February 2017 Transfer Week, Valentine's Day, and One-Year Anniversary

Elder and Sister Hartzell at the entrance to the LR AFB

Elder Hartzell at the War Memorial on the LR AFB

The Rasmussens, the Hesses, the Sorensens, and Sister Hartzell looking at one of the many planes on the AFB museum park.

Gary and Harper on the tramp when we stayed at their house the end of January

Pat doing Harper's hair--that's a smile not a grimace on Harper's face!!

 Dear Family and Friends,
 Last Monday, February 13, I woke up feeling a little off (probably ate too many of those good ribs Larry made), so I drank broth and 7-up all morning and felt good again by the afternoon.  It was the Monday of Transfer Week, which means it was the P-day that a lot of missionaries come to our building to hang out all day while their companions go to the Temple in Memphis, and they await them or maybe their new companions.  Many people got new companions that day.  Jim & I worked on the Transfer Board in IMOS and submitted it first thing Tuesday morning.  It took 1 ½ hours.  Then I worked on all the Monday emails, forwarded President’s newsletter to all the Senior Missionaries, took phone calls, worked on the History and the Calendar.  We left with the Sorensens at 3:30 to go to the Mission Home and help finish getting the Departure Dinner ready.  Sister Wakolo had made ham, potato casserole, Cookie Salad, and I made the green bean casserole, did the rolls, all of us made a tossed salad and cut up a lot of fruit.  Sister Wakolo also made rice and a delicious Curry.  We gathered at 5:30 after they came back from the Temple, prayed and ate.  I was able to take a little time to have a nice visit with Brent, as we always do on Monday.  We cleaned everything up, washed and put away the big dishes, loaded the dishwasher and got it running, drove home and found out that we had left our briefcase there so had to drive all the way back, I ran in and got it, then drove all the way home again (a ½ hour drive).  Relaxed, watched TV, and went to bed.

            Tuesday, Valentine’s Day, it rained all day and was real dark and gloomy outside, and full of light in the Office.  The sister missionaries who work in the ward gave us candy and hearts and cards.  They are wonderful!! (of course, a lot of it came from one of their moms who is real good at making sure the holidays are well-celebrated!)  We got a new Office Elder, Elder Croft, in the Office, and said goodbye to Elder Lindstrom.  Worked on most of the same stuff as yesterday, plus tried to get things finished up on some iPad issues several of the missionaries are having, including a couple of the missionaries who have gone home.  We left at 4:00 to go to the Pinnacle Mountain building to help with the Arrival Dinner there and meet the new missionaries who just came in.  Our missionary who was coming from the Philippines (we have had his Recommendation since July) was supposed to come in at 5:45 p.m. but missed his connection in Chicago because of long lines at Customs so didn’t get in to Little Rock until 10:00.  He is so excited to be here, as are they all!!  We had one missionary who had gone home with a health issue the beginning of December, come back.  We love those success stories!!  We ate Teriyaki Chicken and rice for dinner, more fruit, more tossed salad, and more Cookie Salad.  We ate, cleaned up, and headed home.

Pat with her Valentine's Day bouquet

            Wednesday, February 15, is our ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY!!  Quite a significant day!!  We went to the Pinnacle Mountain (PM) chapel for Training.  Our part takes about 35 minutes, including a bike video that Elder Hartzell showed.  We want the missionaries to be careful on their bikes and take good care of them.  Then we went back to the Office to input the Trainers and their new missionaries into IMOS and submit it.  However, we found that the new Filipino missionary was still showing up in the Philippines and not in our mission.  So I contacted several people to make sure the change was made.  It finally was changed on Thursday.  We had a new Senior Couple, the Schanks, who arrived in Little Rock and went to the PM chapel to meet with President Wakolo and go out to dinner with the Wakolo family.  Then they spent the night in a hotel that we had arranged.

I worked on inputting all the new missionary information including their parents’ contact information, into Outlook (our internet email), and into the 4-year Address List, and made necessary changes in IMOS.  Went grocery shopping, did laundry, and took it easy.

            Thursday we dropped our car off at Sears to be serviced.  For a couple of years we have had a terrible squeal in our Highlander almost every time we started it.  When it first started squealing, we had it checked and thought it was fixed.  However, it came back over time and has gotten worse and worse.  So we left it at Sears and had the Sorensens pick us up to go to the Office.  Sears called at noon, said they were done, that they had replaced two belts that were dry and cracked, and did a few other things.  We picked it up when Sister Sorensen and I went to Jimmy Johns to get the boxed lunches for a Special MLC meeting.  NO MORE SQUEAK!!  It is wonderful!!  I think our neighbors might actually like us again!!!  J  The Special MLC meeting at the building was because we had a lot of new ZL’s and STL’s and they needed some training.  President decided to have two sets of Zone Leaders over each Zone in order to get more experienced leadership to have ready when our new mission president arrives the first of July.  The Schanks came into the Office so we got to meet and welcome them before they headed to their new assignment in Memphis.  They are full of enthusiasm and energy!!  They also brought donuts, which all in the Office enjoyed.  Also got word that our Filipino missionary was officially in our mission, so we entered him and the Schanks into IMOS and I was able to start printing up and sending out Organization reports, Companionship Rosters, Phone Rosters, and other assorted reports.  Sister Wakolo came in and gave me all the paperwork she had collected.  I sorted it, recorded it, and filed it.  Came home, exercised, made and ate Split Pea Soup (yummy!!), watched TV and went to bed.

            Friday we cleaned at the Office.  I did all the dusting and Jim did all the vacuuming, we collected garbage, and cleaned the front glass doors.  Sister Hess came in.  Things have finally slowed down enough that she can come in and help us in the Office.  Sister Sorensen is teaching her how to put together Arrival Binders.  I worked on inputting all the photos off the camera, and then sent out emails with the photos attached to all the parents of the Arriving Missionaries, and all the Departing Missionaries and their parents.  I know this is a joyous time for all of them!!  The Assistants were in the Office for a while, Elder James working on various assignments, and Elder Taleni watching the video and taking the test that will allow him to drive the big 12-passengar Transfer Van.  After work, we used a Christmas gift – a gift card for Red Lobster – and enjoyed a wonderful Valentine’s Dinner.  All week I have enjoyed some beautiful flowers that Jim bought me at the end of last week at Sam’s Club.  They have been opening up and are so lovely!!  He treats me so well!!!!

