There and Back Again

Our Release

Upon completing our 14 days of self-quarantine and finding ourselves healthy and free from COVID-19, we received a phone call from our stake president, President Lilywhite, and were formally and honorably released from service as full-time missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

It is certainly with a touch of sadness that we remove our name plaques and return to our life at home.

Our Great Adventure Comes to an End

Words seem inadequate to describe our feelings and emotions as we make another transition after experiencing our great adventure.  With all our heart we tried to follow the example of our Lord and Savior by "going about and doing good". (Acts 10:38)

Now as we say "good-bye", we want all of you to know that we know that Jesus Christ lives and is our Savior and Redeemer. We invite all of you "to come unto Christ and and be perfected in him". (Moroni 10:32)  

For a time we will stay at home, enjoy our family and grandchildren, and take advantage of retired life.

However, our journey is not through.  What lies ahead, we do not know.  But we will prepare to serve again and be willing to go where ever the Lord wants us.  And we will do it together.

With all our love, Elder and Sister Erickson.

This Too Shall Pass

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggety-jig

Wednesday morning, March 18th, President Marsh called and informed us that all senior couples working as MLS (Member and Leadership Support) missionaries were required to go home.  So we packed up and the next day we left early in the morning and traveled for six days, visiting Diane's brother, Gary, and his wife, Marcie, in Owasso, Oklahoma, our son, John, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and our son, Jared, and his wife, Jessica, and grandson, Elijah, in Moab, Utah.

We arrived home to several inches of snow.

It's hard to be a Grandma long distance

The immortal words of beloved singer and song writer, Gaye Beeson, ring loud and true, "It's hard to be a Grandma long distance".

Whether six feet away or thousands of miles away, we miss not being able to hug our grandchildren.

The Protection of the Lord

As a young missionary, I served in Brazil.  A few weeks after my arrival in Tubarão, Santa Catarina, my companion, Elder Richardson, and I experienced a devastating flood.  Over a hundred people died and about 80% of the people were homeless.  Through it all, we were safe.  It took almost a week before our mission president found out whether we were dead or alive.

During the night as the water continued to rise, we left our flooded home and walked along this street barefoot.  At that time the water was above our waists and flowing sideways.  We walked hand in hand and stayed in the center of the road by feeling the yellow blocks with our feet.  Eventually we found someone with a flashlight who led us to safety.

In Good Hands

One year ago, I fell ill with a bleeding ulcer while Sister Erickson and I were serving a humanitarian aid mission in Cape Verde.  We received excellent care despite being in a third world country.  I spent one week in the hospital.

Bishop Ribeiro, one of my nurses, and our stake president, César Fortes.  Upon our arrival in the United States, I continued to receive the same medication and treatment and completely recovered.  Four months later we were re-assigned to the Georgia Atlanta North Mission.

COVID-19

Now we are again facing another crisis.  Upon our arrival home, we have been in isolation and are following the guidelines to prevent the spread of the disease.

Preparing to administer the sacrament to my wife and daughter.

This Too Shall Pass

While we live during this time of uncertainty, we have the calm assurance that circumstances will change and improve.  This is also a time of excitement and optimism.  We look forward to what the future may bring.  Through it all, the Lord is in control.  We have personally felt his influence and protection while serving as missionaries.

We Thank Thee O God For a Prophet

This weekend the General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was held remotely and transmitted throughout the world in over one hundred languages.  President Russell M. Nelson, our prophet, seer and revelator, presided at the conference during which messages of hope, love and assurance were delivered.

This is a picture of the new symbol of the Church, showing that Jesus Christ is at the center of all that we do.

A New Proclamation

Among several memorable announcements was the presentation of a new proclamation issued by the First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles.  It is entitled "The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ".

A Call to Fast and Pray

During this pandemic, President Nelson has designated Good Friday, April 10th, as a worldwide day of fasting and prayer to alleviate the effects of COVID-19 upon the world.  As such, he has called upon all people of all faiths throughout the world to participate in this fast with particular emphasis "that the present pandemic may be controlled, caregivers protected, the economy strengthened and life normalized".

The Missionary Couple of the Week

President and Sister Colton from Marietta, GA.

Even though many plans are temporarily on hold, missionary callings continue to be made.  President and Sister Colton have been called to be a mission president and companion over one of the many missions in the Philippines.

The Family

We were so fortunate to return to our home and find it well cared for by our daughter, Lisa.

She is also becoming quite the cook.

Stayed tuned.  The Gospel is true.  We are not yet released.  There will be more to come.

The Gospel Rolls Forth

The Gospel Rolls Forth

Amid the concerns of COVID-19, we are so blessed to have a living prophet to guide us in these latter-days.  All meetings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been temporarily suspended worldwide.

However, with the use of present day technology the Gospel of Jesus Christ continues to be taught throughout the world.

