Another week of mission life has come and gone. We’re gradually finding our place here, figuring out how we should be serving in this little corner of California. Unlike junior missionaries, who receive substantial training and continuous guidance, we’ve realized senior missionaries don’t get much of either, and are essentially dropped into an area and trusted to do what’s needed. That’s given us a great opportunity (and responsibility) to work hard.
One of the great joys of our work here is spending time with the younger missionaries. There are ten of them serving here in the valley, and not only are they hard workers, they’re doing everything in the hot days where the temperature is regularly hitting 110 now. Although I didn’t take pictures of everything we did, here are some samples of our time together.
We played a very serious game of Skull King. (This is the moment before the traditional Yo ho ho declaration of bids.)
In our district council meeting, Elder Bushman shared his award-winning pickup line.
We spend a day or two each week working at the food bank, loading cars with donated food.
Elder Skousen knows the secret: when it’s 95 degrees at 7:30 in the morning, you choose to load watermelons. Why? Because they’re chilled!
The missionaries use some computers at the church to write emails to family, practice their Spanish skills, and fill out reports. However, the computers are ancient and were running a years-out-of-date Windows operating system that was limping along. I spent a couple hours rebuilding the computers with Linux, and now they hum along nicely. I might’ve inadvertently signed up for a year of being the “tech support guy” but I’m glad I could improve the tools they’re using in their work.
We attended a mission conference in San Diego, which is always a nice opportunity to enjoy a 75-degree afternoon. Sisters Johnson and Bodily carpooled with us, and we had a grand time with them.
Elder Bruderer and I fixed his toilet, which has been spouting water for weeks. He’s heading home in a few days, after serving faithfully for two years, but didn’t want to leave a broken toilet for the missionary who will be taking his place. Good man.
As the week wound to a close, we had a special opportunity to spend a little time with the sisters. During our conversation, I commented “It’s the Spirit, man!” We laughed, and agreed it sounded like something you’d see on a bumper sticker. So…
These fine men and women are an inspiration to me and Pepper. We’ve only known them a few weeks but already they’re family. The Spirit is absolutely with them.