Hello family and friends,

Hasn't this weekend been wonderful!? I loved listening to the speakers and the music of General Conference as it was broadcast from SLC.  I could sense the message of giving service to others was a recurrent theme.  We were also reminded to focus on the Savior--not on ourselves.  I also loved Elder Dallin H. Oaks comment that salvation is an individual matter but exaltation is a family matter.  I pray for all of our family members.  I hope we can all focus on the Savior and make good choices.

Last Monday night we had a wonderful missionary meal in the home of President and Sister Bench.  We were welcoming Paul and Ellen Schoenburger as our newest missionaries.  They are seated in the center front, along with the Benches and the Nixons (also in the presidency).

Ellen joined the church as a youth in Cottonwood.  Back then she went by Eleanor.  We were in the Flagstaff Stake together.  They raised their kids in Cottonwood and Stephen Alexander and Eric Schoenburger were the best of friends.  It was fun to be with a new/old friend once again.

We have been busy in the temple.  Thursday night was especially busy because on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays we have a Spanish session.  The session was full because the temple was/would be closed on Saturday for General Conference.

Spencer did a great job officiating with a mixture of languages and a very crippled man that had to be assisted in every activity.

I had 21 sisters and no assistant, but we handled everything efficiently and without a hitch.  President and Sister Nixon were in the session and they were very verbose with their praise for our work.

Probably the spiritual highlight was prior to the session.  A little Hispanic lady had two family name cards for men.  She has no men in her family and the only male priesthood attender in her branch has lots of his own family files.  She was most anxious to have the work done.  I was checking names by the chapel door.  She greeted every man who came to attend the session and asked if they could take one of the family names. EVERY single Hispanic man had a family card of his own!  I was amazed and touched.  Finally, when the time was just about gone, a Japanese brother came and an Anglo.  They each accepted a card.  With tears in her eyes she said, "This is my father" and "This is my grandfather.  He has been waiting 30 years."  She literally stood there for 20 minutes waiting for the right men to come along.  She told me she would have stood there all day long if necessary.  She was very tearful.  This week she will having the family all sealed together.  It was very spiritual.

Some were intrigued with the narrow shopping aisles and check-outs.  We have another unique feature here.  Most stores are on more than one floor--including basement and sub basement levels.  They have unique escalators for the shopping carts.  Little spikes stick out and grab the wheels.  It is fascinating engineering.

Last night Spencer took the subway to the Bronx for priesthood meeting.  That made me a little nervous for him to be out alone on a Saturday night.  Life is pretty tough in the Bronx. But he had promised the men in our ward he would join them.  My worries were pointless as he returned unharmed.

We watched all of the other sessions here in the apartment.  We thought about many of you in different parts of the world and the country watching it in your time zones.  We are so blessed to live in this day when technology has blessed our lives with the ability to hear the words and counsel of our leaders in "real time".

Our hearts go out to Carl and Linda's grandson, Jonathan with the loss of his wife.  We know how challenging this event is for those closest to Ashley and Jonathan Walker.  Our prayers are with you.  We know there are others with serious illnesses in the family.  We pray for them also.

Love each other and hug those close to you.  You do not know what the plan is for your life or for theirs.  Loving one another is a great gift, blessing and responsibility.

Jeanine