Week 8 Feb. 22-28
You can observe a lot by watching
Sunday: We
stopped by to pick up Mary for church, but she didn’t feel well so she stayed
home. I know we shouldn’t feel this way
but it is a relief sometimes when she doesn’t come. She is so time consuming that we can’t work
with any of the other ward members. We
did meet a convert that has a lot of questions that wants us to come over and
talk to him about. He asked a couple of
questions in Gospel Principle class, but all the comments just confused him
more. He also wants help filling out
some job applications on line. He drives
a truck and wants a job in town because they are about to have their first
baby. We hope we can help him out. We also found out that the burglar lady has
had bugs in her house and the bishop said if we go and visit not to sit on the furniture. This would have been nice to know a few weeks
ago since we have been over there a few times and sat and visited with her. Now we know where the bites have come from.
(J.K.) In the evening we had the elders and seniors sisters over for banana
splits because Elder Tan got his visa and is leaving for Taiwan on Monday, and
Elder Maxwell goes home next week. The
Schwieders will love Elder Tan in Taiwan!
Joyce got to play the piano in Relief Society because there was no one
else. The first song was awful, but the
second was better…Needless to say, we ordered a keyboard and a simplified hymn
book on Monday so she can practiceJ
Monday P-Day: We spent most of the day cleaning, shopping
and doing laundry, like most missionaries do.
It was such a nice day that we did take a few hours and walked around
Seward Park. It sticks out into Lake
Washington and has a nice path around the park along the shore line. On the one side you get a great view of Mount
Rainier, and on the other side is a great view of the Seattle skyline.
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| Mt Rainier way in the back on left |
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| Lake Washington |
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| Seattle |
Tuesday: We had District meeting in the morning. We discussed study habits and teaching. Joyce practiced the piano for Sunday. When our keyboard comes, she can practice at
home…We are sure the neighbors will love it, but it won’t be as bad as a barking
dog at 6:00 in the morningJ We made a couple of visits after and found
both at home. One was in a nursing home
so we were sure she would be there if we had the right room #, which we didn’t,
but we did find her. Our next stop was
to a less active wife with an active husband.
She has lots of health problems so we only talked to him and the kids,
but he did tell us when to come back and visit with her. In the evening we got brave and walked to our
next appointment after dark. We met the
Elders at the Acosta family and helped teach a lesson on baptism. J
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| Michele, Richele, Sunshine, Mary Ann and Sister Knowles |
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| Rachel Acosta |
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| Elder Olsen |
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| Balug |
Wednesday: We stared the day with a service project at
Northwest Harvest. Our crew packed 5,750
lbs. of rolled oats. We met some very nice people. Everyone wants to know about missionaries,
but not the church. After that we met
with Joyce and Thomas Johnson for a lesson. This is the man we met on Sunday. They are both from Ghana. We discussed the Godhead and the Plan of Salvation
and answered a few questions they had.
Joyce Johnson is due on the 23rd of March so Joyce is trying
to set up a baby shower for her. Thomas
loved the chocolate cookies, and they both loved Phyllis’ hot pads, of course. J
Thursday: Today is our W.W. day. We went there then had to hurry up to the
N.A.A.M. for a tour. It was a group of 2nd
graders. We went on the tour and when
they went to do a craft, we practiced giving a tour with each other. We also got some more information about the
computers they need. We forwarded that
onto the Stake President. He will be the
one to get the computers if he can make it happen. He is doing all he can to
make it a nice genealogy center. We also
have a few more people working on getting some, so we hope it will work
out. At 3:00 we met the Elders to teach
Mary Hardy. She still will not commit to
go to church. She has a new excuse every
week why she didn’t do any of the things that will help her progress. They are thinking about dropping her since
she doesn’t seem to show any real progress or effort. The Senior Sisters will
probably start working with her and let the Elders move on. On
the way home we stopped and picked up some chicken for Mary Hurley, but we
couldn’t get to her house because of all the police cars in the way. We think there was a car accident on the
street. In the evening we met with all
the missionaries and the ward mission leader.