President Russell M. Nelson, our current prophet, seer and revelator,  issues a message of hope for everyone in this world.   His message can be found at https://www.facebook.com/russell.m.nelson/videos/199840471336927/

In preparation for an event such as this, the membership of the Church has been taught and encouraged to carry on the teaching of the Gospel in a home centered format.  The course of study for this year, 2020, is the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ.  The lesson for this week included chapters 1 thru 4 in the Book of Jacob.  Beginning tomorrow we will be studying Jacob 5 - 7.  By the end of the year, the entire Book of Mormon will have been read and studied.

The Book of Mormon in Spanish, English, and Portuguese, three of the languages used by the missionaries in the Georgia Atlanta North Mission.

In addition to reading the chapters in the Book of Mormon, this study guide, "Come, Follow Me", is used to offer suggestions and insights that entice the reader to consider and ponder the principles being studied.

All adults, youth and children are studying the same lesson.  Today, millions of members throughout the world taught, discussed and learned from this lesson.

Since no formal services were held today, all families were allowed to have the sacrament (communion) administered to individuals within their own homes.  A fairly new member of the Church who attends our Portuguese-speaking branch talked to us on the phone and described the special feeling within their home as he blessed and passed the sacrament to members of his family.  Our son, Joshua, and his wife, Addie, also had a special experience as they taught their two young daughters.

Following the counsel to limit physical contact with others, most missionaries are taking advantage of modern technology to teach the Gospel via the internet.

Sister Erickson and I have started using this format to continue teaching English and the new member lessons without leaving our apartment.

Again, we are so grateful for the inspired leadership of our Prophet and the Quorum of Twelve Apostles as they prayerfully and diligently direct the affairs of The Church of Jesus Christ.  While turmoil and uncertainty continue to shake the world, there is peace and comfort knowing that Jesus Christ is in charge and "that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good" (D&C 122:7).

Another Transfer is Under Way

The Roswell Zone

Every six weeks the mission holds a transfer day.  At that time missionaries are reassigned to different areas and different companions.  Also new missionaries arrive on that day and those missionaries completing their mission leave for home.  That six week period is known as a "transfer".

As is the case with each transfer, the zone meets together with the stake presidency for a brief meeting and an ice cream social on the first Sunday evening of the transfer.

This time we met in the lovely home of Brother and Sister Mitchell.  Brother Mitchell serves as the missionary leader on the high council.

On the first week of the transfer the entire zone meets together and sets goals and challenges for the remaining five weeks.

The Zone Leaders and Sister Training Leaders plan and present the goals.

We are fortunate to have all three Brazilian missionaries in our zone this transfer.

Elder Roman, Elder Cruzato and Elder Araújo.  Elder Roman is assigned to a Spanish speaking branch while Elder Cruzato and Elder Araújo work in our Portuguese speaking branch.

Here are two of the sister missionaries in the zone, Sister Kenison from Utah and Sister Solis from Indiana.  They are assigned to work in a Spanish speaking branch also.

Sister Solis is actually a missionary on Temple Square.  Each winter, when the activity on Temple Square drops off, the missionaries receive a temporary three month assignment to proselyte in a regular mission in the United States.  After the three months they return to their Temple Square assignment.

The Johnson Ferry Baptist Church

Their message this week caught my eye.

The Family

Our son, John, was invited to a conference in San Diego to present his master thesis.

After the presentation in San Diego, he found out that his work has been accepted to be presented at the World Wide Conference of Computational Mechanics.  In July he will travel to Paris, France to make the presentation.

The Senior Missionary Couple of the Week

President and Sister Kuck live in the Atlanta area and serve in the Georgia Atlanta North Mission Presidency.

In their spare time, President Kuck has his own practice as an immigration attorney and Sister Kuck has her own practice as a mental health counselor.

Até logo...

Winter in Georgia

Winter in Sunny Georgia

 Earlier this month it actually snowed in Georgia.

After a trip to the temple we took a selfie to show that there was actually snow on the ground.  With the high humidity the cold weather feels much colder than a winter day in Utah.

The week before we played softball in Roswell in 70 degree weather.

Elder Tu'itavake from Portland, OR received one of the game balls for a great play.  His parents are from Tonga and his preferred sport is Rugby.

A Valentine's Day activity at the branch.

We were able to have several people from our English classes attend.  Lulu, Tiago and Nathalia on the left participated and had a good time.  Fabio, on the right, is the Elders Quorum President and his wife, Maria, is sitting next to him.

The Senior Couples

Last Sunday the senior couples in the mission held a going away party for one departing couple and a welcome party for the couple that arrived to take their place.

The relationships between the senior couples are strong and form quickly.  We will remember these people forever.

The Departing Couple

Elder and Sister Josephson have served a fantastic mission and left last week for home.  They served for one year as an office couple.  Sister Josephson was the front desk receptionist and handled all sorts of assignments from ordering name tags to purchasing plane tickets for the departing missionaries.  Her smile and cheery disposition was a treat for everyone who met her.  Elder Josephson was the mission fleet coordinator and handled all of the maintenance, mileage logs and other needed service for almost one hundred vehicles.  With onboard computers he knew, among other things, whenever anyone went over the speed limit.

In addition together they organized all of the luncheons for zone conferences, preparation day activities and other mission activities.  They loved their mission and they will be missed.  Next week we will highlight the great couple that has taken their place.

