Its that time of year again, when we all gather together in Carl's fancy workshop to eat good food, take a whack at the pinatas and celebrate family and Christmas. We wish you could have been with us but since you weren't, we are wishing you a Very Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Musings from Elder Meldrum
A few weeks ago Elder Meldrum sent out a copy of the journal he has been keeping since he and Sister Meldrum sent in their mission papers. It is one of the funniest things I have ever read. I won't post the whole thing here, but I will post a few of the highlights:
April 14, 2009
Sometimes Senior Missionaries sort of loose their minds. Us men will forget to tie our shoes, or put on the wrong socks, or forget to zip up our fly. It seems to me that leaving my fly unzipped is real bad. I do it often. Well there is something that is much worse than leaving your fly unzipped.
Sister Johnson, going to Finland temple with her husband, was walking all over the administration building and the cafeteria. She had on a black shimmering skirt. I looked real nice. She was half way through her breakfast when we noticed that she became very agitated and seemed to be uncomfortable. She motioned for her husband to come closer to her, but he thought she wanted her lipstick. She said no. He looked for something else but couldn’t seem to understand what it was she wanted. So she got up and left the room. About 15 minutes later she retuned, whispered something to her husband, then said to the rest of the people at her table “you are not very observant this morning, I had forgot to put my skirt on and was running around in just my slip”. She is a very sweet person, and we all had a nice chuckle at her expense. She was red in the face when she told us what we were looking at, but she sure enjoyed her story. We do love and appreciate each others joys and happiness, and support each other in their challenges.
April 10
Twenty six couples came together for the first time at 1:00 PM last Monday after noon, never having met before and from all over the United States and the Gomez’s from Mexico City and have become good friends. We are more than good friends. We are brothers and sisters in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and are in his great and glorious army. We have developed a deep love for each other. Our paths may never cross again, but we still have a positive feeling for each other and a tie that binds us together.
May 19, 2009
Today was a very interesting day. We did house inspections of 8 companionships. We left here about 8:30 AM and went to Odessa. There we found a big mess. They knew we were coming, but it looked like they didn’t really care. Clothes were scattered around and dirty plates were left around. I think we got them up at nine thirty AM. They surely have to work hard to have the spirit with them.
We saw some very clean and spotless apartments. We gave out four Celestial awards for cleanliness. It was fun to visit the apartments where the Elders Live. It took us all day long. We put on over 130 miles.
April 22, 2009
We did in fact arrive at he Mission Office at 12:15 PM We met the Harts who took us around to look at several apartment complexes. We looked at one apartment each in two different complexes. We found a very nice 2 bedroom apartment, on the floor level in the Carolwood Residential facility. The two office Elders live in the same complex. The property managers are very helpful and helped us get a good agreement. We will move in on Friday. In that the Harts are leaving in five or six days, we are going to have most of the furniture they have in their apartment. The Harts are very good people and have created big shoes for us to fill.
I can’t remember being so tired as we went to bed tonight. We have relaxed from the travel and are very happy to be here.
And, finally, this last one...I can just picture Elder Meldrum doing this:
May 30, 2009
P day for senior couples. We got up, had breakfast then cleaned the house. We then went to the ward house for Temple Terrace ward where I played King Benjamin for the primary fun day. The day was all about king Benjamin and his message to the people. I wore a robe, stood on a chair, had a tower in front of me and talked about King Benjamin being a good man and a prophet. I asked questions of the children, and they would provide the answer. It was real fun. We ended up by talking about President Monson and how we can listen to him today. I bore my testimony that I knew that president Monson is a prophet today.
April 14, 2009
Sometimes Senior Missionaries sort of loose their minds. Us men will forget to tie our shoes, or put on the wrong socks, or forget to zip up our fly. It seems to me that leaving my fly unzipped is real bad. I do it often. Well there is something that is much worse than leaving your fly unzipped.
