We have been negligent in writing in our journal, but sometimes it seems as though we are saying the same things each week.  Each week is very different, but in some ways much the same.  We both have had bugs, but thankfully at different times, and now Dad is feeling better – that is a very good thing!!!  It is hard to get up and keep going all day when one is so much under the weather.  We have had three very full weeks.  Dad is very involved in getting new apartments to handle the new missionaries.  This transfer (Mar 20) he had to find nine apartments.  Many tender mercies and miracles have occurred in the apartment leasing department.  The first was in Canton, NY.  Canton is a university town (two universities) and it is very difficult to find available apartments in the middle of the school year.  So when Pres. Wirthlin said that he wanted to open up that area, we wondered how.  After several disappointing tries, we were at a loss.  But just as Elder Barlow and Dad were about to leave with furniture for a new apartment up north, the Zone Leaders called and said that they might have found a place.  They sent pictures which Dad approved.  He then called the landlord and within 30 minutes a lease was emailed and signed, checks were written and additional furniture was added for the trip.  Once they finished unloading the furniture, the question was asked about who occupied the front unit.  It was a 60 year old single man.  Well, Dad & Elder Barlow were taken back, because they were told that Sisters would be occupying the apartment and that might not be good.  They decided to think about it for the weekend and didn’t tell Pres. Wirthlin.  That was Friday.  On Sunday, we learned that Pres. Wirthlin had been prompted to put Elders in the area instead of Sisters.  All without us saying a word to him.

Also earlier that week, Pres.Wirthlin, decided to add another area to open in Troy.  So, the Zone Leaders went to work and found a possible unit.  In the pictures, it looked really small, but the Elders said that it would work.  So Dad called the landlord and asked when the unit could be available.  The landlord said that it would be available on April 1^st.  Dad told him that we needed it by the 18^th and the discussion was ended.  Two hours later, the landlord called and said that he had heard that you never turn down an opportunity to lease an apartment to Mormon Missionaries.  He decided that he was going to kick the existing tenant out over the weekend and the unit would be ready on the 18^th.  And it was furnished by Dad and Elder Barlow on the 18^th.  One question the Landlord had was this:  “I know something about the Church, but could never understand how two people who have opposite political views could belong to the same Church (Romney & Reid).”  Dad had found the only conservative in Up-State NY.

Our branch had a temple trip to the Palmyra Temple on the 9^th.  It is a two-hour trip, so we needed to leave fairly early (7:45 am).  We did sealings for the first while, and then we went to the 11:00 session with just another couple from the branch.  Another couple who have only been members of the church since July did 20 baptisms.  This couple is really amazing, and they have a wonderful conversion story.  His brother is in the stake presidency, also a convert.  It was such a thrilling experience to enter the celestial room.  The sun was shining and the light coming through stained-glass windows was breathtaking.  The stained windows were of the sacred grove.  Dad had a Primary lesson to give the next day about the printing of the Book of Mormon, so we wanted to go to the Grandin Print Shop, where the first copies of the Book of Mormon were printed.  The other office couple wanted to see the Print Shop as well, and while standing there she saw her cousin and family there who were visiting from Texas.  It was a wonderful experience for her.  We did not stay in Palmyra long, but we had lunch with the Barlow’s and headed back to Utica. 

The weeks are full – one of my responsibilities is getting the President’s Letter out to the missionaries on Monday morning by 10:00.  Sometimes it goes easily, and others it is a huge challenge.  I also have the monthly newsletter to print up each month.  That can be an even bigger challenge.  I am learning, but there are times when the frustration level reaches a very high point!!  With the increase of the number of missionaries, it has increased a lot of paperwork.  The mission president is trying to think of ways to decrease the amount of money spent on postage.  The last transfer I sent out about 250 letters, and I think that some of those letters will be changed to emails – however that will take more time in some respects. 

One of the things I miss about home is having a washer and dryer.  The basement has spooked both of us, so we go to a Laundromat.  (Remember that the basement was flooded when we first moved in and some of our stuff was soaking wet. We just have not wanted to go downstairs -- who knows what kind of things I have going on in my head!)  Trying to find time for the laundry has been a challenge, and though it is a little more expensive  we just prefer to do it all at once.  We are now saving our quarters.  The plus side is that we can have ALL of the laundry done in less than 1.5 hours – plus folding time.  So it is not all bad.  At home it would take me most of the day because our washer is so small.  We just do what we have to do, and I am glad not to have to go down into the basement. 

