The family is ordained of God

 

Happiness in Family Life

is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.”

~ The Family: A Proclamation to the World ~

Sara. Glen, Maci, Quin on Bailey, Gammy, Chad, Papa, Caleb, Annalea
Avri, Liz, Jody, Chandler, Colton, Annalea
Amy, Stetson, Miranda holding Neli
This is the part of our family that had Thanksgiving in San Diego at Chad and Amy's home.

Our strengthened family cultures will be a protection for our children from “the fiery darts of the adversary” (1 Nephi 15:24) embedded in their peer cultures, the entertainment and celebrity cultures, the credit and entitlement cultures, and the Internet and media cultures to which they are exposed constantly. It will help our children live in the world and not become “of the world” (John 15:19).
                                                                                                              Tom L Perry

Miranda

Our mission president encourages visits from our families.  He gave us time off to spend with them.  It was like our week "vacation".  He wants more seniors to go on missions and if others see how wonderful the mission is, more will go.  I know this visit from family helped me, lifted my spirits.

Annalea

We had lots of fun together.  It was in the 20-40 degrees in Idaho, so those from there appreciated the 60-70 degree weather during the day.  Didn't seem like Thanksgiving to them.

Stetson, Chandler and Colton on Seal Beach Pier

Miranda wrote her name in the sand and her dad added the subscript.

Then Jody tried mimicking Miranda and landed flat on his back.  Miranda added the same subscript to Jody's sand writing.

Glen, Neli, Sara
Quin, Avri, Maci
The Quigleys
They came down on Wednesday and drove back to Idaho on Saturday.  It was a FAST trip, they brought Bailey down to
San Diego.(he had basketball practice and couldn't come with the rest of his family).  We appreciate them coming.  It was so good to be together.

Miranda and Liz

We are missed at home in Idaho.
And we miss them!
 

We went one day to Knottsberry Farm and rode rides.  Of course
Papa loved this old Chevy. We watched as Miranda and Jody
rode one of the tall Roller Coasters.

On the merry go round in Knottsberry Farm

Monday was our Anniversary.  Lonnie loves to tell the
people at the restaurants that it is our special day.
They sang to us.

We went to the Discovery Science Center where they had a
special Indian Jones exhibit.  I was able to continue my calling
as mission nurse where ever we went.  I received calls in all of
the places we went.  It  was hard to hear in this place as there were
lots of kids making lots of noise.

Miranda on a bed of nails.

 

Miranda wanted to see the San Diego Temple.  It was closing for Thanksgiving, but we were able to sneak in for a couple of quick pictures.  We were on our way to Chad's house for Thanksgiving Dinner.

 

Chad deep fried 2 turkeys.  Stetson, Colton  and Avri helped season the bird. 

 

There were somewhere around 40 people for our Thanksgiving Dinner.
We were able to visit with the Elders in Chad and Amy's ward.
Chad is the Ward Mission Leader(Amy is a good support and is in the Relief Society Presidency).  He had some people
who are taking the missionary discussions to dinner.  We were
able to share our testimonies.  There were some people from South Africa there
visiting that we enjoyed talking with.

Avri(as a missionary-she has Amy's missionary tag on)

Maci as a Missionary

 

Cousins

Enjoying the warm weather.

Bailey likes to make people laugh.

 

We made pillowcases for Christmas for all the grand kids.  They opened their presents while at Chad's.
We did not play any of our usual Christmas Games, but we did play 5 Crowns and Mexican Train.
 

Quin is using his pillowcase as a sleeping bag.  It is his new "favorite blanket".

 



Glen and Sara getting ready to leave

Jody, Bailey, Liz, Miranda, Stetson on Signal Hill, The Pacific Ocean is in the background, but it is too hazy  to see.

 We were able to go to Chad's work and see some of the dolphins that he works with.  The family was able to touch ("pet") them and they took turns giving the dolphins "high five's" and feeding them fish.  Chad's work is very intriguing.  He showed us where he draws blood for samples to make sure the dolphins stay healthy.  They "talk" to him and performed for him.  We are not allowed to post pictures which is too bad as I had many very good pictures.  We will be obedient.



