Tender mercy

We dropped off our ministering licenses to be laminated. We headed to pick them up just as we were going to dinner. I wanted to say hi to a sweet elder who is there as a service missionary. I knew he was having a hard day. As I was saying hi to him and thank you.

We heard a loud gasp, and turned to look and saw a beautiful, tall sister missionary. She looked familiar, but I couldn't place her. She asked if we remembered her. I looked at her tag, and it took me a minute and then it all fell into place. 

She is Ashley Donaldson, part of Boaz's friend group, BANJO, from California. It was her and four boys while they were in middle school. She is the last one of the group to go on a mission.

I gave her a huge hug. She was in Craig's seminary class, and he gave her a huge hug also. She whispered in his ear that she really needed that today.

The timing for that to occur was spectacular. We were lounging in our room doing really nothing. Decided to head to dinner, but just as we got off the elevator decided to see if our laminating job was done. And there she was.

She towers over us. We were left with a definite glow that has lasted hours.

How do I explain this?

 Such a crazy, full, fun week. It will be impossible to tell all of what we have done.

So I think I will focus on impressions.

This mission thing is no joke. Craig and I have been very tired all week. Our experience started Monday. Ronda drove us down to Provo and we stopped by Josh's work to say hi and see where he works. I have to say I think he is so handsome. He looked so official and happy to be where he was. We love him and are so glad we get him.

Our chauffeur 

Being part of a huge group of missionaries is awesome. There were so many faces and names and stories to remember. I have constantly had to ask questions to remember what we were told the first day. They asked me to say the prayer in the first meeting. I choked up as I expressed gratitude to be numbered among such a company. After all the work and waiting and worrying, we had made it.

Waiting for out ten minute window to enter. 

Still hoping for Iquitos

We were divided up into districts. Our district has four couples. Our teacher is new. This is her third week. We have fallen in love with her. Her smile is infectious. She is so supportive of all of our weirdness, and the weirdness can be strong for sure. She is kind as she teaches people three times her age. She is patient as she shows some of us how to use Facebook and other technology. She is joyful as she testifies of Christ. She is knowledgeable as she teaches us from Preach My Gospel. I have come to adore her. We love Sister Nevarez.

The Nance’s, the Moon’s, the Miller’s and us. This is our district with Sister Nevárez. 

Our morning teacher is Brother Karras. He is kind as he deals with us as we wander into class a little late after breaks. He is watchful to make sure we can walk the distance to the field trips to view the amazing murals in the new building. He notices small little hurt feelings and focuses direction away to give space to recover. He laughs at our dumb jokes. He is patient as he teaches us how to use the Gospel Library Ap. He is knowledgeable as he teaches us from Preach My Gospel. He is a good sport as we show interest in his dating life. I have come to adore him.

The Large Group Meetings bring us all together where the Spirit is a consistent companion. We have loved the devotional with Steven J Lund. He brought his lovely wife and Brad Wilcox, his counselor in the Young Men's Presidency. 

Today we had a meeting about the Character of Christ. Elder Bednar gave a talk that we reviewed and discussed. I love his definition of the character of Christ. Christ turns outward in love, compassion and empathy when the natural man turns inward in self-absorption, self-concern and selfishness. He said the natural man is like Cookie Monster, he wants what he wants right now.

Craig and I have enjoyed spending so much time together. We have loved focusing on the weightier matters. On day in class we were supposed to share with each other a Book of Mormon scripture. He decided to make it more interesting. He chose my scripture at random. It was a verse that I have never marked, and really had just read over as part of the narrative, not looking at it for insight. I read it and looked for something to say about it and found something that touched me.

The phrase that stood out to me was, "if ye had known me." How many times do we not take the time to know people. To make snap judgments and not appreciate what they are trying to do for us.

These are random memories and thoughts. All of them filled with light and love. We are so lucky to be able to be here and do what we are doing. We are loving this time.

