Happy holidays!!

December 16, 2012

Dear Family and friends,

                We send greetings again from North Carolina.  This time of year always carries a sense of melancholy that seems to magnify the older one becomes and when miles separate you from loved ones.  As challenging as it may be, Sister Andrus and I are very grateful to be serving a full-time mission.  We are ever indebted to our dear children and grand children who are allowing us to serve.  Please know of our love for you.  We are so proud of each of you and your success and challenges.  We pray your testimonies will be strong and steadfast and immovable in this changing world.  We miss our dear friends in Perry and also our extended family around the world.  It is always enjoyable to hear from any of you.  We think of all of you often and share our love. 

We, with you, are praying for the families of our dear friends in Connecticut.  What a waste of human potential to rob the innocence of young people.  One can always be thankful for the Atonement of our Savior that somehow covers and makes better everyone involved.  The world needs the peace the gospel of repentance brings into the lives of those who will let it in. 

Our week was filled with business as usual.  We are prepared to receive 15 new missionaries tomorrow and send 10 home.  The routine (if there is such a thing) of normal transfer week is changing this month as there is an airline blackout applied to the comings and goings beginning this Wednesday so everything has to happen by Tuesday.  Next month we double our numbers of comings and we have a larger than normal group leaving. There is always something to do.  We received word that we are receiving another full-time missionary office couple.  They will be joining us in early February.  All of our church service missionaries will be completing their assignments in April.  It is the desire of our President to staff the office with two full-time couples so that is going to happen.  We are happy to have some training time with the new couple so we will all be well trained by the time our dear service missionaries are released. 

We received word this morning that Sister Prince passed away.  Sister Prince is a lady whose husband and she were tracked out by me and Elder Wood while we were serving in Jacksonville, Arkansas.  Sister Prince was baptized December 15, 1969.  Her husband, JD Prince was baptized a month earlier.  He was able to baptize his wife.  Bro. Prince passed away about four years ago.  I was able to fly to Arkansas to speak at his funeral.  Sister Prince has been living in Phoenix, AZ for most of the time since her husband’s passing.   Both Brother and Sister Prince offered such strength to the church in Arkansas.  He served as Bishop and she in several callings over the years.  She has been struggling with her health for some time so this is a blessing.  It just adds to the melancholy of the season. 

Sister Andrus and I have been called to teach an adult religion class on the Book of Mormon.  Our ward has baptized over 20 individuals this past year and the Bishop wants to nourish them and is inviting them to attend this class beginning in early January.  This will be a stretch for Sister Andrus and I, however it will be a wonderful experience to team teach with my companion.  We will be teaching each week on Wednesday evening.  We will need your faith and prayers to continue with us in this assignment. 

We were thrilled to receive an update regarding my sister Sharon on her mission progress at the Family History Mission in Salt Lake.  She is in training and will receive her specific assignment this coming week.  She has asked we all pray for her.  It is great to have her serving again.  We receive updates from Japan regarding my sister Pat and her husband Steve who are serving as office missionaries.  I’m not sure which Japanese mission they are serving in, however we know they are close to their son Danny and his family.

Well my ramblings need to cease.  As President Reeder pointed out to me during a recent conversation with him—He was reviewing Jacob chapter 5 and insightfully shared that during the pruning of the vineyard for the last time, the servants of the Lord of the vineyard were commissioned to serve with all of their might.  I interpret this to mean with exact obedience.  We are definitely pruning for the last time and all of us need to serve with exact obedience.  As President Craven councils us missionaries—if we need to repent do it quickly and get on with it—we have no time to waste.  I can learn from that.  Hopefully we all can.

See you next week!!

Elder and Sister Andrus, Grandpa and Grandma, Dad and Mom, Don and Ruth.

November 18, 2012

Dear Family and Friends

                My how the weeks fly by.  We trust all is well with you and yours and pray the Thanksgiving holiday is great for you.

