Sunday, December 29, 2013

I Believe in Christ....

This glorious week of Christmas has been filled with so many opportunities to love and serve and to experience the teaching of Jesus Christ that what I feel to say is ..."I do Believe in Christ"!Elder Oaks said, "Our lives of service and sacrifice are the most appropriate expressions of our commitment to serve the Master and our fellowmen." Our blessing this week have been extremely powerful and I am so thankful that Sister Carter and I have been instruments in the orchestra of the "Teachings of Jesus Christ". Our friends, Sue ad Tracey invited us to serve and feel the homeless again. We prepared 50 brown sack meals with ho-made chili, water, rolls, an orange and a twinkie. We had gone to the manager of a grocery store and he dropped the price of oranges from .69/lb. to .39/lb and asked us to come the morning of the event so they would be fresh and 'hand pick' the 50 oranges. Then he GAVE us the twinkies. So thankful for the kindnesses of many people that made it possible to help others. Loved this experience!!

Christmas Eve from 4-6 we went to Bow Lake Mobile Park and helped Doris with her Christmas Program for those who had no family. We visited and sang carols and ate and closed the program with two verses of "I am a Child of God". (We forgot the last verse...remember I am getting older and forgetful but the message was still beautiful!) This is a wonderful privilege to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ through song.

Rossie - December 31, 1919 - December 18, 2013‏


Our Dear Rossie, the 93 year old friend who was baptized on Sept 14, 2013 passed away on Dec. 18, 2013. Her Graveside Service was held in the Tahoma VA Cemetery which is in Covington. This however is out of our Mission, but her grandson Derek called and wanted Bishop Floyd to speak and asked for his phone number. He asked us to come and we told him we could not attend and would not ask....and we were so sad. She would have been 94 on Dec 31.  Well, Pres. Miller text us about an hour later and told us Pres. Choi gave us permission to go. The Service was held in a permanent structure to protect us from the never ending rain of the day. After the service all left but Bishop Floyd asked Sister Carter and I to follow him to her plot and be with him during the Dedication of the Grave. We arrived at a new area of the cemetery with only mud, hundreds of headstones...and continual rain. Upon our arrival a crew of 6 men standing and a backhoe driver were just preparing to fill the grave with dirt. Bishop asked very kindly if he could have 3 minutes to 'dedicate the grave'. The mocking looks of the men and their manner of disrespect showed how they felt and the driver of the machine said, "30 seconds"! Bishop started and such power came upon this small gathering as we bowed our heads and the words of the dedication of the grave were very impactful. When Bishop completed his prayer and I opened my eyes, these men stood with a look of respect and awe for what they heard and felt and I felt so humble to be apart of this powerful event. Never have I 'seen the power of the Priesthood' visible and I cherish this event that afternoon in the rain in the Tahoma VA Cemetery. We prayed we would be Emissaries of The Master and the Holy Ghost definitely blessed us in this manner.

Juan, Sis Valtierra, and Antonio 

Sister Frame, Elder Flake, Sis Carter‏

Our most glorious event of the week was the baptism of Juan and Antonio. I told you about them last week. Oh, I just don't have the words to tell of how reverent and quiet these two young men, who are usually rowdy, acted this day at the baptism. In attendance were about 55 people; five non-members, 4 sets of Elders and then the remainder were our Ward Family. What a blessing for these boys and their mother to see and feel the love of those in the church that care about them and are 'part of the Village' that will love them and teach them. Elder Flake did the baptizing and being 6'7" tall, the water came to his knees and he had to stoop very low. This is the most incredible baptism of our Mission. We have known this family for 11 months and the blessings of the Holy Ghost softening the heart of their father to allow the baptism is immeasurable for the boys and for future generations. I am so happy and thrilled at the close of this week of Christmas. My greatest gift was the blessings of love and service and feelings of the Spirit as we worked. To experience miracles is priceless and I am unable to write in words the feelings of my heart.

