The End of November

Wow!  Time gets away from us!  The last six months have just flown by - it seems like we just barely passed the anniversary of the beginning of our mission.  It's been a busy and eventful past six weeks.

Cute kids, singing at the baptism

On Oct. 6,  we flew home to Utah.  What a great and special occasion it was as we were able to witness the baptisms of our 2 little grandsons, Cade and McCoy.  Being born on the same day has meant sharing a lot of special experiences together for the two of them.  So, we flew out late Thursday, and came back on Monday.  Too short to settle in at all, but long enough to realize how much we miss our bed at home!

In the airport, excited to go home!

While we were there, we had our annual McGuire Halloween Party - with all of the kids in costume.  We also celebrated Ellie's 4th birthday.  So much family fun, but we could feel the draw of the mission on us.

Halloween Costume Party

So, we're back to work.  Our semester is busy.  We have independent study students that we meet with, two different classes that we prep and teach, our Forum lunch that we prepare (plan, shop, cook, and clean up), and various mission responsibilities.  On Oct. 12, we had a zone meeting.  On Oct. 14, we did apartment inspections on the Elders' apartments.  And of course, we have to fit in BYU Football watching!

One thing we did while we were home was to pick up a new van.  Jeff, Natalie, and McCoy drove it down to San Diego on Oct. 15.  So, we were able to have some time with them here.  Our apartment is big enough that we used some blow up mattresses and they could stay with us.  They went to Church with us on Sunday.  That afternoon, we took a drive to La Jolla to see the tide pools.  For a few days, we juggled our missionary work and playing with Nat - going to the zoo, beach, etc. She went to Disneyland for a couple of days, then came back and picked up our Lexus to drive back.  That way, we have our minivan to drive home.

Jeff, McCoy, and Bumpa - chillin' at the beach!

On Friday night, we went to Lucha Libre for dinner with some of the other CES Senior Missionaries.  Our very good friends, the Perry's, left for home that evening.  They had been assigned to the Chula Vista Institute, and we had worked together very closely throughout our mission.  Miss them!

Elder and Sister Perry with us

The next day, Saturday, Oct. 22, Bobby and family came.  So excited to see them - they hadn't been to San Diego yet.  Unfortunately, by Sunday morning, Leila was throwing up.  Erica, Bobby, and Gavin also got sick.  Somehow it bypassed us - the blessings of the mission!  They somehow found the strength to trek through the zoo, Sea World, and the USS Midway. Then Wednesday, they left for Disneyland, stayed a few days, and flew home from there.  LOVED having them there!

Grandpa and Owen on the USS Midway

By Thursday, Oct. 27, we were back to a normal mission schedule with Forum Lunch, classes, etc.  Friday was a wedding of two of our students:  Tina Trepanier and Micheal Guevera.  Micheal had just barely been baptized when we came on our mission.  We had the privilege of teaching him Temple Prep, and attending his endowment session when he first went to the temple. To see that culminate in a temple wedding was a beautiful experience.

Tina and Micheal Guevara

On Saturday, the San Diego Stake held their Trunk or Treat.  So, we did our very first Trunk or Treat - lots of fun with many darling kids!  Glad I packed our Mr. and Mrs. Incredible shirts - we have used them!

Our new van, and Mr. and Mrs. Incredible!

Sunday morning at 7:15 am we had a missionary meeting with a General Authority.  It was supposed to be Elder Rasband, but his wife fell and broke her shoulder, so they headed home.  Elder Hallstrom spoke instead.  Then we attended Stake Conference in the San Diego East Stake. For Halloween, we went to a party at the Bishop's house.

On Tuesday, we went to Hobby Lobby with Brother Mackay to purchase new Christmas decorations for the Institute.  We wanted to get started early with setting up Christmas since the semester ends so quickly after Thanksgiving.  On Nov. 10, we "Decked the Halls of the Institute" - with a special Christmas dinner for Forum.  The students stayed and put up the tree and other decorations.  So, we have had Christmas here early - we love it!

We have had Senior FHE, dinner for the missionaries, etc. This last transfer, we had Sister Missionaries transferred to the 2nd Ward.  They have been so great to work with! And of course we juggle into our schedule activities with the wards like FHE, helping whereever they need us.

