Footprints in the Sand

Most of the missionaries are not allowed on the beach.  We went down there to try to get these pictures.  (and Senior missionaries are special)  The President says, "Where the beach starts, your mission ends."  We don't want our mission to end yet, there is too much to do and we love our missionaries. (even though we love and miss our family).  We are almost at the 1/2 way mark for our mission and we are still learning.  Some days our responsibilities  change, but that keeps it interesting and keeps Elder McOmber's AD/HD under control (Keeping him very busy helps with that and he has been VERY BUSY.)  We love our mission and serving the Lord by serving the missionaries.

I have always loved the poem "Footprints in the Sand" and have felt that through many of the hard times and often the "not so hard times" that My Lord and Saviour has carried me through.  I would not have gotten through otherwise! Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.

Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.

In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.

Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,

other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed

that during the low periods of my life,

when I was suffering from

anguish, sorrow or defeat,

I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord,

"You promised me Lord,

that if I followed you,

you would walk with me always.

But I have noticed that during

the most trying periods of my life

there have only been one

set of footprints in the sand.

Why, when I needed you most,

you have not been there for me?"

The Lord replied,

"The times when you have

seen only one set of footprints,

is when I carried you."

Mary Stevenson

Our Stake is studying Conversion this year and I have loved finding quotes from our General Authorities about conversion.  I truly want to be like the Lord, but I have such a long way to go and it is definitely a work in progress.  I tell myself to,  "Keep working!"

"Many of our Saints don't understand what repentance really is. Repentance is more than just undoing the wrongs you've done. It's a whole change of your outlook on life. You want to think like the Lord. You want to talk like the Lord. You want to act like the Lord. You want to believe, you want to pray, you want to love the way the Lord does. And then you're converted."                                    Russell M. Nelson, "The Mission and Ministry of the Savior: A Discussion with Elder Russell M. Nelson", Ensign, June 2005

This week, Monday, I donated blood.(I try to do that every 8 weeks. I have B Neg, which only 2% of the population has, so it is needed.)  The lady that stuck me(she did an awesome job) whispered to me that she wanted to know more about my church.  She wouldn't give me her address, but I told her about families and the plan of salvation. I answered some of her questions and she said that she would look up Mormon. org.  She seemed interested, then when I went to get a drink and wait my 15 minutes, a gentleman volunteer grilled me about my conversion and my parents religion and I was able to bear testimony to him and all the others sitting at the table.  They all listened.  The gentleman has had the discussions several time in Tahiti and always helped the missionaries there.  Both people said that they were not suppose to talk about religion, but they saw my name tag and asked questions that I could answer. 

Elder Farani had surgery this week.  He is such a good missionary.  He stayed in the hospital over night for back surgery, then texted me that he was home to his apartment and wanted to go out to work.  I told him to rest.  He went out and worked, walking, all day today.  He said "as long as I am breathing, I'm good to go" then goes out to work.  Elder Mathews is in this picture also.

We had Elder Rogers and Elder Arocho over to our motor home for supper.  They had some questions about the military.  Elder Roger's father is in Iraq in the guard and Elder Arocho would like to go into the military after his mission.  We have talked to several Elders about the military.

 

It definitely is spring!   Bugs everywhere!!!!

My first ladybug.  It was on a plant at our motor home.

These snails are all over my pretty yellow-orange flowers by the front door of our office.  They cover the bushes in the morning.

Reflection of me taking a picture, you can see the flowers

Chad had a job dissecting dead Seal lions here in Los Angeles so he stopped in for breakfast on his way to his job.(He lives in San Diego).

He brought Elder McOmber Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream.  He had been on a trip to Illinois with two of his boys and picked some up on the way home. ( He loves it too.  He was able to go to all of his favorite places like Taco Cabana, Whataburger, etc.)

Chad locked his keys in his pick up, so again Elder McOmber saved the day....  See his feet sticking out of the back window.  Chad is too broad shouldered to climb through the back window.  Elder McOmber loves helping everyone.  Today we went to a Swap Meet (this is our P day) at Orange County Fair Grounds.  We stopped and Elder McOmber helped change a tire on a car for a guy that really needed help.  Lonnie refused money, but gave the guy two pass along cards and talked about our mission.

On the way home, we drove through Newport Beach and Balboa.  We stopped and saw this huge yacht.