Everyday Blessings

"....consider the blessings in our lives, including seemingly small, sometimes overlooked blessings, we can find greater happiness."  October 2012 General Conference, Consider the  Blessings by Thomas S. Monson
     I was thinking about my everyday blessings when the prophet said this last weekend at conference.  Made me feel good I was thinking along the same line as the prophet. (Haha) We have truly been blessed on our mission and it has been alot of the small things that do make us happy.


This is my view as I am typing this.  I can see birds fishing in the water.  Sometimes we see coyotes walking.  The owls were hooting last night.  We watch hawks dive for the ground squirrels.

• Technology is such a blessing: watching conference as it is spoken, from our computer or at the church building.  I could not write fast enough to take notes.  I loved every talk, there was not one that was my favorite--They all spoke to my heart.  I am so excited to re watch and re listen, then read all the talks, thanks to technology.  
• Computers are great for helping me to research medical questions, find clinics and doctors in our mission.  I am able to print out information for the elders and sisters to help them with their medical questions.
• Talk about blessings--I have felt the spirit guide me on more than one occasion when talking with the elders and sisters about their medical problems.  I pray everyday that I will be able to help them.  I worry about them.  On multiple occasions I have been discussing a medical problem with a sister or elder and been talking about signs and symptoms. I have felt impressed to ask a certain question, in a totally different direction and that has been the answer to their problems.  Once it was a new medication one of them had started causing some physical problems, another time it was a new elder with headache, he was used to caffeine and we are living "the higher law" and abstaining caffeinated drinks.  It happens every day and I am so thankful for the blessings I received that I would be able to help and teach the elders and sisters
• Celebrations of all kinds are always a blessing.

Sister Warburton had a birthday this week. 

 

The elder from a leadership meeting sang to her.

• Computers are wonderful to skype with my family near and far.  I can visit my family in Idaho and watch Elk hunts in Arizona (Dave Boodry's DVD) from our computer.  I was even able to visit with our son, Chad, in Montenegro on a military mission on Skype.  You can see him also if you go to YouTube and look up "US Navy Dolphins arrive in Montenegro".  He is in that video clip.
• We received pictures of Lance, Tobie's husband's military retirement as he was having his party.
• Elder McOmber's health has been very good compared to two years ago!!!  He has been able to get into the VA system here in Long Beach. 
• Elder McOmber, with his improved health has been a friend to the Elders and Sisters.  He has help many of them move.  We have closed apartments and split up apartments (when 4 elders live together--we are trying to keep them in just sets of 2)  He has helped teach them how to clean(thus get more of the deposit back), move furniture and work hard.  He works right along side of them.  One Elder asked me if Elder McOmber never grew up.  I told him "no".  Elder McOmber loves to joke and laugh with the Elders.
• Being able to live on base, where we feel safe; have wonderful neighbors that we are able to share the gospel with is a definite blessing.  I know many people want to know about "Mormons" because of Mitt Romney and it is a great way to "open the door" and talk to them about what we believe.  We have shared several Book of Mormons.  We would not be able to proselyte on base otherwise.  One of the camp hosts tells us when he goes to church(a different ward), but he isn't ready to "give up his vices yet".  We are friends.

Elder McOmber and I went for a bike ride on base.  We watched
the pelicans dive for fish.  They start by circling in the air, then dive
straight down.

•  
• Having modern medicine--we had a influenza immunization clinic yesterday. We immunized most of our elders and sisters.  Thank goodness for the blessings of modern medicine.

Yes, even I received my immunizations.
Elder McOmber could not, he has
had a reaction in the past.

• We are able to watch beautiful sunrises and sunsets.  It is dark by 1830 hrs and sometimes dark when we get home.   Did you ever notice that when there are clouds in the sky, the sunrises and sunsets are much more beautiful!  Isn't it that way in life, we always appreciate the beauty of our life when we have a few "clouds".  It makes things interesting.

Our view walking home from exercising in the morning.  One day this week we woke to
a thurnder and lightening storm.  Only the second time it has rained while here in
Southern California.  I love listening to rain on the roof.

•  We were able to go to "Navy Days" here on base on our P day.  Elder McOmber loved touring a destroyer ship.

Sister and Elder McOmber in front of the USS Sampson, a destroyer.

