1st Transfer week, starting Sept. 16th

Sept. 16 and 17

Monday and Tuesday

Transfer week.  Every six weeks are transfers, and the mission measures time by transfers.  Monday was fairly busy, getting things ready for transfers.  Sister Crawford was training me on how to do things.   We got the list from the AP’s, so we were able to get things started, though we had been told it wasn’t final and could still have some changes. 

Monday night, we finally sat in the apartment hot tub for the first time.  Nice!  We were all alone, and the hot water felt good. 

Tuesday morning, we got up and went to the exercise room.  Oh, I forgot, Gary went Monday for the first time, but I was so tired I decided I needed sleep more than exercise, so slept in.  So, Tuesday was my first time.  I did the elliptical, but could only last about 12 minutes, ½ mile.  My legs were telling me to quit!  Gary did a half hour both days on the treadmill.  The room has only the one treadmill, one elliptical, and 1 bike.  Not a large room, but fine.  There was one other person this morning and yesterday morning Gary said.

Went to work.  The office already had missionaries around first thing.  The transfer meeting didn’t start till 10.  It was quite the experience.  The outgoing missionaries were called up and honored.  Oh, before that I think it was, a couple of missionaries were called up to talk about some baptism experiences they had this last 6 weeks.  Then after the outgoing missionaries, the new zone assignments were listed off zone by zone, and as a change was announced,  the missionaries stood up, met each other in the aisle, and gave a hug to each other. They had hugged their past companions as they left were they were sitting before standing up.  When it was all over, lunch was served to all…..subway sandwiches, chips and water.  Then the President and his wife and all the outgoing missionaries left to go to the temple.  The outgoing fly home tomorrow morning, and the new ones arrive right after.  The new ones spend a little bit of time (not sure how long), on San Jose State campus, meeting people, to get some missionary experience.  Then back to the office for lunch….pizza tomorrow.  Then I don’t know what comes next.

Today was HECTIC!!!  With all the missionaries in the office, they were in our office, paying their debts, buying new name tags, scriptures, supplies, etc.  The debts included name tags, scriptures, mission sweatshirts.  So we were busy taking money, writing receipts….for quite some time.  When they finally all left, it was nice to catch up on everything.  After each receipt was written, the money was paper clipped to the receipt and put in a pile to enter into the computer in IMOS later.  So, when they left, I did that for awhile, quite awhile, then entered baptisms (a lot of baptism records were brought in while they were in the office), then we worked on finalizing the transfer data.  We even were there till about 5:30 today.  It was so busy.

Got home….still no comcast. 

Oh, I forgot…..Monday after work we went to Office Depot and got a printer.  Tuesday, we were setting it up, but apparently the wireless part doesn’t work without internet, so still can’t do it wirelessly. 

Tonight, I had to do ironing so Gary would have white shirts ready for the week.  Now doing this, and going to bed really soon….I am tired.  The rest of this week is supposed to be busy too, with missionaries in and out the next 3 days with various things going on.  I have been told that after this week and next week, it slows down again, till the next transfer cycle!

Wed. Sept. 18

We have  been having problems getting Comcast going.  Supposedly, it was delivered Sat. and activated, but it wasn’t by us!  So, the guy we bought from was supposed to have reordered, and we should have gotten it by now.  No luck!  So we called him again, and he said, just go into the Comcast service center and pick up the stuff.  So, we got up early today, they open at 8, and went in hoping that they wouldn’t have a long line being so early.  We were in luck!  Got right in, and picked up the equipment, and when we told the guy what had been happening, and he could see we were already being billed from Sat. since supposedly we were activated, so he gave us a $20 credit on our next bill.  We were told it was simple to set up and activate, he told us what to do, so after work, we tried getting things set up and activated.  I called the number, and the internet got started, but the cable box wouldn’t start.  He said there was no signal, so it must be defective and we needed to take it back for another one!  Bummer! 

I think this night we went to the hot tub again.

