A Big Surprise!





A Lighthouse near the Korean Friendship Bell.

A lady drove up to our parking lot and handed a book that she saw on the ground, being thrown away.  She thought we might like to have it.  Elder McOmber happened to be the one she handed it to.  It is a 18l67 Holy scriptures Translated and Corrected by the Spirit  of Revelation by Joseph Smith JR , the seer published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  He is so excited. He called about donating it to the Church.  It is not in the best condition, but is impressive.

My family means everything to me--all of them!!!

The Importance of the Family

L. Tom Perry   April 2003 General Conference
In a world of turmoil and uncertainty, it is more important than ever to make our families the center of our lives and the top of our priorities. Families lie at the center of our Heavenly Father’s plan.

I knew that my brother was coming to visit me on Thursday, but he ended up coming on Wednesday. When he got to the office, I saw him at the door and gave him a hug, but then Elder McOmber said someone had been hurt out in the lobby.  I walked out there and........screamed, crying and hugging my sister from Upstate New York---A TOTAL SURPRISE!!!  It was wonderful, I am rarely surprised like that. 

We did some sightseeing on Thursday.  We went to Signal Hill.



And the Korean Friendship Bell.  This totem is by the Bell



Cindy, Kathy and Bill--the "Bailey Kids"
Cindy and Bill both cut their hair short to make me feel better.  I am starting to get "peach fuzz". 

We went to Cabrillo Aquarium.

Friday Lonnie and Bill went to a Hot Rod car show while Cindy and I went to a quilt show.  This is Lonnie with a race car driver.

We were able to go out to eat with some gift certificates that we got for Christmas.  It was so special to spend time with my brother and sister that we don't see very often.  We talked a lot of about our growing up and family life.

Today we went to the Nethercutt Collections Tour.  We saw 250 restored cars, orchestraels, music boxes, and the many collections they had.  It was fun.

.  "You can make a huge difference by being a defender of the family and letting those around you know that “the family is ordained of God. It is the most important unit in time and in... ...the importance of the family to the eternal plan of happiness....  "    
Brittany Beattie
March 2012 New Era

Life's a Test. What would a Holy Person Do?

"We know this mortal life is a test. But because our Heavenly Father loves us with a perfect love, He shows us where to find the answers. He has given us the map that allows us to navigate the uncertain terrain and unexpected trials that each of us encounters. The words of the prophets are part of this map."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "You Can Do It Now!"

We like to read books out loud to each other.  I recently read Wendy Nelson's book, What Would a Holy Woman Do?  to Elder McOmber.  We recommend it.....What would a Holy Person Do?

 This week has been very eventful week.  We were able to take some missionaries to the Los Angeles Temple on Tuesday early in the AM.  Lonnie and I were able to be the witness couple.  It was wonderful.  It was the first time I had been back to the Temple since starting Chemo.  I was able to wear a white hat that I crocheted.  It looked like I had a snowball on my head, but it did the job.  It is the only snowball around here.  It was in the 80's (degrees) all week this week.  Seems like summer.

Some of our wonderful  Elders, we gave two of them a ride in our car.  We could not fit all four in our small car.  There is a very special feeling being in the Temple with our missionaries. 
Tonight was our Stake Conference, when we walked in early to get a "good" seat, the missionaries of LBE Stake were practicing a special number.  I was so touched to see them all up there singing......then they asked us to come up and join them.  It was good, but more fun watching them.



We went down to the beach, again the first time in a long time.  I can tell the chemo is  wearing off, although we both can still smell it on me. 

 

We tried to get a picture of us together with the palm trees behind us.

These elders gave Elder McOmber a bicycle award. He has a name badge for each of them mounted in the Bicycle shed.  They each helped in building it.

I felt good enough to start exercising.  This is on my morning walk.  Exercise helps us feel better mentally, emotionally, spiritually and esp. physically.  I am happy to get back to regular exercise.

Elder McOmber and some Elders are moving  furniture.  They all love giving service!



These are the sisters that have worked at the employment center in our mission.  They are full time missionaries.  The sister on the left is just finishing her mission.  We had a Senior couple dinner at the President's home and   it was interesting the stories she told about experiences she had on her mission.  It is impressive how the Lord loves and provides for each one of us!  She told of a homeless man that they helped get a job.  He always talked about his angels that saved him when he was ready to end his life. (He was not a member) Several months later she saw him when he spoke at Stake conference.  He had really turned his life around and those angels he kept talking about were two of our sister missionaries. 

 For those of you that know Russ and Joann Baker in the Los Alamitos Ward here in the CLBM, Russ has had a stroke and is not expected to live.  He was the greeter at the door, sitting in his wheelchair at church every Sunday.  He is going to get the Melchizedik  Priesthood tomorrow.  They just recently got their Temple recommends and were looking forward to going to the Temple in February.  For those of you who don't know them, he joined the church a little over a year ago.  They have been faithful members and it has not been easy for them as they both have physical challenges.  They have always been so giving to our missionaries, taking them out to eat, buying them pies, taking them to Dr.'s  appointments.  They are good friends.

 

The Lord's way is the only way for us to experience enduring happiness. His way brings sustained comfort to our souls and perennial peace to our homes."

