Who Are We Creating?

"To create is to bring into existence something that didn't exist before." (Elder Uchtdorf, Oct. 2008)

In an effort to strike up a conversation and get to know one  another, it is not uncommon for people to ask what talents or hobbies we have or what we like to do in our spare time, what places we've seen, or things we've accomplished.  And although I find myself asking similar questions of others, I have never liked being asked them myself.  These types of questions often leave me feeling like I'm not talented enough, don't have any meaningful hobbies, haven't traveled enough, or, in general, I haven't achieved very much. Even now, while serving as mission leaders, people will ask me what I'm doing while on my mission, and I find my mind quickly racing though my day/week trying to find any one thing that I can put into words to explain what fills up my days, and fills up my weeks.  I rarely land on any one particular thought to express but rather am left with a feeling of wonderment.  How I can put into words the variety tasks, people, and experiences that created the fullness and richness of my day/week?  Nothing I can say seems suitable.  So, in the end, I inadequately throw out a few meager examples that say something about how busy we are, how challenging it can be, and how much we enjoy it. But inside I feel there must be a better more accurate way to describe this whirlwind experience I am having.  

I am in the midst of creating and maintaining a learning atmosphere of growth for myself and as well as helping to facilitate growth in others. With each new personality added to our mission the atmosphere for creating and learning evolves daily. In the midst of the creative process how does one describe what is being created?  It isn't done yet.  The process of exercising faith, hope, and charity are individual and on going with the results being built line upon line. What I can say about the process is that every day and week is so full of things to be done, people to meet, and people to help that the days in a week seem like an eternity yet the week races by in a flash and it's Sunday again!  And even though I look at the calendar multiple times during a day/week, to make sure I'm not forgetting anything, I forget what day I am actually living.  I'm always surprised when I realize I knew what day it was when I got out of bed in the morning but by the afternoon I can have no idea until someone reminds me.  

I know I am a heavenly, eternal being having some unique earthly experiences which continually remind me of my mortalness and the importance of reaching heavenward. But as hard and as tiring as it can be, I am grateful for my varied mortal opportunities.  I am stretching and growing in my understandings and abilities.  I am in the midst of being created, with God's help, into a newer, better me --- and hopefully helping others with their creation process too. 

Stan's brother, Bill, passed away on July 16th.  We were able to take two and a half days to go to Scottsdale, Arizona and attend his funeral. It was a blessing to be able to see  David and Jessica and their family as well as Lindsey with two of her girls, Page & Jane Bangerter.  

Today, August 18th, was Bill's birthday.  He would have been 79. 

Earl Sanders and Norma Hamblin Kauffman Sander's graves.  Jane Norma Bangerter is named after her great grandma, Norma.  Bill was buried in the same cemetery. 

Bill's widow, Connie Kauffman

As I look back over my life, I realize that I have been a "home body" more than a traveler, a enjoyed being a mother teacher within the walls of my home than a teacher in any other organization.  I agree with the thoughts Lindsey expressed to me recently when she said, "I find my joy in everyday living and being home."  I have been blessed to have traveled more than many and associated with many wonderful people, but what I relish most is being home with family.  

Departures & Arrivals - Transfer #5

DEPARTING SISTERS:  Sister Sydney Allen, Sister Paige Anderson, Sister Vane Azpeitia, Sister Hallie Ballstaedt, and Sister Paige Hancock.

On Tuesday, August 6th we were up at 3:00 a.m. to take Sister Azpeitia and Sister Ballstaedt to the airport for their flights  to Arizona and Texas respectively.  Then on Wednesday we were up at 3:00 a.m. to take Sister Allen, Sister Anderson, and Sister Hancock to the airport for their flights to Arkansas, Georgia, and Massachusetts respectively.  (Below are just a few examples of the traditional departing sister photos taken every transfer.)

Newport Beach Temple Trip

On Monday, August 5th we found out through the Facebook grapevine that one of our sisters would not be coming.  It seems that somehow there was a problem with Sister Ariana Del Carpio Cuba's religious visa and she was being sent back to Peru to get it taken care off.  This last minute change meant one of the six sisters we had invited to be a trainer would not be training. It would also necessitate that we have another trio. Stan and I thought, talked, and prayed about it Monday evening.  On Tuesday, we had a decision that we proposed to our STL's, and they were in agreement.  So, we went to work.  We first brought in the sister who would not be training but would not be in a trio instead. Then we brought in the two sisters who thought they were just a regular companionship and explained that we would like them to be in a trio.  Because trio's take a conscious awareness, desire, and effort to communicate, cooperate, and not leave anyone feeling like the "odd person out" they can be more stressful.  All three sisters were apprehensive, but one was especially stressed over it.  Because it was not an option for them not to be in it, we tried to give them as much encouragement and support as we could. We told them they had permission to put extra time and effort into getting to know each other by creating positive memories and we offered them our kite.

