A Day in the Life of a Senior Missionary

Last Friday was a typical day for us. Our focus is somewhat different than the young missionaries. Often we work with the older, homebound members or those who need help becoming involved again with the Church. Last Friday we had an appointment with a Filipino couple who are struggling in their marriage and to feel united with their two adult daughters and granddaughter who live with them. It was the fourth week for us to meet with them so we felt pretty confident that everything would go as scheduled. So far our visits had been very rewarding for us. The first time we met with them, the husband and wife were not talking to each other and their relationship was very strained. We listened to each of them and carefully tried to uncover their issues. It was like peeling an onion....one layer after another, but by the end of that visit they seemed to feel like they were both understood. We made a simple suggestion and they commited to it and by the next visit they were talking and even smiling some of the time. So last Friday we prepared another simple step for them and also prepared some pictures for their granddaughter and we were feeling good about the visit. However, we were stood up. At first we were concerned that it had been a bad week for them and their relationship, but thankfullly they had just needed to run an errand at that time. We'll meet with them this Friday. Not keeping up the momentum with them was disappointing.

But Friday night was terrific. It was the first meeting with David and Grace Palacious. Eight years ago when David was released as branch president of the Spanish branch, he and his wife quit coming to church. It all seemed so out of context. How could someone go from being so involved and steady to just quitting. At first we just tried to get to know David and Grace. They had come from El Salvador thirty years ago. David helped organize the national elections there at that time. There was a military leader running for office and another person. The voters supported the other person, but the military leader won.  David knew  unrest and violence would follow so they left the country. Grace has been working for 30 years now for San Mateo County and is a delightful person. David is very bright and forthright. They told us they were just completely drained from all their work to keep the Spanish branch going. I can somewhat relate. The church units here have tremendous needs and few strong to help. I at least can rereat to home in 18 months; so I have an escape from the overwhelming needs.There were few members and most were needy. There have been many over the years who have reached out to the Palacious family, but we were fortunate to come when they had mended enough that they were ready to step forward and to make a new start. I think it helped also that we are pretty close to their age and have served enough to know there are times when you have to modify your efforts to preserve your physical health and your mental health. You have to make sure you don't neglect your marriage and your children while you are serving others. Tom is good about keeping in balance and I think the things he said resounded with David Palacious. Poor David Palacious has been tortured by the thoughts that the Spanish branch might not survive without their support and that the work is divine, but he had nothing left in him to give. Sunday he and Grace attended church and were warmly welcomed. However, they will be adjusting so there is balance in their lives. There is a good chance that they will not be attending the Spanish Ward, but will go to their regular neigborhood ward instead.  It looks like it might meet their needs more. Meeting  the Palacious family was a very SWEET experience!

So all in all, Friday had it's ups and downs and that's the way most days go. There are challenges and inconveniences and then there are wonderful moments when you feel the Lord using you as His servant.

Loving My Orchid!

Tom often buys me an orchid for Valentine's Day. He knows I love their elegance and how long they bloom. Here's this year's.

Valentine Surprise!

Just a few minutes before Tom and I left the apartment to pick-up Decker and Gloria White to travel to Oakland for the Senior Missionary Valentine Dinner, the UPS man knocked on our door. He handed us a package from Barbara, my cousin, who lives in Edmonton, Alberta. Last April she and her husband, Bryan,  invited us to come to Victoria, B.C. for a visit. Every year they spend the entire month of April in Victoria. It's reprief from the long, cold winter weather in Edmonton. During our few days together, Barbara and I realized we have many similarities: silver hair, training in education, we don't parallel park, we like clothes and shoes and homecooked meals etc. Anyway, Barbara is quite a shopper, with an eye out for a good buy. Last week she went shopping at a warehouse and bought me a black jacket, a white polo, a white sweater and a black and white top. Of course, they all fit perfectly because Barbara and I are the same size! Oh yes, and we both like a little sleeve in our clothes to cover our old arms. What a WONDERFUL treat her package was.  And to make it even better, she had included a picture of her Mom and Dad. Her Dad and mine look, act and talk very much alike. Thank you, Barbara!

