Me-Thinks

Me Thinks it's been a long time since the last blog posting for Memorial Day. On that special holiday Monday/P-day, we took an excited group (entire district) of missionaries to tour Dodger Stadium high above the city of Los Angeles, but very much in it still.  Pictures tell a thousand words, so here are some things we saw...

 Dodger Stadium as we got there.

 Our first initial reaction to seeing its vastness.

Our cute Swedish tour guide, as she acted courageously, but sometimes confused, around all these uniformed, badged, Asian youth who acted so courteously.  Do Chinese people like baseball?!  YES, they do!!

Here is how it looks from above and then we'll go down and down and down...

Inside the training room, with all kinds of memorabilia from past heroes.

Into the Pressbox, where the missionaries made themselves right at home with microphones and media.  In the glass doors just beyond is the famous organ where the organist plays according to what is being announced in the press box.  Organist is quite a prestigious job, and you have to be good.  The person doing it has been doing it for decades.

We examined the suites,

the Hall of Fame with gobs of golden gloves,

and the players' Dugout.

And check out this sweet find:

I think I finally found the Nana mobile of my dreams! Wouldn't that be a riot tooling around about!

And the sisters had as much fun as the elders!

Afterwards, we went to Chinatown for lunch and shopping and had almost as much fun there.

Me Thinks we did more than Dodger Stadium, however.  In the normal everyday, I'm now at the front desk, also doing phones and greeting the patrons that come in.  I'm having a little trouble staying on top of all the work now, but I'm still learning a lot!  I get those calls from someone homeless who happens to call the first LDS number that shows up on their phone.  Heather called one day, and we ended up going with the Center Director, Joel, to pick her up from Skid Row and get her on a bus to her daughter's house in Oregon.  Me was Thinking Skid Row was just an expression for someone down and out on their luck.  NOPE!  It's a real place, and it's sad, lonely, dreary, and scary.  And far too crowded with people who all have stories of how they got there.  Tarp tents line the cluttered, graffitied streets, and people wander quite aimlessly. So far removed from my little country home bubble!

Me Thinks we also had some laughs in places that missionaries don't conventionally go.  We went to a Chinese tea house with the missionaries, who got us a drink called bobas. It is a whipped milk drink with little boba balls in the bottom, that are kind of sweet little gummy balls.  The straws you get are awesome pea-shooters, because they are bigger than the usual, so the boba balls can be sucked up through them.  It was yummy, filling, and very different.

We also went to eat lunch at a great restaurant in a casino with Elder Werner, the volunteer resume specialist, who comes in once a week just to help people do resumes.  He knows LA's every nook and cranny, and all the best places to eat.  So there we were, missionaries in a casino, of all  places!

But that's not all.  We also went for breakfast one p-day morning to Arcadia's Santa Anita horse racetrack.  What a facility! We felt a bit out of place among gamblers and horse-betting enthusiasts. It is a beautiful place, inside and out, the home of Seabiscuit and Belmont Stakes. A horse's paradise.

Last Sunday Sister Thurgood and I gave talks in the Valley Branch, our little Chinese unit.  We had to have translators, and I'm glad it's over, but always a growing experience.  There are baptisms in the branch almost every Sunday, and then feeding afterwards.  There is the leadership contingency that are so wonderful to bring food each time for these fledgling members.  We bring our usual baptism fare -- chocolate chip cookies and brownies.  

We had a baby shower for a first-time mother in the branch at our apartment this past week.  It went well, and the new parents were thrilled.  Again, lots of food.  I never knew turkey-grape salad croissants could be such a hit, but after the shower, the elders came over and gladly finished off the rest.

Jason and Thelma.

We went to the Glendale Theatre with a very cool member of the Alhambra English Ward, Jezebel, who invited us to go to dinner and musical of "The King and I."  It was a theater-in-the-round, and quite darling.  I thought so much about Sammie and our shows together at the Old Barn.  This was a little different feel than a barn, and the acting and music very well done.  It was a lot of fun.

We still teach English classes Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.  Sometimes things come up that curtail our going to them, but we're trying to fit it all in before Sister Thurgood leaves.  Everyone wants a piece of time with her, so I get to go along for the ride.  

The days and weeks are so full, and as I go through my journal of daily happenings, Me Thinks I'm missing a lot to try and fit into a blog.  But those things are written on my heart and making it all part of an entire missionary experience.  And Me Thinks I'm STILL learning a lot!

