We wanted to share with all of you the wonderful news that Sister Staples' mother was baptized on June 23, 2007! That is also President Hinckley's birthday, so it was a special day for several reasons.
This event is the answer to the prayers of a lifetime for Sister Staples, and it opens the door for our family to be sealed for eternity. We express thanks to all of you who have added your prayers to ours over the years.
Many of you met her mother at our April conference NZWM reunion a couple of months ago. You will be happy to know the missionary spirit rubbed off on her and she is already bearing her testimony to all her friends. For a 91-year-old, it is pretty impressive.
We are humbled that our Heavenly Father reaches across time and space to touch hearts and bring about events such as this one. It is another evidence of the great loe which He and His Beloved Son have for us and a testimony that each child of God is of great worth. Never give up on families and NEVER stop being a missionary.
Love,
President & Sister Staples
The fourth semi-annual NZWM Reunion with President and Sister Staples was held on March 30, 2007 in Orem, UT. It was a great success with about 100 missionaries and guests and several visitors present. Sister Staples' mother, Lucile Fisher, was there and was thrilled to meet many of the missionaries she had heard about over the years. She is 91 and held the record for the oldest attendee! Josh Mickelsen brought Sister Margaret Brown from Timaru, so it was fun to have a Kiwi with us for the evening. Sister Brown had made the trip to UT to be sealed to her husband in the Salt Lake Temple. She is a convert of about a year. Elder and Sister Young, who just returned from their seventh mission to NY, joined us also.
It was fun meeting friends, fiance's, and wives and children of former missionaries and seeing how happy and successful everyone has been as they have pursued their goals of family, education, and career. Congratulations to those who are graduating and moving on--we will miss you at the next reunion!
President Staples spoke brieftly, encouraging everyone to continue to work hard and set their goals and standards high. He emphasized how important it is to "know the ansers to the questions" before they are asked. Havign a long-term plan for your life will help you to keep eternal principles in mind and will give persepctive to the trials and challenges that often pop up and cause us to detour from our paths. Sister Staples expressed her love for everyone, and shared the hope that all of us can continue to serve the Lord in such a way that these reunions will one day result in our being together, not only as former missionaries, but as eternal friends.
Another runion will be held the Friday evening before October conference, 2007. Details can always be found here on the website. Meanwhile, send pictures, announcements, updates on your life to Sister Steurer at [email protected], and keep in touch with President and Sister Staples at [email protected] or by mail at 6800 Vista del Norte NE, #421, Albuquerque, MN 87113.
