With all the family gone we are back in the groove. Seems like summer is a down time for many of the members, including the YSA's.
Saturday the 8th - we went to the reception for Ben Brown and Merridee Parker from the YSA Branch. They are both from Redding and Merridee has been attending BYUI. She got home about a month ago and they were married in the Oakland Temple Friday the 7th.
Tuesday the 11th we drove 2 hrs and 45 minutes south the Lincoln. It is just north of Sacramento. All the senior missionaries met for a farewell luncheon for the Tiptons and the Whitings. Meridian's Restaurant, where we had the luncheon, was extremely nice. The food was great and we were able to put faces with the names of those who call saying, "Hi, this is Brother/Sister ___ from the Mission Office." With the Tiptons and Whitings both going home we are the only senior couple not working out of the mission home in Roseville. Whitings will return in a month or so to the same assignment, a Spanish Branch in Corning.
That evening Kent taught the first 'Missionary Preparation Class.' Only four there but it went well. Kent taught his second class on the 18th and there were just 4 there again, two new ones but two from last week who didn't come. As we spoke more with them about coming, they told us they have family vacations, youth trips, some work many evenings - it looks like there will always be only 4-6 there. Discussions are good so we need to be happy with that.
Nan's class had 5 attend on the 12th and 7 on the 19th. Both her classes were good but the discussion on the 19th was really great. She is teaching, 'Teachings of the Living Prophets.' What a great teacher she is. Martin, though he was sick with food poisoning, still came to most of the class last Wednesday.
Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th was Stake Conference. Both President Bickmore and President Jensen, 1st Counselor, are very gifted speakers. One thing President Bickmore said that impressed Nan was, "Include references to your church life in your everyday conversations with friends, associates and acquaintances. They probably do. So why shouldn't you." What great advice. We shouldn't hesitate to mention the fact we go to church. Adding a reference about going to church can turn into a little bit of missionary work.
All the children checked in on Father's Day. Unfortunately, because it was Stake Conference the fathers weren't given a gift as we left the meeting house. That's probably for the best. We don't need any extra candy in the apartment.
On the 21st Kent took the Zone leaders to Weaverville to set up an apartment there for Elders who will be arriving next week. Weaverville is a town in the mountains about 1 hour west of Redding. The church is now sending out kitchen and furniture kits from SLC for setting up new apartments. They come "shrink wrapped" on two huge pallets. Things were coordinated very well. The truck with the furniture arrived about 10 minutes after we did and as the truck driver was backing up with the delivery, the apartment manager showed up with the keys. This all happened about 11 a.m. and by 1:30 we were on our way back to Redding. Nan and I picked up a vacuum, mixer, cleaning supplies and a few other things but most was supplied in the kits from SLC.
The 21st was the first day of summer - the summer solstice. That's the only day of the year the sundial bridge actually indicates the correct time of day. Nan posted a short explanation on her FB page if anyone is interested.
Today, Sunday the 23rd, we attended three Sacrament Meetings. Shasta Lake, the YSA Branch, then the Redding 1st Ward. As we have mentioned, once or twice a month we try to get to as many ward sacrament meetings as we can just to make our presence known. It's amazing how many people we know now. There are always some in each ward that we know who come up and say hi.
This Thursday we will try to get to the temple in Medford. We are trying to attend the temple every other week during the summer.
Well that's it for now.
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