            Saturday was a gorgeous, sunny day, but still cool.  We dusted and vacuumed our apartment, recorded receipts, checked our budget (while we are on our missions, we end up with more money at the end of the month.  We feel so blessed in so many way!!), went through emails, got some smoked pork from a member of the North Little Rock ward who gave some to each companionship (there are 3 in their ward, and the three couples from the Office), and we will enjoy that for dinner tonight!!  We drove over to Burns Park, following the Sorensens and the Hesses.  There we walked along the Arkansas River up to the Big Dam Bridge, then back, then drove to the red Covered Bridge and enjoyed the peace there, then Elder Hartzell and I went to the Office so he could take care of an issue with one of the MSF cards for one of the missionaries.  Then home for some wonderful Red Lobster leftovers, movies, and a good night’s sleep.

An intricate carving in a tree trunk

A simple carving in a tree trunk below the intricate one.

Sister Hartzell with the Sorensens and the Hesses at the Big Dam Bridge

            It is foggy this morning but supposed to be in the high 60’s so it will feel nice.  There are also signs of spring with daffodils, some flowering bushes and trees beginning to bloom.

Our first signs of spring!!

            Our prayers have long lists of several missionaries, family members, and friends who are dealing with lots of health issues—physical, emotional, and mental.  We want you to know that we pray for you and hope you are each one doing well and able to feel the Spirit every day!!

            Love, Elder and Sister Hartzell

Prelude to Transfer Week ending Feb. 12th

Dear Family and Friends,

            On Monday, February 6, we got to the Office at 8:00.  I worked on all the emails that came in over the weekend, including the one from President that I forward to all the Senior Missionaries.  I updated schedules, worked on the “Mission Memories” binders, had Office Staff Meeting, and President Wakolo told us that he has already requested our replacements for next August.  I got a few new assignments, worked with Sister Wakolo after the meeting, did a new MLC Schedule for 2017, helped Sister Sorensen label some photos for The Leader (it’s kind of neat knowing a lot more of the missionaries’ names).  We talked to Brent on the way home, ate leftovers, finished the last blog, and went to bed.  We were awakened three times during the night by our emergency radio issuing rain and flood warnings.  As long as it wasn’t tornadoes, I didn’t worry about the other.  And the rain did come down all night and all day Tuesday.

            Tuesday I started printing up the Letters to the President for each of the Departing Missionaries.  I was able to do 5 of them and complete their “Mission Memories” binders, also worked on the printed programs for the Departing and Arriving Testimony meetings to be held next week.  I updated calendars, worked on emails, etc.  Went home and exercised, ate dinner, watched TV and went to bed.  I had a bad leg cramp during the night that I had to take an Advil for and walk around for a while.  I do get them occasionally. This was a sunny day compared to yesterday.

            Wednesday I completed another binder, processed a missionary recommend for a missionary couple who will be coming in March, (always so glad to see more Senior Couples coming in), sent out their letters, the Hesses stopped by the Office to pick up some dishes and things out of the shed, they were having a much quieter day as things had slowed down a bit.  Jim has a new task to evaluate the cell phone and text usage.  The report is published the first of Feb for the month of December usage.  That makes it challenging to keep track of who is where due to transfers.  We are looking for long calls, too frequent calls, too many texts, calls out of state, and last calls.  On the phone data there is 28,000 lines of data, so having drop-down sorting of the spread sheet really helps.   I ran some errands and took care of taking some mail to the Post Office.  After work we did our grocery shopping, went home and ate dinner and did the laundry, worked on recording some of our receipts, and watched TV before going to bed.  Jim received a really nice phone call from the sister missionaries that serve in the Pinnacle Mountain ward where Larry lives.  He had given a copy of the BOM to a couple that came trick-or-treating at Halloween when we were passing out candy, and they are being baptized on Sunday.  What great news that was.

            Thursday I finished the last two “Mission Memories” binders and their letters, made corrections to the programs and printed them up, collected the needed passports out of the locked cabinet, and put them in the envelope to hand out to the Departing Missionaries (the envelope is used on Tuesday at the airport to collect their MSF, TiWi, and Mission Medical cards), then worked on the calendar, and email address list in Outlook, and got a new print-up of the 5 stakes and their wards with contact information.  Also printed up a Release letter for a sister missionary who has to go home for health reasons.  Jim worked on some bicycle issues keep track of the bikes coming and going for the upcoming transfer.   We have been doing a lot of shredding of finance, records of baptisms, and missionaries who have been gone over a year, and our big main shredder broke down, so now we have to use our smaller ones.  Came home, exercised, went to Sam’s Club for pizza and to pick up lots of bottles of water to have in the Office for the missionaries (we use a flat of 40 + a few extras every time we have an MLC), and some food for our own freezer. 

            Friday I had no big projects, just lots of little ones.  I did the calendar, answered emails and phone calls, sent a couple of letters, worked on plans for the Transfers next week, worked on iPad stuff, updated some names and addresses in IMOS, Outlook, and the 4-year Long Term Address list.  Got my hair cut on the way home (it ended up being too short L), Jim bought our dinner at Panera Bread, then watched some movies and went to bed.

            Saturday we exercised, I cut Jim’s hair and he colored mine, ate breakfast, cleaned up, and went to see the Air Force Base in Jacksonville (just north of us about 20 minutes).  We have our Military Relations Couple there, the Rasmussens, and they took us to see some huge planes and helicopters on display at a big park.  We walked around and read the plaques and enjoyed visiting.  Then we saw their cute little duplex apartment, and went to lunch at Chili’s.  Then went home to nap, clean bathrooms, work on the budget, then drove to our chapel in Otter Creek for a fun ward Valentines party where we played “Name That Tune,” (I came in 6^th and Jim didn’t even try, though he helped me a couple of times), and also “Two Truths and One Lie.”  That was also fun.  Came home, TV, and bed.