Saturdays are our Preparation Days, but they have often been taken with mission activities.  We have to try and fit in laundry, grocery shopping, errands, etc. whenever we can.  Last Saturday was an exception.  We took the morning and went to a Maple Syrup Factory where they served us pancakes, sausage and of course their famous maple syrup.  Our GPS took us to the wrong town, but we had a grand time anyway.  We saw a lot of very old homes, open spaces with a lot of snow.  The problem we have is that what we think is interesting when we look at it does not turn out very well with the pictures because with the white snow, white sky, etc.  there is not the contrast that is so pretty when we have blue sky.  We had fresh snow on the ground, so it was pretty cold.  We went to Ben & Judy’s Sugarhouse.  It was a lot of fun.  Their process for producing maple syrup is really interesting, and we did take pictures while we were there.  We had to prepare our talks for Sacrament Meeting, so that took up time that afternoon.  President and Sister Wirthlin surprised us by coming to our branch meetings last Sunday.  Of course I was nervous as could be. 

This week was taken up with transfers.  The plan was to pick up the missionaries on Tuesday night, bring them back to Utica and then serve them breakfast on Wednesday, training, lunch for the new missionaries and their trainers, pictures, and then more training in the afternoon.  A big snow storm in Chicago changed the plans – all the missionaries (25) were stranded in Chicago.  We had to change our plans as well.  Instead of meeting here in Utica, we had to move to Liverpool, an hour away, closer to the Syracuse Airport.  Everything worked out fine, but when we came back to the office (about 3:30), I received a call from Salt Lake asking about where the two Temple Square missionaries were.  I told her they were safe in Syracuse – but she said they were supposed to be at the SLC airport.  I don’t know how many of us thought their flight was on Thursday, but the Church Travel Department had to get them new tickets.  That was the hugest blessing for me.  They came into the office the next day and helped with the training packets, new missionary packets, baptism picture board, and printing of the pictures taken on Wednesday.  It was such a blessing for me to have these projects done.  That was something that I have wanted to do for a couple of weeks – get some of these things done for the next transfer the end of April!!!  Then on Friday afternoon Dad was finished early and he helped me get my files organized so that I know where everything is.  The previous secretary had her own system, and it just was not working well for me.  It was a huge help.  Now my next “organization” project is the files on my computer.  They just do not make any sense—I will be much more effective when things are organized my way and I can find files and such without  a lot of time.  Now if I could just get the mail merge under control!! 

Yesterday we had an all-mission conference.  It was an incredible experience.  Elder David A Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Donald L. Hallstrom of the Presidency of the Seventy, Bishop Dean M. Davies of the Presiding Bishopric, and Elder Gordon H. Smith, Area Seventy of the Northeast plus their wives were there.  Presidents Joseph B. Wirthlin Jr. of the New York Utica Mission and Jack R. Christianson of the New York Rochester Mission along with their wives were also in attendance.   The priesthood power in the room was palpable, and the spirit was so strong during the meeting.  Three hours of intense instruction under the direction of Elder Bednar – it was such a wonderful three hours.   He had instructed the missionaries to read three of his talks, and then the instruction came from his asking how these talks had impressed the missionaries.  He then asked the missionary (the one who had stood) several thought-provoking questions.  The answers of the missionaries were incredible – he was teaching them (and us) how to recognize the promptings of the Spirit and not be afraid of opening our mouths.  He had the other General Authorities and their wives speak on different topics, and then each of them bore strong testimonies.  The Spirit was very strong, and I doubt if we will ever see that many General Authorities in one place giving instruction except at General Conference.

Although this picture depicts the Calling of the Fishermen (Matt 3:18-22, Mark 1:16-20), it was on the front of the conference program with the following scripture: (3 Nephi 5:13)  “Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.”  It was such a wonderful day for us.  It makes us realize the importance of the work that we are doing, even though it is in the office.  It is all the Lord’s work, and His work will not fail.  We are grateful to be here in New York.  We are loving the missionaries, and we are getting better acquainted in our little branch.  I am so grateful for this experience and am learning so much.  I am grateful for my knowledge of the atonement, and very grateful for the sacrifice Christ made for each of us if we will but repent and come unto Him in faith.  This Easter week I pray that each of us will remember that He is risen, that our lives are full and we are blessed for this knowledge.

