Greetings from CAM                                                             August 8, 2016

Dear Loved Ones All,

Our 12^th grandchild was born today, Eli Tanner Macbeth.  We are thrilled that he is close enough that we can go meet him in person since they live down in Laguna Nigel.  That is one of the perks of being a Senior Missionary.

This past week I decided that my hair was driving me nuts, and since our Mission President said that we needed to prepare for Elder Dallin H. Oaks visit on the 21 of this month and that the “mop” hair style was inappropriate for missionaries I had better get my hair done. (Of course he was referring to one of the current styles for men, but in my opinion my hair reminded me of a mop so I got it trimmed and permed and I am much happier with it.  J)  Elder Macbeth washed the grime and dirt that has accumulated off the car while I was being pampered.

We have been picking up the mail for a sister while she is visiting an ailing relative in Oregon.  We have discovered why she wants us to pick it up every day.  The first time we went to get it the mail box was stuffed clear full, and mail was hanging out the opening and more was secured to the top with an elastic band.  Of course we figured it was because it was two day’s worth of mail so we made sure we went every day after that.  Guess what, her mail box is still over flowing with just one day’s worth of mail.

We have been more successful this week in being able to meet with less actives as well as a few regular members. Even though it seems that we knock on a lot of unanswered doors, and we find parking spaces and get through locked gates only to find that the one we want to visit is not there, it is becoming more apparent to us that the Lord is paving the way.  We were able to find the oldest member of the ward as he was out taking his morning walk.  Of course he says going to church is not one of his priorities like it was when his kids were young (for that matter neither is it for most of his kids) but he is not opposed to visiting with the missionaries.  The young missionaries are also working with many of the same people so for us it is win win.

August 9, 2016

Well I didn’t finish so I’m back.  We met our first honest to goodness live rat that was trying to run up the stair well as we were going down.  I think I was more surprised than he was but at least I didn’t shriek.  It was a good thing we had an appointment or I might have considered turning around.  We took the young elders to visit a young family they have been trying to meet for months.  They live in one of the gated apartments that is fairly close to us so we walked, and waited for a chance to slip in the building with a resident.  The Tafuas had been in Panama for 3 months on a family vacation but had since returned.  Brother Tafua is in law enforcement and was at work, but Sister Tafua and the 4 kids ages 2, 4, 5,and 7, were all home.  Since they had just returned home, the kids’ toys were scattered with a few cherrios mixed in, and of course the kids were delighted to have two big elders there to entertain.  It was noisy and delightful and the elders loved every minute of it.  Sister Tafua showed us pictures of her family and the places they visited and then we shared a short video for the kids before we left.  Definitely a fun evening.

Basically we got to see at least one member each day this week, some of whom we have tried to repeatedly see. We met an elder sister who lived in Burton and Rexburg when she was young and her father worked for the Fujimotos.  Her husband is a Buddhist and they have no children. She says that even though most of her family are members, other than going to the Lutheran run non-denominational church that meets in their apartment complex, she is not into attending church any more but would not be opposed if we wanted to visit again. 

One evening, after trying to see many of the ones on our list Elder Macbeth decided to see if we could get into the apartment complex where Tiffany, the one who has determined to give up the drugs she is addicted to.  We were about to give up when a worker walked through the gate so he let us in.  When we got to her door somebody else opened it a crack and said she was not feeling well.  The light was rather dim but I knew that wasn’t Tiffany so when I told Elder Macbeth that wasn’t Tiffany the door was flung open and there she was.  She was having an anxiety attack and her friend came over to sit with her.  She had called her parents in Utah and they had suggested she call her missionaries, but she called her friend instead.  We told her that her Heavenly Father knew that needed help so He sent us even though she didn’t call.  Elder Macbeth gave her a blessing. 

We met a member who had a stroke and one episode of pneumonia after another.  He is in fragile health but is trying to recover as much as he can.  He is the father of 2 children.  We were shocked at his before stroke photo.  He has lost 180 pounds.  We are reminded that life is fragile by so many of the people we meet.  So be grateful if you have your health, because it is a blessing of much worth.

I am out of time so you won’t get the “whole load of hay”.  We love you all and miss you but are being blessed here.

Love, Sister and Elder Macbeth