Santa Rosa Mission-2016

Journal Joys-May 2016

This month has really flown by.  We sponsored our third ‘All Military-Active Duty Member FHE.’  We listened to our speaker inside the base chapel and then went outside and enjoyed our beautiful weather.  The park by the chapel has a very nice playground and picnic tables and volleyball net.  The children played, there was a competitive volleyball game, and lots of visiting and eating going on.  We were pleased with the evening and now begin planning our July FHE celebration.  It has been challenging to create these activities when we don’t have our own things.  We have to try to get by with whatever we can. 

On April 23 we drove to Santa Rosa, California for an all mission conference.  Elder Bednar was our teacher.  It was a very inspiring morning.  He had given the missionaries four of his talks to study in preparation.  He narrated the discussion and then opened the time up for questions.  I had previously told our mission president, President Wright, that Elder Bednar would expect the missionaries to be prepared for discussion and questions.  Elder Bednar didn’t let me down.  He was absolutely in great form.  Three and one-half hours absolutely flew by.  The elders were in awe of his humor and his wisdom.  We all got to shake hands with him at the end.  Because of where we were sitting, we were almost last.  He gave us both a hug, asked how we were doing, and asked about our family.  It was so good to feel of his spirit and be taught by him.

Another highlight of the mission conference was being able to hook up with our great-nephew Sam Nordfelt who recently arrived in our mission.  It was fun to visit with him, get a picture, and send an update to his mom.  We also found out the Sue and Russell Fay’s granddaughter is in our mission.  We are going to have to find her next time.  We were a bit surprised because Sister Julander’s parents were in Craig’s ward when he was a bishop on campus.  Can that really be?  Where has the time gone?