"What do you do all day?"

Coyote near our campground, out in broad daylight.

I had an elder ask me "What do you do all day?"
 Let me see....
     I answer the phone all hours day and night from Elders and Sisters and answer their medical questions,  most calls are between 7 AM and 10 PM. Some days I have had as many as 50+ phone calls and others I have only had 2.   I research any problems that I don't know the answers for.  I have to chart all conversations with missionaries on the computer in Missionary Medical.  I find information such as stretching exercises, info on their problems and send it to them.  I feel the more informed they are, the better they will take care of themselves. 
     Elder McOmber and I inspected apartments three days this week. This is the second time around during our mission. We can see about 6-10 apartments in one day.  We have 70 apartments.  Some weeks the elders are too busy and we can not get out to see their apartments.  Some of our inspections are "surprise visits".  Please teach you children how to clean house.  There were some apartments that were 4-5 out of 10 (we rate them) and Elder McOmber teaches them how to clean and keep clean.  It is nice to go out and see that some of them followed his instructions.  There are some apartments that have cockroach problems and it is no wonder.  We spend extra time teaching in those apartments.
     I prepare power point presentations and articles for the newsletter.  The subjects usually go with what I have had the most calls about.  My next power point will be "Oh my Aching....." and talk about all their body parts that ache.
     I help at the office, Elder McOmber fixes bikes, cars, vacuums, dressers, builds bookshelves, helps open new apartments, moves the Elders, inventories storage sheds,  assists the other elders in the office.  Our bishop here even called him to ask about an electrical problem he had at his home. 
     We attend Zone conferences, some district meetings and Farewell firesides as well as many other meetings. 
     In the mornings we exercise, I don't want to encourage the Elders or Sisters to do things I am not willing to do, so we get up at 0545 and exercise. 
     We stay very busy, probably busier that if we were home working full time.  We usually get back "home" to our motor home around 5-7 PM.  We study our scriptures, personally and read to each other.  We have finished the Book of Mormon in 78 days.  We sometimes study Preach My Gospel. 
     We have visited a nursing home, single sisters and their families that the Elders are not allowed to visit and others in our ward.
     Yes, a mission is hard work, but sooooo worth it!!!! 
     We could not do it if we did not have family that is helping to take care of things for us also!!  We appreciate them so much!

Annalea and "Kat"

This is Chad's work.  He works with marine mammals for the military.  He swims with the sea lions and dolphins.  We did not see it this time, but will if we ever make it back down again. This is his family.

Colton and Chandler

Annalea and Caleb

    Today, Chandler and Colton are singing in a Stake Choir that Chad says "will make you cry, Mom."  Our mission president gave us permission to come to San Diego (less than 2 hour trip) to hear our grandsons sing in the choir.  I have kleenex all ready!!  
Have a great day!

The same moon is over all of us!

Hasn't the moon been beautiful this week!!

Three different shots on different days all around the campground.

 

This is over a softball field.  The campground is on the left.

This week Elder McOmber and myself finished the Book of Mormon in 90 days(actually it was about 78 days.)  The stories make more sense and we understood it alot better reading it outloud to each other and we could discuss what we read.  It was awesome.  I highly recommend everyone reading it, whether fast or slow.  It contains the Words of God. It will help you in your life.   Our mission President challenges all missionaries to read it in 90 days, we accepted and accomplished.

Elder Warburton gave Elder McOmber this remote plane.  One evening he tried it out and crashed it.  It has been glued, but have not had time to try it again.  He said he got it up for a "little bit".  I did not see.

     This is Elder McOmber's cat, Buddy.  With Lonnie's ADD, he feels that the cat helps him (and me).  The cat was rescued from Leisure World and we think he was abused.  He has been declawed on all 4 paws, so doesn't even want to escape, but does like his outdoor perch that Elder McOmber made for him.
     This week we helped a Sr couple move out of their apartment(they were going home);  helped Elders move to a new apartment; took Elders to Urgent Care and checked apartments for cleanliness.  One of the Elders that we moved, Elder Ulu(Samoan), likes to call Elder McOmber, Buddy.  We had one elder in the ER with a possible appy and another with a broken arm from a bicycle accident.  There were 2 bicycle accidents this week.  One of our cleanliness checks was a "suprise visit" per the pres.  They were surprised and needed to be checked out.  It was dirty and had a bad cockroach problem(Go figure)!  They all get my "mom" lecture...."If you keep it up, it isn't as hard to keep clean.  If you let it go, it takes alot longer to clean."  and "a place for everything and everything in it's place."  I also tell them how Elder McOmber and myself work together to clean and do laundry/dishes/etc.  I tell them that their future wives will like it better if they keep things clean and work together.  They usually like that idea.  (of a future wife, at least).  Some of the elders can keep their apartments awesome.  We are going to try to figure out a way to reward the ones that keep their apartments nice.

Last night, I needed a break.  It was our P day, so we went for a ride down by the ocean.  These are some pictures I took.

