Elder & Sister Knowles

Transfer 14 Week 4 B16  Aug. 14-20

         They should put Reymark in the zoo

Preaching:  In our self reliance service’s class on financial management, we have been studying integrity.  This is the story from our book from Elder Robert C. Gay:  The Savior once asked His disciples the following question:  “What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”  This is a question that my father taught me to carefully consider years ago.  As I was growing up, my parents assigned me chores around the house and paid me an allowance for that work.  I often used that money, a little over 50 cents a week, to go to the movies.  Back then, a movie ticket cost 25 cents for an 11 year old.  This left me with 25 cents to spend on candy bars, which cost 5 cents a piece.  A movie with five candy bars!  It couldn’t get much better than that.  

    

All was well until I turned 12.  Standing in line one afternoon, I realized that the ticket price for a 12 year old was 35 cents, and that meant 2 less candy bars.  Not quite prepared to make that sacrifice, I reasoned to myself, “You look the same as you did a week ago.”  I then stepped up and asked for the 25 cent ticket.  The cashier did not blink, and I bought my regular five candy bars instead of three.    

     Elated by my accomplishment, I later rushed home to tell my dad about my big coup.  As I poured out the details, he said nothing.  When I finished, he simply looked at me and said, “Son, would you sell your soul for a nickel?”  His words pierced my 12 year old heart.  It is a lesson I have never forgotten.”   (Robert C. Gay, “What Shall a Man give in Exchange for His Soul?” Ensign Nov. 2012) 

Sunday: Allison left first thing in the morning for the airport. We had a good day at church.   Sister Meldrum talked on visiting teaching and Bro. Penn talked on service.  Most of the Acostas were there except Ric and Sunshine. Several investigators and less actives, also were there. The Elders are working hard.  We picked up Estrella, Princess Joy, Eldrex and Karen and also took the Acostas  and the twins home.  Karen needed to talk to the Bishop so we came back to the church to take her home.  Karen wanted us to take her to Kenmore to look at a place to live but after talking to the bishop that plan was cancelled so we came

home, ate and took a nap.  The International Festival was going on in Othello Park.  We walked over after our nap but it was over so we missed it.  Not much else happened.  Josh and his family called so we talked to them.  

Monday:  We did some of the usual things in the morning until it was time to go to Sister Jones for service at 10:00.  It was a service day instead of preparation day.  The twins went with us to help.  Not a lot was sold at the yard sale over the weekend so there was a pickup load for us all to load up and take the D.I.  We took all that we could get in the pickup that we though was worth taking, and drove to Federal Way and the D.I.  Joyce called the DI to make certain that they would take all the cd players, electronics, and microwave, and they assured us that we could bring everything.  When we got there, they said they did not take all of that, but since we had just called, we were able to leave it all.  Since we had the twins with us, we took them to lunch.  They were good help.  Joyce thinks they are her grandkids and they think Joyce is their grandma.  Art just drives the pickup and teases them when they speak Tagolog because he can’t understand them.  Federal Way has a Wal-Mart super store so we made a stop there to pick up a few things that the Wal-mart in Renton doesn’t carry. We

Missionaries and volunteers at Northwest Harvest

stopped and got some tools so we could take Karens bed apart. (The tools Art bought were cheap and broke before he could get the bed apart, so he had to find something in the house that he could make work.) We took the twins home, then back to Sister Jones to help Karen move all of her things again.  First, she needed to store a few things in our bedroom/dining room at our apartment.  So, we stored  the bed we had just got for her, and some other things.  The Bishop said we could store things at his place or at her storage unit in Tacoma, but we know we will be moving her again so our place we be the easiest for us. Next stop was back to Darlene’s house for the rest of Karen’s things that she is taking with her.  She has a lot of stuff!  Bishop Munson is helping her so she can stay in a motel until she finds a permanent place.  We met him at the motel, unpacked her things and then took her out for a late supper.  It was a long day and we were glad to get home and to bed.  Now, we just need to find time to put our place back together.

At the zoo

Tuesday:  Our district meeting was very good.  The topic was faith and works.  We made a list of what we can invite people to do that will help increase their faith  After the meeting we stopped and picked up a few more pieces of furniture at Sister Jones to store at our place, then came home, cleaned the house, made refreshments, and rested until time for the SRS class at 5:00.  This was the last class so we won’t have to facilitate the Financial Management Class ever again, maybe.  There was a small party, Joyce and the employment office sisters brought refreshment and we had to take time to fill out a survey for the church.  It has been a very good class and we would highly recommend it to anyone.  In September the stake will start another round of classes and we will probably take one of those.  The Hermana's (our Spanish Speaking Sisters for our stake) came over at nine so we could put air in their volley ball.  They are not supposed to come in this area after six, but these two bend the rules a bit.

