The Ripple Effect

Dear Family and Loved Ones,

We have enjoyed another great week and continue to witness many miracles and see the hand of the Lord in His work daily.

Yesterday Ted and I spoke in the Ximeno Ward.  There are three wards that meet in our building - Long Beach 10th (English Speaking), Park Ward (Cambodian Speaking) and Ximeno (Spanish Speaking). Almost every church building in the mission has either Spanish or Tongan speaking wards.  There are also many single adult wards.  We were asked to speak at the last minute, which means I didn't really have time to worry about the fact that it has been MANY years since I have given a talk in Spanish.  Ted was the high councilor over the Spanish speaking branch in our West Bountiful Stake for a few years and has used his Spanish often.  We of course talked about missionary work.  The Branch President stood to make a few remarks following our talks, he introduced the ward to the new young men's president (he lives in another ward in the Stake and has been asked to help in Ximeno).  The Branch President said, "this is my missionary, he taught me the gospel and I was baptized at the age of 17."  At the age of 19 the Branch President went on a mission to Bolivia, where he had great success.  This same missionary, who baptized the Branch President, also taught and baptized many other members of the Stake, including the wives of the two counselors in the Stake Presidency.  Each of these families have sent out sons and daughters on missions.  Wow!  Can you imagine the ripple effect of one humble missionary from Hawaii, who 30 years ago was called to serve in the California Los Angeles mission.  

Many times we hear people say, "it's my life"  but it doesn't take long to see that our decisions effect others.  Our examples and choices do make a difference.  President Monson has said, "decisions determine destiny", we need to consider that we are not only choosing our own destiny but we are having an effect, good or bad, on those around us.  Our actions can and do ripple through the lives of others.  Every thought, emotion, word or behavior has a ripple effect.  We can make choices that will bless the lives of those within our influence.  Just like a pebble dropped in a pond, the consequences of our decisions and actions go on and on.

We have been the recipients (and continue to be) of the wonderful influence/ripples of parents, family, friends and acquaintances.  We are grateful for the many ways that each of you touch our lives and make them better.

The Ximeno Elders had many investigators with them yesterday, including a family who was introduced to the Elders by their cousin who is visiting from Mexico, the cousin is a Bishop in Sonoro Mexico.  He hoped to invite the missionaries to teach his relatives but wasn't sure how to find the missionaries.  Within 40 minutes of arriving in Long Beach  he just "happened" to run into two of our great Elders who are now teaching his relatives!

Ted has started a tradition of inviting the missionaries over (two to four at a time) for brownies and ice-cream.  They love spending time with their mission president and of course they love treats.  Last night two Elders ate an entire pan of brownies! 

We had a great P-day at the beach, we took a nice long walk and saw a sand sculpture contest - AMAZING.  Have we told you that ours is the only mission with the word beach in it's name!  We are so blessed to live in such a beautiful place.

We love and appreciate each of you!
The Long Beach Buberts