WoooHooo!

"In the service of the Lord, it is not so much where you serve, but how."  Pres. McKay

There are beautiful flowers all over.  I guess that means spring has sprung.  Chad, our oldest  son, makes fun of me because I love to take pictures of flowers.  This has my favorite colors/ yellow and orange.
 

Another busy week started with Elder Ulu having minor surgery on Monday.  He is a big guy (Samoan) and calls Elder McOmber his "Buddy".  We stayed with his companion through surgery and made sure he understood discharge instructions and got home safe and sound.  These experiences are all learning experiences for all involved.  Again, I was impressed with the Catholic hospital.

 

This is right outside the office door.  Flowers have been blooming year round!



Tuesday we took Elder George to the Airport (LAX). He served a great mission and is going home.
We spent the rest of Tuesday getting ready for Zone Conferences.
 

Our three zones.  The Relief Society provides lunch for us in these Zone Conferences. (We have 3 different ones in three different places.)  The Elders and Sisters all sing "As I have Loved You" to the sisters that serve lunch.  It is always yummy food!  We appreciate the Relief Society and they are touched by the Song the missionaries  sing.

Elders Sheanshang and Elder McIver (he is from New Zealand)  I made awards for having clean apartments.  The Elders and Sisters who had a 9.9-10/10 on cleanliness in their apartments got a certificate and special treats.  There were 25 companionship's (out of 75 companionship's) that got the awards this time around.  Woo Hoo!

See Elder Olson standing between the Twin Towers.





Some of our wonderful Elders and Sisters

 
 



Elder McOmber Checking cars at the Zone Conference.  There are 70+ cars in our mission as of this time.  The Office Elders all check the cars over.  Of course, Elder McOmber LOVES being under the hood of any vehicle!!!

Elder McOmber protecting his head in the 80+ degree weather as he checks the cars. He loves his new "Gangster" Hat!

 

I prepared a power point on "Stress" and it's signs, effects and the need to find a stress relief.  I feel that many of the 1500 minutes of phone calls and 350-700 texts that I get each month have to do with stress. My busiest times are right before transfers and after P day.  The new missionaries have a lot of stress.   I had some of the elders and sisters  tell me that they did "get something" from my presentation and I pray that it helps them for  all of their lives.  I wish I could do more interactive things, but I do try to get them to participate.  The rest of the Zone Conferences are presented by our wonderful Elders and Sisters.  They are wonderful!!!  I learn so much from them!
  WooHoo!

This week was Avri's 9th Birthday-WooHoo!  Kingston's 3rd birthday is next Monday WOOHoo!!. He was the grandchild that I delivered because the Dr did not show up in time.  I miss all our grandchildren!!!!!!!!!!
Today we spent time at 3 different missionary apartments trying to help them.  Luckily they were not too far from each other.  Saturday is usually a busy phone day also.


WooHoo,  We love that we are able to get onto the Internet.  As the President says, "Seniors  have a different kind of mission from the young Elders and Sisters.".  We were able to Stream our hometown Basketball team win the state 4A Championship for the second year. They came from 12 behind to win by 2 points. I love close games whether we win or loose, but it is a bonus to win!  It was neat to hear the names we know and the advertisements from Rigby, ID.    I am sure they could hear me scream from there.  Lonnie shut the motor home windows to muffle my sound. 
 We were able to see a couple of our grand kids in the stands also.   GO Rigby!! WoooHooo!
It has been a good week, "Thank you Heavenly Father!"

"When you take the path that climbs, that harder path of the Savior, there are rewards along the way. When you do something right, when you resist temptation, when you meet a goal, you will feel very good about it. It is a very different kind of feeling than you have when you violate commandments--an altogether different feeling. It brings a measure of peace and comfort and provides encouragement to press on."

Richard G. Scott, "Finding the Way Back",  Ensign, May 1990



Food.....

Uh ohh, I lied, we did not sing the song "How can I keep from Singing" last week, sorry.  I still love it and we sang it in choir practice.  I love to keep a song in my heart at all times!  The choir did sing in Sacrament, but it was "Help me Teach with Inspiration", which is 281 in the Hymnal.  I love the words to that also.  Look it up sometime.  The Hymns have such meaningful words, I love to "listen" to the meaning of the hymn, not just sing it. 

Elder McOmber had a rough week so he was happy that he  FINALLY got his Fedora hat.  He ordered it December 20, 2012 and it came in February 20, 2013.  They said it would take 1-2 weeks, then because of Christmas it was delayed, then ,,,,,,, then ,,,,,,,then,,,,,finally it came and he is very happy to have it. The president said he can wear it because of the precancerous spots he had removed from his face in December.   

