It's September? How'd that happen?

Well we have been here 2 months now! Wow. Time flies when you are doing a hundred things each week.
The past week we had Mission Training Exchanges in place of zone conference. Except for the Valley where they are too far away to meet with another zone, we have three zones meet, teach each other and then exchange companions for 24 hours and the next day change back. The missionaries love it because it gives them different companionships for 24 hours and often a difference area.  I went out for a couple of hours with the sisters at each one except for yesterday so I learn a lot and have some interesting experiences. It was extremely hot this week (100 degrees plus humidity) and so I came home drained but having had a great experience. Here are a few pictures.

With the sisters in Imperial Valley. I went tracting with Sister Noguerra. 117 degrees outside

With Sister Petersen and Sister Paskins in Santee on lunch break. I bought them lunch. 

Sister Huang, Johnson (her aunt is in my ward in Orem) and Sister Costlow. We went to a YSA ward and meet with their ward mission leader when I was with them.

Lunch with the APs and some other elders after MTE in Penasquitos

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I met with a less active and bore my testimony in Spanish, I handed out pamphlets, and helped teach a muslim woman the plan of salvation. She was from Nigeria. Went to a YSA class and met a ward mission leader who was planning with the sisters and with a different set of sisters, I met with a gentleman who is trying every hard to overcome a drinking problem and loves the missionaries and church because they are so helpful and he is strong when he is with them. He knows the church is true. He just needs help. We will try to get him into the addiction recovery program here.

You appreciate the missionaries and the work they do every day when you get out with them. It has been a great experience. Also very tiring in the heat.

Today we are doing a ward missionary day with all our spanish speaking missionaries in Barrio Del Rey. We met and had breakfast together this morning. Then the members had classes with our missionaries and this afternoon the members will go out with our missionaries to contact less actives and non members. Dad and I will rejoin them then and speak at the devotional tonight. So I have to get my testimony written in spanish and practice and dad is at an interview. Here are some pictures from this morning.

The sisters waiting to be matched up with a ward member

Some of the members

Eating a wonderful breakfast

The gentleman in the suit is one of dad's counselors. A great person. He speaks fluent Spanish and has been Branch president and Bishop of this area

The name tags they handed out.

In other news, we did go out to dinner for our anniversary on Monday night. We went to a really nice seafood restaurant near the house. It was a nice evening out.  Last Sunday we both spoke in the Bonita ward fireside which was in spanish as well. The members are very patient with my spanish and I am slowly starting to understand more conversation. The interesting bit was they served Hot chocolate and donuts for refreshments. I think that is the first time I have had hot chocolate served when it is 75-80 degrees outside.

We love you all and are so grateful for your lives.  We quote your mission experiences and life experience out here al the time (and you can't stop us!) So you are a good example without evening knowing it.

You are in our prayers and thoughts always.

love MOM