And that bike got Stole!

Dear family, Pictures: We had a meeting for the trainers on Wedensday, so I got to see a couple of the Elders I came out with; Elders Torres and Lewis.The next is of some of my mission posterity; Elders Baker, Kleinman, and Jensen. The Last is of some delicious bbq pizza we made for lunch today.The trainer meeting was good. It was kind of like an accountability meeting for us trainers. Not much training went on, but it was good. Elder Baker and I are doing pretty good.On Friday we had our President's interviews. It was the usual, "how are you doing...I don't really have much to say. No worries, keep it up," kind of thing. The highlight of events though happened Sunday morning when we opened the front door to go to our corrilation meeting with our ward mission leader to see my bike was stolen! Ough! We keep our bikes under the staircase that is completely covered on all sides and no way to tell that there is something behind there unless you look specifically there...and the bedroom window is right next to it, so I don't know how I didn't notice something like that going on in the middle of the night. I guess I'm a heavier sleeper than I thought. It hasn't really hit me yet that my bike is gone, but its pretty lamo. Hopefully a missionary about my size left a bike when he went home, so I can just continue its use for another five months. Cool, huh? Luckely President Gee hasn't let me go to an area without a car, so we have some transportation. Still lame though.We're still teaching some great people! I'm hoping we prepare them all for baptism. During our weekly planning we were going through the people we're teaching and I'm hoping that we can help this area get a baptism every month...especially since they haven't had one 14 months. Katelyn is still on track for August and hopefully we can set a date for Arlyn for September and continue progress with the others we are teaching and continue finding new people to teach. This week we taught a new guy. His name is Doug and is studying Law at OU and knows a member from Norman 2nd ward. We talked to him about two weeks ago and was just able to teach him. He's been reading the Book of Mormon and shared some of the scriptures he said have inspired him along with some he had concerns with, but accepted them. He's pretty great! Our example will have a powerful influence on the lives of others. This is true because of the member in Norman 2nd ward. Brother Hale was an example of what Doug would like to have in his life. An inner joy and satisfaction and always seemed to be happy with life...like he was content and happy and needed nothing more than that which he already has. This is because, something Doug didn't know, the knowledge of Gods plan and purpose for us can do more than any worldly desire of success. Back to the good example Brother Hale is, Doug had some concerns in the Book of Mormon and because of what friendship and sincerity he showed him he knew those passages had to have some other reason for being in there and wasn't a negative aspect of the gospel (one of the scriptures of concern is early on when the Lamanite's skin color was altered as a marking to set them apart from the righteous). His concerns were answered by the spirit and not by and logical discussion because he was humble.Anyway, I've got to go. Oh, and by the way, I'm not sure who was planning on sending a couple short sleeve shirts, but they haven't arrived and I'm really begining to wear through the ones I have now...really, wearing through them.Love Ya! -Elder Glenn Osness

Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow‏ (From the Pres)

Dear Parents,
I just have to tell you how much fun I am having reading your responses. I think I will make a book that I can enjoy through the years. I hope I get to meet you in person sometime in the future. (If you don't like to respond don't feel obligated, but thanks to those who do.)

Today I would like to talk about the pain of separation from your children. President Gee and I sent three sons and one daughter on missions. I think I understand every emotion that you are feeling. There is joy, satisfaction, peace, tenderness, faith, increased testimony, sacrifice, anxious feelings, and counting the weeks and months. Our oldest son went to the Salt Lake City Mission. He was only a hop, skip, and a jump away from us. It seemed like everyone in our community saw him except us. I remember standing at the top of the church Office Building and looking out at Salt Lake City with my husband and knowing he was out there somewhere and we couldn't go find him. As I look back on our children's missions I have to admit that my perspective wasn't the same as it is now. We kept the rules faithfully but I didn't have the vision of why we had to be so limited with our contacts. Being here in the mission has helped me understand more what the Brethren are trying to accomplish with these rules.

We as parents have been the lifeline to our children since their birth. We have nurtured them, taught them, protected and supported them, helped them solve their problems, given them goals to work toward, had fun with them, become their friends, shared life and love. For most of them their parents are the first place they turn when they need anything from food to comfort to money to encouragement. We have loved that relationship. It has blessed our lives and even given us good reason to live. This relationship is still important and is a key to the happiness and success of the missionaries. That is why the missionaries are expected to stay in contact with you through e-mails and twice a year, telephone calls. We hope they share their feelings and experiences.

