Harvest Festival

"If life and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on what matters most."         Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Of Things That Matter Most", General Conference, October 2010

      What matters most to you?  I know that my family and the Gospel mean everything to me.  I am very thankful that we are able to serve the Lord and the wonderful Elders and Sisters in California Long Beach Mission, the best mission in the whole world.  We miss our family desperately, but we are thankful that our family is supportive of us at this time.  It helps us stay focused on our work here. 
      We were able to visit with members, investigators, newly baptized members and less active members at our ward Harvest Festival and Trunk or Treat.  We even received a referral of someone to visit at the dinner.

Sister McOmber and Fiona with her red hair braid and everything.  She was wonderful! I am a bumble bee. :)

My favorite costumes.  The twins were not too happy.  Maybe next year.

Elder Carter and Elder Williams and "Elder Dracula"

Sister Bradshaw and Sister Scott: They are fun!

 

 

We are fortunate to have both Sister and Elder Missionaries in our ward.  We have the Mission President's family and us all in Los Alamitos Ward, Long Beach East Stake.

Elder Williams and Elder Carter had a arm wrestling booth at the Harvest Chili Dinner and Trunk or Treat for our ward.  I made a huge pot of Chili.  It was fun seeing all the costumes.  Everyone was so creative.  There were Genies, Gypsies, Mary Poppins,  Jack Sparrow, Princesses, Pebbles and BamBam, Harry Potter, Hunger Games, Elvis, Running ducks, cowboys and many many more. One guy even looked like my son Chad.  (I don't think that was a costume  :)  )  Elder Carter one right handed, but Elder McOmber won left handed.
Elder McOmber standing in line with the kids waiting for banana cotton candy.
Elder Carter says Elder McOmber is a 10 year old in an adult body.

With this crowded, busy world, isn't it wonderful we can go to the Temple for peace and to commune with the Spirit.
Can you even see the Temple?  We must keep our eyes on the Temple.  This is Santa Monica Blvd.

Los Angeles Temple from Santa Monica Blvd.

We followed a Rolls Royce for about 30 miles in the "fast lane" at about 15 MPH on our way home from the Temple last week. Thought it might have been someone famous, but I did not recognize them.   It was young people in it.  It looks the same as every other car, but Elder McOmber told me it is very expensive. Elder McOmber likes to point out all the very expensive cars, and there are A LOT of them here.

This smile on ballerina, Neli Quigley, makes me smile!!
When I need a pick me up, I pull out this picture of our youngest Grandaughter and smile.
 

Faith



Bird of Paradise on the Temple grounds.  They have a field of bushes blooming.  Thought of Jami and her
love of this flower and her wedding. 

 "Strength comes when you remember that you have a divine nature, an inheritance of infinite worth. The Lord has reminded you, your children, and your grandchildren that you are lawful heirs, that you have been reserved in heaven for your specific time and place to be born, to grow and become His standard bearers and covenant people. As you walk in the Lord's path of righteousness, you will be blessed to continue in His goodness and be a light and a savior unto His people."

                                    Russell M. Nelson, "Face the Future with Faith, May 2011

We pray that we can be and do all that the Lord wants us to do!  Faith is what I have been thinking about a lot this week.  It took a lot of faith to come on a mission, but we stepped out and He helped us along. He provided people along the way---you, to help us.   Our mission calling said we would stay in our motor home, but at first we didn't think we could find a place to stay.  Finally, we found  a campground on base, thanks to Chad, that said they have a 30 day limit, but after signing in the first time, the office told us we could keep renewing each month.  Some people have lived here 4 years.  The Lord knew and had already provided a way. We just needed to have Faith. 

 This was in my scripture study this week:
1 Nephi 9:6 But the Lord knoweth all things from the beginning; wherefore, he prepareth a way to accomplish all his works among the children of men; for behold, he hath all power unto the fulfilling of all his words. And thus it is. Amen.

     He knows all, we just need to have faith.

West Coast Nettle

      I was mistaken for a nun.  I was wearing a black skirt. A girl about 18 saw my name tag and started talking about going into the convent herself.  My name tag says "Sister" and I guess she just assumed that I was a nun.  Wish I had a pass along card at that moment. It took me a few minutes to figure out what she was talking about.
     We were able to go with the Assistants to the President for a discussion to a recent convert and her husband who is investigating the church.  It was a special time for us!

