News Item: July 2009 Iron Rod
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Sister Merkley and I wish to extend our sincere thanks for the warm welcome we have received from you, our fellow missionaries. We are both happy and excited to be serving here in the Oklahoma Tulsa Mission with you and are grateful for the kind way you have helped us get established in the OTM.
I have always had a fascination for the marvel of flight. As a little boy I would pretend to be a pilot flying wherever my imagination would take me. It was always so easy in my little boy mind to navigate my way through treacherous skies and accomplish my mission with ease and glory. Things were quite different, however, during my first actual flight. Though I had practiced several hours in the cockpit procedures trainer (CPT) and had become familiar with the controls and all the instruments, when the instructor started the engine and brought all those things to life at once I felt totally displaced.
The instructor taxied our T-34 Mentor to the runway, made the takeoff, and climbed us to an altitude of 6500 feet. Once established on a heading of 270 (due west) with an airspeed of 120 knots, he asked me to perform the most basic maneuver in aviation, “Just maintain altitude, heading and airspeed,” he said. In other words, just keep the aircraft at 6500 feet, heading 270 at 120 knots. Just seconds after giving me control, I found myself gaining a little altitude so I made a correction to get back down to altitude only to discover that my airspeed had dropped. I added power to get my airspeed back to 120 only to discover that adding thrust caused the nose of the aircraft to pitch up and I was gaining altitude again. I caught this fact while climbing through 6600 feet and pushed the nose over to get back down to 6500. This action caused my airspeed to go past 130 knots so I reduced power only to find that reducing power caused the nose to drop, thus losing altitude. We yo-yoed up and down like a sign wave through the sky as I desperately tried to recapture our original altitude while simultaneously hitting anywhere between 110 to 130 knots. Once I was finally able to get airspeed and altitude back under control (possible only because the instructor talked me through it), he said, ”Now take a look at your heading.” We were headed roughly 090—due east. We were headed 180 degrees away from our original heading! I thought to myself, “Will I ever be able to do this?” It just seemed to be so hard.
Fortunately, it became easier with each flight. I soloed the T-34 on schedule (lucky flight # 13) and went on to enjoy 35 years in aviation and have come away with the feeling that flying an airplane is easy when airplane and pilot are functioning properly.
Entering the mission field as a brand new missionary may be a little like that—I know it has been for Sister Merkley and me. We have had to learn new responsibilities, new procedures, navigate through a new town, learn new names and faces, and do many other things we have not done before. Some of it seems hard, and I wonder, “Will I ever be able to do this?” If you find yourself asking this question as a new missionary, a new trainer, a new district or zone leader the answer is a resounding YES! We learn and grow in degrees and the Lord has given us leaders to help teach and train us. We need to heed the righteous counsel and instruction of all our leaders. Additionally, the Lord will strengthen us through His Spirit as we seek Him humbly in prayer. The Apostle Paul found this to be true declaring, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Ph 4:13) Recognizing his own weaknesses, the great missionary Ammon said, “I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak…but …in His strength I can do all things….” (Alma 26:12)
Life’s experiences have taught me that we grow when we are tested. We are on the Lord’s errand. By virtue of being called by a prophet of God and having been set apart by one with God’s power and authority, we can be assured that we will have His help and blessing in this errand, through our faithfulness.
May the Lord bless us to be strong in faith and prayer when we feel weak, be virtuous in our thoughts and actions, and follow the directions and examples of our leaders and mentors that we may declare with Paul and Ammon, “I, [too], can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
“I Hit the Car Ahead”
A Message from your Vehicle Coordinator
Elder Bear Bowers
Hitting the car ahead is the most frequent high-severity accidents caused by missionary drivers.
CAUSES:
1. SPEED (too fast for conditions).
2. FAILURE TO PAY PROPER ATTENTION( lack of concentration)
3. FOLLOWING TOO CLOSE (tailgating).
4. FAILURE TO BRAKE SOON ENOUGH (expect the unexpected).
CURES:
1. SLOW DOWN: Consciously allow enough distance to stop
in time. Allow for bad road conditions due to weather,
heavy traffic, pedestrians, and emergency braking.