Neli, may we all appreciate the wonders of life!

Near the end of his life, one father looked back on how he had spent his time on earth. An acclaimed, respected author of numerous scholarly works, he said, ‘I wish I had written one less book and taken my children fishing more often.’ Time passes quickly. Many parents say that it seems like yesterday that their children were born. Now those children are grown, perhaps with children of their own. ‘Where did the years go?’ they ask. We cannot call back time that is past, we cannot stop time that now is, and we cannot experience the future in our present state. Time is a gift, a treasure not to be put aside for the future but to be used wisely in the present.”
                                                                                                               Thomas S. Monson
 

I pray that my children and grandchildren all realize how much we love them and are thankful for the time we were able to spend with them!
They  have all made it home safe and sound, and we are back to work.  We visited a set of elders to take care of medical issues soon after they all were gone home.                                                                                                   

"Week in Review"

      When my kids were young (like in the 1980's)  for Family Home Evening, we would keep a notebook with who did the Scripture, Prayer, Lesson and snacks, then after all that, we would write the "Week in Review".   It is so fun to read now what we thought was important to very young kids.  Well this week has been VERY BUSY (nothing new) so I thought I would include a "Week in Review".

      Sunday there was church, ward choir, stake choir and the Departure Fireside.  The Elders and Sisters that are going home this transfer, bear their Wonderful Testimonies.  It is impressive to see how they grow over the time that we have been here.  There are also special musical numbers by our talented Elders and Sisters.  They do a wonderful job.  There are investigators and new converts and members that have been influenced by the leaving Elders and Sisters.   It is a very spiritual meeting.  

 

Some of our Elders at the departure fireside.  There are refreshments
after the meeting so everyone can visit and wish the leaving  ones
farewell.

On Monday, after work we had 5 of our missionaries over for dinner.  They are the missionaries in our ward, the day before transfers.  They gave a wonderful spiritual message.

 



Sister Bradshaw, Sister Scott, Elder Williams, Elder Carter, Elder Tolman, Elder McOmber

     
     Tuesday we worked all day.  It was transfer day. We get new Elders and Sisters also. There were 4 Visa Waiters as well as our new ones.  It is always a busy day.  Then there was Relief Society meeting in the evening.  I made a huge pot of minestrone soup, which seemed to be liked.  We had a service auction.  Elder McOmber left the motor home keys in the car, so he was locked out.  I left the meeting early.  I wanted an apron,and left my points with a friend.  I guess everyone wanted that as I did not have enough points. 
     Wednesday, Elder McOmber helped move 2 sets of Elders. We cleaned and organized the office in preparation of the Mission Tour by one on the Quorum of the 70.  
     Thursday, Elder and Sister Porter came to Tour our mission.  They did some apartment inspections.  Since we have been checking apartments, we hoped the Elders had kept up the "Cleanliness is next to Godliness".  ( there were 3 devotionals for each of the Zones).  We had an office devotional.  Elder and Sister Porter are very down to earth and personable. He told us that as the numbers of missionaries increase, we need to make sure the missionaries can feel of our spirituality, it will bless their lives.  He said that it no  matter what level pf spirituality you are on when you start your mission, you will be better at the end of the mission.
     Sister Bubert, our mission president's wife talked about the fishes and loaves from the New Testament.  Jesus can multiply our talents just like the loaves and fishes.  The church makes ordinary people great.We need to run to Jesus like the people did then. 
    President Bubert said "This is the happiest place on the just don't forget to tell your face".  He also talked about being led by the spirit.
      Sister Porter Talked about serving with all your heart. Have the light of Christ on your countenance. 
       Elder Porter is awesome with the scriptures.  He spoke on the 3rd lesson in Preach my Gospel, "The Gospel of Jesus Christ".We don't earn our salvation, we have to qualify for it.  As we have faith in Jesus Christ, His strength will be with us.

Sister and Elder Porter

Some of our Elders at the Zone conferences.

