Missionary Work (and Play)

Since I last posted, missionary life has just proceeded as usual.  We had a busy Sunday, attending the YSA 1st Ward Meetings, the Linger Longer, the CES Fireside Broadcast, and a dessert afterwards. On Monday, after spending time at the Institute prepping for Tuesday's class, we both had doctor's checkups, then fixed dinner for the missionaries.  After dinner, we attended the YSA 2nd Ward's FHE - a movie and ice cream sundae night here at the Institute building.  This is actually the YSA 2nd Ward's church building, with a chapel, library, and offices upstairs.  So, many of their ward activities are held here.  We always feel needed and appreciated, because we often end up providing the "adult supervision", setting things up, finding the supplies, etc. (Yes, I know they're technically adults - but all of you reading this know how 18-31 year olds are!)

Tuesday night we had class.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays, we usually come over to the Institute Building early, then take an afternoon break and come back at 4:00 so the Institute Director and the secretary can leave.  Class is always fun.  We've learned so much by teaching the Pearl of Great Price.

Wednesday mornings we shop for the food for the Forum Luncheon the next day.  We also do some food prep and baking so the next day isn't quite so crazy. Wednesday is the day we meet with our LDSSA Officers to plan our future activities.  Thursday is our Luncheon Day, so we are busy cooking and cleaning until that is over.  We've had great attendance, though, and some of the kids are bringing in friends so they can be introduced to the church and the Institute.  

Friday morning, we took some time off (since the temple was closed), and took a harbor cruise.  It was beautiful!

Just Chillin'

The Happy Couple!

Yikes! A day at sea certainly does wonders for my hair!

That night, we set up a tailgate party for the Institute prior to the Soccer game.  It was fun - grilled hotdogs, made nachos and homemade lemonade, then walked a few blocks to the Soccer Stadium. We have 2 LDS players on the team, so it made a big cheering squad for them!  Next month, we plan to do the same thing for a Football game.

Quite a Souz Chef!

Just Mingling!

Sunday was another baptism.  Wow, I have never seen or experienced anything like this!  Watching the conversion process and the excitement that comes from baptism is just amazing.  And the enthusiasm that makes them want to bring in others keeps the work going.  We have another baptism scheduled for this Saturday, and that investigator is bringing in more friends.  They have needed me to play the piano for the baptisms, so that is one way I serve.  Saturday I also practiced a song with Elder McCloy to sing at Sacrament Meeting on Sunday.  I play the piano for the YSA 1st Ward Sacrament Meeting and Relief Society.  That is something I had no idea I would be doing, but it's something they need, and I'm happy I can do that to serve them.  

Monday was a really fun FHE.  One of the young men attending the YSA 2nd Ward is stationed on a submarine here.  So, we were able to have a tour of the sub.  That's something I would never have been able to see or do were we not here, and it was fascinating.

Elder Baloaloa, Elder McGuire, one of the sailors, and Elder McCloy

The YSA 2nd Ward

Meanwhile, back home. . . . . . . . .

Cousin Love! Ellie and Leila at Erica's Birthday Lunch

And then...

I just got done reading Sister McGuire's post - I am a little behind in composing anything.  So I thought I would just add a few things from my perspective.  We found that on Sundays trying to go to two wards was very tiring.  Seven to eight hours straight is a lot of church and meetings - besides aren't we old enough to be entitled to a little rest on the Sabbath?  I found some scriptural justification for our move: Mosiah 4:27 And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man (or woman) should run faster than he has strength.  And D&C 10:4 Do not run faster or labor more than you have strength and means....  Sounds like the Lord is with us on this one.  Actually, we found that we could interact better with the YSAs by staying in the one ward for the whole meeting schedule.  I think it's a winner!
It was wonderful to see Bobby and his family this past week, but it was interesting to feel that we were headed home, even though it was our little apartment.  I guess wherever you stay permanently during any time truly becomes "home". 
And despite Sister McGuire's disclaimer, I knew exactly what I was doing inspecting those cars!  I made sure each had four tires and the key worked - enough said.
Next week is apartment inspection again, so we have to gear up for that.  It will be fun to see the young missionaries and remember what it was like to be one.  Their apartments are better than they were in Brazil, but it still leaves a lot to be desired.  But then, they don't really care a lot - they can live wherever. 
One of the great benefits of being a senior missionary is being able to watch BYU football games.  The poor elders can't participate, but I can go through all the ups and downs of each game.  It has been a wonderful time watching the two so far, but I am sure that some bumps lie ahead.  Nonetheless, GO COUGARS!

