Dear Dad,
Thank you so much for the email this week! It was great to read. That is way sad that the family that wanted to buy our home fell off the face of the earth. I hope that something goes well and someone else will be interested. I know what it is like to have people disappear. A recent convert soon after his baptism kind of disappeared also. He doesn't have a phone and I have a feeling that he doesn't have a real home, just goes from place to place.
Halloween isn't much of a big deal on the mission either. Saturday night (most people went trick-or-treating on Saturday) all the missionaries in our zone had to stay in a church building from 6-9. We played some basketball and got permission to watch a movie called "Up." It was pretty good. Of course everyone that we saw insisted that we take candy all weekend long. I am sick of it. Sis. Newbold has about 30-35 pumpkins left over. We might cook some of the seeds.
I am so glad that Grandma's cancer might be gone. I pray for her a lot and hope that she can regain her strength. One older sister here in Taylor Mountain always asks about Grandma whenever we see her. Her brother that lives in Salt Lake has cancer also. That is Brother and Sister Isaacs. They recently got sealed in the temple and Brother Isaacs reminds me so much of Grandpa Call.
I am glad that everyone is doing good at school and work and everything. Seminary can be tough with the lack of sleep, but I know that Mary Ann can get through it. She is a tough girl.
We had Pam and Alyssa Snooks get baptized on Saturday! That was way exciting. It was such a good baptism. Elder Durnall baptized Pam and I baptized Alyssa, then we switched for the confirmations. Alyssa is only 9 years old but she acts just like Mary Ann did. She has very similar mannerisms. Pam's friend was baptized back in August and that friend's husband is investigating the church also. So that was good for him. Pam's husband also came to the baptism and to church on Sunday. These two families are so funny, to see them interact.
I don't hear anything about politics on the mission. But I do wish that things will work out for the best and that if it is necessary some changes will be made. Good Luck. I am always curious as to what is going on, but here in Idaho nearly everyone does not support Obama, so they just always make little remarks or jokes about him. But they are out of context to us so they don't make sense to us.
Anyways, this morning we were able to go up to Rigby and see some family sites and have lunch with all of Grandpa's cousins. Bless Elder Durnall's heart for doing that. I don't have much time, but to give a brief synopsis:
Left to right: Barbara Call Brown, June Call (Brent's wife), Brent Call, Elder Call, Nona Call Hunter, Trudy Hammond Potter, Jay Hammond.
Note: Barbara, Brent, and Nona are all children of Cyril J. Call Jr.Trudy and Jay are children of Lila N. Call Hammond.
1. We saw two homes of Cyril J. and Mary E. Wood Call. One is the original that they built back in the 1880's. That was way cool. And the other was built about 1920 in town. Barbara Brown (Grandpa's cousin) had arranged with both home owners to allow us to look through.
2. Drove past the home of Ellis Heber and Lida Call that got moved when they built the highway. We didn't really have access to it.
3. Went to the Rigby Pioneer cemetery and saw a bunch of headstones.
Brent Call also brought some pictures. I took a lot of pictures and he had some copies that I could keep also.
Original home of Cyril J. and Mary Ellen Wood Call, built in the 1880s. Only the part of the home on the right is original.
On a side note, Bro. Hammond grew up in St. Anthony, 25 miles north of Rigby. His father was not a church going man, but he remembers his whole Call side of the family was very religious and active in the church. In particular he remembers his Uncle Ellis (grandpa's Dad), whenever they were visiting each other, would pull Brother Hammond's Dad aside in a corner and try talk with him about going to church. Of course his Dad would react to it a bit. He never went to church. Brother Hammond's mom wasn't real active in it either, but was involved in the Relief Society and would go to church sometimes. Brother Hammond always went to Primary and he and all his siblings were married in the temple and were active in the church.
It was a once in a lifetime event. I am so glad that I was able to do that. And grateful that all of these people were accommodating. The cousins were all so gracious and kind.
Love,
Elder Call
Cyril Josiah Call home, built about 1920.
Home of Ellis Heber and Lida Perry Call, moved from its original location.
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Thank you for sharing this, Michael. I remember having my picture taken on the steps of Grandma and Grandpa Call's house. It is very cool to see that photo -- please pass along my thanks to Bob, as well.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Camielle