February 21, 2015

Some really great things happened this week.  When I think back on our mission, this week will be one that I will remember well.

Prs. Schmitt's family makes
us a handmade card each
holiday.

At the office things are still a bit different with out the Soffes there.  I am realizing that part of the problem is that the "buck stops with us". We are the ones who have been there the longest and supposedly know the most.  The Parkins are so new and the Knorrs have a hard time learning things so we really are relied on to handle the hard stuff.  That's Ok.  But different.  We did make one big change at the office.  We have all had candy jars for the missionaries on our desks.  But we have decided that we are eating the candy along with them and we are all gaining weight.  So we are trying to have more healthy snacks to share.  Still trying to figure out what I might have for them.  Any ideas?

The van ride

We had a fun Scripture Class this week.  We went on a field trip!  One of our members had never been to the Mormon Battalion.  That is a real shame when you live right here.  Almost a sin!  Roger got the mission van and we all piled in and drove over there.  There were several that didn't come but we had fun with the ones who did.  It is always nice to be at the Battalion with the sisters there and some of my favorites took us through the tour.

Our little gang in front
of the Battalion

They now have Meet the Mormons there at the center so we saw part of that while we waited for our tour to start and then did the tour.  Our group has a lot of people with hard luck stories and we have had a wonderful experience with them going through the Pearl of Great Price.  There really are great "pearls" in there and we have had good discussions.  We feel honored to have been a part of this group and to help out there.  It has been a good way to involve newly activated members.  Bart and Cheri are our best attenders now and are encouraging others as they need support and love to come too.  Wednesday's just won't ever be the same.

Sister Kennedy is beautiful
and we love her!

Elder Egnew is one of the
missionaries in our ward.
Sister Larsen lives in PG
and will be adopted soon!

Thursday was our ward temple night.  We were excited to go be there with ward members.  We took Cheri with us and when we got there there were just four others from our ward.  Too bad but it is always a great to be in the temple.  

Elder Parkin reading
the news about
his new grand son.

Elder Parkin was a bundle of nerves all day on Friday.  His daughter was in labor and he would come in every now and then through the day and give us updates.  You would have thought he was having the baby.  He came in and told us the news when the baby was finally here and he had such a huge grin on his face.  He said something about being sure that he was sure that he was just as tired as his daughter with all of the worry!  We had to tell him that that was not even close to true.  But he was drained and didn't get much done all day.  So cute.  

We were able to take a long lunch and go up to the La Jolla Institute for their Friday Forum to see the Coombs.  The Coombs were the couple that were at the Institute before we were there.  They have been home since May and came back to visit.  We loved seeing them and all of our kids at the Institute.  

A great highlight of our
mission!  Bart going to do
baptisms for the first time.

Friday was the highlight of the week!  And one of the main highlights of our mission.  We keep being told that all missionary work leads to the temple and the covenants made there.  Friday we were able to go with Bart to be in the temple doing baptisms for the first time.  Friday morning, Cheri and I were able to miraculously find his grandfather's information so that we could have Bart do his baptism.  She didn't tell Bart until we got into the temple what we had found and he was so touched.  I also had some Goeringer names that he could do.  Cheri had Bart's grandmothers name and some of our Goeringer names and Roger was able to do the baptizing.  I went in and was able to watch it all and enjoy the great spirit that comes from participating in this great work.  As Bart walked into the baptismal room, I could tell that he wasn't alone!  There was such a strong spirit there with him - such a happy spirit.  So cool.  He felt it too and it was a wonderful night.  We met Bart first as we went to visit them as inactive members and invite them to come back.  He answered the door without a shirt on and seemed really gruff.  He turned us over to Cheri and went in to the other room to watch TV.  Wasn't interested at all.  But Cheri was and through her, he has come back too!  

Friday Forum
David our Chinese friend
showed a video of his
friend and him visiting China

Roger was able to spend some good time in the ocean this morning and into the afternoon with David - our institute friend.  I stayed back and was able to do laundry and clean our little home.  We really don't do what we should to keep it clean and it was nice to have the time to organize things in the cupboards etc.  I always feel so much better when I do that.  

You have to get a picture when you go!

Ready to start a new week.  The weeks are flying by and we realize that it will be all over soon.  That is so sad and good at the same time.  We are ready to be home with family and friends.  We miss you all.  But then we have made so many new friends and San Diego will always have a piece of our hearts!  I guess we will just have to come back some time and visit.  We already have some jobs to come baby sit some of our ward members homes when they go out of town.  

President Schmitt sends out an email before P day to each of the missionaries.  There was a quote in this week's message that I want to share.

"I started studying kids and adults in all kinds of super challenging settings, and in every study my question was, who is successful here and why? ... In all those very different contexts, one characteristic emerged as a significant predictor of success. And it wasn't social intelligence. It wasn't good looks, physical health, and it wasn't I.Q. It was grit. Grit is passion and perseverance for very long-term goals. Grit is having stamina. Grit is sticking with your future, day in, day out, not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years, and working really hard to make that future a reality. Grit is living life like it's a marathon, not a sprint."

He added that we are blessed because we don't have to stick it out on our own.  The Lord will send his spirit to help us.  The Holy Ghost can give us that boost we need to get through the hard stuff.  We just have to do those things to have him with us.  Read, pray, go to church and keep the commandments.

So we head off to another week - trying to live it like a marathon, not a sprint.   

Love you all!