A few pictures

Ben and Judy's Sugarhouse

Where the syrup is processed

Maple sap bucket

Ben and Judy's Sugar House -- Great breakfast!

 Friday late afternoon snow storm

Pictures

Well, I guess it is my turn to write in the blog. I probably won't be as good as Sister Cutler, but here goes.  Since our last post on Feb 21st, all the new missionaries have settled in with a few experiencing homesickness and other issues.  The mission president is learning that most 18 year olds have never been away from home for any extended time, so mission life is quite a shock for some.  But as, Pres. Hinkley was told by his Dad when he wanted to come home, "Son, forget yourself and get to work".  So that is what Pres. Wirthlin does.  Sister Wirthlin, is the medical nurse, so she gets all the calls about aches, pains and all sorts of medical issues.  Today, the President told us that three missionaries busted up their knees this weekend and will probably have to go home to heal and/or have an operation.  They will be on medical release.  You never know from one day to the next, what missionary issues will come up.  Also, two missionaries told the President that they wanted early releases (1-2 months early) so they could go on a trip with their family or so they could work before school started.  The President was very disappointed in their decision because they needed to fulfill their commitment to finish their mission.  It really causes problems because then unplanned transfers need to happen.  It takes a lot to be a mission president and I am grateful that it is not my calling.

 

Since the last new missionaries arrived, we have been preparing for the next influx. Right now, it changes each day, we have 28 more new missionaries planning to arrive.  That means that I must acquire 9-10 new apartments by March 9th.  Last Sunday, we only had 1, which came from a referral from someone.  It is located about 2.5 hours north in the mission district.  I Goggled the address and it looked somewhat sketchy, but was somewhat anxious to get going.  So I called the landlord and got this gruff voice on line,,,"What do you want?"  I explained who I was and wanted to know more able the apartment.  His name was "Carmine", so I should have been suspicious.  He said it was a great apartment in an old building that was renovated.  Still somewhat leery, I ask him to prepare a lease and I would drive up to inspect and close the deal.  So Elder Barlow and I drove up on Tuesday, passing through the towns of Mexico, Philadelphia and Antwerp.  Thought we were lost. Upon arriving at the address, I looked at Elder Barlow with a shock on my face...yes it was an old building...but ready to fall down.  We gingerly climbed rickety stairs and entered the unit and was horrified.  It was so bad that I wouldn't have let my best pig live in it.  I told the landlord that this was totally unacceptable...he said, "What's wrong with the place...just needs a little touching up".  We quickly left the place with the lease and the checks torn up.  We were pretty discouraged.  But we knew that we had to find something, so we continued to look around town.  It is a very small village, but we did locate a possible alternative, so all was not wasted.

 

Then, the next day, I traveled to Cooperstown, NY to look at another prospect, with no physical information other than what the real estate agent told me....never fully trust a real estate agent.  I knew it was an older building, but right in the middle of the historic town (Baseball Hall of Fame).  The town is wonderful, historic and picturesque.  The unit was on the third floor.  Imagine carrying furniture up those stairs.  The floors in the unit were, I think, original wood planks, but were sanded and painted.  It was old, but clean.  So I took the deal.  The sisters who will live there will make it look great with some imagination and a woman's touch.

 

So after those experiences, I enlisted the Zone Leaders (5 Zones) to help find the apartments in their zones.  They were charged with locating, talking with the managers, inspecting the apartment and taking pictures inside and out.  Then they were to send me all the information.  With pictures in hand, I am now able to get a better handle on each location and what the unit looks like. Now we have 6-7 units being considered and the process is running much smoother. 

