Dear Family,
This week has been great. We went to appointments with the missionaries several times this week and they think we have been a great support to them. There are some interesting people here and each one has a story.
Christmas has arrived in our apartment. We got a surprise box with Christmas in it: a small tree with lights, ornaments, a skirt, a wreath, a little manger, jingle bells for the door, a bunch of wrapped gifts, popcorn keeping it all just right, and love oozing out all over. Mom's eyes filled with tears of joy and gratitude. It was wonderful. Thank you again Rachel and Ryan!
We enjoyed calling and talking to many of the family members to wish them a Happy Thanksgiving.Just for fun and to help break the missing of the family, we went for walk on Padre Island beach on Thanksgiving day morning. It was sunny and 70+ degrees. We saw birds, shells, fishermen, and translucent jellyfish that had washed shore. The sand was soft and warm, the salt could be tasted in the air and the waves seemed so welcoming...
We were invited to Bishop Workman's home where we shared in a delicious turkey dinner with their four girls,infant son and neighbors. The neighbors are a young couple expecting their first child in January. The wife is from Luxembourg and the husband is from California. We enjoyed being there with them. We played a rousing game of Apples to Apples after dinner.
We are very grateful for our family including all 13 of our children and their spouses, all of the 17 grandbuddies, parents and grandparents. We certainly have much to be grateful for. Heavenly Father has given us everything we need and much, much more. We can't ever come even near to thank Him enough.
Love y'all, Mom & Dad
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving Day - Morning
Mom and I went for a early morning walk on the beach to ward off the "saudades" missing of the family on Thanksgiving Day. It was nice and warm with a little breeze. We had to watch our step to avoid stepping on a myriad of beached jellyfish that littered the beach. We had fun. Mom enjoyed getting her feet wet in the salty water of the Gulf of Mexico. Lucky for you the picture does not show the white legs. Yes, I have lost the tan I got from walking on the beach at Cassino last year. Have a Happy Thanksgiving. Mom & Dad
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Week of 16th-23rd November
Dear Family,
We have been having fun.
On Monday, we actually taught the Plan of Salvation lesson to a recently actived member from Brazil and his mother gave us a dinner.
Tuesday, we taught six Parables and Jesus' discourse on the 2nd coming in the morning New Testament class. Afterwards, we went to lunch at Kiko's with Brother and Sister Weatherston.
Thursday, we went to visit a few people with Elders Walker and Johnson. Mom, having been an exchange student, made it possible to get in the door to meet a Brazilian exchange student and talked with the family and got to know them. Afterwards, we took the Elders to dinner at La Playa.
Friday we attended the Horne Rd. Branch Thanksgiving Dinner and Mom gave a short talk about Thanksgiving history and meaning before dinner. In the morning we had an interesting discussion with our downstairs neighbor who asked us about how our church is different from the other churches. Before she left we had a synopsis of her alcohol-garnished unwed motherhood life history, and she left with a summary of how our church is different, a Joseph Smith Testimony pamphlet and a Book of Mormon, which she promised to read.
Saturday, I went shopping while Mom prepared her Gospel Doctrine Lesson for the Spanish Branch. Afterwards, we went to Sam's to get a few things including a pumpkin pie for the Thanksgiving Dinner at the 1st Ward. Yes, we had back to back Thanksgiving dinners before Thanksgiving, therefore we are well nourished.
Sunday, we attended the 3rd Ward Sacrament meeting and spoke in the 2nd Ward Sacrament meeting, in the morning. Our talks were about thanksgiving/gratitude. We attended the Branch, but they only had Sacrament meeting because the women's restroom was out of order - so after all her preparation, Mom did not teach Sunday School . After the meetings, we invited Shawn King, a recently returned missionary to France, for dinner; so we got to hear all about missionary work in southern France.
We are doing well in south Texas, specially now that the weather has cooled from sauna to comfortable range. The members have been so nice to us. Thanks for the new pictures on the blogs and phone calls, etc. We hope the auto business picks up soon to support the estimated 3 million jobs it supports in America. It seems to be as the repeating theme of the Book of Mormon - keep the commandments and prosper in the land.
We hope all of you have a Happy Thanksgiving, including the Turkey Bowl Game (we hope no one gets hurt). We will be missing the great get-together with the family and we be will be thinking of (and missing) all of you.
Love y'all, Mom & Dad
We have been having fun.
On Monday, we actually taught the Plan of Salvation lesson to a recently actived member from Brazil and his mother gave us a dinner.
Tuesday, we taught six Parables and Jesus' discourse on the 2nd coming in the morning New Testament class. Afterwards, we went to lunch at Kiko's with Brother and Sister Weatherston.
Thursday, we went to visit a few people with Elders Walker and Johnson. Mom, having been an exchange student, made it possible to get in the door to meet a Brazilian exchange student and talked with the family and got to know them. Afterwards, we took the Elders to dinner at La Playa.