The Family

While we miss being with our family, we are so thankful for digital pictures and FaceTime.  With these technological advances we feel that we can keep in touch with the family and be part of their daily lives.

Victoria is developing her talents as a budding, young gymnast. 

Até logo...

A Busy Week

Gabriela's Baptism

 This week we had the special blessing of attending another baptism in our small Portuguese speaking branch.

Gabriela was baptized on Saturday and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today.  She is flanked by two missionaries from Brazil, Elder Araújo on the left and Elder Cruzato on the right.  Our branch president, President Baker, was privileged to perform the baptism.

A Special Surprise Visit

On Monday, while attending a preparation day zone activity at the stake center, we were pleasantly surprised to meet Brother and Sister Anderton.  Their granddaughter, Sister Ellis, serves in our zone and they were able to spend part of the day together.

Not only are they related to a couple who used to live in our home ward, but they also speak Portuguese.  Brother Anderton served as a young missionary in Brazil and, after retirement, they both served as self-reliance missionaries in Portugal.

Community Service

This week we also started to pick up bakery products from one of the local grocery stores.  Publix donates their bakery products that are about to expire.  We deliver the products to needy families as well as to Must Ministries which, in turn, distributes to those in need.

Sue is our contact and very friendly to work with.

Teaching English

On Tuesday and Thursday evenings, the young missionaries hold English classes at the Papermill Chapel.  The students that attend are all from Brazil and most have just come to the U.S. in the last six months.  Sister Erickson and I assist as needed.

Elder and Sister Silver, the couple on the right, are just completing their mission and presented Elder Cruzato with a handmade quilt cover.  Elder Cruzato, who arrived in the mission last month, is from Curritiba, Brazil.

International Zone Conference

While most of the missions in the United States have Spanish speaking missionaries, the Georgia Atlanta North Mission is somewhat unique in that it has formed an International Zone that includes all of the Spanish and Portuguese speaking missionaries. There are eight regular zones in the mission and all missionaries are included in one of those eight zones.  However, the Spanish and Portuguese speaking missionaries, which number over 50, are also included in the International Zone which has a zone conference every other transfer.

President Kuck, a counselor in the mission presidency, presided at the International Zone conference last week.

As is always the case, the young zone leaders conduct and make most of the presentations.

Elder Leany uses a laptop and a large screen to make his presentation.

Sister Ellis conducts a session on how we can develop Christlike attributes.  Those attributes include 1) Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, 2) Hope, 3) Charity and Love, 4) Virtue, 5) Knowledge, 6) Patience, 7) Humility, 8) Diligence, and 9) Obedience.

It is utterly remarkable to listen to and participate in these discussions that are being lead by 19 and 20 year old missionaries.  The Lord is indeed raising up a valiant generation that will be well prepared to conduct the affairs of the Church under His direction in these, the last days.

The Portuguese speaking missionaries in front of the green and yellow Brazilian flag.

The Senior Missionary Couple of the Week

After serving for over one year, Elder and Sister Silver are completing their mission and are returning home.  They will be missed.

As a young man, Elder Silver served a mission to Brazil.  Together they have served missions in Mozambique, Angola and now Atlanta.

As a stone that was cut out of the mountain without hands, The Church of Jesus Christ gradually but steadily continues to roll forth.  (Daniel 2:31-45)

Another Week

The Missionaries

Every transfer (every six weeks) our stake presidency has an ice cream social to meet the new missionaries transferred into the stake.  This month we met at President Zivic's home.  Sister Zivic, in the red dress, is serving the ice cream.  She is originally from Uruguay.

Elder Walser, in the gray and white stripped sweater, just celebrated his 26th birthday.  It is great to see missionaries like him who have the courage to serve a mission even though they are several years older than most of the others.

Another zone conference with fantastic missionaries.

It is so refreshing to be with these young men and women.  Our hearts are touched as we feel of their great spirit and enthusiasm for the Gospel and their unselfish desire to sacrifice 18 months to two years of their young lives to serve their Lord and Savior.

The Branch

This week the members of our small, Portuguese-speaking branch had a potluck luncheon after church to honor Elder and Sister Silver, who will be completing their mission and returning to their home in Kentucky next week.  They are seated on the right side of the table.

One of the unique aspects of serving a mission is getting to know different missionaries from throughout the world.  Strong relationships are established with them and then, before you know it, they complete their mission and return home to their regular lives.  Once they leave, we will probably never see most of these people again in this life.  Our fond memories, however, will be with us always.

Now that our branch meeting on Sunday is the last one in the building, we can expect to have many more of these after church luncheons this year.

These lovely women all had birthdays in January.

A special cake was made and we all sang "Para Bens Pra Você" (Happy Birthday in Portuguese).

The Senior Missionary Couple of the Week

When we were home last spring, we had the opportunity to meet with Elder and Sister North.  They had just received their call to serve as humanitarian aid missionaries in Cape Verde.

Now they are serving in Cape Verde and adjusting to a whole new way of life.

And so it goes...