The Queen Mary

Elder McOmber found this "TV prop".  It is a 50 year old EKG machine.  I would be afraid that it would electrocute someone if we tried to use it.  He finds the strangest things and brings them home.  We only have so much room,  what do I do with this???   Jami says she wants it (she used to be an EKG tech before she became an RN.)
(she says I am suppose to say, "she is my favorite daughter", but all my daughters are my favorites--they all are awesome! so is my son!) 

Happy First Birthday, Neli!

We went to the Newport Beach Temple yesterday.  We try to go once a month.  I needed the calming, spiritual experience we receive at the Temple.  It helps me regain  perspective!

Today is Neli's First Birthday, this is the hardest time to be away from home, we miss all the family parties!
 

Her theme has been "Lady Bugs" so Sara made LOTS of lady bug cupcakes and a ladybug cake. 
This is Neli and cousin, Stetson

But thank goodness for Skype.  Lets see, how many people can get around Glen and Sara's comput to Skype Gammy and Papa.  Quin, Miranda, Jami, Cheyenne, Maci, Avri, Bailey, Kingson, Kamy, Stetson, Neli and that is not all that came in and out of our Skype.  Made me feel better.
  (Sara sent me this photo on the phone as we were skyping)

This week I mostly worked in the office as Elder McOmber needed to finish the Sr. Sister's apartment.   We all painted it last week and he was finishing setting it up and helping some Elders this week.  I kept track of a "usual" day and had more than 50 phone calls/texts with our Elders and Sisters for "medical issues".  I did not count the Elders and Sisters I saw at the office.  Some days it is slower, some even busier.  I also prepared my next power point for Zone conference on "Oh my aching....."  We will discuss some remedies for what is "aching".
 A big highlight this week, for me, was that once, all other 8 people at the office were busy, so I answered the phone.  The person asked to speak with the President.  He happened to be there (he spends alot of time out in the field with our Elders and Sisters).  I asked who was calling, he said "Elder Perry".  I told the Pres. that "Elder Perry is on the phone for him," he asked, pointing up,  "THE Elder Perry?"  I said it sounded like him.  Come on....there are probably hundreds of "Elder Perry's" in our church, it was probly the Elder Perry in our stake.   The Pres. assured me later in the day, yes, it was   "THE Elder Perry" of the Quorum of the Twelve.  How cool!  I should have wished him a belated birthday, he just turned 90 years old and is awesome! We always think of what we could have said later.

Farewell dinner at  Pres and Sister Bubert's home once each transfer.  This is Sister Fielding from Indiana.It is amazing how we have come to love all the missionaries.  It is a sad and happy time.  Sad to see them leave, happy they can go home and continue on with their lives.  I tried to talk her into going into nursing, she just might.
 

Continuation of: "Things that make me smile or at least go....Hummmmmm"

• Pretty sunsets
• Nuns playing softball in the park

• Grown Navy men playing kick ball,  Elder McOmber asked to play, but I told him "no" and they did not seem anxious to have him join.  I have not seen anyone play kickball since my kids were in elementary school.
• 
• Our mission president helping in the painting of an apartment.  He owns a construction business in Utah and misses it.  So Elder McOmber, myself, President Bubert, and 4 Elders cleaned and painted an apartment one day. Elder McOmber replaced fixtures.  He is such a handyman!
• Jami's phone call.  She makes me smile.  Only she could have an "entertaining" interview for a position!  Phone calls from all my kids and grandkids make me smile. 
• Gas at over $4.00/gallon--this is not a smile item!!!!!!
• Lonnie arguing with the TomTom(GPS).
• President Bubert told me I was instrumental in finding some people for baptism.  At our first zone conference, my presentation was on drinking enough water, it was June, just the beginning of summer and the heat was getting bad.  It gets hotter the farther inland you go.  Two sisters "really had to go to the bathroom" after following my instructions.  They were walking, knocking on doors.  They were able to go to a part member family's home after several unsuccessful attempts at member's homes.  They found out the reason the children were not baptized was not an issue anymore, so they were able to teach them and the Dad is very interested, but "taking his time."  The Lord works in mysterious ways and His work will go forth.

• 

  Chandler, Colton, Annalea, Gammy and Caleb, Amy and Chad

• Having family come visit.  Chad and family only live 1 1/2 hours away, but we have not gotten together because we both have very busy schedules.  They came up for the day yesterday and we had alot of fun playing Ladder ball, flying kites, and going to the beach. 
• 

  

  Caleb

  

  Colton and Chandler

  

  Caleb and Annalea

Chad and Annalea swam a long ways out to a bouy. 

• Lonnie and I went with some members of our ward on a sailing boat.  Our mission president said that we should "go have fun".  I almost feel guilty, but it was very relaxing and fun!.. Another couple from our mission joined us as well.  It was a 38' sailboat.  We did not put the sails up, but each of us were able to steer the boat.  The Butler's, retired, live in their boat when they are in CA.  They have a home in Virginia, but stay a few months of the year here visiting family.  I did not get one call from "my" Elders or Sisters!

• 

  Brother and Sister Butler with me at the Helm.

   

Elder McOmber "driving the boat" in the Pacific Ocean.

That is the boat behind us.