Elder Carter and Elder Williams (AP's}  They are amazing, As are all our missionaries!

Elder Warburton and Elder McOmber talking at the office.  Don't they look good in white shirts and ties?  Elder McOmber has already ruined several white shirts doing good deeds.  He loves it when he has a "dirty job" so he can wear his jeans and western shirts.

We went to the temple on Friday afternoon.  It was our Stake day and it was fun to see several members that we knew.
We had a goal of going once a month, but missed September.  I really missed going.  I sat in the Celestial room and refocused on the things that are important. 

There are two scuba divers waving and playing with the
people, as well as many fish.

     Saturday after doing laundry and housework, we went to the Aquarium of the Pacific.  It is the 4th largest Aquarium in the world.  We get discount tickets at the MWR on base.  It was very interesting.  It was "Scarium of the Pacific" for kids, but it was a dark and dreary day so not too overcrowded.  I always said that I would not take pictures without people in them, but I couldn't help myself,  This was fun and a challenging photo op.


A seahorse, there were several different kinds that were very unusual.  There were ones that had leafy appendages. 

 

I loved the colors in this one.

 

We found Nemo-lots of them!

We walked in a park after the Aquarium visit.  There was a wedding, as well as Quenceanera girls having their pictures taken.  Beautiful dresses!  The City of Long Beach in the background.

No photo shoot is complete without flowers.  Chad can make fun of me now. 

Everyday Blessings

"....consider the blessings in our lives, including seemingly small, sometimes overlooked blessings, we can find greater happiness."  October 2012 General Conference, Consider the  Blessings by Thomas S. Monson
     I was thinking about my everyday blessings when the prophet said this last weekend at conference.  Made me feel good I was thinking along the same line as the prophet. (Haha) We have truly been blessed on our mission and it has been alot of the small things that do make us happy.


This is my view as I am typing this.  I can see birds fishing in the water.  Sometimes we see coyotes walking.  The owls were hooting last night.  We watch hawks dive for the ground squirrels.

• Technology is such a blessing: watching conference as it is spoken, from our computer or at the church building.  I could not write fast enough to take notes.  I loved every talk, there was not one that was my favorite--They all spoke to my heart.  I am so excited to re watch and re listen, then read all the talks, thanks to technology.  
• Computers are great for helping me to research medical questions, find clinics and doctors in our mission.  I am able to print out information for the elders and sisters to help them with their medical questions.
• Talk about blessings--I have felt the spirit guide me on more than one occasion when talking with the elders and sisters about their medical problems.  I pray everyday that I will be able to help them.  I worry about them.  On multiple occasions I have been discussing a medical problem with a sister or elder and been talking about signs and symptoms. I have felt impressed to ask a certain question, in a totally different direction and that has been the answer to their problems.  Once it was a new medication one of them had started causing some physical problems, another time it was a new elder with headache, he was used to caffeine and we are living "the higher law" and abstaining caffeinated drinks.  It happens every day and I am so thankful for the blessings I received that I would be able to help and teach the elders and sisters
• Celebrations of all kinds are always a blessing.

Sister Warburton had a birthday this week. 

 

The elder from a leadership meeting sang to her.

• Computers are wonderful to skype with my family near and far.  I can visit my family in Idaho and watch Elk hunts in Arizona (Dave Boodry's DVD) from our computer.  I was even able to visit with our son, Chad, in Montenegro on a military mission on Skype.  You can see him also if you go to YouTube and look up "US Navy Dolphins arrive in Montenegro".  He is in that video clip.
• We received pictures of Lance, Tobie's husband's military retirement as he was having his party.
• Elder McOmber's health has been very good compared to two years ago!!!  He has been able to get into the VA system here in Long Beach. 
• Elder McOmber, with his improved health has been a friend to the Elders and Sisters.  He has help many of them move.  We have closed apartments and split up apartments (when 4 elders live together--we are trying to keep them in just sets of 2)  He has helped teach them how to clean(thus get more of the deposit back), move furniture and work hard.  He works right along side of them.  One Elder asked me if Elder McOmber never grew up.  I told him "no".  Elder McOmber loves to joke and laugh with the Elders.
• Being able to live on base, where we feel safe; have wonderful neighbors that we are able to share the gospel with is a definite blessing.  I know many people want to know about "Mormons" because of Mitt Romney and it is a great way to "open the door" and talk to them about what we believe.  We have shared several Book of Mormons.  We would not be able to proselyte on base otherwise.  One of the camp hosts tells us when he goes to church(a different ward), but he isn't ready to "give up his vices yet".  We are friends.

