Here, there, and everywhere.

Our Marine Pick-up

This has been a busy week with a variety of activities. It started and ended with the same family. He is a chaplain, she is a stay-at-home-mom (and I mean stay-at-home) with four young children. The youngest is a fifteen month old little boy who is a "bubble baby". He has zero immunity so there cannot be any germs brought into the home. The other children are home schooled and can't play with other kids. They are hoping to get a thymus transplant soon, which hopefully will change their lives. It is a very active house!! Made me tired just visiting there and more tired helping with some housework.

We had lunch with another MRM couple. We are both having the same difficulties, and all trying to move forward. Evidently, it takes EVERYONE some time to adjust and get their swagger on. I thought we could jump right in and get to work, but there is so much researching and paperwork and computer stuff to do. I'm not crazy about all of that business.

We went to the USO to find out about volunteering there. There was a hilarious little old man there named Andy. He was a lot like "what about dinner?" Andy. (Only our kids will understand that.) He was adorable, so full of energy and all over the place. We loved him, though. He was excited to have us get signed up to help there. It is stationed at the airport where service men and women and families come to relax between flights or as they're getting ready to go to a new assignment. Full of comings and goings. It's a cool place.

A fun thing that we got to do was to go to a weekend Zone Conference and help man a station of the obstacle course. It was at Camp Wildwood, a church owned girl/scout/youth conference/family camp. We were assigned to "THE WALL" I wish I had taken a photo, darn it. Anyway, it was a 8X12 foot straight up and down wall that the districts had to get each member up and over without talking. The most touching part was when one group hefted a 250-285 pound elder up. They pushed and pulled. He sweated and shook. But, they did it! Afterwards we had a discussion with them on parallels to the gospel or to missionary work, etc. It was wonderful to hear their thoughts. Young missionaries are pretty amazing!

The Rocky Mountains on the way to Wildwood Camp.


Saturday, we went to the baptism of a young Sailor in Chula Vista. There were quite a few young missionaries there. It was at the YSA ward. It was nice to find the chapel that day because the next day, Sunday, we drove down there again and basically knew where we were going. Another chaplain had called us and asked if we could pick up a Marine and take him to church. He is in the Naval hospital in the Wounded Warrior Battalion. He was a very nice young man who hadn't been to church in a while. We went back to the ward in Chula Vista and he seemed to enjoy it and actually fit right in. (Strange though, the newly baptized guy never showed up!)

Yay! Family!!

Highlight of the week was a visit late Sunday night from Spencer! He and his business buddy stopped by after their long drive from Utah to San Diego. It was so great to see Spencer. He loves to listen to our mission experiences.

Last night, we had FHE with the Sr. Missionaries at the Mormon Battalion. (Yes, it IS still called that) One couple talked about their mission in Greece. They had some beautiful pictures and told a lot about the history there. I told them that my parents visited Greece when they were on their mission in Albania, and that Dad had taken a photo of a nudists' beach. They laughed and said, yes, their were many of those-with not such beautiful bodies! Hah!

We are trying to stay healthy and strong. I'm glad we brought Mike's bike. We drive out to a little lake that has a hilly back and forth trail a few times a week. He bikes, I walk. It is nice to see the variety of plants beginning to put on their colorful shows of bloom. I've seen a few hummingbirds and deer. "I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world Heavn'ly Father created for me."

The best thing about apartment living. Trash Valet! You put your trash out at night, and a little fairy comes and empties it!!
It is the next best thing to having Eli around...