2. APPLY THE FOUR-SECOND RULE: Watch the car ahead pass
something stationary, such as a lamppost. Then count, “One
thousand and one, etc.” If you pass the same spot before you
finish counting, you are too close.
3. STAY ALERT: Keep your head up and be aware of what is
going on around the car. The co-driver should stay alert too.
4. THINK AHEAD: Expect the unexpected.
“Behold, I, the Lord, Command: and he that will not obey shall be cut off in mine own due time …” D&C: 56:3
We must be strictly obedient and this includes obeying the laws of the land. If we do so we will be blessed and have the opportunity to inherit the Kingdom of God.
BAPTISMS-MAY, 2009
(COV) Convert 22
(MD) Media Referrals: 2
(MR) Member Referrals: 18
(PM) Part-Member Family 42
(T) Tracting: 8
(Mil) Military 1
(OTM’d) 24
TOTAL 117
Member Referrals = 62
BAPTISMS-JUNE, 2009
(COV) Convert 13
(MD) Media Referrals: 0
(MR) Member Referrals 11
(PM) Part-Member 11
(T) Tracting: 6
(Mil) Military 0
(OTM’d) 12
TOTAL 53
Member Referrals = 58
Baptisms for May, 2009
Ft. Smith
Alma Rolland James Nelson
Clarksville Katherine Patrice Martin
Ruth Elizabeth Penney
Verna Mae Remick
Ft. Smith Alianna Rose Hackworth
Bonnie Ariana Herrera
Jacob Logan Jackman
Jasmine LeighAnn Jackman
Angel Lena Landert
David Lamar Matthews
Vanessa Monique Matthews
Angela Jasmine Vasquez
Sabrina Elizabeth Vasquez
Greenwood Anna Hernandez Murphy
Mena Ethan Everett Campbell
Sallisaw Clarissa Ann Blackbird
Donna Jean Buzzard
Alexander Matthew Craig
Evan Nathanual Doty
Tammy Lynn Doty
DiAnna Harrison
Destiny Rose Logan
Joplin Stake
Carthage Jennifer A. Williamson
Kaleb Jordan Wiliamson
Kamron Jordan Williamson
Joplin 2nd Albert Bentley III
Miami Karlee M. Hood Monett Timothy Mark Cox
Destiny Dawn Graessle
Kiah Rinah Norris
Neosho M.C. Throop Parsons Mary Kathleen Blake
Lance Marcus Linnebur
Nikki Jo Linnebur
Pittsburg Colby Elizabeth Caruthers
Springdale Stake
Har-Ber Amanda Wilhelmina Sample
Huntsville Allison Rae Jones
Siloam Springs Kamry Ellen Cornett
James Ryan Ronspiez
Springdale 3rd Mars. Junjun Jerry
Joe TJ Karben
Ruthann Ruthlynn Karben
Iso AJ Laninbelik
Rokko Jinnie Laninbelik Angellina Lobwij
Rogers Stake
Centerton Charity Dawn Verde
Grove Keith Allen Waters
Rogers 1st Gregory Scott Simon
Springfield Stake
Bolivar Brian William Arnold
Emma Ruth Fowler
Springfield 1st Melanie Brooke Mowery
Springfield Univ
Sarah Elizabeth Bradshaw
Alejandro Ivan Loor Stockton Leslie Williams
Willard 1st Paula Jo Branstetter
Jerald Lee Brown III
Ireta Lovelle Caskey
Willard 2nd Daniel Warren Cantrell
Roy Lowell Kester
Haley Polzin
Springfield South
Ava Shyanne Rain Sena
Berryville Christopher S. Davis
Scott Eric Jones
Marco Aurelio Mendoza Hernandez
Eddie Lee Penn Jr.
Amos Lee Stanley Jr.
