Post #14 - Blazing HOT!

We had HOT weather in Utah during much of late June and July – into the 100s!  Even some of the plants on Temple Square were a bit “droopy” from the high temps. 

The heat was hard on all of us including the plants

Elder Sissel tried on
his wife's hat.

One Brother who works with us  on B-1 in the FHL had some fun modeling his wife's big sun hat.   

  

 But we also had some interesting outings during the past weeks.  In late June we went with our missionary “social group” to the church’s Humanitarian Center.

L to R = Elder & Sister Hatch, Elder & Sister Henrichsen, in back Elder & Sister Aromaa, in front Elder & Sister Dolberg (he's holding her hand to keep his balance down there on one knee), Elder & Sister Sensiba, Elder & Sister Smith, and Elder & Sister Young

 This is the headquarters of the Church’s outreach to the people of the earth as we send help and aid in times of need all over the world.  Our desire to help EVERYONE, regardless of religion or ethnicity, is based upon this quote from Joseph Smith. 

Much of the humanitarian aid is done locally these days, sending money to the local Church leaders who then buy what is needed nearby, saving shipping costs and U.S. Customs delays.  For instance, U.S. customs at one time went regularly through all the emergency kits to make sure the toothpaste wasn’t outdated (!!), thus delaying the shipments. 

Bales of clothing waiting to be sorted and sent world wide to those in need.

But one of the things which is still done in the Humanitarian Center in this huge building is to gather and sort clothing to be sent overseas.  When we visited, there were huge bales of clothing (from Deseret Industries donations) to be sorted (into men’s, women’s, children, babies, etc.) and then bundled for sending wherever it is needed throughout the world. 

And who does this sorting?  Salt Lake City is one of the nation’s 16 centers where refugees from various countries are sent by the U.S. government, and they need to be cared for locally.  

The Church has set up a training program where these world-wide refugees are taught English, AND they are taught other skills including how to get a job.  Other local folks who are needy also receive this same training and assistance.  This wall poster explains what they do there. 

Wheelchairs for the World

Additionally, the Center had displays explaining the many programs which administer relief all over the world. 

 For instance, wheelchairs are provided to handicapped people in 3^rd world countries.    

Homemade quilts are sent worldwide.

 

In the Center they have a large area where local volunteers can actually come to make and tie the quilts.

There were rooms full of fabric and yarn at the Center, some of which can be taken by local Church units to make quilts in their homes.

Fabrics waiting loving hands

Some of the refugees are also taught how to sew at this Center. 

This is one of the finished quilts, held up by our friends Elder and Sister Hatch. 

 

Elder & Sister Hatch are from Poway, California.  We love 'em.

Here on the Capitol Bldg. steps stand grandsons Ryan
& Parker between Elder & Sister Dolberg

At the end of June we had a visit from our son Paul’s wife Amee and 4 of their children.  

Their oldest son Spencer (15) spent the week at EFY (Especially for Youth) at BYU in Provo, and we got to spend a couple of days with Amee, Ryan (13), Parker (10) and baby Ruby (20 months).  

We spent one day visiting the sights in SLC, including the Utah State Capitol building with the younger 3 and their Mom. 

Elder Dolberg with
grandsons Ryan & Parker

On the roof of the Conference Center

 At Temple Square we enjoyed an organ concert in the historic Tabernacle and toured a lot of the sites including a tour of the gigantic Conference Center.

Little Ruby between
Parker & Ryan

We went to the top of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building to get great views of the temple.

Dining Room of the Beehive House

We ended the day with a tour of the Beehive House, one of the homes of Brigham Young and had drinks and rolls at the basement of Lion House next door, which has been turned into a café.  

Miss United Nations &
Two American Beauties

On the way back to the car we ran into “Miss United Nations”, a young Argentinian girl who is a foreign student at the University of Utah who was there on a picture shoot.  Here she is with two other beauties, our daughter-in-law Amee and little Ruby. 

It was a glorious day!

L-R back row = Kalayna, Meggin, Ryker, Maciah
& Daniel;  front row = Kaleb, Jessica, Charyssa

Our son Daniel and his family enjoyed a vacation this summer to Hawaii the last “all of the family” vacation since their oldest daughter Maciah is now engaged to be married in October. 

Rich & Maciah with the
 Christus looking on

Maciah and her fiancée Cody Rich met at Utah State University. 

We continue to enjoy our work in the Family History Library.  During the summer there are lots of tourists who come to the library, so we’re kept quite busy.  Some of the tourists are relatives of the missionaries with whom we work.  In the picture below Elder and Sister Pocock train three of of their granddaughters how to use Family Search (familysearch.org). 

 

Elder & Sister Pocock, part of our Zone Leadership, enjoyed a visit from their grandchildren and got to each them about Family History search.

 Sister Dolberg and Elder Urena Perez
 Elder Abram in the background 

One of the difficult things is saying "good-bye" to those missionaries whom we've learned to love so much when their missions come to an end.  Here is Elder Ureña-Perez, celebrating his 22^nd birthday just a few days before he leaves our mission – sigh….     

He has also been one of the best, stalwart young missionaries on our floor and he has also been a part of the Elijah Choir which Bonnie conducts.

Out-going Presidency - Pres. Workman
 flanked by Pres. Johns & Oliver.

On July 1 we welcomed a new Mission President, Pres. Warren Tate.  We were sorry to see Pres. and Sis. Workman leave, but we already love our new president and his wife. 

 When the new mission presidency was announced late in June, we had two apostles (Elders Cook and Anderson) and 6 members of the Quorums of the Seventy in our weekly devotional.  Of course the Elijah Choir sang – so Bonnie was a little nervous!  Then she learned that Sis. Tate is a former member of the Tabernacle Choir – a bit more stress!  But they are wonderful people and Bonnie has already enjoyed working with them since she sees them often because her “Elijah Choir Office” is right beside the Presidency's offices.