February Transfers

I LOVE transfer days.  They are l o n g days, but some of the very best!  We left the apartment at 6:30am and got home around 9:30pm.  We gave orientation to the new missionaries, attended transfer meeting (so good!), back to the office, fixed dinner for the departing missionaries, attended testimony meeting with them.  Such a fine day! 

Yesterday we received 12 missionaries, 4 of whom are awaiting visas to Mexico.  We may have them for only a couple of weeks.  We send home 14 missionaries tomorrow.  Next Tuesday two additional missionaries will arrive -- one sister and one elder.  This is going to be so interesting.  President Castro indicated that by the end of the year, there could be as many as 90,000 to 100,000 missionaries in the field!  WOW!  And the Lord is preparing people to be taught by all those missionaries.  So exciting!

Worried

We have not heard from Kim in a dozen days now.  I have no idea where she is or what's happening with her.  She did not show up at church last Sunday.  Evidently Mikey called April Belisle about a week ago at 6:30 in the morning, wanting to know where Kim and the kids were.  What?  They weren't with him?  The Belisles have not heard from her, nor the Relief Society president, nor the bishop, nor us.  Where is she?  Bishop Hooke told me that Kim expressed to him the last Sunday she was at church that I was more a mother to her than anyone had been (recently, I'm sure).  Love that girl -- and her kids!  Wish she would call . . .

Camera Forgotten :(

When we had our "farewell" dinner with The Blues last week, I fully intend to have the waiter take our picture as we enjoyed ourselves at Yolanda's Restaurant.  Oh, I had the camera right in my purse at my side, but did not think about getting a picture until way after the event.  Dang it!

Saturday we enjoyed a great walk down at the harbour and then along the beach.  We saw seals swimming in the harbour, before and after our walk along the beach.  And there were about a dozen large grayish-brown pelicans hovering above (I call them mini pterodactyls :).  Suddenly, one would point its beak straight down, then he'd plummet down and disappear under the water for a few seconds.  We watched several do this.  I surely hope they were able to catch some fish, because I've heard they are starving because there isn't enough food for them.  (I should research this, I suppose, because I don't know if it's true or not.)   There were surfers and clam diggers out in the water.  We gathered a few shells (there aren't many to be found), and enjoyed our walk, even though it was cool and breezy.  Why don't I show you pictures, you ask?  Because my camera was back at the apartment!  Alas and alack!

Small World

Elder and Sister Truman's daughter, Suzy, served a mission in Poland.  Our son-in-law, Gary Allen, also served a mission in Poland.  We discovered today that they served at the same time and knew each other.  Yes, it's a small world! 

I'm pretty sure I've mentioned this before --  Elder and Sister Blue are from Clearfield, Utah.  They, as well as their daughter's family, are in the same stake as Mauri and Gary and my mother and George.  Tawnya McBride (the Blue's daughter) serves in the stake Primary and Mauri serves in her ward Primary, so of course, they know each other.  Yes, it's a small world!

Sunday

Elder and Sister Truman will be assigned to attend a specific ward.  I believe the decision has already been made; however, the bishop of that ward had not yet been notified, so they attended church with us yesterday.  Here they are in the parking lot of the Ventura Stake Center, with the magnificent tree in the background. 

I noticed that Sister Truman is standing up on the sidewalk; Elder Truman down on the pavement -- it makes them closer to the same height :)

The Trumans, from Las Vegas, have five children and

22 grandchildren.  They are a lovely couple!

We are looking forward to getting to know them well :)

We missed Kim and her family at church yesterday.  I have not heard from her since last Sunday.  We heard that Mikey made a call looking for her on Thursday or Friday morning.  Hmmm.  We pray for her and her children every day and hope they are doing okay. 

L. Saal and her three children were to church yesterday.  She and two of the kids have been coming regularly.  This time her oldest daughter came as well.  They are a great family and the missionaries are working closely with them.  They are "solid" investigators.  Mr. Saal is very supportive, but so far has not sat in on the discussions.  We sat in on one discussion with them a few weeks ago; since then, Sister Neville has been going.  This is great, as she and Lisa are probably about the same age; plus, that builds a lasting ward friend relationship.  The Saals are next-door neighbors to Sister Clarke -- a wonderful older lady, who has been a good friend and member missionary.  She has been very instrumental in this whole process.  The Clarke and Saal homes are up on a hill overlooking the ocean.  Gorgeous view! 

We had dinner at the Hookes.  They served dinner to 14 last night -- which included 8 missionaries (4 elders and 4 seniors), and 2 non-member friends.  Bishop and Lori are wonderful, gracious, generous people!

Elder Alvarez and Elder Wenz, being read a story by 5-year-old Julie.  Julie and her mother Elizabeth were to dinner at the Hookes.  Mom is single and Julie is her adopted daughter from Guatemala.  Elizabeth is a non-member friend.  Julie is beautiful and delightful :)

Exciting Times

TO DATE WE HAVE 28 NEW MISSIONARIES COMING TO OUR MISSION IN MARCH!  AWESOME!

The work of the Lord is expanding in miraculous ways!  He is hastening His day! 

