Hello everyone!

Beloved missionaries, 

My husband and I have been watching videos of the missionaries put together by Elderr Baclayon. We are  homesick to see you. We would like to have a reunion either October conference or next April. We would keep it simple inasmuch as all of you are too busy and we are getting old. He will be 86 soon and I will be 80. We would reserve our ward soon in order to  have it there. If any are interested we would arrange more activities.. We love you  and want to thank you for precious memories.

We also know  you love each other and would enjoy seeing your former companions. And please know we would love to see you in addition if you come to Salt Lake, any or all of you. Recently we  saw Arthur LeBaron, Marsha W. Marshall, Emily Nielson, Rebvcca Wallentine  and Sister Borup meets in our ward.                                          We cherish our memories of you

Tuesday we are off to Rome  to see the location of the new temple. The church is TRUE. We love you, 

Pres. and Sister Ensign

Merry Christmas from the Ensign's

Beloved Missionaries.,                   

We think of you often but at Christmas time, when we think of people we love a lot and that includes you.  We returned from our mission  to South Africa last year t this time and have spent a very busy year catching up on our posterity .Lots of events to go to but then you know how that is. We teach the CTR  5-6 year olds in Primary and find it a challenge. They are so bright. They call us Grandma and Grandpa and we love it. We are mentoring  at a Title 1 school during the week . The Pres. is the only man volunteer but they, too, call us Grandma and Grandpa.  We also like it when your children call us that If anyone stops by  with children, and a  with a little notice, we will give them cookies and hugs if they don’t mind.  We love to see you.! Last year we asked anyone to stop by or phone us  but I think you were too busy because  we didn’t get much of a response. We know you are busy wth work and family and doing good things so it” okay  We love to read your cards and  we can’t believe how the time flies, but we are pretty healthy and the Pres. had a lot of golf this summer with people in our neighborhood and he beat some ten years younger which put a smile on his face!

I have to tell you  that mission life is terrific, you are doing the right thing, together, and life is much simpler on a mission. Here our time is fractured, busy, busy, busy, but when a couple is on a mission you are focused on serving the Lord and others  , usually with a small apartment to clean , the cost is not very great—housing is $ 350 a month, that’s new, we paid about $1800  just for a place to live on the Isle of Man  but we were near the ocean front and it was worth it!  know you are busy and I don’t mean to rattle on but retirement can be fun. We even still like each other!

Most of all we treasure  our testimonies of the Restored Gospel and learn  everyday  more wonderful things about our church. We have read “Life  of Christ” by Farrar and highly recommend it,some of which was referred to in Talmadge’s “Jesus the Christ”. It combines the Gospels and adds so very much. We pray you, with your families, will have the direction, the peace, joy  and all the marvelous things the Gospel  gives us, and that your precious families will  have the same safety net in these, the Latter days.

We love you so very much and think of you individually and collectively. We would love to see you anytime. I have been collecting frogs for our next reunion. It will depend on when you want to have it. We are not going again –well, never say never -- that husband of mine is amazing.  r phone number is 801 9923551, address is 1012 East Eagles Nest Circle, North Salt Lake. If you come to town give us a ring.

Know you are loved and cherished and  we will continue to pray for you  always, we have such sweet memoies---

XOXO Sister E and the Pres.

To our beloved missionaries

   We want you to know that we think of you often and long to see you and learn how you are doing.  One recent wonderful experience emphasized how truly we enjoy visiting in person.  On our way to Yellowstone a couple of weeks ago we stopped in a grocery store in Idaho to discover Sister Leishman/Hanson with her cute family.  What a surprise and how we enjoyed visiting with them!  So it would be with each of you.  You have gone on to great things in your lives and we would love to hear about them first hand.  Perhaps the dedication of the Hartford Temple might furnish an excuse, unless of course, something could develop sooner. In the meantime, we will be at home in July and August and would love to see you and your families if you are  in town. Our phone number ie  801 9923551 and our address in North Salt Lake is 1012 East, Eagles Nest Circle. We hope to hear from you.

     Since our return from our temple mission in Johannesburg South Africa, we have been working on temple work for some of Sister Ensigns family.  In fact we both went into the fount and I baptized her for 12 of her family.  Wonderful experience for both of us.  Besides that, we have both been called to teach five and six year olds in Primary.  Suddenly my appreciation of Primary teachers has increased at least ten fold.  What an experience! 