The Senior dinner was fun. It took us a long time to drive there. Usually we can make it to Oakland in 45 minutes, but with the rain and the traffic, it was more than an hour and a half.  However, it was worth it. We met in the home of the director of the Oakland Visitor Center. It was the first time for Tom and I to meet some of the senior couples; ie the temple president, Pres. Hunter and his wife. President Hunter is the son of President Howard W. Hunter. Many of the couples who have been here for awhile shared some of their favorite places to visit. Tom and I will use preparation day to experience some of the suggested places. And when Beth visits in April, we'll know where to take her

One of the Ironies of Life!

This post is especially for Bob and Anne. It will contribute to your humor for the day.

Tom and I have scratched our heads regarding how we could most effectively help the Filipino unit we're assigned to. The bishop of the Ward was vacationing in the Philippines from Christmas time until the end of January so we couldn't get direction from him. When he returned, of course, he was busy catching-up. There also seems to be an attitude of, 'We're OK. Why would we need any help." However the statistics of the Ward definitely reflect many needs.

Saturday evening there was a baptism and we were finally able to meet Bishop Jubinal. He asked us to stay awhile and come to his office to talk. We were glad to do that. He explained what a large geographic area his ward covered and we certainly agreed. The ward has been grouped into 10 regions so that the members in each region live close enough to each other that they can be of help when needed. Seeing we live in region 10, we offered to visit and become acquainted with the members in that region so that they would know they had a contact there, but he didn't want us doing that although there is no one visiting them there. He also has a number of older women who are housebound in region 8 who we offered to visit, but again he rejected our offer. Again, no one is covering the area.

He then explained that his stake president had told him that Tom could handle anything and that he wants Tom to help the members of his ward learn how to do Family History. By this time I was silently chuckling inside. Not only about the comment that "Tom could handle anything," but even more so about the request. In all of Tom's experience in church service, he and I have neglected Family  History.  It looks like we'll be learning about it very soon. On the car ride home I was not longer laughing silently, I was roaring. The whole situation struck me as very ironic and humorous.

Preparation Day

Our mission boundary ends in the middle of the Golden Gate Bridge; so this is as far as our District went today.

Chinese New Year!

Last night was the Chinese 7th Branch Chinese New Year celebration. There was lots of good food and a bit of strange looking food which I avoided. Tom had been sick this week and we both were being cautious. Much to our delight, quite a few investigators attended.  We were particularly pleased that Bill, one of our best students in English class attended with his five year old daughter, Eva. At first, Eva was very shy, but by the end of the evening she was leaving her father's side to play with the other little children.

Bill appreciates English conversation. He works very hard to communicate and finds it particularly rewarding to  converse with native English speakers. For only being in the US for three months, he's doing marvelously well.

Renee has been meeting with the missionaries for about two months. The young elders need Tom to be with them as they teach her so I've been attending too. It's true that the Chinese people respect the elderly. Renee will look to Tom to teach her something that she dismisses with the young elders.For example, Thursday night she wanted to know what the difference was between the Prophet and Elder Johnson. That made us all chuckle.

Our mission president likes the missionaries to sing hymns to their investigators. It invites the Spirit.Our Chinese speaking missionaries sing beautifully together. You'll notice by the photo that each pair of Mandarin speaking missionaries has a native Chinese speaker and a native English speaker. There is no doubt the gift of tongues has blessed our American born missionaries.

This week, Tom and I have had some real missionary experiences. We've been teaching a less-active Filipino family with the elders. The marriage had become very strained and the husband and wife would barely talk to each other. Last week the pair were attentive to the lesson and agreed to pray together asking for the Lord to help them overcome their difficulties. What a change had come over them when we arrived to teach them this week. The husband and wife were actually joking with each other and they invited their two adult daughters to come in for the lesson. The elders want us to handle the lessons for this family in the future.

Also, Kristine Peterson, who we met in Target the second day we were here, finally has let us come to her house and visit. We have invited her for two different meals, but she has called at the last moment to cancel. On Friday she phoned and said there was something we could do for her. She requested a Priesthood blessing. The whole thing resulted in a meaningful visit.

When we posted the photos of the apartment we missed the eating area.  And that's where our family picture is hung!!! I look at it as I eat and as I study. It warms my heart.

Chinese New Year!