For Thanksgiving, we went to Bishop and Sister Goff's.  They are such great people, we will really miss them.  On Friday, Nov. 25, we had a Departure Temple Session, then a Departure Dinner and Testimony Meeting with the Mission President.  The week was topped off with the baptism of Thomas on Saturday.  

Sister Chang, Sister Whitcomb, Thomas Perkins, and Aaron Schmid

Last night we took the Sisters out to dinner.  Sister Whitcomb flew home today.  We have loved working with them, and hope to keep in touch with her.

Us, Sister Whitcomb, and Sister Chang

Only 21 more days here!  We made a big list of all of the things we still need to accomplish while we are here.  So we're working furiously to get it all done.  We still have people that we feel inspired to work with and do a little extra "push" with.  Our new Temple Prep class will have to have a condensed schedule in order to get everyone through before we leave. We keep adding people to the class who come to us and want to take it.  So happy to be of such assistance in building the kingdom!

Some thoughts

My dear wife has agreed to post the daily or weekly or monthly activities of our mission and for that I am ever grateful.  It is left to me to just record some thoughts about things that have occurred over the past few weeks.
As we contemplate our time in the mission coming to a close (only three weeks left from today), we approach it with mixed feelings.  We are ever so grateful for the experiences that we have had.  We could never have had the spiritual and experiential things occur anywhere else but in this mission at this time.  We have been touched by the people we work with in both the wards we work with, the Institute, and the mission friends we have made.  Never would we have met these wonderful people and allowed them to affect our lives if we had not gone on our mission.  Just a few examples: We went to our departure temple trip and dinner the other night and had the wonderful opportunity to be among Elders and Sisters, some of whom we had worked with, and others that we had not, along with our beloved Mission President and his wife.  We spent time worshiping, eating and testifying and the spirit was strong.
Another example was our experience with a four month member of the church, Yessie.  She called just yesterday to say that her non-member sister was in the hospital and asked us to come and have me participate with her Bishop in giving a blessing before the surgery.  What a choice experience to invite the Lord's blessings on one of His children.
Later that night we attended both FHE's of the wards and had a great time interacting with the members.  How we love them!  Sister Whitcomb was leaving the next day (today) and we took her and her companion Sister Chang to dinner and later she requested a Priesthood blessing and I was privileged to give it to her.  She is an example of the marvelous young missionaries that we deal with on a regular basis.  We will miss them and look forward to seeing some of them at reunions and maybe visits to Utah.
I have written on other occasions about the wonderful Senior Missionaries that we work with.  The Lord must be pleased that some of His most diligent and faithful sons and daughters take the time in their later years to serve and do it so well.  We love them and are grateful for their unselfish service.  It is so important for the Lord's work to have all those who are willing to leave children and grandchildren and lovingly serve.  I just wish that all senior couples were in a position to serve.
Finally, I am so grateful for the opportunity to teach.  We have learned so much as we have studied the scriptures and gained new insights and a love for the gospel.  Hopefully we have touched a few lives in our teaching, but we certainly have increased our love for the scriptures and the teachings of the church.
As we look ahead at the last three weeks of our service there is so much left to do.  We will be busy right up to the end and that is the way it should be.  We will leave tired, but happy.  It will be good to be back with family and friends, but some part of our hearts will remain in San Diego.

Just an Uplifting Experience

I am much better leaving the day to day posts to Sister McGuire.  I struggle at best with them.  But every now and then we get a special blessing in the mission where we come in contact with a young single adult whose life has changed due to the gospel and we get to share in that.  This happened this past week one of our students, Kimberly Almaguer, told us the story of her coming back.  She had signed up for Institute, but was inactive even though she occasionally was involved in Institute and church.  She attends our Eternal Family class and a few weeks ago said that she loves the class.  That is always payback to a teacher.  Then last week she explained that although she has been inactive she always said her prayers.  As she started Institute class she began again to read the scriptures.  She explained that she had a strong feeling that she should move to San Diego where she had grown up as a child.  She found an old neighborhood friend who just happened to be looking for a roommate and she moved in with her.  As the first rent payment approached she realized she did not have the money and she was returning to her car the other day and she noticed a note on her car.  A lady had dented her fender and left contact information so that she could reimburse her to get it fixed.  Kimberly contacted her and the lady's insurance arranged for payment for the damages.  After receiving the check, Kimberly went to look at the damage and noticed the dent was no longer there, although several scratches remained.  She decided not to repair it and instead had enough money to pay her rent.  She viewed that as a true blessing.

