebrews 11:3 "Through the faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are not seen were not made of things which do appear." God himself used faith to power the creation.  "Faith, then is the first great govering principle which has power, dominion, and authority over all things; by it they exist, by it they are upheld, by it they are changed, or by it they remain, agreeable to the will of God.  Without it there is no power, and without power there could be no creation nor existence!" Lec. 1:24

Lecture 2 is all about how the first thoughts were suggested to the mind of men that there was a God who created all things.  Joseph Smith goes over the book of Genesis, pointing out the history of how long Adam lived.  He lived nine generations.  Noah's father, Lamach was 56 when Adam died.  Noah's father knew Adam and walked and talked with Adam.  Adam walked and talked with God.  Just as I would share with you things on the spiritual nature that I know would influence you.  I am sure Adam shared all he thought his children needed to know.  And that one thing definetly would be that there is a God.  And who he is. 

Noah again began to populate the earth, after the flood, with his sons.  Noah received many manifestations from God.  He lived nine Generations also.  Abraham's father was 128 years old when Noah died, and two years later Abraham was born.  Again Noah would have taught his children as much as he could of God.  Think of the world as it is now.  There is a knowledge or belife of a superem being in every nation in the world. The Characteristics of God, over the years, have been destorted, twisted, forgotten, or completely made up by men over the years. Or made up by the author of him who deceives and destroys the faith in man. 

Bringing us to lecture 3.  For any "rational and intelligent being" to begin to "exercise faith in God unto life and salvation" we must understand three steps.:
      1. The idea that God actually exists.
      2. A correct idea of his character, perfections, and attributes. 
      3. An actual knowledge that the course of life which he, his children are pursuing is according to
          God's will. 

For with out this knowledge "the faith of every rational being must be imperfect and unproductive; but with this understanding it can become perfect and fruitful, abounding in righteousness, unto the praise and glory of God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ". verse 5

Lectures on Faith #3:12-26
"From the foregoing testimonies we learn the following things respecting the character of God:
       First, that he was God before the world was created, and the same God that he was after it      was created
      Secondly, that he is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abundant in goodness, and that he was so from everlasting, and will be to everlasting
     Thirdly, that he changes not, neither is there variableness with him; but that he is the same from everlasting to everlasting, being the same yesterday, today, and forever; and that his course is one eternal round, without variation.
     Fourthly, that he is a God of truth and cannot lie.
     Fifthly, that he is no respecter of person: but in every nation he that fears God and works righteousness is accepted of him.
     Sixthly, that he is love. "

1. Knowledge that HE has all Power- faith can be WITHOUT WAVERING.

"An acquaintance with these attributes in the divine character is essentially necessary, in order that the faith of any rational being can center in him for the life and salvation. For if he did not, in the first instance, believe him to be God, that is, the creator and upholder of all things, he could not center his faith in him for life and salvation, for fear that should be greater than he who would thwart all his plans, and he, like the gods of the heathen, would be unable to fulfill his promised; but seeing he is God over all, from everlasting to everlasting, the Creator and upholder of all things, no such fear can exist in the minds of those who put their trust in him, so that in this respect their faith can be without wavering."

2.  Knowledge that HE is merciful and slow to anger - faith can be EXCEEDINGLY STRONG

"But secondly, unless he was merciful and gracious, slow to anger, long-suffering and full of goodness, such is the weakness of human nature, and so great the frailties and imperfections of men, that unless they believed that these excellencies existed in the divine character, the faith necessary to salvation could not exist; for doubt would take the place of faith, and those who know their weakness and liability to sin would be in constant doubt of salvation if it were not for the idea which they have of the Excellency of the character of God, that he is slow to anger and long-suffering, and of a forgiving disposition, and does forgive iniquity, transgression, and sin. An idea of these facts does away doubt, and makes faith exceedingly strong. 