Honoring Others

We all have Ingrids around us.  We just may not realize they deserve honor.
While we have a responsibility as walking advertisements of the church with the black badges we wear, to lead as the Savior leads, we also have the responsibility to ourselves, families, and mission to make decisions that will keep us safe.
We had another different kind of experience with a homeless woman, Ingrid, who needed more than what we could safely give.  We fed her, listened to her, toted her around a little, tried to comfort and lend help to her needs.  Eventually we took her to the bus station and paid for her fare to a police station.  But ultimately, because one can recognize a certain level of mental illness sometimes associated with these people, the wisest, safest, and most loving decisions seemed harsh but necessary.  Still, the thoughts that haunted me all that night were those that reminded me that she is also a beloved child of God as much as anyone else.  I have no knowledge of why, where, or what about her situation to bring her to this point in her life.  And so, though we may be limited in the amount of safe help we can offer, she is still a child of God to honor and uphold.
And that is how it is with so many others around us who are hard to love or respect.  Because they are all God's children make each important enough to notice, lead, love, and even honor.  They, too, have the capacity to become gods.

On this memorial weekend, there are others to honor.  So many who have gone before us that have sacrificed more than we'll ever imagine in this life.  Recent passings of others who we love and miss and honor for the impact they left on our lives.

Most days when we take this particular route to work, we pass by a crowded, yet lonely cemetery that is worlds away from the serene setting where we have our dear ones laid to rest.

In this part of this inner-city cemetery, the uncared-for stones and grounds is a stark contrast to the peaceful, serene, and sacred grounds we visit to honor and memorialize our dear ones.  The stones are so crowded together, there is no room for grass between.  So it's all one big cement area with stones very close to one another.  But I have seen in the distance, another part of this cemetery on a small rise that actually does have some grass between headstones. Just not in this place we pass.

How precious those are who have left us temporarily to prepare another place for us.  I'm grateful for a day to remember them and their great impact.  A chance to honor these great ones in our lives.  Please eat a few extra handfuls of peanut M&M's for me, and also some delicious cheetos, while you wash it all down with apple beer.  Please take time to remember. . .and honor.

Still going the ROUNDS...

Still working on Sister Gong's bicycle riding skill, but it does wonders for her when the others get involved in the holding capacity and cheering section.  Even if it doesn't make her ride any better, at least she feels supported.  And that's a LOT to a sister who's misplaced in another country, and the cheering section is made of mostly elders.  Male elders.






The days at ERS are much busier, now that I have a little better idea what I'm doing.  I feel I can be a little more help, and I'm looking forward to the days when I'm SO confident that I'll rely on inspired help, rather than working so hard on trying to get the mechanics down.  I'm still learning a lot and I'm constantly asking poor Sis.Thurgood questions but in her usual, patient way, she responds with a very logical answer and right away.  Because our little front receptionist is gone to a different job now, I'm also the receptionist. Whoooo-ah!!  Gotta check my phone/PR skills, man!  It's a whole new world for me!

We adopt the Jacob Lake tradition of Sunday night treats, but only occasionally, I'm afraid.  We had cinnamon rolls one night which were devoured, and Sis Thurgood made delicious apple cobbler another Sunday night, also devoured.

We went after church one Sunday to take photos at the Alhambra arch, a city icon.

And always the companionship photo ops.

Check out the awesome natural, no-fuss, wild and ferocious locks on that girl! Still trying to figure out what hairdo works best in California climate.

We've had some fun p-days too.  We went to the LA temple again one morning and to Santa Monica Pier in the afternoon.  The beach stretches for miles and is also really deep.  So deep that the pier built on the beach, stretching out into the ocean has amusement rides and games all up and down on it.  Food to eat, musicians, games, rides, restaurants... you name it.  It reminds me of Pinocchio's adventure.

If it seems like I have one p-day outfit, it's the truth.  I didn't know I needed to come prepared with play clothes.  The roller coaster is behind me on the pier.  The kids would love it!

We also spent a p-day at the J.P. Getty villa and research center, all about art.  Very eccentric, and very artsy.  Just saying.

                           Also very lovely and refreshing, high above the ocean, we can look way out over it.

             And finally, high above a sliver of LA from the Getty Art Center, it's all very high and lots to see.

The over-arching events of this past few weeks have centered around the  passing of my amazing brother-in-law, Blayne.  It gave me a new appreciation for family ties that bind.  I felt quite lonely during the ordeal of his passing and subsequent funeral.  I missed family and home so much more during this time, I guess because I was feeling detached from it and I felt like I wanted to wrap up in the comfort of my family, both immediate and extended.  Another new adjustment in a mission, and one I hope not to have to repeat in any form.  I leaned a lot on Heavenly Father and had many thoughts about the joyous reunion in heaven with Arlyn, Blayne, and their dad.  Chances are, they are turning heaven upside down, the dynamic trio they must make!  That is one of the comforting thoughts attending this event.  Even Blayne recognized God's Plan for each of us is always and ever greater than our own.  A truly great man who will be greatly missed!

So... still going the rounds...

Here and There, This and That, Odds and Ends

Just sticking in a few random thoughts and photos from this past week and the passed weeks. First, this past week the director and assistant director of the ERS were in SLC for training. Without them there, and Sis Thurgood and I holding down the fort, it was busy enough and a little crazy when there were questions to be answered, but much less stressful with so many fewer people coming in to see those 2.  It's a little scary in that part of town, but there was generally Priesthood somewhere in the complex, whether teaching workshops, Storehouse, or just the little special needs elder that comes in because he wants to be on a mission.  The bosses are back tomorrow.

