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!"

There is room for all!



Sunday, my brother, sister, Lonnie and I took a more relaxed day.  We walked the beach on the Navy Reserve.  We found lots of pretty shells. 

                          

 

We visited our friends the Edgars.  Dave took Bill, Cindy and Lonnie for a ride in his 1930 Model A.

 

They left Monday Morning to go back to Upstate New York(Lyons, New York) and Nephi Utah. It was a very nice visit!   I had a Dr appointment that morning that said everything is progressing as it should.   

Monday night we received a call from a missionary asking for a ride to the Temple on Tuesday AM.  We said yes, that we would be at the office at 4 AM to take them to the first session. When we got to the office, there were four (Big)missionaries.  We have a small Honda CRV that only holds 5 people.  I offered to stay at the office, but they said they could all fit...the elder was from Mexico and said he was used to squeezing people in. He sad "If there is room for 3 elders, there is room for 4."

On the way to the Temple.

On the way home, Elder Torres tried laying on the other's laps--it did not work!
Luckily the traffic moved along at a steady rate!

 

"The Lord made it very clear at the start of this last dispensation that we were to take the gospel to all the world. ... Whatever our age, capacity, Church calling, or location, we are as one called to the work to help Him in His harvest of souls."

Henry B. Eyring, "We Are One"

Wow!

Please remember all missionaries in your prayers.  We have one very sick in the hospital.  Also our Friend, Russ Baler Is home on hospice.  We visited him and he blinked his eye when I talked to him, but we just received word that he has taken a turn for the worse.  We felt his time was near when we visited this AM.

I started Radiations Treatments  this Friday--YAAA!  They had fun drawing on me.  I looked like a beef chart.  They will not have to do this every time.  I now go everyday except weekends and holidays for 28 treatments.  (I guess the cancer does not grow on holidays or weekends)  I was very impressed with the staff.  They were excellent.  Another chance to share the gospel, if they ask(I can't start the questioning because it is a military hospital.  (VA).

"It is impossible for us to fail when we do our best when we are on the Lord's errand."         M. Russell Ballard, "Put Your Trust in the Lord"

 

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!!!!!!