We are proud to be American and to have served our country.

There is a replica of a Navy ship that was sunk in front of the Destroyer Sampson that we toured.

Looking at Seal beach from the room they steer the boat(can't think of the right word).  You can see the skyscrapers of Long Beach through the palm trees. 

A cute little girl ahead of us in line-she was with her grandparents.

Elder McOmber on deck before our tour started.

                               

 

Our Name Tags

Sister and President Bubert, Myself and Elder McOmber
My name tag is under my sweater, I was cold and put it on, I will make sure my name tag shows next time!

       We are proud of our name tags,  We have not only our name but also the name of Jesus Christ on our name tags.  We pray we will always act, think and do as our Savior would want us to act, think and do.  It is interesting that no matter where we go, but especially in Walmart, people will ask us questions about the store.  I guess if you have name tags of any sort, they think you know.  This week it was a lady who did not speak much English.  I think she was Korean.  Luckily we knew and could read her hand signals well enough that we were able to take her to the right area.  That is what Jesus would do.  We love our mission.
      This week was Departures, Arrivals and transfers.  I have come to think of these Elders and Sisters as "mine" although I know they really belong to the Lord and President Bubert.  I still am a "mother hen" worrying over them and loving them.  It is exciting to watch them finish their missions, ready to go to their homes and embrace life.  We have been here long enough to know them a little better and we will miss them, but are happy for them. 
     We welcome the new elders and sisters with open arms. I remember the "wide eye" feeling coming to the mission where everything is so new.  I sound like an old pro, interesting how 4 months makes such a big difference.   Isn't it exciting that President Monson announced the ages changing to 18 for Elders and 19 for sisters?!!!!!   I wonder how that will impact our responsibilities.

Departing Elders this week

Elder McOmber always volunteers to head up the clean up squad at the departure
dinner.  He likes washing the dishes.  It is a dinner for departing elders and the Senior couples.
It is at the Mission Home.  We are able to share our testamonies with each other.

Sister Reynolds, Elder McOmber, Elder Warburton with a couple of our young
departing elders helping.

     Yesterday, our P day, as we were getting our groceries between conference and Priesthood session, Elder McOmber found a car show in front of Walmart.  There are lots of old cars here in California.  Elder McOmber has big plans for when we finish our mission--if anyone finds a 5 window '48-'52 chevy pick up, reasonably priced,  let him know.

 









   Our son in law got an elk with his bow and arrow in Arizonia, just have to show it off:  Amy with lots of meat!

This weekend  is our almost annual trip to Yellowstone Park.
Two of our daughters and their families went to carry on the tradition of listening
to the Elk bugle and sightseeing.  This was during the day.
Looks cold.  We miss them and the trip, but Sara took my place as
picture taker!

This was later the same day--the older grandkids all went swimming.  It was 34
degrees out.

Back in California and 80 degree weather.  Looks "other earthly" with the fog in the morning.

Happy Fall Ya'll



This is my sewing project from last weekend. I don't get too much time to sew, but it is therapy for me.

   It is hard to believe that it is Autumn.  Yesterday the temperatures were in the 80's here and 90's-100 farther inland,  ("in the valley"-still not sure where that is yet)  and it has been sunny.  At night it goes down into the 60's.  Elder McOmber still keeps the air conditioning on cooler than I need, but not as cool as he thinks he needs.   
     Since we live in a RV park, people are always coming and going.  Some are the same people that come and go, others come and leave.  There are a few like us, "residents".  One couple have lived here for 4 years, just moved spots a couple of times.  Elder McOmber has left 2 Book of Mormon's in the Laundry room.  They have gone and come back a couple of times.  Last night a lady that is parked near us started talking to him and he found out she has one of the Book of Mormons and is 2/3 the way through  reading it.  He talked with her for 30 minutes.  Maybe we can have the elders over for dinner and introduce them.  That is better than the people that hurry the other way when they hear we are missionaries.

My other project last weekend.  I just gathered orange material together around a pillow and around plastic garbage sacks to make my "pumpkins".
 

Here is our "garden" from Elder Warburton.  We have been eating tomatoes and peppers from it, so we do have a "harvest".

