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.

Not Your Usual Saturday!

Saturday, July 23rd proved to be different than our usual Saturday. Every other Saturday we would be preparing to teach English to the Chinese and at 11:00 AM we would leave to drive into San Francisco to begin the class at 11:30 AM. However, this Saturday Elder and Sister Leavitt taught for us. Tom and I met with Elder Lapierre to review his budget for the upcoming college year. Almost all missionaries return home to their home area immediately upon completing their mission assignment, but Elder Lapierre is the exception. If he steps on Taiwan soil he will be drafted....compulsory military service. So he wanted somewhat of a parental view of his plans. He has a binder with all his information and he has prepared well!!

While our class was in session, we drove to San Mateo to pick-up Lan.   She only has one more month in San Mateo for her summer internship and then she'll be returning to Monterey to complete her master's degree. The Brightons  wanted Lan to meet Shan Gao who works in Monterey so they planned for us all to meet in san Francisco Chinatown for lunch. Shan's mother is presently visiting her from China; so we had the pleasure of meeting her as well. We met up at the Caltrain station because none of us are familiar enough with Chinatown to know where to meet. Lan and Shan seemed to hit it off very well and lunch was delicious!

After our late lunch, we dropped Lan off at the Caltrain station so she could travel to Palo Alto to visit a friend who is studying at Stanford. Then we hurried back to Pacifica to prepare for the baptism of Julie Neva. We found out her official name is Yuliya Nekludova. She took the first two letters and last two letters of her Russian name to form the one she uses in the US. The baptism was well attended. The Primary room was packed. Everything went very well!!!Now we will be involved in teaching her the new member lessons and we're so glad we can still be closely involved with her.

Jin Yin Chow is Returning to Taiwan!

Jin Yin is a favorite in English class so we are so sorry to hear she will be returning to Taiwan. She's been looking for a job for over three months now and so far nothing that will pay a living wage. During this time she has been living with her sister and brother-in-law and apparently they are ready to have the house to themselves.

It is extremely difficult for new immigrants to find decent employment. Many are discouraged. Jin Yin is an excellent seamstress. I gave her my favorite fitting skirt and she made me an identical without a pattern, and within two days it was finished. She's a wonderful, smart lady who is running out of options here in the US.

Our English class decided to have a potluck Friday night to celebrate our good fortune of having Jin Yin with us so far.  After dinner, the class members were to demonstrate some skill using their best English. Jin Yin is in the rosy v-necked top.

Trevor Edwin Brown has arrived!

Trevor was born Wednesday the 6th of July to Beth and Randy. He's healthy, whole and beautiful. Sure wish I could be close-by to hold him and to  help out. By the time we return home, he'll probably be walking!