            Sunday was wonderful!!  We went to the Pinnacle Mountain Ward for the baptism of Ryan and Kristie Williams.  They are the couple that we met when we were handing out Halloween candy at Larry and Holly’s house and they came by with their two kids.  Ryan noticed Jim’s nametag and asked if he was a missionary.  When Jim said yes, Ryan said he grew up in Utah as a non-member, and now they were searching out the church to learn more about it.  They had talked to the bishop, but that was all.  Jim asked if they had a Book of Mormon and they said no.  So Jim ran to our car and gave them one!  They started taking the missionary lessons and have been coming to church faithfully.  The sister missionaries called last week to tell us about the baptism and said that the Williamses wanted us to come.  When Ryan saw Jim, he told him he was still reading from that Book of Mormon and that he loved it.  It was a beautiful service!!  Then we stayed for the Sacrament meeting and Jim stood in the circle for the confirmation.  We heard some good talks and testimonies.  Then we drove to our chapel, eating our sandwiches on the way, and went to Sacrament meeting there, after handing out some boxes and mail to the missionaries who meet in that building (4 sets total).  It was our Ward Conference and Bishop Warner spoke on Faith, President Dixon spoke on having a vision of our future, and our SS and RS lessons were also about Faith.  It was a powerful day.  We went home, took naps, enjoyed Music and the Spoken Word, drove to Larry and Holly’s and ate a delicious rib dinner!!  Then we had fun spending time with the family, playing Clue (I got lucky and ended up in the right room almost from the beginning so I won), had pie and ice cream, and headed home to talk to Shelley and Christi and their families.

            Some of the thoughts from the missionaries this week:  “As I read the booklet about pornography addiction, I found a lot of principles that apply to every situation in life, not just overcoming pornography.  One of the quotes was a teaching by Neal A. Maxwell that stated: ‘Light and darkness cannot occupy the same space at the same time.  Light dispels darkness.  When light is present, darkness is vanquished and must depart.  More important, darkness cannot conquer light unless the light is diminished or departs.’”

            Also, a story:  “Yesterday, I felt the need to study the phrase ‘open your mouth.’  I read from D&C about the promise that when we open our mouths, they will be filled.  I saw that promise fulfilled numerous times yesterday.  One example really stands out.  Yesterday, we went out to contact a less-active member.  She wasn’t home at the time, but her neighbor across the street was just getting home.  We hurried over to talk with her before she went in the house.  As we started talking with her, the words I was saying were not my own. Usually, I am a little awkward and sometimes stumble over the things I say when I first meet people, but those words were clear and the conversation flowed in just the right way for us to testify of how the gospel can answer her questions and help her find the direction she’s looking for.  God does fulfill all His promises.  I have never felt anything like that moment where the Spirit spoke so clearly through me.”

            Also, “just keep the commandments and don’t be stupid!”

            Also, “I remember praying as I submitted my papers that I would be sent not only where I am needed to find people, but also to the companions I need to meet, the members I needed to work with, and to the mission president I needed to be under.  I definitely know that prayer has been answered!  Thank you both for being worthy parents away from home for me and all of us.”

            Also, “if I am not loving my mission now, then will I love heaven?”

            And last, and funniest!:  “Looking back now my spirit has been starving for so long and because of my mission it is becoming obese!!”

            I hope all of our spirits are becoming “obese” in the scriptures, the Gospel, and the Spirit!!

            It was a good week!!

            Love to all of you,

            Elder and Sister Hartzell

February Arrives

Dear Family and Friends,

            Monday was a really nice day and I got many things accomplished:  sent letters to the missionaries in the MTC, letters to the Departing missionaries along with their itineraries, finished all the missionary biographies and put them in a binder to mail to President Hansen, printed up baptismal photos for December and put them on the bulletin board outside our Office, did some calendaring, took care of paperwork that came in the mail, and emails.  We received some sad news that one of our MLS missionary couples will be leaving this week due to illness.  We are sad to see them go, they have done a lot of good in the Ward they have been assigned to serve.  Talked to Brent on the way home, made and ate dinner, Jim did the dishes, worked on Family History for a while, we watched TV, and went to bed.

            Tuesday I worked on the 4-year missionary list and printed it up for the “Mission Memories” binders, learned that one of our Senior Couples who had only been out for 3 months needed to go home because of health issues, also learned that one of the local Senior couples who serve as apartment inspectors has a health issue—the husband has liver cancer that has spread everywhere so he is not doing any treatment and says he will serve until he dies!!  What an incredible testimony of service!!  Went to the post office to mail packages, picked up board magnet names for our Transfer Board, and stopped at the bread store for a few things.  I set up lunches for the next two days for Leadership Training for all the Zone and District Leaders—Wed here and Thurs in Memphis.  Came home, exercised, worked on the blog, watched TV.

            Wednesday, we had two nice days of sun, but are back to clouds again today.  I processed four new missionary recommendations—all elders and all coming March 28, picked up the pizza for the Leadership Training Lunch (Pres. Faulkner will take care of the lunch on Thursday in Memphis), and worked on assorted other things.  Did the grocery shopping on the way home, did the laundry, Jim ironed his shirts, relaxed and I slept great, but Jim was awakened by music in the middle of the night!  He couldn’t tell where it was coming from and was awake for about an hour.  How rude of our neighbors!

            Thursday I got the three letters out to the new missionaries I just processed and their parents, did a lot of scheduling and updating the calendar with new stuff coming up, and did some shredding of old files.  Went home an exercised and took it easy.  Since it was Groundhog Day, we watched that movie which Jim had never seen before.  Now he understands all the references to it he has heard through the years.

            Friday was cleaning day, I worked on the Annual History which has to be done every year at this time, had some emails to take care of, printed up some of our personal tax documents that we can only get online and we have no printer at the apartment.  Jim has been busy all week with the normal bills and apartment issues and has added trying to learn how to analyze the cellular phone call data that comes each month.  It is a big task sort out the calls or texts that might not be in accordance with mission rules.  This had been done by Sister Green and prior to her, Sister Cahoon, but now there is no one else to do it.  We stopped to visit with the Hesses on our way to our apartment.  They live in the same complex and will probably end up staying in their apartment to do all of the medical work for the missionaries.  They received phone calls all day long!!  They have a real nice desk setup that we got from the previous Temple President’s home.  It is well used but very handy for the two of them so they can work together.  Went home and had fun watching movies.

            Saturday we exercised twice, vacuumed and dusted the apartment, worked on our taxes and are ready to make copies and mail them in.  Cleaned up and went to see the movie, “La La Land.”  Except for one glaringly bad word, the movie was good.  It was a musical hearkening back to the days of good movie musicals without a lot of junk in them.  Then we went shopping and had dinner at Olive Garden.

            Sunday was cold and cloudy.  We put a roast and cut up vegetables in a crock pot before we left.  We enjoyed Fast and Testimony meeting.  Michelle and Caleb were there and her eye has shown just a little improvement.  The insurance refused paying for her treatment, so the doctor is going to write them and see if he can persuade them otherwise.  Enjoyed classes about the signs of the times, and then about how to recognize if we need course corrections.  We took Sister Bowie, one of the deaf sisters in our ward, to her house, then went home, had naps, watched BYU TV and set the table and got ready for dinner.  The Sorensens came over to eat with us, but the Hesses said they were “slammed” and could not take time for dinner.  I feel bad for them and all they have to deal with.  The missionaries have many physical and mental issues, and need to be treated with patience and love.  After dinner we played some games, then they left and we had visits with Shawn, back from China!! and with Christi, and also with Shelley.