Packing up our life

 We now have a storage unit and no house. It's an odd feeling. Craig worked a bit at a time for a month moving the garage and shop over to the unit. After our farewell, I began to help with the house.

The front room was without seating for two days. 

Still had things in the shelves. 

What was left in Josh’s room. 

I would get distracted by something in another room and had a hard time finishing a room off. 

The mess in Boaz’s room. Once we got it clear this room became a staging area  

We thought we were in good shape. We moved all the big items. Craig's golfing buddies helped move the couches and the piano. (We have a dear friend that will house our piano so it doesn't have to weather the storage unit.)

We didn't take into account all the small things. What was in the drawers and closets.

By small and simple things, great things are brought to pass. Also by small and simple things are great plans messed up.

Deb and Willa decided to save Avisha. They got Ivan to decide to take her. Craig's sister was going to take us down to Utah, but she is allergic to dogs. So Deb and Willa decided to drive up and meet us at LuRose's house. They wanted to meet us at noon and then get back before dark.

After working for two days -- all day long, there was no way that we were ready to go on time to meet them at noon. We tried for 3:00, which meant we had to leave by noon. That didn't work either.

There was just too much stuff. And all the cleaning.

We finally left at 3:00. We were hours late. We knew Deb and Willa would beat us to LuRose's house.

When we got in the car, I asked Craig if he still loved me. He grabbed my hand and said yes! Moving is stressful.

The dog wanted to be in my seat, and she pouted that she had to take the middle.

Craig and I looked at each other and smiled. We were off on our adventure. For thirty minutes.

And then the truck broke down. We were between Salmon and Leadore. The middle of nowhere really. As soon as we pulled over, a truck stopped, and a nice man looked under our hood. I stayed in the truck with Avisha. In the gap between the window and the raised hood, I saw him start to pull something out of the engine block. We had almost made it.

The bearing in the pulley that ran the fan belt froze up and ripped the belt to shreds. He told Craig what part to get and what we needed to do. Craig called a good friend, the owner of Les Schwab and a member of the Stake Presidency, and we sat in the cab to wait. It took a good hour for the technician to get to us. After a bit we were back on the road. Now really nervous about the state of the truck.

We stopped at Leadore to potty, and got back on the road. Only for the truck to overheat. 

We love anti-freeze. We filled the reservoir, and got back on the road. Now it was getting dark, we were worried about the animals in the road, the possibility of the truck overheating, and being so late to meet my sisters.

They had gotten to LuRose's before we even got back on the road.

After a few unanswered texts, I called Willa and interrupted a game of cards. Rude on my part for sure.

We drug in to Shelley at 8. Craig had started at 5 that morning.

We were exhausted.

Proof of life after the day (week) we had had.

We inhaled a delicious dinner and decided to spend the night and take off in the morning. Avisha was kenneled in the garage. I'm sure she thought she was being punished. But it was the best solution for where we were at. 

That night was the second or third night that I didn't sleep well. I don't sleep well at the beginning of adventures. Too excited I guess.

Saturday morning before the sun, we set off for Salt Lake City. Deb's little car was packed to the gills.

Avisha was a very good traveler. As long as she wasn't being left behind, she was happy. She was underfoot, making sure we didn't leave her though.

Ivan met us at Deb's and we took a good 30 minutes or so for the transfer. I showed him one of her tricks. We loaded all of her stuff into his truck and they were off. Deb, Willa, Pete, Craig, and I were all a bit teary saying good bye. But we all knew she was in the best place. Ivan will be so good for her. He sent me a picture of her napping later that day. She will be good for him too.

This picture made me feel so much better.

Pete and Willa took us to Ronda's in Erda. We will spend time with my family next weekend for mom's birthday.

The rest of Saturday and Sunday, we decompressed. I finally got a good night sleep Saturday night.

The end of a chapter.

Set apart

 Craig is once again, Elder Oswald, and I am Sister (Hermana) Oswald.