 The Senior Couples are gathering at the Mission Home for Thanksgiving dinner with President and Sister Craven.  We look forward being together with these good people.  They are very much like family and we consider them our family as we serve together.  The couples are Elder and Sister Tarbot from West Valley City and Elder and Sister Bushman from American Fork.  The Tarbots serve in Albemarle, North Carolina  and the Bushmann’s serve in Rock Hill, South Carolina on the Catawba Indian reservation.  Elder and Sister Moulton who are church service missionaries from Charlotte and Elder and Sister Whiteley who are also church service missionaries are from Concord.  The Moulton’s children are going elsewhere as are the Whiteley’s so they are joining us.  We have two other Sr. Couples in our mission.  The Bayles who serve in Murphy, North Carolina and the Silkers who serve in Franklin, North Carolina.  Murphy and Franklin are over 200 miles from Charlotte and both couples have chosen not to make the drive.   I don’t blame them. 

This past week was filled mostly with supporting the training meetings being conducted by the missionary department in our mission.  Sister Andrus and I spent most of the day and night on Monday getting the books along with charts and graphs and agendas put together.  It was a good thing we have good computers and printers.  Tuesday and Wednesday we just supplied additional information and support as it was needed.  Thursday we gathered in a Stake Center with 70 missionaries to be taught by these wonderful men.  Sister Andrus and I were not able to sit in on most of the training as we were busy with getting the dinner prepared and ready and then serving and cleaning up.  I was able to sit in on one session.  Very powerful teaching and training efforts regarding how to present and teach the Doctrine of Christ and repentance to investigators was given.  The major focus of missionary efforts today center on real growth initiatives for the Church.  So much of our previous efforts have left tremendous trails of less active people who obviously felt and recognized the truth but lacked the sustaining power of the Holy Ghost to help them keep their covenants.  Not only investigators but we are losing about 50% of the returning missionaries to inactivity.  The term “Real Growth” seems to be the coin phrase used a lot in the mission efforts.  As I have mentioned previously, the major thrust of the youth training from the church is addressing these needs.  The new Duty to God and Young Women’s values programs along with the Sunday school materials reflect this effort.

Thanks so much for the Birthday packages and wishes received by many of you.  You are all so great to support us.  We continue to love being here.  We feel the pressure of office work and desire to be involved more in the proselyting efforts, however with the increase in missionaries coming and going, it looks more like that is what are mission is about.  We are happy we can serve and feel we are contributing to the overall efforts of bringing people to Christ.  Being in the back ground is good and Sister Andrus and I can do this well.  We are enjoying being together all the time.  Everything we do is together which is at time frustrating, however it is wonderful also.  We are learning a lot about what it means to be one.  It is definitely a process and not an event.  I suppose to the level we learn how to do this we can continue to be one.  If we can’t figure it out then we will spend the rest of eternity being single.  Wow what a process. 

Thanks again—have a wonder Thanksgiving with your families and know of our love and prayers for you.

Elder and Sister Andrus, Dad and Mom and Don and Ruth.

November 4,2012

November 4, 2012

Dear Family and friends,

                Another week has passed rather quickly for us in North Carolina.  The leaves are falling and cooler weather is definitely moving us into winter.  We fortunately were not affected by hurricane Sandy.  We are so concerned about our neighbors to the north.  Wow-what a storm.  Thanks for your prayers and concerns in our behalf.

                We had a busy as usual turn of the crank week.  We are preparing for 13 missionaries who will arrive tomorrow.  That is always a busy time for the office staff.  We are mostly background; however the paperwork and logistics are incredible.  We do all we can to support and help our dear President and his assistants accomplish what Heavenly Father desires for His children in North Carolina.  They spend hours on their knees seeking revelation to move the missionaries where they should be.  It is a marvelous experience to stand back and watch it all come together.  It is truly a testimony builder for Sister Andrus and I to be a part of this great process. 