The named our kite, "Stanley" (A combination of our first names.)

TRANSFER #5 ARRIVALS: Sister Emi Cook, Sister Kasia Earl, Soster Alia Robinson, Sister Ruby Salazar, and Sister Alexandra See. 

On Wednesday, August 6th we also picked up five new sisters from the airport at about 1:00.  Our new sisters used to arrive about 4:00 p.m., but now they are arriving about noon.  This gave us more time to do interviews and dress fitting, a trip up to the Presidio to see the Mormon Battalion statues, as well as the dinner and new sister tour.   

Our days were so long and full this week that by Thursday I felt like it should have been Saturday.  Our days really are so full, yet so much the same, that it is easy to forget what day it is.  This week Stan made the following comment to another Senior Elder, "Why is it so slow? I thought July was supposed to be our busiest month."  Reply, "President, it's a Thursday in August."  

Departures & Arrivals - Transfer #4

(Doing a little more catching up on our transfers.)

"There are friends and there is family.  And then there are friends who become family." (Unknown)

June 27th Arriving Sisters: Sister Brooklyn Cox, Sister Maya Diede, Sister Abigail Despain, Sister Leyla Howlett, Sister Hengxin Merrick, Sister Brielle Rowley, and Sister Kathya Talamantes

Seven new Sisters has been the largest group we have had so far.  It took a little orchestration to make sure we had enough space for luggage and people in the cars we took to the airport.  Once we are done at the airport we go to the Mormon Battalion Historic Site and begin introducing the sisters to everyone.  They also pick out three time period outfits and are fitted for adjustments and have an interview with President. where he is making final decisions on who will be their companion.  A meal is provided for everyone and the new companionships are announced.  We end the evening by the STL's (Sister Training Leaders) giving a tour to the new sisters, their companions and whoever else who can fit into the rooms.  

 June 27th & 28th Departing Sisters: Sister Bae, Sister Christensen, Sister Lucy Garcia, Sister Layla Nance, and Sister Lizzie (Elizabeth) Petersen

It's tradition that we take the departing Sisters to the temple before they leave for their proselyting missions.  Because the San Diego Temple is closed for renovation we take the Sisters to the Newport Beach Temple.  As many of our senior couples who can join us come as well.  (Elder and Sister Jones, Elder and Sister Nielson, and Elder and Sister Ottley as well as ourselves.)

Second Arrivals (No departures) - Transfer #2

(Just catching up on a little back history here in this post.)

“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.” (C.S. Lewis)

With only 7 weeks of experience under our belts in learning our responsibilities as mission leaders our heads were still spinning when, "ready or not," it was time to greet five new arrivals on April 4, 2024. We were so grateful we still had Sister Frida Hernandez and Sister Milo Logo-Vaelua as our STL's.  They were still "holding our hands" and helping to "walk us through" how everything worked and what "traditions" sisters were used to doing. Truely, they have been the best of friends; always there in our time of need!

Our second transfer of sisters arrived at the San Diego Airport about 4:10 p.m. on April 4, 2024, but didn't come down the escalator where we were anxiously awaiting for them until about 4:40.  (I'm pretty sure they are the last to leave the plane, and then they must stop at the restroom to freshen up because it seems to take forever!) They seem happy and excited yet have an air of fatigue and uncertainty about them.  Of course, none of us know just what to expect in new situations and with new people, but we couldn't be more pleased with these wonderful sister missionaries!

The sisters we welcomed to San Diego were: (L/R) Sister Beatriz Chavez, Sister Audrie Price, Sister Marina Sandoval, Sister Sarah Mendes, Sister Kaitlyn Gregory, and Sister Eli Ordaz,   As we head to our cars in the parking garage, it is a mission tradition to stop and take a group photo with these pink airplanes. 

It is also a mission tradition to take transfer photos every six weeks.  And although there were no departing sisters with April's transfer, the existing sisters still did transfer pictures because in preparation for the new sisters they do change companions and often apartments. (The senior couples in this photo, besides ourselves are Elder and Sister Nielson on the left with Elder and Sister Harwood next to them.  Elder and Sister Sturges are a service mission couple who help us two days a week.  their service makes if possible for our senior couples to have a P-day on Tuesdays and not have top serve two shifts on Sundays.  They are truely a blessing to us!) 

