Elder and Sister Prater in Newport Beach, California Mission

On Saturday, July 29, at the end of the day, the San Diego, California Temple closed for an undisclosed amount of time for remodeling and repairs.  An open house will be held whenever it opens again and it will be rededicated.  We will miss this temple.  It is close by, big and beautiful.  We made sure we attended this week with some ward members. This week was filled with many service opportunities, more apartment inspections, and some temple attendance.  We really didn't take a P-day but did stop by a beach while waiting to pick some one up from the airport.  Elder Prater was asked by the housing missionary to help fix a cabinet in an Elder's apartment.   We always enjoy our time with the young teaching missionaries.  We learn so much from them.  It was a very busy week and we loved it. 

 Before I forget, we have moved to San Marcos, California which is close to our ward boundaries and church building.  Here is our new address- 975 Woodland Pkwy Apt. 242  San Marcos ,CA  92069 This week, we did some more apartment inspections.  As we did so, we asked the young missionaries what has helped them on their missions come closer to Christ.  Elder Barfuss said teaching the new converts and seeing their lives change as they heard and accepted the gospel plan really helped his testimony increase.  Elder Nielsen said that it was the people, the other missionaries that strived to serve the Lord that has helped him come closer to Christ.  He especially mentioned a companion that was so humble that he was always ready to change and accept correction.                                              Elder Nielsen       Elder Barfuss  I would like to introduce you to a few people that have increased my testimony as I have rubbed shoulders with them.  This is Sean Marshall, he was just re

This week we had Zone Conference which we love attending.  Not only do we get to see and meet with half of the missionaries in our mission at once but we always have inspiring and uplifting training from our Mission Leaders both young and mature.  Our housing and car missionaries always find a way to inform us of rules and standards while entertaining us. That is Elder Scott wearing an altered suit.  Sister Scott taught us that the missionary standards are to keep us safe and we don't alter the missionary standards. They are the behaviors and Christlike qualities missionaries are expected to practice and develop during our missions as we become a more dedicated disciples of Jesus Christ.  An example of this is to always stay with your companion.  This is Elder Walker, he is one of three assistants to the President or an AP in missionary slang. This is Elder Walker's last transfer and I wanted a picture to remember him by.  Before he was called to be an AP, Elder Walker served i

The highlight of our week was attending the temple with Jay and his mother, Kathy to perform the sealing ordinances for our family members.  This time was extra special because we have attended the temple together several times- first to do the baptisms for Kathy's parents, and brother.  We then proceeded to attend the temple to complete all the ordinances for her parents and brothers ending with the sealings that we did this week.  It was a very special time and we knew that Kathy's mother was smiling!  It was transfer week for the young missionaries and we did move but those two things have nothing to do with each other.  We have been living in Vista which is outside our ward boundaries and 25 minutes away from the church building.  Another senior couple, the Hanks, returned home last month and their apartment is only about 8 minutes from the church building and 5 minutes outside our ward boundaries.  So we moved into their apartment getting us closer to where we serve.  (We

 We were so pleased to be invited to lunch at Elder Blaney's and Elder's Peck apartment one P-day.  Elder Blaney cooked a  delicious roast and we had a lovely meal.  We had a great time getting to know their stories and how they came to serve a mission.   Elder Blaney likes to cook and experiment.  He showed us pictures of the escargot he made from garden snails.  He said they turned out good.  (gross).  He is a very resourceful missionary.  In an earlier blog, I mentioned how Elder Peck showed me his collection of coins.  He said his family has a tradition that if you found a coin then it was a deceased relative letting you know that they cared.  Today he showed me all the coins that he has found so far on his mission.  I was very impressed.  This week Sister Christensen who loves to bake brought two pies to district meeting, a cherry pie and a loquat pie, both made from scratch.  I have to say that she makes one of the best crusts that I have ever tasted.   The rest of the we