A frost warning here...really??

I am certainly enjoying the beautiful winter flowers.  I am not sure what

this cactus type plant is but around the first part of December this

beautiful flower appeared on them...so majestic!!

We had a new missionary for a couple of weeks, "Elder" Scott.....not really an Elder but served with the Otay Missionaries.  He is on what is called a "mini" mission.  He has been a member for two months and wondered whether he might want to go on a mission, so he served this mini mission...lived with the Elders, went teaching with them, and kept their schedule.  He loved it and wants to go on a mission when he turns 18...he is almost 17 now.  We really enjoyed him.  The Elders had a couple they were trying to teach, but they mostly wanted to talk.  So they told them they needed to show Elder Scott how to teach a lesson on the restoration and so gave the lesson.  They said it went so well and they made another appointment for the next lesson....worked for them well!!

Last Sunday, there was a Stake Priesthood Meeting, Elder Medsker ask Brother Jesse Gomez if he would like to go with him and he accepted!!  On the way back, they talked about the temple and Elder Medsker said he hoped that he and his wife would go to the temple before we left.  He indicated that they wanted to go and would make before then!!!!!  We are much excited.  He was telling Elder Medsker that Mia (his granddaughter, who was baptized a few months ago) loves the scriptures.  She got an i-pod for Christmas and is always listening to the Book of Mormon.  She insists they read scriptures every night....I love it!
"And they shall be led by a child".  

Last week we had for San Diego a real cold spell, 37* our low in sunny California.  One night they even said issued a frost warning.  Out came the coats and scarves around the neighborhood.  When we left for the temple on Tuesday morning it was 42*.  Since the temple had been closed for Sunday and Monday, it was so cold!!  The men had their white suit jackets and the sisters all had on crocheted capes all morning (there are a few in each room for the sisters because those rooms can get chilly) and the favorite place to serve was the laundry because it was warm.  It took about two-three hours, but it finally warmed up.  A new experience for the temple!

One week can make a difference, this weekend the sun is shining and we are in the mid-seventies.....loving it!!

On Wednesday night, we went with the Otay Mesa Ward to serve dinner to the homeless.  It is always an eye opener and really makes one grateful for blessings we often take for granted. 

This afternoon we attended the baptism of Katy Bergen.  I met Katy not long after we got here, she had come to church with a friend.  She introduced herself and said she was an investigator and wanted to be baptized.  I have watch her struggle with wanting to be baptized but having to kick a smoking habit which as been so hard for her. Up and down....but she made it.  Her countenance over this year has so dramatically changed.  It has been interesting watching her grow with determination.....  One humorous note, the missionaries ask if I would talk on baptism at the baptism.  I was just putting the finishing touches on it this morning and got a text from the missionaries and ask if I was still on for my talk on the Holy Ghost.  I told them sure and went back to work on a different talk.  At the baptism when they announced the program, they announced Sister Hicken would be speaking on baptism and Sister Medsker on the Holy Ghost.  She was a little loss of words but did a great job.  Afterward we were comparing notes and the missionaries had ask her to talk on the Holy Ghost and was shocked that it was on baptism.  We got quite a chuckle out of it...maybe if ask to speak at a baptism, we should prepared two talks!!

Still working on our list, found out two more members had died and five who had moved away....two with the flu and the several others not home.  We are getting to know the area pretty good...still glad we have our GPS however!!  A must for this type of mission.......