All this and Disneyland too!

Just checking back to see how long it's been since we posted on the blog.  Looks like about 10 days - time flies! When I last posted, we were busy preparing our Thursday Forum luncheon. It was lots of fun and a great success! This will be one of our regular duties here, so every Thursday will find us in the kitchen.

The institute director asked us to remain at the Institute until late Thursday evening so that the students could come and use it to study, relax, etc. in the evening.  So we stayed and ate our dinner there.  Elder McGuire is posing with his Costco Chicken Caesar salad!

Friday, we attended our first zone meeting.  So fun to see these young missionaries in action.  They asked me to come prepared to bear my testimony about the Purpose of Missionary Work. We enjoyed learning from the Zone Leaders, and being able to contribute a little to the training.  Here's a picture of Elders McCloy and Baloaloa, the Zone Leaders, in action!

And then Saturday, we were able to attend the temple with the Slaughter family (from home) to see Kristi get married.  So great to do an endowment session and the sealing with them!  It's such a blessing to be in the temple, thank you so much Carolyn and David for inviting us.  It couldn't have been more beautiful! What a sweet, sweet moment it was for both of us, especially for Elder McGuire, having been Kristi's bishop.

Sunday, we decided to try a different approach to attending the meetings with both wards.  We focused on just one ward, attending the Ward Council and all of their meetings, plus the Break the Fast held afterwards.  Next week we'll do the same with the other ward.  We will then attend the FHE and activities of the alternate ward during the week.  I think we'll like it better - it won't feel quite so frantic and we won't be so worn out.

Monday we spent time at the institute, grocery shopped for the Thursday forum, then attended FHE with all of the Senior Missionary Couples. That's quite a party crowd!  They love to get together and have fun.  We had a Soda Jerk party, making our own milkshakes and sodas.  We also saw a slide presentation by the missionaries in Imperial Valley - the inland agricultural area.  It's extremely hot, and almost exclusively Spanish speaking.  The CES missionaries there are taking Spanish lessons so they can communicate with the people.

With our milkshake - we're in the Grossmont Institute Building

Tuesday night we had our class again.  This time, both missionary companionships in the area attended.  Studying the Pearl of Great Price enough to teach it has been a great experience.  

Because we were going to be gone on Thursday, we spent the afternoon on Tuesday prepping the Forum meal (lasagna, salad, garlic bread, and cinnamon roll cake.)  

Wednesday morning we had our first experience of doing car inspections during a zone conference.  (The mission doesn't know how iffy it is to have US doing car inspections!) It was beastly hot and humid.  After lunch, we left to go to Anaheim to meet Bobby and family for a couple of days at Disneyland.  (Senior missionaries have a lot of flexibility - had to let the Mission President know when we left and when we got back was all.)

So, Wednesday evening and Thursday were spent with Bob's family in Disneyland.  So good to see them all!  Kids already looked like they had grown!  We had a lot of fun - even though it was SAUNA HOT!  I don't think I've ever been to Disneyland when it's been this hot - high 90's with 60 percent humidity!  I've got a million pictures, but here are three:

We're back now, and catching up on errands, etc. today.  Being with Bob's family made us anxious for time with each of them - we feel so grateful that we are close enough that we can enjoy their company occasionally!  Nat is coming next! (Sept. 27)

CES - Cooking Every Second!!

It's been one of those weeks that I was told about - CES stands for "Cooking Every Second"!  I like to invite the missionaries we work with over to dinner (feels like I'm feeding "my boys"), and wanted to test out a new recipe for Cafe Rio Salads on them, so Wednesday and Thursday evenings, we fed the missionaries.  It's so fun, we get to know them better, talk about some of the work we are both doing in our YSA Wards, and they always take time to teach us a message.

Friday we had a delightful surprise from home!  Penny Puzey and her son and granddaughter came over to see us at the Institute building.  We had discovered a bag full of childrens' blankets and blanket material in one of our closets that apparently a YSA Relief Society made at one time, but never delivered anywhere.  So I contacted Penny and she plans to take them to the Ronald McDonald house where she has been staying. What a treat to see her!

My dear, dear friend Penny!  What a delight!

