Thankful for Missionaries!

We are going to miss the Rothschilds (couple on the left).  We are excited to get to know the Barlows (right)  The Rothschilds are going home to Kaysville, Utah, Monday.  We have served with them for the last 6 months.  I am thankful for other senior couples who are willing to serve.  It is such a privilege serving along side them and getting to know them! 

I am thankful for President Bubert and his wonderful wife  and all the leadership and service they have given to this mission.  This is President talking to two of our Cambodian Elders.  I am impressed and thankful that they learn to speak, read and  understand the Cambodian Language.  It is such a blessing to our Cambodian members in this area.

I am thankful for leadership.  This is Elder Schwitzer of the Quorum of the Seventy.  President and Sister  Bubert finish their mission this July. Elder Schwitzer came to do the Exit interview with them  and another Mission President and his wife.  We spiffed the office up for his few minute interview. The president wanted it to be "Relief Society pretty".   It looks nice--would be nice to keep it that way.  Elder Schwitzer said that in September he will take over as my "big" boss in Salt Lake City.  He is taking over Dr Doty's position.  Dr Doty has served for 12 years as a missionary--I am so thankful that he was willing to give of his time.

I am thankful for all our wonderful missionaries!  They are always smiling and wanting to help!  It seems the barometric pressure changed...like in Labor and Delivery, when the pressure changes, we were always busy.   I was very busy today answering the phone for sick elders and sisters.  Nothing big, thank goodness.

I am thankful for my wonderful companion, another great missionary, who will talk to anyone who will listen, about the gospel.  Today we had to get more propane in our motor home.  We have gone almost a year on one tank of propane.  We have been blesses.

I am thankful that my missionary is so good at fixing things.  Here he is fixing the jacks underneath our motor home.  He saved us $550. by being able to fix them himself.

A party Van.  Sisters Davis and Rothschild as we are driving to farewell lunch for the Rothschilds.

I am thankful for missionaries.   34 years ago, Elder Monson  (Young elder, not the prophet, I still remember his name, but not either of his companions) and his companions would come by a single sister's home.  She had been a member for 4 years, but had not been active because of  work (nurse) schedule and family matters.  That single sister had 4 children ages 4, 1 1/2, and newborn twins.  She had a feeling on the days they came, that they would be coming.  They encouraged her in the gospel.  They encouraged her to go to church.  They encouraged her to attend a play, "Saturday's Warrior".  She went by herself, but loved it.  They played with her children.  I am that Sister and am so thankful for wonderful missionaries that took the time to serve a mission and "bring one back". 

 

 

Miranda(grand daughter) is going to the prom.  I love this picture of her dad "discussing" with her date. Is this the little girl that I hunted elephants and butterflies with when she was 2?  How did she grow up so fast?  Thank you to her Aunts for doing her nails and hair!  Thanks Sara and Jami!

Annalea turned 13 last Sunday.  We wished her happy birthday.

Her dad arranged a time for her and her friend Kristin to ride horses.  They loved it.

Chad made breakfast for Annalea's birthday-pecan waffles with strawberries.  Amy made chicken enchiladas for lunch all Annalea's favorites.

Chad took care of me also.  Lonnie loves Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla.(made in Texas, can't get here).  This is one of my favorites-pralines and cream.

I needed to walk one evening.  We walked the pier in Seal Beach.  This is looking at the homes along the beach.

My missionary gave me an early mother's day present-because I am the mother of our children.  Isn't he sweet!

Our lives should reflect what we believe. 

These  three wonderful missionaries that went home this week.  Sunday before they leave, we have a Departure Fireside.  It is always wonderful as they bear their testimonies, and we have several spiritual special music numbers by friends and missionaries.  We love all our missionaries and wish the best for them in the rest of their lives!

The Rothschild's have worked in the office and will be leaving this next week.  We certainly have made some wonderful friends on our mission.  We will have friends to visit all over Utah.

We have 28 new Elders and Sisters that arrived this week.  We needed to rent a U-haul to bring their luggage from the airport.  This is the new office couple, Elder and Sister Barlow. (with Sister Rothschild in the middle).  The President stopped us from doing this and had the Elders and Sisters do their own so they would know where their luggage was.

One of our elders had this and allowed me to scan it.  I like this, of course, I love the story of the stripling warriors.

You are a part of this special generation. It is not by chance that you are here at this important time in the history of the Lord's work. It is your opportunity to declare this message of the Restoration with greater force and effect than any of the previous generations."  L. Tom Perry, "Accept the Challenge", Ensign, August 2002

Our new Elders



Our new Sisters



Bicycles for some of the new missionaries.  Elder McOmber is fixing some older ones up and he is still getting more this next week.  There was one bike that Elder McOmber put a seat on, then needed to take it off.  Many missionaries tried, no one could get it off.  They tired hammers and everything.  It was funny to watch, sort of like the sword in the stone.  They all were sure they could do it.




