Christmas Letter

Dear Family and Friends!
We are happy to greet each of you. It is a most wonderful time of the year! We have finally made our way to Ohio. We are currently living in Dublin, Ohio. It's a beautiful little town north of Columbus.
Our experiences in the MTC were awesome, challenging and somewhat intimidating. One of the good parts was meeting the other senior couples who came from all walks of life. A couple from Manila, Utah, the Olsen's, were going to our same mission. They are serving for six months on the Ohio/Kentucky border. The challenging part was the fact that they taught us so much in a short period of time. Our poor old brains were spinning. The first week was lessons from Preach My Gospel. The second week was learning some of the duties we would later be doing. All of it was overwhelming. Right now I am in charge of the mission finances, entering referrals and baptisms, and sending in weekly reports. Jerry is working on the housing and cell phones. Each set of missionaries has a cell phone, so there are just as many cell phones as houses. We are learning so much right now. We feel as though we have a small grasp on the duties we are working at each day. Our mission has 170 missionaries. Keeping up with all their needs is a challenge.
On the way to Ohio we stopped in Nauvoo. We went to a few of the shops. It was a good time to go because we were almost the only ones there. We got a personal tour at every shop we went to. We went to the show at night. There was only one other family there. We stayed overnight and went to the Temple on Tuesday morning. It was one of the most beautiful temples we have ever seen or been in. We are so grateful for that experience.
We are finally in our "home." It is a one bedroom apartment. It is small, but clean and very close to our work. We have had a enjoyable time getting it all set up. The first two weeks were not so fun because we were living in a scary apartment about 35 miles from work. It took us about an hour morning and night through the traffic. The weather is quite moderate and has been raining-at least not snowing.
We are attending the Dublin Ward. The people are very nice and have really welcomed us. We hope to meet some good friends and become involved in the ward. We do miss our Hyde Park ward family. I still sit on the back row, but Merla and Kay are not there. They must be "non-attenders."
The missionaries are doing a great job here. They really rely on referrals to make their contacts. I have learned that when you send in a referral, a contact is made within 24 hours! It's so amazing how it works.
We love being here and serving in the Great Ohio Mission. The Gospel is true! We are thankful for our Savior, Jesus Christ, who was born in a stable to a sweet young mother who loved and nurtured Him through His entire life. His life was sacrificed for us that we might accept His atonement in our behalf.
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas. We are thankful for our association with each of you. We hope to keep in touch. Our email is audrew@cvm-inc.com

Merry Christmas!!
Jerry and Audre

Jerry and Audre's new address for their mission is:
19 Clairedan Dr.
Powell, OH
43065

Saying Goodbye

The car is fully loaded. Can you guess how many shoes can fit in a Lexis?















Jerry and Audre with Bret and Chalisa















Jerry and Audre with Jaden, Aubre and Kaimbre















Audre with Brooke and Halle















Audre and her sister, Norma

Letter from MTC

Dear Family,
It was so good to see all of you. Although we haven't been gone long, we seem to be pretty far removed from the "world" while we are at the MTC. Outside influences definitely are not a part of this environment.
This past week has been pretty awesome. I haved learned more in a week than I ever thought my little pea brain could absorb. I hope this next week will be just as enlightening.
After we were taught a few subjects or lessons on Apostacy/Restoration and the Plan of Salvation, we were sent out to teach "investigators." They were really members who live in Provo that volunteer their time to help and give us experience. I doubt we would have even come close to converting them at the rate we were doing it, but everyone has to start somewhere. I think what they were trying to teach us was that we have to Teach By The Spirit. It was all great-a most spiritual experience.
We look forward to seeing Franki and Ian and the kids this week. They are in town until Wednesday.
We went to a fireside tonight. The Area President (Harris-I think) and his wife talked. It was very good. She talked about when they were in Guatemala. A missionary was transferred to a new companion and new area. He went in to the President and said he would be a companion to anyone in the whole mission-except the one he was assigned to and he didn't want to go to the new area. If he wouldn't change him, he was going home. The President talked to him and asked him to stay for one week. He finally agreed. After several days with no success, they decided to fast and pray. The next day as they went out the Elder was prompted to go back down a street they had been a day before. They knocked on a door and a lady answered. When she saw them, she screamed. To make the story short, she had seen both these young men in a dream 20 years earlier. They would come back and teach her when the time was right. Those guys were probably not even born yet when she had the dream. What would have happened if he had not relented and went where he was asked to go? The Lord acts in mysterious ways and I look forward to be one of his servants.
I love the gospel and the blessings I receive from being a member of this church. Well, I guess I better close for now. Grandpa is snoring away right now.
We will see you soon.
Love you all!
Grandma and Grandpa

The Mission call came on Oct. 14, 2011. Family and friends gathered with Jerry and Audre in Audre's office at Central Valley Machine that morning. Before opening their call, we each stated where we thought they would be serving. When it was Jerry's turn, he said that he had just had a dream that it was Ohio. Guess where they are going? Columbus, Ohio. They leave Nov. 14, 2011, and will serve as office specialists there.

We are excited for them and so grateful for their example of service.