The Blessings of Family is totally immeasurable!! I was able to 'FaceTime' all of my children and most of my grandchildren. What a wonderful time I had and felt!!! I Love the technology that makes all of this possible. Our four Elders, Flake, Anderson, Griffith and Brown, came over to our Clubhouse for their allotted time and 'Face timed' their families. Then they made us the most wonderful picture frames, they had painted and written on and placed their pictures in. Unbelievable!! So kind!! We love these Elders who work so hard in the service of Jesus Christ. Their parents would all be so proud of them.Thanks to so many of you for the Christmas Cards and your kind words.  Mom sent me money to go to "The Crab Pot" on Elliot Bay and eat fresh crab and think of her.  I promised I would, in fact I think we are going Monday, Dec 30th so "think of me and be jealous" :).  May God be with all of you this week and bless you in your endeavors. Please take time to look for and recognize the Miracles in your lives....and record them.
          Love to all of you,    Sister Frame

Monday, December 23, 2013

"Sleepless in Seattle... No, Christmas in Seattle!"‏


The days and the events of these December days seem to be running together but I must share with all of you the incredible experiences we are having. Saturday evening we picked up Veronica,
an investigator working with Elders Flake and Anderson. She is a beautiful young adult, parents from Russia who were refugees when she was 4 1/2. We went to Bellevue for a magnificent piano recital by Sun Beam Choi...our Mission President's son who is a concert pianist and also a professor of piano at BYU. The beauty of the sounds from the piano and also the incredible movement of his hands, the large screen in the chapel was down and a camera was on the keyboard and his hands, was just unbelievable!!! What a glorious Christmas to all present last night. I was reminded of the Parable of the Talents in Matt 25:14-30. His words were, "Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things and I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of The Lord." How well Sun Beam had increased his talents through many, many hours of work and practice. This is such a great reminder that I will do likewise and work at increasing those things I have to share with others.
Macy's Dept Store Christmas Tree--Downtown Seattle
My "beautiful Christmas tree" in Seattle 2013

Lights in Seattle in the Rain---Sister Carter and I

Prior to the concert we took Veronica to the Temple, just next door to the Stake Center, and took her inside to the front desk. Then we went and sat down in the room off the foyer and chatted about her questions, also sharing our testimonies with her of the beauty of the temple and of the blessings it is to be married for time and all eternity. It amazes me that the Christmas Season throughout the World is so designed with Lights...bright, clear, colored and shiny! May this be "The Light of Christ" shining to everyone and many "know it not". The lights look beautiful, makes one feel so good and always has a star that is brighter than anything else. What a beautiful Holiday for all Mankind!! Friday night Sister Carter and I went to the city on the lite-rail with Sue, Tracey and Matthew. It was so good to 'sit and ride', see so many lights
Downtown Seattle
and visit and chat with those we have come to love. How good it feels to love and to be loved. How can we ever express enough Thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ for showing and teaching us the way 'to be filled with love towards God and all men" (Mosiah 2:4) and to experience the peace and happiness that comes from the choices we make to do so. I love the teachings and messages from our Scriptures. Our MTC class for our Ward Missionaries continues to go well. Elders Flake and Anderson taught the first two lessons. We, the Sisters, taught the second two lessons and Elders Griffiths and Brown teach the last 2 classes. These have been wonderful experiences for all of us. AJ and Latoya came with us to "The Angels Sing" a week ago, they came with us to Church on Sunday and someone asked AJ to sing in the ward choir. He was so pleased to know that he is needed. Isn't that what we all want? He grew up in Guam, left the Catholic Church and his family to be baptized. I stand in awe of people with that kind of testimony, commitment and faith. They are such good people. We picked them up for church this morning and it was so good to see them.  Last Sunday Roberta arranged for all 6 missionaries to eat in the Clubhouse at The Bow Lake Mobile Park. She was so proud to be surrounded by these four tall, well groomed, good looking missionaries called of God to eat at her table. Her little trailer is extremely small and there is not room but she loves the missionaries so she arranged for the dinner. These are such privileges to rub shoulders with these kind and humble people. We just love her!! Monday evening we were invited to Pipkins for dinner and just loved the food prepared. But even more than that, once again the same words come forth, we love and respect this sweet family with all our heart. They are humble and kind and having far less material goods than most people and filled with more love than '10 average people', we just love to be in their home. What a privilege to do this work!!! Daily we have been teaching Antonio and Juan with their mother, who is less-active, in the room. These have been wonderful and challenging experiences. Our hearts get discouraged but we continue to teach and love and share the word of The Lord. Last night Bishop Floyd called us and asked to act as "Santa Clause" for these boys because someone donated some money. Sunday we will chat with Dawn and then see what we can do on Monday and Tuesday to bring a happy spirit into their lives. We have spent a couple of mornings making sweet rolls and then delivering them to the many people we love and admire. The truth is that 'the more you share and give away the more your are blessed'. Isn't that a wonderful feeling to know and to appreciate. Our dear, sweet friend, Rossie Hanes passed away this past week. We were pleased that her grandson Derek called us an let us know. We went to visit him, with a plate of sweet rolls, and after 1 1/2 hours we left with still more love in our hearts for Rossie and her Family. What an incredible experience to meet her and baptize her just 2 months prior to her passing. I know God work in mysterious ways His wonders to perform. This beautiful Christmas Season as all of us enjoy the blessings of The Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, we rejoice in the feelings of love and kindness from everyone. It seems that these feelings increase because these are the powerful traits of Jesus, whom we call Our Lord and Our King. I love Him with all my heart and I am immensely grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ that was restored in these Latter-days by a Prophet of God, Joseph Smith. May we all strengthen our commitments to obey God's teachings and to 'increase our talents of love, understanding, kindness and service! I hope and pray all of you have a Beautiful Christmas Week and that each of us can remember those things that matter most in this life and be less concerned with the material aspects. Take time to be aware of the Miracles in your life this week and record them so you will not forget them.

