Here We Go Again- Having Fun!

Want to know a good way to start your week?  Have a zone full of missionaries over for a BBQ on P-day.  Elder Prater grilled up some hamburgers, I made potato salad and we had a fun afternoon together as we entertained 18 young missionaries.  I asked each of the sister missionaries why they decided to serve a mission and their answers gave me great insight.  One sister had gone inactive but because of her mother's nudging and belief that she was going to serve a mission, she did turn to the Lord and prepare herself to serve.  Another sister was a recent convert and learned that serving a mission was something she could do so here she is.  And yet another sister had very strong prompting in the temple that a mission was where the Lord wanted her.  I loved hearing their stories and getting to know them better. 

We had a busy week and was gone during meal time a few times so we enjoyed some tacos again this week at Senor Panchos. 

During our busy week we had several family history experiences.  We visited a young family and showed them some fun family history activities they could do including Compare A Face and Map My Ancestors.  We made sure they knew how to use Ordinance Ready.  While the San Diego temple is closed, we want to make sure ward members are involved in family history which will encourage temple attendance to other temples in the area.  

The 55+ apartment community that we live in had a sign up to ride their van to our Family Search Center one day this month while we are in the center serving. We had five people sign up to come but only one showed up- Betty.  Betty only had herself, her mom and maternal grandmother's first name on her tree.  I was able to connect her to both her grandparents on her mother's side including all her aunts and uncles.  She was so excited.  She doesn't know who her biological father is but had performed a DNA test last year.  We were able to look at her results and find some people for her to reach out to from the results.  She was very happy and when we returned to the apartment complex that evening, we overheard her talking to other residents about her great experience. I think next month we will have a bigger turn out.  It is such a joy to help people connect to their ancestors. 

I made a visit to Nancy's house along with her ministering sister.  We were able to teach her how to add her family members onto her family tree using her iPad.  After she gathers some family pictures, we will visit her again and teach her how to add those.  I loved that her ministering sister is involved and can help her. 

Our complex had a Luau one night this week.  The manager of the apartments is a member of our church so she invited some of us missionaries to serve the food.  It was a fun evening and we got to know even more residents, everyone here is so kind.  We are having fun!

Since we no longer live near another senior couple we had to find a new place to place pickle ball.  There is a court near by and we have been playing singles on some morning.  It is a great way to start our day.  We usually will go for a quick swim afterwards.  Like I said, we are having too much fun. 

We made our first trip to the Newport Beach Temple this week, just the two of us.  We went on a Friday and the traffic was terrible on the way home.  We need to find the right time to go without traffic.  Never the less any day in the temple is a good day.  One of my favorite parts of the temple experience as a missionary is when a prayer is said for the missionaries of the church and I realize that everyone is praying for us!  

A highlight of this already amazing week was our son, Matthew came for a visit.  He has been traveling for his job most of the time that we have been in California.  We were overjoyed that he was home for a bit and could come visit with us.  He rode the train down from Camarillo.  We enjoyed a visit to the Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad.  Matthew is a sound engineer so he found the museum interesting. 

He also joined us at church on Sunday and checked out the beach with us.  Unfortunately there was a lot of sea weed that had floated up on the shore, and it smelled like rotten eggs so we couldn't stand it for long.  But the view was gorgeous. 

On Sunday night, Michael and his daughter joined us for a tri tip dinner.  The perfect end to a very fun week.  

I love serving as a senior missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  I know that I have a loving Heavenly Father that has a plan of happiness for us. A plan that will provide a way for us to all return to live with him again if we are willing to follow his plan and obey his commandments.  Trusting in my Heavenly Father and his son, Jesus Christ has made all the difference in my happiness in this life.  I feel peace, love and have been able to endure all trials in my life because of Him.  God is good and God love us.