Hello Canada!

Last Saturday evening we received a phone call that made some changes in our life. Our grandson, Jayson, collapsed while at his part time job setting up trade show displays.  When they found him he was not breathing so the first aiders their started AR until the paramedics arrived. His lungs had filled with blood so they could not get air to him  so they applied the sock treatment, I am not familiar with the real name, and on the third try his heart started beating.  That night was difficult for the family but morning he was stabilized.
We were still in Arizona and weren't sure what the outcome would be and felt like we should be their for our kids. With the help of the branch members we packed up and left Sunday afternoon. Arrived in Magrath Tuesday afternoon, had a fun time with our kids there and left next morning for Fort Saskatchewan.
Jayson is a miracle boy  and is improving each day. He regained consciousness on Monday and his memory is getting a little better each day. The specialists are still trying to determine what went wrong  and what to do. His heart is healthy but beats too fast, especially if he stands up and walks and not sure whats going on with the lungs. More tests and theories happening each day.
We are grateful for the many prayers that have been said and the blessings our family have received this past week.
It was very heart wrenching to leave the mission field especially a month early and not prepared for it. It has taken some adjusting but we are glad to be of service here. Our daughter and son in law are with Jayson 24 hours a day so we take care of things at home.
We love you all,
Wayne and Donna

Valentine Date Night

                                                       HAPPY VALENTINES WEEK

On Valentines day evening the Branch had a valentines date night. We had a roast beef dinner and enjoyed an evening of visiting and socializing.  Elder Earl sitting in the background spent the evening shivering and shaking with a fever so at the end he was given a blessing and sent home to bed.

Another big event this week was the baptism of our newest eight year old in the branch. It was a fun time for all as you can tell by all the happy faces. We were served a luncheon after, a long sandwich cut in pieces, mutton hominy stew,cream of broccoli soup and two cakes. We enjoyed the broccoli soup and Elder Lybbert liked the cake.
We love all our wonderful friends here. What a blessing the gospel of Jesus Christ is to us all.

Love to all,
Elder and Sister Lybbert

Beautiful People, Beautiful Jewelry

Another form of art here is the beautiful jewellery.  The Navajo people love wearing the turquoise and silver jewellery and many of them make it as a way of earning a living. This picture is typical of the elderly with their beautiful necklaces, broaches, and bracelets. Turquoise and silver are mined in Arizona and New Mexico so it has been a part of the native culture for a long time.

This type of jewellery are what the Zunis are known for. The upper necklace is called a Squash Blossom design and is very beautiful and expensive. It is also very heavy. The broaches and bracelet are Needlepoint design and are also very expensive and beautiful.

The pawn shops have many pieces of this type of jewellery. The older it is the more valuable it is.

This necklace was made by a 93 old gentleman. He gathers the stones, polishes them and makes jewellery and then gives it to the missionaries.

Beadwork is sold at flea markets and Trading posts and we often have ladies come to the door trying to sell their jewellery.

Jewellery is very popular with the men as well as the ladies

Elder Earl decided we needed a Branch Social to promote Family Home Evening  and show the members how to have fun. The above pictures are a cookie eating contest done by putting a cookie on the forehead and working it down to your mouth. There were several who were successful.

We did the Limbo while everyone was coming and then Elder Hodges gave a short lesson about Family Home Evening and its purpose. We then played musical chairs, elephant relay,  human pretzel, donut eating contest, and decorated valentine cookies.
Everyone had a great time and hopefully went home with some ideas to do in their own families. The plan is to have a Family Fun Night once a month in the Branch so we hope Elder Earl will be here for awhile.
We had our first of the season gardening meeting on Saturday. Our spring weather had changed to blowing snow so we wondered how many would brave the weather to attend. We did have quite a few come out which was good. We like to start early in the spring to get everyone enthused about gardening this summer and hopefully to encourage them to start early in getting the soil prepared. The soil is very pour here but when it is built up with sheep manure, humate and fertilizer it grows great gardens.

The roads were dry this (until today) so we were able to get out and visit more members which was good. In several of the homes we have been teaching the life of Christ since their understanding of Christ and his teachings are very limited. One family asked if we could get a picture of Christ and the Ten Commandments to put on their wall. We were only too happy to do this. We are asked daily to give prayers for healing and blessing homes. It still amazes us how much faith the people here have in  prayers. it is a blessing to have the opportunity to serve the people here.

Love to all,
Elder and Sister Lybbert

Mud Days on the High Desert

The snow had melted which created some mud when it decided to rain for three days and then snow some more so the dirt roads are now mud. We have stayed on the pavement but the young Elders have had a good time with their four wheel truck playing in the mud. They are able to get out to see the people which has been a good.

 These wall hangings are interesting. On the left is a Hopi throwing stick made by Glorias' Hopi friend who is now passed on. On the right is a bow and arrows Glorias' father had made when he was young. In the center is an ultra modern pest exterminator used by the Navajo people extensively in the summer.

                                                                  Hopi Prayer Feathers
These feathers were also given to Gloria by her Hopi friend. There are eagle, turkey, and roadrunner feathers. There are prayers that go with the different feathers for the well being of the body and mind. Gloria says that seeing roadrunners here is quite common but we have not seen one yet that I know of.

This week is an end of month week and also a beginning of month which is not a good time for missionary work besides all the mud. We did have a Zone Conference with all the senior missionaries in the mission, about 25 couples, this week. It is always a great experience to meet with President and Sister Batt and the missionaries. This was the last Zone Conference we will be attending before we leave for home so we gave our farewell testimonies.  It made us realize that it is a reality that we will be leaving for home next month on March 18th and reporting to our ward on the 24th.

Love to all,
Elder and Sister Lybbert