Family Tree

  When Hermana Andrea Miller went home she asked for our family names.  This came in the mail this week. I love it and hope I can find a frame for it. 

The grandkids will have fun finding their names. 

Mission President's Seminar 10/26-29/2016

After the departing missionaries left the mission home on Wednesday, October 26, we got ready and drove to the Marriott on Coronado Island.  Dell read emails for most of the way.  We were happy to see the 

San Diego temple.  It is so majestic.

We didn't stop for lunch so after checking in we got some food at the hotel.  The Robinsons had the same idea and we enjoyed catching up with them.

The Henries from the San Fernando mission had gone for a walk and then had lunch.  We share the same area 70, Elder Wild.  They are from California but have lived in Park City for several years.

We were excited to meet the Tateokas.  They are new to the Oregon Salem mission where the VanLeeuwens are serving.

We had a nice room with a balcony.  I noticed a seagull with a rock in its beak so wanted to take a picture of it.  I wasn't fast enough.  I looked to my right and there was another one.  There were two chairs on the deck and I was out there but decided I didn't want to take a chance of bird poop landing on me.  Also, felt it would not be wise to keep the sliding glass door open.

We enjoyed dinner outside with all of the other Presidents and wives.

This is the sun rising on Thursday morning.

While eating lunch this ship sailed by.

After lunch we boarded a bus to go to the San Diego temple.  It is so beautiful and our session touched me greatly.  We started in the chapel and with 34 presidents and wives we had two sessions to fit us all plus a few extras.

President Ballard photo bombing.

This is all of us with Elder & Sister Hallstrom, Elder & Sister Ardern, Elder & Sister Cook, 

Elder & Sister Clayton.

Friday we met all day.  Elder & Sister Rasband joined us after lunch.  The sisters met separately from the men for a couple of hours.  The wives of the general authorities instructed us. We had been asked to review President Nelson's talk "A Plea to My Sisters" that he gave in October conference 2015.  Each of the wives shared their feelings regarding it.  Sister Hallstrom praised Eve and commented how wonderful and courageous she was.  She cited other women of the bible and finished with the woman at the well in John 4.  She helped us to understand that story.  Sister Rasband finished up by talking about prayer.  We need to kneel to honor Him.  She shared an experience that included her father, Blaine Twitchell.  When we lived in the Cottonwood Heights 5th Ward he was our home teacher.  We loved him and he was one of our best home teachers.  I didn't go up to her to tell her I knew her father and  that her sister was my friend.  I thought I would do it on Saturday.  During the morning break on Saturday, she fell and we found out later that she broke her arm.  Sister Hallstrom left with her while their husbands finished training.

Elder Rasband asked what had we learned over the past two days.  Elder Clayton wrote down our responses.  We love you and we thank you was from the leaders and Elder Rasband said President Monson always says that.

Elder Rasband wanted to shake everyone's hands and if he had not done so, to please see him.  We were one of the last to talk with him.  I told him I wanted to talk to his wife and let her know of the connection with her father and Wendy. He said, let's take a picture to send to her (Wendy).  Dell was not by my side with this conversation.  He was talking with a young man who works at the hotel.  Just before I started talking with Elder Rasband he was talking to him.  When the young man walked away Dell stopped him and asked if he knew who he had been talking to?  Dell explained he was an apostle just like in the day of Christ and had a Book of Mormon in his hand.  He opened it up to 3 Nephi and gave it to him.  When I turned to get Dell for the picture we both saw he was doing the missionary thing and Elder Rasband said we don't want to interrupt.

I could listen to Elder Rasband all day.  He uses the scriptures to explain things. He ended his remarks Saturday with an apostalic blessing. 

Lunch was provided before everyone went their separate ways.

I wanted a picture of the Russells without them posing.

Tateokas - Oregon Salem, Palmers - California Modesto

Robinsons - Alaska Anchorage, Russells - Oregon Eugene

Jardines - California Sacramento, Clarks - California Fresno

Burts - Canada Vancouver

Marston - California Roseville

Sister & President Taylor - California Rancho Cucamonga

We met the Taylors 37 years ago when they moved to Grand Junction.  We've kept in touch off and on since and they started their mission this July.

