A new month is here

Wow I can hardly believe tomorrow is October. Probably because it is 75 to 80 degrees outside. We are looking forward to Rich and Janae and the girls arriving tomorrow. In the meantime we are enjoying the spiritual fill of General Conference.
Sunday last we told you we had another run to the airport (number 10) to pick up two sisters transferred to us from Puerto Rico.  They pretty much arrived with the clothes on their backs and the shoes on their feet. They had used their carry on suitcase as a 72 hour kit filling it with food and a change of clothes and whatever else they could fit in. They took that and a supply of water to the mission home where the sisters sat out the hurricane. The Elders all went to the mission office. They worked for several days after the hurricane to clear roads etc. Then by a miracle the church managed to get them on airplanes out.  The island is pretty much wiped out. They felt guilty leaving.  They said the people at the airport said the Mormons don't leave they come when there is a disaster. I took them shopping for shoes, couldn't find much in the way of clothes and I got them suitcases and personal toiletry items.  The spanish speaking sisters brought them bedding and all the leftover clothes left by departing sisters (which was a ton) and they were able to get some outfits from  that. I took them to get one of the sisters bangs cut. We couldn't go to distribution because the temple is closed till tuesday so their companions will have to take them food shopping and to get the rest of what they need.  They are really sweet sisters.  One had only been in Puerto Rico 12 days.

 Here they are arriving in San Diego and at the one below is when I took them to the Mormon Battalion for a tour. Our sisters dressed one of them up as a soldier as part of the tour

They were pretty excited to find out we are a tablet mission and they can do their area books on their tablets.  They also asked what our mission rule was on music and I told them exactly what the handbook says. They were so relieved. They both do a lot with music and the mission in Puerto Rico had only let them listen to hymns and play hymns.  The one was playing some classical music on the piano here at the mission home before her new companions came. It was like a relief to her to be able to play some of the things she loves.  I will be calling them Monday to make sure they are doing ok.
Monday we began interviews again and that is what much what this week has been. Interviewing missionaries. I created a quiz game on nutrition with some powerpoint pictures and if they would participate while they waited for their interview they could pick a Prize from my basket.  They were mostly office supply things (scissors, tape, sticky pads, pens, highlighters, hand sanitizer etc)  We had fun with it.  Not surprising the elders think they should eat mostly protein and many think sugar is a food group.  I shared tips Wendy gave me on improving their meals and I think they generally appreciated it.  Made the time pass better for me.

 We delivered a trunk full of mail to the missionaries in the Valley when we go.  They love us

This is one of the sisters passing the time doing art on the chalkboard.  She and her companions want to be my APWs (Assistant to the mission president's Wife)  Sounds good to me.

I also solved a few medical problems during interviews.  They figure it is a good time to find out answers since I am there.  Friday we went to a fiesta the missionaries up in Poway had helped two wards organize.  They combined Ramona ward with Dos Picos spanish speaking ward and with the ward mission leaders put together a fun fiesta. There were pinatas, dancing, music written by one of our Elders from Mexico (his own arrangement of Oh How lovely was the Morning) and really good food. Mark and I spoke in English and Spanish. He did it well and I did it like a gringo but the spanish members are very tolerant and its good practice for me.

 Two of our elders. The one on the right is from Mexico and wrote the arrangement of music he played

 Me and some of the sisters. We are playing the guessing game of talking to people to guess what is on your forehead.  The sister on top is from Orem and her aunt and uncle are in our ward at home. They are really good missionaries

 Eating all that good comida!

The pinata game.  They were really beautiful pinatas and they have a song they sing when the kids come up to swing at it.

Today we went to a baptism between conference sessions. It was for two people.  When Mark talked to one of them earlier in the week he came away with the strong impression he will be a leader.  It was a very touching baptism service. The ward mission leader was prompted some time ago to start to learn the native language of some of the refugees and so he has and he did the confirmation for the gift of the Holy Ghost in the new members own language.  Another member who baptized him did it in his native language.  It was very moving how the nations of the earth are receiving the gospel as they gather as refugees here in San Diego.  It is such a blessing to see it and to meet these wonderful people.  It was a great thing to watch between sessions.

Tuesday we met with an investigator we have been helping the missionaries and a ward member out with.  She just won't accept a commitment.  I think she is afraid it will be true and she will have to leave all her catholic friends behind.  I copied the card SO gave me  and told her about my granddaughter and told the sister, she was the welding link for her family past and present. They want her to join the family together. I told her that nothing about how she came to meet the church and the elders was a coincidence.  I hope she watched Elder Rasband's talk today.  Oh well.  We try.

The gospel is true. We see miracles every day in little ways. Our lives are so full because of the people we get to meet and the missionaries we get to be around.

We love you all so much. Thank you for who you are and the blessing you are to our lives. I know you are so busy. We are so grateful for you all

love MOM