1-25-24 Choose; Act; Experience

My friend taught me the principle of "guiding words" which is: A word or words that "Reflect on your goals, values, and areas of your life you want to improve or emphasize."

So I have been searching for just the right ones for this year. Last week we traveled to and were taught at zone conferences-- and through these teachings, I finalized my words for 2024!

Choose-- choose to be a lifelong disciple of Christ; Act-- act upon His teachings;

Experience--Experience the joy His gospel brings.

Have you listened to the new youth album? Gorgeous! https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/disciple-of-christ-2024-youth-album/disciple-of-christ?lang=eng

You might notice that I've changed my hair. I've been struggling with the humidity and wet weather. It's naturally curly and has a mind of its own. We'll see how it goes.

Highlights from the past couple of weeks: zone conferences, car swaps, Senior missionaries retreat. Rain!

This is what a lot of our traveling looks like:

Zone conferences usually go from Monday to Friday. This time they went from Tuesday to the next Monday.

The stake relief societies fix lunch-- the mission pays for the food. We certainly appreciate all of the work they provide! We celebrate birthdays after lunch-- they get to choose from the birthday tub-- hot wheels are a favorite of the elders.

The top photo is in the Fairfield Chapel. We provided emergency go-bags for each companionship to keep in their car/apartment in case of emergency evacuations. The quilt was made by Sister Chapman's mom. When we drive distances, we stay overnight- so usually Eureka is one day & Ukiah is the next. Then we come home for a night and leave the next day for Napa/Fairfield; then stay overnight and head to Woodland/Vacaville then drive home for Santa Rosa/San Rafael on Friday.

This time Ureka was on the next Monday.

We inspect cars while the missionaries meet together and are taught by their missionary peers. We come in and do a brief presentation, then out to finish cars again-- checking for cleanliness, tire pressure, and fluids. This time we were in Vacaville.

The APs and Tech Elders helped us out with a car swap. These four young men carry heavy responsibilities in the mission and do an exceptional job!

The last one for the week. The Senior missionaries had a Sr retreat over the weekend at Camp Liahona. We drove up on Saturday, stayed the night, church on Sunday, then headed for Eureka. As enjoyable as it all was, it made for a long two weeks since we didn't have any 'rest days' in between.

One our mission's goals is to find more 'friends' through social media. Our mission website is in the above corner. We were encouraged to invite our contacts to like and follow the website. Thank you!❤️ for accepting my invitation. We are disciples of Christ! We need to inform the world of Him and His teachings. Spread the word!

On the way home we found The Chandelier Tree- named due to the structure of its branches. It is a drive through tree, but our car was too wide and tall. Along the road are carvings made from tree stumps.

It's spring here! Narcissus and plums are blooming. The grass is green, robins are singing--and RAIN! 3 inches is expected tomorrow! The Lunds invited us to dinner- loved the evening out with them. (And yes,, lemons and roses)

A few photos around our office. LOVE the missionaries!

Back home-- Our kids on Elder Kennan's side got together. Jennifer (blonde) is getting baptized AND married next month! So exciting!

Signs of spring and fall leaves still hanging on

-- LOVE these sisters! A type of mandarin orange tree. Plum blossoms and a rainbow!