                As I believe I mentioned in our last communication, President and Sister Craven returned from a mission Presidents Seminar last week-end.  Much of what they were told cannot be shared other than they told us to just fasten our seat belts.  Missionary work in the future will not be what it has been in the past.  The Lord’s work is hastening and final stages of preparation for the second coming are moving forward in a rapid way.  I don’t think that message is new—rather just a continuation of the urgency of the work in these the latter-days.  It is so important for us as individuals and as families to make sure our lamps are full of oil and that we have some put away for the bride groom is coming.  Personal and family prayer and scripture study continues to be so important.  Having regular Family Home Evenings and being active in the main stream of Church activity and service is vital to our preparation to be eternal families.  We are so blessed to have living Prophets and Apostles who see the enemy from a far and are counseling us daily on which course we should follow to avoid the cunning evils of Satan.  The thrust of the Duty to God and Personal Progress programs are to prepare our young people for missionary service and Eternal life.  Isn’t it amazing to look back just a few years to see the evolution of these inspired programs and see a portion of what Heavenly Father knew was coming.  We must embrace these programs in every way as they are the source of the oil mentioned above.  I believe it is not only for the young people but for the world.  It teaches correct principles in goal setting and personal behavior so necessary to feel and recognize the spirit.  One of the biggest challenges of missionaries is being able to stick to it.  We are struggling for answers on how to keep our missionaries from going home early.  They are giving up and throwing in the towel.  Fortunately most are obedient and are focused, however it seems we are always struggling with more than we should.  The rite of passage activities like the “rim to rim” and the “kings peak” and “pioneer trek” , the Willard peak APTC hike, and most high adventure and good scouting events are so vital in the preparatory activities of our young men and also our young women.  Whatever you can do to help these types of events happen and to be successful is so necessary in missionary preparation of our young people.

 We are proud of you Shelby to have made the swim team.  We know it is not easy to attend all of the practices, but look what it is helping you to become.  We are proud of all of our grandchildren who are being successful and working hard to develop their talents.  The real winners are those who are around for the last lap or the last inning or the last quarter or the last concert.  We have to learn to finish the race at all costs.  The score has little to do with who is the winner.  It is those who have paid the price to finish what they start and to do their very best that determines who wins.  Heavenly Father is the best coach anyone could have.  He has blessed us with the Holy Ghost to help us choose the right and to be where we are suppose to be at the right time.  What a privilege we all have to be on the Lord’s team.  Everyone on the Lord’s team can be the winners.  He gives us the rules we have to follow and if we keep them and do our very best we win!!  Wow what a dream team.  Please know that Grandma and Grandpa are striving to be the very best missionaries we can be.  We are not perfect; however we are working every day to be better.  We pray for each of you every day.  We are studying the scriptures and striving to be of service to everyone we can. We miss being with you but are so grateful for the computers that let us see and talk to you.  You are all so beautiful and we are so proud of you.

 As we enter into the holiday seasons of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years—let us focus on the many blessings we all have—especially the blessing of belonging to the true Church of Jesus Christ that allows us the opportunity to be Eternal Families.  Let’s all commit as members of the Lord’s team to finish the race we have all began.  It is the greatest event for which we can participate. 

We love the mission field and appreciate the support we feel from you all.  Have a good week

Elder and Sister Andrus, Dad and Mom, Grandpa and Grandma, and Don and Ruth.

   October 27 & 28, 2012

Dear Family and friends,

                Elder and Sister Andrus are reporting in again from Charlotte, North Carolina.  We have had a splendid week.  We pray each of you have likewise had a wonderful and successful week.  We love and pray for you all each day and think of you often.  Thanks to all of you for your love and support and prayers in our behalf.  We need them and we feel the Lord’s blessing on us each day as we strive to be obedient servants in the kingdom.