 

But I learned today, that it really is the Lord who is in charge of all this.  The Zone Leaders responsible for finding an apartment in Carthage, NY (near Fort Drum) on Wednesday said that they couldn't find an apartment within the Carthage area because the area was filled with military families and recommended that we consider an apartment in Philadelphia which is north from Carthage and on the other side of Fort Drum.  I looked at the pictures and thought it was a good choice even though the President didn't really like having the missionaries traveling across the base to get into their area.  So I requested the paper work to be started.  On Friday, I received an email from the landlord that they needed a financial statement of the church and background checks on the missionaries that would be living in the apartment.  I knew that the Church would not provide a financial statement, so I ask the President what to do.  He said that we could provide a bank statement on the mission, but that was all.  So another road block was presented. That was on Saturday.  Today, Sunday, I bore my testimony at the Branch and mentioned about my experiences with finding apartments.  After the meetings, a sister came up to me and said that she owned a large apartment complex in (guess where) Carthage and she had one apartment available.  She showed me the unit on Craig's List and it was perfect. Another tender mercy!

 

Being the financial secretary, I get to see somewhat what the Church is spending on missionary work.  I don't think I am telling anything out of line, but it is a big pile of $$$.  The mission budget is around $800,000-$1,000,000 for each mission on average (405 missions).  Each missionary gets $160 each month to live on (60,000 missionaries). The apartments average rent in our mission is $700 per month, utilities average $200 for, right now, 72 apartments.  When we were in the MTC, the church had 14,000 vehicles in operation throughout the world (avg $17,000 each). Car expenses (gas, service, ins, etc) average $.51 per mile (avg 1,250 miles per month).  It costs about $1,200 to furnish each apartment.  But each young missionary pays the church $485 per month with seniors paying about $1,000 per month...so there is some help with the total church expenditure.

 

Interesting facts about our mission.  It is a large geographical mission running from the Penn. border to the Canadian border.  Two two biggest church population areas in the mission is in the Syracuse and Albany areas.  The rest is of the mission is small branches with attendance of about 15-50 in attendance.  This area is covers the entireMohawk Valley and the entire northern district.  There are 4 stakes and one district.  Our branch is 40 miles wide and 70 miles long.  In the past, this area was economically vibrant with large active wards, but in the past 10-20 years,manufacturing and other large employers have left the state leaving unemployment extremely high.  The small villages are really depressed, hence the Church has suffered.  It is slowly coming back, but I doubt it will attain its former stature.  So, the missionaries have a big responsibility to help the less active and bring new people into the fold.  Some wonderful work is going on and with the increased missionaries, it will be exciting to see what the Lord has in store for this area.

 

One example of the Lord opening up a way to do the work happened on Tuesday.  The local stake priesthood leaders were involved in an Inter-Faith Council group and found a wonderful reception. After meeting with them for the past 5-6 months, they suggested that the next meeting might be held at the Stake Center where the mission offices are located.  On Tuesday, we started having ministers come through our door because the front doors to the main church were locked.  Each person was welcomed with smiles, handshakes and then lead into the building for a luncheon.  After the luncheon, at which the Mission President was invited, the President took them on a tour of our offices.  We each explained our duties and then the President invited them into his office to let them see the "transfer board".  He wasn't sure he should do that at first, but was prompted that it was OK.  The ministers, including a Jewish Rabbi, were astounded at the number of missionaries and where they were located and where they were from.  They were greatly impressed.  Each of their congregations are struggling with large old buildings to maintain and few funds. The President was gratified with his prompting to let them see the inter-workings of the mission.

 

Each day this past week, a private contractor has been working in our office setting up a new phone system.  He was greeted warmly by the staff and each missionary who happened to be in the office, including all the Zone Leaders who were there for training on Friday.  He asked many questions and could not get over the warm feeling he had.  He had never worked in an environment like ours before.  So, Sister Barlow, gave him a Book of Mormon and the missionary pamphlets, with the promise he would read.  He then said he would and wanted to come back on Monday and do some extra work on the phones which was really not required. 

 

So, each day is an adventure.  It is hard for us to fully plan the day because things are in so much flux.  But we are extremely glad to serve in our callings because we can see how much work goes on behind the scene.  We are happy to be the support team to the President and the missionaries. When the Zone Leaders and the AP's are in for leadership training, the office lights up with excitement.  How grateful we are to be here in this exciting time of missionary growth.