Friday: We had rain all day, or Seattle spit as they
call it here. In the morning we drove to
Auburn to the institute class with the Bensens and then out to lunch with
them. They don’t get much contact with
other missionaries so it is nice to visit with them. We are also learning some great study skills
in class. We are so glad that they
invited us to attend with them. We needed
to stop on the way home and pick-up a few things and then we went to the
N.A.A.M. for a tour and more work on getting the genealogy lab more
computers. We had an appointment in the
evening so we had to cut the tour short and drive to the far end of our ward in
the going home traffic. That makes the
trip double the time. Our lesson went
well with the Elders, but when we finished we couldn’t get a return
appointment. She was a really nice lady
and will let us visit, but not teach her.
Her son was recently baptized so we will give her some time and just
visit for a while. After talking to the
Elders, we got some good ideas for our lesson that we have to teach at F.H.E.
so we are working on that.
Saturday Triple Advil
Day: It was a beautiful day today
with not a cloud in the sky. Maybe a little wind and cold but not too bad. We rode the train to the far end of our area
in the north and spent most of the day knocking on doors. It is the new part of the ward, so no one
knows these people. We even had one door
slammed in our face, but we met mostly nice people. They love the cookies and
hot pads. Joyce gives cookies, a pass along card with our name/number on it,
and a hot pot pad to anyone who opens the door and is nice. Because of the door slamming, we decided we
needed a treat, so we stopped at Borrichinni’s and had lunch and a few samples
of the pastries. Art had to buy
one. In the afternoon we had a tour to
attend at the museum then we were back on the streets. It took us forever to find one apartment
complex, only to find we couldn’t get in.
We had to make contact through an intercom. Like most places, no one answered, but we did
find out that two families had moved. We
have 40 quadrants that we are working through in our ward, and usually when we
go out, we can only get through one in a day.
Today we were able to get two quadrants done, so, we’re glad about
that. We checked on about 16 names and
addresses. Some were single and some were families. One lady, Kirsten, wants the Elders to teach
her 9 year old son and she wants us to send the Cub Scout leader, as well. There is a nice farmers market not too far from
where we catch the train so we stopped there on the way home. It is very Asian.
Here is our preaching for the week or Art’s we should say: I am usually a little more guarded in
expressing my feelings, but I feel like this (charity and a few more things) is
a big improvement I need to make. I have always wondered why, of all the
scriptures in the Book of Mormon, Hyrum Smith chose Ether 12:36-38 to read
before they went to Carthage. After
Saturdays experience with the man slamming the door in our face I think I can
understand a little better. As we were
walking from his house the feeling I had could best be described by words that
I learned on the farm working on the baler and with cattle. That evening I was reading in Corinthians
chapter 12 where Paul talks about charity.
I realized that he didn’t have charity and neither did I. Now I can see the importance of the atonement or grace in our lives to overcome our
weaknesses. I think Hyrum was concerned
about those they were about to face and wanted them to have the ability to
overcome their weaknesses and he knew that he had done his best to help them
and he wanted Joseph to know that he supported him 100%. That is our purpose as missionaries, to help
others come unto Christ, and in the process we may get a few doors slammed in
our face. So, this week and however long
it takes, I will be working on developing charity. Let me add also that I know that the Book of
Mormon is true and that we have a prophet on the earth today. I am so thankful for both of them.
P.S. for our
grandkids: keep playing the piano, you
will be thankful that you did.
Elder and Sister
Knowles
Dear Caden, Macey, Tyson, Maddox, Elayna, Haley, Braeden,
Alexxis, Mariah, Jace, and Jaxon,
We are so thankful for each one of you and for letters and
notes to us for Valentine’s Day. Thanks,
too, for your sweet parents for calling, writing, doing packages, and keeping
in touch.
Grandchildren Memories:
Thank you, each one of you, for the nice things you do and say for us
while we are away from you on our mission.
We miss you so much, but you and your parents are so good to keep us
informed about all you are doing!
THANK YOU for your kindness!
Caden: for your letter
and letting us know how you hurt your knee; and how you’re doing and feelingJ, and for saying, “He
is kind and funny, and likes to joke around.
& She is energetic and likes to do stuff.” That meant so much to us! You are the finest young man, Caden, and we
are so proud of you and the great person that you are becoming. You take your trials with dignity, and even have
fun along the way. What a great example
you are to us! We love you so very much!