3. Knowledge that HE is unchanging- faith will be UNSHAKENLY CONFIDENT.

"But it is equally as necessary that men should have the idea that he is God who changes not, in order to have faith in him, as it is to have the idea that he is gracious and long-suffering; for without the idea of unchangeableness in the character of the Deity, doubt would take the place of faith. But with the idea that he changes not, faith lays hold up on the Excellencies in his character with unshaken confidence, believing he is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and that his course is one eternal round. "

4. Knowledge that HE cannot lie- faith will be POWER TO THE MINDS OF MEN.

"And again, the idea that he is a God of truth and cannot lie is equally as necessary to the exercise of faith in him as the idea of his unchangeableness. For without the idea that he was a God of truth and could not lie, the confidence necessary to be placed in his word in order to the exercise of faith in him could not exist. But having the idea that he is not man, that he cannot lie, it gives power to the minds of men to exercise faith in him."

5. Knowledge that HE is no respector of persons - faith strengthened to believe you HAVE AUTHORITY TO LAY HOLD OF THE RICHEST BOONS OF HEAVEN.

"But it is also necessary that men should have an idea that he is no respecter of persons, for with the idea of all the other excellencies in his character, and this one wanting, men could not exercise faith in him; because if he were a respecter of persons, they could not tell what their privileges were, nor how far they were authorized to exercise faith in him, or whether they were authorized to do it at all, but all must be confusion; but no sooner are the minds of men made acquainted with the truth on this point, that he is no respecter of persons, than they see that they have authority by faith to lay hold on eternal life, the richest boon of heaven, because God is no respecter of persons, and that every man in every nation has an equal privilege. "

6. Knowledge that HE is love - faith that YOU ARE ON JUST GROUND.

"And lastly, but not less important to the exercise of faith in God, is the idea that he is love; for with all the other excellencies in his character, without this one to influence them, they could not have such powerful dominion over the minds of men; but when the idea is planted in the mind that he is love, who cannot see the just ground that men of every nation, kindred, and tongue, have to exercise faith in God so as to obtain eternal life?"

Knowledge of him gives us a SURE FOUNDATION for our faith to be build upon.

"From the above description of the character of the Deity, which is given him in the revelations to men, there is a sure foundation for the exercise of faith in him among every people, nation, and kindred, from age to age, and from generation to generation. 

Let us here observe that the foregoing is the character which is given of God in his revelations to the Former-Day saints, and it is also the character which is given of him in his revelations to the Latter- Day saints, so that the saints of former days and those of latter days are both alike in this respect; the Latter-day Saints having as good grounds to exercise faith in God as the Former-day Saints had, because the same character is given of him to both. "

Sister and Elder DeCoursey, memorize these 6 characteristic.  They are correct.  Power, Merciful, unchangeable, truth, no repector of persons, & love. 

You are loved and thought of often. 
Mom.

Letter from Mom about home. 2.8.13

Hi missionaries,

I surely hope you are well. I hope that the weather is not to much of a distraction from your work. Eph, talking about work, can you give me some detail on how the baptism went this weekend. I would love to have pictures. Remember you two that as soon as you get a few months of pictures on your memory cards send them back to me. Eph, I got your's and will send it in the Vday box. These pictures I upload to the blog and family loves to see them. So sending it often is not a problem. And if for some reason it was to get lost or damaged before I get it, it will only be a few pictures compared to 6 months worth, Eph I am going to be sending you some postage stamps also. I will let you know how much to put ont he bubble wrap package to send the Altoid box back with the memory card in it. Okay. Sis I will let you know also, so don't have to go to the post office to mail it, just drop it in any out going mail box.

Question, I have a hard time remembering if I have sent you things sometimes. I write them up ready to send out, and sometimes I think I have not yet. Can you tell me if you got the 2nd letter about Pres. Pedersen yet, when he was starting his mission and the things that happened to him after he read the Book of Mormon thru? If I have not will you let me know and I will get that mailed out. Did I send you one on prayer? I don't think I have.

