Wait, What? Is this a mission?!?!

The past couple of weeks have been super full. Of unconventional mission events, I'm afraid to say. But how it has rejuvenated and energized my spirits!

First, my special visitor and previous companion, Mary Ann, came to visit us at what used to be HER CA home as well. We had such fun! We started off at the LA temple, then westward, HO! toward the evening beach and Santa Monica Pier, where we met up with a crazy human shrimp outside Bubba Gump's Shrimp House. It was awesome to spend some nostalgic time together once again. Though the Shrimp had NO IDEA what a celebratory evening it was!

The days during her visit were full and fun, packed with visits, special friends, and WAY too much good food! We visited with past convert friends and past and present missionary friends. And as usual, because everyone wanted a piece of Sister Thurgood, I had the privilege of being a secondary recipient, since I was her ride everywhere! Lucky for me!

 We went to Arcadia to meet up with past missionaries at a Chinese dessert restaurant. We each ordered a different dessert and tasted each one. Using primarily Chinese utensils. Chopsticks. Can I just say, "Extreme Cultural Cuisine Experience?!"

But only a couple of hours later, we were sitting in Winson's home for Chinese HotPot dinner. You have a flavored broth on a hot plate in the middle of the table, which is brewing at a soft, rolling boil. Into the pot goes all kinds of meat, exotic vegetables and herbs, and you begin fishing out what you want to eat. With chopsticks. Chinese eating utensils. And then you eat it. With chopsticks. And at least pretend to know how to do it. Sister Martin was such a good sport. She finally ended up mostly stabbing her pieces of food in order to eat anything.

 The next day, four good friends spent some more cultural time at the local historic site of San Gabriel Mission.  It was informative, beautiful, and very old. San Gabriel Mission marked the earliest beginnings of Alhambra, back in the late 1700's. Most of it was museum that encased old relics and stories. It was so great spending time together!

We also spent some fun time with present missionaries, like Elder Huang, now an AP to the President. He and Mary Ann were special friends while he served as a new missionary in Alhambra.

Mary Ann and Elder Huang

And ever and always, the food, and food, and more food. The missionaries all love Mary Ann, or Sister Thurgood, as they remember her. We also invited our friendly neighbors, Jesus and Jazmin Carmona from next door. They love her and miss her too. Because she came, life instantly became a special holiday for everyone.

That very Sunday provided two rich blessings. The first was one of the major motivators that brought Mary Ann back to California. It was the baby blessing of Jason and Thelma Yu's baby boy, Jalen. Mary Ann was a large part of their coming into the church in the first place. So this was a reward of significant magnitude, as she saw this newly converted young couple bless their new baby in Sacrament Meeting.

Me, Thelma, Jalen, and Jason Yu

Another blessing was the truly unique cultural experience of  the Primary Sacrament Meeting program. Because we overlap our children's and youth programs on Sunday, so that both Alhambra English Ward and Valley Chinese Branch young people have larger groups of children and youth, the program combined both ward's children. After the Sacrament prayers were offered in both English and then Chinese, we enjoyed a combined English/Chinese program. It was a wonderfully rich and beautifully diverse, cultural experience! 

Mary Ann, others, and I thoroughly enjoyed the little time we had for a weekend before it was suddenly over, leaving us with sweet, new memories and renewed friendship. A friendship that will span our lives, long after missions are over and have become weaved into our life tapestry. It was an amazing, energizing visit.

I have received some lovely physical remembrances lately. One of my cute associates at DI whom I work with weekly came in recently. Her name is Eddy. She is from El Salvador, and grew up in a time during war there. Many parents were afraid to send their children to school, because it was so dangerous in El Salvador during that time. This resulted in her only receiving minimal education. She is unsure of sentence structure or grammar, in general. She is now taking English classes to learn this, even though she already has a wonderful command of English, and she is nearly my age. We've been doing significant work both on job search skills and on English homework assignments. She makes jewelry and brought me a couple of beautiful keepsakes.

 On November 11, 2015 flowers came to my door from the Mascaro's, the new employment missionary couple in our complex, and also from Sister Martin. I'm not sure how they all found out about the significance of the day. It was one of those tender times I was keeping to myself, and they somehow learned of its relevance. Their compassion and kindness was overwhelming in that important moment. 

Sister Martin's sweet remembrance

Mascaro's kind gift

As November 15 drew nearer, I felt stronger with each day that I needed the physical support and embrace of my family. Almost on a whim, I booked a flight home for the weekend. Three important activities would happen while I was there:  Family Thanksgiving on Sunday; RJ's ordination to the Aaronic Priesthood; 7th anniversary of Arlyn's death. I knew it was the right thing when I randomly looked at my little advent calendar at the Center one day, just looking at November 15th absently while on the phone. Each day posts an event in church history that transpired on that day. On this particular Nov. 15 of 1845 this is what it said: "Eliza R. Snow's poem, which later became the hymn "O My Father" was published in the Times and Seasons." Normally, this wouldn't really be an extraordinary event in church history, but to me, because of this significant day it fell on, it meant everything. I stopped short on the phone and stared at the entry on the calendar, knowing clearly I needed to go home for that day. It would be fast, but worth it. Was it ever! It included drinking water from the tap and seeing stars in the night sky. And every minute was packed to overflowing.