     Fortunately we are both in good health considering our age.  We are so very grateful that we have each other and can enjoy our 43 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren in these golden days of our lives.  So far, 20 of our grandchildren have served full time missions and 3 others are now serving and others are awaiting their times to go.  We are so blessed.  I have just purchased a new set of golf irons and my only concern at age 85 is that I will live long enough to fully depreciate them.  In the meantime I am enjoying appreciating them although I have pretty much given up the idea of going on the PGA tour, 

     Our testimonies of the truthfulness of the Gospel and the Church keeps growing.  We read the scriptures together each day and are suprised at the number of new truths that comes to our minds as we read and reread the Book of Mormon.  We have both completed our personal histories and are basking in the joy of wonderful memories.  Over and over we have said that the happiest days of our Church service was the three years we spent with you in the service of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Thank you thank you for enriching our lives.  We love you each and every one and send you our best wishes.  

The Ensigns 

New Mission

We have received word that the Johannesburg South Africa temple is seriously short of ordinance workers. In fact, two couples are leaving in May, so we felt we are needed, which has been emphatically emphasized by the Temple President.

We will leave Salt Lake on May 22nd. Our visas are valid for 11 months without renewal, we will most likely return just before then. Our health is good. We are blessed beyond our understanding and feel we should serve full time where we are truly needed.

We love each one of you so very much and pray for your well-being while we are gone.

With our love and greetings,
The Ensigns, Dale and Elaine

More News

Beloved Missionaries,

First and foremost, we talked to Abby, Elder Salisbury's wife yesterday and he is at home. He is gradually improving and each day an Elder from their ward comes to walk with him. We didn't inquire as to why but understand that the sepsis illness effected his heart, lungs and brain. Abby is a rock and a great blessing to our very dear Elder Salisbury. You can mail a get well greeting to him at this address:

3931 South 2175 East
Salt Lake City, Utah 84124

Next, we have had a fantastic few weeks as we have seen so many of our precious missionaies from Hartford days. They are Nate Woolf, Curtis Whalen, Sheryl Ludlow, Paivi Baker, Ben Campbell, Elder Rosenbeck, at the mall Aaron Peterson, and we ran into Jessica Nilsons parents and have her contact info and yesterday an email from Max Alberts. We realize you are busy but we do love hearing from you.

We understand that the Hartford Mission is going to become part of the Boston mission effective July first. That makes us sad but we suppose for economic reasons some missions are combining. Nevertheless, A TEMPLE will be built near Hartford on land previously owned by a Catholic gentleman who is pleased to see one of our beautiful temples on his site. Wouldn't it be GREAT if we could meet there for the dedication? Please email us or visit us if you can. Our email is deensign@yahoo.com and our phone is 801 992 3551. We would love to see your families.

We are arranging to serve another temple mission. We will report our progress. Last week we were fingerprinted to apply for Visas. It will be at least several months, perhaps into the fall, to complete the process.

We pray for you every day. We love each one of you. We keep very busy and will work at the Bountiful temple until our Visas come. Our testimonies of the truthfulness of this great work of the Lord have never been stronger than they are now. Please accept our love and greetings!

President and Sister Ensign

Christmas

Beloved Missionaries,


We are thinking of you at this season of Christmas with much love and wishes for the Lord's blessings. Each one of you is a blessing to us and we love you dearly.

My husband is now 83 and I am 77. Each day we awake we are grateful for each other, our good health, family and dear ones like you who have been an inspiration to us and have blessed our lives.

We recently went to Maui, Hawaii to celebrate a wedding anniversary. Surfing in the ocean he hurt his leg and I almost drowned because the waves were so high. I guess we should act our age. We are thinking of another mission but close to home. We have an inactive son here, and that in itself is a mission, isn't it?


Wouldn't it be a grand gathering if we could meet in Hartford when the temple is dedicated or sooner here if possible. We miss you. Please phone us if you have the time, we would love to hear from you. I was trying to find everyone before our last mission and it was a daunting task but after Christmas we would like to talk to you each one. We will never forget our missionary family. Thanks for the memories and may you have a blessed Christmas. We pray for you and the well being of your families and for your testimonies as well. Every day we love the Savior more and His Gospel that has blessed our lives so very much. And yes, the Pres is so handsome. I think I won't love him so much in the next world because I love his grey hair, his maturity and good looks now.


