72nd & 73rd Weeks—January 27-February 10, 2013

 

 

 

 

We haved passed this sign many, many times on our mission.  Day or
night there is always someone there taking pictures.  I kept telling Dale
we have to take our picture in front of the sign before we leave.  We finally did!

I wanted to go see the Queen Mary for my birthday in September.
I finally got my present!  This is Dale by some anti aircraft artillery.
Queen Mary was a luxury liner.  During WW11 it was used as a transport
ship by the USA.  It was painted gray.  Germany and Japan put a bounty on
it of $250,000 for anyone who could sink it. It never followed the same route twice and
it traveled in a zigzag pattern.  It was called the "Phantom Ghost."  It was never shot at.
 



This is Dale by the anchor.  I have forgotten how much it weighed.
 





On the ship they had a traveling Princess Diana exhibit.  I was  so
excited to see it.  It had a lot of English history in the exhibit starting
with Queen Mary's parents clear up to Kate and Edward.  They wouldn't let
us take any pictures but when we saw this bench made for Charles and Diana,
without thinking we took the picture because it has our initials in it.
 

There were 4 chaplains who served on another ship during WW11.  There were
only life jackets for about 2/3 of sailors.  These four chaplains gave their life jackets
away, held hands and sang hymns as the ship sank.



We didn't take a picture of the ship when we went in.  When we came out,
it was dark so this is me in front of the ship in the evening.  I enjoyed this
day immensely.

Prior to going whale watching at Redondo Beach we had lunch here.
Shakespears, Grovers, Sanfts, and us.





 





Shakespears and us on boat.

 



We didn't get very close to the whales but it was exciting to see them.



Seals warming up in the sun.

 

Pelican

      

February 14—HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

WE LOVE YOU!

February Birthdays

February 19--Happy Birthday Dear Cliff P.—40+ years old!

February 21—Happy Birthday Dear Rachel—5 years old!

February 23—Happy Birthday Dear Ruth—40+ years old!

Missionary Work

          We are back working in the wards fulltime again.  We have coined the word “mapping.”  We have printed ward maps off the internet that shows where everyone in a given ward lives.  We have tried to contact everyone and make sure they live there.  Most of their phone numbers are obsolete so we try to catch them at home.  Many of the people listed have moved.  This isn’t as rewarding as some things we have done, but it is helping the bishops.

          We are now teaching brother Rene Gonzalez about the Book of Mormon.  His mother in law, Thomasa, was baptized several weeks ago and when we went to visit her, he and his wife, Laura, were there.  She had invited them to join with her after we made the appointment with her. Laura is starting to get active again.  We hope he will let the elders start teaching him the lessons before we leave.

          We were able to visit with Jose and Sylvia Campos.  If you remember we were teaching her a few months ago.  We just love her.  She is so loving and so fun to be around.  She got her feelings hurt and hasn’t been to church in a while.  Jose joined and has been active.  (He has had to work Sundays for a few months now.)  She has never been baptized.  This last Monday night we had a great visit with them.  We invited them to the Valentines Day Dinner Saturday night.  They said they would come, so we are hoping they do. 

          Tuesday we went on a 2 ½ hour whale watching trip out of Redondo Beach with the Shakespears, Grovers, and Sanfts.  We ate at a seafood restaurant ( can’t remember the name,)  Everyone except Dale had their “World Famous” fish and chips.  He had a lobster salad sandwich on a roll with fries and a green salad.  Then we went out on the 65 ft/125 passenger excursion vessel “Voyager” to find the whales.  There were only 40 that trip so we pretty much had the run of the boat.  The people on trip before ours said they only say two whales.  So we were fortunate to see 7 or 8 fin whales.  We were told by the Naturalist that they probably weighed  30 to 40 tons and that they can be as much as 80 tons!.  They live along the coast here.