We were given a replica of the Salt Lake temple door knob.

The wording that is not seen is North America Northwest and West Areas Mission Presidents' Seminar.

At the conclusion of the women's session we were given this painting.  We have already hung it in the mission home.

The seminar was incredible!  We are very grateful for the time to be lifted and be taught by servants of the Lord.  Now to implement.

Ballroom Dance

The Brigham Young University Ballroom Dance Company preformed tonight in Oxnard.  We saw it with President Moffat and his wife, Brenda.  It was amazing!  We loved it -- the dancing, costuming, music, and creativity. 

TreeTrimming

This morning we heard a chain saw.  There were men in our trees cutting down limbs.  

We have chuckled several times today because we really think that it has happened now because of us letting the FM Group know we have an apostle coming to visit.  Amazing how things are being addressed now that we've needed done.

Leaves fell from this tree year round.  I can't believe how much has been cut off.

Avacado trees were pruned.

Saturday I walk/ran along foothill and loved seeing the sun come up.

Today the assistants, Elders Weiss and Summers, had us laughing so hard.  They think I have a good attitude and gave this card to us.  A picture of my head was taped onto this card.  First off I asked if I was having a good hair day or bad and then I noticed the "bling." Inside the card is:  

Attitude is everything.  Happy transfers.

No biking. ..

It's good we went on a bike ride this morning because it's going to be more than a couple of weeks before we can go again.  Dell has had a chronic achilles problem and finally went to the podiatrist.  The result is a high boot to be worn every day and another type of boot to wear while sleeping to keep the foot immobilized.  He will ice it daily and hopefully doing this regime he will get some relief.  Physical therapy may follow (I don't know how that's going to fit into the schedule).

Last Week Oct. 4-8

Tuesday, Oct. 4, was follow up training for the new missionaries.  We were looking forward to Wednesday and going to the LA temple.  It's been awhile since making the time to go.  Our missionaries can go to the LA temple if they are serving in Ventura to the south zones the month of their birthday.  If serving in Santa Barbara or Santa Maria, they have to wait until they are transferred to one of the other zones that are closer to the temples.  This is because they are too far from the temple and the time it takes to drive to and from.  If serving in San Luis Obispo, they can go to the Fresno temple.  Sister Baird and Sister Cardon dropped the hint they'd love to go to the temple with us because it was Sister Baird's birthday.  We decided we would go but asked them to not share with others that we were doing this.  We just can't take time to go to the temple with all of the missionaries.  We left the mission home at 6:00 a.m. and drove to Thousand Oaks to pick the sisters up.  The GPS after driving just a little while said the faster route would be to get off of the 101.  So we did and we MISSED the 8:00 session.  I was happy though to be able to do Initiatory.  

I must say I miss the Salt Lake Temple.

We went to IHOP on the way back.  

Thursday, 6th, we drove to Marina Park to start our bike ride.  This picture was taken after the ride because it was light.  Over on the grass when we get there are women doing yoga.  They get there before 6:30 because they're doing their thing when we get there just after 6:30.

This street is lined with tall palm trees.  We ride on this road until we get to the bike path that goes along the coast.  

I wish the camera would show really how beautiful this morning was.

We loved that the Bagleys dropped by to see us.  We enjoyed lunch at the Lure along with sharing stories of the mission and YSAs.

Friday afternoon I went with the Sister Fisher and Sister Houseman to teach D.  She was baptized last year and has become less active with working on Sundays.  I knew I was going on this lesson when watching General Conference.  Elder Rasband's talk made me think of D and helping her to remember the spiritual times.  I printed up his talk and gave it to her.

Friday night President was conversing with the assistants.  They invited us to join in playing ultimate frisbee Saturday morning.  He wouldn't be able to run because of his achilles.  They are so funny --

  "We can get a wheelchair."  We rode our bikes over to watch them.  The missionaries know we're big on them keeping the missionary schedule and exercising every morning.  Sweat is included in that.  Ultimate frisbee was a good workout.

We are always on the lookout for "fall" and on our way back to the mission home we rode on this street.
A runner saw Dell taking my picture and offered to take one of us together.