Thurs. Sept. 19

We had to be to the office at 8 for Transfer stuff….giving out the MSF cards and talking to the new missionaries about the cards, baptism reports, housing etc.  So, we couldn’t do the Comcast stuff before work.  By noon, the new missionaries left, so we took our lunches with us, and left the office for an hour and ran to the Comcast service center….it took a full hour there!  We returned the defective box, got a new one (the girl waiting on us was dull….what a boring employee!  And not really interested in what we had to say…she said we needed to return the extra equipment it showed we had, and we tried to tell her about the delivery we never got, but was stolen…she didn’t want to listen to us, basically brushed us off).  When we got home from work, lo and behold, a Comcast box was sitting on our porch!  The other delivery that should have come Monday apparently!  Surprised it wasn’t stolen.  We just left it unopened, to take care of later.  After work, we tried setting up the box we had picked up.  Was told it needed 45 minutes to download the stuff.  We ate quickly, as we had to get back to the office for a housing inspector meeting.  So, even though we could see the cable box wasn’t working, we didn’t have time to call at that time.  Went to the meeting, met the housing inspectors who came, came home and called Comcast again.  The girl on the phone this time was one of the most pleasant Comcast employees we had talked to, except the first guy at the service center Wed. morning.  She said it looked like things were going okay, to let it go 45 minutes for the download, and if it didn’t work this time, I needed to call a technician to come over.  I didn’t stay up to see what was happening, I went to bed.  Oh, forgot, when we got the mail today, we had our first Comcast bill….apparently that portion of the company works fine!

Friday, Sept. 20

Well, it didn’t work.  Called Comcast first thing in the morning.  The person I spoke to wanted to try the signal again, he did, still no luck, so he set up the appointment with the tech.  Sunday between 2 and 4.  So, we said sure since we would be home then.  Went to work.  When we got home, we ate dinner, then went grocery shopping.

Sat., Sept 21

Went to the temple with the Crawford’s.  It was a marriage for a young Vietnamese couple from the Branch.  It was to start at 11:30, but the couple didn’t even arrive till around then, so the ceremony was at 12:30 instead.  It was a beautiful view from there across the bay to San Francisco, even though it wasn’t very clear to see too well.  We got rain, so it was very overcast.  After the temple, we came back for a short time, then back to the Cropley building for the reception.  Oh, before the reception, we Facetimed with Kori and family. 

Either today or Friday, we received a package from Melissa…..the Wii Sports she got us since we forgot to bring ours!  Yeah Missy!

For the reception, once again the couple was late….maybe this is a culture thing??  Not sure.  The rest of the people were there on time!  We stayed the whole time till about 8:30 after they cut the cake and danced a little. We danced 1 song only, then left.  We were tired.  The decorations were oriental, and the bride dressed in a traditional costume for the reception.  A normal wedding dress for the temple.  There was food for the reception….sandwiches and other things.  Even squid, which I passed on!

Sunday, Sept. 22

Church.  Gary got a new calling, and will be put in next Sunday….Sunday School President (which Elder Crawford has been doing), so he will teach 1 Sunday a month for sure.  The Branch President said he will call me to something, but wanted to speak to the RS president first and the new Sunday School President to see where I would be needed most.  Sister Crawford has been teaching a RS lesson once a month.

After church, we Facetimed with Shelley and family, and Melissa and family. 

The Comcast tech came, fixed it up in about 10 minutes, so now it all works.  This was the first time we have had some free time.  I made cookies (some for Elder Bruggeman and Elder Hullinger), and are waiting for them to come by and pick them up.  We went for a walk around the complex today.  Nice walking areas.  We have had the slider and window opened today.  It was pleasant outside.  There was a party apparently going on by the pool….we have been entertained by some Spanish music!

Sept. 15

Sunday, Sept. 15

Today was Stake Conference for the San Jose California Stake.  Stake President is President Hogan.  It was a very spiritual and good meeting.  We sat with the Bayshore Branch.  They had saved seats, as did the ASL people, and I imagine the Spanish also.  I know that there were headsets in the foyer as you came in for Spanish and Vietnamese.

