MLC

Today was MLC.  We started with the missionaries coming to the mission home for waffles, eggs, bacon, and juice.  Of course, fresh strawberries were available with whip cream, nutella, peanutbutter, and syrup.

Now, to back up.  Yesterday going into last night Dell was trying to copy onto jump drives for the zone leaders our presentations for today.  It was not going well.  He went to bed at 12:20.  At 4:20 this morning he woke up, wide awake.  So he got up and was able to get the jump drives all done. You can't tell me he's not being sustained!

I started cooking waffles a half hour before the missionaries would be here for breakfast.  Dell finished cooking the bacon and I had many waffles done and in the oven to stay warm.  I turned on the gridle to do eggs.  I realized after a few minutes that things were not cooking.  I had blown a fuse.  Dell was not having success in getting it to work.  Missionaries were arriving.  Again, I was sustained and did not panic but moved the waffle iron to the other side of the kitchen where the outlet did work.  Dell called Todd, the FM maintenance engineer, and was able to learn what he needed to do to get it turned on.  We started serving on time at 9:00 and I was able to stay ahead of the missionaries.

We got to the office a little after 10:00 so MLC started late.  Because of the changes in the mission we took the opportunity to let the missionaries share their feelings about them.  It was a very good experience.  I did a presentation on Real Intent, Dell trained on teaching repentance, then several missionaries were asked to train on making commitments.  Six missionaries who will be going home at the end of this transfer bore testimony.  Some tears were shed (including mine - not a surprise) and the spirit was strong.  I loved the statement Elder Ruby said "A thought is inspiration until proved otherwise."  I feel many times -  is this coming from me or the spirit.

Dell said it well when he said it was an honor to serve with these missionaries.  We love them all.

Assistants/RMs

Wednesday night around 9:00 the doorbell rang.  Dell was on the phone in his office so I answered the door.  I was expecting white shirts (missionaries).  It took me a second to compute who was at the door.  I screamed.  Braxton Young and Colten Yager served together as assistants.  Braxton and his brother, Braden, drove all day to LAX and picked up Colten.  They wanted to surprise us.  Yah, we were surprised!  They were amazing missionaries!  When things would get a little stressful, Elder Young  and I would do the "Go Utes" sign.  It would bring a smile to our faces.

We've seen them three days in a row.  Today when we saw them I wanted to get a picture in front of the transfer board.  Many hours spent in front of that board.

Departing Missionaries

The elders that left on Wednesday were the missionaries in our first transfer.  Many leaders came from that group.  I've posted more on them on the mission blog.  

Elder Kuepper was an assistant for two transfers.  We had spiritual times and fun times together.  He presented me with a bouquet of flowers prior to the departure.  He and I could not talk so just looked at one another with tears in our eyes.  It is so hard to not hug these elders.  We tell them to come back and visit and I can hug them then.

He gave President a football with signatures from all of the elders.

Catch up

 Elder Powell went home a week early because our transfer dates were set back a week and his family had not received that information soon enough to change the wedding date of his sister.  He was given permission to go early.  We spent the evening with him and then took him to the assistants' apartment to spend the night.  This was the same week we worked on transfers.  Elder Weiss would be the new assistant and was "brought in" to work on the transfer train so that he would have some experience with it for next transfer.

The assistants did some decorating in honor of our visit.

I put together a recipe book a year and a half ago for the missionaries with submissions from them.  The assistants set them out for me to see and also a copy of the newsletter.  Of course, this was all staged and gave us a good chuckle.

Elder Gibb snapped a selfie of him and Elder Kuepper.

Getting ready to  ride along the beach trail.

We asked the FM Group to plant some flowers.  After a few days we noticed they were dying.  The landscapers had not turned on the sprinklers.  We were grateful the flowers survived.

This aloe vera plant has grown so much in two years.  It bloomed a couple of weeks ago.

Sister Israelsen asked if I would wear my pink jacket and dot skirt to her interview and she would wear the same so we could have a picture taken.

We were at the office on Monday and Hermana Wiles and Hermana Hirst were there to email.  We all had coral sweaters on so had to take a picture.

Sunday, July 24

We were invited to attend a service that was interdenominational.  We thought it would be 60 to 90 minutes.  After two plus hours we left.  I must say it was interesting to listen to Reverends, Pastors, Bishops, Mormons, Police, and music that was not common to what we are use to.  The focus was to bring people together.  It came about because of the conflicts that have been going on in the country with blacks, whites, and law enforcement.  2 Chronicles 7:14 was referenced to by different religious leaders - "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

If anything, there was unity within the room.

We were invited to attend the musical and spoken word program that the Ventura Stake was presenting.  I was very much looking forward to going there and feeling the spirit.  It was a very nice program and a wonderful time to reflect on the strength of the pioneers.  I'm so grateful for our pioneer heritage!