DeAnn Michelle Stanley
Destiny C. Stanley
Branson 1st Ivan Alijandro Garcia
Vanessa Rubi Garcia
Branson 2nd McKenzie Nicole Wixon
Mtn. Home Maria Rosario Blount
Springfield 3rd Bethany Mary Ann Rowe
Samuel Eugene Rowe
Margie Wynema Smith
Springfield 5th Carolyn Selbie Haynes
Cobie Emerson Quinn Haynes
Rilie Nicole Haynes
St. Robert Stake
Ft Leonard Wd Kylan P. Lonowski
Lebanon Charles Vern Woodrum St. Robert Joe Elmo Eyman
Marjorie Naomi Eyman
West Plains Shesha Sharyliann Tara
Tulsa Stake
Bartlesville 1st Kassandra M. Aston
Joell D. Rose
Bartlesville 2nd Lonnie Gage Carner
Bartlesville 3rd James Lee Teves
Jenks Ginni Ka Marie Reynolds
Kristian Gayle Shepherd
New Haven Todd Allan Ansley Tahlia Gabriela Ervin
Robert Isaiah Hindman Jr.
Joshua Brian Huddleston
Nicolas Thomas Yarnell
Tamara Dawn Yarnell
Riverside Quintella Rena Brown
Victoria Shanice Platt
Imani Shante Tucker
Sapulpa Courtney Ann Dobbs
Willie Tecumseh Dobbs Sr.
James Loyal Hattabaugh
Jordan Loyal Hattabaugh
Julia Marie Hattabaugh
Shelli Rae Hattabaugh
Tulsa East Stake
Brookhollow Bao Nhia Lor
Cedar Ridge
Norman Dale Chambers Jr.
Loyel Lane Collier
Paige N. Osterloh
Claremore Isabell Louise Herle
Sarah Shannon Morgan
Cassandra Leigh Prazak
Elm Creek Mary Jane Hall
Henryetta Mary Lee Rowe
Indian Springs
Alfonso Bernard Smith Jr.
Ranch Creek Hailey Dawn Passmore
Baptisms
June, 2009
Joplin Stake
Carthage Patricia Ann Goldman
Sabrina Ann Goldman
Joplin 1st Cecil Oscar Potter III
Dana Nicole Potter
Joplin 2nd Bridget Lorene Hann
Morgan Shelby Johnson
Miami Hunter M. Haskins
Parsons DeLaina Francine Keath
Cara Cathleen Mead
Holley LeAnn Mead
Jason Ray Mead Sr.
Kurie Marie Palmer
Ricky Allen Palmer Jr.
Pittsburg Connor Jacob Spresser
Rogers Stake
Bentonville 1st & 2nd Courtney Raine Morris
Little Flock Kathryn Marie Edwards
Rogers 1st Allen Steven Boak
Dorothy Ellen Ericson
Jesus Paul Garcia Villagran Springdale Stake
Springdale 3rd Mars.
Sarine Koniske Jacklick
Angella Lobwij Trecia Jude
Springfield Stake
Aurora Engelbert Gallado Acuna Jr.
Bolivar Gideon James Walter Milam
Springfield Univ Jesse Allen Weaver
Willard 1st Daphne Maree Merrick
Ft. Smith
Clarksville Alexandra Ledbetter
Ft. Smith Brannon Lane Hackworth Springfield South
Branson 1st Brett Allan Hicks
Kimberly Rae Hicks
Dalton Lee Scott
Springfield 4th Larry Daniel Guier St. Robert Stake
Osage Beach Alexys Katherine Marie Farley
William Wessely Hollaman II
Theresa Ann Rush
St. Robert Sasha Beth Ferguson Tulsa Stake
Bartlesville 1st Hailey Joy Nicholson
Pawhuska Br Dalton Farley Fogle
New Haven James Frederick Abbott
Julie Renee Abbott
Sharon Ervin Ansley
David Michael Funk
Ashley Katelynn Vest Tulsa East Stake
Brookhollow Sylvia Diane Robichaud
Cedar Ridge Diane Jamelle Collier
Claremore Pansy Kathlean Garner
Elm Creek Deborah Duncan
Bryce Ethan Fultz
Henryetta Claudie Sherman Leeth Jr.
