The Lorax tree, a Phillipino meal, arrivals and starting another round

I commented to someone that some of the plants around here look like something out of Dr. Seuss and they said that is because he  used to live here in La Jolla. So we got to looking on the internet and found some stuff to go see.

This is the inspiration for the Lorax tree.  The library at UC at San Diego is also named for Giesel. His home is not open to the public but they claim him around here just like Dartmouth does. Interesting huh? I will have to take pictures of other Seuss like plants for you.
Yesterday Mark started interviews again. This time in we started in Santee.  Two of our Phillipino Elders prepared a full meal for us at lunch. It was really good. They served us rice, turon (which is vegetables, chicken and broth) a type of egg roll and dipping sauce and for dessert they had made us a roll filled with Jack fruit. It was really good. I think the one Elder thought of it to involve his companion in a service because his companion had not heard from his parents since he arrived in the mission field. So Mark called the Phillipines last night and was talking to the Stake President who just happened to be standing by the Bishop of this Elder. The Bishop said he would get a letter from the parents and scan it and send it to the Elder. They do not have internet and so cannot email him and mailing is hard for them too. Our missionaries make great sacrifice to be here and so do their parents. And there are no coincidences. The Lord loves his missionaries and will get you to the source for help for them.
Tuesday we met our departing missionaries at the airport and got them checked in for their flights home. In some cases we were taking things from their suitcases and putting it into bags to send later to them because they were over  their weight limit.  It is kind of an emotional time asking for their money cards back, their driving tiwi cards and the church insurance card and the phone if they forgot to give it to their companion. Then leaving them at the security gate and waving good bye. One of our sisters is from Gabon and is going to Texas to finish school and then on to medical school. She is really special. Remind me to tell you about her sometime. We felt an attachment to all of them even though we had for only 5 weeks. Good people all.
Then we rushed over to the other terminal to stand at the bottom of an escalator to greet our arriving missionaries. The other passengers from the plane kept telling us they were coming and smiling at us as we waited for them.  They came in mass down the escalator. 17 of them. We took them to the Mission home for lunch. Began interviews and letting them sleep.  They had been up since 1am and they were tired. Once rested for a couple of hours, we took pictures, fed them dinner and about 6pm matched them up with their companions who had arrived to pick them up. From there it was hauling luggage down that steep drive of our and taking them out proselytizing.

 waiting for their companions

Their companions arrive to get them.

The next day we trained them in conference room at the Battalion and then by noon cut them loose again with their trainers. It really is amazing to be a part of it all.

We had two missionaries leave for home early this week as well. One has a father dying of cancer and the other had medical problems.  Both have the option to return if things work out for them. They are hard to watch go.

Two of our Elders were in a car accident on Tuesday. It wasn't their fault. A car ran a red light. Neither of them were hurt gratefully.  Mark spend Thursday morning with them trying to help them get their things from the wrecked car which was in a towed lot.  The attendant who went by "Mo" was working with them.  Finally one of the missionaries asked him if he spoke Arabic and he said yes. He was from Syria. The Elder explained who they were and what they did and asked him if he would like to learn about Jesus Christ and he said Yes. Call me and I will tell you his full name. An accident where they were protected and where they found an investigator.

My MTC teacher and his wife dropped by on Thursday. They live in Palo Alto now and were down here for a family reunion.  It was fun to show them the mission home and talk for a little. It was so nice of them to drop by. He said he never gets to see what happens to the mission presidents or wives he teaches after the MTC. I promised I was still practicing and working on my spanish. 

Well transfer notices went out the first of the week and seems to be working. Mark started interviews again. There are already inspiring stories we hear about companion match ups which helps us.  It is an exhausting process for Mark and takes days to figure out.

WE love you and are so grateful for all of you. You are our rock and foundation for being. We pray for you and your activities. You are all so busy. We are so grateful to be involved in this great work and hear of your doings. What a blessing.

love mom