Changes!

We have two new elders in our district as of last week. Elder Brown has replaced Elder Chen as our District Leader and Elder Luo has returned.  We just love Elder Luo! He's from mainland China and a great person. He was serving as a Zone Leader before being transferred here. President Wade likes to place his young missionaries back in the regular field just before they return home.

Here we are: in the back, Tom, Elder Anderson, Elder Luo (yes, unusual, but true, a Chinese elder the tallest of the bunch), Elder Brown and Elder Guan. On the front row: me, Sister Douglas and Sister Yu.

In addition to our regular responsibilities, Tom and I  have another change... a new, temporary assignment. We'll be teaching Book of Mormon Institute classes for four weeks to two dental student groups. One group of about 23 attending the University of the Pacific and a smaller group (8-10) attending University of California: San Francisco. We met both last  week and it should be a fun assignment. We're just bridging the gap between Elder and Sister White going home and the Sorensons arriving.

Ya Gotcha Wrench?

Tom and I discovered a beautiful spot in south Pacifica with trails along the coast. We sit so much studying and teaching that it feels great to get out and have a good walk. About a week ago, we were at our favorite spot, Mori Point, enjoying our walk and the beauty around us when Tom spotted a coyote. At first it was just interesting. Then we noticed a lady with a camera walking towards the coyote and it didn't run away. As a matter of fact, it advanced towards her. That freaked me out!!! "Normal"coyotes are wary of humans. It didn't take me long to high tail it down the path away from there. When we reached the main trail there were signs warning about coyotes; how they are protected and that you need to stand up as big and tall as you can so they see you as large, and to protect small children and pets against them. Today when we began our walk a man stopped us to warn us to watch  for the coyote at the end of the path. I now know there are several things needed when you take a walk there:
1. walking shoes
2. sunscreen
3. sun hat/glasses
4. and a big wrench!!!
Of course Tom brought tools with him on this mission. That's like bringing your toothbrush and shaver as far as he's concerned. I think I'll feel much more comfortable walking at Mori Point in the future if I'm carrying a big, fat wrench. Those coyotes better give me some room because I'm scared to death of them and won't be responsible for my actions should they come too close.

Fun Times With the Johnsons!!

The weather was cold and foggy, but we had a great time being with David, Reva and girls. We did the usual San Francisco tourist things: Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, Lombard Street, Golden Gate Park and Bridge. They really wanted to tour Alcatraz, but were unable to obtain tickets even though Reva went online almost two weeks before their trip. The tickets were sold out!! I guess that means they'll need to visit us again.

The girls were disappointed that the weather wasn't good enough to enjoy swimming in the outdoor pool here at the apartment complex. From what I've seen of the weather so far this summer, I think the pool is only for looks. Who wants to go swimming when the temperature is below 60 degrees F!

Two Different Worlds!

This past weekend, David, Reva, Victoria, Jillian, Rebekah and Sabrina were visiting us. How wonderful it was to see them again! On Sunday we attended the Serramonte Ward (Filipino) together. Here is a picture of 4 year old Sabrina with 4 year old Megan. Tom and I have been teaching Megan's grandparents since the end of January. Megan could hardly wait to meet our granddaughter who is her same age.