Macey: for your letter and letting us know how you did in
the competition and that you won and got straight AsJ Thanks for saying: “He is funny and teases me
in funny ways. & She is always kind and loving.” That was nice of you and meant so much to us. You are truly, such a sweet heart, always so
kind to everyone that you are around and associate with. You are truly as beautiful on the inside as
you are on the outside! We love you so
very much!
Tyson: for your letter
of love and drawing of all of usJ We loved the stick figures of you and
us! Thanks for saying: “He tells jokes,
& She rides the RZR with me, and I like her hair!” That meant so much to us! Oh, Tyson, you are so cute! We can just here you saying that each morning
in St. George when I got up and had my crazy hair!!! You are so funny. We love you so very much!
Maddox: for your letter
and wonderful picture of the tree with birds, hearts, and other animals on it! Thanks, too, for talking to us and playing
the piano for us on Face TimeJ and for saying, “He can build things and also
has a fun sense of humor. & She always has a smile, she is optimistic and
kind to others.” That meant so much to
us. You are so fun to be around because
of your great sense of humor and for all the fun knowledge that you share with
us! You are a talented young man, with
potential oozing! (Is that a good
adjective?) We are so lucky to be your
grandparents and to have you in our family.
Congratulations on receiving the Aaronic Priesthood. We know you will honor it and live a Christ
centered life. We love you so very much!
Elayna: for talking
to us and playing the piano for us on Face Time, and for the valentine and heart
letter that we could “fill in the “sticker” with love! Thanks for saying these kind words for
us: “He wrestles and tells jokes. &
She plays games with me and gives me hugs.” That meant so much to us! We still adore your poem that you wrote: “To Grandma and Grandpa”:
There is a
difference in this world, and that’s because of me.
I’ve thrown
my arms around your neck and I make you as happy as can be.
You have
made me happy,
By smiling a
big wide grin,
So, all of
this is true,
And,
together, we can win! By ElaynaJ
Thank you
for being so sweet to us and sharing your love with us always! You are so fun to be around, because you are
always so happy and vibrant. You are
talented, bright, smart, and beautiful, on the inside as well as the
outside! How blessed we are to have you
as a granddaughter and in our family! We
love you so very much!
Haley: for the letter with stickers – Grandma was the
ladybug and Grandpa was the monkeyJ We loved your letter, and for saying: “He buys me ice cream. & She takes me on
bike rides and walks.” We can’t wait to
get to do those things again when we get home!
Thanks for playing and reading with us when we visit. You are so sweet and nice to each of us and
we love it when you dance and play the piano for us. We love you so very much!
Braeden: for phone
calls to tell us how you’re doingJ
and for saying, “He always plays with us and lets us ride the RZR…” and for
saying, “I love it how she says, “Thank you, GrandmaJ” That meant so much to us,
and we could almost hear your voice, saying those words! You are the best young man around! We are so proud of you, for all you do in
school, for the way you honor your Priesthood, for the leader and helper you
are in your family, for your wonderful creativity imagination, and for your
positive attitude. We are so thankful
for how you stand up for who you are. We
are truly blesses to have you in our family and to have you for a grandson! We love you so very much!
Alexxis: phone calls
to tell us how you are doingJ Keep phoning us because we love talking to
you and seeing you. We are so thankful
to have you in our family, for your great sense of humor. The fact is, that you
stand up for who you are, yet are always full of fun. Thank you for saying, “He plays with us. He is funny and tries to throw us downstairs.
& Whenever we want to do something, she finds a way for us to do it.” Those kind words meant so much to us! We love you so very much!
Mariah: hand prints
on our wall that you and your mom made for usJ We loved it how you sent them to us, and the
licorice and rain slickers to give away!
Tell your mom and dad how much we like hearing from them and how glad we
are to have them try to move into our house!
Also, tell them to be careful with you, precious cargo…you know! Thanks for sending us hugs and kisses. That meant so much to us. We love you so very
much!
Jace: talks and reads
to us on the phoneJ
Thanks for saying, “Because he tries to eat my toes. That’s funny.” & for saying, “She let’s me play the Wii
without doing my chores. She is super
nice to me.” We can just hear your cute
voice saying those words, and miss you.
Tell your mom and dad how much we like to talk to them and that we hope
they are doing well in school, and getting ready to move. I bet you have had fun in Wyoming! We love you so very much!