Our phone number is 801 9923551. We can call you right back if it is too expensive. Our email is deensign@yahoo.com. We would love to see your families as well.


xoxo Sister Ensign

Beloved Missionaries

We think of your often with love and beautiful memories, some of them humorous but all wonderful. What a privilege it is to know you. Just a couple of things.

We have recently read a book by Toni Robinson called "Master". It is fictional based on fact. One of my goals is to know and think about the Saviour more and this book definitely helps me. I say that in the present tense because I continue to read it over again. It portrays the life of the Saviour when He was little in the eyes of a mute boy adopted by His parents. Much research results in a setting of the Holy land in those days, the politics, culture, food and what I believe is a viable portrayal of the Saviour in those early days of His life. I have bought 5. Just a suggestion.

And of course the wonderful news of the temple in Hartford. We understand from a man who works in the real estate dept. of the church it was purchased from a Catholic man who is thrilled to have such a beautiful edifice built on that location. We remember the times Pres. Hinckley came to Hartford while we were there looking for a place and being rejected by the environmentalists because of a bird nesting in the area or something. Now is the time. We hope that it will be finished for us to be able to attend with as many of you as possible and that we can have a gathering and sing the mission song and everyone hug everyone and shed tears of joy together. We do love you so. Thank you for your examples to us. Please phone us if you have time. 801 9923551.

Love always,
Pres. and Sis Ensign

Beloved Missionaries,

We think of you often and pray for you always. When I think of you tears well
into my eyes for the blessing and privilege we had to know you. Only because of
the Gospel of Jesus Christ have we these eternal friendships. You were and are
great examples to us.


Since returning from our temple mission to Sweden we have been extremely busy
visiting family across the nation and attending weddings, blessings, etc. We
are blessed to have the Gospel in their lives because they are very good
people and parents and as they live the principles they are happily married
couples. We still have a couple who are not active and we pray for them always
as well.

Every day we have each other and our good health we  thank our Heavenly Father.
We only pray that we can have the strength to serve and be independent. My
husband is still handsome and patient and stable and plays a mean game of golf!
 I understand. We have been working on our histories and photos and it is a huge
task. We recommend you keep yours up as you go.

Another think we recommend is a book called "Master" by Toni Robinson. It is
fiction but about the Saviour when He was growing up , in the eyes of a young
friend and contains  details of the life at that time, the socio-economic, the
Pharisees, Sadducee's, and then the ministry after He reaches thirty-one. It
helped me feel closer to the Saviour and that my main goal these days.

Know we love you so much and before our last mission I was working to find you
all. I felt it was a daunting task but we do love you,each one, and care about
you and your happiness, your children, and want you to know how important it is
to your future and eternal happiness to keep close to the Lord.  Your happiness
depends  a great deal on the well-being of your children and it is imperative
to  strengthen their reliance on prayers and our Father-in-Heaven. I am amazed
at the strength and goodness of our grandchildren who are active in the face
of temptations these days.

Well, that's the message we want to convey to you. We love you, each  one of you,
and pray that you will keep in touch with each other, reach out to those of you
who need help. It is funny to me that even though my mind is slowing down I
still remember my missionaries, faces and names. In the meantime, our phone
number is 801-992-3551. We would  be happy to hear from you anytime and see you
when we are home. You have blessed our lives more than we can tell you. And when
I finish my history and start my genealogy I will return to trying to find
everyone. In the meantime, may the Lord bless you.

Love always, the Pres. and Sister Ensign

My Testimony of Temple work

Dale and I just returned from a temple mission to Sweden. These are my thoughts upon our return:

Each mission in which we have served has brought us joy, eternal relationships as well as real challenges.  During difficult times we have learned to rely on the Lord and  He has lifted, guided and comforted.  The greatest peace we have ever known was during our recent temple assignment as we went from the cold and darkness of the world into the light, warmth, peace and beauty of the temple. As we followed our daily schedule, dressed in white, speaking reverently and marveling at the teachings, ordinances and their beautiful promise we felt the love that inspired them,  experienced a bit of Heaven.  Concerns of the world with its problems, suffering, wars, tyranny and injustices were swallowed up in the knowledge that the justice, love and mercy of our Father-in Heaven will prevail.