Friday we attended the Horne Rd. Branch Thanksgiving Dinner and Mom gave a short talk about Thanksgiving history and meaning before dinner. In the morning we had an interesting discussion with our downstairs neighbor who asked us about how our church is different from the other churches. Before she left we had a synopsis of her alcohol-garnished unwed motherhood life history, and she left with a summary of how our church is different, a Joseph Smith Testimony pamphlet and a Book of Mormon, which she promised to read.
Saturday, I went shopping while Mom prepared her Gospel Doctrine Lesson for the Spanish Branch. Afterwards, we went to Sam's to get a few things including a pumpkin pie for the Thanksgiving Dinner at the 1st Ward. Yes, we had back to back Thanksgiving dinners before Thanksgiving, therefore we are well nourished.
Sunday, we attended the 3rd Ward Sacrament meeting and spoke in the 2nd Ward Sacrament meeting, in the morning. Our talks were about thanksgiving/gratitude. We attended the Branch, but they only had Sacrament meeting because the women's restroom was out of order - so after all her preparation, Mom did not teach Sunday School . After the meetings, we invited Shawn King, a recently returned missionary to France, for dinner; so we got to hear all about missionary work in southern France.
We are doing well in south Texas, specially now that the weather has cooled from sauna to comfortable range. The members have been so nice to us. Thanks for the new pictures on the blogs and phone calls, etc. We hope the auto business picks up soon to support the estimated 3 million jobs it supports in America. It seems to be as the repeating theme of the Book of Mormon - keep the commandments and prosper in the land.
We hope all of you have a Happy Thanksgiving, including the Turkey Bowl Game (we hope no one gets hurt). We will be missing the great get-together with the family and we be will be thinking of (and missing) all of you.
Love y'all, Mom & Dad
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Week of 9th-16th November
Dear Family,
This was an event filled week for us.
Tuesday we taught the New Testament class and went to lunch with a few of the students.
Wednesday was Zone Conference for the Corpus Christi and Sinton Zones. The focus was on developing Christlike attributes and improving our teaching skills, both of which we can always use. Afterwards, we went to dinner with President and Sister MIller. Most of the discussion centered around California's Proposition 8 controversy and the unruly demonstrators outside the Los Angeles Temple saying they won't leave until the church performs gay marriages in the temple. In case one hasn't noticed this is the last days and good is made to look bad and bad is being made to look good. And look who is doing it. We wonder if the other Christian Churches that supported the passage of proposition 8 are also being targeted for demonstrations... After dinner President MIller and Dad had a Stake Missionary Correlation meeting with the Corpus Christi Stake Presidency -.President Miller played a CD of Elder L. Tom Perry about energizing the Ward Missionaries and the great success experienced by other stakes.. During the meeting, Mom and Sister MIller enjoyed each other's company. She told Mom that the Spanish Branch is still going on largely due to our presence there. To Mom, this seems too generous a compliment but still, the 2 of them had a lovely time together. Sister Miller said her face hurt from laughing so much. Looks like Mom lifted her spirit up a little.
Thursday, Mom was invited to Weatherston's for a get together with some Sisters from the 3rd Ward. Meanwhile, Dad drove up the street until he found a place to get a haircut and ended up teaching the barber shop owner, Daniel Ramiez, about the gospel of Jesus Christ, prophets and the Book of Mormon. He left him a Book of Mormon, which he committed to read. Dad believes the Spirit led him to this place to share the gospel.
Friday evening we were invited to a birthday celebation cook-out - in the backyard, and the weather was perfect. We had a good time getting to know a few more people and Mom got to hold a little baby for a few moments.
Saturday, we went with the Sisters to visit two less-active member sisters to teach them some basic priniciples. Among other things, we discussed baptism and when it should be performed. Jesus Christ was 30 years old went he was baptised. We explained how baptism was an ordinance associated with repentance and a covenant made with the Lord; therefore, one would need to be able to be accountable enough to make covenants. Afterwards, we took a couple of Elders (who told us they were starving - they don't get as many dinner appointments) out to dinner.
The weather has really cooled here as a cold front moved through and made the temperatures very comfortable.
The work goes on and we are trying to help push it along here in Corpus Christi. We hope all is well with all of you. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love y'all, Mom & Dad
P.S. We received a letter from Michael's Mission President indicating he is now serving as a District Leader besides training a new Elder. Keep up the good work Elder Corless!.
This was an event filled week for us.
Tuesday we taught the New Testament class and went to lunch with a few of the students.
