Reporting From The UK: December 2015

Monday, December 28, 2015

A Sweet Time

We had all met earlier in the temple for Kortney to go for her first time. A sweet day. The Seaman Girls and Husbands (l-r): Jace and Lindsay Baum; Dan and Kirsten Flake; Eric and Addie Gaylord; The Missionaries; The Almost Cody and Kortney family; Jerry and Mauriah Walker (Kortney's parents); Chaz and Caitlin Hatch; Jessica and Jordy Fuentes

Homeward Bound

So many mixed emotions!

Here We Are

December 27, 2015

Elder Cody Tenney left Show Low, Az in July 2013 to travel across the continent to Zimbabwe to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was a bittersweet day for a young girl, Kortney Walker. They made plans to wait and see what the future would hold for them.

Life went on. They wrote weekly while Kortney continued growing up and participating in high school activities. This she did with honors, all the while working at the local Dairy Queen, cheering, helping her mom, and setting a standard for all 20 Seaman cousins to follow.

Elder Tenney returned with honor from Africa this past summer. After a 16 hour flight to Atlanta, and then 4 hours to Arizona, he met his family at Sky Harbor Airport When the family hit the mountain, guess where Elder Tenney headed.....Yep.....and the welcome sign covered the width of the street.

So, HERE WE ARE. We are Home. For a short while to witness the wedding of these two. Isn't this a wonderful story with a happy ending? Kortney is our oldest granddaughter. As we stood in the

Celestial Room of the Snowflake Temple yesterday with all six of our daughters and their husbands and waited for this young couple to come into the room, my elder and I squeezed hands and marveled at our blessings.

All Week my mind has gone back to my personal blessing given by President Williams before we left for Missouri. "This is the absolute best thing you can do for your family". I felt that yesterday in the temple as Kortney went through for her endowments; then as we met at the Gaylord's house for Christmas Eve, and again,at the Hatch's house on Christmas Day.

We have found all is well in Show Low and more importantly, all is well in our families. Not to say they have not experienced trials, and even some heartbreak along the way this past year or so. But we love to see their desires to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in their homes. Cody and Kortney Tenney will follow the same pattern. They have both been taught well.

We are here for the week. We feel so blessed. But, I have to confess, part of my heart is still in Missouri. When two young elders came into sacrament meeting today in Sierra Pines Ward, I made eye contact with one. We smiled and both of us tapped our name tags. It made me cry.

We will go home after the big party this weekend and finish the job. When I say Home, we both know what that means. Missouri. The Lord called us for 18 months. Just like Cody and Kortney, we have some exciting times ahead of us.

All my Love,

Sister Seaman....aka grandma to the bride, Kortney. And Cody Tenney's new grandma. Just ask him.

Show Low Arizona

Sister Seaman has lived in Show Low, Arizona all her life. And except for three brief periods of time when she went off to school at NAU, after we were married and lived in Scottsdale while I finished school at ASU, and lately while we have been serving in Missouri, she has not been inclined to leave. The decision was made early on in our marriage that we would stay and raise our family here, knowing full well that we would be giving up better paying jobs and more opportunities elsewhere. Actually, we didn't really give up much. Maybe a better paying job, but everything else has been worth it. In fact, that decision was instrumental in my being able to serve in the various church positions that I was called to and probably would not have had the same opportunities living in other places.

I remember all of our girls, at some point in their teenage years, vowed to leave this place and not return because it was so small and "not with it." Well, all of our 6 girls have either stayed after they were married or moved back or at some point lived near here. As of today, 5 out of 6 live in or within 20 miles of Show Low. There is something about this place that gets in your blood. It feels good here.

It felt good today as we got to visit our ward at church and hug and cry as we renewed old friendships. We have missed the place, but we also know that Missouri has a hold on us for 4 more months. We have grown to love our mission. We have grown to love the missionaries that serve in Missouri. We have grown to love the sacred places in Missouri. We have grown to love missionary service. I think it is keeping us young. I know that it is blessing our lives and the lives of our family as we serve. I can hardly believe the tender feelings I have for missionaries.

