California Angels

Since we live just across the street from Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Pat and I took advantage of our location Monday night and walked over to take in an exhibition baseball game between the California Angels and the LA Dodgers. It was a beautiful evening, a tight game, a lot of hits, and a close final score with the Dodgers winning 8-7.

The view of Angel Stadium from our apartment complex.

We enjoyed our night with the California Angels, some of which are exciting players with enormous salaries, but in this post I would like to tell you about some more humble and very different angels we have met while serving in Anaheim.  The first two angels we met as we arrived were President and Sister Golden, who have welcomed and befriended us since the first day of our mission. We have been invited to their home several times for dinner, and they are always humble, kind, and gracious. They are also firm and effective leaders in working with us and the other missionaries. Missionaries and members alike respect them for their love and leadership.

Several ward members from home have also been angels to us. We received two amazing care packages from our neighbors, the Jensens, at times when they were much needed and appreciated.
Pat's ministering sisters have kept in close touch with her through letters and cards.  The Phillips have sent emails and letters of encouragement as well as copies of the Church News which we share with everyone in the mission office. And our old friend and new neighbor, Jill, has provided peace of mind by checking on our home regularly and keeping us informed of conditions there. Texts from angel friends have lifted our spirits and let us know we aren't forgotten!

Soon after we arrived, our Anaheim 4th Ward Bishop Gonzales and his family extended love by taking us out to a delicious authentic Mexican dinner. At Christmastime, some angel mothers of missionaries sent each of the mission office couples jars of home-made almond cherry jam and a large bag of homegrown pecans. What a treat from two families we have never met! In early March, our friends from Draper, the Lintons, texted us that they were coming to Anaheim and then took us to out for dinner. And just this weekend, our mission office friends/co-missionaries, the Rhines, generously offered to bring in a delicious dinner for us when Pat was flat with a kidney infection. It's always surprising how much a little kindness can lift your spirits.

We couldn't talk about the help of angels without mentioning the support we have felt from our five daughters, their husbands, and our grandchildren. They send emails, texts, and numerous pictures on Instagram and our family Telegraph website. We also enjoy Skype and Facetime with them nearly every week.  They've sent Christmas and Valentine packages, birthday cards, and been so positive and supportive of our mission. We are so grateful for them and anxious to see them again!

The baseball Angels were wonderful, but not as important or awesome as the other angels in our lives. We have appreciated every kind act of love and service. 

--Don--