We are all studing the lesson that Pres. Pedersen used on his mission of Orson Pratts. We are memorizing where the scriptures are and what they say. There are only 7 so we should have this down soon.

Urgent you dad wants to know what your favorite scripture is so we can put that on the plaques we are getting made of each of you. Eph I still need a better picture. You are in a car now, could you just stop by anywhere and get a photo done, or try to take it again. I appreciate the effort.

Also did I send to you the whole armor of God boy and girl?  ......

 

Eph did you get the continued story of Eph Hanks? and if so have you learned a few things about him? Please let me know your thougths on what impresses you about him. Sis do you want me to send you these also? Have I sent you any of his stories yet?

Home is good. Dad is getting sick, first time in over 8 year I think. He is not to bad yet, but this flu out here is really awful. Falina's baby is still in Seattle on life support. No update on that. We have started collecting resumes to hire someone else.

 

Blake and Masen both won at District's in Wrestling.  

 

Dallin meet with the Bishop today for his birthday interview. Bishop talked to him about working on his mission papers here soon. So we have set May 15th to have them in. 

 

Landon will begin driver's training on Tuesday.   He has to get his permit so we can start practicing.

Grandpa and ma's new got Betty.  Betty is so cute, that is the puppies name. I have attached a picture of her. The boys had to babysit her at gma's all weekend because they were in Spokane at the Regional Tournament. Betty had not got all her shots and she can not be around other dogs until she does. When that happens we hope we will get to watch here her at the house.

 

I am going to be talking in women's stake conference on Saturday the 23rd. I am talking about the book by Joseph Smith on his Lectures on Faith. I will send another email with that on there. It is really powerful to read this small little 7 lectures and see how much I am learning about faith. I will also mail a copy out for you. Are you both getting sick of the info I send you on missionary work, faith, and uplifting stories? Is it distracting? I don't want to do that. I have collected all those post cards and have mailed them out as often as I think I should.

 .....

Derek's address until 20th of Feb is : SN Hansen, Derek R. , .........

He will be graduating on the 22nd and moving to San Deigo, CA next. He got into a program that only 3 where chosen. We are proud of him.

Eph here is Bram Holladay's address, you may think of writing him a note also. Elder Bram Holladay, .........

Not much else to report. In church today a new couple that has just moved in talked, and one of them said that the Beatitudes of Jesus in the Bible is a road map for a perfect life, or one as close as we can present. Remember we can be perfect in one things, perfectly repentant.

 

Remember Secerts destory us.

Sis did you get that chapter from the Delievery Me from Bondage It was on relying on Him that will never let you down, and trusting in him. I sent that to help you with working with your companion. Eph if you would like a copy I can send you one too.

Sweet day I hope for each of you. Just think in three months I will get to talk with you each again. Mother's day is not to far off.

Eph I gave sis the assignment of looking up the term Refine in the scriptures, and then find out how metal workers use this refining in their work with silver. It is the process we go thru all our lifes. But especially now where you both are.

I love you both,

Your mom.

PS aren't the little faces great. Google has this feature that I found.

Letters from Mom bits and pieces

These are letters from Me to Eph and Amicherie.    Just a few thougths from a few letters.  Bits and pieces. 
Tracy
10.2.2012  To Elder E in the MTC
:.....I remembered today something that was a huge lesson for me when I was on my mission. That was, it was time to rely on Him that will not fail to come to you in time of need, He who will always hear your cry, He who is sufficient, whom you can rely upon. He who will not fail. You will find that we fail you sometimes. I would become really sad, at the begining of my mission, that my family was not supporting me the way I thought I needed to be supported. Getting the most letters is not true evidence of who is being loved and supported. It is not a popularity contest to see who can get the most letters or packages. You are not in high school any more. You are soldiers of the Lord's army and you can not get caught up in the pettiness of that. We will fail you at time's Eph. I know that and I am really sorry that will happen or has happened. But you are loved more than you will ever know. We are proud of you. You can do this. You can handle the things that you have to go thru, because you will be force to turn to Him that is your true support, Jesus Christ.