We love our Stake President. He is so amazing.

We were assured of the love of God for each of us. We were blessed with health, love for the people, and language ability. And so many tender moments.

Craig has the ability to sense others. He felt his mom and dad, my dad, and his brother Jeffery. The happiness they all had for this new adventure we are having.

Farewell Talk

 Mission Farewell Talk 2023

Who are we?

Why are we here?

Where are we going?

I’d like to talk about some of the answers to these questions by discussing some of my favorite songs and scriptures. 

Who are we?

Some of my earliest memories are of my Grandmother, affectionately called “Little Grandma” by my siblings and I. I’m not too sure how she liked her name, but we all adored her. I remember climbing up on her lap and sitting facing her. She would sing “I Am a Child of God” and I learned this wonderful song cradled in her lap. In turn I sang this song to my babies as a lullaby each night as I put them to bed. I believe I have known this song my whole life. It is the earliest song in my memory. This song teaches important eternal truths like: we are children of God, we are here in our lives on purpose, and we have a destination - returning Home to live with God again.

We are children of God and He loves us. Each Youth theme echoes this important truth. The young women begin by saying, “I am a beloved daughter of heavenly parents, with a divine nature and eternal destiny.” The members of the Aaronic Priesthood begin by saying, “I am a beloved son of God, and He has a work for me to do.” Each theme begins by stating we are loved by God, our Father.

Mormon interrupts his narrative in 3rd Nephi Chapter 5 to say, “Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.”

We can each choose to be disciples of Jesus Christ. We can learn of Him and follow his ways. Our weekly family study reminds of this truth: as we study, we answer his invitation to Come, Follow Me.

Why are we here?

The young men themes, as I quoted earlier, states we have a work to do. What is our work?

We are to increase in Faith.

One of my favorite hymns is Master, the Tempest is Raging. This was one of my Dad’s favorite hymns. It references Mark 4:36-41. A good portion of the apostles were fishermen. They grew up on the Sea of Galilee. They knew all about boats. One night, in the middle of a storm, they were afraid their boat would sink. They woke the Master and He calmed the storm. 

39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, aPeace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great bcalm.

40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so afearful? how is it that ye have no bfaith?

We each have storms in the normal course of our lives. We can call the Master and He will help us find the calm. This can only be done through Faith. I love the build in the chorus. The steady march and tension of the list of troubles and the declaration that Jesus is the Master. And the sweet, descending resolution that speaks of faith and strength.

We are to enlist in the Lord’s work.

Another song that my Dad and I love is Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd. Sheep can wander alone or in groups, but I like to think of this song as searching out the lost one. We can help those we love and those around us as we minister to the one. 

Another favorite scripture is Jeremiah 16:16.

16 ¶ Behold, I will send for many afishers, saith the Lord, and they shall fish them; and 

after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks.

Hunters seek out one at a time. Fishers seek out schools. At least the fishers of the Bible. They fished with nets that gathered in multitudes.

A favorite song that I discovered from Josh. He chose to learn a song to play as he took piano lessons. He found it because his dad sang it with some friends. I guess I paid more attention to my small kids than I did my husband. As I have grown to love this song, I am also reminded of President Packer and a talk he gave in October General Conference 2012. He entitled his talk, Atonement. He told of when he was assigned to visit Samoa. Going from one island to another they headed into a fierce storm. 

He said, “We arrived in the harbor at Mulifanua. There was one narrow passage we were to go through along the reef. A light on the hill above the beach and a second lower light marked the narrow passage. When a boat was maneuvered so that the two lights were one above the other, the boat would be lined up properly to pass through the dangerous rocks that lined the passage.”

The lower lights had not been lit. They labored all night, first trying to make the safe harbor in front of them and then giving up and heading to a different, easier location.

For those of you who don’t know the song being referenced, it’s Brightly Beams our Father’s Mercy. I love this song. The light of the Master is constant, but sometimes our little lower light is so helpful for safe passage through mortality. We may never know the multitudes that see our light as we align ourselves with Christ.

