Countdown Mode

OK, I'm not going to lie. What's the point of writing about your experiences if you don't tell the truth? So here's the truth:  I am officially in countdown mode. (Just me, Pat, speaking here:  Don isn't there yet:)

It started last Tuesday when the new transfer began. We received five great new missionaries that day, and it made me sad to realize that it will be the last set of new missionaries we will get to welcome to the California Anaheim Mission. The next group will arrive after we leave. The elders and sisters are the heart and soul of our work here, and we have absolutely loved getting to know these great young men and young women. They are an inspiration to us!

Elders at work.

Some of our super sisters.

Lunch break at new missionary training  this week.

The biggest reason for the onset of this countdown, though, also occurred Tuesday when our newest little granddaughter, Lucy, was born to Josh and Emily. We are so excited that she is safely here and all is well, but this is the first time we haven't been around to snuggle a newborn grandbaby.  Not much of a sacrifice, I'm sure, because we'll be home in less than 6 weeks, but a sacrifice nonetheless! Purely selfish, of course.

I know. I know. As far as historic missionary sacrifices go, this is about a 1 on a scale of 1-10. It looks like they're all doing just great without us - and not only are Amy and Colin right next door (yes, the two families moved into adjoining houses last fall), but both Janet and Kristen were able to go to the hospital and meet Lucy shortly after she was born. Thankfully, the other grandparents have come from Alaska to stay and help out for a couple of weeks, too. That makes it a lot easier!

Lucy is here!

Home from the hospital

Also Tuesday, after we finished our day at the mission office, we had a happy surprise. Jenn and Iain and four of their six kids were stuck overnight on a layover at the Los Angeles airport. We were able to drive up to see them at their hotel and have dinner at our favorite In and Out Burger on Sepulveda Blvd., next to the airport. We had such a fun evening! All four of the kids have grown sooo much!

Colin accompanied the BYU ROTC to a Drill Competition
near Manhattan Beach

Besides a quick visit from Colin in February, they are our only immediate family to come to Southern California since we've been here - and even though it was only for a few hours, it was wonderful to see them!

Bella and Finn at the hotel.

Abby, Brooklyn and Don and Finn

Planes flew overhead while we ate our burgers

The week passed so fast, and today (Saturday) we had an awesome opportunity to drive to Redlands with Elder and Sister Rhines from the Mission Office and attend a session at the temple. Most of the drive was along the foothills east of Los Angeles where the wildflowers are truly going wild this year. We haven't had the time to go out and see any of the spectacular "Superbloom" going on in California this spring, but the hillsides we saw today were covered in mustard seed blooms and lupine. It was food for the soul!

With the Rhines at the Redlands Temple

Well, the days are flying by now and we know from experience that each week after the halfway mark of a mission seems to go faster and faster, so I'm going to focus on making the most of every day that we have left. It's such a conundrum. While I'm here, I'm dreaming about returning home, and the minute we return home, I will be so very sad that our time on this mission is over! I guess that's as good a reason as any to enjoy every day.

--Pat--