Departure & Arrivals Arrivals - Transfer #3

 

"All of us will be tested.  And all of us need true friends to love us, to listen to us, to show us the way, and to testify of truth to us." (Elder Henry B. Eyring, Apr. 2002). 

Gratefully, our Heavenly parents did not send us to earth to "wing" it all on our own.  I am very thankful I have this opportunity to serve with so many faithful, vibrant, and intelligent young women every day for six months.  They are amazing!

DEPARTING SISTERS

May 10, 2024: Departing sisters do not always leave on the same day. So, in May we had three different departure days.  We drove Sister Maddie Pope to the Newport Beach Temple on May 10th where she was picked up by a senior office couple from her Los Angeles Mission.  

May 16th, 2024: We were up bright and early on this day because Sister Hannah Bingham had a 6:20 a.m. flight for her Tennessee Knoxville Mission.  Gratefully, Sister Choi Yu Chan had a much nicer flight time of 10:15 a.m.  She was going to Hawaii. 

While we were in the airport with Sister Chan for the second time that morning, I received a phone call from Sister Bingham saying her flight had been cancelled and that she was still in the airport but would need to be picked up and brought back the next morning.  Although disappointing and a mental adjustment for Sister Bingham to have to go back to the Battalion for a day, the timing was a blessing.  

Before leaving themselves, Sister Hernandez and Sister Logo-Vaelua went to the airport to see Sister Chan off on her flight to Hawaii. Then our new STL's, Sister Nance and Sister Ballstaedt, helped us send off Sister Garcia and Sister Hernandez to Colorado. 

A Learning Curve:  Missionaries do not have their own phones.  They are given a phone to use in the MTC. These MTC phones have limited internet ability and only the senior companion has a SIM card in their phone which both missionaries use to access the internet.  When the missionaries leave, they take their phone which does not have a SIM card therefore they cannot contact people outside of the airport.  If they have a problem arise, like Sister Bingham did, they have to ask to use an airport phone to make a phone call. Because we were still pretty oblivious to how their phones work, and this was the first time something like this had happened to us, we had not prepared our missionaries for this potential scenario.  Gratefully, Sister Bingham was able to get a hold of us and we called Mission Travel who contacted the proselyting mission to let them know of the change.  They also took care of all the arrangements for a new flight.  

May 17th: So, instead of having three sisters leave on Friday, May 17th, we ended up having four.  We took Sister Bingham bright and early (again) and then picked up Sister Hernandez and Sister Garcia for their flight to Colorado Denver North Mission.  We took them to the airport early (8:30) so that we could drop them off and then drive Sister Logo-Vaelua to meet Elder and Sister Hendrickson from the Anaheim Mission.  

When we arrived at the airport, we were informed that all the parking was reserved and that we would need to go to a parking lot some distance away and then take a shuttle to the airport.  There was no way this would work into our travel timing for taking Sister Logo-Vaelua.  So, with Sister Hernandez an expert in airports and travel (her mother works for the airlines & she has traveled a lot.) we dropped them off in the parking garage, gave them our hugs and well wishes and sent them on their way.  Although we knew Sister Bingham and Sister Garcia were in safe hands with Sister Hernandez we felt like neglectful grandparents not being able to take them inside and make sure they were all safe. 

We met Elder and sister Hendrickson from the California Anaheim Mission at a Chick-fil-A a little over half-way to Anaheim. We bought Sister Logo-Vaelua breakfast and had a little one-on-one time with her before they arrived, which was nice to do. Sister Logo-Vaelua and Sister Hernandez had both served us faithfully as our first STL's. They had been invaluable as we jumped onto our moving train, known as the Mormon Battalion Historic Site,  and tried to learn what we were supposed to know and do.  (There were a few tears shed.)   

.    . 

Departing picture for Transfer 4.  Pretty much the same except for different dresses and a new senior couple, Elder Bob and Sister Janice Ottley who arrived in April to replace Elder and Sister Harwood who had gone home to Utah.  

ARRIVING SISTERS: May 16th & 30th: L/R - Sister Ballstaedt (STL) Sister Kamila Polanco, Sister Reece Rosin, Sister Ashlynn Pepper, Sister Toni Stoddard, Sister Kamila Polanco, Sister Layla Nance (STL) 

 

Sister Vicente was part of this transfer of sisters but stayed in the MTC two extra weeks and arrived May 30th. She will have an extra memorable arrival because it was in the middle of our skunk ordeal!

It's a tradition that each new set of sisters arriving from the MTC experience their very own, private, 

tour of the Mormon Battalion Historic Site.  These tours are especially enthusiastic 

yet spiritual at the same time.