To My Grandkids

To My Grandkids

Let me tell you a story

July 5, 2015

     My Grandkids, let me tell you a story. In the months we have been here I have made some sweet friends in the mission. I have become special friends to one missionary, Elder Ellison. He is a part-time missionary working in the FM Department. Remember, we were supposed to be those kind of missionaries....the weed whackers, flower dead-headers, etc. Elder Ellison has been on his part-time mission now for nine years. Nine years, mind you. One of his responsibilities is to tend to the mission office landscaping. As a result, he has taken to coming into my office and resting a bit on his breaks. Elder Ellison is hard to understand. Very hard. He has a terrible speech impediment. Our conversations may seem odd to a casual onlooker. I have learned to pick up some of his words and he likes me to laugh at him. Which is easy for me to do. We have a grand time. He likes me to come out outside and see his handiwork and I like to see it. We stroll around the office  landscaping and I ask him questions about plants and trees.  He tells me all he knows. He is so proud of his work. The deal is that I don't know much more about Missouri's plants and trees than I did before we came but I do know I have made a good friend.  Check him out on the blog, ok? I told him I was going to take a picture for my family in AZ to see and he was so proud. He had lost his nametag right before this picture was taken so Sister Carlson had ordered him a pin on type. Now he will not lose that thing. He was so glad to have just received his new one before this picture was taken.
     I tell you, my darlings, this story because I want to remind you again in your lives you will meet many people. Some will believe as you do. Some won't. Some will be kind to you. Some won't. The bottom line is please do your best to be kind to everyone. A kind word and a smile will get you far.
When I look back on our time in the Missouri Independence Mission office, I will fondly remember my time spent with Elder Ellison. I believe he will do the same with me. When people look back on their experiences with each of you, please oh please, have them say, "Oh, I remember her/him. She/he was kind to me."

    Prov. 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken heart drieth the bones.

My Love to all of you, 
Sister Seaman....aka...Grandma 

Sacrifice.....

     Just a bit more on Elder Ellison.  I can just barely make out his words. It frustrates him that I don't understand sometimes.  He was probably born with a speech impediment, but he has also had a stroke.  He is about 62 years old, never been married, kinda smells like BO most of the time. He is skinny and doesn't take very good care of himself.  Some teeth are missing.  He lives at least 30 minutes from the mission office where he comes three times a week to serve.  His car is broken down right now, which he does not have the money to fix.  I am not sure how he is getting work, maybe the bus.  That would mean getting up way early and getting home way late.  He lives on the other side of Kansas City.  He wanted desperately to come to the Senior Dinner the other night but couldn't find a way there.  He told me President Vest really wanted him there. He is making a sacrifice that I can not comprehend.  I wish I had his devotion and his drive and his landscaping abilities.  Sister Seaman is so kind to him and he just loves her.  It makes me cry.  Sacrifice.
     Yesterday Sister Seaman and I drove out to Sedalia, MO., an hour and 1/2 each way, where we took two new mattresses and box springs to Sister Pita and Smith (Sister Smith is from Holbrook.) The reason we took the new beds was due to the basement in the member's home, in which they were living, flooded with three feet of water.  On Wednesday night, Sedalia got 6 inches of rain in about an hour's time.  The water built up around the house, filled the window wells, and then broke the windows out into the basement filling the basement with water.  Total loss in the basement.  The missionaries were there and saw it happen, taking their personal stuff out in time.  When we talked to them on Saturday, they were just like they always are, very happy and excited about the missionary work they have been doing.  We unloaded the beds at another member's home where they will stay until we find them a new place to stay.  What gets me about the whole deal is that missionary work was still the most important thing on their minds.  Sacrifice.
     Remember Far West.  We  were directed to a new sign, just down the road from the temple site, that had been placed out there (see picture.)  The Eminence.  It is self-explanatory. The reason I draw it to your attention is sacrifice. 
     The dedication of the temple site is another story of sacrifice.  Joseph called the apostles back to Far West from wherever they were in the world and that they were to be there by a certain date.  The Mob had sworn that the Prophet would never dedicate this temple site.  In the night, secretly, the Prophet and the apostles met and dedicated the site and then Joseph told them that the Lord wanted them to serve missions starting from that night.  Many of them in foreign lands.  They left everything and went.  Some leaving their families in the dire straits of poverty and mob violence.  Sacrifice.
     I would want my family to know that it may be required of them some day.  Be ready.  Decide today that you will do what the Lord asks, no matter the cost.  It will be worth the cost.

Sincerely,
Elder Seaman...aka... Papa