50th & 51st Week—August 20-September 2, 2012

This past Sunday Elder Cisneros's new stepdad was baptized and his mom was in attendance of course.  His dad moved here from Utah because of work and was baptized.  His mother will be moving here soon.  So when he is released, he will be "home." Elders Gunnels, Clements, Taggart, Cisneros, mom--Hna. Valenzuela, Javier Valenzuela, President Baker, Elders Haro, Cillias, Auna, Wakeum

 

6th Ward Relief Society Presidency that were recently released.
Hna. Ordonez, Presidente Hna. Eva Vega, Hna. Cho

Our new grandson--Benjamin Roy Gourley born April 17, 2012
10 lbs. 6 oz. 20 in. long

Just a cutie!

The Happy Family--Jacob, Zach, Benjamin, Victoria, Trisha

Flags on the USS IOWA say, "Welcome Aboard!"

Wayman, Ramon, and Dale by the Heavy Artillery

Sue, Kay, Connie

Dale in front of the flag on the ship

Side of the ship with the bridge and the LA Harbor in San Pedro

Awards given to the ship

Captain's Quarters

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan, and George H. Bush
slept in the Captain's Quarters. 

 

 

 

Dale and Connie in front of the USS IOWA

 

Connie by the Point Fermin Victorian Lighthouse

Hydrangea at Lighthouse

 

Dale and Connie on the backside of the Lighthouse

Homeless person's belongings under the freeway

Senora selling her wares on the sidewalk on a very hot day in LA

Typical trash on the streeets of LA
(It looks much better in some parts)

 

 

 

September Birthdays!

Happy Birthday Dear Trisha—September 6—34 years old!

Happy Birthday Dear Jacob G.—September 7—30+ years old!

Happy Birthday Dear Heather—September 15—40+ years old!

Happy Birthday Dear Ruby—September 18—3 years old!

Happy Birthday Dear Lucy—September 18—3 years old!

Happy Birthday Dear Victoria—September 24—3 years old!

Missionary Work

Week 50

          Victoria Olasava has been a member two years.  She is the sister I went through the temple with several months ago.  She was just sustained as Relief Society President in 6^th ward.  She is doing so well.  She was prepared for this.  You would think she is a long time member.  Anyway, she has had some real trials with some of the sisters in the ward.  She asked me to come and see her Monday as she had several questions she needed answers to.  Basically we told her to take the questions and problems to the bishop.  When we saw her Wednesday evening she looked like the weight of the world had been lifted.  When I gave her a hug I said, “Your talk with the bishop helped, didn’t it?” With a big smile, she said, “Yes!”  Thank heaven for bishops!

          We had our best lesson with Roberto Cartegenas this week.  He opened up and asked questions and discussed his concerns.   He is responding so well to the Book of Mormon lessons about Jesus Christ.

          We met again with Evelin Ramirez.  She told us her employer hasn’t paid her for the last two pay periods and they are starting eviction proceedings on her.  (Some of these employers take advantage of these people who are here illegally.)  She had been to report her problem to the Dept. of Labor and they told her they could help but it might take as long as four weeks and for her not to quit the job or she might never get paid.  We felt so bad for her.  We did buy Nathaly’s school supplies so she could keep up with school.  We told Evelin to go to the bishop and see if he could help.  She did after waiting so long she was almost late for work.  He said he had to get it okayed from the Stake President and tried once and couldn’t get him.  He told her to come back Tuesday night even though she was to be at work at that time.  She took 1 ½ hours off of work (which she couldn’t afford to miss) and he told her he couldn’t get a hold of the Stake President.  Basically he didn’t feel like helping her.  She had her live in boyfriend move out so she could get baptized and found herself a job to support herself and her two girls.  She has really tried to do her best.  She has no help from family.  We don’t know what is going to happen to her.

          We had 3 mornings of apartment inspections this week and while we were doing them, Dale lost his smartphone.  We looked and looked for it—tracing where we went and never did find it.  Finally we started looking on ebay for one.

