Transfer week just finished. 23 missionaries went home. 9 arrived, which included 1 visa waiter, waiting to go to Mozambique. There were going to be 2 other visa waiters, but they got their visas by the end of the week before transfers. It looked like it was going to be a smooth time at the airport…..all the missionaries were leaving from one terminal (well, we had 3 Polynesian missionaries leaving later in the day), and the the incoming group was all coming at once, none from the Mexico MTC, which arrive later in the day. Then, with the 3 Polynesian missionaries departure time, there started being some issues. Something with one of the elders passport, then the sister’s flight got cancelled and had to be rescheduled. All these were things that President and Sister Mella dealt with. So much for looking like a smooth transfer time!
The incoming bunch of missionaries looked really sharp and excited to get started! Things seemed to go pretty smoothly with our orientations, and with getting the reports out that I do.
Gary closed one apartment this week.
Saturday, we spent some time with Jamie and Lamar Stuart. They picked us up in the morning, and we drove down Hwy 17 towards Santa Cruz, getting off towards a town called Felton. Then we headed to a place called Roaring Camp. I guess it used to be a logging station, and they have a train there you can ride into Santa Cruz if you want. There is also a trail to go through some Redwoods. It was a rainy day, but a very nice, relaxing time walking through the forest. Then we got back in the car and drove down to Santa Cruz to eat lunch at one of their favorite restaurants, called Miramar. It was right on the wharf….you could look out the window and watch the waves. Gary was brave and even tried some calamari, and a piece of some tuna I think it was, that was cooked on the outside, and raw inside. Me, I stick with the usual things….no trying new stuff for me! Then we walked around there a bit, saw the sea lions, walked a little on the beach, got an ice cream cone, then headed home. It was a great day, spending time with old friends from home (who now live out here….they live in Mountain View, just north of San Jose), and seeing some new things. The rain wasn’t that bad, and actually cleared up a bit in the middle of the day.
Saturday evening we went to get a few groceries….not much we need to pick up any more besides the fresh stuff, since we are trying to eat up what’s in the apartment. And we did a little cleaning and laundry.
We have been packing stuff gradually all week long. Suitcases are out in the front room. And, I occasionally take a few things out of the cupboard that I won’t be using any more and put them in boxes to go to storage. Saturday evening I baked the last bread I will bake here. Today I made a pasta salad and some cookies to take to FHE tomorrow night.
Today at church was Branch Conference, so we had Stake visitors. Next week we both speak in Sacrament meeting, so we have been working on those talks too this past week. We also both have a lesson to teach next week.
Today, Gary called Bill Jons. Besides chatting, he asked him to have our water turned on before we get home, and maybe run it a bit to clear out the pipes some, and to turn on the water heater and plug in the fridge so it can start working. We plan on getting home on the 24th.
After Gary got off the phone with Bill, his mission phone rang…..it was the Busk’s! They were in Salinas, and Gary said, you are only an hour away, keep on coming! So we met them at the mission office, showed them around some, then took them to their apartment.
Now, I am getting stuff finished here, and getting this entry typed up before going to bed. Training begins tomorrow!! Oh, and we learned that on Wed., the building is having the carpets cleaned, so we have to be out of the building by around noon. So, that will slow down our training process! Oh, well….we will do the best we can!
10 days left of working in the office. In 2 weeks we will say good-bye to San Jose! It is a strange feeling. But, exciting! When we learned the Busk’s were just about here, it was a sudden rush of exhilaration…..the time to train is here, and then we will leave.
Well, it is getting late, for me anyway, so I will say good-night now! Can’t wait to see my kids and grandkids again soon! And we are looking forward to seeing so many of our friends from home. And all our family members, near and far.
Bye!
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