Don't Drink the Water

I should mention the Sissons. Super nice people. Brother Allyn Sisson is the second counselor in the bishopric and Sister Trish Sisson is in the YW presidency. Super nice people. We went to dinner at their place two consecutive Sundays.  The first we had leftovers from the tri-ward luau (delicious), and Sister Linda Foster was there as well.  The second was on Mother's Day, and we had a turkey feast. Brother Sisson has cancer -- a slow growing kind.   He had very serious stomach surgery, and it was then they discovered the cancer.

Sister Foster is a trained opera singer.  She has been so kind and friendly from the first time we attended church.  We learned that her husband died three months ago from a fast growing cancer. He had been the second counselor in the bishopric.

We also learned that both Brother Skip Johnson (the ward mission leader and former bishop of this ward) and his wife, Julie, have cancer. Julie has been dealing with hers for many years. Someone told us Skip has only 6 months to live. He seems healthy, but evidently that is not so.  The Johnsons invited us to their house for ice cream our first Sunday here.  Lovely people.

The Spicers, Susan and Ted.  We see them every week.  Susan wheels Ted into sacrament meeting in a wheelchair.  She is so attentive to him and treats him lovingly.  We learned that Ted used to run 20 miles a day.  He became very ill and almost died, then he had a stroke.  She sat at his bedside and read to him, held his hand, discussed gospel lessons  -- would go out into the hall and cry, then return and "carry on."  Ted, who was not given a chance to survive, is now walking with a cane - and Susan's help.  It has been sweet to observe them.

Many health issues in the small Oxnard 2nd Ward, with which we have been so impressed.

Monday night we attended an "Empty Nesters" family home evening.  All of the above people except the Sissons were in attendance -- plus several others (including Sister Braxton, mentioned in previous post), and we were told there are usually more.  It was great fun.  First, a potluck dinner (and it was mighty fine), then a Book of Mormon trivia game.  Fun!  They do this once a month, although the activity varies. 

Did I mention that we really love this ward?