                 Love to all of you,
                    Sister Frame







Friday, December 20, 2013

Monday, December 16, 2013

"The Angels Sing"

"To reach a goal you have never before attained you must do things you have never before done!".  This thought by Richard G. Scott is a truth that I really like!  If I want to be healthy, I have to study healthy habits and patterns and then follow through with them by buying groceries I have never purchased, eating meals I have never eaten and saying no to sweets that I've never rejected before.  If I have a goal to read my scriptures daily  I need  to set aside time to read them, have a schedule of topics or chapters I want to study and then I must prioritize my time so I have no excuse not to read them.  Sounds easy does't it?  Well, easy is not always best.  President Miller trained our Seattle Zone while President Choi held Personal Interviews and these were the words he taught and it made so much sense to me.  This is a marvelous privilege to be interviewed by a General Authority who is your Mission President and as he asked me if I would accept a goal of baptisms with Very High Expectations.  "Yes" I said knowing I needed more faith than fear and knew that to accomplish this I needed to follow the words of my opening message....and Sister Carter and I will.

We are currently working with Antonio 11 and Juan 9 and Dawn, their mother who is less-active and Jose, their father who is a non-member.  He doesn't think the boys are respectful so he doesn't want them baptized.  Our first lesson was not good...neighbors in the house were talking, the phone was ringing, mother got up in the middle of the lesson looking for a scale to weigh herself on and NO ONE was listening!  We left very discouraged and in the car we prayed for guidance and help.  What are we to do to help them want to listen?   The boys have been to church for 4 weeks and participated in the Primary Program, riding to church and sitting with the Mendenhall Family.  They have 5 children and often you can see Antonio holding one of them and helping in Sacrament Meeting.  These boys say they love church.  Mom has been able to stop smoking for 3 weeks.  After talking with Jose, he finally expressed that he doesn't want the boys baptized because he will be left out.
So, this is the family we love!!  The 2nd lesson was from the B of M Alma 17 and how Ammon wanted to be a friend to the king so he told him he would be his servant.  We showed a Mormon Message of Ammon chopping off the arms of the Lamanites, the boys and Dawn did not move and liked what they saw which taught the importance of service and how we are to listen to God, who is our Heavenly Father who loves us.  The third lesson we used another Mormon Message and the boys and Mom were totally involved asking questions and telling us about what the ipad had shown and how they understood.  Sister Carter and I feel we are making progress.  Juan volunteered to say the closing prayer and it was very well done!

Sister Carter and I went to the Temple on Wednesday and the words I heard and the feelings I had in my heart were just so profound.  I had a very positive experience and I am thankful I could do the work for Ann and at the same time be reminded of the promises and covenants I have made over the past 47 years!  I love the temple very much and appreciate President Choi who told the "Seniors" we can go to the temple when we need to.  I look forward to serving in the Mt. Timpanogoes Temple again in August!!

