Act in Faith

"As we act in faith, we often find that the blessings from the Lord are different than we expected but much better than we imagined." Neil L. Andersen, "A Spiritual Work"

 

This week was Sister Bradshaw's birthday.  We love celebrating birthdays at the office.  The Elders and Sisters love it as well--we always share cake and Elder McOmber's ice cream.

 

Elder and Sister Bradshaw-a office couple

 

Elder Kropf is going home 2 weeks early for school.  He is an outstanding Elder.  All our Elders and Sisters are outstanding!

 

Sisters at the office

 

The Elders and Sisters like to take Elder McOmber's hat and try it on.  Many of the Elders like "McOmber Straps".  They are the garter straps that attach your socks to your shirt.  They help keep your shirt tucked in.  We get them from the military base.  One Elder even bought some for his brother who is going on a mission.

Last Week I had pictures of Elder Olson.  This is his very charming wife, Sister Olson(on the right).  Elder and Sister Barlow are leaving the same time as we leave (April 1).  Sister Barlow is teaching Sister Olson to  be the referral secretary  A mission office is very "fluid".  Always changing. Elder and Sister Whitaker are coming back to the office to help.  They worked in the office in 2012 at the beginning of our mission.  He was called as a bishop so they had to quit.  He has since retired and is in the stake presidency, so they can help out during the daytime. 

Our home for 2 years.  Elder McOmber is getting things ready to be taken home. 

"Each time you choose to try to live more like the Savior, you will have your testimony strengthened. You will come in time to know for yourself that He is the Light of the World.” —President Henry B Eyring

I love the story in 3 Nephi 17 where Jesus has come to the Nephites.  He says he is going to  the Father and to show himself to the lost tribes of Israel.  He looked around at the multitude and saw they were sad to see him go, so he was "filled with compassion towards them" and stayed and healed the sick and had mercy on them.  I think of this every time I  get impatient and want to get on with my list of thing to do.  I need to be more Christlike and have compassion and patience.

 

Every Day a Great Day!

Today was a beautiful day!!!  Perfect!  After the Relief Society Women's Conference and Lonnie finished working on an old pick up, we went for a ride along the Pacific Ocean.  It was a relaxing way to spend our P day. 

This week we had the Elders come to dinner. 

Elder VanKammen and Elder Barney
We got a wonderful letter from Elder Barney.  His mother taught him well!  It was very sweet and made us feel very good. 
It is important to let people know how you feel and how they make you feel!

      There are many people that make us feel good, makes us want to help others feel good.  The saying is true: Rather than what they say, you remember more how that person makes you feel.  There are so many people in our lives that make us feel valued. 
     At the VA, going every day, I have gotten to know a few people.  Amber in Radiation is excellent and explains everything and gives helpful hints on dealing with the side effects.  Janessa in Women's Health Clinic is from Columbia, South America (20 years ago) and is a single mother.  She is an LVN and is putting her daughter through medical school.  It was so interesting talking with her.  Marvin is a very spry, 86 year old volunteer who was in WW II.  He loves to joke and makes people smile and always says "My wife asks me everyday, why I get up early and I tell her it is because I can!"  and "God Bless!" to everyone.  He is amazing. He travels the 27 miles of hallways of the VA to help other veterans.  There was a girl, Charity, that I met at the parking lot....she had the same hair style as me. She seemed nervous.  We were able to sit and talk about the side effects of chemo and radiation.   I love sharing my testimony of Christ's love with all these people and so many more!

A friendly squirrel at the VA by the parking lot.  The volunteers have him eating out of their hands.

This week, we have a new Senior couple, the Hackings from Utah.  I forgot to get a picture.  We had a luncheon which was very yummy.  Elder McOmber made his speciality homemade ice cream.  Here is crushing the bigger salt for the freezing of the ice cream.

Elder McOmber is helping Elder Olson (another Sr. Missionary in the office) with his old pick up.  Elder McOmber was in heaven taking the engine out and getting his hands dirty.

Elder Olson is another impressive person.  He is 80 years old and can not even think about retiring.  He continues to build cabinets.  He has so many projects planned--rebuilding multiple cars/trucks and building more things.  He finds it hard to accept help.   He is going to help with bicycles when we leave, and his wife works in the office, both as Service Missionaries.

from our excurtion today

a wind surfer...Catalina Island in the background, can't always see it so good.

The beach was busy.

There was a wedding party taking pictures-we had fun taking pictures also.  There were ALL kinds of people at Seal Beach. They are jumping for joy!