The day Penny was there, Elder McGuire and I were cooking, preparing the lunch for a Seminary Training conference on Saturday (fed 85 people.) Cafe Rio Salads - which is apparently a "Utah thing", but they liked them!  

My Souz Chef - and main dishwasher!

We had a wonderful team helping in the kitchen - the Monks, the Scotts, and the Perry's - all CES missionaries at different Institutes.

Sunday was our usual busy day.  We also had a fireside that night (made treats for), with a special speaker, Brother Scott Gill.  Listening to his talk about the parallels between the Book of Mormon times and our times really gave me a testimony of the special people our youth are, to be born in this time when the challenges are so many and the Lord is depending on them so much.  What a privilege to be called to work with them!

Monday we worked at the Institute, getting ready for our class.  We also shopped for the groceries for the next "food activity".  That's probably Elder McGuire's least favorite thing to do - 

Tuesday we did food preparation again for most of the day.  Then we taught our Pearl of Great Price class that night.  We both love to teach, so it was our favorite part of the week.  Elder McGuire and I read and study the materials together, plan our class, then "tag team" teach - going back and forth a couple of times.  We had 12 in the class - a good size for teaching.

And then Wednesday we were in charge of the luncheon for the MLC (Missionary Leadership Conference) - feeding 65 missionaries.  Lots of work, but we love serving those young Elders and Sisters.

And then today was our first Thursday Forum.  I am in charge of lunch for that, and took a wild guess on how many to serve.  I made 40 chicken enchiladas, which was just about right because we had 20 students.  That will always be my job - Thursday lunches.  (Let me know if you have any great ideas for food!) We also stay at the Institute evening so that it's open for student use.

That's about it.  If any of you come to San Diego to visit, please call us and we'll get together! We love company from home!

Here Comes Fall

This past week has been tough and yet productive. We have cooked and cooked and cooked. Well, at least Sister McGuire has - I just helped and got dishpan hands. We had two large meals to prepare. We were asked by Brother Mackay to fix dinner for 85 Seminary teachers last Saturday. They were meeting for training for the upcoming year. Luckily we had the help of fellow senior missionaries: the Monks, the Perrys and the Scott's. Nonetheless, Sister McGuire took the lead in preparing Cafe Rio salads and mini-cupcake desserts. We pulled it off, but weren't able to see much of the training itself. Luckily it was based on much of what we were taught in the MTC.
On the heels of that cooking experience we had earlier agreed to prepare lunch for the Mission Leadership Conference that took place yesterday. We had given the APs three choices of food for that and they sent out the possibilities to the leaders. They came back with, yes you got it, Cafe Rio salads. So yesterday it was feeding 65 leaders with that, Frito salads and Texas sheet cake. Guess what - we got very tired. Not only that, in anticipation of those two meals we prepared the salads for the APs and the ZLs we work with for their approval. Four meals of Cafe Rio salads in two weeks!  We'll wait a little while to eat those again.
The result of those two large meals was a week of grocery shopping, cooking, and preparing food. We don't anticipate this re-occurring soon so the break will be welcomed. Of course today we start preparing Thursday Forum lunches at the Institute. Luckily, Brother Mackay wants these to be simple and we think only about 15-20 at most will come.
We started teaching our Pearl of Great Price class on Tuesday. It was a lot of fun!  One thing I have noticed is how much these YSAs need the Institute. It is a refuge from the world.
Last Saturday we went to a SDSU soccer game to watch two of our students/YSAs play in a game.  We got there just after the game started and watched Dallin Cutler play most of the first half.  Winston Sorhaitz came in with about 5 minutes left in the half and we watched until the end of the half.  Since it had been a long day with feeding the seminary teachers, we left and missed the second half, but Winston told us he played the whole second half and they ended up winning 3-1.

Winston Sorhaitz moving to receive the ball

Today we were again cooking for Thursday forum - a time for students and others to come for a short message and lunch at the Institute.  We fed about 20 of us and had a great time.  It is another opportunity to get to know everyone better.  We are enjoying our time in the Institute.  We won't be teaching everyday, in fact once a week, but we will be trying to make the Institute a stronger presence on campus and in the minds of the YSAs.  

We look forward to our first "family" visit as we go next week up to Anaheim to see Bobby and family.  It is always difficult to not see them as much as we are used to, but this is just a window in time and it will probably pass too quickly.