      Friday, the office had a luncheon with the Porters. It was yummy Hawaiian Bar B Que. 
      Saturday, Chad brought his trailer up.  Annalea, Chandler and Colton are spending the next 4 days with us.

 Liz, Jody, Miranda and Stetson came down for the Thanksgiving vacation.  I am so thankful that they had a safe drive here.  It was 13 hours drive.  Of course, it was raining when they got here.

Colton, Chandler, Caleb

Annalea and Miranda

Colton and Stetson

I have had many phone calls from my Elders and Sisters, it is the beginning of cold season....

This is a picture Sister Reynolds (works in the office) gave me...I am going to use it in a presentation.

   I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and remember from Whom all our blessings come.  I certainly am thankful for much!!!  I plan on telling Him tonight in my prayers.

Winter.... Happiness, it is all a choice

 

"Happiness is a choice, I am reading my scriptures and praying more and I am happier, I choose to be happier."

Miranda Page, our 16 year old granddaughter 

 

A quality life is God's greatest wish for us. Life is to be lived well in whatever circumstances we find ourselves. There should not be a waiting period." ♥ #positivethoughts. also from Miranda's Facebook 

 

Miranda and  her cousin Quin(both our grandchildren)

I was able to talk with Randa while waiting for Papa (Elder McOmber).  He was in a priesthood meeting.  Randa really touched my heart with her attitude.  She sets such a good example for all of us!  Sara said she was a big help to her during Halloween also.  Way to go Randa!!  I used her as an example when I bore my testamony.

     Today, I overheard, while shopping, someone say that it feels more like winter than autumn.  ???? It is 60 degrees and windy, how is that more like winter?  I guess it is like our attitudes, they just depend on where you are coming from and we all have a choice how to see the world.  Earlier this week it was 93 degrees here and it snowed in Idaho.... which sounds like winter to you?



From our mail this week.  Maci, Avri, Quin and Neli sent these to decorate our office. There is a cute poem about it being their hands and feet.  Can you tell which one is Maci's(the oldest)?  I forgot the poem, I was going to quote it, but they are at the office, sorry.

Elder McOmber drives around our mission a lot. He is driving the mission truck here.  It was the rainiest day since we have been here.   He shops for supplies for the new apartments, checks out new apartments, picks up and drops off Elders at the airport, transports bikes, beds, etc..  He is a good chauffeur and doesn't seem to mind driving in the traffic.  I am happy being the copilot.

Elder McOmber showing some elders their new apartments.  He is good at talking to them about keeping them clean, checking out of their old apartments, keeping the electric bill lower, etc.  He is a good jack of all trades and will do anything anybody needs done even build bookshelves, fix bikes, etc. He talked at a baptism last Sunday and did a very good job!
The Elders all seem to like him and respect his knowledge.  He will horse around with them, but then will work right alongside of them,  getting them to do more. 
One elder called this week disappointed that we have not checked cleanliness at his apartment because he has scrubbed EVERYTHING!  He will be moved this transfer and we told him we will give him credit for the hard work.  He also encouraged those in his district to keep their apartments clean--YAAAA!  Cleanliness is next to Godliness!

A Pretty sunset

When we went to the Airport to pick up a new elder, Elder McOmber saw this "Maserati".  I would have walked right past it, it is just like any other car, but he told me it is "very expensive".  He tells me all the cars on the road and he has owned more than half of them I think.

I help the Elders from Mexico with the paperwork for Immigration-Childhood Arrival.  It is a pain--government paperwork.  The families have to do a lot before it gets to me. My only problems was that the Elder's family wrote the instruction in Spanish.  He had to help interpret them.   These are wonderful Elders!!

Elder McOmber at the laundry area.  We make a good team, he washes and dries the clothes and I clean house.  He is tired of me moving stuff around.  I keep thinking  of a better, more organized way to have things in my kitchen. 

Maci turned 11 on Thursday, November 8th, and was surprised to get her very own cell phone!  She even cried she was so happy!  Someday she will realize that they are what Chad calls an electronic "tether".   You can't get away from them.  What did we do before cell phones?  These kids will never know!

Me getting my hair trimmed.  Karin is a very sweet person.