Russell M. Nelson, "Decisions for Eternity"



 

Strong Testimonies

 

This is about 30 feet from our motor home.  It is during high tide.

    

"May we give as the Savior gave. To give of oneself is a holy gift. We give as a remembrance of all the Savior has given."  Thomas S. Monson, "The Real Joy of Christmas"

     Elder McOmber sets the perfect example of giving of oneself!  I am so thankful that he has such a strong testimony and is willing to give of himself!  The missionaries like to call him when they need help  with their apartments or bikes. (fixing things)

He is fixing a Sister's brake cable here. 

 His desk looks pretty good compared to last week(we can see it this week).  I don't understand how he can find anything, but he usually does.  He is talking to missionaries that need beds.  They are moving from member's homes to an apartment.

Elder McOmber  has worked long and hard to finish the bike shed.  It looks very nice.  Here Elder Taylor is helping him with the rain gutters (with his good clothes on}.  The movie "Fiddler on the Roof" is my most favorite movie of all time. I told the Elders that helped him (and there have been many),  that as the nurse, I did not want anyone hurt on this project.  Elder McOmber did get a black fingernail from a hammer, but thank goodness, no other injuries.

 

Almost finished, just the rain gutters are being put up.  He has worked every day, except Sundays for the last month to get this finished.  Whenever the Elders could help him, he would go in.  Also President Parker, 2nd counselor to the Mission President, helped when he was able to.

Then, when Elder McOmber finally gets a day off, He works on our motor home.  The water heater has been leaking (had  crack in the side of it) and we bought a new one over a month ago.  He finally had time to fix it, thank goodness he is handy and can fix it.  But it was not a good way for him to spend his day off.  He is such a hard worker!

Elder Cockburn with another "Title of Liberty"

Elders being silly.  Elder McOmber trades ties with the missionaries.  He has them sign the ones they give him( on the back).  They all have 2 ties and are goofing around.

My office is on the other side of the wall behind Elder Van Kammen.  I love listening to the hymns they play.

 I get a quote each day from LDS.org  I love this one from this week! 

"Trust in God. Hold on in His love.  Know that one day the dawn will break brightly and all shadows of mortality will flee. Though we may feel we are 'like a broken vessel,' as the Psalmist says, we must remember, that vessel is in the hands of the divine potter."             Jeffrey R. Holland, "Like a Broken Vessel"

      I have had the initial work up for radiation treatments.  They will call me in the next 2-3 weeks to let me know when I start.  I was able to talk to the technician in radiation about what I am doing here in Long Beach.  She has a "Mormon" friend. I was able to share my testimony.  My cancer has opened areas for me to bear my testimony that I would never, ever have been able to do otherwise. 
     The effects of chemo are still taking it's  toll on me, but I am trusting God that they will wear off soon.   Boy, it will make me appreciate feeling "unbroken"!!  I read something this week about the saying "God doesn't give us more than we can handle" being false, He gives us challenges to turn to Him and trust in Him.  It helps us grow!  "God doesn't give us what we can handle, God helps us handle what we are given."  I know this is true!!!!!!

It is fixed........my computer is fixed!!





It works!

I have been playing with my computer and removed some programs that found their way onto it not that I wanted them on it, but they "volunteered".  It will now let me type.  Sorry for the confusion.  Computers have become a blessing and a headache.  I am thankful for them.  There is a lot of good that they bring.

"Above all, have faith in the Savior! Fear not! As we diligently live the gospel, we become strong in the Lord."     Robert D. Hales, "Stand Strong in Holy Places"

Elder McOmber is a good missionary.  He has given out 4 Books of Mormon in the last of couple of weeks.  One to a guard at the gate.  The guard said he was thinking of moving to Utah but was told to watch out for those Mormons.  Elder McOmber went back to take a plate of goodies and a BOM and said he could read for himself what we believe. He also gave one to Melissa, a Young Single member who is non attending.  She has decided to start reading it again.  Another book went to a neighbor who has a cousin who is LDS and she is such a saint, always bringing down a meal when I feel the worse.  She would be a great member of the ward here.  The other book, I can't remember who he gave it to. 

Elder McOmber and I have talked about whether our service is acceptable to the Lord. He works long hours and we both want to make sure that our service is acceptable. 

"As we contemplate with reverence and awe how our Savior embraces us, comforts us, and heals us, let us commit to become His hands, that others through us may feel His loving embrace."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, ""You Are My Hands""

Elder McOmber and I on Christmas day, the Queen Mary in the background.

We drove through Naples.........California.  There is a family in the boat in small kayaks.

A fountain in Naples.

An Elf helping Santa into a home.  So Cute

Down by the lighthouse and Queen Mary by downtown Long Beach.

The Long Beach sky line at sunset. 

Elders in the parking lot.  I asked Elder McOmber to get pictures of missionaries and this is one of his pictures.

Elder Dixon, an Assistant to the President went home December 31,  Elder Sturgell joins Elder Tewksbury in that position now.  This is the training session. 

This week was transfers, and we only got 4 new missionaries, one sister and 3 Elders.  It is quite a change from the times of 25-35 new missionaries.

Elder McOmber is taking pictures of nature.