Training!

L to R - Elder Baliff, Zone Leader, Elder Krebs, Zone Leader,  & Elder Hernandez, District Leader - So  Valiant!

L to R - Elder Rosales, Elder Lawrence & Elder Rosqvist 

It's great to be part of the Kingdom of God on earth!  We are blessed to receive training from our fearless District Leader each Friday morning. We get to rub elbows with the Elders in our district, zone and southern part of our mission.  We attend zone training once a month and a zone training conference every other month.  Elder Sturgis and I enjoy intimidating the elders.  But it's not as enjoyable when they show off their scriptural prowess.  All is fair is sharing the gospel.  Elders Hernandez, Rosales, Krebs, Baliff are all Spanish-speaking Elders; and Elders Lawrence and Rosqvist are English-speaking like the senior missionaries. Elder Rosales is in our district and he was at the MTC at the same time we were and we even talked with him.  He remembered us but we had a senior moment and it took a while to remember when we talked.  He sat beside us at one of our MTC devotionals and we enjoy feeling of his spirit.  He is from Oceanside, California and prior to joining the church, his plans were to become a catholic priest.  More to come . . . .

LDS Chaplain Promoted!

Chaplain Harms's wife, Heidi made this cake commemorating  his promotion to Major

Chaplain Harms and his Proud Family!

 In all our adventures, one of our favorites is participating with the LDS Chaplains stationed here at Fort Bliss, Texas.
There are two LDS Chaplains currently serving here.  There are quite a few Chaplains at Fort Bliss and we are still trying to meet the ones that are not LDS.  We enjoy Chaplain Harms (Major) and Chaplain Coleman (Major) and we have been blessed by their words of wisdom as they speak regularly at McGregor Range Sacrament Meetings to National Guard and Reserve soldiers that come to Fort Bliss for training prior to deployment.  These men believe in families.  Chaplain Harms has 6 children and Chaplain Coleman has 10 children and their sweetheart wives are amazing!!!

We've enjoyed meeting their children who by the way, are quite resilient. We were honored to be invited to attend his promotion ceremony.  Chaplain Harms has received orders for Permanent Change of Station (PCS) to Fort Lewis, Washington with a combat infantry brigade.  Our understanding is this is quite a feather in his cap for a new Major.  We are sad to see them go but we are happy for their new adventure.

Resiliency Training

Our great, new Resiliency Training Friends in the Gospel!!

FEAR, APPREHENSION, TREPIDATION, INADEQUACY, OVERWHELMING DESIRE TO RUN!! These were some of the feelings we were having prior to presenting our first of four Resiliency Training classes.  The material was difficult for us to understand and we were unsure we believed all that was included.   Elder Sturgis squelched the idea to run (he says it was because he was afraid he'd trip over something he could not see, trying to catch Sister Sturgis as she made her escape), so we began preparing our first class.   We sought help from the other senior military relations missionary couple and they graciously shared their outline/matrix with us.  We read the material and all the materials we received from the Military Relations Department regarding our assignment.  Then we prayed, fasted and prayed some more.  We prepared our outline, prayed and reviewed our presentation several times so we knew who would share which part of the lesson and when.  As we continued in this way for several weeks, we began to notice we were receiving tender mercies from our Lord.  We found Mormon Ads that applied to the specific classes and included them. Fortunately we have much talent in our extended family and we are not shy about asking for help and we did.  Trevor helped us with technical issues/downloads because we were unsure of internet access in the meetinghouse.  We prepared folders for each participant, we attended the other senior missionary couple's resiliency class as they started a week before us so we were able to get an idea for presentation.

Still not enough faith within as we approached the last week before our presentation but we were moving forward obediently.  Then more good news?  We received information that we might have 34 participants in our first class and the recommended class size is 24.  So much for calm.  Even Elder Sturgis could not calm Sister Sturgis!!  We pressed forward for lack of any other logical options.

The day arrived for our first class.  We had arranged to get a key to the building, arrived in the afternoon to set up for the training and realized that we did not have a tablecloth for the table (sure you know who was worried about this). We could not get into the nursery room, the library took approximately 30-40 minutes off and on to get the key to work, and all the time the TV/video was in another room that was not locked. We did not know who the child care workers were or if they were even coming, nor were we aware of who was providing refreshments.  Too many variables for you know who. Time stops for no one, so we continued to the best of our ability and that was questionable by this time. The appointed time arrived and we completed our first class with 17 attendees. 

