Payday

Dear Family and Loved Ones, 

     Well, we are back in Long Beach and back to our mission routine. We arrived just in time for transfers, which is definitely the busiest time for us as we say goodbye to our departing missionaries and welcome and train our new missionaries. 

     My Dad’s funeral was beautiful. Many family and friends gathered to honor his life. It was a life well lived, his influence was felt and will continued to be felt by many – especially his children and grandchildren. He had requested that all the talks be centered on the Savior and the Gospel, the speakers were able to accomplish that and at the same time pay tribute to him by sharing many examples from his life of how the Gospel made him who is was. All of the grandchildren sang a medley of “I Love to See the Temple” and “Our Savior’s Love”, it was beautiful! Shelly and Stacey sang “How Great Thou Art”, they were AMAZING! The family prayer prior to the funeral and the dedication of his grave were very tender. How grateful we are to know that the closing of the casket and his burial are not the end, he lives on and we will see him again! 

     Most of us were able to see the 4th of July parade in West Bountiful. We love that it passes in front of our house and that we are able to enjoy it from our front yard. It was extra special this year because the City Youth Council was in charge of the parade and my sister is their advisor. They spent many hours organizing a great event, we really enjoyed it. 

     It was good to get back to the mission and especially to be reunited with Ted, he was so busy that I’m not sure he missed us too much. Friday was ZLC (zone leader council) and training for the new trainers. We served nachos for lunch and the training went very well. Our young mission is really growing in maturity and ability. I love to see how they become so much more confident and capable with each assignment they are given. 

     Ted had already finalized transfers by the time we returned from Utah to Long Beach. He had mentioned there were about six missionaries that he didn’t know where they belonged but the Lord directs this work and with a little more thought and prayer everything came together yet again. 

     Ted and I spoke this morning in the Woodruff ward. Before we spoke three very new members of the Church shared their testimonies – it was amazing! Each had found the Church in their own time and way. The brother who spoke had been married to a member of the Church for twenty years and had listened to many sets of missionaries. He finally realized that he knew the Church was true as he sincerely read the Book of Mormon. Another sister was introduced to the Church following the death of her husband. One of her friends told her, “I’m going to set you up with missionaries from my Church so they can tell you where your husband is.” She was so happy to hear the message of eternal families. The third sister who spoke had prayed to know where her spirit had been before this life and to ask what is the purpose of earth life. Within days of saying this prayer, which she said was the most sincere prayer she had given, our missionaries knocked on her door. When they taught her the Plan of Salvation they answered the “questions of her soul”. Ted and I each had a few minutes to share our testimonies as well about the Gospel Plan and the many blessings of being members of Christ’s Church. It was a real payday for us to see the fruits of the labors of our missionaries. Each of the new members spoke with love and appreciation for the missionaries who brought them the Gospel and a chance for a rebirth, a new life.

     The next few days will be very busy - we have our fireside tonight, departure dinner tomorrow, our missionaries arrive and depart on Tuesday and Mari heads off to girls camp! 

We love each of you, 

 The Long Beach Buberts