She began about two weeks ago to come back to church and attends the YSA 2nd Ward.  Other blessings have followed.  She just got a job teaching special education children that will provide her the employment in an area that she needs.  While it is only an internship now, they have indicated that once she graduates it could become permanent.  It is exactly the kind of job she wants.

The blessings of the Lord come as we follow the commandments.  Like the prodigal son who returned, there are blessings awaiting all who turn to God.  Blessings come as we serve, and we also see those blessings in others as we serve diligently.  Kimberly will continue to feel those blessings as she is faithful and we too can see similar blessings in our lives as we remain faithful and follow our Savior.

Another Busy Semester!

How familiar the excitement of a new school year is!  That was my life for so many years.  And I feel it again this fall - especially now that we have some experience behind us here!

We have had many good things happen this fall semester.  Elder McGuire and I worked really hard during the summer on Summer Institute. We had some great experiences with meeting new students and providing an "Institute Experience" for the Region. As fall came, and we sat down with Bro. Mackay to make plans, we all felt very inspired to try some new things for scheduling, etc.  For one thing, for our daytime classes we tried to match the on-campus class scheduling better.  We offered classes beginning every 1 1/2 hours, and each class only required once a week attendance. We also have the option of Independent Study for students who need a class at a certain time, or are the only ones signed up for a class.  Our class offerings are equalized such that Monday and Tuesday daytime classes are the same class as Wednesday nighttime.  In the reverse, the Tuesday night class is the same as the Wednesday and Thursday daytime.  It has resulted in a lot more activity here at the Institute during the days, and feels much more like it's a "place" for students to gather.

We also spent time cleaning and redecorating.  Bro. Mackay created and printed some wall hangings/posters.  We love seeing his creative brain at work!  (So glad he can do that, we don't have any creativity AT ALL!)

We basically gave up on the idea of LDSSA.  The campus threw too many complications at us to be compliant with their "open/tolerant" policies.  (That means tolerant of everything except LDS standards.)  So, instead, we are making an Institute Advisory Council that is Ecclesiastically led. That means representation from each ward/stake in both priesthood leadership and student leaders.  We held our first meeting on Aug. 28.

August 30 was a real payday for us.  One of the new converts, who was baptized just before we came, passed her year's membership mark and left on a mission.  Her name is Myduyen Nguyen Ngo - she is from Viet Nam.  Such a darling, enthusiastic girl!  She's going to San Jose, English speaking. We felt so pleased that she asked us to come to her setting apart.

Bishop Skaggs and wife, Megan, Nguyen, myself and Elder McGuire, Pres. Hendrickson

August 29-31 was our "back to school" orientation.  We made lemonade in our big cooler and set up a table in the parking lot where the new students would come in to park.  That was we could catch people, talk to them, and get them signed up for a class. We had a very busy week with that, feeding missionaries, our first night class of the semester, Forum Lunch, apartment inspections, Mission Departure Dinner, etc.  By the end of the week my shoes had taken their toll!

"Real" missionary shoes!

We are able to watch BYU Football on the TV in our apartment.  I'm so grateful (for Elder McGuire's sake!)  This year though, we have one of the missionaries we worked with on the team - Elder Austin McChesney.  It makes it much more interesting when you have someone you know there!  On Labor Day, since we didn't have class, we went for a drive to see some of the more quirky and interesting sights in San Diego - things like the Lemon Grove lemon, Harper's Topiary Garden, etc.

The Lemon Grove lemon

The next week our daytime classes started.  At this point, we have class on Monday at 3:30, Tuesday at 2:00 and 3:30, Wednesday at 7:00, and Thursday at 3:30.  The Monday and Tuesday times only had one student in them, so we do an independent study/discussion time with them.  Wednesday night we teach the New Testament (the Four Gospels), and Thursday 3:30 we teach The Eternal Family.  Those, plus Forum Lunch, ward activities, and missionary assignments seem to keep us busy.