We continued in prayed and tried to stay calm but most importantly faithful. It's awesome and faith-building when you experience the Holy Ghost in action.  He did exactly what he is called to do and sustained us through this trail of our faith for the good of those in attendance. Did we do what we had rehearsed and prepared?  We are unsure because our memory of this event is fuzzy.  What we were sure of was it was over!!!

Did finally get a tablecloth for our Resilency Class Display (All is right with the world)

Class 3 pertained to children, so Elder Sturgis wanted to have toys! Thank goodness for neighbors!!

We were assured that the Lord was with us.  We continued in the same manner with the next three classes and it seemed to us that each one was better than the previous one. President Smith, 2nd counselor in our stake presidency address the class on the second week. We were encouraged by the fellow-shipping that took place after each class during refreshment time.  New friendships were formed as the participants were from 3 wards. All that came ready to learn, felt the confirming witness of the Spirit when truths were taught.

Our last class was on a particularly busy day and we had a few snags, but once again, we received tender mercies.  We felt we should prepare a refrigerator magnet for each couple, but ran out of time to attach the magnet.  One of our attendees had felt impressed to come early to help.  We were so grateful for her willingness to listen to the still small voice.  She completed the magnets just in time as we finished preparing everything else.

The happenings during this training are many and the miracles just as numerous and for this we are grateful for a loving Heavenly Father and the great gift of the atonement given to us by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Our testimony of this continues to grow as does our love for our service opportunities.  The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only true church in the universe. The plan of happiness is the only way back to our Heavenly Parents. We remain imperfect but so much happier for the opportunities we have been afforded to feel God's love in our lives.

Why We Are Here!

James & Patricia Caruthers & Elder & Sister Sturgis assisting at James' Deployment

Patricia was the first new military spouse we met on our first Sunday in our mission.  She had been baptized the day before and married the week before and her sweetheart, James was scheduled for deployment the end of December, 2012.

Elder Sturgis was assigned to this family because 22 year old Patricia is legally blind and has had  issues with her vision since she was 10 years old.  This is the family we assisted with our miracle move the day after Thanksgiving and they were our family on Thanksgiving.  We learned a lot about how the Army deploys soldiers to Afghanistan. 

James' Company at roll call. Patricia was waiting patiently and wishing this was a dream

 We arrived at Spc4 Caruthers' home at 11:45 A.M. to drive them to their deployment rendezvous location for a 12:30 p.m.arrival time.  He was scheduled to embark on his departing plane at 11:p.m.  Elder Sturgis definitely understands military but this was beyond our comprehension.

This is where James works.  He said we could take pictures of the vehicles

 James and Patricia were blessed to play the waiting game in the military building where James works with military vehicles that looked strange to Sister Sturgis and Elder Sturgis did his best to see them with his monocular and tell me about them and James seemed to know less than Elder Sturgis did.  So much to learn and there seems so little room in my brain to retain it, but trust in the Lord we will do.

Assault Weapon issued to Spc 4 Caruthers at approximately 3:00 p.m.

.  We really were allowed to hang around with James and Patricia even when they were issuing their weapons.  Just had to take a picture of all the goings on.  This was getting too real for me. 

We hear about and talk about the wars and rumors of wars and here we saw the faces of young men and women living the war along with their families.  Our prayers now have vivid pictures of our military that we ask the Lord to bless. Please remember them in your prayers.

This is just a small group of the many families involved in this  Deployment

Our understanding is that there have been deployments about every two weeks and they will continue for several more months. We will continue learning how things work at Fort Bliss and support and assist LDS Military families during these difficult times

Patricia is doing well during this her first deployment.  We assisted her is enrolling in community college and getting to some of her doctor appointments, trips to the bank, IRS, Social Security office and above all church meetings.

Elder Sturgis and I are currently teaching Resiliency Classes to military couple/singles willing to learn skills to help them make the atonement of our Savior central in their lives and therefore helping them cope with the unique challenges of military life. This has probably been better for us than for them.  We have attendees from 4 wards and growing.  We are humbled to have the privilege to assist these families since the challenges they have as individuals and families afford us the privilege of freedom.  Our classes are designed to help them focus on the glass half full!! 

 Service With a Smile!

Some people wonder about us? Hamburglar & Elder Sturgis seemed to know each other

Characters you meet while rendering service!! While working with "KaBoom" to put up a children's playground for an El Paso Children's Crisis Center/YWCA on December 8, 2012; Elder Sturgis insisted that we have a picture with one of the hardest working members there, Elder Sturgis is right next to him.

KaBOOM! is a national non-profit dedicated to saving play for America's children.  Their mission is to create great playspaces through the participation and leadership of communities. Ultimately, they envision a place to play within walking distance of every child in America. (Check out their website, you can help make this happen in your neighborhood!)