                Monday morning began with a detailed staff meeting with President and Sister Craven.  We have one each Monday morning when the President is in town which is about 80 % of the Mondays.  He challenged us to put our seat belts on because we can expect an increase in missionaries very soon.  He and Sister Craven have been at a mission president seminar with Elder Gonzales, our 70’s quorum file leader, since Thursday.  We will be anxious to hear what they have learned tomorrow in our staff meeting.  We are reading what you all are of the increase in applications for missionary service—many from young women.  It will be great to have more sister missionaries.  They have a wonderful spirit about them and we can use more of it everywhere.  With our President out of the area Sister Andrus and I have had to fill in some of the blanks that normally would be filled by the President.  We had an elder involved in a serious bike accident that placed him in the hospital overnight.  Sister Andrus and I have been in the hospital and took the Elder and his companion home.  Helped them get situated with pain medication and food.  He will need some major dental work as many of his teeth were broken.  His mouth and face had to be stitched back together.  Fortunately it was not any more serious than it was.  We met with a Bishop in Kannapolis regarding one of our Church Service missionaries who works in the office.  He is a handicapped Elder who so desires to be just like all the Elders but really can’t—and he doesn’t see why not.  The President asked me to work out a solution between the Bishop and the Elder.  We have a workable plan in motion that should help.  Regardless, all of these thinks takes us away from our duties that normally are performed in the office.  It also cuts in on our proselyting time.  We were able to meet with the Hill family.  Sister Hill is a member, however Joe is not.  He is a Deacon in the Baptist Church and doesn’t see how the Baptists can survive without him being there.  He is a good man.  We are working to always have a message to share with him regarding the unique doctrines the restored church has to offer.  We had a good meeting with him last Monday evening.  We hope to keep moving forward with this in the coming weeks.  We met with the husband of the family of three who were baptized last Saturday.  It was a good meeting also.  We are meeting again on Monday (Tomorrow) We hope to be able to use the influence of the spirit that his family has to help him.  He also is a good man who does many good things.  We met also on Friday evening with the Perez family.  The mother is a member and her 10 year old daughter has expressed interest to join the church.  They recently moved here from Las Vegas.  The mother wants to let her daughter make her own choice so Sister Andrus and I have the privilege to present the restored message to her and hope to do it in such a way so the Holy Ghost can bear witness to her of its truthfulness. 

                On Wednesday we took another Sr. Couple, the Bushman’s from American Fork (They used to be neighbors to Uncle Rick and Bev in Payson) to High Point, North Carolina to a new missionary training meeting.  President Craven desires all the missionaries, after about a month in the field, to gather together with their companions to have a day of training to help answer questions and demonstrate teaching techniques via role plays etc.  It was a great experience.  We learned the what is called the READY approach.  R—We are to establish what is their religious background.  E—Establish common ground.  A—Share something about our Unique Message—preferably the 1^st vision being able to recite from memory Joseph Smith’s account of his visit with the Father and the Son.  D—Describe roles.  What we as missionaries are going to do and what will be required of them as investigators.  It was emphasized that during this time we should share with them that we are going to be asking them to commit to baptism which will require them read the Book of Mormon and to pray about our message and attend church.  Y—You do it.  Commit to both do what you have agreed to do.  The whole process should not take more than 5 minutes.  There demonstrations were excellent and then we role played doing it.  It was difficult, however very inspiring.  Our roles as Sr. Couple are a little different; however the message is the same.  We must do things that allow them to make and keep commitments.  It was emphasized that people who cannot keep commitments will not be able to make and keep covenants.  So it weeds out those who are not willing to move forward.  We as Sr. Couples, however usually are left with those who need more time so we move a little slower.

                Sister Andrus and I spent most of Saturday with another Sr. Couple, Elder and Sister Tarbet from Midvale, Utah.  President Craven desires Sister Andrus and I to go to each of our Sr. Couples and spend time with them on Saturdays.  It is nice to share some common experiences and be together.  We visited Morrow Mountain State Park near Albamarle, NC.  It was a pleasant day with them.  This is there second mission.  The have 8 children with many grandchildren.  Sister Tarbet suffered a stroke a couple of years ago, however she functions pretty good.  Elder Tarbet is a great stalwart priesthood leader.  A retired Dentist.  He and Dr. Robert Jenson served as missionaries in Norway together.  They were not companions, however knew each other.  It was good to be with them.