Mingo Valley Meagan Cochran
Red Bud Adriana Banuelos-Pena
Saladora Lizeth Carillo-Ramos
Jose Carmen Lara Belez
July Birthdays
01 Elder Gass
07 Elder Meteer
08 Elder Josephson
09 Sister Morris
13 Elder Grover
13 Elder Nelson
14 Elder Jacob M. Smith
15 Elder Nash
15 Elder Pulham
17 Elder Ashford
18 Elder Bradford Davis
20 Elder Gore
23 Elder Cosgrove
25 Elder Rittel
28 Elder Hunting
29 Sister Bowers
29 Elder Erbe
31 Elder Robinson
August Birthdays
04 Elder Whitaker
08 Elder Nevers
09 Elder Madsen
12 Elder Campbell
12 Elder Klumpp
12 Elder Tekeeua Tarati
15 Sister Day
16 Elder Ewert
16 Elder Hendricks
17 Sister Myler
20 Elder Mahoney
21 Elder Peterson
28 Elder Perry
30 Elder Keesler
Welcome President and Sister Merkley!
President Richard E. and Betty Merkley arrived in the Oklahoma Tulsa Mission on June 29, 2009. They are pleased to be here and are very excited to get to know all the missionaries.
Departing Missionaries
Elder Ian K. Anderson
Elder John F. Blair
Elder Korbin M. Blunck
Elder Zachary Cordell
Elder Jonathan Dunkley
Sister Camillia Frenzel
Elder Brody Gregory
Elder Jacob Hause
Elder Cory Hoyt
Sister Andrea Kunzler
Elder Keith M. Lashaway
Elder Brady T. Lunt
Elder Landon Nielsen
Elder Carston Mellies
Elder Benjamin Osmond
Elder Kyle J. Patterson
Elder Jonathan Richins
Elder James D. Taylor
Elder Travis Taylor
Elder Brandon Turner
Return with Honor!
New Arrivals
Elder Trenton Jay Argyle Elder Preston S. Blaylock Elder Brett M. Brostrom Elder Casey J. Call
Elder Brian L. Davis
Elder Christopher Draney Elder John D. Fender Elder Joshua Glasmann
Sister Lauren Mary Hill
Elder Talon J. Hobbs (not pictured)
Elder Joshua J. Johnson
Elder Joshua C. Keesler
Elder Brian J. Monson
Sister April Diane Moore
Elder Ethan R. Parent
Elder Conrad W. Petrick
Elder Benjamin C. Rose
Elder Jeremy T. Shaw
Elder Alec Jay Taggart
ASSISTANTS’ MESSAGE
Elders and Sisters,
“No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing.” As President and Sister Merkley have arrived, we hope and pray that each and every one of us will sustain them by word and deed. We know our cause, although positions may change, we testify that God’s cause never will. The Lord said: “Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth into singing. Let the dead speak forth anthems of eternal praise to the King Immanuel, who hath ordained, before the world was, that which would enable us to redeem them out of their prison; for the prisoners shall go free.” (D&C 128:22)
We must continue to “go forward and not backward.” The Lord’s work is one of progression; we must not “let [any] spirit of digression overcome [us].” (Hymns #239) It was Nephi who said that, “we must press forward.” (2 Nephi 31:20) Our commission was not just to try, but to do, and that’s what we, in the Oklahoma Tulsa Mission, are capable of. We have become “doers of the word, and not hearers only.” (James 1:22) Let us not just “break forth into singing” only for a time, but let us continue singing praises because of our faithfulness and diligence in conquering our goals.
Conquering our goals is a blessing, one which has conditions: “Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.” (D&C 64:34) We pray day by day that each of us may give our hearts and minds to this ever progressing cause. Our hope is that we may lay hold upon the blessing of reaching and conquering our goals. May we pray in faith everyday for 160 baptisms a month.
We Love you!
Elder Jensen and Elder Begay
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