We got Doored.

A happy surprise when we got back from Kortney's wedding.

Back in the Saddle

Back in the Saddle

January 10, 2016

 

     We are back in the saddle again. The  transition was easy to make. We flew into town Tuesday afternoon and drove straight to the office. When it was quitting time, we headed home to see that our little apartment had been "doored" while we were away. (see picture above)  It was a Welcome sight. A missionary or two must have missed us. Not one of the locals will take responsibility for it.
    In the time we were away, two emergency transfers took place due to illnesses. I am always in awe that these young missionaries seem to be so flexible. When a call comes from President
Vest, they can pack their bags and be out the door to a new area in nothing flat, as long as they have a ride. They wake up in new surroundings and immediately get to work. I love that about them. And always, they seem to be so happy and thankful. For everything. I want to be more like that. So, this year, I want to say.....

                      "It is not happy people who are thankful.....
                        It is thankful people who are happy...."

    
     I have been working on the mission history in order to send it in to Salt Lake. I was ordering the New Arrival pictures for the year late Thursday afternoon when a herd of missionaries came stomping into the office. The monthly Mission Leadership Council was over. They had been in training all day with President Vest. In my mind, I was reviewing pictures of young elders and sisters who had arrived in the mission in the course of this past year and now, some of them are here and they are part of the leadership. Sister Baggett, a newly called Sister Training Leader, exclaimed to me how much she had loved her day. She threw out her arms and said, "How could I not love it? Sitting in that room with such good people who are all united to the same cause?"
     That is how I have to sum up my simple week. Nothing earth shattering or even newsworthy. Oh wait, I take that back. I am here to report that I am happy. I am thankful to be out here patting these missionaries on the back. We are all united in the same cause. That is to help spread the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Isn't that the most happy thing anyone can think of?

My Love to my Darling Grandchildren!
Sister Seaman

Stay in the Saddle

     It must be "Saddle Sunday."  Both Sister Seaman and I have saddles on our minds.  When we were home last week, we saw President Williams, Show Low Arizona Stake President.  For some reason he ask me to think about any advice that I might give him.  It was a very open-ended assignment.  I thought about it a couple of times trying to figure out what he wanted from me.  I got to see him before we left to go home and he ask me again what I thought.  The only thing that came to my mind was to say "Stay in the saddle."
    I had thought how lame that little bit of old western advise was.  But I thought about it all the way home on the plane and I now think maybe it wasn't so lame. 
    The saying, "Stay in the Saddle," means exactly that.  It was and is a term to express to the rider of a horse that it is safer to stay in the saddle than to be thrown off.  Being thrown off can bring on some excruciating pain.  So no matter what the horse is doing (i.e., bucking, running out of control, jumping fences, etc.) it is safer to stay in the saddle if at all possible.  I have known some cowboys who have not stayed in the saddle (one Quinn Smith) and have been broken up, scraped up and stepped on.
    So President, Stay in the Saddle, even when the going gets tough and the interviews pile up, and the Saints don't do right, and you're wondering how it will all get done, just Stay in the Saddle.  In fact, we pray that you will stay in the saddle until the Lord releases you and then you can swing down from the horse you've been riding and say, whew! I'm glad that ride is over.
    To the my children and friends, I also say Stay in the Saddle.  Don't get bucked off and land on your head and go off crazy.  Don't leave the God that loves you, don't get hurt feelings, don't leave your testimony on the horse, listen to the Prophet's voice, read your scriptures, say your prayers, teach your kids the gospel, have family home evening. Do your calling.  Make some sacrifices.
     So when you hear me say, Stay in the Saddle, you know what I mean. Stay safe.
     I love you all.

Sincerely,
Elder Seaman
    

 

We Worked Hard. We Partied Hard.

We Worked Hard. We Partied Hard.

January 3, 2016

     Our week Home in Show Low, AZ is ending. We have worked hard. We have partied hard. It has been a week we will never forget. How can we be old enough to have a married granddaughter? It seems so surreal. She was a beautiful bride. Cody was a handsome, worthy groom that hit the jackpot.
So many dear friends and relatives came to wish them well at their reception. The decorations and food were outstanding.  All of our children and grandchildren looked topnotch. And, can they all cut a rug......It has been pure joy.
    Certainly, the highlight was Tuesday morning in the Snowflake Temple as our old bishop, LaVell Owens, sealed this young couple for all eternity, depending on their worthiness. We woke that morning to gentle snow falling down outside our window. The forest around our little house in Sierra Pines was still. It was as if Heavenly Father was blessing the day and sending word from the heavens that this marriage was approved.  Did he know of each person's feelings involved in this marriage? Did He understand the bittersweet thoughts of Jerry and Mauriah? Dave and Gaye Tenney? The happy feelings of Kortney's two brothers, Ethan and Jett? And, of course, the thoughts of the bride and groom, Kortney and Cody?
     I have faith that He did and He does. I have faith that He approved of two old missionaries leaving their line of work to return Home to celebrate for a short while. It was an occasion to remember. We are both so thankful to have been here. But now the time has come to say "So Long" for a few more short months, get back on that plane, and get back where we belong. In the Independence Missouri Mission office. Hope they left the lights on for us.

"God has infinite attention, infinite time to spare for each of us. He doesn't have to take us in line. You're as much alone with Him as if you were the only thing He'd ever created."
                                                                                                                             C. S. Lewis

My Love,
Sister Seaman

How Could this Happen to us???

     Just a note tonight to express my gratitude to Heavenly Father, family, friends and especially Mauriah and Jerry Walker and Dave and Gay Tenney.  Maybe Cody and Kortney came good but often times it is what the parents and everyone else, that had an influence on these two, put in to it. Thank you.  The week could not have been better.  We are so grateful that we were given permission to come home.  We couldn't be happier.
     Just one thing.  This event could make us GREAT-GRANDPARENTS within the next year.  How could that happen to us so soon.  Time marches on.
     Now back to work.  We have felt a little weird being here in Show Low as full-time missionaries and not doing our assignments.  We will try to catch up starting Tuesday.  See you back in Show Low in 3.5 months.

Love you all,
Elder Seaman

Our Boys

The Girls

Our 6 Girls and their Girls. It has been one big party.

How can this be?

Our oldest daughter, Mauriah with her oldest daughter, Kortney. Two beautiful girls right there.

Best Reason Ever to go MIA

On December 29, 2015, it snowed  ferociously as Cody and Kortney Tenney walked out of the Snowflake AZ Temple. It made this wonderful day even more memorable. Here they are with Kortney ' s family, the Walkers.