Elder McOmber stops and talks to everyone he comes in contact with.

     Today we had our Relief Society Women's Conference.  Bonnie D. Parkin, past General President of RS (2002-2007) spoke to us about "Stand ye in Holy Places and be not moved".  D&C 87:8  Rise to the Divinity Within You.  Sister Mariann Reynolds knows Sister Parkin and introduced me to her.  A couple of my favorite quotes from today was:
"The fabric of a family is always under repair."  And  "Don't play with snakes, they bite. Weed your garden-root out the bad-repent.  Don't go thirsty--study the scriptures, drink of the living water"   She said we need to share our stories with each other.  That is something that I love....to hear other people's stories. 

"Too often we tend to split the Lord's work into parts that seem unrelated. Whether it is preaching the gospel to nonmembers, serving with new converts, reactivating less-active members, teaching and strengthening active members, or performing family history and temple work, the work really is indivisible. These efforts are not separate. They are all part of the work of salvation."

Russell M. Nelson, "The Work of Salvation: Parable of a Father at Bedtime"

Keeping the Windows Open

"This is an age of digital information. Our computers have become windows through which we can gaze upon a world that is virtually without horizons or boundaries. "  Joseph B. Worthlin Oct. 1995
Wow, he thought that it was a time of digital information in 1995.... I wonder what he would think now.  That talk is excellent and goes on to detail how we can keep our windows to our Heavenly Father open. 
    


Our son in law, Dave Boodry, helped with the cultural event.  This picture is one he took during the day of the Temple.
Isn't it great to be able to keep in touch with just the push of a button!

      Tonight Elder McOmber and I were able to watch the Gilbert AZ Temple Cultural Program. Aren't computers great?   It was awesome...but rain?   How often does it rain there?       Our stake  fasted and prayed for rain last fast Sunday and it rained that day and this weekend it has rained the entire time.  The Lord heard those pleas for moisture.   Good time to stay cuddled up inside!
     We like to facetime/Skype family--good way to stay in touch. 
     The Scripture app is amazing.  If you have not seen the new updated one, check it out at LDS.org.  You can spend hours checking things out there==scriptures, videos, manual, just about anything church related.  Awesome resource!
     Our 5 year grandson, Quin, has figured out on his ipod touch how to face time his mother who is in another part of the house.  The kids are so smart with electronics.  He has been working an ipod since he was one. He can face time gammy and papa anytime he wants!


    This week is the middle of transfers, everyone is settled in and gotten over the anxiety of changing (companion, apartment or both).  A mission is an adventure where you meet lots of new people and learn to adjust to new situations!

Sister Tew, Sister Correra and Sister Anderson

Elder Eto is from Japan and wants to get a driver's license here.

Elder Mann 

Elders helping Sister Tew set up for a luncheon for Mission Leadership Counsel.

Elder Barlow helps with the cars and apartments.  The Barlows go home the same time that we do.

 

Elder Bradshaw helps with finance.

Getting Mail is so important for missionaries.  Make sure to write them letters!

My brother, Bill Bailey, swore he would never come to LA again, but here he is one month later, this time on business.  Glad to see him again!

"If we are to fulfill the Lord’s command to open the windows of heaven to all of our brothers and sisters, we must prepare to teach the gospel. With study of the scriptures, fasting, and prayer, we fortify our testimonies. We cultivate Christlike attributes of “faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, [and] diligence.” Through exemplary obedience, we can “let [our] light so shine before men, that they may see [our] good works, and glorify [our] Father which is in heaven.” By keeping the commandments, we can light our gospel candle and put it “on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  ^{Joseph B Worthlin Oct 1995.}  
    

      I am continuing radiation for another 8 days, it is going good so far(20 treatment done).  I do not know why, but my hair has not grown as fast as my husband's or brother's hair. (They shaved their heads 5 weeks ago for me.  Maybe "the watched pot isn't going to boil"?   I keep watching it and  trying to make it be longer, it will eventually get there. 

      I have had many opportunities to be an influence for good at the VA hospital where I get my treatments.   We are proud to wear our name badges and  feel it a privilege to talk to people about the love of Christ!

 

"As we act in faith, we often find that the blessings from the Lord are different than we expected but much better than we imagined."