This is also a unique and set apart time in their lives. Never before have they been called on to be so disciplined and unselfish. They have agreed to serve the Lord with ALL their hearts, might, mind, and strength. It is quite a challenge to avoid the distractions that the world so freely offers. We all know that if they set their minds to it, there are ample ways to communicate with family and friends back home beyond what has been outlined. When they do this they are establishing lifelines to the world rather than a lifeline to heaven. What they have the opportunity to do here is learn to reach to Heavenly Father when they need help, rather than to other people. That is what we have all hoped and prayed they would learn to do as we have raised them. We now have the opportunity to stand aside and let that heavenly process take place. When parents support them in keeping the rules, they fortify their children and allow them to progress. The spiritual growth that is possible on a mission is a wonder to behold. We watch young men who were in jeans and t-shirts, riding dirt bikes, put on their missionary clothes and become prophets. A prophet testifies of Jesus Christ. We watch them become responsible for their areas, and learn to become leaders. The young women often come with a maturity beyond their years. They still learn to do things they didn't think they could do. The greatest thing you can do is unflinchingly help them to be obedient.

There are times when parents desire exceptions to the established rules. They may want permission for a visit or telephone call. Sometimes the reasons are valid and permission is given. Please understand that President Gee is absolutely converted that because apostles and prophets have established the guidelines, it is his responsibility to be true to what they have outlined. While he would love to make everyone happy, his first desire is to do what the Lord expects. Hopefully, this gives a perspective that would help you understand if there is ever a hesitation or a denial.

Well, that is enough for today. The most important thing I said was about the "heavenly process." Thanks for all you do to enable this to happen. The missionaries are working their heads off. Somehow the leaders have ignited a fire in them. In spite of the heat, they are outdoing themselves in contacting people and inviting them to listen to the message. Their faith is increasing. We tell them to expect miracles and I go around with my little Miracle Journal and a pen to write down their testimony building experiences. One of these days I will share a few. I get chill bumps when I think of the possibilities of united missionaries and their parents and families all praying and fasting for the spiritual lives of the people in this mission. Please continue with your prayers. There is so much power in united faith. President Gee sends his love. On to the victory!!!
Love, Sister Gee

getting things in order‏

Dear Family, The pictures: I still love the crazy sky weather here in Oklahoma! Just as a storm was blowing in Elder Baker and I decided to take a picture. The other is of the weather calming and the sun of an old day setting.Well, I'm starting to figure the area out a little and ward is a ton of support for our efforts, so we are happy campers here in Norman 4th ward. Last week we taught Katelyn again, who is getting baptized next month and things are looking great! We had an awesome lesson and she has a great testimony that is getting stronger and stronger. After our lesson we put together a calendar/plan for our lessons before her baptism and the chapters in the Book of Mormon she'll read on what days. It was cool to see how much enjoyment she got out of it because its her date and her schedule and her progress, so she can track and see all the things she's done to prepare for baptism as the days go by. We're pretty excited! I was talking to the ward mission leader the other day about her progress and he mentioned that the last time somebody was baptized in this ward was April, over a year ago, so everyone is pretty excited to see someone make progress. There are a few others we are working with that I think in time will make that commitment. Things are really good. We talked to a guy the other day as we passed by him and after talking to us for a little while agreed to let us come by and teach him some about the church. At first he just told us he'd wouldn't mind learning about the church, but wanted to do his own research, but later agreed to have us over. Yesterday we went by and he let us in and we taught and he had read into the first couple chapters and understood what was happening and from that reading his intrest peak went up and had a lot of great questions about the church and how we have the Book of Mormon and what its about entirely. Its great when you teach someone completely to their needs because they are searching and learning for themselves. His name is Arlyn. We also taught someone who was baptized three years ago and is inactive, but was excited to see us. He is Daniel and is wife is not a member and that is why they haven't been coming to church. She is from Russia and wanted to stay with her family religion, Greek Orthidox. She's real nice and I think if we can just get her to learn and seek answers from God she will jump on it fast because Daniel is ready to get back into it.Well it was a great week, but the computer time is almost gone, so I love you and hope life is going great at home! -Elder Osenss