 

Oh, by the way, Lizzy, as you have spent a week by a beautiful pool looking at the ocean in Costa Rica, our weather today is snowing and it feels like 10 degrees. That's how the weather is reported here..."feels like".

 

Love, Elder Cutler

Cannot believe that it is Wednesday already.  This last week has flown by, and today I didn't even know what day it Was!  Last week, Tuesday night, 25 new missionaries arrived in the mission.  A lot of planning had to go into getting them picked up at the airport (Syracuse, NY), transported to Utica, etc.  The mission president takes them for pizza first, and then they come back to the stake center for some training.  There was too much luggage to bring to the mission home, so each missionary was given a white garbage bag to bring their "essentials" for spending the night and the luggage was left in the chapel overflow until the next morning.  We had two elders stay with us -- both waiting for their Brazilian visas and reassigned to our mission.  We had to be back over to the church at 7:15 in the morning to get ready for breakfast.  Because of the size of the group, the breakfast had to be at the church.  40 people was too much, even for the mission home.

After breakfast (and during breakfast too) the mission president interviewed the new missionaries so he could assign trainers and decide on the transfers.  This is a huge undertaking for the mission president, and I saw how much The Lord is a part of these undertakings.  A man alone could not do the work -- the Spirit is such a huge part of these decisions, and the mission president is inspired.  At 10:30 the trainers met, and then they separated and sat on the two sides of the chapel while the 24 new missionaries sat in the center.  Then the president announced the companions.  It was a neat experience to be part of this process.  Pres. Wirthlin is a wonderful man, and I have a lot of respect for him.  We took pictures and served lunch to about 100, then there was training until about 3:30.  Lots of missionaries in the office looking for their mail -- a lot of energy in the office when the missionaries are there.  I was responsible for getting about 250 letters out to missionaries, parents, bishops and stake presidents.  Had no idea about all of the paperwork with transfers and the new missionaries!!!!  I am getting the system into my brain a bit better, but now we have 24 missionaries coming the 30th of March and we do it again!!!  Dad has to get 10 more apartments leased and the four of us (the other office couple) will be getting the furnishings.

Saturday we did some shopping, laundry at the laundromat and then had the other office couple over for chili.  We realized that our vacuum was not working -- 3 weeks in the apartment and nothing being cleaned up.  Kind of sickening, even though the carpet had been cleaned before we moved in.  We had a nice evening, and it is fun to get to know the Barlow's better.  We were able to get a new vacuum and vacuuming this apartment once filled up the canister!!

Our branch is a small group -- 50 people there on Sunday was a stretch.  We have three or four in wheelchairs and several are heavy smokers.  Many women come in pants and some in jeans.  I do not say this in criticism, just to say that these are humble people, new in the church, and doing their best to make huge changes in their lives.  The primary children sang in sacrament meeting--all eight of them, and five were from one family.  Seminary is held on Tuesday nights, and there is no Mutual or scouting program because the number of youth is so small.  It takes a lot of dedication for the active members to provide the regular church programs for their children.  One family brings their two boys to Utica for scouts, and that is a 40 mile trip one way.

I came home from church, had a spoon of peanut butter and then took a 2 1/2 hour nap.  I could not lie down fast enough!  I was dragging on Sunday.  When we came out of church the wind was blowing and the wind chill was -3'.  It was soooooooo cold!  Being under my minky blanket felt so good, and I did not even want to come out to have dinner.

We have had three missionaries go home since we have been here.  Two had depression problems that could not be taken care of in the mission.  Hopefully they will be able to come back.  The other elder was a great missionary. Had just been made trainer, and he had physical problems (deformities) where his jaw would lock and he was in the ER three times in two days.  Finally the ER doctor said he needed to go home to have extensive surgery. He needs to have major surgery and hopes to be back in 6 - 7 months.  The other missionaries love him and he has a special spirit about him.  I hope the surgery will be done so that he can come back to the mission.  The president said today that he has never had so many homesick missionaries -- 7 of the new missionaries.  They are young and many have not been away from home before -- a challenge for both missionaries and mission president.  I have a great deal of admiration for young missionaries.  It is not easy, and they have to be strong in mind and body.  A mission is a great blessing in their lives, but there are challenges!

