LAST GASP OF SUMMER

Let's see, what were the highlights of this week?

1.  I received a referral for a man who plays baseball for the professional team here.  He also owns a deli/sandwich shop nearby.  So I call the elders assigned to that area, who happen to be good buddies of mine, and gave them the referral.  They called me later to say that the phone number was wrong, so they had gone to his place of business.  They were standing outside the "deli," which looked more like a bar to them, wondering if they should go in.  At my urging, they did, but the owner wasn't there.  When I queried them yesterday about going back again, the junior companion told me he wasn't comfortable there because they had a Budweiser sign in the window.  They're so cute.  I told him I'd take responsibility.

2.  A package arrived at the office yesterday addressed to the office staff.  It was filled with cookies of several kinds, baked by the mother of one of the elders.  We got a "fat box!"  Local people bring by produce, too, to share with us.  We were given some huge, beautiful tomatoes.  So today I brought two slices of bread and a packet of mayo to the office to make a tomato sandwich.  Don't mean to be chauvinistic, but the tomatoes just don't taste as good here as they do back home.  Everything else (fruits, veggies) is wonderful, but the tomatoes are disappointing.

3.  Weather is changing--in the high 70's today.  I love September, and I love August ending.

NO NEW NEWS

Not much to write about lately.  People have loaned me shelves of books and DVD's, and I've been kind of a slug.  That's how I get through August.  The shows I'm watching are from a BBC series, "Foyle's War."  I had never seen any before this.  I've now watched all but one of season 1...just 5 more seasons to go.  They're enjoyable, and I'm crocheting lap robes for your Vets, Jan, while I watch them.  I brought ATLAS SHRUGGED to read, thinking it would last the whole mission, but finished it long ago.  Can't say I enjoyed it much.  I had forgotten how Ayn Rand beats her readers over the head with her philosophy.

And speaking of politics, they are heating up around here.  I'm surprised at the intensity of rightwingers here.  It's true that I hang around with a pretty conservative group on a daily basis; even so, random people I meet are very forthcoming about their politics...and they're not what I expected to find in California.  I saw the documentary "2016" last week, and the theater erupted in applause at the conclusion.  I have chosen not to have TV in my apartment (and I haven't missed it), but I'm invited to a friend's house this week to view the Republican Convention.  (This news is probably pretty painful for Nancy to read; also, Linda.)

As for the mission.  An elder was sent home last week, the result of an injury suffered from a bicycle accident.  He and his companion were both involved.  His companion had his helmet buckled on; the other elder's helmet was on but not buckled.  He suffered at least a concussion, maybe worse, and wasn't getting any better, so his mission has probably ended because of failure to follow rules.  Sister Loli, from Australia, passed the test and received her driver's license last week.  President Lewis informed two of the Islander sisters that he could arrange things now so that they didn't have to ride bikes, but be reassigned to cars.  They begged him to leave them on bikes.  They talk to more people that way, and the people are more interested in them and what they're doing (riding bikes in the heat...)

I spent yesterday at my friend, Brooke's house, having a lesson in painting with water colors.  I've designed a book cover for my mission scrapbook.  I have to say, my first attempt was better than I expected.  But even at that, the end result is that Brooke will paint it for me.  She's the one whose home is filled with her original art, which really speaks to me.  You'd like it, too, Clara.  In fact, I'll include some now.  She has a low wall under a large picture window.  Most people, me included, would leave it blank.  She decided to paint a series of pictures of legs and feet.  The photos won't do it justice.

HOME TOWN BOY MAKES GOOD

Elder Brian Finnerty came out at the same time as I did.  I didn't know him at home, but his family lives less than a mile away, in Corner Canyon 2nd Ward.  He was assigned downtown in Sacramento, so I didn't see him often.  Last week he was transferred to Orangevale, but it lasted only 2-3 days.  An issue arose that necessitated a senior companion being reassigned, and Elder Finnerty was called to take his place.  He (Elder Finnerty) had just been trained, and now he's a trainer!  I'm proud of my "homie."