 

I appreciate these messages from the dedication prayer in Doctrine and Covenants 109:13,16, and 22: "And that all people who shall enter upon the threshold of the Lord’s house may feel Thy power and feel constrained to acknowledge that Thou has sanctified it, and that it is Thy house, a place of holiness. And that this house may be a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of glory and of God, even Thy house. And we ask Thee, Holy Father, that thy servants may go forth from this house armed with thy power, and that Thy name may be upon them, and Thy glory be round about them, and thine angels have charge over them."

One sacred privilege I had was to gather the names for the prayer list to be put upon the altar.  As I carried them in my hand I thought of those who had great needs and I appreciated those who loved and cared about them enough to submit their names. It was a very powerful experience for me. I often thought of the poem by President Kimball:
"Enter this door as if the floor within were paved with gold.
And eve wall of jewels of wealth untold.;
As if a choir in robes of fire were singing here
Nor shout, nor rush, but hush, for God is here."

There is a closeness that comes from working together in the temple with other couples. We were a family. We all had some concerns about our families back home and when good news would arrive we would rejoice together and if sad news, weep together. Especially the women became very close. The relationships between man and wife are also enhanced through sharing missions   Dale has never looked so handsome to me, dressed in white, as shiftleader and conducting sessions and greeting people with his warm, wonderful smile. We laughed a lot, walked in the beautiful woods nearby each morming and did sight-seeing in his beloved Sweden. We have always been on  missions where temperatures were cold and my favorite thing has been to jump into bed with our hot-water bottles and read the scriptures.  Great memories.

We met and fell in love with people not only from Scandinavia but also from Latvia, Lithuania, Ghana, Russia and other places. To me they were angels, so humble, pure and radiating the Spirit. I miss them and look forward to seeing them again someday. We became close to three women who were professional  world-tour golfers who traveled constantly yet attend  the temple wherever they are. They also sponsor a humanitarian project, .-Eyes fo  We had a group of youth come from Lithuania with their seminary teacher who was also a Relief Society president. Actually they lived closer to the Finnish temple but because the air fare and housing was less expensive in Sweden, they came each summer to the Stockholm temple.   During each year they would forgo Christmas gifts, birthday gifts, even movies and ice cream cones and ask for equivilent money to go into their temple trip fund. They were very well prepared spiritually and did as many as 100 baptisms per person each day. When I asked them what they had for breakfast, they said, "pancakes’‘, for lunch, "pancakes", for dinner, "pancakes.". They gathered berries from the woods each day to garnish their humble meal. A few of us had the privilege of taking them to dinner. What a great example of the faith and sacrifice of youth.

I am grateful for the power of prayer. At age seventy -seven, I continually lose and forget things which compels me to fall on my knees ask for help and often, within a matter of seconds, I find the thing I have been searching for. What a blessing to be able to go to our Father- in -Heaven and pour out our hearts to Him and receive answers to our prayers.

 

I am grateful for the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in these latter days, for the faith, suffering and courage of Joseph and Emma Smith in bringing forth the translation of the Book of Mormon.  As I read it, I know that at age 23, Joseph Smith could not have written it, or any man of any age, for that matter, and that the accounts of the Nephites, Lamanites and Jaredites are, in fact, true.  I know that God lives and am grateful for the scriptures. They are my GPS.  If I read the directions they give and listen and follow the Spirit, I will reach my destination- Eternal life. Even if I get lost and make a wrong turn I can hear a "recalculating" get back on the path- if I study, listen and obey the promptings of the Holy Ghost. 

 

With each passing year I become more grateful for the blessings of the Gospel in my life and the lives of our children and for my knowledge of our Savior, Jesus the Christ, His example, teachings and the love He proved through His atoning Sacrifice. I am grateful for repentance and for the promise that all shall be resurrected.  I will close with this oft-quoted statement by Lucy Mack Smith, who suffered the loss of her two sons in the building of the Kingdom:  "We must cherish one another, watch over one another, comfort one another and gain instruction that we may all sit down in Heaven together."