We did go to an SDSU Soccer game on Sept. 9. Elder McGuire likes to watch our LDS players on the team and it's just walking distance from our Institute building.  And of course, we had a BYU game on Saturday.  Sunday we held the Worldwide Devotional Broadcast by Elder Cook here at the Institute.  We went to FHE at Nonie's house in Point Loma, and on Tuesday, we filled Elder McGuire's craving for good Mexican food by walking over to Trujillo's Tacos for Dinner.  Friday we did vehicle inspections during Zone Conference for the missionaries. And that night we had a beach party/bonfire/dinner at Mission Beach to welcome in some of the new couples and say goodbye to some others.  Sister Richardson and I planned it - we decided we must be the unofficial "party crowd" since we're always the party planners!

Trujillo's Tacos

Elder McGuire with Elder Bird

Saturday, Sept. 17, was a baptism - Jovana.  I usually play the piano for those, and try to bring treats for afterwards.  I've become a real expert on making cakemix cookies!  We also watched a BYU game again.  On Sunday, I was in charge of Linger Longer since the Bishop and his wife were out of town.

The next week, the most memorable happenings were getting the Elders to clean our Institute tables and chairs, and going to dinner at the Hamburger Factory with the other Senior YSA/CES missionaries.  I think it's a special type of person that gets that missionary calling - they all certainly have wonderful personalities and testimonies.  We have several new ones who are just beginning their first classes this fall.

On Saturday, Sept. 24, I watched the Women's General Broadcast from my apartment.  We had missionaries for dinner on Sunday and Monday.  The next week continued as usual, busy, but "good busy".  And of course conference weekend was great!  It's a real treat when you're a missionary.  Sunday, we divided our time between our two wards, picking up on brunch at both places.  

Tonight we have our night class.  Our little non-member friend, Kylee, just wandered in to talk and needing a healing blessing.  Tomorrow we do lunch, and then fly out at 4:30 to go home for Cade and McCoy's baptisms this weekend!  Woo hoo!

Getting Ready for a New Semester - Where Did the Summer Go?

Wow! So much time has passed and I just simply didn't get anything posted! So, here I am, trying to remember everything we did in July and August.

I think I last posted after the 4th of July.  Summer Institute continued through July.  It turned out very successful, and we were able to get to know a lot of different students in the area.  In total, we had about 150 different students attend at one or more of the classes.  On July 8, Elder McGuire and I decided to take a break and go to the zoo.  San Diego Zoo is amazing, and since we have season passes, it's great to go for just a short time, knowing you can go back anytime.

At the zoo

In addition to taking care of Summer Institute, we spent time this summer teaching Temple Prep to various students.  We teach during Sunday School time in both of the wards, and then we would meet with students here at the Institute if they had missed lessons. So far, 15 of the students we taught have received their endowments, and we have others who are ready.  Many of them invited us to go to the temple with them, which has been such a joy.

I've been asked to play the piano for several baptisms in our Stake or Zone.  We're always happy to attend those, they are such wonderful occasions.  One of them was for Alexandra, an investigator from "The District" videos.  The church missionary department came and videoed the entire program.

Many of the missionaries we have worked with are completed with their missions and returning home.  When possible, we've tried to take them to lunch for a last goodbye. On July 14, we were able to meet up with Elder Hansen (from Kaysville), and we went to Tacos El Gordo.  We worked with him for a long time in the 1st Ward and really learned to love him.  Can't wait to see him again.

Us with Elder Hansen

Julianne, Natalie, and Kristina came to visit July 15-18.  It was so much fun!  Julianne brought Livy and Kristina brought Henry.  I was able to spend 4 days just doing "girl stuff" - went shopping, to lunch, to church, etc.  It was relaxing and just so much fun.  I love my girls!