                We were taught in our new missionary seminar that our families are our most important investigators.  We were instructed to share our testimonies as fervently with them as with anyone.  I hope we are not guilty of not sharing our testimonies with you are dear children, grandchildren and friends.  We never tire sharing the message of the restoration with anyone.  Each time we share the 1^st vision experience with anyone, we still have warm feelings in our bosoms of the truthfulness of its message.  Joseph Smith and all his predecessors are prophets of God. We sustain President Thomas S. Monson as the prophet of our day.  We are led by prophets and apostles called and set apart as especial witnesses of the Master Jesus Christ who atoned for our sins.  How blessed we are to know of the plan of happiness that allows us to be together as eternal families.  Please know of our prayers of gratitude for the potential of our family to be eternally together.  We know we must all do our very best to be present in those eternal realms.  It is not too far away.  Make sure we stand steadfast and immovable in a changing world.  Shun evil in all its wicked ways.  Say prayers and study the scriptures daily.  Have family home evening weekly and pray for strength to serve in every capacity you can to prepare the world for the 2^nd coming of the Savior.  We know this message is one of hope and is of utmost importance.  Again we love you all and so appreciate your support and love. 

Sincerely with love

Elder and Sister Andrus, Grandpa and grandma, Don and Ruth.

Grandma Andrus sewed the dress the mom is wearing.  This is a baptism.  This is a mom and her daughters.

This is Ruth and Don with another senior missionary couple.  They get to visit the other seniors on Saturdays.

October 14

Dear Family and friends,

                Another week has flown by—Sister Andrus and I are as busy now as we have ever been.  The opportunities to serve just keep coming our way.  We are so blessed.  We think about our wonderful family and dear friends often.  We miss you; however know we are where Heavenly Father wants us to be.  We are continually reminded that “sacrifice brings forth the blessings of Heaven”.  We especially delight in the thought that you are all striving to serve the Master in various ways.  Happiness in this life and in the life to come depends on our willingness to serve.  We pray we will all keep our “shoulders to the wheel” being valiant in our efforts to serve the Lord.  Remember “inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me”.

                The young man from Africa we talked about last week who called on the phone asking us how to get a copy of the Book of Mormon—He has had 3 missionary discussions.  He came to the Baptism last night and has a baptismal date set for early November.  He is such a gracious and wonderful person.  A mother and two of her daughters are candidates for baptism next Saturday--they were at the baptism last evening also.  They are so excited.  Sister Andrus has really made an impact on them—they love her and she loves them.  The mother of the two daughters is a large lady who is requiring a special dress to be made.  Sister Andrus is so glad she brought her sewing machine.  She has been to the fabric store and is busily putting together baptismal clothing.  She continues to amaze me at her abilities to love and share.  People are naturally drawn to her and her loving ways.  I am proud to be her companion and mostly just keep out of her way and do the dishes.  We met a wonderful couple while out jogging yesterday.  We hope we can work with them.  I truly believe Heavenly Father places people in our paths—all we have to do is open our mouths.  It feels like the work is hastening.  Maybe that is just because we are more focused and in the middle of lots of baptismal activity.  It really is exciting, however.

                Our office assignments continue to be challenging.  There are lots of little fires to keep putting out.  Some of them are man-made caused by inexperienced missionaries—I wonder who (ha ha), however some of them have been burning for a long time.  We are so glad there is wonderful support people in Salt Lake who I’m sure just laugh and shake their heads at times.  It makes me wonder if Heavenly Father at times just laughs and shakes His head at some of the dumb things I do.  At any rate isn’t it comforting to know we have places and people to turn to in times of need.  It makes it all possible and worthwhile. 

                Fall time is beautiful in North Carolina.  The leaves are beginning to turn.  There is a chill in the air.  It is really a lovely time of the year.  There are lots of Canadian Geese flying around.  You see flocks of them on open green spaces.  Sister Andrus is trying to get some pictures of them. 

