The first few days of June were hectic!  We had transfers and all the changes and craziness they bring.  We also had the monthly vehicle expense reports and the 2^nd Covid vaccination day at the office for all the missionaries who wanted one, and since 75% of the mission cars would be there, we did vehicle inspections.  We also had an “all zones conference” which is really an all-mission conference, so the vehicles we missed at the vaccination day, were inspected at the mission conference.  Something had to slide, so I held off filing accident reports. 

The highlight of that week was going to Gilbert, AZ to attend my sister Sandra’s sealing in the Gilbert temple!  Because we were on our missions, we were uncertain if the mission president would allow us to leave.  Our first evening in Riverside, the mission president invited us to his house to visit, and he opened the door when he asked if we had any questions about anything.  So, we asked, and he responded, “you are still a dad, right?  You are still a grandfather?  Still a brother?  So yes, certainly! Go!”  We had told Sandra before we got here that we would not be able to attend.  So, we just continued with that white lie and did not tell her.  Everyone knew we were coming, except Sandra. 

We did not want her to see us until we were in the temple.  On the day of the wedding, we had lookouts to let us know when it was safe to approach the temple.  We were told where to stand in the foyer so they could not see us.  After they went inside the temple, we went to the sealing room.  Some of the cousins shifted seats so all of Sandra’s siblings would be seated on the front row.  When she walked into the room, she looked at the number of people, then sat down and started looking into the faces of everyone and when she saw Liz and me, she almost lost it.  Her surprise was total. The look on her face was totally worth it!

At every opportunity, my mother would pray that Sandra would find her eternal companion.  Those prayers paid off.  I am confident that both my parents and my deceased brother were attending Sandra’s sealing.  Ever since Sandra stated dating Wendel, she has been like a high school teenager. Almost giddy!  She was so happy and smiling more than normal!  We are so happy for both of them.

At the reception that evening, I was impressed that there were so many people attending the reception that we have known over the years from Vancouver and who have moved to AZ.  That was a bonus!  It was fun to visit with them.

June 19^th was the 50^th anniversary of my entering the mission home in Salt Lake City to begin my first mission to Germany.  Where has the time gone?  My good friend, Paul Glauser, and I both started our missions on the same day.  I met my first companion that day, Ron Duersch.  I texted both to ask if they remembered where they were on June 19^th, 50 years ago.  Paul took a good guess and figured it out.  It’s good to have great friendships that have lasted through the years.

This picture was taken 50 years ago on the day I started my mission.  My Dad, brother David, me, and brothers Ron and Reed. 

While in Gilbert, I was able to play pickleball on a real court three times for the first time since leaving Vancouver.  That was so much fun.  We were also able to get all of my siblings together, plus many cousins the day following the wedding.  We always enjoy our time together.  Sunday we attended church, then drove back to Riverside, which is about a 6 hour drive, depending on traffic…tired but so happy we had gone.

(Liz walking with Christine's girls, Evie (6) & Cate (8) to church in Gilbert.)

We have had friends who served missions and I always looked forward to reading their blogs or emails.  Some wrote something every week.  Others just once per month.  The only pattern to my blogs is the lack of consistent posting.  I’ve got some catching up to do.  My brother admonished me to post something weekly.  That may be a little optimistic, so I will see how that goes.  It is not from a lack of desire, it’s just that, frankly, we’re so busy at the office, and pretty tired by the time we get home.  I’ll try to do a little better and see if I can catch up.

Every week on Sunday evening, we join with all the missionaries, the mission president, and his wife for what is called a “miracle meeting.”  The missionaries share the things that have occurred that week that are clearly attributable to the Lord’s intervention – miracles.  The stories are so wonderful and inspiring.  They are not contrived, and we never feel they are exaggerated.  They have helped us to see things through different eyes.  For the last month, because we have 30 missionaries who are completing their missions and going home, each week several have been invited to bear their testimonies.  Liz and I have been so struck with what they share. They share how they are different because of their service, what they have learned, and how close they have come to their Savior.  In almost every case, they refer to the gift and power of the Atonement in their lives and in the lives of those they teach.  We are so moved.  It is the highlight of our week. Those missionaries are returning home well equipped.  We pray hard that they will hang on to these feelings and habits.