          We also saw seals, sea lions, common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, pelicans, terns, and one grey whale.  After we were out on the ocean for 2 ½ hours looking for whales, we saw a small grey whale swimming between us and the breakwater at the mouth of the harbor.  They are hard to spot here so we were lucky to see one.  We didn’t get very good pictures because they were so far away.  It was a great day and we were frozen when we got back. 

          When we got back, we decided to eat dinner on the pier. While eating Dale discovered a message from President Baker telling  us that the Hurleys had arrived. (They are taking Shumans place.)  He wanted us to meet with him, the Hurleys, Bishop Segovia (Barrio 6), and Bishop Scoll (Adams Ward) in the Jefferson/Vermont Building.  We rapidly finished our excellent Italian dinner and hurried to the meeting.  We didn’t even have time to go home and clean up so we met in our casual clothes.  We had a nice meeting.  Hurleys came down to our apartment Wednesday morning and we oriented them about the 6^th ward.  The next morning they invited us to go the temple with them.  Since we were planning on going anyway, we accepted.

          As we pulled into the parking lot, the Sanfts were just getting out of their car. So the three missionary couples went to the temple together.  The session was especially good for Dale because Sister Hurley gave him a family proxy card for Orlenzo Clark.  (Dale is talking now.) Since Orlinzo was Dad’s; middle name, I felt especially close to him and Mom during the session.  As Connie and I sat in the Celestial Room, we pondered and talked about what they might be doing just then in the Spirit world.  Following the temple all three couples went out to eat at the “Cafe 50”. Its walls were covered posters, magazine covers and other memorabilia from the 50s.  The old time “juke box” played music from that era.  We had another enjoyable day.









67th-71st Weeks-December 18, 2012-January 26, 2013

Sam Austin Judy
Born January 6, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.
7 lbs. 12 oz.-20 3/4 inches long

Sam and his mom

Sam with his happy family-
Kate, Dallin, Claire, Jennifer, Sam

Connie's little friend-
Tomasa Valensuela, newly baptized

On the corner of the famous Hollywood and Vine

Connie on the same corner

Connie in front of Paramount Pictures

A few nights before Christmas as we left the visitors center,
Dale said, "It feels like a crisp fall night, not Christmas."
The following morning at the visitors center out one of the windows
we noticed it did indeed look like fall, not Christmas.  This was
our cold spell while the rest of the United States was freezing.

President and Sister Baker with Santa Claus.

Sister Kelley sitting on Santa's lap! I think this could be
a case of  "I saw Mama Kissing Santa Claus!"

Dale and Connie with Santa

The Shakespears, Grovers, and Dale and I filled a large
pinata for the sisters for Christmas.  They were so excited,
it made it so much fun!

 

Sisters with Santa
 

 

Following the mission activities December 24, the missionaries
received their packages.  Three came into the empty visitors center
and unwrapped their presents in front of the Christus.

That same morning with no one in the visitors center 
Sisters--Cole, (who is behind Barney) Barney and Coplan
started dancing!  They were so cute!

Dale and I New Years Eve at the 6th Ward Celebration.

 

Victoria Olasava, 6th ward Relief Society President asked me for
some ideas for week day activities.  I asked if they had ever done a
service project.  She asked for an idea.  I was surprised they had never
heard of the Humanitarian Center.  I taught them how to make quilts for
the Humanitarian Center.  They loved it!  They were so excited!

They worked on a baby quilt and a quilt for a double bed that night.
They had never tied a quilt and they loved doing it. They were just thrilled.

These sisters finished the baby quilt that night. The bishop's wife,
Hna. Segovia, (In the red sweater in the middle) speaks English very well.
She helped me so much that night.  She was a great interpreter.

Ever since we arrived, Dale has wanted to go to the Autry Museum. 
We finally went. He is standing by Gene Autry--his favorite cowboy.

They had many wonderful statues through out the museum.
Gene Autry built the museum.  He didn't want it about him but about the settling of
the Western United States.  It was a very interesting museum.

A few mornings ago outside of our apartment building Hollywood
had arrived to shoot a movie.  You see them all over Los Angeles.
When they arrive, every one caters to them.