                Well—time to get going.  Thanks for your continued prayers and thoughts in our behalf.  They do make a difference.  Remember the Lord loves each of you.  May we each continually strive to be eternal in nature and strive everyday to become more like the Master.  In do so we become like Him and will be worthy to enter back into his presence.  See you next week

Love Elder and Sister Andrus, Mom and Dad and Don and Ruth.

Oct. 7

October 7, 2012

Dear Family and Friends                                                                               

We are enjoying conference—how about you?  It is a little different here.  Meetings begin at Noon.  The afternoon session begins at 4:00 pm and Priesthood meeting at 8:00 pm.  I wrote the above sentence prior to going to the Saturday Morning Session of conference.  I don’t know about you but I thought conference was amazing.  It seemed to focus so much on missionary work.  I’m sure we were listening with missionary ears; however there was so much material.  Had continued confirmation, which brings much joy in our hearts, that we are doing what Heavenly Father desires us to do right now.  Thanks to all of you for your continued support.  We were a little disappointed that none of our less active invites accompanied us to conference.  That’s OK.  We just have more to do, that’s all.  We received a phone call on Friday evening from a person who was from South Africa.  He moved into the area and immediately knew he had to find out about the Mormon Church.  He found the mission home’s phone number and gave us a call.  One of Sister Andrus’s responsibilities is to carry the office phone 24/7 so she receives many phone calls every day.  This call was so great.  I wanted Sister Andrus and I to go to the address and answer the questions and begin the missionary discussions with this person, however we called the Elders who are assigned to the area.  They were so excited.  They reported on Saturday a wonderful meeting and are looking forward to teaching this person.  We received another phone call from a lady who has lived in Charlotte for years and just felt impressed to become active again.  We were able to contact her ward leaders, (At her request she didn’t want the missionaries)  The ward leaders were anxious to help her.  We also received a phone call from two United Airline pilots who had a layover in Charlotte and wanted to attend Priesthood Meeting.  We were able to direct them to the closest chapel to the airport.  What an exciting weekend on the phones.  We watched the final session of conference with President and Sister Craven at the mission home.  They are such wonderful people.  It was enjoyable to sit with them.  Afterwards we had dinner and had a great visit.  They come from families rich in Mormon tradition.  President Craven’s Father served for 12 years as the secretary to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.  His father was a mission president in New Zealand and also the temple president in New Zealand.  Needless to say, President Craven has had numerous experiences with all the brethren.  It was enjoyable to visit regarding such.  They are really down to earth people who love the Lord.  They love their 5 children and 9 grandchildren.  They are about 10 years younger than Ruth and I.  They are becoming wonderful friends and companions in the mission.  We feel so honored to be with them.  We have so much work to do in the office to help them.  Every time we meet, we come up with more assignments.  We pray every day that we can be prepared to move the work forward.  President and Sister Craven’s families are coming this week to visit their parents.  We could only carve out one day for them, however that is what they wanted—their family just wants to see them in action.  We are happy for them and look forward to meeting their family

                We are so proud of our family.  Are children and grandchildren are so special to us.  Our Ward family is so wonderful also.  We pray for Bishop Christensen and his counselors and their families.  We are grateful for their leadership and prayers in our behalf. 

                Have a wonderful week.  Heed the council we all received from our prophet leaders and we will be blessed more than we can imagine. 

Love Dad and Mom, Elder & Sister Andrus, Don and Ruth.

Sept. 30,2012

Dear Family and friends

Wow—a full month has passed since we arrived in North Carolina.  It seems like so long ago yet only yesterday.  What a great month.  We are so grateful for each of you.  We pray for you daily and continue to ask Heavenly Father for your safety and success.  We continue to be assured we are where Heavenly Father wants us to be. 

