July 30, 2014

 I was cleaning up the kitchen after making the last batch oh chocolate chip cookies when I heard a loud sound.  I wondered if it was a crash.  Our home is on the corner of a busy road and cars go fast.  I went out on the deck and I saw dirt or dust in the air down the road.  Our yard is lined with trees and part of it with a low wall.  I could tell through the trees that cats were still going on the road. I went back in the house thinking there wasn't a problem.  Just a few minutes later I heard sirens.  Sure enough the fire truck parked in front of our house and an ambulance on the side of the road. A couple of police cars as well. I didn't go to the road but made sure it was not Dell out there.  He had gone to get his hair cut (that's another story). I finished cleaning up and Dell came home.  He said the police wanted him to go look at the wall because there was a little damage.  A car must have been going too fast and ended up hitting a tree and then some of the wall. 

We let the FM people (take care of our place) know and someone came over to check things out. We took advantage and had Don look at the security system that still didn't work,  fix some screens on windows and hang a wall clock.  Good timing. 

The car was towed away soon after. 

Miracle

We were at the office most of the day.  I came home earlier to get dinner ready so we could go to a husband and wife baptism in Simi Valley (about 45 minutes away).  We used the GPS and got to the church.  Oh, the problem was there were no cars.  I parked the car so we could try to get a hold of someone to find out where the baptism was.  A black car pulled up and the sister in the car asked if we were looking for a baptism.  She said," I don't know why I came here, I know it was at the other church."  We followed her to the other ward which was about 10 or so minutes away.  We were late but oh well.  We got out of the car and went over to her and said I need to give you a hug.  "You were an angel tonight."  No coincidence!  Miracle!

The husband and wife had been taught in the ward her cousin lived in who was the only member in their family.  The couple and baby live in another ward.  The chapel was so full of members from both wards and nonmember family members.  They will be attending the ward they live in.  

The talk about the Holy Ghost was given by the cousin.  She basically talked to all of the nonmembers and it was wonderful.  I was thinking she is going to bring in a lot of investigators.  Also, there were about 6 nonmembers that had been invited to attend.  We had six sister missionaries there.  Let me tell you, they were "working the crowd."  We had members wanting to talk to us.  One came up to us and said, "we've never had a mission president come to one of our baptisms." 

We go back to Simi Valley tomorrow for interviews.  I need to go review pictures, names, and questionnaires.

One month

June 27, 2014 is when we landed in the California Ventura Mission; so it's been a month.  I really don't think anyone can tell you how it will be.  You do hear, you'll be so busy.  There are a lot of different emotions and issues.  I think all are a learning process.  It's interesting though, there seems to always be an issue on the other end of the telephone line.  Every morning prayers are said to be able to do and say what the Lord wants.  

It is wonderful being around all of the missionaries.  It is definitely a challenge to learn all of their names and be able to put a face with a name.  That is my desire -- to know all of the missionaries.  We had them all fill out a questionnaire when we met a few weeks ago.  I review those and look at their picture to make an association.  I have organized the questionnaires according to the zone they serve in and in the order they have their interview.  It's been good that the President has had interviews so close to when we had the first meeting.  All of them look familiar but still working on connecting the face and name.  It helps to see them at baptisms and church.  Once transfers occur, my system will have to be changed.

Today we drove about a half an hour to attend church in Ojai.  There are four Elders serving in that ward.  We were asked to sit on the stand and President was asked to take 5 minutes.  He, of course, did an excellent job.  He told them we'd be speaking at Stake Conference.  Bro. Whipple who was conducting said that was a teaser and we'd be able to hear from Sis. Felix then as well.  The comment was made that they didn't know we were coming.  I like the idea of popping in so that it isn't as formal and then they don't have to feel we have to talk.  We get such warm receptions.  One set of Elders was excited for us to meet their investigator and it was her first time attending.  She stayed for the full block and I sat with her in Relief Society.  I was glad I was there and was able to help her understand.  The Relief Society is having Christmas in July mid week activity.  I asked her if she would like to go see what classes were being offered.  She already saw them and was interested.  I was able to connect her with the sister doing that class and hopefully she will go.