After church, we came home and then walked over to “our” elders apartment….the ones that live near us and serve the Vietnamese people.  We hadn’t seen them at conference, and wondered if we should have picked them up.  Well, they told us that they were in Livermore today, and no, they didn’t need a ride, they have a car.  We told them any time they need a ride, to let us know.  But, they said they usually are the designated drivers for some other elders.

Today I hooked up the wii to the new TV we bought.  We bought the TV yesterday.  Here are some other items we bought since Friday night—microwave, crockpot, non-stick pans, some kitchen gadgets we needed like measuring cups and spoons and a better spatula, some bowls, pie pan, casserole dish, cake pan, cookie sheet, and pizza pan.  Some dishcloths.  A paper towel holder.  Some cleaning supplies.  Food.  We still have some more items we keep adding to the list to get next time we shop.  Like a printer.  We hope the Comcast box comes tomorrow so we can have internet.  Using the data on my ipad goes fast!

Tonight, we went to the Comanche building, 5700 Comanche Dr., SJ, CA 95123.  It was the Outgoing Devotional (or fireside).  It is for all the missionaries that are going home this transfer.  We had 7 seniors in this bunch….the Crawfords, the Wildes, the Orvins, and Sister Squires.  And lots of elders and 2 sister missionaries.  Also speaking were a couple of new converts.  The other elders and sisters bring investigators to this meeting.   It was a very spiritual meeting.  All outgoing missionaries speak and bear their testimonies of the work and of their experiences on this mission.  We are so lucky that we get to go to one of these spiritual devotionals every 6 weeks when there is a transfer.  Time here is measured in transfers.  The AP’s serve 2 transfers as the junior AP, and 2 as the senior AP….or it could be longer, but that is how it has been…..2 and 2.  Our Ap’s now are Elder Horlacher (the senior) and Elder Lewis.  They do a great job.  Elder Horlacher conducted the meeting tonight.

We are so lucky and blessed to rub shoulders with these “kids” and seniors we work with.  We said we can see we are in good hands with the youth serving in this mission.  They are strong leaders and have strong testimonies.

Sept. 10-14

Tuesday, September 10, 2013:

Morning came too early.  We decided to keep getting up at 6:15.  Then we don’t feel so rushed as we get ready for work.

I didn’t feel very well today, probably because of being so tired.  But, work went well.  Oh, I forgot to mention, the Cattron’s had told us last night that they had checked out AT&T for internet to get set up for them, and were not impressed, so we told them that that settled it for us then, and told what we had found out about Comcast.  So we are both going with Comcast.  Today at work, I decided to call the Post Office number that the manager of the apartments told me to call to get the mail box set up for us, to get the key.  She had said it could take several days.  I forgot yesterday.  So, I called the 800 number and was on hold at least a half hour……I ended up missing the devotional because of being on hold.  When I finally got someone, they said I needed to call the local Post Office, and they gave me the number.  I called them, and was told the manager was wrong, they can’t do it over the phone, I have to come in and bring my contract.  So I got the paper, took it to the Post Office, and got signed up. They will call me in 3 to 5 business days, then I am to come into the Post Office again to pick up the keys to our box at the apartment complex.  We still didn’t get the internet started…..maybe tomorrow we will go after work to Walmart again and do it.  We found out when we got home that the Cattron’s went to Walmart and got signed up today!

Oh, I forgot to mention, yesterday, we got a letter at the mission office from Missy….she sent us a Chick fil A gift card!  How nice of her!  Now to find where it is located!

Wednesday, Sept. 11

Last week sometime, I think it might have been Friday, was a Zone meeting for the Zone we are in…the San Jose zone.  Today was a District meeting for the San Jose 1^st district.  Zone leaders are Elder Hammond and Elder Atkinson.  District leader is Elder Hullinger.  Both of these meetings are held at the Yerba Buena building, which is where the mission office is.  I have been to both meetings, though in the future, we mostly will be too busy to attend, since the office staff is on a different time table than everyone else, working 9 to 5.  But, since there are still 2 couples doing the positions, as the Crawfords don’t finish their mission till Oct. 9^th, I attended today. Gary was too busy, though he did attend the zone meeting last week.  At least we attended the opening part of the meeting last week.