"Strong moral character results from consistent correct choices in the trials and testing of life. Such choices are made with trust in things that are believed and when acted upon are confirmed."
                        ”Richard G. Scott, "The Transforming Power of Faith and Character"
 

     It is hard to be here with some family issues at home in Idaho, we would like to be there to help and be a support.  It was interesting that this (Elder Scott's quote) was one of the messages sent to my e-mail this week then I had to reflect on Elder Carter's (one of our AP-Assistant to the President) teachings in Zone conference...
Elder Carter's baseball coach sent him a letter after he had been on his mission for about 4 months:   "Character is the ability to stick to a commitment when the initial excitement of the commitment is over."  The excitement is not over, but the pull of family is definitely there.  I have received a confirmation in my heart that this is where the Lord wants us to be.  He loves all his children and will help them all, including my troubled family, where ever they are.  He has definitely blessed us being here!


Elder McOmber "teaching" Elder Carter to leg wrestle in the middle of the office.  Did Elder Carter let Elder McOmber win?

     Wasn't Relief Society Conference great last night?  I loved it, especially President Eyring's talk about his daughter delivering a 25 week baby.  I knew what that family and the hospital staff were going through and yes, I still miss it.  It was at the conference that I received one of my confirmations that this is where the Lord wants us to be serving at this time.  I also heard the message about following the spirit and taking care of each other.  Things that I am trying to do on my mission.  There was so much good said, I want to listen to it again, my notes do not do it justice.  It was wonderful to soak up the spirit of the meeting.
.

Being a Nurse

      Dr and Sister Jackson will complete their mission this week and head back home. He is the AMA (Area Medical  Advisor, he covers all of Southern California, I think 9 missions).  They have been a VERY big help to me and a great resource.  They came to two of our three Zone Conferences this week. I forgot to get their picture, I thought of it as they drove away.   They gave me this "Willow Tree-Angel of Healing".  It is so nice and was so nice of them. They also included a special message I would like to share with you.  You all are nurses of some sort.  I have two daughters that are nurses professionally, but the rest of the family are nurses to their families and friends, students and neighbors.  I feel this way about each of you!

The Proverbs 31 Nurse

by Lois Sigmon Turley, RN

 

Who can find a good natured Nurse?

For her price is far above silver and gold.

She seeks medicines and skills,

and works willing with others.

 

She gives of herself

and considers her own desires last.

A heatwarming smile is hers,

and is made beautiful in her eyes.

 

She girds herself with honor

and strengthens her ability with patience.

She preceives that her work is good.

Her candle does not go out by night.

She lays her hands upon understanding.

 

She stretches out her hand to the poor;

yet, she reaches forth hands to the needy.

She is not afraid of sorrow,

for her trust is in God.

Pride and humility are her clothing,

and she shall rejoice in time to come.

 

She opens her mouth with comfort,

and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

Her associates rise up and call her blessed;

her patients also praise her kindness.

 

Many daughters have helped others,

but you excel them all.

 

Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain.

But a Nurse that fears the Lord--

She shall be praised!



        It made me feel good.  I think of all my family.

      As I said we had Zone conferences this week.  I did my power point presentation, "Oh, My Aching....".  It was about some of the pains the Elders and Sisters call me with and where I get the answers I give them and why we have aches and pains. Sometimes I wonder if the Elders and Sisters understand what I am trying to convey, but one elder texted me, thanking me for the presentation.  That was very nice of him and maybe it did help, he made my day and I told him so.

         "As you can tell, we think about you and the problems you face a lot! We know that Heavenly Father loves missionaries and that it is possible for missionaries to be healthy anywhere they are called to serve – but it requires diligence and obedience to health principles by both the missionaries and the medical personnel who serve them."

         We ask God’s choice blessings to be with all of you.                                                                  Deanne Francis, RN           Chair: Mission Nurse Specialist Committee

I am changing it a little:

      As you can tell, we think about you and the problems you face a lot! We know that Heavenly Father loves our family and that it is possible for our family to be happy and  healthy anywhere they are called to serve – but it requires diligence and obedience to gospel and health principles by both our family and the  personnel who serve them.   We ask God’s choice blessings to be with all of you.

                                                               

"The wondrous manifestations of Christ's love for all bring hope and encouragement to those who suffer from ailments of all sorts."         -- Elder Alexander B. Morrison

Happy 16th Birthday Miranda!!!!  You made it without kissing a boy-congratulations. 

