Working out Transfers and living the Mission life

First of all a very happy birthday to Samantha. We love you so much. We are so grateful for you

Well much of this week was work on figuring out transfers which will go out Monday. Tuesday next week 23 new missionaries arrive and 10 go home. Tuesday we spend the morning hours at the airport getting missionaries off to home and then running over to meet the new missionaries coming in.  This arrival is a little more complicated because we have 4 coming in later in the day from the Mexico MTC and we also have one missionary leaving for home at 6pm to the Philippines.  So we have some juggling to do.

On Friday (Sam's birthday) we went the temple early in the morning with our departing missionaries and missionary couples going home.  It is special to spend some time there with them.  The San Diego temple has a huge atrium in it and there was a tiny hummingbird flying from flower to flower inside of it.  It was really beautiful. Can't take a picture of that. You will have to trust me.

It was a small group going home this time. Partly because we have been taking so many to the airport separately this past two weeks.  But it make it a more personal meeting time and was easier on Mark to just have 10 exit interviews. Tuesday will be a long day for him as he will have 23 missionaries to interview on arrival. There will be a lot of trainers this time around. I serve Italian sodas to the departing group and one elder must have had 10 of them.  He kept trying different mixes. Reminded me of some of my grandkids. We had to take a picture of him at the end of the day.  One of the sisters put whip cream all over his mouth.  It was pretty funny.

Thank heavens I can get the syrups on Amazon Prime.  They are starting to let me know their favorite flavors.

Tuesday we went to the airport with a sister returning to Mainland China and an elder flying home to Houston Texas and a flooded house and parents who are getting a divorce.. It is touching to see the courage they have for what lies ahead. Some of the missionaries this week will be leaving the secure situation of the mission to go home to a lot of unknown and some hard things.  I love their faith and courage so much. 

We just got back from a baptism of a gentleman who has had all kinds of difficulties in his life and he found the missionaries and when they brought him to church he said to Mark when he walked in church building he knew he was home.  He was finally home.  It was a touching baptism.

One of our sets of missionaries this week said how they felt they should sit on a bench and put things in their planners right at the moment they were passing a bench.  So they did and a man who was parked near by came over and asked who they were and what they were doing and told them he wanted to be taught. Our sisters who worked with the YSA group at San Diego State University were out by campus when a female student came up to them and asked who they were.  When they explained she told them that her friends kept telling her she was practically Mormon because she won't drink and was so disciplined (she is an athlete). She asked to know more so they are teaching her now. The Lord puts our missionaries in the path of those who are seeking.

In other news we got the internet service here at the home worked on and it is much faster.  There are still some problems but it is much better.  I met two of my neighbors and took them cookies or bread. One has been here as long as this has been a mission home and has known all the mission president families.  The other who lives right below us with the swimming pool is from Greece. Super fun. Think my Big Fat Greek Wedding and you will have a clue how fun the visit was. Up to and including that they made sure I went out the same door I came in because it is Greek tradition and anything else would be bad luck. You got to meet them.  Too fun.

Well that about wraps it up for now.  We have another baptism to go to in an hour and a Latin Cultural event to attend at El Rey ward at 6:30.  Tomorrow we speak at the Marine Corp Recruitment Deport to a group of very humbled marine recruits going through basic training.  Then we speak at the Mission President devotional tomorrow night in Peñasquitos (which is Julie's former companions stake and Nathan and Nicole stake)  So we are staying busy. (Even if there aren't pictures for everything)

We love you much and are looking forward to your upcoming visits and always your phone calls and texts. You are in our prayers as we know you are super busy.  Hope Big Rich is feeling well again. 

We love  you all

MOM