 

 



Things that make me smile....or at least go Hmmmmmm

This has been a week of smiles and a few Hmmmmmm's.  Here are a few:

• Giving a talk about the gift of the Holy Ghost in a baptizm for a very nice couple, Anthony and Diane Sosa, yesterday.  They are "people of size" and had 3 Elders assist with the baptisms.  The were so cute, looking at each other during the talks, shaking their heads yes to the things said. 
• Seeing a new convert of 2 weeks just glowing.  She is Lori Page.  She was a heavy smoker and received a blessing, then just gave up cigarettes.  She had the faith that the blessing would help and she has now gone 1 month without a cigarette and she says she doesn't even want one.  She apologized to the missionaries that she had only read the first book of the Book of Mormon that first week of teaching.  She prayed for the missionaries' future wives in one of her prayers.  She is awesome!
• Visiting a nursing home
• Visiting single sisters and their kids, in our ward
• Finding some of the elders and sisters had listened to our teachings on keeping their apartments clean and neat.  It will be easier to keep up, if they do it regularly, and they will feel the Spirit  more if they just keep it clean.
• Finding some elders who were embarrassed because they did not clean their apartments.  We told these elders we were coming, but the President wants us to do some surprise visits, also.
• Finding a Winco grocery store about 20 miles away, still in our mission!
• Finding a NICE Walmart only 7.4 miles away.  Most of the Walmarts are not as nice as we have in Ammon and Idaho Falls.
• Hearing the National Anthem every morning at 0800 over a loud speaker as the American flag is being raised.
• Hearing the Navy taps every evening as the flag is being lowered for the night.
• Elder McOmber sharing the Gospel with everyone he meets, in the laundry  (he does the wash while I clean house), in stores, on the street, everywhere...he loves to talk so this is perfect for him.

• Elder McOmber's new stress relief,  Buddy.  He loves cats and really was missing them.  There are not many cats around and he is particular, he has to have a siamese.  I told him that if he could find one, not too expensive, he could get one.  I should never give him the challenge.  One had just come in  at the pound near us and they just happened to be having a 1/2 price sale on adult cats during the month of August.  Buddy was sick when we first got him, so they took him back, put him in the hospital for 4 days, did a HUGE workup, found nothing, but made him well with IV's and antibiotics and gave him back to us for no extra charge.  The reason cats are not seen around here is the coyotes.  They love to eat cats, so they are strictly an indoor pet.  Buddy had been declawed so he is prefect in the motor home. Elder McOmber is making a pet door/outdoor perch for him.  Will send pictures when it is done.  He fixed a gate for them, as well.
• Watching wildlife.   I saw my first coyote.  I have heard them many times, but this is the first I have seen.  We watched two hawks watching over a nest.  There is an owl that hoots every evening, bunnies and ground squirrels galore.  We watched different heron in the marsh 50 yards away and in the trees 30 yards away. 

 

• Answering the phone at the office  "Labor and Delivery, may I help you".
• Hearing the military men singing cadence at 0500 for PT in the morning (not every morning)
• Feeling my first earthquake on August 8, 2012.  The windows creaked in the office and those of us sitting down could feel it.  Elder McOmber was standing and did not feel it, but saw things moving.
• An Elder asked "What do you do all day?"    (hahaha--I will tell you all in another blog)
• Skype and text messaging with my family

Ther were more than 40 wind surf sails in one area on Seal Beach.

• Driving along the beach as we go to Elders apartments.  We like watching the wind surfing.
• 
  Picnic lunch or supper between Elder's visits.
• Yes we are blessed! 
 
• 



I am EIRMC

Saturday, at 0500, I received a call from Ressha at EIRMC Labor and Delivery.  I wanted to jump up, throw my clothes on and rush in to work.  Only thing is, I am over 1,000 miles away.  Made me homesick for my friends and work that I love.  Not that homesick, though.  There is a difference in being on call here, answering questions and offering advice and being on call for Labor and Delivery.  I am on call for the Lord here. There is an urgency there that we do not have here.  Besides, it would take me forever to get to work.  You see, traffic here is awful.  Where do all these people have to go??  I guess Ressha had a wrong number listed for a new nurse--it was my husband's phone number.  I do appreciate talking to my friends!

Traffic in the middle of the day

Traffic in the evening, that is the "fast lane" to the left.

Last week Lonnie and I, on our "P" day, went to the International Quilt Festival in Long Beach.  Wow!!It was awesome.  Made me want to get my sewing machine out and start sewing.  We took a picture on my phone of me at the festival, but I can not figure out where the SD card is on my phone.  I have been told that once we have been on the mission for 4-6 months, we will settle into a routine and I should  able to do some sewing.  We met a Dr and his wife at the Quilt Festival that had been on a similar mission(he was an Area Medical Advisor).  He said eventually things will settle down.  We will see.  Visiting the Elder's and Sister's apartments is a full time job. 
Elder McOmber keeps very busy as well.  He helps them move, fixes anything that needs fixing, takes beds down, watches out for the safety of the Elders, teaches how to clean their apartment, he is awesome.  Of course, he does not like sitting still so he will find things to keep him busy!

We have tomatoes growing on our plants in pots!!!