And we are going to be so busy!

Changing of the Seniors

It is a somewhat bittersweet time at the Mission Office this week. Today is the final day for Elder and Sister Blue. They will be on the road tomorrow morning, heading back to their "civilian" life in Clearfield, Utah. We have grown to love them dearly and shall miss them very much. We have learned much from them. They are gems! We are excited for them as they soon will again be with their family.

We have a wonderful new senior couple, Phil and Lucinda Truman (hereafter Elder and Sister Truman).  They are from Las Vegas, Nevada.  They are enthusiastic, sweet, and quick learners.  We are looking forward to serving with them and getting to know them much better!  

Today was Zone Leader Council.  It is always good to see the zone leaders as they mingle and have a day of instruction.  We see them as they arrive in the morning, at lunchtime (we get to enjoy with them the delicious lunch prepared by Sister Castro), and again at the end of the day when they come into the office to pick up supplies for their zone.  They have such a glow and zest for the work of the Lord!  No, I didn't get picture of the elders.  A group picture of them all is printed in our monthly newsletter, so I know I will have that.

I must confess, I am feeling a little overwhelmed at being "in charge" of the office now.  Sister Blue did such a great job of it -- and she has trained me well, if only I can just remember everything.  (I DO have her phone number :)  I keep reminding myself that "who the Lord calls, he qualifies."  I know that includes me.

Office Staff

With President Castro - following our staff meeting on Friday, February 1.

We have loved serving in the office with Elder and Sister Blue!  They are beautiful examples of humble, Christ-like disciples of Jesus Christ.  We shall miss them!  We definitely plan to keep in touch and get together again following our mission :)

Notes

Sister's Conference, January 29, 2013

Ever since Sister Castro joined the church, she desired to be a full time missionary.  Her Patriarchal blessing stated she would be, while she was young.  Yet she married Fernando Castro when she was a new convert.  She was the only member in her family to join and she had zero support from her family.  She figured when she and her husband were much older and their children grown, they would be able to serve.  President Castro said he got very emotional when she was set apart as the mission president's wife as a full time missionary.  When she was getting her medical things all done, a nurse said to her, "You are too young to serve a mission with your husband."  She felt this was a tender mercy from Heavenly Father, helping her realize she was serving a full time mission while she was young. 

Sister Castro, an investigator, was baptized and confirmed by Fernando Castro, a returned missionary.  It was afterwards that they dated and then married.  They are an amazing couple, whom we love, admire, and respect a great deal!  He has his doctorate, but humbly accepts, and says it is more meaningful, to be called "Brother" Castro at BYU-I, and not "Doctor" Castro.  Sister Castro assisted in the typing of his papers -- many thousands of pages -- so he says she earned his degrees alongside him.  They are wonderful examples and teachers.

On their first day in this mission, they were given cell phones.  President says on that day Sister Castro received 17 calls (she handles medical things for the missionaries) and he had 0. 

We need to assess our problems.  Don't let them become bigger than they are.  Nothing is bigger or greater than the Atonement.

We talk too much in the Church.  We need to listen more.  We need to quietly find our place in the kingdom of God.  We don't need to be loud.  We don't need to hold the Priesthood.  Story of Abigail in 1 Samuel 25.  We bring unique qualities in relationships and to the world.  We have the tenderness needed.  The world is pulling women out of their place.  Know your place.  Let the Lord mold you -- and this is ongoing, unending.  Because of Christ's enabling power, we can do things we never though we could.  The world is loud -- we get confused.  Things of the Spirit are peaceful, quiet.  We need to search and understand our own identity.

Impressions:  Sisters have unique qualities to share.  Great faith.  Lifetime of little things that build us.  President Monson - "whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies."  Have courage.  It comes from knowing who we are and being solid in that.

We are queens.  We have deep beauty which shines from the inside out -- spiritual attractiveness -- having the image of Christ engraven on our countenance.  As missionaries, those we teach feel this more than see it.

Clip of President Uchtdorf telling story of the Ugly Duckling.  WE are swans!  We are glorious and eternal sons and daughters of God.

Workshops:  The two sets of traveling sisters and the APs each conducted a workshop.  Sister Lillywhite and Sister Bennett's was "What Manner of Men [and Women] Ought Ye To Be."  Sister Baker and Sister Hunter's was on Unity.  Elder Brodie and Elder Cary's was regarding "Heaven is a continuation of an ideal home."
 
End of Day

3 Nephi 19:24-25  The people were praying to Jesus.  They were given what to pray.  His countenance smiled upon them.
John 11:20-38 (or so).  Story of Lazarus.  Jesus had compassion and empathy for his friends.  He wept. 
Moses 1:1-6  Moses saw God's creations.

We saw a film clip showing the earth, then the solar system, then the galaxy, then far, far beyond. 

Christ created worlds without number, and he knows them all, yet he has compassion, empathy, love for each one of us, individually!  He knows us and loves us.

Then each sister was invited to share, in 30 seconds (approximately) one thing she liked from the day.  We have amazing sisters -- their responses touched my heart.