FINISHING STRONG

A DAY IN THE NEWPORT BEACH TEMPLE: One of the wonderful tradition we have in the Newport Beach Mission is for all departing missionaries to attend the temple the President and Sister Carter.  We attended a 9:15 temple session on Dec. 8 with a very animated group of young missionaries who where on their way home.  It is hard to believe that a year has nearly past and we will be come home in a few short weeks.  What a joy is has been to serve with these remarkable people!  After the session, we joined the group for lunch and everyone was bubbling with happiness.  Once they all departed, we remained in Newport Beach and in the evening returned to the temple and met our friend Maria. After a long road of making many changes in her life Maria joined us at the temple for the first time in many years! It was so awesome to accompany her as she was baptized for her antepasados (ancestors), while Elder Fowers joined her in the font and did the baptizing.

Rejoicing with the Armies of Helaman. (On the very back row, left!)

As few days later we had our departing interview with President Carter. He walked us through the highlights of our service in the Vista Ward.  It was humbling to consider how guided and blessed we had been in the work.  He gave us the parting scripture of D&C 126:1-3 in which it tells us that our work has been acceptable to the Lord and that we are to now take "especial care of your family, from this time forth".  It was a tender mercy to feel His love through the words of our mission President.

TIJUANA TEMPLE WITH FIDELA:  The very next day we attended the Tijuana Temple and met Fidela there.  She came with her ward from Ensenada who rented a bus for the two hour journey. This was her first time in the temple since her baptism just three weeks ago.  The good ward members helped her prepare the names of her mother, father and grandfather for baptisims and confirmations. She was in awe with beautiful edifice and the feeling of peace and beauty within.  Elder Fowers Journal Entry~Dec. 8:  Fidela was excited as we entered the holy structure.  Her knees were working very well today and she did not have to use her cane much. We descended into the baptistry at the recommend desk and I pointed out the paintings and their meanings. In the baptistry I explained the symbolism of the twelve oxen.  She was overwhelmed with everything.  Luci kept near as she received her clothing and entered the changing room.  I did the same, changing into the white temple jumpsuits.  There were other youth present from the Hidalgo ward. We sat and watched the baptisms and I explained in detail the process, principles and importance of this vicarious work.  Fidela was taking it all in.  Finally it was our turn.  I entered the water first and was baptized for her father and her deceased husband.  Then I stayed in and Fidela entered the font.  I escorted her down the stairs caring for her fragile knees.  She felt comfortable with me in that just three weeks ago I had baptized her.  The spirit was strong as I baptized her for her mother and an aunt.  She felt the importance of the work and I know this will deepen her testimony of the work.  After changing we did the confirmations.  Again we all felt something special.  I told her that she is no longer the only member of her family and that her parents were pleased with the work she did for them that day."

ELDER STEVENSON YSA FIRESIDE:  After two very long days of driving between temples in NewPort Beach and Tijuana, We were exhausted.  We endured a four hour border wait returning to the USA. However with "one more strain of praise" we decided to attend the Gary Stevenson's YSA fireside on Sunday evening.  It isn't often that we have the privilege of hearing an apostle of the Lord, live! When we arrived in Escondido, all the older people were asked to sit in the back of the long Cultural hall/Gym, joining many other senior couples from the adjacent San Diego mission. His remarks were inspiring and directed to the YSA specifically.  Social media is both good and bad.  Elder Stevenson admonished everyone to set aside virtual reality and view reality like read the scriptures, listen to modern prophets. He asked everyone to love, share and invite during this Christmas season. He talked about the billboard presentation of Christ and the Nativity on Times Square in New York City. It was posted on YouTube and has been viewed by 180 million people.  This shows how the church is using the media in a good way to spread the message of Christ. As Elder Stevenson spoke the spirit grew and grew as he told meaningful stories. There were more than a 1000 YSAs there. When he concluded his talk, no one wanted to leave and lose the profound feeling of the spirit.  I am so grateful that I went and took the opportunity fill my vessel.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION:  We helped Elder Prater celebrate his birthday at the Texas Road House.  He didn't hold back when they offered to let him ride their sawhorse saddle. Such great friends.  We will miss them terribly!

WARD CHRISTMAS PARTY: One area where the Spanish ward needs no help from us is putting together a party and this year the Vista Spanish Ward Christmas party was no exception. As with all holiday parties the serve, pazole, tamales, pan dulce, flan and more.  They asked Sister Fowers to make a manger to display at the party.  So I found an abandon wooden pallet so we took it apart and in two hours Luci produced a beautiful little manger.  We placed it on the stage with palm boughs and lights.   As with all parties it just was getting started an hour late.  Fidela came early with her son and we had some time to talk about the church with him.  He is very positive and supportive of his mother's baptism and has become our friend.  This is a good first step as Fidela desperately wants her family to embrace Christ as she has recently done.  Other friends, joined us at our table including Victoria and Maria.  Luci had English on one side and Spanish on the other. She held her own with little help from me.  The programs was the sharing of tradition from other countries such as Tonga, Ecuador, Mexico, Argentina, etc.   I was then asked to represent traditions in the USA.  I started off by telling how we hung stocking by the fireplace waiting for Santa to come down the chimney.  However in Spanish instead of saying Santa Claus I slipped said "Santanas" which means Satan is coming down the chimney. That slip of the tongue drew a roar of laughter.  I tried to repair the damage but with little success.  All in all the attendance was more than 120 members and friends, which I think that is a good measure for the momentum the ward is finally realizing.

Pallet Manger

.

Beautiful Manger Display

Gathered with Friends

Never too Old for Santa.

BOAT PARADE: Every year the Newport Beach senior missionaries attend the Christmas Lights Boat Parade at the NewPort harbor.  It isn't so much about watching the boats as it is about having time to sit and visit with our friends. Of the hundreds of boats we viewed only one had any representation of the nativity or the Christ child in the manger, and that was the boat sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Good times was had by all.

Senior Missionary Friends

The church boat's message:  Wise Men Still Seek Him

At the very end of our evening together, President and Sister Carter presented us with a commemorative pillow as a token of gratitude for our service.  We will treasure the memories associated with this gift forever.

Sweet Gift!