Neil L. Andersen, "A Spiritual Work"

Transfers

  

"The trials and tribulation that we experience may be the very things that guide us to come unto Him and cling to our covenants so that we might return to His presence and receive all that the Father hath." Linda S. Reeves, "Claim the Blessings of Your Covenants"

       This week was transfers.  It is a busy time with the Elders and Sisters moving, sometimes changing companions, sometimes moving apartments.  It can be quite stressful!!!!  Change is stressful!  On a Mission we count not in months or weeks, but in transfers. There is a transfer every 6 weeks.   There seems to be quite a bit of sickness during the week before and after transfers.  I feel this is because of the stress that the missionaries feel.  Stress can do strange things to our bodies!  We had a Specialized Training last week on that very subject.  Stress is a part of all of our lives, these young people are learning how to handle stress and change in their lives.  Sometimes it is painful.
    

The difficulties which come to us present us with the real test of our ability to endure. A fundamental question remains to be answered by each of us: Shall I falter, or shall I finish?"  Thomas S. Monson, ""I Will Not Fail Thee, nor Forsake Thee""

      This is the last transfer time for Elder McOmber and myself.  We go home to Idaho in less that 6 weeks.  We are starting to feel the stress and excitement, just as our Elders and Sister do.  We are very anxious to go home to our family, friends  and ward, but we now have friends and a ward that we love down here.  Coming on a mission was hard, I cried the first month, I was so homesick, but now I am going to miss these wonderful people and our "home" down here.  Saying good bye is always so hard. 
      We had to say goodbye to a good friend a little early.  Russ and JoAnn Baker have become good friends.  Russ Baker a native of the area, died February 12, 2014.  There was a memorial service for him this Friday.  He was a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on November 4, 2013 (while we were here).  He loved going to church and handed out programs each Sunday, greeting everyone with a big smile.  He loved jokes and played them on everyone.   He loved the departure firesides with the testimonies and music. We missed him this week at the departure fireside.  JoAnn had the missionaries sing at the memorial service.  He had been a "fixture" at the bars before he joined the church.  Many of his dear "bar" friends came to the memorial service.  I hope they could feel the spirit in the talks the young men gave.  Russ set a great example of how lives can change!


Hard to say "good bye-see ya later"  to Russ Baker.

These are wonderful young men that we respect a lot!!  Elder Walker(who goes home from his mission in 1 week), Cole Carter, Kenny Williams, and Wade Toleman, all previous missionaries for California Long Beach Mission. (and all AP's)   They are giants in our eyes.  This is JoAnn Baker.  She has a heart as big as all outdoors.  She and Russ have loved all of our missionaries and taken good care of them. The 3 elders that have already gone home, flew back to speak at Russ' memorial  service.  It was so great to see them all.  They were all here at the beginning of our mission and have been a great example to us. (and teased with Elder McOmber a bunch).   They bring tears to my eyes, it has been our privilege to serve the Lord along side of them!!!

Elder McOmber does sometimes wear a suit.  With Cole Carter, Elder Bledsoe and Elder Walker.  Those two elders were suppose to go home last Tuesday, but they wanted to stay 2 extra weeks to help with training.  They are awesome!

This transfer was much different than those in the past.  We got one sister and 2 Visa Waiters.  (Different than the 30-40 that we got last spring!)  This cute sister that smiles all the time is from Mongolia.  We had 22 missionaries go home in the last 2 weeks for the end of their mission or medical reasons.  Our numbers are going down now--we have 221 missionaries now.

To take care of their stress, some of the elders write in their journals or study.  We talk about having fun on our P day, not just doing the necessary clothes washing and shopping. 

      Elder McOmber was extremely busy this week.  He has gone into work at 0630 most days and some evenings worked until 10:50 PM.  He is helping to close 10 apartments.  He transports the "stuff" and teaches the elders how to  terminally clean an apartment so to get the deposit back.  He still has some more "stuff" to take care of this week.

This is what Elder McOmber does to "unwind" on his P day.  He is working on his 1950 Chevy.  He is actually doing things to get it ready for transport back to Idaho, but he loves working with mechanical stuff.

Dave Boodry, our son-in-law was here for 2 days for his work.  He drove down to take us out to dinner--it was wonderful.  We went to Joe's Crab Shack.  We enjoyed the visiting and the food!  Thanks Dave.

 As President Joseph Fielding Smith said, "We came here to be tested and proved by coming in contact with evil as well as the good. … The Father has permitted Satan and his hosts to tempt us, but by the guidance of the Spirit of the Lord and the commandments given through revelation, we are prepared to make our choice." 
… choose you this day whom ye will serve; … but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:2, 15).