This was their 271st playground for 2012, we believe.  You can see by their mission objective they work with communities.  The director of the El Paso Children's Crisis Center talked with us about the application process and they had been turned down in a previous application and he was very excited that this time it was happening for the children in that area of El Paso, Texas after 2+ years of trying.  KaBoom rules for playground grant is that the activity take no more than 3 days or grant will be withdrawn. This is why so many volunteers were needed. 

There were over 200 volunteers - from the community, from the Hondo Pass Ward, as well as about 12-15 military soldiers to make the project a reality (so glad there were soldiers, much of the work required a strong back and front). We heard about the project from the Army Community Services and went down that morning to lend a hand. 
When we arrived, there was a cleared area that had been a basketball court (took half of the court area) with BIG holes in the rock ground.  The other half of the basketball court had a 25 foot high in wood chips.  We were assigned to the landscaping crew.  KaBoom staffers were in charge and the volunteers had been divided up to the needed work crews. We began by digging holes in the ground?, to plant trees and then more diggings for a rod iron fence across the front of the playground. Well, actually we assigned ourselves to Christian's work crew (young 17 year old from Franklin High School Key Club) so we were a great team.  We gave of our wisdom and encouragement and he dug it!! This was a short project as there were so many volunteers and then the team leaders lost control of the teams.  We ran out of work so we made  up our next job of carrying wood chips to the playground area with Christian shoveling it onto tarps and then we carried it 35-45 feet and dumped it into another pile.  
All the while others were assembling the playground, constructing wooden benches and planters as well as a shaded square gazebo for observers of children at play once the playground was complete of course.  Oh yes, McDonald's provided a hot breakfast for all as well as a hot lunch.

Christian at his Best!! Great young man!!

The director was very concerned about the trees and flowers being planted.  He had no idea how he was going to get them watered regularly!

Beginnings of playground

 This is what it looked like at the beginning.  Before poles were solidified in the ground with cement, the playground was assembled; piece by piece.  There were separate crews for mixing bags of cement in wheelbarrows and poured into each hole pretty much at the end of assembly.

Needed proof that we were there and working!

Elder Sturgis met his daughter, Paige's best friend at the service project.  We were having lunch and this nice, woman walked up to us collecting trash and suddenly said, "Elder Sturgis? Are you Paige's dad?"  She knew from Paige we were going on a mission but did not have the details.  They had a great visit.  We made every effort to meet new people and it is marvelous & powerful, the magic in those "little black name tags"  and how it continued working for us. It helped that we were probably the most mature individuals working in the trenches.
We met a beautiful couple with 4 children, they brought 2 of their children with them and the older ones were working and/or preparing for a school program of some sort.  Billy and Maggie work with us in carrying wood chips.  We were working so fast that we were asked to take a break until the playground assemblers were further along.  We did and got to know Billy & Maggie better. Billy is a physicians assistant and Maggie is blessed to be a stay home mother. (What a JOY!!)  They were unable to stay due to their children's school program that afternoon so we say our goodbyes, then another miracle.  Or should we say, the Lord sent the miracle via a lightning bolt.  Billy asked for our phone number so we could get together sometime.  This was after Elder Sturgis had given him a Mormon.org pass-along card.  We said sure after what seemed like an eternity but was really just a moment we think.  Sister Sturgis was thinking, that was what we were supposed to ask.  We practically tripped over ourselves giving them our business card and expressing a great desire to meet again.  It good that the Lord works with what he has!  This episode is still developing!!!!
We got to meet the director of the YWCA, local Red Cross, and Crisis Center.  We were not introduced to all the politicians that showed up at the completion of the project for the dedication or the El Paso McDonald's representative that donated much to the playground project in addition to the food, shirts, scarves, music DJ and we are unsure what else (except for the fact that he did have a bad hairpiece and too many facelifts).  Good people were there and kept giving us surprised looks as we continued carrying wood chips, racking wood chips, and helping wherever we could see a need.

There was dancing during the lunch break!

There were even games for children of workers (Red Rover was what was being played in this picture!)

This was line dancing lead by the soldiers.

The soldiers abandoned their work stations and ran when the line dance music started and put on quite a show and got many to join in.

The work continued!!

Or did it?

The DJ was great and played great work and play music the entire day that culminated in the dedication at 3:15 p.m. We definitely got caught up in the excitement of service and stayed until it was all said and done and left exhausted but happy.

Director of Children's Crisis Center & Director of YWCA

The sun shown on finished Project!!

There were many, many thank you speeches and just as many tired, but happy souls!