etcetera

This week was one of random.  Though each week is the same basic schedule, day in and day out, each week displays its own flavor of uniqueness as we power through. For example, last week while AJ was here mere hours, we passed thousands of vehicles on our short and memorable road trip. None were quite as memorable as Mr. Planter's Peanut van, which was beyond hysterical on a busy LA highway!

And though we were not fast enough on the camera, even better, just minutes later, we passed a van COMPLETELY decorated in eagle style, both in exterior painting and actual stuffed birds. It was covered in everything EAGLE, and it nearly fluttered down the highway with all its furry, feathered, stuffed friends virtually flapping its way in and out of cars! Someone must have been truly proud of their Eagle Scout!

FHE included an assortment of investigators, converts, and ever-ready force of missionaries.  After an inspiring lesson, we played a rousing game of PIT.  Can I just say that I believe everyone, everywhere, should experience a table full of Chinese people shouting out trades for this traditional, very American game!? 

It was a hoot to watch, and they laughed so hard, and had such fun!  It's a picture ( and sounds!!) in my mind's eye never to be forgotten!


We are now attending various ward councils in the greater LA area to introduce and promote LDS Employment Resources and let them know what resources we offer.  It seems to have been well-received so far.  We began in our own Alhambra Ward, and one of the women leaders attending that meeting decided to check out the Career Workshop we offer, just to see what was there.  She has been a dietician, working primarily with the WIC program, and was ready for a change. She came to the workshop the very next week, and it equipped her with skills that propelled her into a new position at a Care facility.  She is thrilled.  Very rewarding for us.

Friday night was high school football, and lucky for us, the field is directly across the street from the church.  There is lots of energy streaming from that side of the street on game nights.  I'm not sure what the occasion was this past Friday night, but just as English classes in the church were finishing, there were blasts coming from the general direction across the street.  Here is something of what we saw:

OK! That's a FUN halftime! And we just happened to be lucky bystanders to enjoy a random fireworks show! Maybe one comes to expect those types of cultural perks in a Chinese environment...
After all, isn't it the Chinese who invented fireworks? Hmmm... Random!

Here's the front hallway look when missionaries come over for Sunday night treats.  That's also cultural, shedding shoes as they walk into homes. We just hope they pick up the right ones on their way  out!

We had a memorable night for Sister Gong's 26th birthday party.  We had a big and delicious dinner, then our birthday activity was carving pumpkins.  This was a first-time for most of these missionaries.  No Halloween in China, sorry! They had gobs of fun, especially with the seeds and goo.

A slow, deliberate, careful beginning, quite unsure of what to do, or what to expect with this unique project.

Birthday Girl Sister Gong with Beautiful Birthday smile! What changes she's had to make in the past 9 months!  She's finally starting to relax and enjoy the experience more.  Now that she can ride a bike expertly!

And here is her expert and patient and amazing teacher.  Besides doing amazing things with pumpkin guts, Sister Xia makes sure they ride bicycles absolutely all over these crazy roads!

Elder Ng with a delicious spoonful. Pumpkin guts, anyone?

Each companionship earnestly carving their shared pumpkins, utilizing great skills in creativity and cooperation.  And definite, RANDOM craziness!!

Lovely Smile, Sister Xia!!

Finished specimens of companionship creations, just in time for Halloween display!

 This was a great way to enjoy and end a fun birthday celebration for our 26-year-old sister.  She is a girl of great courage and sacrifice.  She's had to learn hard stuff and try and be all right with very few familiar things.  She's learning things that will stay with her forever.  Even RANDOM things, like pumpkin-carving for her birthday!  Bet she'll never do that again!

And then there's SNT (Sunday Night Treats). We're adding to the forces.  Two Spanish-speaking sisters moved in with our two Chinese sisters, Sister Xia and Sister Gong. They are enjoying interesting communication, or lack of it, although Sister Xia is intentionally picking up some key RANDOM Spanish words and phrases. So we've now invited them for SNT, even though they are technically part of an entirely different district. They laughed so hard while trying to play Pit. Talk about a houseful!

Talk about a random week of etcetera!