Keep on keeping on.

 Elder and his footed pajamas.

"So much in life depends on our attitude. The way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference. To do the best we can and then to choose to be happy about our circumstances, whatever they may be, can bring peace and contentment."Thomas S. Monson, "Living the Abundance Life", Ensign, January 2012

Sorry it will not let me import it the right way--smile, you get to turn sideways to read this. Thanks Chad, this goes right along with our blog this week.

I have put a lot of pressure on Elder McOmber, but he is so patient with me.  This week we have continued to inspect Elders' and Sisters' apartments.  It is a fun job, but I am always saying, time to go.....and it doesn't mean that he comes with me right then.  The biggest problem is that I schedule the appointments every 1/2 hour including travel time.  Elder McOmber loves to teach and talk--you all know that.  Sometimes it is hard to keep him on track. We don't want to take too much time away from the Work the Elders and Sisters are doing.   We are doing one zone each day.  Tuesday was our hardest day with 12 apartments in Whittier, the furthermost part of our mission.  We could not stay on schedule, thank goodness the Elders and Sisters are very forgiving.  I could see that we were running behind and texted them so they could keep on working. (I love modern technology!) The elders sometimes need a ride as we have taken up their travel time with our inspections.  We made it.  We have completed 58 of the 73 apartments.  We will finish this round of checks this week.
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 Elder McOmber has taught that the blue Windex takes spots off of the carpet

I teach  "Make Minutes Matter".  If they have 5 minutes, they can get one or two spots up.  They do not have to eat the whole elephant (all the spots on their floor) at once. 

Elder Ulu is standing on a chair.  Elder Hjorth is really taller.  These are just a couple of our happy elders.  They make me smile. 
One Elder called me this week and said that he set off the smoke/carbon monoxide detector when he went to the bathroom.  I laughed so hard.  I told him to reset it and if it did not go off again, it had to be him setting it off.



Elder McOmber also teaches how to take care of Teflon pans, too many are being ruined because they do not know how to cook and wash them.  It is good that they are cooking!  He also discussed how to wash their clothes: whites vs colors, how to keep shirts white.  He checks their vacuums and teaches how to clean the filters.  They are all receptive to his teaching.  It is amazing how word gets around also, by the end of the day the vacuums are cleaned out before we get there-they have a system of passing on information to each other. 
I check on their health.  There has been many sick with a stomach bug and cold.  This last P day was very hard on everybody--many rolled ankles, hurt knees.  We had a couple of bike accidents and there was one broken arm that the cast came off this week.  We took 3 pair of crutches out this week, 2 P day and 1 bike accident.  I do teaching also  I believe in preventative medicine. 

Today was our P day.  Lonnie and I went to Gene Autry Museum in Los Angeles.  Veteran got in free.  It is so nice that so many businesses recognize the sacrifice that being in the military has been.

Lonnie loved all the old western shows'  memorabilia.  There were many guns also.  He was in heaven.
 

The original clothes of the Lone Ranger.  We watched that show every week as kids.

This was a movie simulation for kids, there were none around so I made Lonnie get on the saddle and took pictures of the TV screen of him "riding" with the cowboys. I wasn't quick enough to get a picture of him with  John Wayne.

Out side the museum, there were Indian dancers practicing for a show they are preforming  tomorrow.  It was impressive watching them.

They did a winding snake dance like the Posse does with horses.

We are blessed on our mission, even though everything does not go like we want or plan.  I am thankful that the Lord is in charge and knows what is best for us.  He knows we are trying our hardest.  We pray for our family--we miss you so much. 
Here is a recipe that is super easy.  I made it for Christmas and Lonnie would not let me put it on the plates of goodies (yes, I gave in and made a few--not 50 plates like at home. and they were smaller).  He likes them so much, I made him another batch today and he got into them before I could cut and wrap the pieces.

Caramels
1 cup Butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
1 cup corn syrup
1 can sweetened condensed milk
Melt butter, mix in sugars and milk, stir.  Microwave on high for 13 minutes.  Remove, stir, pour into 9x13" pan that has been greased(Pam spray OK).  Cool in fridge, Cut into bite size pieces, wrap in wax paper.   Very easy!!
Love You All!!!!