ANOTHER FACE FROM HOME

I was invited to a baptism today of a young woman who had began investigating the Church with a friend in the Roseville mission.  She decided to be baptized and to attend in her own Young Singles branch in our mission, so she finished her lessons with our office elders.

When I arrived at the baptism I discovered, to my delight, that she was being baptized by Elder Wilson Simons, of the Roseville Mission, and formerly of Corner Canyon 5th Ward!  I can report firsthand that he looks great, performed without a hitch, and is thoroughly enjoying his mission.

His companion is from Orem, Utah, and the Bishop of the Young Singles Ward is related to the Smiths in Draper.  I tell you, the Church is a close-knit family.

HOW PRETTY IS PRETTY?

Short blog today, just so I don't forget a sweet moment.  The mouse pad I inherited at work was stained and disgusting, so I threw it away and have been using the one I brought from home, with a quilt motif.  When I decided I needed that one here at the apartment, I jotted down on the list of office supplies needed that I needed a mouse pad....a pretty one.

I was in a family history class Wednesday night when my office phone rang.  I excused myself and took the call.  It was the office elders, who were at Staples, trying to decide which was the prettiest mouse pad.  They wanted to know if pink flowers would work, or if I had another favorite color?

Further on these elders.  When I thank them for doing something, Elder Genteman (that's right, gentleman without an "l") responds with a "You're Welcome," said as it was meant to be said, with genuine sincerity.  Just one of the things I've learned from their example.

Elder Genteman with his find of gold at Coloma.

Elder Whiting's birthday.

PIONEER DAY

Celebrated Pioneer Day, California style.  I was pretty impressed at the ward party which included square dancing, horseshoes, butter churning, etc.  When we sang "Carry On" in sacrament meeting today I got pretty emotional about the deserts and mountains and all.  Revisiting all the hardships of the pioneers makes me less sympathetic to the missionaries who, for example, complain that their remotes don't work and they have to open their car doors by inserting their keys.  There are some good missionaries here and some great things being accomplished, but there's also some entitlement issues, which I believe to be rampant in the  younger generation.  Showing my age, aren't I?

After encouragement from home and from here, I had my hair colored to give it enough body to wear it short and spiky.  It's blonder than I had imagined, but as Ben always says, "It'll grow back."  In the meantime, it's my California look.

Here's another job opportunity that I never knew about.  You can serve a part-time service mission inspecting missionaries' apartments!  The missionary couples here do some of the inspections, but others are done by people in the stake.  The work is ongoing and somewhat scary, but the job may appeal to some...

I've been reflecting on my missionary experience so far.  I don't think I've had much impact on others; rather, most of what I think I'm accomplishing is in self-awareness.  Hopefully, self-improvement will be next.  I'm in a position to view closely the attributes of many people--both good and bad.  I have new role models now, as well as reminders about the traits to try to eliminate.  It's a blessing.

GLOBAL WARMING?

Wow!  Temperature was in the mid 60's on Tuesday.  On my way to work* I passed pedestrians in jackets.  I had been told that summertime temps here can vary 30, sometimes even 40 degrees, but I thought that might be an exaggeration.  Apparently not.

One of the sister missionaries opened a card yesterday from a little girl she used to babysit.  The girl had drawn a picture of the missionary, complete with white shirt and tie.  Other sisters have reported overhearing, "Look, there go the elders."  Perhaps we need to redefine missionaries for the younger generation.

(Wish I could rotate this)

While driving around last week, waiting for a phone call (no cell reception at my apartment), I found Folsom Prison, of Johnny Cash fame.  It's quite intimidating, and very close to downtown Folsom, which is charming

We've had a rash of bicycle thefts lately.  The owner of CTR bikes generously replaces any bikes that are damaged or are stolen while locked up.  For example, a bike in its rack when the car was rear-ended was replaced at no charge.  If unlocked when stolen, it's up to the missionaries (parents) to replace them.

