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!