Fridays with Jim and Ginger

This Friday we did something different! We went to the San Diego Opera and saw Don Quixote. It was fun getting all dressed up and having a night on the town. Don Quixote is a spanish opera but they have english sub titles so you know what's going on. The opera stage was really well done. The orchastra was wonderful. The costumes and scenery were exceptional. I expecially liked the windmill scene. However, Don Quixote is a very, very slow moving opera. Don Quixote does most of the singing and there is not too much action, at least not in the first half. There were quite a few people around us that were sleeping.

The second half? Not sure, we left during intermission. We decided we could stay or go get a bite to eat. The stomach won that argument. We just barely made it to Anthony's before they closed. We had a window seat with the spectacular view. I just had a cup of chowder and a shrimp & crap cocktail since it was so late. It was the perfect meal and a great way to end a fun evening.

Saturday Night Live - Don't Buy Stuff

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My new assignment

I have a part of an amazing new program. Elder Perry came up with this plan for California, and especially San Diego. They have done pilot programs to see how it works in other areas before giving it to us. I imagine it will go across the US before too long.

I attended a meeting for Bishops, High Priest Group Leaders, Elders Quorum Pres. and Relief Society Pres. We had people from Orange County as well as San Diego County so the room was packed. It was given by 2 Gen. Authorities. It was special just to be included. I was given the assignment to find 5 people who would want to commit to take the missionary lessons. Since I am pretty private about my beliefs I was a little afraid to do this. However, the promise was that if I would just be the messenger the Lord would do the rest. So I had my Presidency pray with me for 5 names. Together we came up with 5 people. We then spent 2 weeks praying, fasting and taking these names to the temple. We still felt they were the ones we needed to speak to.

My next challenge was to make the call. For the first one, I went with Billye (my sec) and we visited with a lady we had never met. As soon as I told her we had been praying for her, she burst into tears. I told her the Lord had sent us there to let her know He cared about her and had blessings waiting for her. The feeling was so strong. She agreed this was just what she needed in her life. Her husband then came in and I also asked him if he would meet with the missionaries. I told him this family can’t do this without him. He also was touched and looked at his wife and said, “I think I am ready.” Wow! The feeling of love in that room was amazing. Billye and I left overwhelmed at the privilege of being the messenger.

I went to another family with Jim and gave the same message with a slight twist. I felt prompted to tell them the time is now, not next week, not next month, not next year, but now. I was very bold. They were also in tears. The wife from beginning to end. The husband less so. He told me they like to do things in their own time and own way. I told them to pray and I would continue to pray also. I wasn’t sure if they would accept or not. This last Sunday right after the sacrament was passed, I turned around and they were coming in for the meeting. I was so touched; it was overwhelming to see them there. The missionaries are stopping by their house this week.

So far 3 have been called (my 3rd is a family with 3 kids, they were at church Sunday and meeting with the missionaries tonight) and I will see the other 2 this week. I can hardly wait. This will be an ongoing project for me. When one drops off, I will find another one. It is really a spiritual experience.

When I thought of how much my life has been blessed by my membership in The Church, how could I not want others to experience that as well. Maybe next step will be those people I already love.

Catching Up

It has been a busy two weeks for me, with little time to share on the blog. I will try to catch everyone up in the next few days. It is now Sunday evening, and I am collapsed with exhaustion. My thoughts are just a little jumbled but they are good thoughts.

Today I started my meetings at 7:30 with Ward Counsel, Sacrament at 9:00. I was asked to speak in the other ward with the High Counsel speaker at 11:00. That meant I was going to have to miss Relief Society. I rushed to get everything set up before I left for the chapel. I walk up to the stand and didn't see Bro. Alires, my companion speaker. Instead Bro. Gonsales was on the stand. The meeting was just about to start and I noticed everyone giving me a strange look, like 'what are you doing?' I grabbed a program and my name was not on it. Embarrassed and red faced, I left with no idea where I should be. Jim found me coming out of the chapel and went inside to ask Bro. Gonsales where I was suppose to be. Well.... my assignment was not until 1:00. I was in the wrong ward. They gave me the wrong time.

I then went back to Relief Society and had to hang out at church until 1:00 since I was low on gas and didn't want to chance on it. I spoke on prayer and think it went pretty good. A lady came up to me in tears at the end and thanked me for my talk. I think that is a good sign. It was a good Sunday even if I am tired.

Last night we were invited to our neighbors Tom and Delayne for dinner. They also invited our other neighbors Denny and Linda. It was a fun night with good food. I had the dessert assignment and made lemon meringue pies. And they were fabulous! So incredibly good I was so proud. I am going to post step by step directions so you can make one too. You won't be disappointed. It made for a good Valentine's Day