Dear Family and Loved Ones,
We had a very busy and enjoyable week. It is amazing that our transfer is over tomorrow and we begin the last transfer of 2011.
Tuesday we went to the Los Angeles temple with our departing missionaries. We saw President Baker, the mission president of the Los Angeles Mission in the parking lot. He looked great and it was good to see him. While waiting for our session to begin President Larkins, one of the counselors in the new temple presidency invited us to the chapel for some quick instruction. President Larkins is originally from Kaysville but has lived in Southern California for many years. President Larkins taught us about the role of women and their natural goodness, he encouraged the Elders to seek out a righteous wife. My favorite thing he taught us was, “to return to our Father in Heaven we don’t have to be perfect but we do have to be clean.”
Wednesday the Sisters came to the mission home for Sister’s Training. We went on a “field trip” to one of our neighbor’s houses (a member from our ward), who has an incredible collection of nativities from around the world. There were countries represented that I didn’t even know existed! Even though we have a very international group of sisters they all found a nativity representing their country except our Sister from Pakistan. We returned to the mission home for a pot luck luncheon. Each of the Sisters brought a dish that was typical of their culture or family tradition. We enjoyed spring rolls, curry, pani popo, deep fried bananas, corn bread and much more. We heard amazing testimonies from our Sisters who finish up this transfer and Ted and I took a few minutes to teach them about how wonderful they are and what great potential they have for doing good and influencing the world. It’s always a pleasure to gather the Sisters.
Thursday Ben left for a weekend in Utah. He was able to go to the Bountiful High Christmas dance and enjoy Pearl’s first dance recital. Thanks to the miracle of the internet and Kelly and Stacey’s photography skills we got to see Pearl’s dance too – we love it! Ben had a great time. Thanks to all of the family for being great hosts, taxi drivers, etc.
Saturday we took an invitation to our neighbors for a Christmas concert to be held by our Stake next Sunday evening. We enjoyed visiting with our neighbors, they are all busy and we rarely talk but we are hoping that in the coming year we will get better acquainted.
We also enjoyed a wonderful ward Christmas dinner and program with our ward Saturday. Brother Howard (hopefully a relative because he is a GREAT cook) cooked Prime Rib for over 300 ward members and friends. It was delicious!! Brother Howard is the designated cook for all of the scout activities, Ben has mentioned enjoying his cooking on many campouts so it was great to get a sample of his incredible food. The program got us all in the true Spirit of the season. The Primary sang and presented the Nativity and other ward members also preformed musical numbers.
Sunday was our departure fireside for those missionaries returning home tomorrow. As always it was a treat. I especially felt the Spirit as the missionaries sang, “We’ll Bring the World His Truth”. They sing it at every fireside and it makes me emotional every time as I realize just how valiant and courageous these young missionaries are. I also loved that all of the other musical numbers were Christmas Hymns.
With the Christmas fast approaching we are trying to take in every opportunity to remember the birth of our Savior. We are grateful to be serving Him as missionaries, we love sharing the good news of His birth, His life, His Atonement and His resurrection. As President Larkins taught us this week we must be clean to return to our Father and it is Jesus Christ who has made this possible, we are eternally grateful to Him for providing a way, the only way.
We love and appreciate each of you,
The Long Beach Buberts
No comments:
Post a Comment