Today was Helping Hands.  Each Stake had an activity.  We went, for medical reasons, to Huntington Beach Stake and caught all our wonderful missionaries working hard!  This is  just one area of missionaries. 



This P day was pretty rough.  We had a broken hand, sprained finger, sprained elbow and torn ACL. (all on different missionaries).  We have decided that they all are going to take up quilting or knitting on P days.  :)  (not really)





Friday the Senior couples went to the Segerstum Concert center to hear OCMCO (Orange County Mormon Oral Choir-name changed this weekend to Orange County Millennium Orchestra and Choir).  They sound like the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  They had choirs  from age 4 through Senior age.  This picture is before the concert.  No pics allowed during.  Wonderful,  uplifting, spiritual music!

The senior sisters went out for lunch for Sister Butler's Birthday. 

Another very busy week ended.  We are now visiting our family here in California to hear Annalea give a talk in church and celebrate her 13th  birthday.  She is so happy we were able to come. 

Annalea and Friend

Colton

Caleb

Chandler

 

Closer to the Savior

Missions are great!!!  We are able to spend time growing closer to the Savior.  I know that I have had prayers answered.  When I have worried over an elder or sister, I know the Lord hears my prayers.  When I get questions from Elders and Sisters, I feel the spirit leading me to ask the right questions to help them the best.  I am thankful for the resources that are available to me and our missionaries.  I love that we take more time studying the scriptures and reading uplifting books.  One of my new favorite authors is Mary Ellen Edmunds.  She gives great insight and analogies.

Dr Doty, head of all Medical Missionaries wrote in a letter:

President Henry B. Eyring offered some thoughts that seemed to apply directly to all who are serving as medical and mental health missionaries:

 "My promise to you who pray and serve the Lord cannot be that you will have every blessing you may wish for yourself and your family," he said. "But I can promise you that the Savior will draw close to you and bless you and your family with what is best. You will have the comfort of His love and feel the answer of His drawing closer as you reach out your arms in giving service to others.  As you bind up the wounds of those in need and offer the cleansing of His Atonement to those who sorrow in sin, the Lord's power will sustain you. His arms are outstretched with yours to succor and bless the children of our Heavenly Father including those in your family."

Elder and Sister McOmber with one of our wonderful missionaries:  Elder Jesperson.

Missionaries after District meeting

This next week is transfers.  We have 4 missionaries going home, one sister and three elders.  There are 19 new missionaries coming, 8 sisters.  We also have 8-10 Visa Waiters coming.  They are Elders and Sisters that are waiting for a visa to go to their permanent assignment.  We have them sometimes for a few day, sometimes for months, waiting on their visa.  We love these Elders and Sisters.  With that many new ones coming, everybody has been very busy.  The office has been humming.

Elder McOmber at his desk, he does have some sort of organization!

Elder Tolman, AP, looking at the transfer board.

Elder Walker keeping track of Visa Waiters.

Training for the Zone and district leaders is this week.  Elder McOmber is dressed for setting up new apartments.

Elder and Sister Rothschild are leaving in 2 weeks,  2 new sets of Senior  missionaries came  this week.
The Barlow's from Utah will work in the office.  The Davis' from Oregon will proselyte.  The Reynolds have a few more months(they work in the office) and the Butler's also have a few more months. We have one more year.

We got 8 new cars again this week, we are suppose to get rid of some of the old ones.  This time I opted out to stay and hold down the fort.  I do NOT like driving in California, especially with a new car that is not mine.  Elder McOmber drove this car home, a Chevy Cruz.

Elder Dixon is the new AP, Elder Tolman is retiring.  He will be going home in July to his Zonkeys in Logan.  This is Elder Tidwell with Elder Dixon.  Elder Dixon is a convert and is a wonderful missionary, very personable.

Waiting for leadership meetings.

Elders stop into my office to ask questions, hang out, check their weight, learn stuff.

 

Trying on Elder McOmber's hat.

An Elephant in the "mail".???

Today was a beautiful day, almost perfect!  Elder McOmber took care of some missionaries bikes, beds and misc. things.  In the evening, we roasted marshmallows.  We could hear the peepers and we went inside smelling like we were camping.  Memories........

Papa likes his marshmallows charcoaled.

It has been a very busy week, but we will have an even busier week next week.

"Kneel down to pray. Step up to serve. Reach out to rescue. Each is a vital page of God's blueprint to make a house a home and a home a heaven."Thomas S. Monson, "Heavenly Homes, Forever Families", Ensign  June 2006