Preparation Day With the Leavitts

October and so far in November, the weather has been great. Yesterday we invited Elder and Sister Leavitt who cover Golden Gate and Bay Wards to come for a walk on the beach by our apartment and then to go out for dinner. Their apartment is right in the thick of San Francisco and they have commented on how it never quiets down, even in the middle of the night. We thought they'd enjoy Pacifica and I think they did.

ALIGN

Last Thursday, Nov. 10th, Tom and I drove to Oakland to help with the ALIGN conference spearheaded by Elder Thomas Brighton, Visitor Center Director. Elder Brighton had invited all the religious leaders in Oakland to meet at the Inter-Stake  building with the nonprofits in the area to talk about and learn about how they could share resources to help the residents of Oakland. There were over 200 participants and the feedback indicated they felt it was worthwhile and they wanted to have this opportunity on an ongoing basis.

Tom and I were first assigned to the front table with name tags from A-M and then I helped Sister Brighton in the kitchen prepare chicken for 150. At 6:00 pm we attended the dinner, which was actually catered, but the caterer felt he could only handle one entree so we prepared the other.

It was a fun change. The day felt more like my work at the bank...meeting and greeting the business men and women and professionals in the community.
 

Trevor

Trevor turned 4 months old here in Pacifica. He is one happy, big (18 pounds) boy. Not only is he unusually big for our family, he smiles easily and is anxious to interact with everyone. He is delightful.

The Joy Continues....

Tuesday was another great day for weather and for time with Beth and Trevor. We spent the morning at the Japanese Garden in Golden Gate Park. Everywhere you turned the view was beautiful and the atmosphere serene.

I suppose it wouldn't be right to not include fish seeing Tom Johnson is involved here.

Beth and Trevor Came Calling!

How wonderful it was to have Beth and Trevor with us from Saturday until Tuesday evening. The weather was sunny and warm on Monday and Tuesday and we made the most of it. We were all anxious to be outside as much as possible.

Beth was fascinated by the outside market near our apartment.

Friday Night English Class

For class last Friday the Chinese students who are studying English wanted a potluck. They brought lots of food and they each gave a brief talk about polite manners in their homeland.

Did you know in China it's impolite to open a gift in front of the giver or that you should not call your brother by his name? You should address him as,'Brother."  If you have more than one brother, then it's "older brother," or "younger brother." You also would call your cousins either "brother" or "sister."

Baines Family Visit

Sunday, August 21 Edward, Jackie and their two girls, Erica and Miranda, and three boys, Bentley, Austen and Lincoln joined us for church services, lunch and some time on the nearby beach. It was fun to see them and I've been chuckling ever since over a comment one of their children made. "We can tell Uncle Tom and Grandpa are brothers because they both know everything!" Doesn't my short stature, silver hair, blue eyes and general "Baines" looks make it very clear that I'm Bob's sibling??? I guess not. We enjoyed being with them.