This is my prayer and with I send my deepest love,

 

Elaine Woodbury Ensign

Letter from the Ensign's

Beloved Missionaries,




Last week I saw some frog stamps here in Sweden and bought them --just thinking of you and future times together. You are never far from our thoughts. The new missionaries come to the temple here in Sweden their first day and it is great to see them in their new suits and dresses ready to go out and serve. They have pretty good success for Europe, the people seem to be disenchanted with their State government Religion and although they believe in God they are not too interested in organized religion. Of course the members here are valiant and dear.



We return the end of March and as with other missions it will be hard to say goodbye. You can look forward to serving a couples mission or several of them. They are the greatest! Never to equal the best experience in the Connecticut mission with you but nevertheless they have really enriched our lives and we are much closer than ever before. Of course there are bad days but that is part of life, right?



We know some of you have challenges of sorts, health, childrens health, ect. We don't know how this economy has effected you but pray things will go well for you..We would love to hear from you if you ever have a minute to email us and we want to know when and if we need to pray for you or yours, put them on the prayer list.



We are getting more wrinkles and more aches and pains but I tell you that it is a good life with the Gospel in our lives. Remember that we love you and more importantly that the Lord is mindful of you. Hang in there and you will be alright. Remember that we have been promised that regardless of troubled times if we are keeping the commandments and serving well we will be alright. Don't you LOVE the new mission of the Church, to serve the needy?



Sister E. and the Pres.

Holiday Greetings from the Ensign's

Dear Missionaries:

We are sending you all our Holiday Greetings from the land of our forefathers here in Sweden where we are serving a full time mission in the Stockholm Sweden temple, and we are loving this service. Sweden is where Sister Ensigns Capson family came from and where the missionaries held the first meeting in Sweden in their barn in 1852. That was in southern Sweden and we have enjoyed visiting the homes and special places of interest where the Church received its first roots in this beautiful country. My grandfather and grandmother on my mothers side came from a small village [Julita] in central Sweden in 1879 where they were baptized and immigrated to Richmond Utah. Wonderful stories of lives filled with the Gospel for which we are so very grateful. Now we look forward to spending a Christmastime here in fond remembrance of three I spent here over 60 years ago as a young missionary. But the fondest memories of Christmases spent was in the Hartford Mission with you! So often we remenince those never to be forgotten times with new found loved ones with whom we shared so many personal experiences. You were the faithful ones then and when we have heard from you we know you are the faithful fathers and mothers of a new and rising generation. Bless you for all your goodness.

We are beginning to celebrate this holiday time with special concerts and programs furnished by the Lutheran church and civic associations. Its about the only time the Swedes enter one of their churches during the year and we noted with the special advent celebration, it was only the elderly that bothered coming to the tradtional service. There will be one other time they will come attended by a hearse, flowers and pealing bells they most likely will not remember Anyway there is a special holiday spirit present and the children are looking forward to the coming of the Jul Tompten, the Christmas elve, to bring them gifts. Christmas eve is the time of the main celebration when gifts are opened. Early the next morning some folks will attend the early Christmas church service. We will enjoy our own Church services and then will leave on Christmas day for Barcelona for a few days of warmth. Most importantly we are so very grateful for the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and for his redeeming sacrifice for us. Our testimonies of his life and existence have never been stronger. We also seem to have more appreciation of Joseph Smith and for his amazing contributions in restoring the Gospel and the true Church to the earth during his short lifetime. We are grateful for good health and for a blessed family who have been so supporting of us. We pray the blessings of the Lord upon you and yours during this special time of celebration and for the coming New Year. May you enjoy the peace and goodness that Christ brings and which you so deserve, is our prayer.
 
Love to you each one,
The Ensign's

HELLO FROM SWEDEN!

Beloved Missionaries from the Hartford, Conn. Mission.,

HELLO FROM SWEDEN!

We are now living in the country where my husband served his mission 62 years ago. It has always been his dream to return here to live. We are serving in the Swedish Temple and it is just wonderful to be in the Lord's house and serve with such spiritual people.We are tired at the end of an eight-hour day but live close by so we don't have to commute.