Do you realize who is holding out His Hand to you? Do you feel Him send power unto you? If you can not than you are failing Him. Look unto your Savior who is your Captain. Look unto him. Prayer is your connection. Pondering is His way to talk to you. Fasting is your act to show Him that you want to be "enlisted and trained". Even one meal is an act that is recognized by Him. Think on that.

General Conference is coming up. You are closer than you have ever been to the head quarter of the church. This is one of the two times a year that many, if not all the 12 are in one location. The power that is in one area- not many miles away from you is profound. Prepare for a great "something". What that is will be up to you to hear. Listen, take notes, prepare yourself for your "General's" instructions.

You will be able to do this, and do so much more. You will hear my voice as I write to you, and hear my voice in your mind when you need it, telling you "It is time to get tough, it is time to stand up and be counted". Because I have more faith in your abilities than anyone else in this whole world. You are my Ephraim, my first son. The son that I knew I would have and would be named after a grand father that stood up, and toughened up when it was asked of him. You are that Ephraim also.

Be strong and be counted my Elder.

Your mother weeps for the loss of you in my home, but also could not possible want you anywhere else. 
MOM"
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12.1.12 To Sister D in the MTC
"We went to Lincoln the other night, Readers and day and I, boys have yet to see it, and anyhow it was a very dialog movie. I actually loved it a lot. It made me feel that God truly has saved people to do great things in great times of need. I believe Lincoln as G. Washington where such men. I would assume that each of us has a mission to do in this life, how many of us actually try and reach and search to find that? 

