31 July 2018

Our mission is half over! Time goes by so quickly. I sometimes wonder if the Lord has sneakily increased the speed of rotation of the earth to hasten His work. This past week we had transfers. Luckily neither Sister B or myself were transferred. We kind of like our companionship the way it is. They whitewashed both of the sisters' areas. All four were transferred out. Our zone leader was transferred up to San Jose and another elder came in to replace Elder Deeter who returned home after completing his mission. Sister Sanft also ended her mission this transfer and returned home as well. Sad to see them leave, but happy for their accomplishments. We are getting acquainted with 4 new sisters, one zone-district leader, and another elder. They seem really good and dedicated. One sister is from Korea and speaks wonderful English. Her companion is from SLC and has the same last name as Elaine's mother's maiden name: Openshaw. They were able to find where in the line they are connected. Fun.
        This past week we spent a lot of time ministering and reaching out to military couples living in the Marina ward. We got acquainted with several new families. We ministered to one who was struggling with depression and sickness, and helped coordinate help in moving two other families into their military quarters at old Fort Ord. We really enjoy these meetings. These young mostly newly-married military couples are under such heavy stress with the language training. We try to keep a close eye on as many as we can and try to help them out. We often get requests from the bishops or relief society presidents of wards to minister to someone. We love that.
         I've been enjoying volunteering at the Family History Center (FHC) in Seaside every Friday morning for 4 hours. I've been able to get quite a bit of work done for myself - mostly just getting more familiar with family history sites and how to search for connections and people. My sister, Marilyn, discovered a book that belonged to our mother that is a 250th anniversary edition of the Hobson's in America from 1707-1957. It is chuck-full of genealogy on the Hobson line and is a wonderful resource for doing family history on that line and others. I'm anxious to get involved with checking things out for ordinations and accuracy, etc.
         Our fellowship evenings each Tuesday at the Presidio (DLI) continue to be useful tools to communicate with the YSA military folks. Feeding them each week is like feeding a hungry family. We go through food like we had 20 children - and we do!!! Yesterday, we took the two sister missionaries who live near us our shopping and showing them around the area a little. They came over and used our WIFI to email their families (it was P-day). While they were here at the apartment, I received a phone call from the mission president (President Hunt), asking me counsel with these two sisters, as one had said she wasn't getting along well with her companion. It's a bit tricky trying to speak with one sister and not having the other around. But we are working on it. I continue to work with some elders with other issues, assigned by the mission president. It makes me happy to be able to help lift his burdens.
           The pictures are all of "Lover's Point" (different views) along the Pacific Grove shoreline.