            So it’s been a good week and feel that we are getting along pretty well.  Hope you are all the same!!

            Love, Elder & Sister Hartzell

An Apostle Visits

Dear Family and Friends,

            Sorry this is late, but we had a busy weekend and couldn’t get to it. 

            Last Sunday, the 22nd, since church didn’t start until noon, we had a nice slow start and were able to do a lot of reading.  Church was nice—we had talks on self-reliance and tithing, and had good classes and discussions.  We took a girl home who is a new investigator, then went to the Office for a while to work on photos.  Went home for dinner and visits with Christi and Shelley.

            Monday I got some Departure letters out, took care of phone calls and emails, and we had a good Staff Meeting with, of course, lots of new assignments.  We talked about preparing for the visit of an apostle, Elder Neil L. Andersen, who was coming on Saturday, and all the things that each of us needed to do to be ready.  Talked to Brent on the way home and learned that their youngest, little Hannah, has been sick and they are doing tests to determine what is wrong.  Also, Michelle has blood in her eye and will probably need some procedures done.  Because of all the stuff I needed to do, I don’t go to sleep quickly and wake up early, so I averaged about 5 hours a night. The rain has stopped and the sun is out and beautiful.

            Tuesday I worked on the calendar, took care of paperwork that came in, had to work on ordering lunches for STL (Sister Training Leader) meeting on Wed., MLC (Mission Leadership Conference) on Thursday, and dinners for the missionaries on Saturday night.  Our new Mission Nurse, Elder Hess, and his wife arrived at 3:30.  We showed them around the chapel, then took them to their new apartment and left them with the Office Elders, who helped them move furniture around and get things set up.  Then we did our shopping for mission food at Sam’s Club, went back to the Office for an hour, then met the Sorensens and Hesses at Chili’s for dinner. 

            Wednesday, during STL meeting, they stopped and we all went into the chapel for a special broadcast from SLC about changes in the missionary schedule, and special things they want the missionaries to emphasize.  The focus needs to be on the Plan and on the Doctrine of Christ—that all things need to be taught in that framework.  It was really powerful.  As soon as it was over, we went to Chick-fil-A to get lunch for the sisters, we all ate, then I cleaned up and put stuff away.  I printed up the Mission Histories, put together the premade material in the “Mission Memories” binders, took Sister Hess to the shed in the parking lot to get stuff for her apartment, went shopping with Jim, and headed home to do laundry. Jim has been busy setting up a new apartment this week and paying bills as usual, plus all the surprises each day to addresss. There is no end to apartment renewals, opening or closing apartments, and the utilities. 

            Thursday was MLC.  I worked on making copies of the bio information on all the missionaries who will be here when our new mission president arrives, did the 4^th Departure letter that goes in their binders, left at noon to get the Subway sandwich for the lunch, cleaned up after, left early to go to Larry and Holly’s and babysit the grandchildren while Larry and Holly went to Napa Valley, CA, for a conference and to have fun.  We made spaghetti for dinner, watched a family DVD, had Tim Tam Slams, and watched a fun “Goofy”movie.

We put Harper to bed, then later the boys and us.

            Friday we got up and fixed French Toast, then Jim went to work and I did stuff with the kids.  I watched Gary and Harper jump and do tricks on the tramp, then did puzzles and games with Harper.  When she left for a birthday party, the boys just did video games and I watched movies.  We stopped for lunch at 12:30, they got all their stuff together for a sleepover, and their friends picked all of them up to go have fun and stay at their houses.  Jim had to do the weekly cleaning at the building, including both bathrooms as I wasn’t there to do my job, and had a lot of other interruptions.  I called Jim to come pick me up, and we took all our stuff with us, went to the Office, ate dinner there and kept working until 7:00 p.m.  Went home, changed the stuff in our suitcases, watched TV and relaxed.

            Saturday we got cleaning done and exercised at the apartment, went to the church at 1:30 and made sure things were ready for the missionaries to come.  And they all came from all over the mission.  We had 190 there!!  It took 40 minutes to get everyone in place for a big group photo, so that when Elder Andersen came in with Elder Klebingat, Bishop Waddell, Elder Beheshti, and Pres & Sister Wakolo, everyone got real quiet and were so respectful.  The brother took the photos, then we followed Elder Andersen into the chapel one zone at a time and shook everyone’s hands.  Then we had a wonderful meeting!!  We heard great testimonies about missionary work and how important it is to teach the Doctrine of Christ, and memorize scriptures that touch our hearts and sink deep into our souls, and help us feel the Spirit. Jim--Elder Anderson emphasized the importance to keep on the covenant path all of our lives, and being converted to the Lord, not the church.  He also quoted Elder Oaks who said that a testimony is to know and conversion is to become. We need to become and the atonement allows us to repent, which is how we change.   Bishop Waddell talked about the power in the Book of Mormon to convert, and then mentioned the difference between serving on a mission and going on a mission.  We need to be looking outward and not inward.  Elder Klebingat used Acts 5:11-12 to address what we might not be laying on the altar of God, and what we might be holding back in our service.  Afterwards I hurried outside to make sure that each missionary going back on the bus to Memphis had a box dinner until all were handed out, and Jim gave out hard-cover Book of Mormons to the missionaries for their personal study.  We had Bram meet us there while Gary stayed for a youth meeting with Elder Andersen.  We picked up Harper on our way home, then got home to Larry and Holly’s and had them get out their Sunday clothes and take baths and showers.  Then all went to bed.

            I awoke at 2:00 a.m. with terrible stomach cramps—oh, I was in such pain!! I had diarrhea and was soooooo sick.  I kept having cramps all night and all the next day, just not as bad as at first.  I am pretty sure it was food poisoning.

            Sunday Gary woke up with a runny nose, sore throat, and feeling miserable, so we both stayed home and Jim took Bram and Harper to church.  Then we had a quiet day watching some good movies like “Finding Dory” and “Snowball Express.”  We had pizza for dinner, then Larry and Holly got home having had a great time in Napa Valley and in San Francisco.  We headed home, talked to Christi and then Shelley, then went to bed.  I still didn’t feel great but was able to get some anti-diarrheal medicine Monday morning and finally stop the cramping.

