News from CAM                                                                                         November 21, 2016

Dear Loved Ones All,

Thanks to everyone who has responded to these attempts to share our experiences in the mission field.  We appreciate hearing from all of you, but don't have time to make individual responses, but know that we love and appreciate all of you! I started the week on P-day by altering some of my tops that were way too long (they reached down mid-thigh) so I felt like I was wearing a big sister’s clothes. It was incredible that I didn’t have problem pants or any other clothing from the missionaries to fix.  We made a Costco run for gas and groceries.  Paul cleaned the inside of the car and we cleaned the apartment, but sadly we didn’t get the laundry done, so today we have lots of wash to do. L  It is amazing how filthy our car gets.  One would think that parking in a garage and mostly having sunny weather, that it would not be such a problem, but it only takes a few days for a layer of dust and black film to form and then it there are a few drops of rain or a sprinkler accidentally sprays it there are black spots all over our car.  So of course we have to wash it occasionally since the young missionaries are instructed to clean theirs weekly.  It is rather embarrassing for the Sr. Missionaries’ car to look so bad next to all the shiny cars in the parking lot.

We enjoy our weekly turn to serve lunch to the homeless at Mary’s Kitchen.  We have run errands, washed dishes and helped clean for some of our physically challenged members.  And of course tried to make phone calls, texts, and visits.  Elder Macbeth faithfully executes his executive secretary duties and while he did that this week I started preparing for my talk for Sunday.  Actually all 6 of us missionaries were assigned to speak in sacrament meeting.  The Sisters had Christ’s premortal ministry, the Elders had His mortal ministry, and the Bishop told us that we were to be last with Christ’s post mortal ministry.  We were each to take 7 minutes... So every time I found a minute I worked on my talk, actually I scheduled some time.  You would think that would be an easy topic, but I had a hard time coming up with what to say.  Elder Macbeth predicted that since he was last that he would be out of time and wouldn’t have to say anything.  He prepared a nice talk, but unfortunately his prediction came true even with me cutting chunks out of my talk, so he only had time for a few comments and to bear his testimony.

The ward mission leader invited us missionaries to meet him at El Taco for supper on Tuesday evening.  The sisters got a last minute dinner appointment with a member so only the four of us got to go.  The food was surprisingly good which made me sad that I only ordered one taco (not a smart thing to do since I was hungry) and the others’ food looked very good.  They all seemed well satisfied but my tummy wanted more, so Elder Macbeth took me later to get a bowl of broccoli cheddar soup.  I won’t make that mistake again.

We had Zone Conferences this week and we always help serve lunch for them, even on our day.  Elder Wong is the most amazing man…besides being a university professor, he has a thriving towing business, is his ward mission leader, he changes the oil in all the missionary cars, and he cooks the most amazing meal of grilled steak, grilled teriyaki chicken, rice, and tossed salad, at an unbelievable cost.  Usually under $2.00 per person.  I don’t know how he does.  He has finally decided that Elder Macbeth and I can help mix the salad, add the croutons and salad dressing, and put the teriyaki sauce on the chicken.  When we first got here Sister Jameson warned us that he liked to do it all himself, so mostly stay out of his way.  But one time he was really short on time and he told me I could put the dressing on.  Of course I washed my hands and proceeded to mix it with my hands.  That seemed to impress him that I was not like the R.S. sisters and was willing to get my hands grungy.  Since then those have become our jobs.  Zone Conference was awesome.  We were reminded of ways to use Family History in our missionary efforts.  President Taggart also introduced the Christmas Initiative. That is really exciting.  There will be a new video out on mormon.org on the 25^th, the day after Thanksgiving along with an advent calendar, 25 Ways in 25 Days.  You will all want to check it out and print a copy of the calendar to use starting on December 1.

We had R.S. Enrichment this week and I made some fun turkeys using nuts and silk fall leaves.  The tiny hats didn’t come in, so they are waiting for those, but they are quite cute.  We had pies for refreshments and they sent me home with nearly a whole coconut cream pie, so we shared with the Westergards since that is one of his favorite kinds of pie.  We also learned how to paint on glass items which was also fun. 

We had our Book of Mormon class and some of the regulars were not there, but a few new ones came.  Our wheelchair sister has not made it back since her stint in the hospital for pneumonia and her wheelchair malfunction, so I took one of my cards to have the class sign it to let her know we miss her.  She was delighted with it. 

On Saturday Our Son Brad, Becky and their 4 kids came up to help Elder Macbeth celebrate his birthday a day early.  They brought him 2 new ties (a desired thing for elders to get new ties).  I especially liked the red one with the miniscule white dogs.  Now he can truthfully say he has all the dogs that he wants.  Then they took us to The Old Spaghetti Factory.  The décor was fantastic, the food was scrumptious, but the company was absolutely the best part.  Family is so wonderful and grandkids really make the heart swell!  J  What a delightful interlude for our week. 

Here’s wishing you all a Happy and safe Thanksgiving.  Love, Sister and Elder Macbeth

Go!   Fight!!   WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!