January Birthdays

Happy Birthday Dear Charity—January 12—17 years old!

Happy Birthday Dear Cliff C.—January 25—40+ years old!

Happy Birthday Dear Shane—January 31—40+ years old!

News Flash:

*********************************************************************

WE HAVE A NEW GRANDSON!!

SAM AUSTIN JUDY

 

BORN SUNDAY, JANUARY 6, 2013

 

Missionary Work

          When you wait to write for such a long time, there is a lot of living that goes undocumented.  Thank goodness pictures are a good reminder of things that have happened.  We worked in the Visitor’s Center for almost 3 months.  This was a great experience for us but we didn’t have as much time to work in the wards and we missed that also. 

          Christmas 2012 was one we will always remember.  It is probably one of the most spiritual Christmases we have had. The crèches (Nativity Scenes) from all over the world that were on display in the Visitors Center were phenomenal.  The people we met from all over the world were wonderful and interesting.  Spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with the dear sister missionaries added so much to the Christmas spirit.  Every night in December at the Visitors Center someone came and performed a musical program.  Next year we will miss receiving a Christmas card from the first presidency.  They send you one when you are a missionary.

          We are so thankful for President and Sister Baker.  They added so much to the spirit of Christmas also.  December 24^th at 8:00 in the morning we all met at the Westwood chapel in back of the Visitors Center.  The elders and sisters performed musical numbers for approximately 30 minutes.  They were beautiful and inspiring.  Sister Baker talked about being a good receiver as well as a good giver.  She started out talking about Samuel, the Lamanite prophet, who prophesied 5 years before Christ’s birth of the signs that would follow his birth.  As the time drew nearer and nearer there were those who lost faith and said it wasn’t going to happen.  They mocked those who still had faith and believed.  They even said that if there weren’t signs of his birth by a certain date, the believers would be killed!  Contemplate how the believers might have felt.  Would their faith waver?  Would they deny they believed?  Were they afraid?  Did they doubt? Think of their feelings as the anticipated day drew near.  Nephi, the prophet, prayed mightily unto the Lord all day.  The voice of the Lord came to him and said, “Lift up your head and be of good cheer… on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world.”  Can you imagine the relief and happiness of the believers when the signs came?  Can you imagine how thankful they were for the gift of the redeemer?  Can you imagine the astonishment of the unbelievers?  What a great gift we all received on that first Christmas.

          Jeffrey R. Holland talks about his first Christmas in the mission field.  It was clearly uneventful and the least festive Christmas he had ever spent but it was one of the sweetest Christmases he ever had.  Perhaps it was the first time in his life he understood Christmas rather than just enjoying it.  For the first time in his life he “got it”…the message of Christ’s birth and life, his mission and sacrifice.  That sums up how thankful we are for Jesus Christ and for the opportunity we have had to be his servants. We pray all of you will keep your faith.

          Monday, January 7, our good friends, the Shumans left the mission field to go home to Georgia.  My how we miss them. They were just great wonderful people.  We will always hold their friendship close in our hearts.

          Tuesday was our last day at the Visitors Center.  They asked a couple who recently returned from a mission to substitute until the couple, whose call was delayed because of medical reasons can come.  We will miss being there but it has seemed so good to be back working in the wards again.



64th-66th Week—November 27-December 17, 2012

 

 

December Birthdays

December 6--Happy Birthday Dear Christi--???—Who knows her age?

December 8—Happy Birthday Dear Charlie—6 years old!

December 10—Happy Birthday Dear Charles—40+ years old

December 15—Happy Birthday Dear Grace—11 years old!

December 28—Happy Birthday Dear Ben—19 years old!

And of course we celebrate Christ’s birthday December 25^th!

Picture Blog

          Since I have so many photos to enter this time, it will be just a picture blog.