Kristina, Julianne, Natalie, and Me - Lunch

Henry and Olivia

Natalie, Me, Kristina, and Julianne

On July 17, while the girls were here, we attended a Fireside by Alex Boye.  It was a great experience for all of the YSA's - they loved him!  Beginning July 18 through August 11, we spent just about every noontime on campus at a booth for campus orientation times. Because we have had so much trouble with getting LDSSA approved on campus, we have turned instead to working with the Campus Religious Council.  Brother Mackay has been very instrumental in organizing this, and it allows us to participate in campus activities as a "group".  It's been very interesting to get to know people who work with other religious groups - Catholics, Jewish, Methodists, Lutherans and Episcopalians. Hopefully, it gives us a little more "presence" on campus.

We did apartment checks for the Elders on July 21, then attended the temple with another of our Temple Prep students, Joel James.  He left on his mission to Houston the second week of August. On July 23, we helped with a Stake Primary Activity in the morning, a YSA Regional Conference in the afternoon, and had dinner with Elder McNaughton that evening.  (He requested Cafe Rio Salads.)  We worked with Elder McNaughton for a long time in the 1st Ward.

Working at the Pioneer Photo Booth for the Stake Primary Activity

The San Diego YSA 1st Ward had 2 wonderful baptisms - Jesse (July 29), and Tyler (Aug. 6).  On July 30, we attended the Temple with Carmen Rodriguez, who had attended our Summer Institute class and invited us.  She was a single mom who had overcome some really hard times to reach the point of temple worthiness, so it was really rewarding to be there.

On August 1, we had a Senior FHE at the Chula Vista Institute. They have an Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, so the speaker was a young LDS woman who goes there.  She is the Alternate for the Olympics in Archery.  It was so interesting to see what is involved in the training to become an Olympic Athlete.  

Sisters Harris, Moore, Johnson, Parkin, McGuire, Perry, Butterworth, and Richardson

Elders Butterworth, Perry, Moore, Parkin, McGuire, Johnson, Harris, and Richardson

On August 2, we worked at the Temple Information Booth. August 8, we had lunch with Elder McCloy at SoupPlantation.  He was the first missionary we really worked with.  When we arrived, he had been in the YSA 2nd Ward for one week and stayed for about 6 months.  We interacted a lot with him, he sang on several occasions and I accompanied him.  We worked very closely with him with the ward members and investigators and really learned to love him.  He lives in Farmington, so we'll be anxious to see him again.

On Aug. 13, we were in charge of the luncheon for the Regional Seminary Training Meeting (about 80 people).  We started out with yogurt, granola, and parfait sundaes.  Lunch was Ham and Cheese Sliders, Spinach and Strawberry Salad, and Lemon Bars.  We had help from the Perry's, so that was fun.  The following day, we hosted a Regional Fireside on "Self-Reliance".  Brother Price from the Grossmont Institute was our guest speaker.  We had about 45 in attendance. For refreshments, I baked Monster Cookies.

On Monday, Aug. 15, we had our Zone Meeting.  We are really fortunate because most of the zones don't invite their Senior Couples to attend, but the Richardsons, Harris's, and us go to ours.  It's just so delightful to see the hard work of these Elders and Sisters.

Zone 2

On Friday night, Aug. 19, we attended a Barbecue at the Butterworth's for the Parkin's (who left Aug. 23).

Butterworth's, Parkins, Us, Richardson, and Iverson's

Sunday, Aug. 21, we took care of Linger Longer for the 1st Ward since the Bishop was out of town. We plan on 60 in attendance, so I made 4 big crockpots of potato soup.  On Saturday, Aug. 20, to do something different, we had lunch at Lucha Libre.  It's a Mexican Wrestling themed restaurant.  Fun!

Elder McGuire at Lucha Libre

Currently, we're busy preparing for school to start next week.  We attended the temple with Lei on Tuesday.  She was the first baptism we were here for, and she went through the temple on her one year anniversary of her baptism date.  So wonderful to be there for that.  Wednesday, we took a little time to go to the Safari Park.  

What a blessing to be here.  We now see some of the results of our work with these kids.  To see people progress from baptism to going to the temple is amazing.  This is truly the work of the Lord in the last days.  His work is hastening, and we are all called to be a part of it.  The church is true, Joseph Smith is a prophet and we have a prophet now.  Our Savior lives, and has provided a path for all of us to return to live with him.  Of these things I testify, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Summer is going, going ....