If you have followed us on this blog since the beginning you know that it has not always been this way. Serving has been the catalyst for change. The day to day work of senior missionaries has changed us forever. We will be eternally grateful for the opportunities that have come our way and the blessings that have come from serving in those opportunities. It has strengthened our testimonies and our love and devotion for the gospel of Jesus Christ. How grateful we are for Him.

We love you and ask the Lord to watch over our family and friends.

Sincerely,

Elder Seaman

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Christmas Mail

So fun!!

SISTER TALLIMATASSI

She is our bishop's wife. She was the first to welcome us to the ward. She has been so kind to us, just as her dear husband is.

Mothers and Christmas

December 20, 2015

     The phone has rung more than usual this week in the office. Many times it is a mother calling from out west asking about an address, our mail delivery times, most efficient shipping routes, etc. Many have started their conversations with an apology. "I am sorry. I am running late this year."....."I am sorry. I lost his or her new address."....Mothers, do you get my drift?   Do not fear, though. For every frazzled call I answer, there is another mother on the line asking for the name of their missionary's new companion. Asking how many sisters live in the house so she can send enough for all. Asking me to let our mail secretary know that she sent two extra packages for any missionary who won't be getting much.
     This most wonderful time of the year can wreak havoc on a mother's emotions. Have I done enough? Do my children feel a spirit of joy in our home this season? What neighbor have I forgotten? What child have I forgotten??!
      The prophet Isaiah spoke of the Savior and compared his love for us like that of a mother, "Can a woman forget her sucking child?" Isn't that the truth, Mothers? And I am not talking about Christmas gifts now. That is such a small part of how we show our love to our children, yet the world portrays it differently. Your child does not need the best phone, the best clothes. Your child needs you. And you are doing it. You are giving it and you don't need to apologize. Your gave your child the two best gifts they will ever get. A family and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
     Your heart may get broken along the way for a time due to your child's poor choices but Hallelujah! A Savior was born! Because of Him, your child can repent and start over. Because of Him, you can repent on those grumpy days that can creep into this joyous occasion. I speak from experience. I first became a mother 40 years ago this very week when our first daughter, Mauriah, was born. By the way, how can she be 40? She is too young and beautiful. It hasn't even phased her.
     So mothers....chin up. You have a sacred trust placed in you. You can do it! Pray for courage and strength. You are doing so much better than you think you are. Now, if you are a mom, be sure and check out the picture of the mail in our office last Monday. Study it. Guess where it came from and is still coming from? Over 200 mothers across the country and even, the world. Chances are slim to none that a dad postmarked a one of them. Moms, you've got this.

Rejoice greatly!
Sister Seaman.....aka MOTHER to Jessica, Caitlin, Mauriah, Kirsten, Lindsay, and Addie

Fathers, Front and Center

     The gifts coming from Home to missionaries, at least here in this mission, are considerable. And I acknowledge all the mothers and their tender feelings for their missionaries. However, as a father of the same daughters as Sister Seaman, I also know that the fathers care. They care enough and in most cases far more than enough. I also know that cards and gifts may not be their thing. The fathers just wait longer than the wives and it gets taken care of before they can act. Either way, Mothers and Fathers love their missionaries. This sounds a little lame doesn't it. OK Moms, you win, but this father loves his daughters more than he can express.
     Have you ever secretly wished that you could be an anonymous giver of gifts that would really help someone who really needs the help. I am talking about really helping. I am not sure I am qualified to make a distinction between who really has a need and who just has their hand out. And I am not wealthy enough to do anything in the way of really helping someone, but I have always thought it would be the greatest thing. I really enjoy doing the "pay-it-forward" thing at McDonalds; but, I am talking about a college tuition for a kid who would never be able to get it otherwise; or a house for a disabled vet. You may have had these same thoughts.
     Well, here we are in Independence Missouri serving a mission and it has struck me that I have the opportunity to give the greatest gift to ever be given. The gift of eternal life. The greatest of all gifts.  The reality of it though is that I am actually weird about giving this gift. I am afraid.  Even though it costs me nothing. And even though it can be given without making any distinction. I hesitate. There is the fear that it will be rejected. I don't like rejection.
     During the course of this mission, Sister Seaman and I are slowly becoming better at giving the gift. Wow, you would think that by now, after 14 months, we would be fearless. We are not, but we are getting better. We have been giving out the little #ASaviorisBorn cards to a few people this year. It seems to be such a small effort on our part.
     Anyway, we do have the greatest of all the gifts ever given and we should share it whenever and wherever we can. Start today by getting some pass-along cards from the missionaries near you and commit to yourselves to give them out. Be friendly. Be the example. Be kind. You will be a great missionary. We love you.

