Happy Father's Day!

Dear Family and Loved Ones,

     We finished another year of school, welcomed a new senior couple to the California Long Beach Mission, had a “tune up” with our newest missionaries and celebrated Father’s Day this week.

     Ben and Mari were so excited to finish their finals on Thursday. It seemed like these last two weeks of school were extra long. We are used to starting summer vacation at the beginning of June. Both Ben and Mari did really well in their classes, Mari had made a deal with Ted that if she got a B+ average this year she could get a puppy. It was a great incentive and even though she fell a little short she did much better than she would have without that goal in mind.

     Our newest senior missionary couple arrived this week and they are AWESOME. The sister is a nurse and will be taking over the medical care for our mission, her husband is very handy and energetic, he’ll help with apartments, bikes, cars, etc. This is their second marriage, she had five children and he had four when they married, all of the children were teenagers, so we know they have a lot of patience and will be a great help to our missionaries. We love and appreciate our senior missionaries!

     It’s always fun to see our newest missionaries a couple weeks after they arrive. They adjust so quickly to mission life and have already transformed so much in just a few short days. To see a missionary grow over a mission is a miracle. Now that we have been in Long Beach for almost two years all of the original missionaries who were here when we arrived have completed their missions. From this point forward we will have welcomed into the mission all of the missionaries who go home each transfer. To see how the elders and sisters grow through their missionary service is astounding!

     Ted has received many well wishes for Father’s Day today from both our missionaries and our children. He is also taking many phone calls, especially the past few days, from missionaries who need some guidance (that’s what mission presidents are for). We are hoping there won’t be any emergencies tomorrow so we can go celebrate Father’s Day at the movies.

     Being able to call my Dad for Father’s Day was extra meaningful this year. He has recovered so well from his heart attack and is doing great. My Dad has blessed and inspired me throughout my entire life. His testimony is a strength to our family and many others. His willingness to serve the Lord has been a great example to us all. Throughout our mission he has supported us with his weekly letters and with his faith and prayers. I am so grateful for my amazing Dad!

      Elder Hales taught:  “Now I find myself asking the question, ‘How will my children remember me?’ How will your children remember you?”

     “The calling of father or mother is sacred and carries with it great significance. One of the greatest privileges and responsibilities given to us is that of being a parent—helping to bring to earth a child of God and having the sacred responsibility to love, care, and guide children back to our Heavenly Father. In many ways earthly parents represent their Heavenly Father in the process of nurturing, loving, caring, and teaching children. Children naturally look to their parents to learn of the characteristics of their Heavenly Father. After they come to love, respect, and have confidence in their earthly parents, they often unknowingly develop the same feelings towards their Heavenly Father.”

     I feel blessed that because of the great fathers in my life, my Dad, Ted, many wonderful Priesthood leaders and others, it is easy for me to know, understand, love and trust my Father in Heaven.


    We love each of you,

The Long Beach Buberts