Wednesday was Zone Conference for the Corpus Christi and Sinton Zones. The focus was on developing Christlike attributes and improving our teaching skills, both of which we can always use. Afterwards, we went to dinner with President and Sister MIller. Most of the discussion centered around California's Proposition 8 controversy and the unruly demonstrators outside the Los Angeles Temple saying they won't leave until the church performs gay marriages in the temple. In case one hasn't noticed this is the last days and good is made to look bad and bad is being made to look good. And look who is doing it. We wonder if the other Christian Churches that supported the passage of proposition 8 are also being targeted for demonstrations... After dinner President MIller and Dad had a Stake Missionary Correlation meeting with the Corpus Christi Stake Presidency -.President Miller played a CD of Elder L. Tom Perry about energizing the Ward Missionaries and the great success experienced by other stakes.. During the meeting, Mom and Sister MIller enjoyed each other's company. She told Mom that the Spanish Branch is still going on largely due to our presence there. To Mom, this seems too generous a compliment but still, the 2 of them had a lovely time together. Sister Miller said her face hurt from laughing so much. Looks like Mom lifted her spirit up a little.
Thursday, Mom was invited to Weatherston's for a get together with some Sisters from the 3rd Ward. Meanwhile, Dad drove up the street until he found a place to get a haircut and ended up teaching the barber shop owner, Daniel Ramiez, about the gospel of Jesus Christ, prophets and the Book of Mormon. He left him a Book of Mormon, which he committed to read. Dad believes the Spirit led him to this place to share the gospel.
Friday evening we were invited to a birthday celebation cook-out - in the backyard, and the weather was perfect. We had a good time getting to know a few more people and Mom got to hold a little baby for a few moments.
Saturday, we went with the Sisters to visit two less-active member sisters to teach them some basic priniciples. Among other things, we discussed baptism and when it should be performed. Jesus Christ was 30 years old went he was baptised. We explained how baptism was an ordinance associated with repentance and a covenant made with the Lord; therefore, one would need to be able to be accountable enough to make covenants. Afterwards, we took a couple of Elders (who told us they were starving - they don't get as many dinner appointments) out to dinner.
The weather has really cooled here as a cold front moved through and made the temperatures very comfortable.
The work goes on and we are trying to help push it along here in Corpus Christi. We hope all is well with all of you. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love y'all, Mom & Dad
P.S. We received a letter from Michael's Mission President indicating he is now serving as a District Leader besides training a new Elder. Keep up the good work Elder Corless!.
Monday, November 10, 2008
3rd - 9th of November
Dear Family,
Things have been a little slower this week. The weather has been very pleasant in the 70's.
Tuesday evening we attended a Branch activity at President Hernandez' home, which quickly moved to the garage to fit the people with tables and the tasty Mexican food. The food was great. Mom got to play a guitar and sing a few songs with another Brazilian lady. Elder Lopez was leaving to go home the next morning so we all got to say good bye to him and hear his testimony in Spanish. The party in the garage reminded us of our Chaldean neighbors in Michigan.
Wednesday was transfers and we got to say good bye to the those leaving and to welcome the new Elders and Sister to Corpus Christi. We were sad to see Elder Salazar leave for Laredo, because he had been our zone leader since we came here. It was a special opportunity to talk with him because we took him to the Bus Station in downtown Corpus Christi and waited with him before the bus left. He is from Monterey Mexico and is due to return home in January 2009.
Our adventure for the week - Saturday we went to the "trade center" which was like a big indoor flea market kind of place. It was kind of strange and almost scary, so we probably will not go there again.
Sunday we went to the 3rd and 2nd wards' Sacrament meetings and to all the meetings of the Horne Road branch. The 3rd Ward sang patriotic hymns and the concluding speaker is in the Coast Guard Flight School in Corpus Christi. He spoke about some of his missionary experiences in the Coast Guard while stationed at Kodiak Island, Alaska. One of the other speakers is leaving next week to serve a mission in Fresno, California. The 2nd Ward had the Primary Program in Sacrament meeting, which we enjoyed it because it brought back good memories of our children and grandchildren.
We sure enjoy talking with you and reading & looking at the pictures on your blogs. Thanks for the letter Sam! We sure miss to guys!
May the Lord bless you always.
Love y'all, Mom & Dad
Things have been a little slower this week. The weather has been very pleasant in the 70's.
Tuesday evening we attended a Branch activity at President Hernandez' home, which quickly moved to the garage to fit the people with tables and the tasty Mexican food. The food was great. Mom got to play a guitar and sing a few songs with another Brazilian lady. Elder Lopez was leaving to go home the next morning so we all got to say good bye to him and hear his testimony in Spanish. The party in the garage reminded us of our Chaldean neighbors in Michigan.
Wednesday was transfers and we got to say good bye to the those leaving and to welcome the new Elders and Sister to Corpus Christi. We were sad to see Elder Salazar leave for Laredo, because he had been our zone leader since we came here. It was a special opportunity to talk with him because we took him to the Bus Station in downtown Corpus Christi and waited with him before the bus left. He is from Monterey Mexico and is due to return home in January 2009.