Well here we are another month gone and another time for posting.  The time seems to move along quickly, even if we should seem to be not as busy.  Those two sentences were written last week - just goes to show how difficult it is sometimes to get back to posting.  Although it shouldn't be as difficult as I make it.  As of today we only have 18 weeks left in the mission field.  It seems that is such a short time left.  It makes us think that we must step up our efforts to work with these YSAs.  Of course with the semester beginning at the end of this month, we will be much more busy and the time will probably fly by.
I will try to recap the past few weeks as succinctly as I can.  We were blessed to have Kris, Natalie and Julianne come here along with Henry and Olivia.  They stayed from July 15 until July 18.  It was fun to have them here.  Diana enjoyed doing their girl things (I have no idea what those were)!

The field from our seats - pretty nice!

It was an interesting game ending in a balk by the Giants' pitcher in extra innings.  Of course I left before that and watched it while riding home on the trolley.  It was a 50 minute ride each way and I didn't relish getting to bed after midnight.  The next day we were able to go to the San Diego Zoo where we had a nice leisurely visit with the animals.  The Zoo is always a fun place to go and we had a great time.  Sunday they all went with us to the YSA 2nd Ward meetings and the YSAs enjoyed seeing the babies.  Monday we had to say goodbye to them which is always hard - but the visit was great!

The girls outside our front door

We spent time during that week going over to the campus and doing "tabling" with the other religious organizations to welcome incoming freshmen.  It really amounted to watching the Catholics get most of the action while the other religions got a few.  Not only were we limited in the numbers that stopped by to speak with us, but it was hot!!!  Although the walk over to campus was only about 10 minutes, you really felt it.  We aren't used to this heat and humidity even after being here for over a year.  I think Sister McGuire and her hair will appreciate a return to a less humid climate.

On Thursday, July 21 we were privileged to attend the temple with Joel James, a YSA who went through our temple preparation course and was going for his first time.  It is always a blessing to be in the temple, but especially so when you accompany someone for the first time.  Since we began teaching the temple preparation classes we have tried to view the endowment session from the eyes of someone going through for the first time.  It has been very interesting to look for the nuances and the experience it as if it was new to us.  Joel left for the Mexico City MTC recently and will be serving in the San Antonio Texas Mission.

Saturday, July 23 was a busy day.  We started by going to a Pioneer Day celebration sponsored by the San Diego Stake Primary.  They had a bunch of activities for the kids along with a spaghetti lunch.  It was interesting to find out that there were only about 70 children in the entire stake.  That is fewer than in most wards.  It just shows how the stake is populated by an aging general population.  But the kids that came had fun and we manned the photo booth where they could dress up and sit in a cover that looked like a covered wagon.  It was a lot of fun.

The inner courtyard of the chapel for the Primary activity

After that we headed up to a YSA Regional activity that we agreed to help with.  We had planned on only being there for about an hour to sign YSAs in as they came, but it turned into about 3 hours.  It was fun to see many of the students that had participated in Summer Institute and made us realize how much that had helped us to get to know YSAs that were outside of the two wards we deal with.  Summer Institute was really a great success.  We had around 125 YSAs show up during the summer and averaged 55-60 each night.  It was also great to see that they came for the class portion more than for the activity that followed or the small treats that were served.  We had only about 1/3 stay for the activity and that was satisfying because we wanted the class to be the draw.

Following the YSA Conference we headed over to a baptism that Sister McGuire had been asked to play the piano for by Elder McNaughtan.  We always enjoy the opportunity to see baptisms even if we haven't worked with the new member.  It is just a joy of our mission.

Elder McNaughtan on the left

After the baptism we had arranged to have Elder McNaughtan and his companions over for dinner at the Institute as he was leaving the mission field for home on the 26th.  He is a great young man and will continue his education at SUU when he returns.  We definitely miss those missionaries who leave, but hope to continue to have some relationships with them after we leave the mission field.  

Well here I added a whole bunch during the last two days and suddenly it has disappeared!  How I love computers sometimes.  So I will try to recreate it and post this today so that I don't get further behind.  On the 29th we were able to attend the baptism of Yessie Teposte, a very exuberant young lady who accepted readily what she was taught.  She told us her life has changed dramatically since accepting the gospel and is so happy now.