            I will stop there and talk about this week next Sunday.

            Sure hope you are all doing well.

            Love,  Elder and Sister Hartzell

Assorted Stuff

Dear Family & Friends,

            Monday had some difficulties—I need to send some letters to the Departing missionaries and their parents, but I am waiting for information to come in including itineraries that I need to mail with the letters, but they didn’t come.  I worked on assorted other things, but none of the regular stuff.  I checked on the zone conference luncheon for Tuesday. Jim: I started learning more about the missionary bikes today.  Sister Green had been doing that, and I need to take it over now, tracking the coming, the going, and for some the loaner bikes.  It rained buckets on the way home and we could hardly hear our phone conversation with our son Brent.  We enjoy visiting with him every week.  We ate dinner, changed, and went to see the movie, “Hidden Figures.”  It was about black women in NASA during the early 60’s.  We had no idea what they accomplished and what they endured.  It was really good and we highly recommend it!!

            Tuesday I made and sent letters to missionaries who will be coming in February.  I made sure the luncheon was set up for the zone conference on Wed., replaced photos on the bulletin board outside of our Office, took care of medical bills, and recorded and filed information that had been sent in.  We came home, exercised, ate dinner, had a good visit with Joseph, and watched TV.

            Wednesday the information I was waiting for came in and I sent out the letters to Departing missionaries and their parents.  It felt good to get that done!  Checked on the lunch for our zone conference on Thursday.  Our Little Rock Ward is preparing it.  Took care of a lot of emails, iPad stuff, and reorganized some binders on my desk.  Grocery-shopped on the way home, and did 3 loads of laundry.

            Thursday we drove to Otter Creek building (the chapel we meet in every Sunday) and had our LR Zone Conference.  We were taught by President Wakolo, his Assistants, the Zone Leaders, the Sister Training Leaders, an activity led by Sister Wakolo, had a delicious lunch, our group photo, bore our testimonies, some more training by Pres Wakolo about being a 4^th Missionary, meaning we serve with “high expectations and high love (for ourselves and the Savior)”, and evaluating how we are serving.  We left and headed back to the Office in pouring rain, worked on phone calls, lots of different issues to take care of, including news of a missionary who is in incredible pain which the doctors found came from a growth in his abdomen and he will be sent to SLC as they believe it is cancerous.  Our prayers are with him and his family.  President Wakolo is spending his time with him and his companions after our zone conference on Thursday and through Friday and yesterday when his plane left.  So sad!  We exercised, ate, and watched Inauguration activities.

            Friday I was busy making copies of all the missionaries who will be here when the next mission president comes on July 1^st.  I only got 1/3 of the way done.  Our new mission president is named Norman E. Hansen, from Washington state.  We have a lot of stuff to be sending him over the next couple of months.  Had a meeting with Sisters Wakolo and Sorensen about the meals and food we need to have ready for this coming week.  A lot of meetings, a broadcast, and an apostle here next Saturday.  I needed to run an errand so arranged to do it right at the time that our President and Vice-President were sworn into Office and got to hear the Tabernacle Choir sing (so proud of them), and President Trump give his talk.  I have mixed feelings about it.  I just wish that everyone would give him a chance and see how he does instead of so many critics before he even gets started.  I pray for peace and cooperation between people.  I hate contention!!  Had a quick dinner in the evening, then drove to Larry and Holly’s for a piano recital.  Both Gary and Bram played very well—so impressed!  Sister Wakolo and Jasmin were there and she also performed.  We really enjoyed it!!  Ate some cookies, visited, and headed home.

Gary 

Bram

            Saturday we got a lot done—dusting, vacuuming, airing out the house (sunshine in the morning and 70 degrees!!), recording receipts, taking care of some business, exercising, cleaning up, going shopping for Jim to get new high-top tennies and a new corduroy sport coat.  Also got a new paper cutting tool for the Office.  The fellow who took care of us was so nice, as are most of the people here in Arkansas.  They talk so nicely to you—lots of Yes, Ma’am and No, Ma’am.  Jim even did it on our way home and it surprised me.  He has always been respectful, but not used those words.  It is neat!!  Came home and had Movie Night. 

            Our friend Michelle called and said she had lost the vision in one of her eyes and was going to the emergency room today to get it taken care of.  It happened when she woke up Friday morning and called our Bishop who is an eye doctor about it.  He said it could be an “eye stroke” or bleeding in the eye.  He wanted her to go to the emergency room right away, but she takes her jobs seriously and put them first—going to her regular job on Friday and then to help an elderly woman in our ward yesterday until this morning.  We are praying for her and hope you will also.  Thank you.

            Today we start a new schedule for church—it doesn’t start until noon so I am doing our blog now instead of this evening.

            Some quotes from some of our missionaries:  “After our convert got confirmed Sunday, she came and sat by us.  Before she had expressed about this black spot in her from all of our past sins and how she was scared that it would never go away.  When she sat down, she said with tears in her eyes, ‘the black spot is gone!’  That’s my favorite part about this work is hearing people’s feelings and experiences of being clean and having the Holy Ghost.”

            “In a testimony of another missionary, she said something about not regretting learning lessons sooner because they were learned in the moment she was ready for them.  I’m grateful for that because I learned a lot of lessons I wish I had learned earlier, but I know I only learned them now because I am ready for them and I am looking for the Spirit to teach them to me.”

            Our thoughts and prayers are also with our cousin, Julie, who just completed her fourth chemo  treatment; Sister Hugentobler who continues to have a bad cough and not feel good; our cousin, Barbara, who broke her other foot just as the first one was finally healed,; and other family members and friends who are dealing with health and other issues in their lives.

            We love you and pray for you and hope you are all doing well. 

            Love, Elder and Sister Hartzell

Sister Hugentobler's Farewell Dinner at Olive Garden.

Bram's Science Fair Project - about the amount of iron in cereals.
He got third place in his division!!  Way to go!!

Friday, the 13th and Stake Conference

Dear Family & Friends,

            Last Sunday evening we had a good visit with Shelley and I worked on the blog. 