We are loving our office experiences.  It is interesting to be a part of the inner-workings of a mission.  There is so much that is done behind the scenes.  A mission president has to be inspired to effectively lead, and I am so grateful for ours.   I know we have been sent here for a reason, and I am grateful for this experience.  I have never worked harder and longer in a day's time, but I am thrilled to be a part of this great work.  I can see the Lord's hand and influence each day in this work and pray I can be worthy of the incredible blessings I have had in my life.

Have not taken any pictures this week -- only of new missionaries, and I did not want to send those.  Love getting your pictures, so keep on sending them....

My life has been blessed because of each of you.  Love you all,
Mom

A few pictures from last week

 View from our porch

Our apartment

The Living Room

The kitchen

Snow piled from the snow plows -- piled in parking lots

Our meetinghouse

Scott and son Matthew on his baptism day

Busy Week

We have had a busy week.  There is a lot to do to get everything ready for the 25 missionaries coming in on Tuesday.  The president and AP's have been delivering and installing furniture and all of the essentials that are involved in setting up the apartments:  furniture, beds, dishes, etc.  Eight apartments were set up, and we have eight more to do in the next few weeks.  I have been involved with the paperwork that is needed for the new missionaries plus the ones who will be going home this week. 

 

I almost had a meltdown one afternoon, but I was able to pull myself together and keep on smiling.  I put the pressure on myself, but I have wanted to keep ahead of the game so that I am sure everything gets done.  I love the work and find joy in the service, but it is also difficult.  The Lord is in charge and we need to depend on Him for His help.

 

Along with the new missionaries, there will be a lot of transfers this week.  We will have two missionaries staying with us, and two will be with the other Senior Couple, and then the rest of the missionaries will stay at the president's home.  The president's home has four bedrooms upstairs and then two bedrooms plus a family room downstairs -- it will be crowded and some will sleep on blow-up mattresses.  We will be doing breakfast and lunch on Wednesday.  This last week there was a "Return and Report" day for those missionaries who had come out a month ago.  It is a time to do reminding, training, encouraging for the new missionaries and is done a month after they reach the field.  A big lunch was held that day at the mission home.  Sister Wirthlin does a great job, and we are always invited to come so that we can get to know the missionaries.

 

When the missionaries are in the office, there is electricity in the air!!!  They are full of energy and there is never a dull moment.  It is part of the fun of working in the office when the missionaries come.  They are good young men and women and I enjoy seeing them.  One of the AP's is going home this week, and he will be greatly missed.

 

We were expecting a big snowstorm Friday night, so before we came home for the evening we went to the grocery store to pick up a few items in case we were stuck at home for a couple of days.  The snow did come -- 12" worth -- but the road crews get it cleaned up fairly quickly and we were able to do a couple of errands out and about yesterday.  For the most part we spent the day getting our apartment in better shape, and getting things organized a bit better.  We are getting there.  I don't like spots on the carpet, but we will keep it as clean as we can and work on the spots again.  It is very comfortable for us.  Not having our own washer/dryer is different.  We have both downstairs, but the dryer is not working properly.  Dad took the clothes to the laundromat to dry.  We now have to save our quarters!!!

 

We attended the branch today, and it is really interesting.  They are struggling to get members there -- lots of inactivity and many of the  members do not have cars.  The branch is large -- 70 miles by 40 miles -- so the commitment has to be there for the people to come.  We came home and took naps and ate leftover stew from yesterday. 

 

We are always looking at the weather forecasts.  Today was beautiful but cold.  I am always thinking I can go outside when there are blue skies, but the cold is surprising.  We probably will have more snow this week, which I love.  I am not out in the biting cold very long -- just long enough to get to the car to a building or visa versa.  The seat warmers are wonderful!!!  I will admit that I am spoiled. 

 

I am comforted by this quote from Elder Holland:  "I promise you will do things for your grandchildren in the service of the Lord that, worlds without end, you could never do if you stayed home to hover over them.  What greater gift could grandparents give their posterity than to say by deed as well as word, "In this family we serve missions!"

 

Sending our love.................

 

Love to each of you -- we do love getting your emails and hearing about what you and yours are doing.  It means a lot!!!  I hope this finds each of you well and happy.  We pray for each one of you......