Elder McOmber on the roof

We delivered a bike to some sisters and they came out to put it in the garage and forgot their keys in their apartment.  It is gated and Elder McOmber, rather than drive back to the office for the extra key, climbed over the roof and jumped down to open the gate.

We got 3 new missionaries this week-mid transfer.  They are coming as soon as the MTC feels they are ready.  These three did not have a problem with languages so they did not need to spend so much time in the MTC.  There is a very cute sister from Japan and two Spanish speaking Elders.  Their pictures did not turn out from my camera.  We are still expecting 34 more missionaries in March. 
I like to ask my grandchildren what they do for others during their school day.  I need to answer that question daily myself.  This week food seemed to be the big event both given and received.
"The needs of others are ever present, and each of us can do something to help someone."  Pres. Thomas S. Monson, October 2009

My dear friends, Sister Rothschild and Sister Reynolds and I made lunch for the Zone Leader's Conference.  Usually Sister Bubert, the president's wife does this, but they had a daughter get married last week and she has gone to Utah to a reception.
They did most of the work.  We had a baked potato bar.  They teased that I probably helped pick the potatoes in Idaho.

Amy Reynolds helped in the kitchen also.  She helps in the office before going to work her regular job.  She is such a hard worker and is a BIG help.  She is so willing to serve doing anything asked of her and looks for ways to help.

Some of our elders eating.  Food is an important part of missionary work--must keep them healthy.

Elder Smith and Elder Mann.  We had the elders and sisters to our place for dinner one night this week.   Both are converts and are wonderful missionaries.  Elder Mann knows our dear friends, the Murray's. ( Lonnie's best friend who died and his wife Terry and Elder Mann had seminary with Mariah).

Sister Bradshaw and Sister Robinson  We had bacon wrapped chicken,( Thanks Amy Rix for the recipe/idea.), mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls and orange dreamcycle cake.

Saturday night we were invited to Dave and Trish Edgar's home for dinner.  It was fun being around the kids, Matthew(9), Evie(8), Sophie(5), and Bella(3)

Elder giving a spiritual thought at the end of the evening.  This is Dave and Trish.  The food was very yummy.  She is a gourmet cook. We had a wonderful time listening to Dave tell stories of his mission in Bulgaria in 1992.  It was a lot of fun! 

 

"When you take the path that climbs, that harder path of the Savior, there are rewards along the way. When you do something right, when you resist temptation, when you meet a goal, you will feel very good about it. It is a very different kind of feeling than you have when you violate commandments--an altogether different feeling. It brings a measure of peace and comfort and provides encouragement to press on." Richard G. Scott, "Finding the Way Back", Ensign, May 1990

I like the good feelings of service....how about you?

How can I keep from singing?

"The Lord is in all of our lives. He loves us. He wants to bless us. He wants us to seek His help. As He guides us and directs us and as He hears and answers our prayers, we will find the happiness here and now that He desires for us."

Thomas S. Monson, "Consider the Blessings",  Ensign, November 2012
I know my Savior loves us and wants to bless us.  I have a song in my heart praising him.  We keep a prayer in our hearts continually!

This is what my honey gave me for Valentine's Day.  He is so sweet.  He also fixed up a new recycled cupboard for my medical supplies.  So much easier to find things and see what I have.

Some snow and hugs and love from Idaho in my office,,,,Thank you Very Much!

Tuesday we went to the Temple with some of our missionaries.  We drove some of our sisters.  We love going with the Elders and Sisters.  There is a special spirit. 

There are flowers blooming year round in Southern California.

How can I keep from singing?

My life flows on in endless song,

Above earth’s lamentations,
I hear the sweet though far off hymn
That hails a new creation,
Through all the tumult and the strife,
I hear the music ringing,
It finds an echo in my soul,
How can I keep from singing?
 
What though my joys and comforts die? 
The Lord, my Savior liveth,
What though the darkness gather round?
Songs in the night He giveth,
No storm can shake my inmost calm,
While to that Refuse clinging,
Since Christ is Lord of hea’n and earth,
How can I keep from singing?

I lift mine eyes, the clouds grows thin,

I see the blue above it,
And day by day this pathway smoothes,
Since first I learned to love it,
The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,
A fountain every springing,
All things are mine since I am His,
How can I keep from singing?
How can I keep from singing?