November 28-30

Brad had meetings in Santa Monica so we got to take Charlie
to Disneyland--the "happiest place on earth." There was a heavy mist
all day or else a drizzling rain but we had a great time anyway. This was
at the entrance to Disneyland.

 

First on the agenda was a picture with Mickey Mouse
following a 20 minute wait.



Charlie waiting for the train.

The first stop was the brand new Cars Land in the
California Adventure Park.  This was Mater's Junkyard Jamboree.

Of course we had to be in the Radiator Springs Race.  We were told
there was a 70 minute wait but it was only a 45 minute wait.  Here we are heading up the mountain for the race.  Our cute yellow car won the race!

Charlie was mesmerized with Its a Small World.  It was all decorated
for Christmas.  They sang Jingle Bells as well as Its a Small World.



Grandpa and Charlie on the Mark Twain Riverboat.

Charlie on Grandpa's shoulders so he could see the
shimmering Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Charlie loved the ipod at the California Science Center.

Brad and Charlie at the Santa Monica Beach.

December 2

Jorge, Lesly, Marisol, Jorge Arzu
We taught Jorge, the dad, every week for 10 months out of the
Book of Mormon.  We encouraged him through some huge family
trials.  We prayed for him and with him.  This was a great day!

Us and the Arzu Family

Elder Olsen, Us, the Arzus, Elder Miller, Elder Mitchell.
Elders Olsen and Miller taught him the missionary lessons and
also helped him through some trials. We were so grateful for them.

Elder Gonzales, Arzus, Elder Mitchel
These elders baptized Marisol, Lesly, and Jorge Jr.
They helped Lesly and Jorge Jr. many, many times.We
were grateful for them also.

December 7 and 8


 

The Shumans are going home to Georgia right after the first of the
year. They wanted to go to the San Diego Temple before they left.
They invited us to go with them. We decided this would be our Christmas
present to each other. We are so glad we did. This temple is very different
from other temples. When they sent to blueprints to Salt Lake they were turned down.
Someone offered to pay for the temple so Salt Lake approved it. It is absolutely beautiful

.

Following the temple session we ate a delicious meal at this
Mexican Restuarant.  It was recommended by one of the temple workers.

Following our meal we walked around Old Town San Diego a bit
and then we drove back to see the Christmas lights at the temple at night.  The camera
doesn't do them justice.  They were very pretty.

The following morning we ate breakfast provided by the hotel and
then went to the Mormon Battalion Visitors Center. This is the Shumans.

This is us out front.  The Visitors Center has just been redone
and it is wonderful.  They have interactive pictures--it reminds me a little
of Harry Potter.  The rocks and logs shake.  It is very informative as well
as entertaining.  At the end they take your picture and make it into a postcard and
they also email the picture to you. When you go outside you can pan for gold. (It is
really fool's gold) and you can climb up in the tower.

 We are in the covered wagon.

December 15
Reyna and Celso's Wedding

 We worked quite a bit with Reyna and Celso.  December 15 they
got married and Sunday, December 16, he got baptized!  She is a member.
(Our bishop is in San Salvador spending Christmas with his mom.  It has been
23 years since he was there for Christmas!  He will hopefully meet Walt and Eileen
at the temple.  He wasn't available to perform the marriage.) 
The stake president, President Bragg, flew back from New York City
to marry them.  He speaks Spanish well and he did such a nice job.  It was such a happy
day.  Reyna just radiated. 

This was the first time we have seen Celso in nice clothes.
He looked so handsome.  President Bragg told me she just
radiated happiness and he was nervous.  He would hardly smile
he was so nervous.

December 16
Celso Castillo's Baptism

 Elder Rosales, Celso Castillo, Elder Shumway

Us and Celso--I felt so terrible--Reyna missed his
baptism because she had to work. . .

Sunday night was the departing missionary fireside.
This is Elder Panta.  We worked with him a long time
and loved him.  He is from Brazil.
This is Sylvia Campos that he worked with for a long time.
We have also worked with her a long time.  She loves him but she still isn't
ready to commit to be baptized.