Sunday Sept 17, 2023

What a great week, it has gone by way too fast but it was so great to be in California with Meggan and Janise.  She had surgery on Monday morning, she was in so much pain and was not able to do everyday life.  After the surgery she was able to stand up straight, without nearly as much pain. 

By the time we left she was doing so much better it made it that much easier to be able to leave.  It was so great to be there with them, they have a wonderful house, with a spare bedroom where we stayed.  They moved in not too long ago so there were a few projects I was able to help with while we were there, which was great because it was fun to paint the closet and help put together a dresser that they got.  We installed an AC unit and did some basic cleaning which I really enjoyed doing.  I like having things like that to do.

Here we are putting together the dresser with Mac helping,  It turned out really nice, the drawers actually opened and closed just like they are supposed to without too many spare parts in the end. 😂

Janise's mom and dad came over one night and brought dinner and fruit which was soo good.  It was great to see them again and enjoy dinner with them. 

Then later in the week two of her sisters and their families came over and we had dinner together, it was fun to have them over and see how they love and support and help out each other.  They really do have a great family support system nearby.  We are so happy for them and the time we were able to spend with them.  

Here I am after teaching my English class on Zoom, They don't know I don't have pants on, right?  The Zoom dress code.  I teach an English class to the Latino missionaries to help them learn English which is highly encouraged while they are on their mission. It is an enjoyable learning experience for me and I hope it is helping them.  The course is a BYU course designed to teach English, which is a prerequisite to getting in to BYU Pathway, which is a college program where they can enroll in from anywhere in the world, through zoom. It is an online education which is an accredited program with degrees in multiple fields and it is accepted worldwide.  The Church puts a lot of effort in to helping its members get an education, which in turn leads to better employment.  

Marleen came up to Salt Lake today and had a late lunch with us, and introduced us to her beau, Tom. Marleen has been friends with him for some time and they seem to be really good for each other.  They seem so happy.  We enjoyed having lunch today with them, Ray and Melinda and Mia were there and had lunch with us as well.  

We had transfers this past week and we have a new Elder and a new Hermana in our district.  This is Elder Borders from Toole, so we have a gringo in our district,  Hermana Chappell is so happy to have someone to speak English with. 😄. There is also a new Hermana but we don't have a picture yet of them so next week I will try and get a picture.