And speaking of vehicles.  This mission operates 72 cars.  They are replaced before they reach 50,000 miles, and are detailed and put up for sale.  They are mostly Toyota Corollas and Chevy Malibus, but there are some trucks and even vans.  They've been well maintained.  So if someone is looking for a used car, you might check with your local mission home.

CALM AND CONTENTED

The Mission Home with my favorite California flowers, Lily of the Nile.  They're everywhere here.
A rather calm week, chance to catch up on baptism records and even a little indexing.  Each church building in the area is sponsoring a missionary open house, and the missionaries have been busy preparing for that.  In our building, the three wards who share the space will provide booths on emergency preparedness, family history, etc.

I have heard recently that Sacramento is the most culturally diverse city in the United States.  In addition to the many Asian groups, there is a large pocket of Russians in Sacramento proper.  Another fact of interest is that Stockton, a part of the mission, comes in third in the worst ten cities in the U.S. in which to live.  I spent a little time there, briefly, and the city has a beautiful campus (University of Pacific), but apparently has a very high crime rate.

Socially, it was a full week.  On Tuesday evening Pete and Alta Hart took the four SSS's (single senior sisters) for Chinese food.  I've mentioned the Harts before:  they are retired military, with no children, who lavish their time and resources on the missionaries here and on BYU athletes.  Alta was formerly Russell M. Nelson's surgical nurse when he was practicing medicine.  Pete cleans the building where the mission offices are housed...very dear people.

On Wednesday the Cliftons and I attended a class on scanning and upgrading photos in preparation for making a personal book.  I keep trying to get the vision of family history, with very little to show for it.

Highlight of the week was having dinner on Thursday with Len and Cheri Reynolds, who came through town on a business trip.  I am blessed to have such good friends and family come to visit.  Ben, Chelsea, and Emma are coming Labor Day weekend, and I'm anxious to reconnect with Emma so she doesn't forget me.

Staying in touch with loved ones at home and meeting wonderful new people here....best of both worlds!


Oscar, the would-be mission cat.

STAR-STUDDED 4TH OF JULY

Celebrated the holiday in great style.  I actually started on "Fourth Eve" by having dinner at a friend's home, then joining her family at the local country club for fireworks and ice cream.  Brooke, who grew up here in Fair Oaks, said they've always had fireworks on the 3rd, which worked well for me because I was busy in the mission on the 4th.

Wednesday was P-day this week and we began at the top end of the mission at 7 a.m. with a 3K run/walk, breakfast, and outdoor games.  We had grills set up for french toast and sausages, a volleyball net, and patriotic music playing on the patio of the Mormon Center, a complex adjoining the temple.  Highlight of the games was the three-legged race when one of the large missionaries just picked up his smaller companion and carried him the whole way!

Next we met at noon at a stake center in Sacramento, the middle part of the mission, for pulled pork sandwiches and  potato salad.  More games followed.  Elder Reid, a new elder and former football player from Alta High, made a great showing by winning the gunnysack race.  Highlight of this segment was probably the water balloon fight, which was welcome in the heat.

Final shift was at the southern end of the mission in Stockton, where we had pizza and watched "Seventeen Miraces," ending at 8:30 p.m., an hour-and-a-half from home.

Watching Sister Lewis feed her sheep is daunting.  She showed up at each event with coolers, ovens, and baskets packed with everything necessary for a fullblown party, including tablecloths and themed decorations.  She always serves fresh fruit at every opportunity.  For the movie portion of the day she provided cups of popcorn, red licorice, and M&M's.  She is always thinking 24 hours ahead; i.e., slow-cooking the pork on Tuesday while providing fruit and nutbreads for the leadership meeting.  The amount of food she shops for, prepares, and serves in style in staggering.

The office staff helped with the morning shift, the MLS (member leadership support) missionaires at lunch, and the medical couple at the evening portion. I went along in my own car, as support, and to help carry games, prizes, and equipment.  The elders cheerfully haul stuff in and out of the cars and are quick to admit that Sister Lewis really spoils them.

It was a great celebration of our country's independance.