Yessie at the time of her baptism

The next day we were able to go the temple with Carmen Rodriguez for her first time.  Carmen has regularly attended Institute and was so excited to go to the temple.  It really is a blessing to these young people to go to the temple and fortify their testimonies.  She came out of the session with a kind of shocked expression that is so common after the first time.  But she was so grateful to be able to go.

On Monday August 1, we were able to attend the Senior missionary FHE in Chula Vista.  LaNola Pritchard, an alternate US Olympic archer spoke to us.  She has been at the Chula Vista Olympic Training center since she was 17, and now four years later she just missed making the team due to sickness.  It was unfortunate for her, but she told us some faith building experiences that she had during her time in Olympic training.  

LaNola with President Schmitt's youngest child

 

 

 

 

On Tuesday we were able for the first time to spend some time at the Information Booth by the temple.  It was fun to speak with visitors, both members and non-members.  We had several Chinese stop by and were lucky enough to have one of our Chinese converts, Lei Ma, there to speak with some of them.  

On August 6 we attended Tyler Williams baptism.  His is another interesting story as the missionaries say that he was a golden investigator.  He asked a girl he was dating why she was so happy and she introduced him to the missionaries.  He accepted everything and did everything the missionaries asked.  When Elder Schroader baptized him, Tyler hugged him for a couple of minutes and just cried.  He was so overcome with the opportunity to be baptized.  Following the baptism, he bore a strong testimony of the gospel and expressed how much it had changed his life.  The next day he was confirmed a member of the Church by Elder Raleigh and then during testimony meeting again bore his testimony for about 10 minutes.  Very unusual for a new convert.  Without being here in the mission field, we wouldn't be able to have these faith building experiences.  We are so blessed to be here and participate with these fine young missionaries and the YSAs we work with here.  

On August 8 we were able to have lunch with Elder McCloy and his companions since he was due to leave the mission on the 20th.  He is a great young man and has been an excellent missionary.  It is nice that he will return to Farmington close to where we live.  In addition he has agreed to sing at our homecoming which will be wonderful as he has a beautiful voice.  

Elder McCloy next to us with Elder Kunz before he was transferred

 On August 10 we had a mission visit by Elder Mervyn Arnold.  It was an interesting visit for the young missionaries as he focused his presentations directly toward them and preaching the gospel effectively.  Although it didn't have as much for us a senior missionaries, it was great for the young missionaries.  Here's just a small portion of his teaching that really pertained to all of us:  After 30 years your legacy as a missionary lives on.  They know who gave it their best and who didn't.  Obedience is the first law of the gospel.  We ought to be happy about this work and excited.  It should be a happy, joyous time.  Why did the Lord say that obedience is greater than sacrifice?  If you are obedient your spirit is being guided by Christ and the body is being led by the spirit.  When you get rejected it is not you, it is the Savior they are rejecting.  Obedience - then - Sacrifice - then Consecration.

On August 13 we had the opportunity to fix lunch for the Seminary teachers in the area.  Ham and cheese sliders worked wonders - it was easy and tasty.  We spent about 6 hours of that day just getting everything up to the Pegasus building, preparing the meal and cleaning up.  As usual it seems to take it out of us, but then it was a lunch for 80 people!

The 14th brought another activity which we sponsored: a fireside with Brother Price.  He spoke about self-reliance which was an important topic for this age group.  The turnout was good, about 40 people, but the sponsoring ward YSA 2nd only had 2 people there because the youth decided to have a going away party for one of their own around the same time as the fireside.  Needless to say the Bishop was not especially happy.  

Well that is enough for now.  I need to get this posted and I'm sure there will be more for later.  As we look now at less than 4 months left in our mission, we are coming to realize the time is short and we need to make every day a day to do all that we can to support the Institute and the YSAs here. 

I let too much time go by without posting!

Wow, the time slips by and suddenly I'm trying to remember everything we've done!  Even without classes going on this summer, we seem to be busy.  We have been trying to work a little more with the wards and helping the "missionary work" (which means helping wherever we are needed).  So this will be a conglomeration of that.