Shotgun a sister area‏

Dear Family, Well, things here in Norman are pretty great! I got here and realized I haven't really taken any pictures of my return here except one with Elder Baker. Next time I'll try to have more to share. Norman 4th ward is pretty excited to have elders in the ward, so they are very willing to support us. They've had sisters for the past three or four years. I still haven't been able to meet most of our investigators. In fact, I've only tought one of them, but we set a baptism date with her. Her mom recently started wanting to come back to church and her daughter went to girls camp and has been to church a few times, so we talked about how she felt about the things we teach and if she's been reading the Book of Mormon then asked her how she felt about baptism...she felt great and like it was something she wanted to do, so she has a date she is committed to on the 15th of August. Another investigator that I was teaching in Norman 2nd ward over a year ago had moved into this ward boundary just before I had left to Edmond, so I asked around and nobody knew about him and his teaching record wasn't in the area book. I was hoping to be able to teach him because he was preparing to be baptized before he left 2nd ward. On Thursday I was going through a bunch of randome papers of the ward roster, notes, and meeting programs and in the middle was a teaching record of Rudy Dopler..."I found it, I found it! I found the great valley!" Sunday night we went by to see him and he said the sisters stopped coming by a long time ago. He needed to get married and come to church. That was his hold up. He's the assistant manager for Golden Corral so he works a lot and has to fill in for those that don't show, so it makes it hard to come to church, but he does need to step up and he can make it possible to come to church. But, he had some good knews, he got married the begining of the year and has come one time and wants to work towards getting baptized, so we are going to follow-up on his lessons and get him committed to take more action in his efforts to come to church, so he can get baptized.So Elder Baker and I have walked into a great place. Elder Baker is an interesting fellow. He's probably the least outgoing companion I've had,but he is a good elder. Yesterday I kind of gave him a jump start and had him lead...at least as much as he could and he did a really good job. He comes from a big family, the oldest of seven and everyone is home-schooled. He's not very conversational, but knows what to say and do. He just needs a nudge to get him to go from observer to doer. He's a good guy and we'll do a lot of good this transfer.Well, I love you! Hope things are great at home. -Elder Osness

An e-mail from a member in OK

Hello families of Elder Osness and Elder Baker

Your Boys are eating well and in good health. Today They ate at the Tuckers.


Elder Osness is an old hand at eating at members, Elder Baker is kinda quiet just taking it all in. Both havve a great spirit about them.

They are in good hand in Norman 4th ward. They will be taken care of

Bless you all or in oklahoma we say ya-'all


David Tucker

A letter from President Gee and his wife

Dear Parents,
Today I would like to describe what transfer week is like. On Tuesday, (preparation day) the current missionaries who are going to be transferred are busy packing and preparing for moving on Wednesday. In the meantime President Gee, the two assistants, and myself head for the airport to welcome in the arriving missionaries. This time there were nine Elders and two Sisters to greet. It is always fun to see a big group of smiling missionaries come walking down the corridor of the airport. They do stand out in a crowd! We know that it also isn't hard for them to spot us. This group of missionaries was impressive, happy, polite, excited to get going, and a little nervous. First they go to the mission office to get acquainted with the office missionaries. Then they head for the mission home where we feed them a snack. The afternoon is spent getting oriented by the assistants while President Gee interviews each one. Usually they nod off a little after a couple of hours. We have a dinner about 5:30 and enjoy visiting and getting acquainted. Then the part they really look forward to comes. Although they have the jitters they are excited to get out and see what missionary work is like. They go for about an hour and a half with some of the local missionaries. They come in and report, we pray, and send them to bed.
On Wednesday we start with breakfast. President Gee puts on an apron and becomes the chief chef, making omelettes, and whatever else I tell him to. We load the missionaries up in the van and they go to the Stake Center nearby for more orientation. By 10:30 they are supposed to know enough to meet their companions and head for their areas.
It is a lot like a carnival on transfer day. We have five zones in the mission so each zone is assigned a specific place in the church parking lot. Cars are arriving from all over the mission and missionaries are all over the place trying to get their luggage in the right vehicle to head out. Usually someone forgets to leave the cell phone or the keys from their last area. We are learning to deal with it. The really fun part is watching everyone take advantage of the chance to visit with missionaries they have known in former transfers. There are hugs and high fives all over the place. It feels like a celebration as they are able to get caught up on what is going on. President Gee is there and smiles for a while. If it goes on too long he starts to pace. They need to get on their way and get back to work! They arrive a little before 10:30 and usually by about 11:15 everyone is on their way again, ready to start adjusting to their new situation.
The missionaries who are ready to go home load their belongings in the van and head for the mission home. We feed them a snack and then have one great last experience. We take them to the temple. We have been blessed to have the temple president, President Gillespie, spend about an hour with us after the temple session, talking with us about future temple service and also discussing things about the temple. This has been a great blessing to the ones who have been able to be in this meeting. We have been fortunate to have most of the groups going home for the past year be able to do this.
Then we head back to the mission home and have our last feast together. Usually the missionaries going home are about as nervous as the new ones were the day before. However, they seem to retain their appetites. President Gee gives them one last interview and instructions about their flight home. They find it drives them crazy to sit around and not have anything to do. They hope they can sleep during the night. We are up early to get them to the airport in time. President Gee helps them through all the details and I try to hold back the tears. We say our final good-byes before they go into security. President Gee and I watch through the glass windows until all of them are through. They turn and wave, I can't hold back the tears, and they are gone, back to their families. We know how excited the people are at the other end to see them again. It is bitter-sweet for us as they end this most wonderful chapter of their lives.
I hope this gives you a picture of what happens every six weeks. Again, we appreciate the communication with you. Please feel free to tell us if you have any concerns. It is hot here! They seem to be surviving.
Love, Sister Gee

Going back...to Norman? Alright!