We were disappointed to be away when the reunion was planned and had hoped that it would go forward but we understand that it was postponed. We are sad that some had made plans and we missed you and hope everyone received the word.

We think of you often and today when we greeted the missionaries here we remembered our treasured days with you. We frequently tell others of our great experiences in Hartford, of the miracles, the tears and the laughter.

I was thinking of you when our temple president told us that the "Tree of life" is to be found in temple work, that that is indeed the door to Heavenly blessings. It makes sense to me. And that the three missions of the Church, namely: perfecting the saints, missionary work and redeeming the dead are all accomplished in the temple.

So I recommend in your futures you consider, along with missions, to be ordinance workers. As one friend in the temple in Bountiful said, "It's the best kept secret in the church".We will be here a year or a year and a half depending on our health and family considerations.

It has been interesting to me to learn how many of you have had autistic children. We have a grandson who is now sixteen and austistic. Of course they are celestial people and choice spirits but represent alot of prayer and sometimes expense. Also there are those of you who have handicapped children who are also celestial. Some have even lost children.Would you be interested in communicating with one another? To share successes and challenges and ideas? These children have been given to very choice parents who bless their lives.

Our love goes out to each one of you and how we are blessed to have you as our other family. We have never prayed, laughed or cried as much as we did on our mission with you. As we read your names and look at your faces I wish we could tell you each one that we still remember and love you and pray for you. I hope that in the next world we can mingle one with another.

Hosting, China and The Isle of Man were unusual in their own way. Sweden is a modern city, very clean. So there isn't anything much to tell you, nothing funny. Lots of water and islands and Ikea, blonde hair, red houses with white trim, funny language and lots of Swedes. The Gospel is true here as well as there and testimony meeting was very spiritual today. What a marvelous thing this Gospel is in our lives. It is and will be our life-line in days to come. Hold fast to it's principles, be patient with your children and with yourselves and know you are dearly loved

Love always, The Pres. and Sister Ensign

Reunion Update

With President and Sister Ensign being gone on a Mission to Sweden we have postponed/cancelled the Reunion in June. We are sorry for the sporatic information and how late this official word is.

We are also looking for feedback on whether or not we should plan a reunion while they are gone. Please voice your opinions. We have a group set up on Facebook specifically for the Ensign's. There we have a discussion question specifically for this. Please let us know how you feel.

Twitter

In an effort to get word out to everyone possible. We have set up an account at Twitter for the Ensign's. You can follow them at http://twitter.com/EnsignCHM.

Sweden

Our Beloved,       Thinking of you and would like to bear my testimony before we leave for Sweden.      We have been working in the Bountiful temple and have enjoyed it more than we can say. Over the years we have been on missions and have had many spiritual experiencesbut working in the temple has added a new dimension to my testimony.        I was thinking that it reminds me of schooling in higher education. Colleges and Universities often invite prospective students to visit the campus, see the environment, and above all determine if they can achieve their goal of being educated and graduate successfully.        Well, the temple certainly represents a Higher Education, a house of learning with a goal in mind-that of obtaining the Celestial Kingdom. There we receive instructions, make covenants, receive marvelous promises in glorious surroundings equally dressed in white. It is to me the opportunity to experience Heaven, as we feel the love, the reverence and the -Spirit of the Lord. It is truly His House. And we work to receive a degree in a Kingdom.        Now we are planning to go to Sweden to work in the temple there. Some people say we are great, noble and all that but to be truthful we are going because we are the happiest when we are on missions. At home our time is fragmented as we keep busy doing busy work. On a mission we are focused on the Lord's work and it is a wonderful experience  for couples. We have always gotten along very well but there is something about serving together, without demands from children or anything else that brings a sweeter relationship and stronger bonds.        As for the family, they seem to be more greatly blessed when we are away. We have had miracles pronounced upon our children, and they rely more on each other.        I've never been happier; I feel such peace and have the faith that we can put our trust in our Father-in-Heaven come what may. While I think I am all-wise and have all the answers at 76 and continue to impart them to my children, nevertheless I know they will be alright, all because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and because of the atoning sacrifice of our Saviour Jesus Christ. I know that He is mindful of His children and is there for us to comfort and bless.        Of course we will get homesick for our family and good neighbors but look forward to the temple there. I am working on my Swedish that of course my husband is proficient in. He is encouraging but nonetheless I'm not that great.        Could be that something could happen to one of us while we are away but there again I feel peaceful about the whole thing. I would consider it a graduation and would get my report card. I don't think the Lord grades on the curve.          So grateful for all you mean to us and pray the Lord to bless you always. My husband joins in sending our love to each of you.   Broder och Syster Ensign