            Monday I worked on baptism and other photos to put in the Leader.  Right now a returned-missionary sister is doing it for us.  She had to leave her mission early because of health reasons but still wanted to be involved in missionary work so she offered to publish The Leader for us.  We had a Staff Meeting in the afternoon and I got several new assignments relating to our new mission president.  We found his name is Hanson and he served here in Arkansas on his mission.  So I will start collecting information to send to him so he can start being familiar with the things we are currently doing and deciding what changes he wants to make.  We went to Olive Garden with everyone in the Office to have a Farewell dinner for Sister Hugentobler.  She is still doing poorly and comes in when she can.  Had a good phone visit with Christi and her family.  Her husband Shawn left the previous Friday to fly to China for a job working as a concept artist on a feature cartoon film.  He will be there for three weeks, then come home for some time.  We don’t know when he will go back again.  Hopefully this will last for at least the next 6 months to give them some income until he can find a new permanent job. 

            Tuesday I worked on a lot of Leadership Letters to send to the missionaries, put in their files, and share in an email with their parents.  We had no new Missionary Recommendations come in.  The Sorensens left at 2:00 pm for Memphis and their first two Zone Conferences on Wed. and Thurs.  The Assistants were in the Office most of the day, and other missionaries came and went.  The weather was much warmer and got up to 68 degrees.  It was 47 degrees when we got up today and was 22 yesterday, wild swings. We exercised, had a phone visit with Brent, and spent a quiet evening.

            Wednesday I worked on various papers, emails, and took media orders as both Sister H and Sister Sorensen were gone.  The Rasmussens came in for a visit, and then the Greens, so we went out to lunch with them.  Just as we were finishing up, I got a call from Pres. Wakolo saying that there was NO lunch for their Zone Conference!!  I was just sick about it.  I went back to the Office and found out that there had been a mis-communication between me and the stake RS president over that stake/zone.  Pres. ended up ordering pizza for everyone.  The Rasmussens headed home, but the Greens stayed to help go through different things.  Elder Green helped me with the Mission History, and Sister Green deleted lots of stuff off the computer at the back.  I worked on the Zone Conference Lunch Schedule and made sure the stake in charge of Thursday’s lunch was ready.  We went grocery shopping after 5:15, then home to do laundry and played some games and relax.

            Thursday was a very hard day—it was my “Friday, the 13^th,” even though it was Thursday the 12^th.  I went through the Zone Conference lunch schedule and sent it to Pres & Sister Wakolo to make sure it was correct.  I worked on lots of emails and ordered travel for missionaries leaving March 28^th.  Then I found out that Sister Green had deleted a program that had the Mission Calendar on it that I had spent all Fall working on and finally finished after Christmas!!  And that my computer copies of “The Leader” including baptismal photos were all deleted!!  Talk about being sick to my stomach—I just sat and stared for a while trying to figure out what to do.  Jim helped by going into the Recycle Bin and we found the Calendar stuff—HALLELUJAH!!!

I worked off some frustration by cleaning the bathroom before we left (plus it was much warmer than in the morning!!).  The Sorensens got back from Memphis about 3:00.  Sis H never came in and we found out that her checks had been stolen last week in the break-in so she had spent a lot of time talking to her bank back home in Moab.  It helped that her son is the bank manager! We had a nice visit with Larry on the phone as we drove to the apartment.

            Friday I spent time going into our email program called Outlook and went back three months and found copies of the October and November Leaders and saved them to my computer.  I also found all the baptismal photos and copies them to my computer, too.  By the end of the day I felt much, much better!!  I also worked on faxing medical bills to SLC, finished the Lunch Schedule and sent out the final copies to the 5 Stake RS Presidents.  I also redid the Lunch Book to keep all the information I need in one place.  Sister H came in and I went with her and Sister Sorensen to take the missionaries out to lunch to celebrate 3 of their birthdays and honor Sis. H on her last day as a missionary.  There was a big group and we had fun eating and visiting.  Finished working in the Office by 5:30, did a little more shopping of things we had missed, went home and changed and went to a movie, “Passengers.”  It was pretty good but did have a couple of scenes we shut our eyes in.

            Saturday we exercised, cleaned our apartment bathrooms, updated addresses, made a bean soup, took naps, cleaned up, went to the Little Rock Stake Center and had dinner at 5:15 and enjoyed visiting with Michelle and others.  Then had an awesome Adult Session—several good talks by the 3 sisters who are presidents of the stake auxiliaries about how the Spirit had worked in their lives.  Some great stories.  President Wakolo spoke and gave a great talk about the need for the Gospel and missionary work.  The music was by some mutual youth in our Little Rock Ward and they were wonderful.  President Palmer, councilor in the Stake Presidency gave a wonderful talk on hope and our challenge to act, to increase our hope and faith.  Then President Dixon spoke and talked about surviving in a fallen world and how to overcome the tendencies of the natural man, by walking in the light and way of Jesus Christ.  Saw Sister H and gave her a hug.  She had moved out of her apartment earlier that afternoon.  It has been really foggy the last few days—Jim says it is eerie and I say it is ethereal.  When we were almost home, we exited the freeway and saw a car on the other side of the road that had taken a corner too fast and not only jumped the curb but rode up some heavy guywires attached to a power pole.  It was hanging on them sideways!!  I wished we had taken a picture—it was incredible!!  Oh, well---

            Today was a wonderful Stake Conference.  We sat with Larry and Holly and the kids.  We heard a number of good talks, including one by a young woman about 19 who had joined the church when she was about 12.  Her family were not supportive at all, in fact they were antagonistic, telling her she could only go to church once a week.  Over time they became a lot more supportive, her mother telling her she had changed for the better.  She had a “mean” YW leader who made her do the Young Womanhood program so she could earn her medallion.  She was so glad she did it and was proudly wearing it around her neck.  She talked about her love for the Book of Mormon and how reading it every day really helped her stay close to the Lord and get through the tough times.  Then an older sister, perhaps in her 60’s, spoke of growing up and having visions and being told that was not possible.  But she described them and they were so beautiful.  She eventually found the church just a couple of years ago and finally found the church that had answers to all of her questions and revelations.  She has been going to the temple and loving the Spirit there.  Also, she found out about doing her family’s work to be sealed to them.  “Why would I want to do that?!!  I don’t want to be sealed to THEM!!”  But the Lord told her, “Because that is what I want you to do.”  And the peace she felt was overwhelming.  Her love for the Lord and the Gospel was palpable.  There were other wonderful testimonies, but I will just share those two.  The special musical numbers were by our ward and were wonderful again.  Jim: I just wanted to add one other remark that the wife of the first councilor in the Mission Presidency, Sister Jones, shared.  She spoke about all the things she was thankful for and shared a quote she has on her night stand which says, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience but rather spiritual beings having a human experience.”  And her husband, President Jones, had all the missionaries stand and sing the Mission Song.  I even cried.  That is impactful to ponder.   We had a quick Missionary Correlation afterwards, then we went to lunch at Larry’s and Holly’s where we had a delicious pork roast salad and rolls with Orange Juliuses for dessert and played Uno and Go Fish.  We left at 3:30, went to the Office for a while, and are now home and enjoying a quiet Sabbath evening.