Dear Family,

Its transfers week...and I'm getting transfered. I didn't really expect it, but I'm leaving my area and its getting shotgunned...which means taking the missionaries serving there out and puting new ones in...and they're sisters. I think they'll do great here and find a lot of success. The teaching pool is built up just in time for me to leave and them to reap the harvest. They'll do a good job, I'm sure. I'll be meeting with the new ward mission leader tonight to give him the run down on the area, so he can assist the sisters in adjusting to the area. Its a bitter sweet transfer. There are a lot of people that I've spent a lot of time with and sad to leave them, but they'll be in good hands and I'm going to take over a sister area in........NORMAN 4th ward! I love Norman! If you remember, that's where I started my mission. I'm going to be in a different area, but I'll see so many of my favorite members and great people at church from the 2nd ward. I'm sad to leave, but excited to see what became home to me when I started. With this transfer there are serveral new missionaries and Elder Kleinman will be training again (number three) and so will I! This mission is getting filled with our posterity. Elder Kleinman was my first trainee and then I was suppose to get Elder Jackson, who still isn't out and now am getting Elder Baker from Erda, Utah and Elder Kleinman is getting Elder Jensen from Salt Lake City after training for the past couple transfers with Elder Call from LV, and Elder Hamner from UT, who will also be trainers as they get older in the mission.So, a cool experience happened with a new investigator. On Friday we got a referral for Sandre Salinas. Here's how; A month ago he was found by some missionaries in New York and went to church with them and a couple activities, but he told them he was moving soon to Oklahoma City. The missionaries told him to find the missionaries here once he arrived...he didn't, but no worries. The Lord was on it. The Spanish elders did some tracting in an apartment complex and knocked on his door. It gets better...he sent them on their way with a "Hey, sorry I don't have time." The missionaries gave him a pass along card and thought nothing of it, just another rejection. What they didn't know is the Lord sent them to that door. Sandre read the card later in the day and remember the Elders in New York and called the number and we got a referral the next day. After being in Oklahoma for three days the Lord put us at his door and he's back on track. He came to our 4th of July pancake breakfast and church the next day and plans on continuing to do so and the ward was very helpful. Don't worry about rejection...those seeds are worth everything even if its simply being there....and now the sisters will be here. Well, I hope your 4th was great! Love ya! I'm off to pack up and get ready for a new assignment!

-Elder Osness

A letter from President Gee and his wife

Dear Parents,
This week is tranfer week so I thought I would share a little bit about the process with you. Every six weeks we get new missionaries and also send those who have finished back home. This is both an exciting time for us and a challenging time. This transfer we will greet eleven new missionaries and send six home. What this does can be compared to breaking up a puzzle that has been put together and almost starting over. Each new missionary is assigned a trainer so obviously eleven companionships are changed at the start. It is just like dominos as President Gee tries to put everything back together. He considers how long they have been in the area, who is cleared to drive, how long they have been serving in the mission, and most of all, what feels right. He usually spends a few hours a day for a week putting it all together. He makes the first draft and then spends hours staring at the transfer board and pondering if everything feels right. He would love to make everyone happy. Some don't want to be moved. They are getting along so well with their companion and they may have someone almost ready to baptize. Some are praying that they can get transferred. When the calls come on Monday night about who is getting transferred some are happy and some are not. In fact, at least with the sisters, a few tears are often shed. For some of the missionaries change is a big and stressful challenge. Sometimes new assignments are greeted with enthusiasm and sometimes the missionaries feel overwhelmed. All through their missions we are constantly turning their world upside down. The longer we have been here the more I have realized how much faith it takes to just do what they are asked to do and trust it will all work out. We so appreciate those who have the attitude, "I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go." Those of you who have served missions know exactly what I am talking about. The most important thing for President Gee is "feeling" it is right. He has learned there isn't always an ideal situation for every missionary. We have to do the best we can. Sometimes they get "growing pains" as they learn to adjust to living with another person. In the long run the experience can help them grow spiritually and socially. Thank you for your encouraging words to them. They usually adjust after a few days. Just keep telling them to pray for help to be a good companion and to love their companion. The health of the mission is determined by the influence these missionaries have on each other. Please continue to join us in praying that we can all be trusted to obey the Lord's commandments. Again, President Gee and I have enjoyed reading the responses that we get from you. We appreciate communication because you are an integral part of this work. If you ever have any thoughts you would like to share with us about the well being of your missionary please feel free to communicate with us. Sometimes answers to our prayers can come from you. We love your children and this work. May the Lord bless you for supporting your sons and daughters in their missionary service. Have a good week. Love, Sister Gee