We have a new greenie, Sister Finley and a new Elder (Hickman). the traditional greenie breakfast was in order.

LDS Church Leaders preparing us for the 2nd Coming of Christ

What a privilege it is to go about once a quarter to the beautiful, peaceful Baton Rouge Temple.

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We have a family home evening and invite the young missionaries the night before transfers. Sister Beckstrand and Hills are getting a third companion, Sister Finley, and Elder Bishop is getting a new companion, Elder Hickman. Elder Nebeker is being transferred to Mississippi.

Elder Nebeker

Elder Nebeker is a cheery smiling Elder.  We are going to miss him because he is being transferred. What a character.  We will always have fond memories of him. He is leaving his great trainer, Elder Bishop.

Christmas Caroling

Caroling was so much fun on Christmas Eve. for all of us Senior Missionaries.   It is a rarity here as near as we can tell by the response.  One lady said that she had never had carolers in her life and her five year old daughter was so excited that she couldn't stop talking about it.  Several sang with us.  One fellow shook all our hands. One little boy clapped his hands with the singing and was total smiles from head to toe. One came out and took videos of us singing, Two came out and hugged us all. One invited us to come and visit her and offered us cookies. One (our neighbor, Scott) left a note on our door and thanked us and told us that all of his family are 1000 miles away and it made his day and  because of the bread we gave him, he didn't have to make a trip to the store on Christmas Eve or day.  They all loved getting a loaf of homemade bread.  We only went to one family we  know (Ann) and the rest are our neighbors in the apartment complex but we did not know their names. They know who we are from our tags. I think we have brought some joy and made some friends by doing this.

Amazing Fish

From the Aquarium

They have birds there too.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU

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Christmas Pageant

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This was a fabuous program with extrememlly talented children.

Gabby's baptism

What a wonderful occassion where a young sweet girl lead the way for her family who are soon to follow.

BEST Andrea Bocelli Song EVER! - (HQ Sound) - The Lord's Prayer (better ...

Zone Conference in Gulfport. Here is a game that is fun for a group. Guests sit in a circle. The plastic tub was filled with gifts the guests brought which were wrapped in newspaper. You had to roll two dice and if you got doubles you went to the center, put on big work gloves and tried to open a present before the next person tapped you. There were two sets of die so you tap the person who has been the longest and they have to leave and give you the gloves. Fast and fun and so messy and funny. All kinds of gifts from a toilet seat to candy and hand sanitizer. All $5.00 or under.

Hmmm. Did it snow in Waveland Mississippi? Here they have really big snowflakes on the huge oak trees. That will be really awesome at night.

After Zone Conference, we drove home by way of the Gulf of Mexico so Elder Nebeker and Bishop could see it. It was Elder Nebeker's first time to see it.

If you want a lift

If you want a lift, click on the U tube on the right called "They gave up their Christmas."  It is so touching. what a great reminder of what Christmas is about.

Everyone had a great time at this party, good friends, good food, beautiful decorations, special program and Santa himself!

Christmas Party

What Shall We Give?

A gorgeous Saturday in Slidell Louisiana. We had to take advantage of it. It won't be so warm tomorrow. We feel like we are having a winter vacation in Hawaii.

Merry Christmas

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Christmas on Temple Square Celebrates Birth of Christ, Welcomes Holiday Visitors

I took these pictures one year ago on temple square.  It is always so beautiful especially at Christmastime.

Christmas on Temple Square Celebrates Birth of Christ, Welcomes Holiday Visitors

Thanksgiving Break Visit to the Zoo and Aquarium

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We had a great day visiting the New Orleans Aquarium and IMAX. awesome! Plus tasting some traditional yummies.

Wonderful Thankful Day

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thanksgiving morning

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Happy Thanksgiving to you!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Excerpts from

James E. Faust, “Gratitude As a Saving Principle,” Ensign, May 1990, 85

A grateful heart is a beginning of greatness. It is an expression of humility. It is a foundation for the development of such virtues as prayer, faith, courage, contentment, happiness, love, and well-being.

But there is a truism associated with all types of human strength: “Use it or lose it.” When not used, muscles weaken, skills deteriorate, and faith disappears. President Thomas S. Monson stated: “Think to thank”. In these three words are the finest capsule course for a happy marriage, a formula for enduring friendship, and a pattern for personal happiness.” (Pathways to Perfection, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1973, p. 254.) Said the Lord, “And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.” (D&C 78:19.)

As with all commandments, gratitude is a description of a successful mode of living. The thankful heart opens our eyes to a multitude of blessings that continually surround us. President J. Reuben Clark said, “Hold fast to the blessings which God has provided for you. Yours is not the task to gain them, they are here; yours is the part of cherishing them.” (Church News, 14 June 1969, p. 2.)

Best wishes for a wonderful season,

Sincerely,

Elder & Sister Matson 

The Self Employment Workshop is full of great information and these two learned how to project income profits and losses and tricks of the trade of self employment.  You can learn to avoid huge mistakes in starting your own business.  It is a great class to take from your local LDS employment center and, if you are really serious about starting a big business,  you might also contact you local unit of SCORE a volunteer group of retired professionals who work through the Small Business organizations.

Joy is a brand new convert who brought her 13 year old son to join the church so that he would have great mentors and realized she needed to join it herself and not just take her son but really BRING him.  Tom, is  a convert of 5 years and newly active and working in our center part time as a resource development specialist. What a privilege to work with such fine people.

Did I say that I love baptisms. This great little man is just 9 years old but he is so enthused about getting baptized. It was a wonderful evening being there and talking small parts to help make it special. He was taught by the sister missionaries and baptized by Elder Nebeker who got to experience his first baptism.

This Egret likes to fish in our pond at Pelican Pointe.  I had to grab the camera when I saw she was out this morning.

Sister Winiters is going home-boohoo

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Sister Winters is a powerful missionary and has served a wonderful mission.  We will miss her but we know that she will be blessed for her service when she returns to her home.