The Johnsons

Wednesday:  We picked up Sister Beck (Sister Stevensen didn’t feel well) and went to Northwest Harvest.  Sisters Bailey and Leavitt were the only young missionaries there again.  We sacked up rolled oats, very messy.  We had to pick up Joyce Johnson by 12:30 so no lunch after serving today.  Eric had a doctor’s appointment for a check-up in Seattle so we drove them.  It was the fastest Dr. appointment we have ever seem, about 30 minutes worth.  We took everyone (us, Joyce Johnson, Gideon, and Eric) to lunch on the way home, along with a stop at an African grocery store for Sister Johnson to pick up a few things.  In the evening we took Karen to look at an apartment which didn’t work for her.  She didn’t like the neighborhood and they wanted a one year lease.  Afterwards she wanted to go walk around Seward Park.  The Bishop was out of town so that meeting was cancelled.

Thursday:  We planned a field trip with the Acostas to the Woodland Zoo.  They had never been to a zoo before.  We picked up the twins then walked to the Holly house for the others.  We had the twins (Ruth and Rubi), Estrella, Natalia (MaryAnn’s baby), Eldrex, Princess Joy, Reymark and Eleazar.  Michelle and Richelle were tired and needed to work later in the day.  So, there were ten of us all together, plus a stroller and wheelchair.  We rode the link light rail, then the bus to the zoo.  The trip home was very crowded so we had to stand most of the way home.  We even had to wait for a second link so we would have room for the stroller and wheelchair.  The zoo was lots of fun and we think everyone had a good time.  It was a little hot but most of the animals were still very active.  There is a lot of shade there.  Joyce and Estrella had brought stuff for lunch.  Reymark was a typical junior

Rubi, Joyce and Ruth at Sam's Club

high student (according to Joyce) and he was a bit out of control at the end, was teasing everyone, and kind of a problem, thus the name of our letter… We were just happy they all came.  We were glad Estrella was with us and it was good for her to be able to get out of the house a little, even though she had to bring Nathalia, the baby.  She doesn’t get out too much with tending all day.  They were good kids and very thankful to us for taking them.  They loved the animals as we went from one exhibit to another.  It was fun to get Eldrex out of his wheel chair  and spend some time, so he could get up close to see.  The twins calculated that we had been walking or on the bus for 9 hours.  No wonder everyone was tired!  After we took Holly house people home, and then the twins home, we made a stop at Sam’s Club for groceries for the party on Friday, then went to the missionary meeting.  It was lots more of the same thing.

Friday: Today was our big party at the mission office for the Young’s and the new office couple that will replace them.  We made stuff for taco salad and then everyone else did pot luck.  There was tons of food and lots of people. Those attending:  Pres. and Sister Rasmusson,1st counselor Pres. and Sister Layman, 2nd counselor Pres. and Sister Campbell, the Hunts, Draneys and us, (couple missionaries) Employment Office Sisters,

Elder Sisters, Elder and Sister Holiday (over all the housing), the Harrisons, (institute instructors) the Youngs, (going home on Wednesday from the office), the Nydegger's, (replacing the Youngs), Elder Stratton, (finance), Sister Durham, (mental health) Sister Hansen, (office) Sister Arseneau (replacing Sister Hansen) the Masseys, (housing under the Holidays), and the Milam’s who were in the office before.  It was lots of fun to see everyone and to see the number of people involved in running the mission.  After we got home we went to Sister Driggs place and installed an air conditioner for her.  We thought it was only one, but she had two plus more jobs for us, so we will be going back another time.  The Hermana's were coming over so we couldn’t stay and finish all she wanted done.  The Hermana's came over and Joyce taught they how to punch and crochet the edges of fabric to make baby quilts.  Thanks, Annie!  Art ran to Safeway for milk and ice to make a smoothy, and while he was gone, Tesloach, JB and some friends showed up.  We have been looking for Tesloach all summer, so it was good to see him.  He may come to church on Sunday, as well as his dad, Ezekiel.  

Sister Pineda, Knowles and Yost

Saturday:  We got up early so we could go to the temple with Margarita Sanchez.  We have to ride the bus there with her.  It was a hot day here with extreme heat warnings for the past few days. Not a good day for wearing a suit coat.  We planned on the 11:00 session but they were short on men and needed people for the prayer circle for the 10:30 session so they waited for us.  Only five men in the session so they wanted all to be in the prayer circle.  Margarita got to be in the prayer circle and it was her first time, so she was quite happy.  After the temple we took a few pictures.  The temple grounds are just beautiful with all the gorgeous flowers, then we went to Desert Book and to lunch.  Margarita needed to stop at a bank on the way home to send money to her mother.  She does this every week.  Then, we rode the bus to Henderson and walked home from there in the worst of the heat, but we needed to walk off the big lunch we had.  After getting home, we went to Sister Driggs and installed the second Air conditioner and then to the Acostas to help Michele with the primary lesson.  She is going to teach again Sunday, which is a small miracle in itself!  Our small apartment was hot when we got home so we tried to stay cool and work on our next week lessons. (We got a few text messages while at the temple that we need to address). Thank heaven for fans!  Hope everyone had a good week. Love Sister and Elder Knowles