Sister Johnson, going to Finland temple with her husband, was walking all over the administration building and the cafeteria. She had on a black shimmering skirt. I looked real nice. She was half way through her breakfast when we noticed that she became very agitated and seemed to be uncomfortable. She motioned for her husband to come closer to her, but he thought she wanted her lipstick. She said no. He looked for something else but couldn’t seem to understand what it was she wanted. So she got up and left the room. About 15 minutes later she retuned, whispered something to her husband, then said to the rest of the people at her table “you are not very observant this morning, I had forgot to put my skirt on and was running around in just my slip”. She is a very sweet person, and we all had a nice chuckle at her expense. She was red in the face when she told us what we were looking at, but she sure enjoyed her story. We do love and appreciate each others joys and happiness, and support each other in their challenges.
April 10
Twenty six couples came together for the first time at 1:00 PM last Monday after noon, never having met before and from all over the United States and the Gomez’s from Mexico City and have become good friends. We are more than good friends. We are brothers and sisters in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and are in his great and glorious army. We have developed a deep love for each other. Our paths may never cross again, but we still have a positive feeling for each other and a tie that binds us together.
May 19, 2009
Today was a very interesting day. We did house inspections of 8 companionships. We left here about 8:30 AM and went to Odessa. There we found a big mess. They knew we were coming, but it looked like they didn’t really care. Clothes were scattered around and dirty plates were left around. I think we got them up at nine thirty AM. They surely have to work hard to have the spirit with them.
We saw some very clean and spotless apartments. We gave out four Celestial awards for cleanliness. It was fun to visit the apartments where the Elders Live. It took us all day long. We put on over 130 miles.
April 22, 2009
We did in fact arrive at he Mission Office at 12:15 PM We met the Harts who took us around to look at several apartment complexes. We looked at one apartment each in two different complexes. We found a very nice 2 bedroom apartment, on the floor level in the Carolwood Residential facility. The two office Elders live in the same complex. The property managers are very helpful and helped us get a good agreement. We will move in on Friday. In that the Harts are leaving in five or six days, we are going to have most of the furniture they have in their apartment. The Harts are very good people and have created big shoes for us to fill.
I can’t remember being so tired as we went to bed tonight. We have relaxed from the travel and are very happy to be here.
And, finally, this last one...I can just picture Elder Meldrum doing this:
May 30, 2009
P day for senior couples. We got up, had breakfast then cleaned the house. We then went to the ward house for Temple Terrace ward where I played King Benjamin for the primary fun day. The day was all about king Benjamin and his message to the people. I wore a robe, stood on a chair, had a tower in front of me and talked about King Benjamin being a good man and a prophet. I asked questions of the children, and they would provide the answer. It was real fun. We ended up by talking about President Monson and how we can listen to him today. I bore my testimony that I knew that president Monson is a prophet today.
Letter from Sister Meldrum
Sister Meldrum sent this email the other day. Sounds like they are having a great time:
Another week is past and we are glad for the weekends. However, we had a good week and feel some of the pressure has lifted a little. At least we have now done everything at least once. The days go by very fast. We hope all of you are busy and that kids are doing well.
We wanted to let you know that Dad got a call from Aunt Marie and Glen (Elder Meldrum's younger brother) had a heart attack on Friday. He was on his way to work after doing his morning work out and just felt something wasn't right. He pulled to the side of the road and called 911. By the time they got to him, they didn't know if they were going to be able to revive him. His blockage was a the worst spot you can he it - right at the Y of the two veins. He had two stints put in and both of them failed and so they put in a longer one and it has held so far. They don't know yet if they are going to have to do more surgery. He is in ICU and last night was sedated so that he was still out. He had a breathing tube and was having a little distress with it. Christy, their daughter, talked to him and explained what it was and he responded with a nod that he understood. Keep him in your prayers and we will keep you updated.
We have been really warm this week and the humidity has also been high. You really can't stand to be outside for very long when it is in the 90's and the humidity is 90. We did some of shopping Saturday night for groceries so that we didn't have to be out too long on Saturday. We are always busy with errands, cleaning and laundry on Saturday.