Our Beloved Missionaries, Sisters and Elders,

It has been awhile since we have communicated with you. We had hoped to spend alot of time finding all of you but we have been extremely busy with family, ect. I'm convinced it will be a lifelong work as you move so much. This is surely the busiest time of your lives but remember, they are some of the best.

We are making plans for the reunion June 20th. If you email me I will try my best to find the contact info to find your great former companions and try to meet up with them then. It is so very important to hold close to each other and stay strong in the faith. These surely are the last days and will be the best for the strong but tough for the world in general.

Recently our grandson returned home from his mission and we felt his missionary zeal and loved it. He told us about a woman who had joined the church and years after had refused to move in case her missionaies tried to contact her. It was sad for her and also for them that they had lost contact. Sister Uckjdorf? told us how important it is to keep in touch, how her missionaries still communicate with her. We are sure you are very busy but if possible try to find your families duals you taught. Our phone number is 801-2942672.

With regards to the reunion, we will have a get-together Saturday, March 28th here at our home in North Salt Lake. We hope to haave several here so the preparation will be divided among many. We will have juice and donuts. We have our temple work on Saturday afternoon so we will meet here at 10;00 am until noon. We will need to contact, some for the program, some to plan activities for children, ect. The blowup worked well for the children last time I understand, so we will do that. The drink and icecream will be provided. We should have activities for two or three days and attendance at our ward the next day if you wish, we have an incredible ward starting t 11:00 a.m.

We know you are the greatest missionaries ever and remember you and will always love you. We are so very blessed to have served with you and to have benefited from your shining example to us. We are very excited to see you and yours.

We are thinking about going on another mission because that is REALLY living.

Love to you, each one.

Pres. and Sis. Ensign

Reunion Info

The 2009 Reunion is coming soon. The Ensigns are looking for those who would like to help. There will be a meeting on March 28th at 10am for those interested. If you need directions contact the webmaster on the mission website.

Here is what we have planned so far

June 19th - Temple Night (Temple TBD)

June 20th - Lunch in the Park

Pass the word! Lets get everyone at the Reunion this year!

Christmas Greetings

Beloved Missionaries,

     Here it is Christmas once again and our hearts are drawn to you in remembrance of the Christmastimes and wonderful days we spent with you.  Over and over we have said that those were the most beautiful days of our lives!  And we truly mean it.  And you made it all possible for us.  How can we ever thank you enough?  Again this year so many have sent us emails and cards that we thought the best way of responding was to send this message of love and greetings to each and every one.  Thank you for your individual remembrances including pictures!   We savour those.

     We know you are celebrating this season with your individual traditions which is makes for family memories, especially for the children.   May we add our testimonies to yours that we know that the birth of the Saviour came about just as Luke described it in his second chapter.  Christ the Lord, son of the Father, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, suffered His magnificent glorious Creative Spirit to be born of a mortal mother in, of all places, a manger in a stall with animals.  What a humble tribute to the majesty of his divine spirit.  Surely he is the Christ, the Annointed One who appeared with his Father to the young prophet Joseph Smith who truly did translate the Book of Mormon from the gold plates.  President Thomas S. Monson, in his last October Conference, asked members to pray to soften the hearts of the leaders of nations who have not permitted missionaries, to please open their doors so that the doctrines of salvation may come to every nation, kindred, tongue and people.  Surely in this way the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ may be hastened.  May we invite you and yours at this Christmastime to join us in this latest request of our prophet to appeal to the Father of us all to hasten this glorious day.  Coming from our mission in China we are first hand witnesses to what this blessing would be to millions of our brothers and sisters who we learned to love.

     We extend our special love to you and yours.  May this Christmas be special to you and may you feel the love of our Heavenly Father surrounding your family.  Once again, we send our sincere love and greetings and we hope to see you in June at our reunion.  

