Happy Valentines Day

 

On Valentine's night we attended the  Journey: Reflection performance of the BYU International Folk Dance Ensemble at the Center for the Arts in Escondido.  A member of the ward invited us to join him and his twin brother.  It was an amazing evening with so many talented performers. 

We spent that morning visiting the Bates Nut Farm in Valley Center which is near by.  They had a great variety of nuts, candy and preserves.  The farm also had some caged animals you could feed.  

We have a routine of traveling to a couple of stores about every other week to buy our favorite California foods.  We start by going to Mrs. Taco in Vista, driving up the street to the strawberry stand, stopping at Northgate Market for tamales and chile rellenos, and than finally our last stop is Frazier Farms grocery for chips and salsa.   We spent our afternoon of Valentine's Day in this routine. 

During our usual routine of visiting these stores, we also stopped by the Dollar Tree to purchase some picture frames for some pictures of Christ.  I wanted to use these as gifts for Valentine's Day.  I had taken one of the pictures into the store so I could find the right size and color of frame.  As we were going through the check out I had the distinct impression to give the young girl that was working as a check out clerk the picture of Christ.  After I paid, I held out the picture to her and asked her if she would like it.  She said she would very much like it and had been eyeing the picture.  This experience caused me to reflect that when it comes to following the prompting of the spirit, so much of the time we don't know exactly why we are invited to act.  We don't always know what the out come of our actions will be.  And we don't always know that we are being prompted to do something.  But if you have a thought to do something good, just do it.  I know that as we follow these promptings and God knows he can trust us to do so, he will use us more.  Having the spirit with us is always such a joy. 

Our week started out on Monday with lunch at a member's home.  Their house has an amazing view of the ocean. 

Monday evening was our monthly Adult Family Home Evening.  We always enjoy the spiritual message, food and company. 

The Chalks, Jay Griffin, Liz Roberts, Marsha Wells, Kathy Warren, Jay Johnson 

Marvin Clarke, Rod Fields 

Bro. Chalk 

We also enjoyed some time at the temple this week.  Ever since the San Diego temple closed the end of July 2023, we have been attending the Newport Beach temple.  We have gotten to recognize many of the workers and have enjoyed doing all the different ordinances that are available there.  This temple trip we attended the same session as a couple that we work with in the Family Search Center.  A great benefit of our mission is coming to know and love so many wonderful people. 

During our visits this week, one of our ward members had this great flag hanging outside.  It is a copy of the title of Liberty that Moroni created.  

Also during our visits this week while Joe was doing some service, I was admiring all the art work in one sister's home.  She teaches pottery and other art at a local senior community.  When we started to leave she handed me a piece of art that I really loved.  I will treasure this dish as it will remind me of not only her, but all the wonderful people in San Marcos that we have come to love. 

This week we got a visit from two of our sons!  Matthew has been working out of town most of this past year so it is such a treat to spend some time with him.  We have been able to see Tyler more often but have really enjoyed our time with him. 

Matthew and Tyler 

Another good busy week in the Newport Beach, California mission!