Ruthe picked me up from the airport, so I got to spend the first hours with her. Each person I was with was so important to me. I spent Saturday with almost every one of the children's families, even if only for a little while. A fun, rewarding, memorable evening with dinner as adults was great!

 What a bunch of goofies!! SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO great to be together!

Sunday, November 15 was special in so many ways. It began with a morning walk with AJ and Austin. Our conversation was one of those sweet, tender, once-in-a-great-while types. We all felt rejuvenated and a greater sense of closeness from our time spent together.
I felt blessed to attend RJ's priesthood ordination. It's completely humbling to realize the power that is bestowed on these young men by worthy fathers like Russ who, themselves, are powerful priesthood men.

Two great priesthood men, RJ and Russ Bundy. Handsome and extremely cool people.

Also, it was equally humbling to be in a room where so many of the people I love are participants in this ordinance. Great men in my life...

Austin, Trever, AJ, Great Grandpa Walker, RJ, Russ, Kevin Elder, Bishop Clawson, Grandpa Mike Elder

And then even more sweetness...

Ashton, Nana, Bentley, Sadie

Again spent with those I love.
We enjoyed the rest of Sunday afternoon in Thanksgiving mode, celebrating at the Mantua Retreat, while also honoring Arlyn on this special day. I feel he certainly was there.

Emily, Michelle, Jaimie, Stephanie

Beautiful daughters who also happen to be magnificent cooks!
And event organizers...
        and wonderful mothers...
                  and stalwart women...
                           and amazing individuals.
             

Jaimie, Rachael, and Alex

Brent and Baby Petunia (Chloe), Trever and Blaze

Marvelous
    family...

      ALL!!
Large and Small




Another valuable component of this day was the presence of supportive, loving, ready parents. What a blessing to have them share these important moments of my life.

Dad Walker and AJ

Mom Walker, Austin, and Kylie

And always and ever, my dear ones in little bodies, who have GIGANTIC spirits and love for their Nana. They are nothing short of Better Than The Best.

I remember now why I miss them so much. And I don't just mean the monstrous group bear hug we all shared together when it was time to go. It's all the smiles, colored pictures and homemade gifts made for me, the news about their lives they willingly share, their running into my arms when they see me, their desire to sit by me, hug me, laugh with me, be with me.
And it's for them that I decided to make a temporary home in a faraway place, away from all those most important and dear things. It would take something pretty important to drag me away from all those things that reside in the deepest recesses of my heart.

So...wait...am I on a mission? YES I AM! Yet, these are the times on my mission that rejuvenate me and set me firmer on the mission path to become a better, stronger, and more dedicated missionary.

Alhambra Halloween

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

I'm always a bit surprised when I realize I can still experience many "firsts" at this advanced stage of my life. This is the first Halloween that I've ever experienced at 87 degrees outside.  People don't even begin to imagine wearing costumes over the top of coats and jackets. Parents are out trick-or-treating with their children in shorts and sandals. I can only remember, ever and always, Halloween being cold and dark. NOPE! Not in Alhambra!

Our ward scout troop sponsored a fund-raiser for their scout camp next summer. They had a Halloween carnival, complete with dinner, booths of snacks, and games.  There was a wonderful turnout, and since both English and Chinese wards were invited, it was also quite a fun cultural event.

Even the missionaries got into the spirit of the event, and there was a significant turnout of students from English classes, who are not members of the church, who came and enjoyed.  Elder Fu swiped someone's blond wig, heh, heh!

Now we know how a blond China man looks!

Here are the missionaries with our dear friends and landlords, the Bunker's.  Brother Bunker is sporting an authentic Chinese hat, while Elder Ng is hiding behind the werewolf mask.

There were lots of treats too. The sisters and I couldn't resist the candy apples.

And I could hardly resist Yanny's little baby, Andy. Yanny is an investigator I brought that night, along with Alice, her daughter. They had a good time.  There was trick-or treating all around the classroom doors outside in the courtyard area.  Behind each door was someone passing out a treat, rather than the traditional trunk-or-treat method I remember forever and always.

This is how Halloween 2015 looked in my Alhambra world  this year (with Sister Martin gone home for the weekend).

Not every American LDS Ward gets to have Superman and his friend at their ward party!  Brother Jorgenson of the bishopric, and Brother Luneke, a former bishop of Alhambra Ward.  Both Super Men in my book!

Dorothy, Toto, and the Tornado.  The tornado had all kinds of leaves, animals, and debris in his twister. This is a new young couple who just came from BYU.  They are darling.

Some of my favorite young women ever, the Carmona's from next door. What makes them even more special, is the current traumatic event they are going through right now in their lives, and yet, they are still positive and happy, and doing all they can to have a good time.

So, here is how a piece of Halloween looked. The scouts did quite a fabulous job, and they went to a ton of work to make this a fun evening for so many.

HAPPY ALHAMBRA HALLOWEEN 

2015!!

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!