Sincerely,
Elder Seaman

Sunday, December 13, 2015

Sister Pemberton

Sister Pemberton has been helping out in the mission home for several years during Transfer Week. She invited me to a cookie Exchange at her home on Saturday. As you can see, she loves Christmas. She only has 4 trees up this year. In the past, she puts up as many as 17. That's right-17.

MENDED AND READY TO GO

Mothers and Christmas

December 20, 2015

Fathers, Front and Center

Dressing For the Title

Dressing for the Title

December 13, 2015

      The temperature has hovered around 70 degrees this week. It has changed just today with steady rain falling. I have been studying all the posts on Instagram from our family and friends of the beautiful snow that has fallen back home in Show Low, Az. I am so happy for all of them! But, honestly, it has been a good week for Arrivals, Transfers, and Departures.
      We only received 5 newbies this week with 12 missionaries going home. It is such an exciting time to see these new missionaries on their first day in Missouri. They are always running on fumes from lack of sleep but most have a innocent happiness about them. The elders are typically in their new suits and all the sisters are sporting new bags for all their goods.
      Now, compare this to the departing group that arrive in the office the very next day. The elders suits are more worn. Most of the sisters have told me at different times that they will never wear this skirt or that dress again. As a matter of fact, many leave their clothes in what is called our Zion Closet for other sisters to pick and choose from. This is also where many of our sisters from the islands or Mexico get their mission coats and boots. Having raised six daughters, I love when I see sisters sporting a new outfit straight from Zion's Closet. There have been many a black plastic bag passed around from one Seaman girl to another through the years. I have been the lucky recipient of some pretty good items out of those big ol' bags.
      On Transfer Thursday this week, Sister Phillips came in from Overland Park. She was being transferred up to St. Joseph. She handed me two dresses out of Zion's Closet because they "looked like me". One fits, one doesn't. It was like wearing a strait jacket. And it wasn't even zipped. So, I did what any good sister missionary would do. When Sister Hixon came by with her new companion, I gave her the cute red dress. She knows what to do. If it doesn't fit her and no sister calls dibs on it before she leaves the area, it goes back in Zion's Closet. These sisters out here in Missouri are living a simple version of the United Order, don't you think?
     As for the elders, they don't seem to have as much fun as the sisters do when it comes to dressing. Oh, don't get me wrong. Some get regular packages from a mama back home who keeps them looking spiffy. Others have learned to drop by the office and give me their pants to mend. I have become pretty proficient at it. I always tell them I am volunteer help so don't expect miracles. And they don't. A pair I mended this week was supported with duct tape when I got ahold of them.
     The one thing all missionaries have in common whether they are new arrivals or departing for home is lack of sleep. They are up every morning hard at it at 6:30. When departing missionaries tell me they are going to sleep in a day or two when they arrive home, I believe them. They work hard. They play hard. They sleep less. So, when it all over for them and it is time to go home, elders pack up their worn white shirts. Sisters' bags have probably been changed out a time or two but I have NEVER seen a sister go home with a spanking new bag on her shoulder. I have come to believe it is a badge of honor for these tired missionaries to return home with a bag full of holey socks and gray underwear. These things can always be replaced. Their one sweet mission experience is worth it all.
     Call me if you need a hem fixed.

MY LOVE, LOVE TO YOU ALL!
Sister Seaman....aka Grandma to Kyson, Teag, Cash, Max, Zane, Noah, Ezra, Elijah, Jett, Ethan, Kortney, Kenz, Mattie, Chloe, Livi, Brookie, Ellie, Macy, Mikael, Avy, and Sailor

