Mission President's Seminar

Wednesday, October 28, we drove to the Burbank airport so we could fly to Seattle for the Mission President's Seminar that is held every 6 months.  It was held at the Salish Lodge where the Snoqualmie Falls are.

We arrived early enough to change and go exploring before dinner at 6:30.

We were thrilled that it wasn't raining and we could go for the little hike.

We've missed the "Fall" colors in Utah.  These leaves were very large.  My foot is at the top and then we came across an even bigger leaf and showed the comparison with Dell's foot.

This log was laying down and we could see through to the other end.

These are electric wires but we thought it would be amazing if there was a zip line installed.

Snoqualmie Falls and the lodge.

A breakfast buffet of fruit, cinnamon rolls, cinnamon cake, oatmeal, and yogurt was provided on Thursday.  We had a wonderful session that morning with Elder Maynes as he focused on having a mission on fire.  We are so grateful that we had asked the MLC to come this Tuesday with suggestions of how the mission can be elevated.  This is so timely.  After having a group picture and lunch we broke up into three different groups.  We went with Elder Daniel Johnson and discussed what we had learned and what were we going to do to get our mission on fire.

I had a revelatory experience Thursday morning when the importance of personal study and companionship study were disgussed.  We, as well as many others, have not put the full time into studying.  I felt that if I will pray for the Lord's help, we will be able to do it most mornings.  Exercise is important to us so we're going to get up a little earlier and make the studying a priority.

We had a fireplace in our room so of course we had to take advantage of lighting it.

This picture is taken from the bathroom with the jetted tub to the bedroom with the fireplace.

Friday morning we had a hot egg and ham biscuit sandwich with fruit, etc.  After the session that Elder Hamula conducted about goals on Friday morning, a group of us went to Pikes Place Market.  From left to right:  Sister Maynes (I must have cut Elder Maynes out), the Robinsons, Lewises in the far back, Taggarts, Bradfords, Dell, Ballards and Russells.  That is gum on the wall.

Yes, people stick their gum on the wall.

We were treated to a walking food tour.

We are at the fish market.  Look closely and you can see a fish being thrown and the man at the left is ready to catch it.

We sampled three different kinds of smoked salmon.  All were good.

Justin, our tour guide, is on the left.  We all had a 'transister' with an ear piece so we could hear him tell us about some of the history of the place.

Lobster

Crab

We stopped at a meat market and went into the freezer.  We were given thin slices of meat.

In this vat cheese was being made.  We enjoyed samples of cheese.  At other stops we had little donuts, macaroni and cheese, the best clam chowder ever, a pork shoulder sandwich and crab cakes.

The Robinsons posed in front of the market.  This is Rachel the mascot.

I was told the best crepes were at the market.  The tour didn't go there but Justin told us where it was located.  I kept in mind during all of the tasting that I was getting a crepe at the end (that means I didn't over indulge).  Seriously, it was one of the best Nutella, strawberry and whip cream crepes I've ever had.  We weren't the only ones to partake. We knew we were having dinner back at the lodge with the area seventies but my mind was set on having a crepe.  Suffice it to say, we didn't have very much dinner.

The above was on Wednesday.

This is when it was raining.  It rained Thursday - Saturday.  That is the same area where the water is falling.  People went outside with umbrellas and still got wet from it.

Saturday morning we exercised by walking the halls and doing stairs. Breakfast was eggs, bacon, ham, sausage, potatoes, and a pastry.  I enjoyed hot chocolate each day.  

Elder Johnson summarized what we discussed over the past few days.  Then it was open to questions.

We thoroughly enjoyed the spirit and being with the other mission presidents.  There were 6 first years, 14 of our year, and 13 third year.  

Rydmans

Lindsey, Jace & Quinn Rydman
We were so excited when Lindsey called on Monday and said they were coming to Ventura.  We were at the mission office when she called and we thought it would take several hours for them to get here.  We were driving home from the office when she called again and said they were in front of the house.  Fortunately we were close.  It was fantastic seeing them again and their Jace is so cute.  He was not interested in responding to us but he eventually warmed up.

They spent Tuesday at the beach while we were doing interviews.  That evening they took us to California Pizza Kitchen, but before dinner we took them to the Cross.  It's sad that it is getting dark so soon.  We're concerned about being able to take the new missionaries there in November at the time we've done it in the past.  With the missionaries coming in later in the day, it will make for some adjusting. 

Sunrise

 This is what we saw this morning. 

Monday was one of the hardest days.  It's interesting that the night before I posted on Facebook for success there's plan A, plan B,  flexibility.  

As I looked at the sun rise, I thought how can one not believe there is a god. Then the song from Annie:  The sun'll come out tomorrow

Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow there'll be sun! 

And a beautiful sun it was. There is hope and always love from our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. 

At the Jones' wedding reception we were framed. 

Organizing

It was time to organize a few papers!

It will be much easier to find...

All in a Day +

It's been a couple of weeks since I've been able to ride.  This morning was beautiful.  Dell found a trail in his ride last week that would take us to Ojai.  We didn't have the time and I've not done that long of a ride yet (we'll work up to it though).

This is towards the beginning.  Very unusual rock garden (huge).

The Church has suggested the missionaries get flu shots.  Since we told them at zone conference about being able to get a flu shot without having to pay, we should be the example.  Today we both got flu shots.

Last Saturday I went walking to Hidden Valley and this is what I saw.  Without being stretched out it was about a foot from head to ... (the end).  Something took a bite out of it.  It was dead because when I came back, it was still there.  When I saw it I thought of Dax because he likes snakes.

Last Wednesday we were in Santa Maria for zone conference.  As we were walking back from the exercise room we came across three telephone booths.  You just don't see them very often.  

The phone really did work.