We took Esther and John to the store to do some shopping.  Then she wanted to go to "Bartell Drug".  She saw some beautiful wrapped boxes of candy and she was just like a little child.  She was sooooo happy and excited that she could afford these gifts.  Remember, they have only been in America, from Burma and then Mylesia, for just over a year.  This is such a new and wonderful experience for her and her family.  Just love them so much!!

To all of my family and friends I want you to know the feelings of the Spirit of Jesus Christ and of Christmas are strong in Seattle.  In fact, one of the soloists sang "Christmas in the Northwest",  It is a beautiful song Two lines of this song are, "Christmas in the Northwest is a gift God wrapped in Green".   Look for the words and music online.  It is awesome.

This week I read a thought that said:
"When we love somebody, we show it by doing something nice"!
We need to learn to serve more and more and love doing it.  We need to surprise people with a good deed they had not planned on receiving.  We all have these types of opportunities at home, in school and at church and as we loose our lives in the service of Father's children, Satan's temptations lose power in our lives.  This wonderful season of the year and is a time of Love and Service.
"The Angels Sing", our Christmas Celebration was finally presented.  Friday we invited Nancy, a less-active member to come with us and the program was glorious.  The Kennedy Catholic High School Orchestra was magnificent, there were 12 soloists from a Private School and the Will Power Big Band Sound and Jazz were just great.  I did hear Angels Sing as the music of violins and soloists were heard and then the Big Band played, both music of the 60's and Christmas, I felt Jerry's angelic feet waltz me around and around the chapel.  It was just wonderful!!  Sat. night we took LaToya and TJ, another less-active couple and the sounds this night were a 100 voice Children's Choir, Hispanic Choir, Sounds of Tonga and 6 opera singers you would never believe.  What a wonderful two nights in the Chapel.

So I close this Sunday night letter with joy and happiness in my heart for the birth of Jesus Christ and the meaning His live gives yours and mine,"And The Lord called his people Zion because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness;  and there was no poor among them."  Moses 7:18 May God be with all of you and bless you and keep you!  May we count our many blessings daily....put them in a jar each day and then read them on Christmas Eve.  May we smile at all we meet.
Please take time to look for the daily simple Miracles in your life and record them.
Love all of you,

                                                                                     Sister Frame

Monday, December 9, 2013

Missionary Badge....

"If you're not a full-time missionary with a missionary badge pinned on your coat, now is the time to paint one on your heart---painted, as Paul said, not with ink but with the Spirit of the Living God".  These words express the feelings of our Prophet Pres. Monson and his living Apostles that as members we really need to help in His Harvest of Souls because Missionary Work can't go forward without the work of neighbors, friends and family.

This has been another amazing week as we have continued to invite another 112 people to our Christmas production of "The Angels Sing".  I feel like a primary child that 'sang as we walked and walked and walked' and I still am astonished,when we deliver the invitations all over the city of Tukwila, at the kindness and appreciation we feel from 95% of those people we visit!!

Wed. morning we went to visit Anita, a totally less active lady whom we have worked with and prayed for these past eight months, told us she was thinkings of us that morning and hoping we would come to visit.    Initially she told us she was not interested at all and had many issues with the church.  Well, time and patience and love and the Holy Ghost have made a difference in her attitude.  She seemed very interested in coming to the Christmas Program!!  We asked again for her to come to church and her best excuse is that she only has jeans.  "That makes no difference", we told her....and we really mean it.  Hopefully in the next 5-6 months we can help her realize the beauty of coming to church and feeling the love of the ward members and experiencing the privilege of taking the Sacrament.  I know all things are possible and we pray she will listen...and obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

I woke early Thursday and one of my first thoughts was of Esther so I texted her later telling her I hoped she had a wonderful day and that we loved her!   She called back (she never calls...just texts).  While talking she shared that the car had problems and that David and Peter had missed Seminary last week and the 1st 3 days of the next week.  The seminary students here leave for our Stake Center, about 10 miles away, at 5:30am because class starts at 5:45.  Her family is Burmese and she is too shy to ask for help thinking they just had to solve their own problems.  I am surprised that some of the students did not make an attempt to notify the boys and help solve the problem but no one did.  I notified our Bishop and he gave me two names to call for help.  The one said he would call me back...which he did not do and the other was all ready driving in the totally opposite end of town.  Today at church we found someone to help.  The car should be repaired in a week.  I guess I mention this because it reminds me of how thankful I am for the 'Village of people' that helped raise and drive and feed and love all the Frame Children!  The passel of children raised in our home could not have become whom they are without others help.  Yes, often all of us get tired of running and serving and doing all that needs to be done but what a blessing it is to serve...'when ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are in the service of your God'  Mosiah 2:17

