Solvang Elders, Etc.

We took a little trip up to Solvang today and inspected the apartment there.  This is me chatting with Elder Bate (Ogden) and Elder Jorgenson (Boise). 

Elder Mecham takes picture of all the apartments when he visits them, for the records.  He was snapping pictures all over the apartment, and it was hard to stay out of the way :)  We took these elders to lunch at a Chinese restaurant -- their choice.  It was fun to visit with them and get to know them a little better.  Their area is quite large, but it sounds like they have some great investigators -- and they recently had a baptism.

We had an enjoyable trip and saw some fall colors.  Most of the trees, however, are either evergreens or they don't change colors.  The hillsides are very dry and brown, but Solvang is one of the prettiest areas around.  Of course, I always love driving up the coast and seeing the ocean.  I keep hoping to spot some dolphins; Elder Mecham has seen some on some of his many trips to the Santa Barbara Airport and other places up the coast.  I still have time :)

Last night (Friday) we took dinner to the Traveling Elders' apartment, since they cannot come to our place, due to the fact that it is out of their assigned proselyting area.  So we hauled up to their place a crockpot of Santa Fe chicken, rice, shredded cheese, sour cream, green salad, pretzel salad, and lime pie.  They appreciated it.  And we had a fun visit with them.  I will always have a soft spot in my heart for Elder Cary and Elder Van Tassell.  They are wonderful missionaries.  They are the ones teaching both Shawntele and Kim.

Speaking of which, I'm distraught about Kim and her situation.  She is currently staying with an acquaintance and his "roommate."  She and her three kids.  She has GOT to find a place to live.  Michael, the father of Audrena, ought to be strung up!  He has her van and car seat for Audrena, and who knows what all.  Of course, we don't know the whole situation, but she is really in a mess.  Since the elders are continuing to teach her, they had the address of where she is staying now.  On top of all the mess she's in, she is still taking missionary lessons and wants to be baptized.  I felt so helpless when we visited her -- she is at her wit's end and weeps easily.  She had made a list of what she needs to do, and it seems her hands are tied to make much progress.  The kids have got to be unsettled in their little minds, being drug from place to place.  Yet they are well behaved and she is good to them.  Audrena woke up from a nap while we were visiting today.  She wanted me to hold her, and of course I love her to pieces and held her and loved on her.  She snuggled her head on my shoulder and didn't want to go back to her mom.  It's been several days since we've seen Kim and her children, yet Audrena seems to remember and like me.  It melts my heart.  I asked Kim if she needed anything, and she admitted she needed milk.  We left her with a few dollars to get some groceries.  But she has no car.  She doesn't want to impose on people.  We were actually taking her a list of job possibilities that the counselor in the bishopric had put together. Who will take care of those little kids while she works, even if she finds a job?  What a mess she is in!  We keep her and her sweet children in our prayers!  I wish we could do more to help.  We will attend the ward leadership meeting tomorrow (not sure which one it is) and see if anything more can be done. I know the ward has helped her lots already.