          Dale’s birthday was Sunday.  Following 5 hours of church and a baptism, I fixed him fried chicken, cream peas and potatoes, fresh green beans and bacon, and jello salad.  I was going to make a chocolate cream pie but his blood sugar was so high he told me not to.  Maybe later when the blood sugar has lowered, he can have some.  What a "bummer!"

Week 51

          Monday evening we had a barbeque with all the senior missionaries at the Wedgewood Chapel behind the apartments by the temple.  Following the Barbeque we played kickball which I am happy no one could see us.  It was pathetic!  The ball was only blown up half way and you couldn’t kick it very far.  You couldn’t throw it at anyone (what kind of fun is that?); you had to throw it in front of them.  No one could run very fast.  Anyway, after the game, we went through the mission president’s new house.  They can’t move in until someone from Salt Lake comes and does the final inspection.  It is very, very nice.  The furnishings are top of the line.  The pictures were extraordinary.  I am happy the Bakers get to live in it before they are released.  The temple president’s home is next to it.  We didn’t get to see it.  It is much smaller, two bedrooms vs. four. 

          We had a quieter than usual week this week so we spent quite a bit of time trying to locate people who don’t come out to church.  Most phone numbers are obsolete and many have moved.  We did find a few who are still there.  The Mendez family was happy to see us.  They haven’t had church contact in years.  The mom and dad were baptized and sealed in the temple.  The children never were baptized.  Their youngest daughter still lives with them.  She said she would learn more about the Book of Mormon but didn’t seem too enthused, so we don’t know what will happen there.  The dad is very quiet but was so happy to have us there with them.

          The Cartegenas family wasn’t home when we went by.  They weren’t in church Sunday and they didn’t answer their phone all weekend.  Since it was Labor Day weekend, they may have gone somewhere.

          We met with Evelin Ramirez again and her situation is still dire.   She has no money and still hasn’t been paid. 

          Saturday we went to see Hna. Hedy Del Rio.  She is a widow who has a nephew, Eric Vandenberg, living with her.  His mom died and he is somewhat mentally impaired.  He loves the church.  He has keys to the church and is always there to open the building if anyone needs in.  Our building has two wards and the stake center, so the building is fairly busy.  He is going to a trade school of some kind.  He is very friendly and everyone knows him.  The stake president, Presidente Chavez, has taken Eric under his wings.  He gave Eric the job of opening and closing the church which Eric does faithfully.  He goes to the high council meetings and Eric tells everyone he is on the high council.  Anyway, Sister Del Rio’s husband had Alzheimer’s disease.  One day five years ago, he just walked off and she has never seen him again.   They tried and tried to locate him and never did.  We really felt sorry for her.  She fixed us a great lunch—Subway sandwiches and fruit.  She is a great lady.  We enjoyed our visit with her.

          Friday all the MLS (Member Leadership Support) senior missionaries went to San Pedro for the day.  There are only 3 couples now that the Coopers have gone home.  We had tickets to see the USS IOWA battleship.  We had a very enjoyable morning.   The tour was self-directed but there were retired navy, marines, and coast guard veterans who were there to answer questions.  It was so interesting.  Parts of the ship had teakwood flooring over the steel deck because the steel flooring gets so hot when the ship is in the south Pacific.  We were so impressed with the huge artillery and how quickly they could turn it. We found out what “ship shape” means--lots and lots of hard work.  The ship was “retired” several months ago but it could be made battle ready if they needed it.

          Following lunch we went to the maritime museum and then to the Point Fermin Lighthouse.  About 4 years ago Dale and I took a trip up Highway One and saw most of the lighthouses up the coast.  If I were a light keeper, I would choose this one because it is in a beautiful setting and it has wonderful living accommodations.   It is a Victoria style lighthouse and was built in 1874.  Two sisters were the first light keepers.  During WWll the military took over the lighthouse.  All lighthouses were turned off so the Japanese couldn’t use them as landmarks.  The military took out the lantern and built an ugly lookout on top of the house.  Thirty years after the war, the house was in disrepair and some of the local people bought it and brought it back to the condition it was in when it was used.  They took off the lookout and put the tower for the lantern back on.