The past few weeks have been full of a lot of sunlight, but there have been some pretty hard things as well. I generally don't focus here on any of the hard. I don't want to sugar coat things, because sometimes this is just a really, really hard job, but I love President Hinckley's advice to accentuate the positive and that's what this little blog of mine does. I want to capture and remember the sunlight and not the storms, so here is a little glimpse of the sunshine moments from the past few weeks.
A few weeks ago we went to the most unusual, but at the same time, one of the most spiritual baptisms we have been to. I have the permission of the people getting baptized to post these pictures. There was a couple baptized and the husband was a double amputee. The ward members and missionaries worked together to figure out a way for him to get baptized. I was so impressed with their solution. They held the baptismal service in the yard of a ward member and both the wife and the husband got baptized in their hot tub. It took 2 missionaries and 3 men from the ward to baptize this good man, but it was done in such a sacred and reverent manner. Also, two of the women from the ward were the witnesses, which was really awesome. It was incredible and was another example of the fact that the spirit can be strongly present anywhere, even at a swimming pool baptism.
Interestingly enough, the next Saturday I attended a baptism for another couple, where the wife is in a wheelchair and the ward members and missionaries also worked together to make it a wonderful, spiritual experience for all involved.
After the baptism I got to spend an hour at lunch with Hermana Bowen and Hermana Hall and pick their brains for ideas about our upcoming Sister's PDay. Such a blessing for me to be with them, they are wise beyond their years.
The last week of October was pretty full. On Sunday we had the opportunity to speak in a Stake Conference, then we had one of our Mission Wide Come and See Devotionals down in Lodi. We had a lovely recent convert from one of the Tongan wards share her journey into the church. The Sisters in that ward wore their traditional clothes as a show of support for her. Don't Sister Ho Ching and Sister Kengike look amazing?
That evening we were so happy to have our friends Troy and MaryLynne Buford come to visit. They were in Napa where MaryLynne was going to run a ragnar race, that was unfortunately canceled because of the fires. We were glad they didn't find out about the cancellation until after they were already here. Scott and Troy were mission buddies many, many years ago. it was so fun to listen to them recount their numerous mission stories. I've heard them talk about these stories before, but they took on new meaning now that we are here and know and hope our missionaries will be doing the same thing for years to come.
We took them with us on our Downtown Sac Preparation Day and the missionaries loved the fact that Troy knew President Hymas as a missionary. I think it was fun for them to see that mission relationships can really last forever. It was wonderful to have them here with us.
We started out early Monday morning, we've got this down pretty well at this point, so it is just a lot of fun without a lot of stress involved. Breakfast at Wissemann, then on to downtown.
Downtown Commons, Golden 1 Center, The Jeff Koons sculpture, and a walk to the Capitol Building
Telling the history of The Crest Theater (I may have found my next life's calling, I really love being a tour guide.)
State Capitol Building Tour
Bacteria Bear
How do most of these Elders and Sisters not know who Ronald Reagan is? We are old!
However, they certainly all know who Arnold Schwarzenegger is
On to the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament
Then back to Old Sac, spotting some of the famous Wide Open Walls murals along the way
After some free time in Old Sac and lunch at Round Table Pizza, we got the missionaries off to the rest of their day and we headed to the office to meet a new Senior Couple, Elder and Sister Burton. We didn't get a picture with them unfortunately. Then it was off to the airport to pick up our three new Hmong Missionaries.
Hmong is taught at the MTC (by our dear Sister Cassey Cha) only at certain times of the year and they stay at the MTC for 9 weeks instead of 6, so when we get Hmong missionaries it is always a week before our regular transfers. We usually place them somewhere for a week, and then have them participate in transfers. This time around Scott came up with the idea of just having the Hmong missionaries all transfer a week earlier than the rest of the mission. And that was how Hmong Hmonday was born. We took the Bufords with us to experience an airport pickup of these 3 great new Elders. Then went back to the office for Hmong Hmonday transfers.