The Ensigns

More '09 Reunion and Finding Missionaries

To our Beloved Missionaries,

This has been an incredibly busy summer for us and we suspect it has for you as well. But that's good. We seem to keep busy and yet right now I feel an urgency to find all of you. So my plan is to sequester myself and try to get the work done.

About a month ago, we met at the Epley's and laid out a plan to have the reunion around the weekend of June 20th, 2009 - give or take a few days. Also in attendance were the Ellis's and Elder Kenney. We plan to have several days of optional activities. I think it would be fun to have all our carreer Sisters have a get together,perhaps a golf game for those who are interested and a temple session for those who can get sitters or who can make it. We want both a lunch in the park and a time in the chapel nearby to be a spiritual feast and testimony meeting when the children will be tended in the cultural hall, etc. We would also invite you to attend church with us in North Salt Lake at 11:00 a.m. So much for now.

The REAL need we have at present is to find EVERYONE! Each of us at the planning meeting took some on the list and plan to find them. Yet we need many of you to volunteer to take some names on a page and find them, contact them and have a stewardship over them. We need everyone. One page has about 20 names on it and I will help all I can.

One thing I have done is to find the parents' address, the church boundries dept. and phone the Bishop and see if he can help. Jen Going has been very successful in finding many over the Internet. We hope to network and ask you to give us your contacts and if you happen to see any of our missionaries to get contact information from them for us.

I have a system on Qwest whereby I pay a flat fee of $20 and can call anywhere in the U.S. and I don't want this to be a financial burden on anyone. We hope to find everyone within the next two months to give a heads up on planning next year's vacations. If you are anxious to meet with an old companion, let us know. It is frustrating to have so little time with you at the reunion; it is very precious for us to have one-on-one contact with you either on the phone or at our home and that's our goal.

We are well. President shot an 81 in a tournament and took 2nd place and I hear about it a lot. Really, he is amazing. I can hardly keep up with him. Please contact me if you are willing to help us find. I will assign you and we will work together. I am a pretty good detective!

Know we love you; you are our other family and we will never forget you, not one!

Sister Ensign

Reunion '09! (and other thoughts)

Beloved Missionaries,

We have spent the past months working to find missionaries and although there are many yet to go, we feel we have found a treasure of emails and phone numbers.

In some cases, we have learned that you are struggling with health issues and other challenges. Our prayers are always with you and our knowledge that our Heavenly Father is mindful of you.

Recently we had a couple of wonderful sisters visit and found a few of their companions and witnessed the screams, hugs, kisses and sheer joy that they felt to be together. We wondered if we should get the girls together and have a regular confab, a slumber party and so Paivi Flannery is going tolook into it for next spring.

The men are welcome to come for a golf game here in North Salt Lake anytime you are in town. We love to see you enjoy each other.

Jen Going does a masterful work at helping us locate you but next year sheis not only supporting her husband in the bishopric, has four little ones, but is the PTA President! No doubt most of you are also busy yet if there is someone we can hire to help us follow up and find more let us know.

Our phone number is 801-294-2672. Jen has done a lot of work voluntarily and we are forever grateful for her help. Please contact us if you have a change of email, address, phone, etc. One way I have found some of you is by contacting your parents, but even then many have moved, so please help us keep in touch.

Did I tell you that the President is working at the Bountiful Temple on Saturday afternoons? We are still hoping to visit different temples in your areas and attend a session with you. It is wonderful, even heavenly, to be with you in the Celestial room. Also he is playing golf on a regular basis and serving on the Board of Directors of a business.

Remember we are planning a reunion next year. I will be contact with Elder Epley and his darling wife Robin Miller Epley because they agreed to head the committee. I hope to have it all, especially time with each one. Usually the time is too short but I hope we will have a Sisters time, a golf game, picnic with families in the park, temple session for those who have sitters, an evening together with testimonies, etc.

You continue to inspire us with the memories of our time together and we love each and every one of you. We know there are a few who are struggling with their testimonies and we pray for you as we know how critical it is in our lives to rely on the teachings of the Gospel and the great influence itis on our posterity in these latter days. We love it when you call or visit, with or without children. Know that everyone of you is welcome to come see us. We have a player piano the kids will love and if you give me notice I can bake some cookies!

You are part of our family now and forever.

Much love,

Sister Ensign