Surf's Up

Dear Family and Loved Ones,

     We had a wonderful week although it was a little difficult for Ben and Mari to get back into their school routine following a week of Spring Break. It is a little mean to have a taste of summer vacation and then have to get back to class, especially when the weather is so nice.

     Ted took some time during the week to start looking at transfers. It is getting pretty interesting finding enough areas for each missionary and enough trainers but it all works out! We have been so pleased and grateful for the response of our members who have opened up their homes to house our missionaries and who are feeding an ever increasing number of Elders and Sisters. We are asking them not to gather all of the missionaries in one home for dinner if they have multiple sets of missionaries in their wards because it turns in to a party for the missionaries and they forget to interact with the members. We want dinner to be a teaching moment for the missionaries and a chance for them to encourage the members in their member missionary work. Dinners aren’t just about missionaries getting fed, they are about helping move the Lord’s work forward in each ward.

     Ted also had many interviews throughout the week and was able to work through some very difficult situations. We did have one sister who chose to return home which is always very hard on us, especially when we know how different her future could have been if she would have chosen to stay. A mission is a great opportunity to grow up, to learn to do hard things and to serve the Lord 100% - in fact it is probably the only chance most of us will ever have to completely forget ourselves and to consecrate all our time to blessing the lives of our brothers and sisters.

     This weekend was Stake Conference in Huntington Beach North Stake. I stayed home with a stomach virus Sunday morning but Ted was able to go the conference. A few of the speakers went over their time so Ted had three minutes to share his testimony! No doubt he was able to pack a lot of Spirit and testimony in his short talk :)

     All of the missionaries loved General Conference and of course a favorite talk was Elder Nelson’s talk on missionary work. One of our very sweet sisters wrote the following to Ted in her weekly letter:  “Hey President! This weekend was Kevin and Miguels baptisim PLUS conference, which is a recipe for happiness if I've ever seen one. Kevin, Miguel, and their mom Yessi came to the morning session at the stake center!”

     “When it was time for the baptism to start I was so happy and excited, I felt like I couldn't breathe. When Kevin and Miguel came out of the bathroom wearing white the spirit was so think and real and overwhelming. We sang the opening song and prayer and then it was my turn to give the talk on baptism. I stood up and was surprised to see how packed the room was. I started talking and after a few minutes I look at Kevin and tears were streaming down his face, we smiled at each other and I started crying too. I felt so much love. Here were my two brothers, they had come so far and grown so much even in the short time that I have known them. The Lord has always known and watched over them, but now they knew and loved Him too. I feel like I was part of a miracle, and so blessed. In my mind I saw Kevin standing in my place as the missionary 3 or so years from now, feeling this all over again. I can't explain in words this experience. I think now I understand what it means in the Book of Mormon, ‘filled with that joy which is unspeakable and full of glory’. In Miguel’s words, ‘I feel so full of love I can't contain it, I think I'm going to burst’. After I sat down there was a musical number and then they were baptized. Miguel first and then Kevin. So good :)”

     “After the baptism we went and watched the second session of Conference. Mom guessed it. One of my favorites was Elder Nelson. I felt like it was directed completely at our mission. Surf’s up Long Beach. Catch the wave of missionary work and come to lessons with the missionaries :) I'm so grateful for the inspired messages of our leaders.”

     What a blessing it is for us to serve with these awesome Elders and Sisters! They are so full of love for the people they teach and are willingly giving their all to the Lord’s work.  

     Thank you for your continued love, support and prayers!



We love and appreciate each of you!

The Long Beach Buberts