This picture was specifically to send to Sister Cha
The next morning we had some meetings and then we were off that afternoon to our Mission Leadership Seminar. This is where we gather for training under the direction of our Area Presidency with all of the other Mission Presidents and wives from our area, which includes all of California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska and Hawaii. Our Area Presidency consists of Elder Kevin Pearson, Elder Scott Whiting, Elder Jorge Klebingat, and Elder Ricardo Gimenez. We were also blessed to have Elder Quentin Cook and his dear wife with us on one of the days. One of our missionaries called it Zone Conference for mission presidents. It is always the boost we need and we are so grateful to gather with such good people, who are just trying as hard as we are to help with the gathering of Israel. This time we flew into Portland and traveled 45 minutes north to a place called Stevensen Washington. We stayed at a beautiful place right on the Columbia River. It was breathtakingly beautiful, and also breathtakingly cold. We have turned into Californians and can't take the cold very well anymore.
We were able to meet up with old friends, make new friends, get inspired, we got some good counsel and training, and were able to attend the Portland Temple before heading back home. It was a great few days and we are so appreciative of all the work that goes into helping us be the best we can be.
Sister Walker (Hawaii)
President and Sister Golden (Anaheim, CA)
President and Sister Ward (Roseville CA)
We got back and jumped right into transfers. We were able to pick up 10 awesome new missionaries on Monday, November 4.
Transfer Tuesday. I had to get a picture of the cars waiting for their turn in front of these spectacular trees that line the front of our mission office/Deseret building. I can't wait for this time of year to see these trees in all their autumn glory.
(that limo has been parked there for days. It's not our new way of transporting missionaries for transfers, but maybe that's not a bad idea!)
Elder Buckley training Elder Torbensen Elder McLeod training Elder Bonzo
Elder Raza and Everett training Elder Lee Elder Burnett training Elder Vest
Elder West training Elder Scott Elder Grover training Elder Scholl
Elder Barrows training Elder Capron Sister Slade training Sister Henderson
Hermana Udall training Hermana Styers Hermanas Lewis and Bowen training H. Clark
Elder Swainston training Elder Ly Elder Barr training Elder Warnock
Elder Mandisodza training Elder Young Obligatory Assistant selfie
This is our third group in a row that we have had all Elders going home.
This is our last departing transfer dinner with our dear, dear friend Gail helping us. Gail has taken care of our home, and helped me and our mission in ways too many to count, since we have been here. She is always at our home when we arrive back from the temple with dinner ready to go. I used to leave her notes of when to put what in the oven. Now, I just prepare the food and go and it is all ready when we get home. We have worked well together and we love her like family. She is making some changes in her life and we are heartbroken to lose her, but we are so grateful for all she has done, and we will love her forever.
I love this sacred final night with our missionaries more than words can express.
We had Elder Santillan and Elder Manalansang stay at our home that night, as we had to leave at 3 a.m. in order to get them to the airport for their 6 a.m. flight home to the Philippines. We love these good Elders and know they will be strong, powerful leaders in the Philippines in the future.
Round two: We met back at the church for the remaining Elders and I had to get a picture in front of my favorite trees prior to leaving for the airport
Elder Castelan. You'll see more of him later, his family came From Chicago to pick him up
but he wanted the airport experience with his friends.
Elder Lee
Elder Quinonnes
Elder Marble
Elder Anderson
Elder Barton
This is Elder Castelan and his beautiful family meeting up at the mission office. It's a good thing I'm not on this end of it often, I was crying like a baby seeing this sweet reunion!
And, just because it's unbelievably beautiful, I'm adding a few more pictures of these gorgeous trees, as the backdrop for some even more beautiful Sister Missionaries. Hermana Osmond and Hermana Elizondo. We love them so much.
I also had to include this picture of Hermana Lewis backing Hermana Osmond. This is part of a missionary's daily life and I am so glad I happened upon this with my camera in hand.
We are, as always, so very grateful for these wonderful missionaries in our care and for the blessing it is to be a part of this great work. We have much to be thankful for.
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