Departures - June 2017

What a evening!  We said good bye to some amazing missionaries last night! Sixteen young men and two couples this time. The elders went to transfers, then to the temple, where they were taught by the temple president, back to the mission home for dinner, then testimony meeting. It was a great night for us to be able to be with them for the evening. Then after all the old folks left we are sure there was a lot of ping pong. Up this morning and at the airport by 7:30. They should be home by now. I took the pictures with my phone, so not so good, and the elders move pretty fast, so it is what it is.

Highlights:  President Johnson sang his mission song, from when in served in the Northwestern States Mission. I know he spent time in Twin Falls, but am not sure of the mission boundaries. He also told the elders that their mothers would want to hold their hands all the way home, and rub her hands all over their faces, and they were not to stop and go to the bathroom when they departed the plane; they were to go directly to their mother and for two days just sit by her and talk to her. Aaahhhh.  He is extremely funny.

Each missionary bore his testimony, and at the request of President Johnson, told at least one experience that meant  a lot to them on their mission.  The most common thing we heard was how amazing it was to see people's lives change so dramatically.

Elder Rowley  - wonderful missionary,

talked about how a good life is a life of sacrifice.

Elder Guymon and Elder Smuin

We were in the same ward with Elder Guymon.

Elder Smuin is deaf, and looks like he had ear implants,

could speak, sign, read lips and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Elder Rutter

One happy, energetic missionary.

I never saw him without a smile.

Elder (Dr.) and Sister Smith, Elder Torgerson, Elder Jenks, Elder Chang

Elder and Sister Smith were the medical missionaries, leaving in July.

He is medical, and she a mental health specialist. Both lost their first spouses,

Been on missions on their own, then together. Dr. Smith has Parkinson's, loved to

tell jokes at staff meetings. Can't say enough how much they will be missed.

The thee elders, AP's.

Elder Jenks and Elder Chang

Our first AP's. They are the best of the best. We loved getting to know them

and work with them in the office when they were there. Elder Jenks is from

Royal City, WA. He is going home to attend BYU-Idaho and when he

graduates wants to be a farmer with his dad on the family farm. Elder Chang is

from Taiwan, came to Orem when he was eleven. He became a US citizen and

is going to go to BYU-Provo to become a dentist or doctor.

Elder Naef from the Tri-Cities. I called him our Richland boy.

Elder Chang and Elder Jenks

Always a picture on the stairs, but could not get them all in one shot.

All the departing with President and Sister Johnson. Also,

Elder and Sister Bauerle were Record Preservation missionaries,

going home in July.  She told us that day,

they digitized 4,000 plus records.

Singing their mission song.

Happy Birthday Colton!

Happy Birthday to Colton! 

This young man is turning seven this Friday. He is a cuddler, like his cousin Russ. Both are content to sit for awhile in the crook of their Grandpa's arm. Colton  worked extremely hard this year in school and he had success!  Love his smile, jokes, and hugs. Wish I could get one right now!

Southern Maryland - Part 2

After the lighthouse, we went to St. Mary's City, Maryland's first colonial settlement and capitol. It is the fourth oldest permanent English settlement in the United States and  now a large, state-run historic area, reconstruction of the original colonial settlement, living history area and museum complex. St. Mary's City is also considered the birthplace of religious freedom in America, being the first North American colonial settlement ever established with the specific mandate of being a haven for both Catholic and Protestant Christian faiths. It is also an internationally recognized archeological  research area and training center for archaeologists. There have been over 200 archeological digs in St. Mary's city over the last 30 years.  Archaeological research continues in the city.  We went on a day when it was closed, so no tours, or living history, which for us was a bonus, but the pictures look a little lonely.

Southern Maryland - Part 1

We spent a day in Southern Maryland after our sailing trip. Piney Point was a fun place to visit. We climbed the lighthouse, toured the keeper's home, which was coast guard quarters later, and toured an old boat museum that had four huge original boats made for work in the Chesapeake Bay.