We bought Dad a couple pairs of pants on Saturday at the Men's Warehouse and I had a nice conversation with the man waiting on us. I told him we were there on a mission for our church. He said they had some of the missionaries come in to the store to shop and he really admired what they were doing. He was really a nice guy and he walked us out of the store and talked some more. He was one of the most friendly we have met. We also met a lady in a grocery store and I was buying some onions. They were Vadalia Onions and she told me how sweet and good they were. I told her we were from Montana and she has family in Great Falls. She was one of the first people we have seen who actually talked to me first and it was really nice to have a conversation with someone like we do in Montana.
We were invited to the High Priest BBQ on Saturday night. It was held at the home of one of the ward members. It was about 40 minutes from where we live. It is interesting here - you can't see where people live because the foliage is so dense. This was a new development and when we got to the place you turn in, we were met with an electronic gate and a gate keeper. He wrote down our license plate number and Dad's drivers's license number. You wouldn't believe the size of the homes. The man is a contractor and also works with his father in law in his business and they must have mega bucks! The missionaries referred to this house as the CASTLE when we told them where we were going. It was huge. Had a swimming pool with a 14 foot deep diving area. The master bathroom had a marble tub that was carved from a solid piece of marble and weighs 1800 pounds. It was bought in Europe. The house has a three car garage and he has six cars - three were on hoists so that he could double stack them. One of the cars is a Lamborgini. He has three more cars at a house they own in Atlanta, GA. However, they were very nice and we had a great time.
We are busy each day but know that this is what we are to be doing. We love the work and can see that we were really needed here. The gospel is true and we are blessed every day. I reread the Ensign talk by President Eyring entitled "O Remember, Remember" from the October 2007 conference issue. It reminds us to each day look for the hand of the Lord in our lives. We truly see that here and often don't think about it until the end of the day or the next day. We all have much to be grateful for. We love you all and hope you are doing well.
Love, Mom
Another week is past and we are glad for the weekends. However, we had a good week and feel some of the pressure has lifted a little. At least we have now done everything at least once. The days go by very fast. We hope all of you are busy and that kids are doing well.
We wanted to let you know that Dad got a call from Aunt Marie and Glen (Elder Meldrum's younger brother) had a heart attack on Friday. He was on his way to work after doing his morning work out and just felt something wasn't right. He pulled to the side of the road and called 911. By the time they got to him, they didn't know if they were going to be able to revive him. His blockage was a the worst spot you can he it - right at the Y of the two veins. He had two stints put in and both of them failed and so they put in a longer one and it has held so far. They don't know yet if they are going to have to do more surgery. He is in ICU and last night was sedated so that he was still out. He had a breathing tube and was having a little distress with it. Christy, their daughter, talked to him and explained what it was and he responded with a nod that he understood. Keep him in your prayers and we will keep you updated.
We have been really warm this week and the humidity has also been high. You really can't stand to be outside for very long when it is in the 90's and the humidity is 90. We did some of shopping Saturday night for groceries so that we didn't have to be out too long on Saturday. We are always busy with errands, cleaning and laundry on Saturday.
We bought Dad a couple pairs of pants on Saturday at the Men's Warehouse and I had a nice conversation with the man waiting on us. I told him we were there on a mission for our church. He said they had some of the missionaries come in to the store to shop and he really admired what they were doing. He was really a nice guy and he walked us out of the store and talked some more. He was one of the most friendly we have met. We also met a lady in a grocery store and I was buying some onions. They were Vadalia Onions and she told me how sweet and good they were. I told her we were from Montana and she has family in Great Falls. She was one of the first people we have seen who actually talked to me first and it was really nice to have a conversation with someone like we do in Montana.