I am fortunate to be able to sing in our ward choir.  This is the song that we are singing this week.  I love it.  Elder McOmber goes along, grumbling, only because he doesn't know how to read music.  He is developing a talent I tell him.

You can see the "Hollywood" hill sign from the Temple.

Way off in the distance on the hill is the Hollywood sign.  Our sisters pointed it out to us.  We had never noticed it before.

Elder Jesperson is helping Elder McOmber and in the office for a few weeks.. Elder McOmber's  shoulder is bothering him(arthritis).  Elder Jesperson is helping when Lonnie can't pick up boxes, mattresses, etc. 

Elder Jesperson and Elder McOmber refinishing a table.

Saturday, P day, we went to Heritage park.  It is a cute park for young kids, built like the town Paul Revere rode through announcing the "British are coming".  We just walked around.  They have slides coming out of buildings and fake boats with lots of turtles and ducks.

"Because He came to earth, we have a perfect example to follow. As we strive to become more like Him, we will have joy and happiness in our lives and peace each day of the year. It is His example which, if followed, stirs within us more kindness and love, more respect and concern for others."

Thomas S. Monson, "Because He Came", Broadcasts, December 2011
 

Life is a mission.

We are having roses bloom all year long.  This is with the morning dew.  Our tomatos and peppers stopped producing now.

Sister Butler, another Senior Missionary in our mission said that "Life is a Mission", is something she always tells her kids.  It gave me food for thought.  Yes, life is a mission, we were sent here to earth from our Father in Heaven's presence to learn and grow and then share our knowledge, whether it be with our family, friends or someone we meet on the street.  We are so fortunate to have the restored Gospel and be able to share it and live it!

Another thing that got me thinking this week was the Relief Society lesson last Sunday.  Our RS president taught from a talk by Wendy Watson Nelson  titled "What Would a Holy Woman Do?" 

"The words "House of the Lord, Holiness to the Lord" are found on every Mormon temple around the world. It was during the rededication of the Nuku’alofa Tonga Temple that those words had a profound impact on Sister Wendy Watson Nelson, wife of Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
After much reflection and study upon the word "holiness," Sister Nelson initiated a three-day experiment. ....Women were asked to choose one of their daily activities and try to be holy while doing it or rather do it as a holy woman would do it for three days. They could choose to focus on one different thing each day or the same thing each day.
Some questions that helped guide the participants include:

How would a holy woman manage the daily activities of her life?

How would a holy woman handle conflicts?

What would a holy woman listen to, read or watch?"  There is more to her talk, it is on CD. but it sure got me thinking.  What would a Holy Woman do on a mission?  Am I doing everything that I can to be the Lord's hands? 

President Bubert with some of our elders.  The big guy in the middle is one of our newest elders, Elder Pina.

This week we received into our mission 21 wonderful young people.  One was postponed.  The president had everything under control and it worked wonderfully.  He placed the sisters the day they came(he interviews each of them before placing them with their companions.)   He temporarily placed the elders for one night so he would have time to interview them the next day.  After interviewing them, they all went back to the place they had been temporarily placed. They all seemed happy to go back.  I visited with each of them breifly, just to check to see if there is any way I can help them and to check on helath issues,  medication, etc.  They are all delightful.  Elder McOmber and Elder Rothschild worked hard to make sure they all had beds to sleep in and are working on getting everyone bikes.  It was a few late nights this week, but it is good to report to the Lord at night that we did the best we could.

Elder Tolman, one of our wonderful APs.  This is the board that tells where all our Elders and Sisters are serving.  We  just filled the top fold out white boards until recently.  Now we fill all the top and the two on the floor as well.  Next transfer we will have to get more white boards for the incoming!  The APs and President have divided areas to accomadate the increasing numbers of missionaries coming to our mission, as I am sure all missions are doing.

Elder Walker, our newest AP, deep in thought.  They have work hard with their missionary work and being APs.

We took Sister Afualo to have her eyes checked.  She is from Samoa.

Sister Afualo's companion, Sister Ackerman,  was working on her Planner while waiting for Sister Afualo.
Sister Ackerman is one of our newest missionaries.  She is from Shelly, ID and knows our dear friend,
 Sister Mavanee Steele.

Sister Afualo in her new glasses.

Usually our missionaries do not wear sunglasses, but she had had her eyes dialated so it was a necessity for a few hours.  Luckily it was planning after lunch so she was inside.

We would like to put bubble wrap around our Elders and Sisters.  We don't like having to spend time in the ER worrying about them!  We do love them all.