The World Needs Your Help

I love Nature and the Beautiful earth that we have been given to live on.  I am also impressed with how much our Heavenly Father loves us individually.  I think that Heavenly Father knew I could not live in a big city, but our mission call was to......a BIG, crowded city, Long Beach, CA.  I have been impressed with all of nature that we have seen around us.  We live \next to a wet land reserve with all sorts of critters (coyote, hawks, ground squirrels, rabbits, blue heron, white heron, etc.)  I go in for radiation every day at the VA Hospital and Clinics.  There is usually a volunteer feeding a friendly squirrel there, but one day this week, a possum was in a tree by the walk way by heavy car and personal traffic.  Heavenly Father knows I need the occasional view of wildlife.  This guy must have gotten stuck where he wasn't suppose to be when the sun came up.

         14 And I will also ease the ^aburdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs,... and this will I do that ye may stand as ^bwitnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their ^cafflictions.

 15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon ...were made light; yea, the Lord did ^astrengthen them that they could bear up their ^bburdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with ^cpatience to all the will of the Lord.     Mosiah 24:14-15      

On the left of Elder McOmber is "Elder" Hjorth and on the right is Elder Rogers.  Dustin Hjorth lives and works in Hawaii, he went home from his mission this last year.  Elder Rogers goes home on Tuesday.  They are both very tall.

   

Some of our sill missionaries at the office.

 

Elder McOmber finished this headboard and footboard for the Mission home.  It came out real nice.  This is the "General Authority" bedroom.

Senior Couples.  We had dinner at the President and Sister Tew's home tonight.  Elder and Sister Butler are going home in a week.  (3rd couple from left).  They do not want to go.  They have served in the only Cambodian Ward in the world and in an English speaking ward.  We loved listening to them tell stories of their mission!
The Devereauxs, the Barlows, the Butlers, Pres. and Sister Tew, the McOmbers, the Bradshws and Sister Alley.
One of the many blessings of serving a mission is making so many wonderful friends!!!!! 

These Sisters showed up at the Presidents home just as we wanted to get a picture of everyone there,  We told them they must have been inspired to come at that time.  Elder McOmber wanted to be the picture "bomb".

"... the world is in need of your help. There are feet to steady, hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts to inspire, and souls to save."    Thomas S. Monson To the Rescue, April 2001



What makes us feel good?

Houses along Seal Beach.  Elder McOmber has been awesome, exercising with me every morning.  It feels so good to exercise every day. It helps us feel better physically, mentally, and emotional  I really missed it when I was doing chemo(no energy). 

"Our Heavenly Father, who gives us so much to delight in, also knows that we learn and grow and become stronger as we face and survive the trials through which we must pass."

                                                                Thomas S. Monson, ""I Will Not Fail Thee, nor Forsake Thee""
There is a Doctor here that is on a mission, I use her as a resource.   We talk on the phone, send texts, and e mail all the time.  She covers all 11 missions in Southern California.  I am probably her most frequent "pain in the neck"!  Since being on our mission(almost 2 years) there have been three wonderful doctors that have helped me and all the missionaries of Southern California.  Finally this week, I met Sister Dr Nancy Alston and her husband, Elder Alston.  (They have been here since October.)  We went out to dinner and had a wonderful time.  I forgot to get a picture, but here is their picture. 

The Alston's are from Pocatello, not far from our home. 

One of our elders had a bike accident, he had stitches in his chin.  He did not want to go to a doctor to have them removed, so I kept an eye on them and then Thursday, I took them out with the help of a few assistants.  They all loved watching.

We had him lie on the couch, his companion held the flashlight.  Luckily I happened to have a set of suture removal scissors with me. 

The sister taking pictures wanted us to all smile.

The Elder survived and kept smiling!

Then it was time for district meetings.  Three wonderful sisters.

More wonderful sisters and elders.

I have had radiation all week.  I also had a doctor appointment with my oncologist.  Everything is going good.  I needed my port flushed.  This is Sam who works in the Infusion Center.  He is the best at accessing my port.

 

This is Lam and Sam.  They are the nurses that gave me chemo.  I am so glad to see them without needing chemo anymore!!!!!

At radiation, it is so much fun to get to know the technicians and the other patients.  Going everyday, we see each other alot.  One gentleman was smiling like a Cheshire cat, he had received his diploma, finishing his radiation.  I have been able to share my testimony and give uplifting words to others.  We all have something in common and it is easy to start a conversation that evolves into Trusting in the Lord.

"Our destiny is not determined by the number of times we stumble but by the number of times we rise up, dust ourselves off, and move forward."

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