Zone Conferences and Taco Salads

This week was zone conferences all week. We started in the Imperial Valley. It is a small zone and doesn't combine with any other zones. We started our learning there and practiced on those missionaries.  They were a good group. And we ate carne asada  for lunch. That was really good. I know I am starting to think like a missionary. And it was a balmy 115 degrees. Apparently the Valley has temperatures very similar to Bagdad Iraq. How fun is that? In the evening we went to Nathan and Nicole's home in Penasquitos area.  They have an absolutely incredible home. We ate dinner together. They had a kitchen table, chairs and stools they donated to the mission and we loaded it up and will probably donate it to the Congolese refugee families in El Cajon or use in an apartment. It was really kind of them. It was a fun visit. Carter and Addison are great kids. We told them to be sure and make it to the Penasquitos Stake Conference on Saturday night August 12 because we will be speaking and would appreciate the moral support.
We are discovering where ever the President shows up a line forms of people who want to talk to him in private. Tuesday he went into the office to do some welcome interviews with couple missionaries and soon a line formed of just missionaries.  Then there was paperwork and other things.  It was a full day at the office.  I read at home and prepared for my part at zone conference and studied spanish. At 3pm we drove to the Mormon Battalion for a small birthday celebration for one of our sisters from Colombia. She feels a really connect with Mark because he knows her town. It was sweet.
Her companions at the Battalion are very perceptive of her personality and needs.
Wednesday after zone conference with a taco salad lunch provided by the stake RS sisters that evening we went to a members house where they had invited a friend to talk about the Gospel. We talked about the apostasy and restoration. Showed the First Vision video and had a good discussion. She is a neighbor who used her frequent flyer mile recently to go to Salt Lake city because that is where her miles would take her and she spent 2 whole days at Temple Square and was enthralled with the message. so we are doing some follow up.  The member family are great. He is our former bishop here and now a counselor in the Stake presidency.
The rest of the week was zone conferences and taco salad lunch provided by the stake RS members (which is super kind of them)  We learned a lot  about what we will and will not do again. There are just some physical logistics in each bldg to deal with and handle right so everyone can hear, see and participate.  Then we will tighten up some presentations in the future.  For the most part I think we did ok.  It is a big learning curve still. Two of my sister missionaries took one of my DFG kit for a Haitian contact and will see where else they can place them with that community.
Friday out in Penasquitos we decided to avoid the freeway for a while after zone conference was finished, since it was packed and it would take over an hour to get home.  We did some shopping in a local store area and answered texts and phone calls as we walked around. Talked to Jared for a while.  Talking  to family is such a break or even getting your texts.  Ate at Pollo Loco and I am officially through with Mexican food for the next week. On the way home just driving through the city area we ended up in Miramar and right by the base there (think Top Gun) I drove by here once and two fighter jets flew over the freeway and it made all the traffic slow down.  It is pretty amazing stuff. Kind of fun to peek through the fence  as we drove by.
When we got home we kicked back and just sat by each other in the office working on "stuff" which for me included my Chatbook. That is kind of fun to put together. I even watched a Gortimor Gibbons video on my Amazon. Dad is still reading missionary emails, cleaning out files or organizing stubbs.
This is a nice break because I spent one night this week inputing medical into the church site for all the medical issues I have been dealing with. It took me 3 hours. As it was last night I was texting and emailing things to missionaries on more of the same.
Then just about the time we were headed to bed, calls and texts came in of 2 missionaries who had broken some rules. Mark had to make some phone calls. Today will be consequences day. Oh joy.
Next week we prepare for transfers and departure dinner with missionaries who will actually fly out on Aug 8 as our new missionaries arrive.  But on Friday next week we go to the temple with those leaving.  I am looking forward to that. And we have Mission Leadership Council next week again. Wow we have been a here month!
But for now here are some pictures of the zones. WE love you all tons and are so grateful for family. Stay safe and happy with all you have going on. We think of you all the time.

El Centro Zone in Imperial Valley

Our Battalion Sister's birthday

San Diego and Chula Vista English and Spanish Zones

Santee Zone

El Cajon Zone

San Diego North Zone which includes our Battalion sisters

Penasquitos Zone

Poway Zone

The Selfies you get when you leave your iPad laying around. Its a bonus. They are so fun

San Diego East Zone