All three of these songs are “seldom-sung”, but each holds a place in my heart. I am grateful for music that carries truth straight to my heart.

In this theme, is another favorite scripture: Jacob 5:61 “61 Wherefore, go to, and call aservants, that we may blabor diligently with our might in the vineyard, that we may cprepare the way, that I may bring forth again the natural fruit, which natural fruit is good and the most precious above all other fruit.”

I know this part of my talk is heavy on the missionary theme. I am very grateful to be able to focus on this again in my life.

Where are we going?

We opened with a Primary Song. I think it is fitting to close with one as well. My siblings and cousins sang Families Can Be Together Forever at my Grandfather’s funeral. Little Grandpa had been a constant in my young life. We lived next to him and Little Grandma. He had a large, lovely garden that we worked in and ate out of. This song was new to me. I was already in high school when it was written. Where else but children’s primary songs can we learn such profound truths spoken so simply.

We can go home to the Father that created us and be part of His family again. We can choose each day to practice for this destination. Each choice we make takes us closer or further away.

In the Doctrine and Covenants, section 14:7 we read, “7 And, if you akeep my commandments and bendure to the end you shall have ceternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.”

Today I have shared scriptures, songs, personal experiences, and expressed gratitude. Each of these invites the Holy Ghost. Frequently I struggle to speak and tears come when I feel the Holy Ghost. At times I have grown frustrated that it is so hard for me to speak when I feel him close. But I have come to understand that holy things are not easily spoken of. 

We say that we love Heavenly Father, and we should. He is our Father and this is his Plan. We say that we love Jesus Christ, and we should. “ . . . [He is] the Truth, the Way and the Life; no man cometh unto the Father but by [him].” (John 14:6) Today I want to say that I love the Holy Ghost. He teaches me truth, he reminds me what I know, and he whispers the love of God to my heart.

I know this is an end thing. But today, at the beginning, I want to bear my testimony in Spanish.

Oswald Family Fun Weekend

 Brad and Kris have an Air B&B rental. They invited all the siblings and spouses to come for a weekend get away before Craig and I left. We took a lot of pictures. So here is the story of our weekend in pictures.

Sandy buried the snowmobile in a tree. (Of course I didn't even want to drive the snow machine, because I am so not talented that way. But I am more than happy to laugh with Sandy as we remember this part of the weekend.) We played a game that Kris brought. We each had to write down a person, a place and a thing. We folded our scraps of paper and then drew them out of a bowl. The first round we had to describe our clue, a bit like password, the second round we had to use one word, the third round we acted the word out, the fourth and final round we struck a pose. Same words, so we knew what we were dealing with. One of the words was snowmobile. My one word clue for that word was Sandy. I haven't laughed so hard in a long time as I did playing that game. Kris struck a pose for Christmas Tree and I laughed so hard I almost passed out. I couldn't catch a breath.

Craig started out the game cheating. He is a trash talker and sitting next to him it was impossible to even pay attention. I had to get up and sit across the room. We were playing girls against the guys.

There were ten of us, twelve times three is 30 words. Augusta, Tiger Woods, golf cart (Craig), Great Barrier Reed, John F Kennedy, and I can't remember my thing. Other people were Tom Hanks, President Nelson, Russell M Nelson,, Gordon B Hinckley (had to be exact), Paris, pyramid, Christmas Tree, golf, Yellow Stone, Island Park, and I can't remember the others. By the end of the game, Sandy didn't want to be the snowmobile anymore.

It can't be an Oswald party without food. We had prime rib, pulled pork sandwiches, breakfast casserole, pineapple X3, strawberries, blueberries, muffins, brownies, etc.

We were amazed by the snow slipping off the roof. So much snow.

Random table shot.

Alan, Sandy and LuRose playing in the snow.