Our adventure for the week - Saturday we went to the "trade center" which was like a big indoor flea market kind of place. It was kind of strange and almost scary, so we probably will not go there again.
Sunday we went to the 3rd and 2nd wards' Sacrament meetings and to all the meetings of the Horne Road branch. The 3rd Ward sang patriotic hymns and the concluding speaker is in the Coast Guard Flight School in Corpus Christi. He spoke about some of his missionary experiences in the Coast Guard while stationed at Kodiak Island, Alaska. One of the other speakers is leaving next week to serve a mission in Fresno, California. The 2nd Ward had the Primary Program in Sacrament meeting, which we enjoyed it because it brought back good memories of our children and grandchildren.
We sure enjoy talking with you and reading & looking at the pictures on your blogs. Thanks for the letter Sam! We sure miss to guys!
May the Lord bless you always.
Love y'all, Mom & Dad
Monday, November 3, 2008
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Week of October 27-November 2
Dear Family,
It has been a busy week for us.
Tuesday, we taught the New Testament class using John 2-5 as our text. There were interesting discussions with our class of mostly ladies. Usually, there are two men in the class. Afterwards, we went with Sister Weatherston to shop for the Halloween Activity at Sam's and Walmart.
Wednesday through Saturday, we inspectioned all 14 of the missionary apartments in the two zones. We enjoy visiting the missionaries in their apartments as we make sure that they and the place they are living in are well. We were able to take a couple of the companionships out for lunch one to Subway and the other to Dairy Queen. Texas Dairy Queens are more into fast food than the DQ's in Michigan.
Friday night we conducted an activity for the missionaries at the Stake Center. President Miller didn't want the missionaries out on Halloween so we had a Halloween party for them with pizza, pop, chips with salsa or "queso", Krispy Kreme doughnuts, apples, popcorn, M&Ms. Mom decorated the tables with orange or black covering, and a plastic Jack-O'Lantern (with a little light inside) surronunded by M&Ms for center pieces, plus some improvised wall decorations... It looked really good! The activities included acting out a costume, drawing Jack-o'-Lantern faces on orange balloons ("pumpkin carving"), pumpkin bowling, Taboo, Pictionary (Haloween words), a "scary relay" (paper plate hat, large coin "eye lens", orange between the knees). Everyone seemed to enjoy this time together. Thankfully, we were helped by two couples from the 3rd Ward both of which have three children currently serving missions for a total of five sons and one daughter. Check our blog for a photo.
http://corlessconnection.blogspot.com/
Saturday, Dad wrote and sent the reports regarding the apartment inspections and the Halloween Activity to the mission office in McAllen. We went out for lunch.
Sunday, it was a double dose as we attended the 1st Ward and Horne Road Branch meetings.
We haven't anything new about Michael's recovery. Hopefully, we will get a good news update on Wednesday.
Love you, Mom & Dad
It has been a busy week for us.
Tuesday, we taught the New Testament class using John 2-5 as our text. There were interesting discussions with our class of mostly ladies. Usually, there are two men in the class. Afterwards, we went with Sister Weatherston to shop for the Halloween Activity at Sam's and Walmart.
Wednesday through Saturday, we inspectioned all 14 of the missionary apartments in the two zones. We enjoy visiting the missionaries in their apartments as we make sure that they and the place they are living in are well. We were able to take a couple of the companionships out for lunch one to Subway and the other to Dairy Queen. Texas Dairy Queens are more into fast food than the DQ's in Michigan.
Friday night we conducted an activity for the missionaries at the Stake Center. President Miller didn't want the missionaries out on Halloween so we had a Halloween party for them with pizza, pop, chips with salsa or "queso", Krispy Kreme doughnuts, apples, popcorn, M&Ms. Mom decorated the tables with orange or black covering, and a plastic Jack-O'Lantern (with a little light inside) surronunded by M&Ms for center pieces, plus some improvised wall decorations... It looked really good! The activities included acting out a costume, drawing Jack-o'-Lantern faces on orange balloons ("pumpkin carving"), pumpkin bowling, Taboo, Pictionary (Haloween words), a "scary relay" (paper plate hat, large coin "eye lens", orange between the knees). Everyone seemed to enjoy this time together. Thankfully, we were helped by two couples from the 3rd Ward both of which have three children currently serving missions for a total of five sons and one daughter. Check our blog for a photo.
http://corlessconnection.blogspot.com/
Saturday, Dad wrote and sent the reports regarding the apartment inspections and the Halloween Activity to the mission office in McAllen. We went out for lunch.
Sunday, it was a double dose as we attended the 1st Ward and Horne Road Branch meetings.
We haven't anything new about Michael's recovery. Hopefully, we will get a good news update on Wednesday.
Love you, Mom & Dad
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