I have always felt that my mission was to be your mom. I had prepared myself; choose a good man that had a desire to live the gospel to help me fulfill that goal. The goal of a happy family. You were part of that success. And now you are preparing to fulfill your mission as a mother. Serving others, compromising, holding our anger, showing tenderness and love, putting others first, desiring the best and praying for and fasting for that someone is all part of being a mom.  Sister DeCoursey,
You have arrived in Minnesota, You have your hands full and your mind fuller. You are in your new area and it is nearing Christmas. I know that you will have a great attitude about being there in the field. 
.....Is this the way Our Heavenly Father is trying to get ---------- to listen and need him. Needing Father is one of the greatest things we can hope for. When we surrender all we have to Him and rely upon Him for everything, we have crossed into the world as He desire us to be. 
Why would He want us to be so dependent upon Him? Wouldn't He want us to grow so we don't need Him? That is one of Mysteries of Heaven that I have discovered, is that when we stop relying on Him, we start to rely on ourselves, which we humans are than lead by the other influence in the world. So it is one or the other.
I love Pres. Pedersen's attitude in prayer and the examples of it he gave in his book. I'll send you some examples later. "
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To Elder and Sister D
Monday Dec. 10th 2012
Today I was on my way to the post office, as I pulled into the parking lot I started a woman that was walking by. As I got back into the car to leave the post office I noticed this woman crossing the street. I felt that I should offer her a ride. So I rolled down my window and asked her. She said that she would, but she was going to Pasco’s post office. I hesitated only a second and said, “Sure, I’ll take you.” I was going to have a very hectic day. It was the day before we were going to be leaving for Salt Lake City, UT. I knew that I would have so much to do, but if the Lord told me to help her it did not matter where I was to take her.
As she got in the car, I mentioned that the Lord was aware of her, because I did not do this very often. She explained to me that the reason she was over that way, is that she had just left the emergency room because she was having an infected tooth, and she was 16 weeks pregnant. She had been in pain all night and she told me that she had been praying like she has never been before. She continued to tell me that she had just gotten out of jail for not paying some fines. She lost her housing when she was in jail and found all her stuff on the lawn when she returned. Her 2 year old son was taken from her, and she had never been without him. She was being able to visit him 4 times a week for a few hours, but until she had permanent housing she was not going to be able to. Since she had moved her food stamp card was lost in the mail and she was hoping that it was at Pasco’s post office.
We arrived and I told her I would wait until she got what she needed and I would take her back to Kennewick. She came out a few minutes later reporting that it was not there. She would have to go back to the office and ask them to send it once again, which would take about 3 days. I started back to Kennewick and asked her where she lived and she said actually just in Pasco. We turned around and headed to her motel room that an agency had provided for her. I pulled into the motel on Lewis by the funeral home and across the street from the bowling alley. As I got out I was looking for cash to give her. I said I wish I had some cash to give you. Do you have any food. She told me she did not. I asked her to return to the car and we would go get her something.
We started on our way to Albersons on Court street. I pulled into the McDonald’s to get her some thing to eat. As we left, I was on the phone with Dalila the whole time arranging things at work to be done in my absents. I went to Gesa to get some cash, since the boys did not return my debit card after getting gas. As I was in the Bank she ate. As I returned. She said to me about the third time thank you. She said, “now that I have some food I can think straight and I can not believe that you are doing this for me.” I told her that the Lord was mindful of here. She said I had been visited in the jail by mormons, I had mentioned to her already that was the church I went to. She said that she did not tell many people this, but she had a six year old that was adopted by a mormon family, Tom and Darcy Pierce. I said to her, “Are you Serenity’s mom?” She said you know Serenity. I told her I did and that if it brought her any comfort, she was doing really well.
As we traveled to Albertson’s I told her a shorten version of Joseph Smith’s three steps to Faith, from his Lectures on Faith book. I told her she needed to have courage to make the changes that she needed in her life. That she has been surrounded by those from our church and she needed to possible think about why. I told her, she would need courage to make changes in her life and she could do it. That my parents had and it was a great thing.
We pulled into the store parking lot, shopped, paid for the groceries and traveled back to her motel. Before we got to the motel she asked me where the church was, so I drove to the stake center off of Court. We unloaded her groceries and as I left I put $20 on the dressers. We hugged and as I parted from her I hoped that she would go in and call the mission office and begin looking into the church. Her name was Pangy. I don’t know much more about her. She did mention that it was nice that she was not being judge and that she could be open with me. She was very very appreciative.

As I left my heart was full. I had always said to Heavenly Father that I would give more if I had. I have now and He put me to the test, and in one way I was able to help. I hope I did all He expected me to do. I have prayed for her. I arrived at the office half past noon. I stayed at the office till nearly eight oclock. I have had the energy I needed, the health that was necessary to have to sustain me. I have been blessed also.
Never miss up an opportunity to help another.

Here is another one.
Spring of 2009 I believe. I was leaving the post office here in Kennewick when I say a bum in the down town area. I never see homeless people down there. My heart strings were pulled and I prayed for the man. I hoped that he would be provided for. I thought about him quite a bit that day. I wondered why I would notice this man and why it was important that I think and pray for him.
The next day as I got in my car to head to work, I looked across the street on Vancouver and saw this same man. He was there before me, walking up the street. I prayed to Father to know what He wanted me to do. I was a woman and this man was street worn, you could tell. I drove down the street, but turned around before I got to the gas station on fourth and Vancouver street. I went up the street, praying to Father to protect me, and pulled over and walked up to the man. I asked him if he had eaten? He said he had not. I told him I would be happy to take him to get something to eat. He got in the car and told me that he had just moved back to this area and he was raised in the Finley area. He looked to be in his late 50’s early 60’s. He had a big cowboy hat and looked very much like a cowboy.
I pulled into Jack in the Box, I got out of the car and he followed me. I gave him $10 and wished him a good day. I drove off to never see him again. Odd isn’t it.

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Picture of Maggie in a blanket roll, in the "man cave" in the garage.