One of the great blessings of a mission is the relationships you make with the other Senior Missionaries. We have dinner once a month with the CES/YSA group.  We also do "fun things" together. On Memorial Day, we went for a drive to Julian (a "Park City" type place) with the Monks and the Richardsons.

At Julian

CES Missionaries (and friends), having dinner together at La Jolla Institute
Scott's, us, Monks, Richardson's, Perry's, and Tanner's

On the 4th of July, we all went to the USS Midway for the evening, and sat on the flight deck to watch the fireworks.  What a great day, and such fun people!

On the Midway with Sisters Glahn, Moore, Richardson, Monk, Perry, and Parkin

We also feed people - the last 2 months we were in charge of the MLC luncheon (Zone Conference - 50 missionaries). I have been able to work with Sister Richardson, who lives next door.  We get along SO WELL - my husband says I've just about met my match in regards to who can talk the most!  Our two husbands just kind of stand back and do the dishes!  Ha, ha!

Since we're in the same Zone as the Richardson's, we decided to hold a barbecue at our pool for the Zone on their P-Day.  So fun!  We just LOVE being around these young, enthusiastic missionaries. We love going to Zone Meeting, helping them with investigators, helping with baptisms (I usually play the piano), etc.  Elder McGuire and I are lucky because we work closely with two companionships (since we work with two wards.)  We try to have each companionship for dinner (with an investigator) about twice a month. We also try to celebrate their birthdays by making a cake for the ward, etc.

Baptism for Alexandra Thacker

Elder McGuire, the hamburger chef!

We've had a little more time to serve individuals in the ward.  We've taken a couple to the airport, we take George to the Bishop's Storehouse, we provide rides to various things.  Most of these kids have so few resources and no transportation. We are still teaching Temple Prep, and many of our class graduates have been able to receive their endowments.  We just finished teaching a young woman, Nicole Lunde, whose baptism date was July 10 - and she was determined to prepare to attend the temple by then. So we scheduled some extra classes and met here at the Institute individually with her during the week. We have a young man we're meeting with today and tomorrow who has his mission call and is leaving in a month. So he needs a quick Temple Prep course!

The biggest thing we have been working on this summer is the combined Summer Institute that we've had each Tuesday night.  Five stakes are participating, and we have between 50-75 students attend each week.  After class, we have an activity (like volleyball, futsal, etc.) and a treat.  We've gotten to know a lot of new kids, and have had a lot of fun.

Meeting up with one of our Institute students, Teresa, at Chick Fil A

After Summer Institute - Us, Perry's, and Monks (who are leaving this week)

Being a Senior Missionary means doing whatever is needed to help out the mission.  This past month we have worked a day at the Mission Office, helped with mission meals, done vehicle inspections and apartment inspections, and attended broadcasts and mission conferences. We also work with Brother Mackay with whatever he needs done (like clean out closets).  Recently, we've been attending meetings regarding the Pathway Program, and are learning a lot about the directions Church Education programs are going to be going in the future. We've been very fortunate to have several General Authorities visit recently (President Nelson, Elder Holland, Elder Davis, Elder Dube, Elder Hamula), either for the mission or stake conference.  It's been a spiritual feast for us.

Elder McGuire sorting through "stuff" from the custodial closet

For Father's Day, I brought our two sons, Billy and Bobby here to play golf with their dad for a couple of days.  It was so fun to have them here, and I think Elder McGuire really enjoyed it.

Bobby, Elder McGuire, and Billy

My brother, Dan and his wife, along with his daughter, Lori and some of her children, came to visit and have lunch together.  It was so good to see them!  Lori lives in Orange County, and Dan was there for her oldest daughter, Marie's, graduation.  

With Dan his family

We are enjoying our new apartment!  It's a lot cooler and more comfortable.  

Outside of our front door.  Just relaxing and reading!

We are enjoying our mission so much!  We love the people, we love the immersion in the gospel, we love seeing the conversion and life changing process, we love the Spirit of it, we love the other missionaries, and we love the Savior.  We're so grateful that we've been able to do this, and are so grateful for the support we feel from our friends and family.  We are grateful for the prayers offered in our behalf, because we know they sustain us in health, energy, and safety. The time is passing way too quickly, and it's hard to believe that we're in the last stretch here.  Our hearts will never be the same!