Elder McOmber and I went for a bike ride on base.  We watched
the pelicans dive for fish.  They start by circling in the air, then dive
straight down.

•  
• Having modern medicine--we had a influenza immunization clinic yesterday. We immunized most of our elders and sisters.  Thank goodness for the blessings of modern medicine.

Yes, even I received my immunizations.
Elder McOmber could not, he has
had a reaction in the past.

• We are able to watch beautiful sunrises and sunsets.  It is dark by 1830 hrs and sometimes dark when we get home.   Did you ever notice that when there are clouds in the sky, the sunrises and sunsets are much more beautiful!  Isn't it that way in life, we always appreciate the beauty of our life when we have a few "clouds".  It makes things interesting.

Our view walking home from exercising in the morning.  One day this week we woke to
a thurnder and lightening storm.  Only the second time it has rained while here in
Southern California.  I love listening to rain on the roof.

•  We were able to go to "Navy Days" here on base on our P day.  Elder McOmber loved touring a destroyer ship.

Sister and Elder McOmber in front of the USS Sampson, a destroyer.

We are proud to be American and to have served our country.

There is a replica of a Navy ship that was sunk in front of the Destroyer Sampson that we toured.

Looking at Seal beach from the room they steer the boat(can't think of the right word).  You can see the skyscrapers of Long Beach through the palm trees. 

A cute little girl ahead of us in line-she was with her grandparents.

Elder McOmber on deck before our tour started.

                               

 

Our Name Tags

Sister and President Bubert, Myself and Elder McOmber
My name tag is under my sweater, I was cold and put it on, I will make sure my name tag shows next time!

       We are proud of our name tags,  We have not only our name but also the name of Jesus Christ on our name tags.  We pray we will always act, think and do as our Savior would want us to act, think and do.  It is interesting that no matter where we go, but especially in Walmart, people will ask us questions about the store.  I guess if you have name tags of any sort, they think you know.  This week it was a lady who did not speak much English.  I think she was Korean.  Luckily we knew and could read her hand signals well enough that we were able to take her to the right area.  That is what Jesus would do.  We love our mission.
      This week was Departures, Arrivals and transfers.  I have come to think of these Elders and Sisters as "mine" although I know they really belong to the Lord and President Bubert.  I still am a "mother hen" worrying over them and loving them.  It is exciting to watch them finish their missions, ready to go to their homes and embrace life.  We have been here long enough to know them a little better and we will miss them, but are happy for them. 
     We welcome the new elders and sisters with open arms. I remember the "wide eye" feeling coming to the mission where everything is so new.  I sound like an old pro, interesting how 4 months makes such a big difference.   Isn't it exciting that President Monson announced the ages changing to 18 for Elders and 19 for sisters?!!!!!   I wonder how that will impact our responsibilities.

Departing Elders this week

Elder McOmber always volunteers to head up the clean up squad at the departure
dinner.  He likes washing the dishes.  It is a dinner for departing elders and the Senior couples.
It is at the Mission Home.  We are able to share our testamonies with each other.

Sister Reynolds, Elder McOmber, Elder Warburton with a couple of our young
departing elders helping.

     Yesterday, our P day, as we were getting our groceries between conference and Priesthood session, Elder McOmber found a car show in front of Walmart.  There are lots of old cars here in California.  Elder McOmber has big plans for when we finish our mission--if anyone finds a 5 window '48-'52 chevy pick up, reasonably priced,  let him know.

 









   Our son in law got an elk with his bow and arrow in Arizonia, just have to show it off:  Amy with lots of meat!

This weekend  is our almost annual trip to Yellowstone Park.
Two of our daughters and their families went to carry on the tradition of listening
to the Elk bugle and sightseeing.  This was during the day.
Looks cold.  We miss them and the trip, but Sara took my place as
picture taker!

This was later the same day--the older grandkids all went swimming.  It was 34
degrees out.

Back in California and 80 degree weather.  Looks "other earthly" with the fog in the morning.