Sledding down the hill and then riding the snowmobile back up to go again. Kris, Ronda, Me and Craig.

Cyri rode the four wheeler and gave Ronda and Kris a ride. Sandy took the picture.



The siblings. Ronda, Mark, Craig, LuRose, Brad, and Ronda.

The girls. They are so nice and well behaved.

The boys, notice Mark has snow in his hand.

Snow is falling all around, on the shoulders, in the ears.

Male affection is weird.

The group.

Brad is the king of selfies.

An excited sage grouse.

He was puffed up for the ladies. He was showing off for three unimpressed ladies. Poor guy. Good show though.

We celebrated Mark's birthday. He was a good sport and wore the star.

We pulled out a puzzle, 1000 pieces.

We got it done in one day. Amazing.

Birthday cheesecake.

Last days of work

 I have enjoyed working at the Salmon River Vision Clinic. I have met some of my favorite people there. I am sure that I moved to Salmon to meet Terry Weeks. We have giggled everyday that she worked for over a year now. I also met Wendy Howell. She has been such a good mentor for me and taught me the ins and outs of tech-ing (prescreening the patients) and being an optician. I also met Bren Ward. She has been a cheerleader as I vacillated between faith and fear in serving this mission. She is remarkable and I have loved getting to know her as well.

I love the others as well, but those three ladies are my people.

I love the doctor and his wife. They took a chance on me. I told them when I was interviewing that we wanted to serve a mission when Boaz left on his mission. And they still hired me. This job has been a blessing to me, and I am grateful.

Another Hiccup

 Two weeks ago, Craig called me at work. He was noticeably upset and told me I had to come home. He needed me. He didn't tell me why.

I ran around the office closing out what I was doing and hurried home. The whole time I'm wondering if something happened to Josh, or Boaz, or Thea.

He had gotten a phone call from the Missionary Department. We had mailed our FBI report and the Post Office said they had delivered it October 28, at 5:08 pm. But the Missionary Department hadn't received it. They were waiting for those documents for over two months. Meanwhile, they had our passports and VISA application sitting there. 

The FBI report is only valid for one month, so even if they found it, it would have been expired. There was nothing to do, but restart the process. We went to the Sherriff's Office (DMV) and redid two sets of fingerprints each. The internet was down on our block, so we went to Craig's work and printed out the form we needed. We took it to the Post Office and sent it out as fast as it would go.

We knew the Missionary Department wouldn't receive it until Monday. One of the quirks about living in a small town in the middle of nowhere. And then we nervously puttered.

Our options were to restart our VISA and then wait in SLC Mission Home Mission. That would increase the cost of our mission, the housing would be about $900.00 more than we had budgeted for. The other option was to restart the whole process, which would delay us about six months. We can't do that because we have to be home for Boaz when he gets home from his mission. Our timeline as it is now is we will only be home for one month before Boaz gets  home.

Craig was talking to SLC, our sweet Stake President, and then our lovely Bishop. Before we even were aware we had a problem, he had decided to deposit the excess missionary donations in our ward into our mission account. We have at least twelve other missionaries from our ward, and he decided to put it in our account. The extra will help us afford the extra time in Salt Lake City.

I am now rather looking forward to seeing what will happen while we are SLC. I think something significant will happen while we serve there. 

We are still hoping to be able to go to Iquitos. The day after everything was resolved we got an email from our mission president in Iquitos. He was hopeful that our VISA process was going well and we would soon be on our way. There are three stakes in Iquitos and if they can get a fourth stake, they can qualify to apply for a temple. He wants us to work with the third stake, because their numbers are sliding and they won't divide until that stake begins to grow again.

We are super excited to be able to help work toward a temple.

Also, I have been saying that we will spend our 25th wedding anniversary on the Amazon. I still really want to do that. And I really want to go to Peru and fall in love with the people there.

We have faith that we will love both areas that we serve in, and the second area will still be Iquitos.