What more can I say than, "I LOVE Zone Meetings".  We met Friday morning and this was our first meeting after transfers.  Some of our dear Elders and Sisters were gone and new ones that arrived will become just as dear to us as we will learn to serve and love them.  I say these words every time we meet at our District or Zone meetings but I continue to just be amazed at the ability of these young men, and sisters, to teach and train and motivate all in the District to go and do and accomplish all He needs us to do!.  We were taught of "Righteous Routines" we participate in daily.  These help us achieve our High Expectations.  Our dear group of young Elders and Sisters in our Zone had set a goal of baptizing 26 people in December.  During this meeting, after going to our Individual Districts, we returned and the new Goal set was 64.  This is Incredible!!!  Our Zone has led the Washington Seattle Mission forever and our Sweet Sister McBride spoke to us and  told us..."We can do it" with just as much power and authority as Elder Seppi and Elder Gardner, our Zone Leaders. Please keep our mission in your prayers, in fact, please remember to pray for all the missionaries.  We have been called to Hasten the work and the time is clicking away.  We need your faith and prayers as we join together in the Harvest of Souls for our Heavenly Father!! 

We just returned from another day of working hard...teaching, walking, delivering bread from the Bread Bank, service project at the Stake Center, visiting Brother Grenniger and Brother Treadwell, stopping at our apartment for 1/2 hour and then picking up Mah's for our Christmas Ward Party. Saw Brother John Hyde who lived in the Sharon 2nd Ward and now attends another ward in our building and it is good to see him!!   Sometimes I wonder where Sister Carter and I get the energy to keep going and doing.  No I don't, because I know my Heavenly Father needs us to do this work while we are here...and time is running out.  I know He knows me!  I know He knows and loves my children and provides untold blessings in their lives.  With all I have, how can I not "serve Him with all my heart, might, mind and strength".  
 
Thanks again for all your notes and letters and for the love you show me and my family.
Thanks to those of you who were so good to my Mom last week and during Thanksgiving Holiday.
Thanks to my family for loving each other and for serving each other.
I Thank my Heavenly Father for my testimony  of Jesus Christ, who is the Savior and Redeemer of the World.  I am extremely thankful for the Book of Mormon and for the truths therein.

May God with each of you and bless you this week.  Take time to look for Miracles in your lives and to record them so you don't forget the power of small and simple things!
 
Love to all,
Sister Frame
 
P.S.  Just  wanted to let all of you know. Our incredible neighbors who live next door and share the same walls just moved out....they have rats!!!!  Oh, I would die if they came into our apartment.  I am not even kidding you!!!   Our landlords were unable to catch them and acted rather casual about it so our friends moved!!!  I certainly hope they don't chew through the wall.  If you receive a call that I have had a 'heart attack' never wonder why.

Monday, December 2, 2013

"Live in Thanksgiving daily....."‏

"Live in Thanksgiving daily....is a habit that will enrich our lives and the lives of those we love"..... This is a thought by Joseph B. Wirthlin and I love the message!  Think of those people you know who are happy.  Aren't you Thankful you know them because they cause you to smile or laugh or make you feel good by just being around them.  They seem to have a light in their eyes that makes all things brighter and better.  They seem to live in Thanksgiving daily!
Thanksgiving Day in Seattle this year filled by heart with gratitude when I saw pictures of 85 family members who had put forth great effort to be together.  They traveled hours and hours and thousands of miles...mostly to see Grandma Bird and this just fills my heart with Thankfulness!!!  I love the technology that makes it possible to receive short videos from family members, those snapshots that prove that the child is taller than the father, and the pictures of all those in attendance.  They were just beautiful and I want all to know, "I am so glad Mom married my Dad". Knowing I wouldn't be there, my children sent me this tree of grattitude with each of their "thankfuls" on the leaves of the tree so that I wouldn't miss Thanksgiving with them
.