After a weeklong hot spell of triple digits, things have cooled down a bit.  I really don't notice the heat because I sit directly beneath the AC vent in the office and must wear a sweater or jacket at all times.

I realize a blog is boring without pictures, so I am including a few of the office and of my apartment.

Misc. cupboard:  scriptures & footballs

First aid after a bike crash on P-Day.  He's my brother.....

Living Room/computer station

Bedspread from home!

ANOTHER VISIT FROM HOME

At the end of a busy transfer week, I received a visit from back-home neighbors and friends, the Sumsions.  They were traveling through to visit with Deanna's parents and stopped by the mission office.  We ate nutburgers at the Sunflower, and had a delightful visit.  Thanks, neighbors.

We sent 18 missionaries home and received only 10 new ones.  We have two "visa waiters" here who are called to serve in Mongolia, although that's not looking too promising these days.  So you can imagine the changes that have to made every six weeks--in housing, car assignments, etc.  We have many Islanders serving here who are not licensed to drive.  When a driver is sick or injured, changes have to be made in companionships to provide drivers in each.  This week two sisters from Marshall Islands (non-drivers) were assigned together to ride bikes.  They're pretty buff sisters and are really excited about it,  but I don't envy them biking in this heat.  Now we have to find bikes for them.  A visitor from Salt Lake told me that in the missions where everyone rides bikes at least part of the time there are much fewer physical and emotional complaints.

I continue to get interesting phone calls.  I carry my office phone with me on weekends.  Today, while at lunch with friends, I got a call from some sisters asking me to Google restaurants in Tracy.  Someone had given them gift cards, but they didn't know where any of the restaurants were.  They're not allowed to use the internet....so they called me to do it.  You see what a really important role I fill here?

We have two new office elders:  Elder Stephenson, a large, gentle Ben type, and Elder Lagazo, who is very small, dark and wiry.  An incongruous pair.  On their second day in the office I glanced up to see Elder Stephenson outside cleaning the glass door to the office!  Thought I was hallucinating.  We've cut way back on the time that the elders spend in the office, so that most of their time is spent proselyting, except on transfer weeks and zone conferences.

I'm always glad when August arrives... so we can hurry and get it over with.  It really is the dog-days month of the year.  The only good thing that ever came of it was the arrival of Baby Ben.

THE KIDNEYS OF THE MISSION

One of the President's assistants, Elder Yagi, is going home this week to play baseball for the U of U.  In addition, we've learned that both office elders are being transferred this week.  In our weekly planning meeting this morning, Elder Yagi bore his testimony and said something I need to record.

He was speaking to the office staff, but mostly to the Cliftons, at whom he was looking,

"I wish all the missionaries knew how much you do. You make it possible for us to be successful.  You are the kidneys of this mission."

So nice to hear sincere appreciation from the young to the, well, senior.  And the Cliftons, in particular, are deserving of the praise.

FAITH IN EVERY FOOTSTEP

July was a great month.  The goal was 67 baptisms...72 were performed.  A mid-month fast was held.  In his weekly letter to the mission, President Lewis suggested that on this Fast Sunday we "thank Heavenly Father for blessing our mission with the privilege of baptizing 72 truly converted people."

The office elders and assistants to the President have moved into a new home.  This is also the home where arriving elders spend their first night and departing ones their last night.  The house is just around the corner from the Mission office, on the corner of McKay and Treecrest.  We seniors quickly dubbed it the McKay House as the alternative, the Treehouse, seemed to lack dignity.  The elders are already telling us that they don't need any living room furniture--they can just keep their weights in there.  I was amused to see two plaques on their front porch:  a small one thanking people for not smoking, and a larger one stating "No Soliciting...Ever!"  This was probably meant for such missionaries as are now residing inside.

I have a new favorite fruit, a plumot, cross between a plum and an apricot.  It has the firmness of a plum, but is less tart.  I drove the other evening to Sloughouse to get fresh corn and tomatoes.  I was promised that they grow the best corn and tomatoes in the U.S.  Even compared to the high standards of the cornpatch that used to be across the street from me, the corn is really good.  But I've tasted better tomatoes grown in my own garden.  Miss that.

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.