This is Elder Charlesworth and I when we were hunkered down in the cellar a week ago. That was the day that another tornado went through OKC. It was headed straight for us but turned toward Moore again.

   We were in this bunker for a while and we were all listening to the radio to hear where the storm was heading.  We were with a part member family and it was cool because all the non members were the ones saying the prayers! The dad of the family was sitting at the top of the ladder, with the door opened so he could look out and watch the tornado coming. haha!!    ( He's an Okie.)

 I  think our disaster relief efforts were ended this week. All that is left to do in Moore is to bulldoze everything that is left. Most people have cleaned up and found all the things that they wanted or needed and now the city has a path 2 miles wide and about 10 miles long of cement slabs that need to be uncovered and someday re-built into houses.

   We have been instructed to go back to being full time proselyting missionaries. There are plenty of helpers still here though. There are tons of other churches and tons of red cross trucks and people from all over the country who are here to help. They almost have too many people for the jobs that are needed.

    Elder Charlesworth and I have been working hard this past week and have already seen the fruits of it.

Love, 

Elder Shumway

More Tornado Cleanup

 The highlight of my week this week was when Elder Rasband came to speak to our mission. He is so cool. He flew in  night and had some stories to tell about his first experience with tornadoes that night. That was the night that the mother and her baby were killed and the tornado went right  through OKC. Elder Rasband was with other leaders of the church as they tried to out run the storm in a car. Welcome to OK Elder Rasband! haha! 

   He had some great things to say to our mission. He told us that he had attended Elder Eyring's B-day party the night before, and he took some time to talk to Pres. Monson about his assignment to come to OK. Before he could say anything, Pres Monson knew what he was going to ask. President Monson knew about the devastation in Moore and he had three things for Elder Rasband to tell the members and missionaries in Oklahoma.  They were:

1) Tell them that I love them

2) Tell them that I pray for them

3) And tell them thanks for all that they are doing.

     I think it is amazing that the Prophet of God knows all the things that are going on in our lives right now. He is very aware of our situations.

     Elder Rasband also invited the state representative  to come to the last few minutes of our meeting.  Elder Rasband wanted to show him all of us (the entire mission) dressed in our work clothes (the yellow helping hands shirts).  He called us an "army of servants."  Elder Rasband demonstrated how to do missionary work in this situation. In front of all of us as he told the representative why we are all in OK and what we are doing here.  He told him "they're here to serve the people in Oklahoma".

      It was also very spiritual to see Elder Rasband and this statesman sit next to each other and share a hymn book as we all sang the closing song "Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel".    I felt the spirit very strong in that meeting. 

      After the meeting, we all went out and did Disaster Relief in Moore.

  Today I am very sore form doing disaster relief back in Norman. President Taylor has been assigning different zones to go and assist stakes and wards as they do disaster relief.  Yesterday  was the second Sunday we have had a short sacrament meeting dressed in our work clothes, and after receiving the sacrament, we have gone out to perform service work for most of the day.

  We are building up our area as well. Good things are happening.

 Love Elder Shumway

Message of Safety from President Taylor, June 1, 2013

Dear Parents: 

Your sons and daughters are safe.   Thursday and again yesterday we experienced severe storms and additional tornados in our mission area.  Yesterday’s storms were more dangerous and destructive than Thursday’s storms.  Our missionaries were never in any danger on Thursday but yesterday caused us more concern because we had missionary relief crews out working in the morning.  As is my practice, I sent the work crews home well in advance of the approaching storms so they could be near their local weather contacts and shelters.  My practice is to personally monitor the storms and alert missionaries directly and through our mission leadership.  Local weather contacts are also very helpful to us. 

Based on preliminary reports, yesterday’s storms caused substantial new damage and sadly, additional lives were lost.  103,000 homes in the City (including the mission home) are without power.  The damage, downed power lines and traffic have prevented me from communicating with you earlier this morning.   We also had all our missionaries in South Oklahoma City this morning for a meeting with Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Presidency of the Seventy.  Now all of our missionaries are out working on tornado cleanup projects for the day. 

 The safety of our missionaries is our paramount concern and priority.  We will tend to them first and inform you once I have verified their safety and tended to other priorities related to the missionaries.

We are grateful for the Lord’s protection and your prayers.  Many miracles are occurring through these events.  The Lord truly does make all things work together for the good of those who believe. 

Warm Regards, President Taylor