Sailing on the Patuxant River

Saturday, June 10, 2017

A generous member,  and his two neighbors, take the senior missionaries sailing every year. Three sailboats, hot sun, no wind, but a beautiful two hour ride. The Patuxent River is one of more than 150 rivers that empty into the Chesapeake watershed. The Chesapeake is the largest estuary on the continent, the third largest in the world, and covers 64,000 square miles.  We came back to lunch of fresh crab, grilled chicken, and all the trimmings at the member's beautiful home on the water. The crabs were puny compared to the Dungeness we ate in Washington, which made them more work, but they were still delicious!

President Johnson, Sister Lassiter and Sister Gines, who are going home and I will miss them.

They are so funny and wonderful women.

Crabs were small compared to west coast Dungeness.

But they were delicious!

Huler Grandkids!

Thanks to these super grandkids for their support of Grandpa and Grandma Banks on their mission!

Janet Kuffour June 4, 2017

Janet's Story

We met Janet at the ward we are assigned to attend, the Quince Orchard Ward.  Her father was killed by an off duty drunk policeman when she was nine. Her mother died of an aneurism when she was twenty-one. She has had a very challenging life.  She has a daughter, and two grandsons, and a son, Mecca, who lives with her.  Last year Janet and Mecca went through a home invasion. Mecca was critically stabbed,  and would have died except for the exceptional care by the medical staff at the trauma hospital he was taken to.  During that horrifying night Janet prayed to Heavenly Father that  if he would spare Mecca's life, she would change her life.  Months later, at a bus stop, some missionaries walked by Janet and Mecca, turned around and walked back to them and asked them, how they were doing. Janet told them okay, but they could be better. That is when her journey to baptism started. When we moved into the ward  it was instant mutual love, and friendship. She calls us her mom and dad. I wish she could meet her "siblings", they would love her.

A side note, she is so funny.  She calls the GPS on our phones, Ms. Know It All, and we were in the car with her once and she told Elder Banks not to listen to Ms. Know It All, and to go different way.

She already had a strong testimony of her Savior, the gospel of Jesus Christ just put it all together for her. Then missionaries changed, and they recognized her readiness to be baptized. Greg and I were blessed to be a part of  teaching her the discussions.  We were able to be with her when the elders taught her at the Washington DC Temple Visitor's Center, where there is access to some wonderful films and the presence of the temple so close is strongly felt. We were able to take her to a Why I Believe fireside with Eric Weddle, who plays for the Baltimore Ravens. She brought her grandson, Teddy. They loved it.

Teddy and Eric Weddle of the Baltimore Ravens

Elders Chang and Hawkins challenged her to baptism the first time they taught her and she said yes, she was ready. She was baptized,  Friday, June 2nd.  She brought her godmother, Mecca, his girlfriend, and Teddy to her baptism. It was wonderful. When she came up out of the water, she put her face in her hands and cried. When Bishop Wonnacott spoke to her and her family, he challenged her family to help her stay on the path and invited them to join her. He is a wise bishop.

Janet and Mecca

Elder Hawkins, Bishop Wonnacott, Janet, Elder Guymon, Elder Chang

Sunday, June 4, Janet was confirmed a member of the church and given the Gift of the Holy Ghost by Greg.  Teddy, Mecca, and his girlfriend came, which was just wonderful.  She was so happy they came.  Greg said when they went up to the stand and the men were trying to figure out where to put their hands, the bishop took both of Greg's hands and firmly laid them on Janet's head.  Later while in Relief Society, Janet was telling us about a relative who was baptized and fainted when she received the Holy Ghost (different church).  Then Janet, said, when she went up to receive the Holy Ghost herself the hands were firmly placed on her head and she knew she wasn't going anywhere, fainting or otherwise.

One other miracle:  One of the nurses in the trauma hospital Mecca was taken to when he was attacked was is in the ward today. She recognized Mecca, and they were able to talk. She said Mecca was one of their success stories and they talk about him and his story a lot at work. Amazing!