We were with President and Sister Craven during the testimony meeting of the missionaries who are home now.  President shared a reference in the Book of Joshua that I would like to share with you.  I have reflected upon it considerably since Wednesday of this week and believe it can help all of us.  He indicated the pattern outlined in Joshua is a template we can follow that will help us always remain steadfast and immovable in an unchanging world-- a way  we can stay active in the gospel and be useful tools in the Kingdom of Heavenly Father.  In Joshua chapter three Joshua is leading the children of Israel to the promise land—Jordan.  In order to do so they must cross the Jordon River—the question was asked by the Priests how they were to carry the Ark of the Covenant, their equivalent of the temple, across the river.  Verse 7—“And the Lord said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel and that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.  And thou shalt command the priests that bear the Ark of the Covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan.  And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, Come hither, and hear the words of the Lord your God.”  The priests went, as instructed, to the waters’ edge carrying the ark.  Verse 13- “And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bare the ark of the Lord. . . .shall rest in the waters of Jordan , that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap.  Verse 15—And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,) Verse 17—“And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan”.  Joshua 4: 10  “For the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan, until everything was finished that the Lord commanded Joshua to speak unto the people according to all that Moses commanded Joshua;  and the people hasted and passed over.  And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over that the ark of the Lord passed over and the priests in the presence of the people”.  The message President Craven shared with the departing missionaries was: 1—always carry the ark.  (Have a current temple recommend. 2—Be first in the water—Be first to volunteer and don’t be afraid to get your feet wet.  3.  Remain steadfast on dry ground until everyone has past.  Participate and stay active in the mainstream of the programs of the church and family.  4- Be last to leave.  Stay and help cleanup.  Put the chairs away—be of service –look for ways to help and be of service without being asked.  I echo this council to my children and grandchildren.  I remember the promise of Elder Bateman to the saints of the Willard Utah Stake saying very similar things and then promising exaltation in the Celestial Kingdom if we did.  Oh how Sister Andrus and I pray we can be together as an eternal family.  The plan of happiness is for everyone—including the Don and Ruth Andrus Family.  It is also for our dear brothers and sisters and their families and our wonderful friends and associates in the kingdom and their families.  We love all of you so much.

We begin our “solo” assignments tomorrow and are so looking forward to being on our own.  We have been well trained and believe we can make a difference for good.  If there is one thing we have learned is that office work is important for the success of spreading forth the Kingdom of Heaven.  It is an important work and needs to be done efficiently and effectively so the work of saving souls can move forward without problems.  We are honored and blessed to have this opportunity to serve.  President and Sister Craven are so grateful to Sister Andrus and I and are looking forward to us helping them bring a new generation of ideas and success.  We are humbled and believe and know this is what Heavenly father desires of us right now. 

Transfer week was so busy and so exciting.  We already love the new missionaries—so prepared and ready to work.  Sister Andrus is amazing with them.  She is so like a mother and helps them feel so good.  I am so proud of her.  It’s great to be her companion.  I taught the High Priest Group today—I was asked to help the group leadership formalize a prospective Elder rescue effort.  It was enjoyable to put to use my experience and facilitate a great discussion.  We still have much to accomplish but have a good start.  We took a prospective elder to church—the same one we did last week.  He is making progress.  His name is Til.  We also were happy to greet Tim—recently baptized.   A few weeks ago we helped him set up for him an appointment with the employment missionaries.  He was so happy—he has an interview today.  We so hope he is able to get the job.  He is the one we also introduced family history work with.  He is so thrilled to be finding his “roots”.  We really feel rewarded in our ward assignments also.  The Reedy Creek Ward is a good ward.  It is our ward for now.  We love these good people.  We feel at home with them. 

We miss you all but trust the Lord that He will keep and protect you in our absence.  Thanks again for your faith and prayers in our behalf.  We so enjoyed the face time with some of you and look forward to similar time with all of you.  Just enjoyed some face time with Ben and family.  So good to see everyone.  Have a great week

Love

 Elder and Sister, Mom and Dad, Don and Ruth.