I slept very well last night, and woke up more refreshed.  Gary said I snored bad last night, but my head is extra stuffed up with this cold.  I must not have looked so good or sounded so good today, because Sister Crawford told us to go home early so I could get some rest and get over this cold.  I told her that being stuffed up in the head is much better for me than in the chest, so I was grateful for that.  However, since it was slow today……VERY slow all afternoon….we left an hour early.  We stopped by Walmart, signed up for Comcast at the table set up there, and got some more cough drops and Nyquil.  I am hoping it will knock me out good tonight so I can again have a good nights sleep and maybe get well faster.  Next week is supposed to be hectic with the transfers and all that it entails in the office for us.  The next 2 weekends are busy too, so no time to rest.

Talked to Missy last night, and they are coming to San Francisco for Tim’s medical conference next month around General Conference weekend.  He will fly in to San Francisco the Wed. before conference, and she will fly into San Jose Friday afternoon.  We will pick her up, and she can come see our office and what we do, and where we live.  She said that they reserved a room for us in San Francisco near them, and we can decide in the next few days if we want to stay up there Friday and Saturday night or just Sat. night.  We will hang out with them on Sat., and Sunday, then they will fly back to Dallas Sunday afternoon.  It will be fun seeing them again!  I hope I am totally over this cold by then.  We plan on site-seeing in San Francisco together, which is good.  They can figure out where to go…..Tim did a good job for them when they went to NYC and saw things on their own. 

Only 2 more nights till we finally can unpack and feel settled!!  We look forward to it!

 

Thurs., Sept. 12^th was our last night in the Woodmoor house, so we spent the evening packing up.  All clothes packed, except what we are wearing in the morning.

Friday, Sept. 13^th…….moving day!!!!!  We finished packing up…..bathroom and the food from the kitchen that we had bought.  Went in to work at the first, and when Gary got there, he immediately left to go and load up the furniture to move into our place.  They got the elders to help…..Elder Hullinger and Elder Bruggeman.  At lunch time, I went over, eating as I drove and while I unloaded the car.  First to go in was the fridge items.  I got the back seat unloaded next, and was going to go back to work, when Gary arrived with the elders and with Elder Crawford with more furniture.  They wanted me to stay, and the elders could help unload the trunk.  So, we FINALLY got the car unloaded!!!  We had kept everything in the trunk since we first packed up in Arimo.  I went back to work after that.  At 5 pm, we went to our new home!!!  We spent until about 12:30 (middle of the night), hanging up clothes, putting some things away, shopping and getting some groceries and household items.  

Saturday, Sept. 14^th—We still woke up early….7 a.m……even after getting to bed so late.  We had been planning on going to the temple with the Vietnamese from our branch, but decided after the late night and what we still had to do, that we needed to stay home and get the house in order.  We worked on the house all day, never even stopping for a nap like I had hoped.  We made several shopping trips for items we kept discovering we needed.  Wed., we had ordered Comcast, and had told them they didn’t need to overnight it as we wouldn’t even get into the apt. till Friday, but we still don’t have it!  Don’t know what the delay is.  We hope that we will get it by Monday, and hopefully we can figure how to get it hooked up so we can get going on it.  It is for TV and internet.  We finally stopped working when it was time to eat something and get dressed for the adult session of Stake Conference at 7 p.m.  Our San Felipe building is the stake house.  It was a wonderful meeting, on missionary work.  The Stake has been working along with the mission on their 21 plan……the plan to get 21 baptisms in the 6 week transfer period…..and they actually got 22 in the zone, which is the stake. 

We have 11 stakes in the mission, and 12 zones.  The zones are the stakes, except one stake is divided into 2 zones……San Jose and San Jose Evergreen I think are the way it goes.  The zones are:

Fremont, Los Altos, Menlo Park, Monterey, Morgan Hill, San Jose, San Jose Evergreen, San Jose South, Pleasanton, Livermore, Santa Cruz, Saratoga