Return With Honor

Dear Family and Loved Ones,

We had a wonderful week though things didn't go quite as we expected.  We got a phone call Thursday from President Clayton, he said his assignment was changed and that he wouldn't be coming to our mission Friday and Saturday, he also said he would find a way to make it up to the mission later  :)  The missionaries were very disappointed about not getting a chance to meet with him on Saturday.  Friday Elder Shayne Bowen arrived at Long Beach Airport.  We were asked to give him a ride from the airport to his hotel.  We picked up Elder Bowen and he said he would like to see the new mission home.  We drove to Los Alamitos and toured the home, it looks great (Elder Bowen gave it his approval) and will be ready soon, our move is scheduled for November 2nd.  

Ted mentioned that the mission office was close by so Elder Bowen said he would enjoy seeing the office.  We walked in and surprised ten of our missionaries (secretaries, assistants and some who were making a transfer).  They were so thrilled to meet a General Authority.  Elder Bowen took time with each Elder, shaking hands, finding out where they were from, encouraging them to be strictly obedient and the kind of missionary their moms think they are.  I will never forget the faces of our Elders as they looked in his eyes and answered his various questions.  Each was deeply touched by Elder Bowen's thoughtful, spirit guided questions and comments.  

We then took Elder Bowen to check into his hotel, he said we should just drop him off but Ted felt like we should walk him inside and make sure that the room was ready and that they had his reservation.  We soon found out that the room he was to use was Elder Clayton's, which had been cancelled - Elder Bowen was homeless.  He realized that he would be staying in Anaheim that night following a training meeting, so . . . we suggested that he come home with us to the mission home where we could pick up Ben and Mari, who fortunately didn't have school Friday and go to lunch together before his meetings began at the Stake Center in Los Alamitos. What a great experience for our family!!  Mari told her friend, Elder Bowen is so nice I wish he were in our family!  He gave us all encouragement and related many experiences he and his family had while he was the mission president in Spain.

Friday night we attended dinner following the Area Seventy training. The Area Seventies, Stake Presidents, Temple President were there.  It was wonderful to associate with dedicated leaders and to find that we have so much in common.  Everyone at our table had a tie to Louisiana; Ted was born and raised there, the Borquists (temple president at Newport Temple) was the mission president in Baton Rouge, Elder Trythall is our niece, Tara's father-in-law and President Nunnley was born in New Orleans.  It's a small world in the Church.

Sunday night Ted and I spoke at a fireside in one of the most amazing Spanish speaking wards, in the Whittier Stake.  The chapel was full!  They had four new converts share their testimonies, it was impressive to see how strong they are and how fully converted to the Gospel!  They then had their "famous" ward choir sing, accompanied by a talented fourteen year old boy, who's mom says her boys will learn to play the piano because it will help them on their missions.

Ted's talk was amazing as always!  I spoke and shared with them how sad this week is for us, nine of our most amazing leaders finish their missions.  Tonight we have dinner and testimonies - tomorrow they will be at the airport by 5:30 a.m.   I will then start to watch the clock and imagine each one arriving home to their families (some are as close as SLC others live many hours away).  There will be hugs and tears and lots of smiles. Each missionary can feel the satisfaction of knowing that he has served the Lord well, he has returned with honor.

Alma asked us to imagine what it will be like when we finish our earthly mission and stand before God.  Will he be able to say to us "Come unto me ye blessed for behold your works have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the the earth"?  He waits with outstretched arms to welcome us home.  We want to return with honor.

Sorry this is quite long but it has been an eventful week, this is the very condensed version.  I just need to share a quick mission miracle (they happen every day).   One of our Elders was hit on his bike by a car.  He flew through the air and landed on his feet in the middle of three lanes of traffic - and there were no cars coming - in California!  I saw him and his companion and asked what they were thinking when the accident happened.  The companion said I knew he was dead, either from being hit by the car or smashed by oncoming traffic.  The Elder doesn't have a scratch or a bruise.  He felt as though he were picked up and set down.  I said, Elder next time please have those angels set you down on the side of the road.  Of course the woman who hit the missionary was hysterical and couldn't believe that he was alright.  The Lord protects His servants and looks after each of us as well.

Thank you for your love, support and especially your faith and prayers!
The Long Beach Buberts