            We love you all and testify that when tough times happen, just remember that “this, too, shall pass.”

            Have a great week—Elder & Sister Hartzell

Brrrrrrrr!!!! It's cold outside!!!!!

Dear Family & Friends,

            Last Sunday evening we talked to Christi and Shelley and their families.  We also made our lunch for Monday as we would have to leave early.

            Monday morning we got up, got ready and left for the Memphis Temple (2 ½ hours away) at 7:15 a.m.  It was foggy and rainy most of the way.  We enjoyed a wonderful session in the temple with the missionaries who were returning home, the missionaries who had birthdays in December and January, President and Sister Wakolo and the other members of his mission presidency, and other Senior Couple.  What a beautiful and blessed experience it was!!  It is a small temple but is full of the Spirit of the Lord.  Because we didn’t have to stop for lunch, we drove straight to the Mission Home.  It was pouring rain for the first hour or so--I am talking dumping!!!  But we made it safely.  We helped prepare the Departure Dinner and served it to some of our favorite missionaries including Elders Hooker and Hunt who were Assistants, and Elder Boggess who was an Office Elder.  Elder Phillips, another Office Elder, left the past week to get into school right after the 1^st. 

            Tuesday Jim & I spent the morning doing the Transfer Board in IMOS.  It took 1 ½ hours.  The only thing left to do is enter the companionships of new Arrivals and their Trainers.  That happens after they meet.  I also worked in emails and letters and updating information in the computer.  We worked until 4:45, then drove to the Pinnacle Mountain Chapel to help with the dinner there.  More good food and it was so nice to meet the new missionaries who just came in.  What a great group!!  We cleaned up after and left by 8:00, drove home and relaxed.  I also went through papers I had collected to see what was left to gather Wed. morning.

            Wednesday we drove to the Rodney Parham building (same place as the night before—it goes by both names), and did our training with the new missionaries.  It went well and I collected a lot more papers and the passports from 3 of them.  Went back to the Office and finished putting the Trainer/Trainee information into IMOS.  Then I started printing up and emailing all the reports that the missionaries and mission presidency need.  That took most of the day.  I recorded the paperwork that they gave me, and also set up the Zone Conference luncheon schedules for 2017 with the stake RS presidents.  We stopped to do grocery shopping on our way home, ate dinner, and fell asleep watching TV.

            Thursday the Office was closed because the electrical company was replacing a wood pole and had to shut off all the electricity.  We drove by at 11:45 to see if they were done and they were, so we called everyone and told them to come on in.  It felt strange to only be there for ½ a day, but we got things done at home so it was not a waste.  We had picked up cases of water at Sam’s Club as we were running low at the office and also got pizza there for lunch.  Sister Wakolo came in and gave me paperwork that she had collected—paperwork—it’s what I do!!  I also sent Arrival Information letters to the three ASL sisters who will be going in the MTC in a month and arrive here on March 21, one week before the regular transfer.  We left at 5:00 to go home and exercise and have a quiet evening.  I read something that morning from Moroni 7:2 that touched me:  “. . . because of the gift of his calling to me.”  I have learned that each new calling I have in the church is a “gift” that helps me learn and grow.  Some I even ask for, like going on a mission, many are scary, but all turn out to be wonderful!!

            Friday it was bitter cold (20 degrees but felt like 11) and there was 1-2 inches of SNOW on the ground!?!  I know—snow in the south?!!  But it was and we heard from the Sorensens that they got to the Office but it was scary.  There are no snow plows here.  They do put down some sand/salt stuff, but on the hills that are all over Little Rock, the roads get icy and you have NO control!!  We stayed home until 10:00 and ventured out, but when we got to the Office were told that the hill going to the Office would likely be blocked off and, if we didn’t want to spend the night there, we needed to go back home.  So we did!!  So we did our Saturday activities instead:  cleaning, working on music for our iPad, budget stuff, going through lots of emails that we haven’t looked at in a month, and doing some phone calls.  It was nice to stay inside and look at the snow out the window. 

            Saturday we slept in, ate a late breakfast, then drove to the Office and worked for about 5 hours.  The roads were clear but it was still real cold.  I worked on downloading photos of the Departing and Arriving missionaries in my computer, then took a couple of hours to send out the photos to all the Arriving Missionaries’ families.  The Sorensens, Assistants, and Office Elders were there, too.  Felt like Friday instead of Saturday.  It was cold as I think the church heat was affected by the Thursday electrical shutdown.  Afterwards, I got my hair cut, I then cut Jim’s hair, and he colored mine.  We cleaned up and enjoyed a quiet evening.

            Today was cold—I wish I had worn my warm snow boots to church even though there was no snow.  I was warm everywhere but my feet!!  Church was lovely and I feel so good in the Little Rock ward and so welcome.  We got a new elder, Elder ‘Iongi, and a new sister, Sister Inman, in the ward.  The testimonies were beautiful, and the lessons were good.  It was nice to talk about temples and family history work in Gospel Principles, and the Restoration in RS.  We had some investigators and I could tell they really felt something.  Went by the Office on the way home and spent a couple of hours sending out the photos to the Departing Missionaries and their families.  Came home, napped, watched BYU TV, ate dinner, and am writing the blog.

            I received a special email in the Office from a Missionary Mom from the Philippines whose son is a Visa-waiter (serving in the Philippines because his Visa hasn’t come through yet).  She said,  “Thank you so much Sister Hartzell, before I went to a net cafe to open and see if the email I had sent has a reply I really prayed sincerely....hoping that there's somehow a response--and I am so surprise and thankful for your loving reply Sister Hartzell. Thank you from the bottom of my heart-it took a very long time to make a letter because I am so very much concern about how to use correct English grammar. But a voice said just start typing your message what matters is the thought that you really made it for your son and also for Pres.and Sis Wakolo. Again Thank you so much we are so excited for our son to work there as a Full time Missionary. I know you will help him too if he has questions or concern. Like about different cultures and language.. Happy New Year 2017 we are sending our love from our family to all of you there in Arkansas.”  Isn’t that the sweetest letter?!!  The Spirit truly works with all of us.

