August in Imperial Beach

This picture will be a "remember when" picture when the San Diego Temple gets their beautiful Visitor's Center...probably a few years down the road, but we saw the proposed center and it is going to be incredible!!  But until then, this is our "visitor's center"...our canopy (an update, at first we only had a large outdoor umbrella) two chairs and our cart with all kinds of wonderful handouts!!  We are really enjoying working a shift on the temple grounds.  Most of the people we talk to are members, but we also get to visit with tourists who wonder what this remarkable building is.  We have a few pictures of the rooms inside the temple to show them and gives us a chance to talk about the temple and the church.  We have met people from all over the world!  We spoke with a man named Boris from Russia with his wife and three children.  Unfortunately, he was the only one who spoke English and it wasn't very good.  We gave him some pamphlets and hope it does some good. Elder Medsker really is a pro at this!!

The Gomez family that we took to hear Elder Ballard speak, did come to church the next Sunday and again this Sunday.  We are very hopeful they will continue to come...their granddaughter really likes Primary.

Elder Ballard held a training meeting for the Elders and Sisters and then a separate one for the Senior Missionaries.  What an incredible experience to be in the presence of an Apostle of God.  Powerful and yet down to earth and full of encouragement. We came home renewed!!

Last week we drove up to see Janet and Jonathan...an extra bonus Preston and Sue (Janet's parents) were there also.  So good to see them!!  And it was great to see where Jonathan and Janet live, we loved their home.  Such a great day....

The first Monday of every month, we have Family Home Evening with all the Senior Missionaries.  This month's activity was at Balboa Park where they have a huge outdoor organ and give free concerts all summer.  Our Mission President suggested it and we all really enjoyed it.  We each take turns being in charge and this one was ours.   So I made three different kinds of cookies (wow, I finally baked something!) and at intermission Elder Medsker handed them out to all the missionaries, they were a hit!!

In visiting members of the ward, we often meet someone that we don't recognize.  One such member was Julia Morgan and her son, Ronald.  We had a great visit with them.  Then on Sunday, we see each other in church and  recognized each other and it is instant friendship!!  I love it.....

Today when I went to church, Sister Woolstenhulme who has a Hawaiian heritage presented me with this beautiful lei she had made...the flowers are from her own tree.  It made me feel special all day!!