Jaxon: for learning
how to walk and then we got to watch you walk from your dad to your momJ Thanks for sending love and smiles. We love you so very much!
Deuteronomy 5:7-21 The Ten Commandments:
1.
Thou
shalt have no other gods before me…
2.
Thou shalt not make thee any graven image or any
likeness of anything that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath,
or that is in the waters beneath the earth:
Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the Lord they God am a jealous God,
visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and
fourth generation of them that hate me, And shewing mercy unto thousands of
them that love me and keep my commandments.
3.
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God
in vain: for the Lord will not hold him
guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
4.
Keep the Sabbath day to sanctify it, as the Lord
thy God hath commanded thee. Six days
thou shalt labor, and do all thy work:
But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor
thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, or thy maidservant, nor thine
ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy
gates; that thy man servant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou. And remember that thou wast a servant in the land
of Egypt, and that the Lord thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty
hand and by stretched out arm: therefore
the Lord thy God commanded thee to keep the Sabbath day.
5.
Honor thy father and thy mother, as the Lord thy
God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go
well with thee, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
6.
Thou shalt not kill.
7.
Neither shalt thou commit adultery.
8.
Neither shalt thou steal.
9.
Neither shalt thou bear false witness against
thy neighbor.
10.
Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbor’s wife,
neither shalt thou covet thy neighbor’s house, his field, or his manservant, or
his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or ay thing that is thy neighbor’s.
Here are the hand signs that go with each one so you can
help your parents learn the 10 Commandments during a Family Home EveningJ
1.
1 finger - Thou shalt have no other gods before
me. Lift up your pointer finger and
look towards heaven.
2.
2 fingers - Thou shalt not make thee any
graven. Put second and fifth fingers up
(for ears) and touch thumb, middle finger, and ring finger down together.
3.
3 fingers - Thou shalt not take the name of the
Lord thy God in vain. Take pointer
finger, middle finger and fourth finger together (with thumb holding down your
pinkie finger,) and slide pointer, middle and ring fingers over your mouth.
4.
4 fingers - Keep the Sabbath day to sanctify it…
the Lord thy God commanded thee to keep the Sabbath day. Make
two church steeples using pointer fingers together of the right and left hands,
and pinkie fingers together of the right and left hands and tuck the rest of
the fingers in (like the finger play – Here is the church and here is the
steeple, open the doors, and see all the people, close the doors and hear them
pray, open the doors and they all go away…
5.
5 fingers - Honor thy father and thy mother. Using
the right hand do the sign language for father and mother, using all five
fingers separated. For father, (touch
head with thumb) and for mother, (touch chin with thumb.)
6.
6 fingers - Thou shalt not kill. Get your pretend guns out of your “pockets”
using your thumb, pointer and middle fingers to make the guns on each hand,
then put your “guns” back in your pretend pockets…
7.
7 fingers - Neither shalt thou commit adultery. Put up all five fingers on right hand, and
the ring finger and pinkie finger on the left hand. (Use the thumb on the left hand to hold down
the second and middle finger.) Count the
fingers on the right hand first, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, then count pinkie on the left
as 6 and the ring finger on the left as 7 – signifying the ring finger as
marriage and to not commit adultery.
8.
8 fingers - Neither shalt thou steal. During the
Law of Moses, if someone would steal, they would get their thumbs cut off – so
hold out both hands and tuck under your thumbs, showing only 8 fingers
9.
9 fingers - Neither shalt thou bear false
witness against thy neighbor. Put up five
fingers on your left hand and turn your hand sideways like wall – Tuck in your
thumb on your right hand and turn it sideways and put it behind your right hand
(towards your body.) With your thumb
still hidden on your right hand, bring it in and out like someone is “gossiping
behind someone’s back.”
10.
10 fingers - Neither shalt thou covet. Make both
hands shaped outward and bent a little, and pretend to grab everything that
comes in sight.
You can make this lesson into a spiritual activity, as well
as having some fun with the signs. For
example, when the Elders were in our home teaching this to a less active
sister, they concentrated on #4 –Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy and committed her
to try to quit working on Sunday so she could attend church more frequently. You can take turns teaching the signs and
then decide which commandment you want to work on to make it the focus of your
Family Home Evening or Lesson.
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