We were invited to the High Priest BBQ on Saturday night. It was held at the home of one of the ward members. It was about 40 minutes from where we live. It is interesting here - you can't see where people live because the foliage is so dense. This was a new development and when we got to the place you turn in, we were met with an electronic gate and a gate keeper. He wrote down our license plate number and Dad's drivers's license number. You wouldn't believe the size of the homes. The man is a contractor and also works with his father in law in his business and they must have mega bucks! The missionaries referred to this house as the CASTLE when we told them where we were going. It was huge. Had a swimming pool with a 14 foot deep diving area. The master bathroom had a marble tub that was carved from a solid piece of marble and weighs 1800 pounds. It was bought in Europe. The house has a three car garage and he has six cars - three were on hoists so that he could double stack them. One of the cars is a Lamborgini. He has three more cars at a house they own in Atlanta, GA. However, they were very nice and we had a great time.
We are busy each day but know that this is what we are to be doing. We love the work and can see that we were really needed here. The gospel is true and we are blessed every day. I reread the Ensign talk by President Eyring entitled "O Remember, Remember" from the October 2007 conference issue. It reminds us to each day look for the hand of the Lord in our lives. We truly see that here and often don't think about it until the end of the day or the next day. We all have much to be grateful for. We love you all and hope you are doing well.
Love, Mom
Monday, May 11, 2009
Mother's Day In The Mission Field
It was a little bit odd yesterday calling Sister Meldrum and wishing her a Happy Mother's Day. It is usually the missionaries calling home to their moms. However, we had a very nice talk. Even Elder Meldrum got in on the act a little bit.
I did learn that Elder and Sister Meldrum have access to the internet and can check this blog. So, note to self--keep it clean and don't tell too many lies (no matter how much Hancock is in me).
Here were the highlights of yesterdays conversation:
Elder and Sister Meldrum are doing very well. They are starting to get into the routine of things. They work Monday through Friday in the mission office. Saturday is P-Day, and Sunday is, of course, football day.
On P-Day, Elder and Sister M were driving to Costco in Clearwater, and the highway they travel on has spots where they are pretty much surrounded by the ocean. Sister M looks over at Elder M., and says, "I feel like a fish out of water." All puns were most likely unintended (but very fitting). In 11 months, when they come home, they will be saying, "Wow, we miss Florida!"
The work has been very demanding. They stay busy all day, every day. They had to do some work on the previous Saturday. Elder M. has been "putting out a bunch of fires" all over the mission. He deals with landlords, unpaid water bills, city inspectors, stupid 19 year old boys, etc. He had to help some Elders get the water turned on to their apartment, has to get deposits paid, electric bills paid, etc. He has had to teach some of the companionships that when the water bill arrives at their apartment, it might be a good idea to forward that to the mission office, you know, so the bills GET PAID (I learned that the hard way in Puerto Rico myself).
They love their mission president. The missionaries really seem to respond to him. The mission is a fairly high baptizing mission for the United States. There were 67 baptisms in March and over 50 in April.
One other set of senior missionaries had their car stolen...for the second time. They served in Florida already and had their car stolen then. Three months after getting home, they went back for another mission to Florida. Their car was stolen, but recovered (pretty well stripped). Elder and Sister M. feel really safe where they are living. But, the lesson to be learned is...take a piece of crap car on your mission.
They are meeting lots of Latino and Haitian people (just like in Montana). They went to lunch the other day and had the best hamburger Elder M has ever eaten (don't read this if you are from Montana). On a chalkboard at the restaurant, the management listed the state where that days potatoes came from for the french fries. When Elder and Sister M ate there, the potatoes were from...Rigby, Idaho. See, it's just like home!
They are doing great, and love the encouragement they are receiving.
I did learn that Elder and Sister Meldrum have access to the internet and can check this blog. So, note to self--keep it clean and don't tell too many lies (no matter how much Hancock is in me).
Here were the highlights of yesterdays conversation:
Elder and Sister Meldrum are doing very well. They are starting to get into the routine of things. They work Monday through Friday in the mission office. Saturday is P-Day, and Sunday is, of course, football day.
On P-Day, Elder and Sister M were driving to Costco in Clearwater, and the highway they travel on has spots where they are pretty much surrounded by the ocean. Sister M looks over at Elder M., and says, "I feel like a fish out of water." All puns were most likely unintended (but very fitting). In 11 months, when they come home, they will be saying, "Wow, we miss Florida!"
