Final Testimonies

Dear Family and Loved Ones,

     Can you believe it is eighty degrees here today in beautiful California? It was funny to hear many of the ward members complaining at church about the hot weather :) It’s certainly hard to please everyone when it comes to the weather. I love the nice hot weather and Ted likes cooler weather. Cooler weather is expected for the rest of the week so I will enjoy the “heat” while it lasts and Ted will be happy for some nice cool sixty degree weather.

     Mari’s follow up appointment went well but she will still be wearing her boot for a couple more weeks. Unfortunately according to the specialist such a serious sprain will take several more months to heal completely. She was happy to hear she won’t have to wear her boot to the upcoming “Mormal” (Church Youth Formal) in a couple of weeks.

     Ben is getting excited about getting his driver’s license. He has been practicing nearly every day and can’t wait to have his official license. I think after learning to drive here in Southern California he will be able to drive anywhere. Our streets are very congested! That’s what happens when 2.5 million people live within twenty square miles.

     This past transfer was one of the fastest of our mission. I really can’t believe we will be saying goodbye to ten great missionaries this Tuesday and welcoming in eighteen new missionaries the same day.

     I saw the assignments for new mission presidents in the Church News this weekend and realized that this time next year our replacements will be on the list. We will most likely know who they are and have a chance to talk with them by phone by February 2013. It will be here before we know it.

     Ted and I were able to go to the confirmation of a beautiful couple in the Cerritos Spanish speaking ward today. They were baptized yesterday and everyone said the baptism was extra special. The sister is in a wheelchair so the Elders who taught her followed the instructions Ted gave them to have her come to the baptism dressed in her white baptismal clothing. They asked her to place a white sheet under her in her wheelchair. When it was time for the baptism four of the strongest Samoan brothers from the stake (including one of our big Polynesian Elders) each grabbed a corner of the sheet and carried her into the font where they had a white lawn chair waiting for her. They placed her in the chair while the baptismal prayer was given by the Elder baptizing her, then they lifted her from the chair. The chair was moved out of the way and they immersed her in the water. Sisters from the ward helped her dress afterwards. They are a very beautiful, sweet and humble couple. They both had tears in their eyes today when they received the Holy Ghost. The brother was also ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood. Their next goal is to be sealed in the temple a year from now!

     Tonight was our departure fireside. It was very well attended and each of the missionaries gave strong testimonies. The musical numbers were also excellent and a powerful spirit was felt. We are really going to miss these outstanding missionaries! On the podium in the chapel where the fireside is held Ted places a note which reads, “two minutes please”. Several of the missionaries mentioned that it is hard to put two years of testimony into two minutes. Asking them to keep their remarks brief makes for powerful testimonies as they each focus on the things they know, that God lives, Jesus Christ is His Son and our Savior, the Gospel has been restored, Joseph Smith is the prophet of the restoration, (the Book of Mormon is powerful evidence of that) and we have a living prophet on the earth today. They have shared their heartfelt testimonies with all who would listen for two years or eighteen months and it is a privilege to witness their final testimonies here in the mission.


We love each of you,

The Long Beach Buberts