New Year's Surprises

Dear Family and Loved Ones,

I'm writing our e-mail a day early because for the next three days two trainers from the MTC will be with us in the mission home.  They are coming to observe us and our missionaries and to give us additional training.  We are looking forward to getting their ideas on how we can improve in our mission. We had a chance to meet many of the trainers in the MTC - they are amazing so we know the next few days will be great.

This past week was full of surprises:

Mari had her 15th birthday and her brothers and sisters surprised her with a birthday party.  Stacey decorated the house while we were off shopping. Mari came home to streamers, balloons, cake, chalk art and nearly the entire family (Kelly and Shelly were already back in Utah) singing Happy Birthday. The family left the next morning on Mari's real birthday (sad) but they made sure she had a great celebration before returning home to Utah.

One of our former Elders came by the mission home with his parents.  They were in California for a baby blessing.  Our Elder's Dad is Navajo and they offered to prepare authentic Navajo tacos for our dinner.  It was amazing!  There was no measuring but somehow the simple ingredients came together to form the fry bread dough, which was flattened into nearly paper thin circles the size of a large frying pan. They were then fried to perfection.  The tacos were topped with seasoned beans, pico de gallo, lettuce and cheese - Yum! The food was delicious but better still was spending time with this amazing young man and his parents.  He is still full of the Spirit, his parents are so proud of him, he has great goals and is moving forward in his life.

Our dear friends the Learys took some time to stop by the mission home.  They were here for the Rose Parade!  They look great!

Another surprise is how much we have grown to love our ward family here in Los Alamitos (our new ward) in such a short amount of time.  They seem like old friends and even look familiar.  One of the great blessings of being a member of the Church is having friends wherever you go.

One of the highlights of fast and testimony meeting today was the testimony of Sister Hale (her husband is a counselor in the Stake Presidency).  Sister Hale said that when the Elders came to dinner they asked her if she would invite a neighbor to come to her home so the Elders could give the neighbor a Christmas message.  Sister Hale wanted to say no, in her heart she thought everyone is busy, it's the wrong time of year to ask someone to take the time to meet with the missionaries.  As she thought more about it and prayed about it she decided to invite her neighbor, a sweet German lady to meet with the missionaries.  The visit went very well, her neighbor has been looking for the truth and is now receiving the missionary lessons in Sister Hale's home!  We need to have the faith that Heavenly Father will guide us to those who are ready to hear the good news of the restoration of the Gospel.

2011 is off to a great start.  We are so grateful for our family and friends, you add so much to our lives. Thanks especially for your prayers and faith - they make all the difference.

We love you,
The Long Beach Buberts