Elders Mecham

We were a bit surprised to learn that there were two young Elder Mechams in our mission.  We had zone conferences this past week and these two young missionaries happen to now be serving in the same zone.  Picture time!  Here are the three amigos :)

:) :) Elder Mecham, Elder Mecham, and Elder Mecham :) :)

Bet you can guess which one I like the best and think is the handsomest

I enjoyed our time at zone conferences. We don't actually attend the meetings, except at the very beginning -- we go in for the opening song and prayer, then we are excused to go do car inspections.  We got them done in record time this go around because not only have we got a system down, but this time we had the Castro children helping out. While Elder Blue is checking car fluids, Elder Mecham and Sam are checking tire pressures.  Sister Blue and I get the mileage, check to make sure each car has the necessary documents, then check to make sure blinkers, headlights, brake and back-up lights are all working. Hanna helped with that. 

We are impressed with the Castro kids!  They have been well trained.  After we completed our outside duties in HOT Bakersfield and had gone inside, we asked the ladies setting up for the luncheon if they needed help.  No, they said they had it covered.  Well, the Castro kids followed the sister down the hall, saying, "Well, we're going to help them anyway."  And they did!  They are great kids!  They don't always attend all the zone conferences, but because it is summer and they are out of school, the whole family was there every day.  Joseph will be leaving for his own mission next month.  He played prelude for most of the meetings this week - he plays the piano beautifully.  I know his family will miss that wonderful music (along with many other things) when he is gone.  He is a such a great young man!

The luncheons each day were so delicious, with the ward and stake sisters so eager and willing to serve the missionaries.  Each day after everyone has eaten, the zone leaders have all those who have helped with the luncheon to come into the cultural hall and introduce themselves and tell if they have anyone in their family who has served or is serving a mission.  I was so touched as some of these sisters told how they were converts and of how much they loved the missionaries. Then, as a thank you to the "lunch ladies," all the missionaries stand, put on their suit coats (which they take off to eat), and sing "Called to Serve."  You know how I love to sing!  But I found myself singing very softly so I could soak in the Spirit as the elders and sisters sing this song with gusto!  It was a special experience!

I mentioned that Bakersfield was hot - 108 Tuesday and 106 Wednesday - yup "baker"sfield - a fitting name:)  But the missionaries LOVE serving there, because the people there are, on a whole, poorer and more receptive to the gospel.  Elder Garrett, who served in Bakersfield before serving in Oxnard, said, "Yeah, send me to Bakersfield.  Yeah, in the summer and in a bike area.  I LOVE Bakersfield.  Bring it on!"  (He was not transferred back there - yet - but further up the coast, where he continues to be an awesome missionary.) 

It was fun to see the missionaries who used to serve in Oxnard and have since been transferred.  As we get to see these elders and sisters more than the others, we get quite attached to them.  And as our most of our zone got transferred last time, it was great to see them in their new respective zones!