I want to share my Thanksgiving Day of 2013 in Seattle, WA.  Sue, Sister Carter and I made up a 'team' to provide an authentic Thanksgiving  Dinner for Fokes, our Burmese friends.  Well, due to some language barriers and mixed up schedules, Fokes had also told another family they would eat with them.  So, as the 'minutemen' we are are known to be we cooked ALL the food and made 30 plates of delicious Thanksgiving Dinners.  Our first plan was to take two meals to Dick and Annabelle because they were going to be alone and they also needed someone to visit with them.  As we had been preparing the food, we called Irene, whose husband had been an Officer in Tukwila before he passed away, and since she still knows many policemen she called them and ask for some 'instant plans' as to where we should go.  Then we loaded the CRV with 28 plates of hot food, drove to Pike's Market on 1st Ave along Elliots Bay and found a park just north of it.  We saw two officers meandering along the road so wisdom told us to check with them and receive permission to feed the homeless, making them aware that these 3 'little ole ladies' were in the park so they would 'watch our backs'....as if The Lord was not already doing it!
This was one of the most marvelous experiences I have had.  One lady was in the park alone; yes, wanting food and she was also watching for others that needed it and then would report to us.  All others were men...no children...and by 4:15 it is getting rather cold and by 4:45 it is dark.
A nicely dressed couple, maybe Italians, stopped us as we went into the park wanting to know what we were doing.  We told them two of us were Missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and we also had a friend.  But they wanted to know "why we wanted to feed these homeless people".  We shared our feelings of the gratitude we felt for all we have and that we wanted to give to those who have not.  "Where is your church...can we pay you or give some money to your church?" was what he said.  He told us he was from Bothell, north of the city and I told him there were missionaries in that city.  He seemed eager to know more and told me he would go to his internet and find the church.  What a sweet experience!  Did we plant seeds by our actions?  I certainly hope so.

After leaving the park we fed a man living under an overpass and with his toothless smile and very kind words of "God Bless You" my heart was touch with tenderness and being reminded that God loves all his children and wants happiness for all.  We fed a single man sitting against a cold building and it was much colder now.  He told us he was an 'undercover' officer but would still love the food!  Was he?  I think he was but then how do I know and does it really matter?  He was alone on the street and cold.
Yes, there are some things wrong in our world but there are many things that are right!  I hope that what we did on Thanksgiving Day were 'small and simple' deeds that helped make a few more people's hearts happy and 'right'.

I need to say I am "Thankful for kind people".  This week as we have personally invited over 123 people, not counting doors not answered, to our Christmas "The Angels Sing".  I say again how wonderful it is to have the privilege to invite so many people to celebrate Jesus Christ's birth and to hear their kind words of gratitude for the information and to also feel their loving hearts.
 Beautiful Red Berries

Sat. we went to Smiths.  Sister Carter cut and styled Sister Smith's hair.  Sister Smith is 93 and has an extremely large 'Dowager's Hump" on her back and she also has an incredibly beautiful smile on her face.  She stood 5'8"  as she raised her children and now her eyes are level with her doorknobs.  Brother Smith is
Even closer and brighter!

almost blind so I wrote on the computer
his "Message of Testimony" which he places in many Books of Mormon and continues to share and give them away at 91 years old.  I love these people and I am so Thankful for their commitment to God and to life and for their love for each other!  I want you all to know how much I love this work.  Yes, it is work but "I can do hard things!"  I love My Savior and I am extremely Thankful for the Atonement and the blessings received from following and living the teachings of Jesus Christ.
I love my Mom for her strength and stamina and that at almost 93 she continues to "Sister Teach,"  attend the temple, and usually she walks around her block.
I love my family...yes, Jer's kids!!  Some of them have so many of the characteristics and actions of their father...and I love it!! I love this country of America and the blessings that are ours as we live here!!  Thanks for your continued love and support.  May God be with you and bless each of you in all you do and please don't to forget to look for and recognize the Miracles that are yours each day and don't forget to record them.  I am totally amazed that there are so many simple miracles daily.
Love to you all,
Sister Frame