The work has been very demanding. They stay busy all day, every day. They had to do some work on the previous Saturday. Elder M. has been "putting out a bunch of fires" all over the mission. He deals with landlords, unpaid water bills, city inspectors, stupid 19 year old boys, etc. He had to help some Elders get the water turned on to their apartment, has to get deposits paid, electric bills paid, etc. He has had to teach some of the companionships that when the water bill arrives at their apartment, it might be a good idea to forward that to the mission office, you know, so the bills GET PAID (I learned that the hard way in Puerto Rico myself).
They love their mission president. The missionaries really seem to respond to him. The mission is a fairly high baptizing mission for the United States. There were 67 baptisms in March and over 50 in April.
One other set of senior missionaries had their car stolen...for the second time. They served in Florida already and had their car stolen then. Three months after getting home, they went back for another mission to Florida. Their car was stolen, but recovered (pretty well stripped). Elder and Sister M. feel really safe where they are living. But, the lesson to be learned is...take a piece of crap car on your mission.
They are meeting lots of Latino and Haitian people (just like in Montana). They went to lunch the other day and had the best hamburger Elder M has ever eaten (don't read this if you are from Montana). On a chalkboard at the restaurant, the management listed the state where that days potatoes came from for the french fries. When Elder and Sister M ate there, the potatoes were from...Rigby, Idaho. See, it's just like home!
They are doing great, and love the encouragement they are receiving.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Welcome to Our Blog
Here is a blog that will chronicle the adventures of Elder and Sister Meldrum as they leave the comfy confines of Helena, Montan, their home for over 40 years, and travel to Tampa, Florida, as missionaires for the next year.
As we get updates, pictures, warnings, etc, we will try to get them posted and kept up-to-date right here.
For now, you'll have to be content with the pictures on the right, which were all taken while they were in the MTC.
A quick note. The Meldrums left the MTC and headed to Florida...a trip that took them about four days. During the first day of the trip, from Utah to Denver, they were caught up in a severe spring snowstorm right outside of Denver. The storm closed down the interstate, and the dynamic duo were stuck in their car for about four hours while waiting for the roads to open up. Elder Meldrum even held up a blanket for his bride, so she could go to the bathroom...ON THE INTERSTATE (it was night, and dark, but still!!!)
When the State Patrol and the snow plows arrived, it still took about two hours to drive the last 40 or so miles into Denver for the night.
They arrived safe and sound, however, to Florida. They found a great apartment, and the Elders in the mission office moved a bunch of furniture in for them. They are "slumming" it in a nice apartment complex, complete with a pool, walking path, gardens, and tanning/waxing facility that Elder Meldrum has become quite fond of.
On April 28, Sister Meldrum's birthday, the weather was 80 degrees in Tampa. Meanwhile, their home in Helena was hit with a foot of snow. Nice tradeoff.
As we get updates, pictures, warnings, etc, we will try to get them posted and kept up-to-date right here.
For now, you'll have to be content with the pictures on the right, which were all taken while they were in the MTC.
A quick note. The Meldrums left the MTC and headed to Florida...a trip that took them about four days. During the first day of the trip, from Utah to Denver, they were caught up in a severe spring snowstorm right outside of Denver. The storm closed down the interstate, and the dynamic duo were stuck in their car for about four hours while waiting for the roads to open up. Elder Meldrum even held up a blanket for his bride, so she could go to the bathroom...ON THE INTERSTATE (it was night, and dark, but still!!!)
When the State Patrol and the snow plows arrived, it still took about two hours to drive the last 40 or so miles into Denver for the night.
They arrived safe and sound, however, to Florida. They found a great apartment, and the Elders in the mission office moved a bunch of furniture in for them. They are "slumming" it in a nice apartment complex, complete with a pool, walking path, gardens, and tanning/waxing facility that Elder Meldrum has become quite fond of.
On April 28, Sister Meldrum's birthday, the weather was 80 degrees in Tampa. Meanwhile, their home in Helena was hit with a foot of snow. Nice tradeoff.
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