     Lonnie and I went to An Adult "Date Night" Fireside.  It was "The Song of the Righteous is a Prayer unto Me" by John Huntington, a renouned baritone.  He talked about singing in church and then gave a recital.  It was wonderful.  His voice filled the building.  I am glad I am doing choir at church.  I definitely will sign louder and with more passion after listening to him.  I love "feeling" the words of our hymns already. 

A sunset over the baseball field.  It was very pretty.

     There was a baseball game going on the other night, it was the crew of a brand newly built destroyer for the military which was being loaded here on Seal Beach.  One of the guys that was playing, kept looking at Elder McOmber and I.  He finally came over and introduced himself.  He was a member of our church from San Diego.  Elder McOmber almost got a tour of the destoyer, except we had Zone Conferences.  We had Brother Mosher over one evening for sandwiches and to visit while they were docked here.  He went on a mission to South America and is fairly newly married. It was a nice visit.  It was interesting how difficult it is starting up a new ship for the Navy.
     I love this picture Sara sent me... just want to share it.


Neli helping herself to cake.

       I did some sewing Saturday.  Elder McOmber helped clean out a storage shed and was gone for a while.  I got the cleaning done and had time to get out my sewing machine.  I am embroidering a garden flag for out in our "yard" and making stuffed pumpkins for our front window.  Feels real good to be creating!

A Multicultural Mission/Thank you Quigleys

 Some mornings we wake up to the foghorn that booms out on the ocean, less than a mile away.  The ocean has been the means of bringing many nations to our great country of America!  Our missionaries are here to help bring the gospel to these many nationalities.



"Surely there is a way for people of goodwill who love God and have taken upon themselves the name of Christ to stand together for the cause of Christ and against the forces of sin."

Jeffery R. Holland

Cambodian--it says something along the lines of if you study and put forth your effort, the Lord will bless you and help you with a foreign language.  On the kitchen wall in one of the Elders' apartment.

We have in our mission many cultures.  It is quite impressive to me.  We had many in San Antonio, TX when we lived there, but this beats it! 
      We have the only Cambodian ward in the entire world.  We have 6 Elders that speak and read cambodian, VERY IMPRESSIVE to me!!  We had one that spoke Cambodian, Spanish and English. The Pres. called him our secret weapon--he could go anywhere and teach the gospel.
   

This section of town is for India.  These are the traditional India Indian dresses.

There are large areas of towns that  specialize for just one nationality.  We have a Samoan, Tongan, India, Afro American, Hispanic, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Phillipino, Japanese, Korean and other sections of town in our mission.  We had a Jewish neighbor for a while here in the campground.  Lonnie had some discussions about religion with him.  We have Missionaries from Phillipines, China,  Mexico, South America,  and all over the United States of America.  Sometimes  I have trouble understanding when they call me with medical problems and need to have their companions interpret for me.

The signs are in many languages.

      One elder told us he was teaching some Egyptian people, but had problems getting printed material for them.  My hairdresser is Armenian, she was born and grew up in Istanbul and came to America for an arranged marriage 25 years ago.  There are Vietnamese in her shop that give pedicures and manicures.  There are donut shops on every corner.  I have been told that is because the Phillipino people know how to make good donuts and when they come to America, they want to start a business, so they make donuts.  Sister Thompson, whose home we helped paint is Samoan. 

Two of our Elders with Elder McOmber. The ocean and city of downtown Long Beach in the background.

     We have finished our second time at checking the 70 apartments of our Elder and Sisters.  We are feeling more confident and it is not taking quite so long to find and check the apartments.  The President wants us to keep checking them.  Elder McOmber also helps them move as needed.  We have recommended that, for health reasons, a couple of sets of Elders be moved. It is fun getting to know these wonderful young men and women!


Elder McOmber showing how to keep the stovetop clean while talking on the phone to another elder.  He shows them how to use the comet and other cleaning supplies.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU Glen, Sara, Maci, Avri, Quin and Neli for keeping our home up while we are away!   We couldn't do it without your support!

Neli, Quin, Maci and Avri

Glen fixing lawn mower
Maci and Neli mowing
Quin with roses in front yard.