We do activities with two wards -- the regular Alhambra Ward (English) and the Valley Branch (Chinese).  So between stuff with 2 wards, we're busy most nights.  This past week we had 2 fun activities in the Alhambra Ward, one the RS Birthday dinner, and the other a cute little missionary activity with activity girls on Tuesday night.  Many times special activities require our picking up various people, and so for this activity, we picked up the 2 English sisters from a neighboring community.  One was from Ogden (Sister Baker) and the other from Tonga (Sis. Talinoa).  The little girls received "mission calls" and learned a phrase about the church in that language.  They also had a bag of items that they had to determine how those items related to a mission like a pan, watch, shoes, etc.   They each pointed to where they were going on a map

and then there was a Q&A period with the missionaries where they got to ask real questions.  It was cute and fun.

Wednesday through Friday is English class, interspersed with bicycle riding lessons still.  I'm getting cross-trained with weight-lifting with that activity!

This week was my first car-washing-in-LA experience!  You take your car to the auto "spa", leave it in the lane, and they vacuum and detail it, run it through the wash, dry it, do the windows inside and out, and dry down the car, then shine the tires in about 15 minutes while you wait.  They have little men on each car, so it provides lots of work for many.  We went on a quiet night, but there are still people lined up to have this done!  What a riot!  Can you recognize my highly visible Buick, unlike any other cars in this part of the continent?

Speaking of waiting, you will never believe the gas lines at Costco at any given time!  Sis Thurgood has a Costco card and can get gas for a better price there, but it comes at a price!

The other night around 11 pm, suddenly a helicopter came right in our neighborhood and hovered in the air for around 15-20 minutes, while all the while there were sirens going on.  Must have been some kind of extreme activity, but there was no possible way to pretend like you were going to sleep!  It gave me a new appreciation for the air raids during WWII. Crazy!

Last night we had four single sisters from our Alhambra Ward over for dinner.  They were a little older, 60-70ish,but we had a good time.  It must have been quite comical to look into our dining room for the after-dinner view!  We were all visiting, when one of the little sisters brought out her face cards and we all played a fun card game.  Yes, the rules for senior missionaries leave us quite a bit of latitude, I'm afraid.

We had a needed, heavy rainstorm yesterday and it brings out all the special creatures on the sidewalks outside our apartment.  Careful where you step!

Yesterday, we also had a stake service project to gather in donated food for the local food pantry.  It was a good activity and allowed us the opportunity to wear my jeans for the first time since coming here.  I had forgotten what they feel like! We also got to wear the famed yellow "Mormon Helping Hands" t-shirts.  Brand new pj selection for the grandkids!

Also, on our way home from the service activity, we HAD to stop at The Hat famed for hot pastrami sandwiches, which are to die for, and Sister Thurgood and I shared one for the road.   They are kind of messy, but oh, so yummy!!

Once each transfer, there is a missionary farewell meeting that we hear the testimonies of the outgoing missionaries who are leaving to go home.  It is called a "Despedida"  I'm sure I don't know the correct spelling of this Spanish word, but some of you do.  It's a huge event, for any members in the mission to attend, the missionaries and current companions, and any other missionaries who have an investigator who wants to tell these missionaries goodbye. So just for journal's sake, here are a few photos of outgoing missionaries from these meetings. You get a good look at my dear Sister Thurgood.

And lastly, here are a few tidbits from the past that I thought I'd throw in for good measure.  Jaimie will appreciate how my room looks like bright daylight both day and night because of the lights that stream in through my blinded windows.  I finally broke out my sewing machine for the first time and created a blocking curtain so I can have a dark night. . .

but it comes down first thing in the morning!  It's quite a science to clothespin this heavy curtain to a flimsy blinds valance, hoping it won't fall on me during the night!

And when we went to the Newport Beach temple . . .

and Balboa Island when we had a famous Balboa ice cream bar. . .

and frozen yogurt night with all the missionaries when Sister Callaway came to visit last week.  These are the times when a large group of missionaries get plenty of stares, but we are also getting to know the employees at the yogurt place very intimately for all the times we go there these days. . .

And we also met up with a past companion of Sister Thurgood's the first week I was here at a location outside our mission.  While we were eating there, two cute little girls came up to us and thanked us for our missionary service and asked to take pictures with us.  How cute is that?!?!

Lastly, also the first week I was here, our landlady and her husband, the Bunker's, also members of Alhambra Ward, take all the missionaries out once month for hamburgers and fries.  The Bunker's are so wonderful!  We will be doing that again this week.  I have actually been here that long!  Here is from that first dreaded week. . .

And there it is, from the beginning till now, all in photos and a little bit of dialogue.  What an adventure I never dreamed of having!  This is NOT what I ever thought MY mission would look like!  But there it is.