Dear Family and Loved Ones,
I can’t believe it’s the middle of August and that summer vacation is nearly over! We are finishing up a transfer this week – which is also hard to believe! Ben starts a part time job today at a local car dealership, working in the parts and receiving warehouse. Mari starts a week of dance camp so I think our time to relax has come to an end :)
We have had so many missionaries coming and going this transfer because a few missionaries needed to get home early for school and because our Cambodian Elders always arrive from the MTC in the middle of the transfer. Monday night we had the Park Ward and Woodruff Ward Elders over for brownies and ice-cream and to say good-bye to two amazing Cambodian Elders who finished their missions. We had seen these Elders through from start to finish. One in particular made an incredible transformation in two years. He went from a somewhat awkward young man to a strong, confident man who has a great future. A mission experience can be such a great opportunity to grow and mature. It seems all missionaries improve and become more refined but with some of our missionaries the transformation is more evident. Two new Cambodian speaking Elders arrived Tuesday. They are both amazing and will be a great addition to the Park Ward. It will be fun to watch them learn and grow in the next year.
Ted was able to finish up his interviews this week and has also been dealing with a difficult situation with one of our Elders. There are some very hard decisions that have to be made from time to time in the mission and it can be very emotional because we become so attached to our missionaries.
We had a good weekend with another special baptism in our ward (there were many baptisms throughout the mission Saturday and Sunday including the baptism of a former BYU football player). The baptism in our ward was for a couple who had been studying with the missionaries in Arizona but recently moved here. They are very prepared and were so excited for their baptisms. I was concerned because they are both obese and I wondered if it would be possible for our missionaries to perform their baptisms in a dignified, respectful way. The baptisms truly could not have gone better, our Elders planned and prepared by having extra water in the font and three Elders in the font to perform the ordinance. They made it seem so natural and everything went so smoothly. Both the husband and wife were so grateful and excited. As always the Spirit was so strong confirming Heavenly Father’s approval of this sacred ordinance.
There was a state-wide singles conference this weekend in California. The young adults and their leaders have spent months planning and preparing for it. Shelly was very involved with planning and helping with our local conference. All of the time and work paid off, the conference was enjoyed by everyone who attended. There is a big effort in the church of helping young adults have a chance to meet each other with the hopes they will make a connection :)
Each week Ted’s assistants put together a mission newsletter, each missionary receives it with his or her weekly e-mails. The newsletter includes announcements, key indicators and a spiritual thought. Here’s the thought from this week’s newsletter: “The need to open eyes and hearts tells us how we must teach doctrine. Doctrine gains its power as the Holy Ghost confirms that it is true. We prepare those we teach, as best we can, to receive the quiet promptings of the still, small voice. That takes at least some faith in Jesus Christ. It takes at least some humility, some willingness to surrender to the Savior’s will for us. The person you would help may have little of either, but you can urge that he or she desire to believe. More than that, you can take confidence from another of the powers of doctrine. Truth can prepare its own way. Simply hearing the words of doctrine can plant the seed of faith in the heart. And even a tiny seed of faith in Jesus Christ invites the Spirit.”-President Henry B. Eyring, “Teaching True Doctrine” April 2009
Recently we have witnessed many new members come into the church because they were willing to open their hearts to the doctrine and because our missionaries are learning to rely on the Spirit and their message to reach the hearts of those they teach. Each new convert is a miracle!
We love each of you,
The Long Beach Buberts
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