Sacrifice

     Well, another transfer has come and gone, and 12 good old friends have completed their missions and gone home. It tears me up a little for a day or two but I get over it as I start to see their facebook posts show up with them getting back to their lives. But I hope I never forget them or the sacrifice that they made. They are outstanding people.
     Speaking of sacrifice, can I tell you about a missionary that is still here but barely. His name is Elder Burke. I was asked by the nurse the other day to take him to the doctor up in Liberty. He and I rode in the mission truck and we talked. He told me that he was sick and had been for some time and couldn't shake it. He had come down with a rattley old cough due to an infection in his sinus.  He said that he has Lupus and that he had spent several months prior to his mission just getting his health good enough to serve.  That delay makes him older and more mature than most of the new missionaries. Because of the Lupus, and the medication he takes, his immune system does not work.  He catches everything. What is he doing serving in the mold and mildew capital of the mid-west??
     The doctors have poked and prodded him and have decided that he must surgery on his sinus to open him up and dry him out. The decision will be made in the next few days to either send him home or do it out here. He wants to stay and finish his mission. He is a good boy. He is quiet and obedient and doesn't complain. His health is dwindling and he is becoming weaker by the day. He has pneumonia now. We think they may have hospitalized him this weekend.
     Now I ask you, do you make this kind of sacrifice? Do you have this kind of desire to serve? He is my hero.
     The thing is, there are many of the missionaries here serving with handicaps and impairments. They do so out of love and obedience for and to the Savior. They shame me and my pitiful service. Where do they all come from? They come from homes like yours, my dear daughters. They have had mothers who have taught them and given them vision and faith and courage in the face of some mighty tough trials. They have taught them to pray and read the scriptures. And then sent them on their way.
     Sacrifice brings the blessings of heaven. I find great joy in serving with the missionaries here and it is a great honor for me to serve them and with them. I pray that your children, my grandchildren, will be these kind of missionaries. I love you all so much. See you in a few.

Sincerely,
Elder Seaman

Monday, December 7, 2015

Us and The Elders

(L-R) Elders Hales and Lacock. Elder Lacock has been training Elder Hales. They are both full of courage and conviction. Two more that lead us by example.

A Savior is Born

All Mission Christmas picture from below. The cool ones were taken from the cherry picker. Do you spot us on the third row on the left? Good Luck. Doesn't matter. We know we were there. We felt the spirit as all these missionaries belted out the mission song and then, "Called to Serve" when the photo shoot was over.

Sunday, December 6, 2015

He could be ours

Elder Hinrichsen is from Nevada. When he first arrived in the mission almost a year ago, all he wanted was an American hamburger. He had been in the Mexico MTC for 6 weeks. He endeared himself to us then.

Uncle Bob and Aunt Linda

So sweet to see them!!! My elder was up country moving a Sister so he missed them. The other office missionaries told me it was like seeing me in ten years. They thought we were alike. A big compliment!

They All Came!

They All Came! AND so did Bob and Linda!

December 6, 2015

      The whole mission met in Independence on Tuesday, Dec. 1 for the All Mission Christmas Conference. In the morning session, there were trainings and testimonies from departing missionaries who will be leaving our mission in December and January. As I listened to 17 testimonies, my mind reflected back to our experiences with each of them. It is my duty to report from Missouri as often as I feel inspired to write it that these missionaries are committed to the gospel of Jesus Christ. They are bold and quick to share it. On most days they are happy and upbeat. They can be funny at times, reflective, and brave at other times. The list goes on.....My grandkids, I will say again - I pray you
are like them. Say your prayers. Brush your teeth. Make your bed. Study Preach my Gospel with your family. Then, go. Go when the time is right. You will be a blessing to someone in the world just as these missionaries in the Missouri Independence Mission have been and still are blessings to others.
    After lunch and an afternoon of entertainment from each zone, we all watched "A Savior is Born" and the accompanying animated video (Christmas.mormon.org.) Each time I see these short videos I want to stand and shout, Amen! A Savior was born and because of him I have every opportunity to make it back to meet Him and my Heavenly Parents again someday. I will also see my loved ones again. My mom and dad. My grandparents. Lorraine. Don. Uncle Ted. All my loved ones.....All because a Savior was born.
     To conclude our mission conference, we walked up to the Visitor Center for a group picture around the Christus. Could it be pulled off was the burning question all day. As you will see from my pictures that, yes, it was. What you do not see or hear is 230 missionaries breaking into the mission song and also, Called to Serve Him, when the picture session was complete.
     They all came for a glorious day. And it was that. Also this week, Uncle Bob and Aunt Linda passed through for a quick lunch on Friday . They were on their way home from serving 18 months in Canada. Oh, it was good to see them!! I always learn something talking to these two loved ones. Their mission was hard. It was so good to compare notes and see what we each have learned. Why Canada for the Evans' and why Missouri for the Seaman's? The Lord knows us all, my grandkids. He knows where we need to be to help the work move forward. He will place you where you need to be when the time is right, my little grands. Linda told me of an experience she had with an answer to prayer. She was clearly reminded that the Lord wanted her to "do what she could with these people that He loves and He will make up the difference". I left them in the parking lot later that afternoon with a renewed determination to do what I could out here in the MIM office and the Lord will make up the difference.
     So, another week gone by. Another week of just doing my teensy, tiny part to help the work move forward. Was it a good one? Yes, it was. They all came. Testimony was born. The spirit was felt. Now, aren't I a blessed ol' sister missionary to be part of this wonderful work? The only thing missing were all of you, my dear grandchildren. Oh, I still miss you all so! But we are all getting blessed. Can you feel it?

