The Light

Dear Family and Loved Ones,

     Not only have we completed another week in the mission but will finish a transfer tomorrow. These six weeks transfers seem to go faster and faster!

     Tuesday we took the departing missionaries to the Newport Beach Temple (such a beautiful temple). Our group included a senior couple who have worked miracles in several wards bringing back less active members and also bringing in three new members to the Church. We also had two amazing sisters and two great Elders in our group. We always enjoy our temple trip, it’s a great way for our missionaries to kick off the last week of their mission and for us to have some special time with them. Once we get back from the temple we usually enjoy a simple lunch together and have more time to talk about their missions and what they plan to do to make the most of their last week.

     One of the Elders who returns home this transfer was originally a visa waiter but was reassigned to our mission. The first several months of his mission were difficult. He worried so much about his family at home and even had dreams that bad things were going to happen and that he needed to be home to help them. His angel mother told him that even though she missed him terribly she wanted him to stay and that she had the faith that everything would be alright. He grew so much during his mission here in Long Beach and I am sure his family is going to be so surprised at how much he has matured in the last two years and how strong his faith has become!

     Ben has been working hard and is looking forward to his first paycheck today. Ben and Mari are also registering today for their Junior year of High School. I think they are actually looking forward to getting back to school and early morning seminary:)

     Shelly left early Saturday morning to drive to Seattle with one of her friends from the singles ward who is moving there for work. Their drive went very smoothly. They spent the night in Yreka, California and arrived in Seattle last night. Shelly will help her friend get settled today and then fly back to Long Beach tonight. I told her I was a little jealous that she has now seen California from its southern tip to its northern tip. Shelly especially loved everything north of Sacramento and said it is a beautiful part of the state.

     Our departure fireside went well last night. We had a big group of missionaries and many members as well as a few investigators. The departing missionaries shared beautiful testimonies and there were several nice musical numbers. One of the highlights is when the missionaries come to the front and sing “We’ll Bring the World His Truth”. There are usually so many of them at the fireside that they look like an army! One of the investigators who attended the fireside last night said that being there was just what he needed to help him get off of the fence and make a decision. He told Ted that he and his family will be getting baptized soon!

This week in my personal study I have been reading in III Nephi. I just finished reading chapter eight when I opened up the August Ensign and there was an article about III Nephi chapter eight. Yesterday one of the sacrament meeting talks was on III Nephi chapter eight. I need repetition and always try to pay close attention when I feel like the Lord is trying to teach me something through repetition. Chapter eight of third Nephi is about the destruction and darkness that takes place in the Americas when the Savior is crucified in the Holy Land. Following incredible destruction by earthquakes, fire, landslides, winds, etc. the earth is covered in darkness. It is described as a thick darkness, a vapor of darkness, no light could be seen, no fire could be light and there was no light in the heavens. This incredible darkness lasted for three days. Finally the voice of Christ is heard. The Savior calls on them to repent and tells them “I am the light and the life of the world”. He then invites them to come to Him and be healed, he says, “Will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you”. Perhaps the incredible darkness the people of the Book of Mormon experienced was to give them a taste of what the world would be like without the Light of the World, without the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We are so blessed to know that no matter how dark or wicked the world becomes we can always look to the Savior for the light we need. He will show us the way back to our Heavenly Home. The Lord is my light!

     We’re looking forward to a great week. We have our departure dinner tonight, our departing missionaries return home tomorrow and our newest missionaries arrive. It’s a busy but special time in the mission!



We love each of you,

The Long Beach Buberts