Week 3 - Sister McGuire

Simple dinner in our simple little apartment! Life is good!

Another week in beautiful San Diego.  We're loving it here, and are beginning to feel like it's really home.

We had a busy week.  Of course Sundays are very busy - since we work with 2 YSA wards, we try to attend all of their Sunday meetings we can, including Ward Council.  So that means church from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.  (We usually eat a pb&j sandwich in the car as we're driving between meetings.)  Last Sunday the 2nd ward had a "break the fast" luncheon after church.  The wards usually do either that or a "linger longer" with refreshments.  They really enjoy some mingling time together, and food always facilitates that.  So, I've been trying to make something to contribute - this past week I took a 7 Layer Dip with tortilla chips.

Monday night we had our monthly FHE with all of the Senior Missionaries.  We met at the Mormon Battalion, and had a fascinating presentation by an LDS Neurosurgeon from one of the wards.  The Senior Missionaries are all such wonderful people.  They each sacrifice so much to come and do this work, but are so committed.  It's great to be part of these "covenant people."

Our Institute Director was out of town all week, attending a regional conference.  We were able to view some of the meetings via Internet, and they were so inspiring.  The Brethren really want us to "up our game" with these Young Adults.  They are such a special generation, and the church is losing them rapidly.  Our challenge is set, and we feel a great responsibility to be just a piece of this great effort.

Because our director was out of town, we taught the Institute class Wednesday night.  It was on Isaiah 38-43.  The class is one that the Director is developing himself, so we were left on our own to devise a lesson plan.  It gave us a great opportunity to implement some of the teaching techniques that we learned at the MTC and from the Handbook.  About 40 attended the class.  We loved it, and had a great time teaching.  Can't wait until fall classes start!  Afterwards, the kids hung out, played in the game room, and just visited.  One girl, Lupe, missed class for work, but came over afterwards and asked Elder McGuire to give her a blessing regarding a job interview the next day.  It feels so good to know that we are beginning to serve a purpose in their lives.

We did our first apartment inspection for the Elders in our mission.  Transfers are due soon, so all of the apartments have to be inspected. Each Senior Couple has a route.  We have 4 more to do this week. (I took a plate of cookies to sooth the stress for them!)

Friday we went to the temple and did sealings for some family names.  I still can't believe what a beautiful temple this is - the sealing rooms are GORGEOUS!  In our spare time, I've been working on family history, and have gone a little crazy with clearing and printing names.  So, I've transferred a bunch of them to Kristina.  Emma and Jacob can do the baptisms and confirmations for us.

Friday we went to a little Mexican restaurant for dinner, La Torta.  It was so good, and there was so much food for so little money!

Saturday was our high point.  We had a baptism!  It was a sister that I had befriended the first week (she was sitting alone at Relief Society, and I sat by her and talked with her),  Her name is Kat (Katherine), and she is the girlfriend of a young man in the ward, Nic.  He is a recent convert himself.  Her family is very strong Catholic, and her father was very much against her baptism.  But she took courage, and acted on it.  Sunday they did her confirmation. Next Sunday we have another baptism right after church - Lei Ma.

This Monday we went to FHE at the Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park.  The activities are fun to go to, and such a good chance to mingle.  I quite enjoyed the organ music, but Elder McGuire got bored fairly quickly!

One of the things we have been doing at the Institute is to get the LDSSA going.  Apparently, they had it here at one time, but it was dropped.  So, that necessitates getting the paperwork completed that is required for a campus club, working on bylaws, finding officers, etc.  (My experience with getting the Student Dietetic Association set up at BYU is paying off!)  We've had contact with some wonderful students who are willing to be officers.

By next week, we will have a better idea regarding what we will be teaching and be responsible for in the fall.