Dear Family and Loved Ones,
It’s hard to believe September has arrived but everything confirms it is so: Ben and Mari are back in school, the mornings and evenings are getting cooler and the days are a little shorter. The changes are much more subtle in Southern California, nevertheless fall is here!
The adjustment to school has gone very well so far. We don’t add in early morning seminary until the 12th of September. It seems like a merciful plan, to let us adjust to waking up at 6:00 a.m. for a couple of weeks before we attempt 5:00 a.m. Ben enjoyed his first official football game (which Los Al won) and both Ben and Mari like their classes and their teachers.
Ted has been extra busy with interviews the past few days and will have interviews throughout this week as well. It takes a lot of time to interview 140 missionaries. He tries to keep each interview to about 10 minutes but it’s not always possible. Luckily he doesn’t have to drive to far and is able to meet the missionaries at the church building closest to each zone. The zone leaders organize the interviews, they inform the missionaries in their zones of the date and time they should arrive at the church. Sometimes things go smoothly but more often than not, a missionary will need some extra time and inevitably the interviews get backed up. It all works out especially since they enjoy spending extra time together if there is a wait.
We had a very special baptism in our mission this past week. One of our Senior Missionary Couples works in the mission office taking care of apartments, vehicles, referrals and supplies, they are also assigned to attend and serve in a local ward. While attending their assigned ward they met a wonderful couple. They were surprised to find out the wife was a life-long member of the church but her husband had never been baptized. He enjoyed attending meetings and activities and was very supportive, in fact he believed in the principles of the gospel, he just didn’t see the need for baptism. Our missionary couple began meeting with this good brother and his wife, they had lessons together and they invited them to attend one of our Departing Missionary Firesides. About a month ago they invited this dear man (he is in his early 60’s) to show his faith by being baptized. They explained that we don’t always know if our decision is right until we move forward in faith – then God answers our prayers. He accepted the invitation to be baptized and a date was set, extended family and ward members gathered for the ordinance, the chapel was full. The service was really special with well prepared talks, music and testimonies. The newly baptized brother even shared his testimony and said that he couldn’t believe the amazing events that happened once he made the commitment to be baptized. By showing his faith the Lord confirmed his decision in many miraculous ways. Elder Scott said, “Faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; ‘wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith’ (Ether 12:6). Thus, every time you try your faith—that is, act in worthiness on an impression—you will receive the confirming evidence of the Spirit. As you walk to the boundary of your understanding into the twilight of uncertainty, exercising faith, you will be led to find solutions you would not obtain otherwise”. Our Senior Missionary Couples are AMAZING, they are a helping move our Father’s work forward here in Long Beach!
We love you all!
The Long Beach Buberts
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