Happiest of Decembers to my darlings!
Sister Seaman, ......aka grandma to Avy, Sailor, Mikael, Macy, Livi, Chloe, Mattie, Kenz, Ellie, Brookie, Kortney, Cash, Max, Zane, Elijah, Ezra, Noah. Kyson, Teag, Ethan, and Jett.

The Challenge

     The truck and trailer are traveling at about 75 miles an hour headed due north on Interstate 35 towards Albany, Missouri. Albany is about 2 hours away from Independence at the far end of the mission. The trailer is empty but the truck is full of missionaries. Two sets. We are going to Albany to move a senior sister to Chillicothe and close the little rental she has lived in for about 13 months.   She did a wonderful job in that little town. The people at the Bingo games and the Library meetings and other groups just love her. We stopped later for lunch in a town 20 miles east for lunch and several of the old people eating at the Dairy Queen were hugging her and crying about them missing her. Wow, what an example.
    Anyway, I digress. We had to stop in Cameron on the way up for a bathroom break. As I watched the missionaries trying to decide what they wanted at McDonalds, I noticed that one of the missionaries was talking to a stranger and eventually gave him a pass-a-long card with the Christmas Initiative on it. The Christmas All Missionary Conference was where these cards were handed out. The mission got about 18,000 of these little cards which were equally distributed to the 220 missionaries. Elder Lacock had just started his missionary day with success.
     As I thought about it, I have never really been able to give cards to strangers. So I decided to throw down the challenge. The two sets of missionaries and me would have a contest all day long to see who could get the most cards placed. Game on. I don't play if I'm going to lose.
     Elder Lacock lives by the spirit. He follows the promptings closer than any missionary I have ever known. He always has a prayer in his heart to reach out to all who are around him. It is almost cheating. Every time I would turn my back he and his companion, Elder Hales, would be talking to someone.
     We stopped for gas in Jamesport (that's right, the little Amish community.) The missionaries run for the bathroom and the goodies. I stay with the truck. A lady pulls up on the other side of the pump. She starts getting her gas. I catch her eye. "How's it going?" I ask. She says she is grateful. I say, grateful, that is a very unusual way to answer. She says she knows but that is how she feels. I press for the card placement. She takes it and then she says she has something for me. She opens her trunk and gives me a paperback book. The title is The lies in Our Lives. I am looking at it and turn it over and see the author's picture on the back. It looks like the lady I am talking to. It is. I have her sign it for me and thank her. The score is missionaries 1, Elder Seaman 1.
     I walk in the little store to round them up and then walk back out to the truck. What is keeping them? They have given another card to the grouchy looking cook in the back and it had brightened her day. 2 to 1.
    I didn't win that day, but I did catch on to placing the cards. I will do my best now. Elder Lacock goes home this week. He has been one of my very favorite missionaries. I will miss him dearly, his love for the Savior and the restored gospel and especially for his example to me of what it takes to be a real good missionary. I will never forget him.
     So, if the missionaries ask you to give out pass-a-long cards, please try it. You will know that the Lords wants all his children to know the truth. I love you all.

Sincerely,
Elder Seaman