We had a wonderful experience attending the ward.  It began at 10:00 so that is the only one we went to today.  We got home after 2:00.  I was starving so we had a snack out on the deck.  It was good to talk about some ideas for what is going to happen the next couple of weeks.  Much to do.  Maybe what we experienced this last month is not unique.  Just different in how we will be busy.

We are going to Pres. Lithgoe's (Stake President in Camarillo) home (about a half an hour away) for dinner tonight but will need to be back by 9:00 as last week we started the plan to call all of the Sister Training Leaders Sunday nights and have them report to us about the sisters they have stewardship over.  President received in his emails this week that they liked that.

(As I look back on this past year, I can't believe all that has transpired.  It was a year ago Dell was released from being the YSA Bishop).  

So, I want to leave by saying -- it's been a good month!

Pday

 We know how to fill a Pday!  We had our first Pday and it's only been 4 weeks.  Woohoo! 

We picked up President and Sister Kasper at their home to go hiking close to their home. They live in San Luis Obispo. He serves as the Stake President. 

 We had to climb two gates.  Funny thing, coming back down Dell said I think we can open it. Great, that was after I had climbed it.

 That peak is where the missionaries like to hike.  This hike took us higher and not so many people hike it.

 President and Sister Kasper have two sons and two daughters.  The oldest will be home from his mission in Italy in 12 days.  The 2nd son leaves for Brazil in August. 

 Look hard and you can see the ocean. 

 After the hike and watermelon we went back to the hotel to shower and check out. The 

Sea Shanty in Cayusco was recommended so we stopped there for lunch.  So good! I had salmon tacos and D had a snapper sandwich.  We sat outside by a couple from Arizona who spend a month each year in the area. They were aware of the Mormons and they like their red wine every day at 5:00. They gave us some info on elephant seals which we were headed to see after lunch.  Important info was shared about ice cream. .. we enjoyed visiting 

(I am sure they did as well).

 Males battle for breeding rights.  In January there are thousands of seals on the beach. The males can grow as much as 5,000 lbs and 16 ft. 

 They go for the necks.  It was interesting to watch.  They make a gurgling sound and even a big elongated belch sound.  

 Those laying on the beach would flip sand on themselves. 

On the way to Morro Bay we saw wild zebras in the field.  You can see it isn't clear.  The marine layer had not burned off.

 When we drove to Atascadero a couple of weeks ago,  President Jones told us about the cinnamon rolls here.  We stopped to get (only 2) rolls for breakfast.  I hope you can tell from the shelves they offered many kinds. This was around 3:00 and the place was still busy.  You can see the sparse shelves. 

 Plain and pecan. 

So our "friends" at the Sea Shanty told us about Doc Bernstein's ice cream lab in 

Arroyo Grande.  Mention hot fudge and I'm there. They make their own waffle cones which D partook of.  It was very good.  

We checked into our hotel in Santa Maria before going to President Hulstine's (Stake President in Santa Maria)  home for dinner.  They have three kids still at home and
two are married. 

It was a fantastic first Pday!  (President even refrained from reading emails)

Tracking

We drove up to San Luis Obispo yesterday afternoon.  I did the driving so President could read emails.  He went out with the Elders last night and I went with the

Sister Training Leaders. We had a wonderful visit with a less active member, who wants to come back, and her Jewish husband. He looked right at me and asked "why do you say Heavenly Father rather than God? " I'm sure glad I knew the answer.  The sisters have a return visit on Sunday.

I experienced my first time tracking. The sisters were great. I was not as comfortable as I want to be. Maybe because I know how I felt when people from another religion came to our door and I really didn't want to hear what they had to say. 

It was also around the dinner hour. 

This picture was taken today while at interviews.