This n That

MISSION STATEMENT

In the Great California Ventura Mission:

1.  we are Preach My Gospel missionaries
2.  we baptize
3.  we obey with exactness
4.  we seek to be trusted more than loved
5.  we teach with power and authority

All the missionaries memorize this when they first arrive, on their trip from the airport to the Mission Home.
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Thank you for who you are.  Thank you for the countless acts of love and service you offer up to so many.  Thank you for all that you will yet do to bring the joy of the gospel of Jesus Christ to families, to the Church, to your communities, and to the nations of the world.  We love you.  It is my prayer and blessing that you will never forget that you are truly precious daughters in God's kingdom.

             President Dieter F. Uchtdorf quote given as a bookmark at Sister's Conference

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We are headed to a baptism this afternoon.  In our staff meeting yesterday, President Castro paid Elder Wenz such a nice compliment -- (this is "his" companionship's baptism).  He said Elder Wenz was one of our finest missionaries.  "He works so hard.  And wherever he is, he is baptizing.  He is such a good missionary!"  And he is!  In actuality, they may have two baptisms today.  I'll have to let you know :) 

     No, their next baptism will be in approximately two weeks.  The candidate wants to be baptized right away, but she is having surgery this week and will have to wait until she is healed enough to "get wet."

The baptism today was 14 year old Victoria.  She was baptized by her grandfather, a convert of about 6 weeks :)   Sweet!

This morning we went for our first bike ride since we got here.  Sad that it has taken us this long to go.  It was so good to be outside and get some good exercise.  So enjoyable!  We drove up to Ventura, then biked on a path right by the ocean.  Lots of surfers were out, as well as walkers, runners, and other bikers.  We will definitely be doing that again!  And maybe next time I'll take some pictures :)