            Our love and prayers are with all of you—

            Elder and Sister Hartzell

Jim and I on Christmas Eve by our Christmas tree

A foggy day at our apartment

Yes, we have snow!!  In North Little Rock!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2017!!

Dear Family & Friends,

            Monday was cloudy and rained on and off all day, sometimes a downpour, and sometimes just sprinkles or “spitting.”  We had the day off because it was the day after Christmas, so we did some cleaning and made more Cookie Salad and tossed salad.  At 1:15 the Harrises arrived (a Senior Couple who serve in Morrilton), and then the Sorensens.  We went over to the clubhouse theater room and had lots of snacks while we watched a Hallmark movie called, “Trading Christmas,” and then a Disney movie called “Snowball Express.”  We love to watch and laugh at that one!!  There was another couple, the Rasmussens, who were supposed to be there, but a newly baptized member of just a week had had some surgery and then passed away, so they were giving service to the new member’s family.  After we came back to the apartment, I showed the couples Tim Tam Slams (we learned about them in Japan) and a couple of people tried them.  Then we ate the salads at our apartment, then went over to the Sorensen’s apt. for Sweet and Sour Chicken, baked potatoes, and cooked carrots.  The Harrises had brought apple pie for dessert and we provided some ice cream.  It was all so yummy!!  We even sang some Christmas carols before everyone left to go home and relax.  The Harrises went to see the Christmas lights downtown.  It was a lovely day!

            Tuesday we were back in the Office and a beautiful sunny day.  I worked on the Dep. Binders, emails, the 2017 Calendar, the Zone Conf lunch schedule for 2017 to send out to stake presidents and stake R.S. presidents, and ordered Jimmy Johns lunch boxes for the MLC lunch on Thursday.  Elder Phillips came into the Office to say goodbye and we all went in the chapel where he played “Clair de Lune” for us.  (He and 3 other missionaries flew out on Wed, a week early because of school).  When I got back in the Office, I panicked as I could not find my list of things that needed to be done.  I looked and prayed and looked and prayed.  Because I did, I found instead that the 4 missionaries who were returning home had sent me their Departing Testimonies and their Many Mighty Miracles papers to put in their binders, but because I had worked on their binders the previous week, I accidentally put them in their folders.  When I found them, I quickly took them out, put them in envelopes and gave them to them to take home.  Wow!!  That was such a Tender Mercy!!  Then, 5 minutes later I found the paper I was panicking over.  So glad I lost it, then found it again.  We talked to Brent on our way home from work, then found out that Sister Hugentobler’s apartment had been broken into and her jewelry and money and car and apartment keys were stolen.  I don’t know a total value, but the place was a mess.  Everything was dumped out on the floor Except—her garment drawer!!  The police were there awhile, along with Denise, the apt. manager.  We went over later with some dinner and Jim had gone to Lowes and bought PVC pipe and a cutter to put pvc pipes in each of her windows so they could not be opened again like was done before.  Also, Jim and Elder Sorensen gave her a blessing.  We found out that this has been happening more and more, not only here but other places in the area.  Jim secured the Sorensen’s windows and ours also.

            Wednesday, cloudy and misty again.  I worked on the binders some more, printing up more Letters to the Pres, the Assistants (Elders Hunt and James) were there part of the day.  Sis. H did not come in as she had to go to the VW dealership to get her car rekeyed (the apartment was rekeyed right away), and her daughter-in-law came over to help her go through stuff and pack stuff into boxes to go to their house (Sis. H is done with her mission in 2 weeks!!).  She is also starting back into laryngitis, and I was losing my voice, too, so I sucked on Coldeze all day.  We went shopping after work, then watched a Christmas movie on Feeln’.  I had a nice visit with my sister, Lois.

            Thursday was MLC (Mission Leadership Council) in our building, and we got the Jimmy Johns lunch for them (plus we got some, too).  I worked more on the binders and letters until we ran out of ink, so Jim & I went searching for a replacement cartridge, but instead found a place that would refill the cartridge.  However, it turned out to be $7 more than buying a new one.  Oh, well.  Because of running around for 1 ½ hours, I ended staying until 7:00 while Jim went home and exercised, then came back for me when I called him.  I was able to get the last of the 17 binders done (finally!!).  After I got him I exercised, and we watched TV and went to bed.

            Friday I worked on processing the 4 new missionary recommendations that came in on Tuesday.  I also had to do the Departure and the Arrival Programs to give out on Monday and Tuesday evenings.  The Assistants were in the Office all day making up the Transfer Lists.  Sis. H came in but she sounds like she has the croup.  I still sound rough, but no coughing!!  We took a quick trip to McDonalds about 3:30 in the afternoon to meet up with the Tannehills again who were heading back from Georgia to their home in Henderson.  It was good to be able to visit with them some more.  But because of doing that, we did not finish our stuff until 6:15.  We ended up missing the Neighborhood Watch meeting at the clubhouse, but the Sorensen’s sent and said the police were asking us to be more observant and know our neighbors better.  Hard to do as we hardly ever see them!  Quiet evening at home.

            Saturday more rain all day but we did get to sleep in!!  Jim cleaned the bathrooms while I worked on our budget.  It took about 3 hours, but we got it all done—hooray!! We also took down our few  Christmas decorations, but not the outside lights as it was too wet.  We exercised and cleaned up, then met the Sorensens at The Whole Hog barbecue restaurant.  We got there at 1 minute before 5:00 and we were the last ones they let in.  It was delicious and we closed the place down!!  Then we went to walk around the mall a little, then watched the movie, “Rogue One,” again.  We do love our Star Wars and like to see them multiple times!!  Came home and watched TV but only stayed up until 11:00, and then went to bed. 

            HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

            Today was a cold, foggy, and rainy Sunday, but good meetings and talks about goals and New Years resolutions.  Michelle bought a new car yesterday and was so excited to show us her new 2008 Prius.  So we won’t be picking her up any more.  After church we went to the Office for me to do some of my own desk calendaring, and finally got home about 3:30.

            We want to wish you all a wonderful 2017—

            We love you,

            Elder & Sister Hartzell

                    Elder & Sister Sorensen, new Vehicle Coordinator and Recorder/Referral Secretary

Our Little Rock Zone at the Christmas Zone Conference

The White Bags are the gifts for the missionaries from the local wards and branches

The Women of the Office:  Sister Sorensen, Sister Hartzell, Sister Hugentobler, and Sister Green

The Men of the Office:  Elder Hartzell, Elder Green, and Elder Sorensen