Changed my ways

Hi
I have stopped using the blog because my own kids were not always reading it.  so I went to email.
If you want to receive my email, just let me know and I can include you on what we are doing here in San Diego. Life stays busy here.
love you all
Jan
stubbs.jan@gmail.com

The Greens are on their way!

Penny and Randy are on their way here for their mission and will arrive sometime tonight They will stay with Nathan and Nicole tonight and then come out to the mission home and stay with us until they can get into their apartment. The man that Randy is helping replace had a heart attack yesterday. A mild one but they put a stint in an artery that was 95% blocked and sent him him that evening. So he is resting and I am trying to reassure Randy the job isn't meant to kill him.
It has been quite a week. One mission president's wife described weeks in the mission like waves that wash a shore. Some are small and lap at your feet and then suddenly one comes in that knocks at you and get you thoroughly soaked. This was one of those weeks. Only difference is that now after all most 8 months we expect it to happen, aren't running on adrenaline and keep our balance a little better. One high moment is counterpointed by a real low.
Tuesday evening we went out of the mission (with permission) to Chapman University in Orange, CA.  What a wonderful place. There at their interfaith chapel they hosted the John A. Witsoe Foundation dinner and program with Bishop Caussé speaking. It was really nice. That is where the university librarian let me hold the first edition of the Book of Mormon. The head of BYU Studies handed it off to me. He had been trying to figure out who may have owned it. He has worked a lot on the Joseph Smith papers.  Anyway it was a fun evening. We stayed overnight and headed home along the Coastal Highway which is very beautiful. We also drove through Camp Pendleton which is where the Marine Recruits in our mission finish up their training. The highway goes straight through the base.

Bishop Caussé.  He gave a great talk on the welfare system of the church and the humanitarian aid the Church delivers world wide.

Once back in our mission we were dealing with mental health issues of missionaries and also happenings at the MCRD (Marin Corp Recruit Depot) Mark truly never gets a break.  We did have some quieter moments to go over transfers, in coming missionary lists, talks we have to give and study. Today we speak at Poway stake conference. But a 6 minute talk is getting to be a whiz. 6 minutes is a short talk.  Funny because I can remember when we were asked to give 2 1/2 minute talks in Sunday School and that seemed like forever as a kid.

We attended a baptism last night of a sister that our sister missionaries taught.  It was very touching. She was converted by the kind friendship of her neighbors. They invited her boys to cub scouts, helped fix a broken car, got her husband to the doctor. Gave her a copy of the Book of Mormon which  she started to read and found incredible peace from it. Simple things that brought our missionaries into her home to teach her. It was a a beautiful baptism and one done with great faith because the hot water heater was not working and the water was ice cold. And it is cold here right now  It was 36* this morning. (I know you feel real sorry for me right)

I love these sister missionaries. The second one from the left is here from temple square right now for two months and the only member of her family. They have such powerful testimonies and teach so well.

Ok so here is the quote of the week. 

 Elder: Wow I got some sore muscles this week from working out. My back really hurts. Now I know how a 50 year old feels!

Me: Really! That old huh. Imagine.

Love this work. We pray for you each day. Keep sending us your Marco Polos and other messages because they make us feel connected

love you all

MOM

Yes it is still 75* and beautiful

The weather remain beautiful here. As proof of it my poinsettias from Christmas are still alive and I have moved them outside. As anyone who knows me can testify I kill poinsettias after about 2 weeks in my house. But I have two that are still alive and looking reasonably well.

SEE!

Since we transitioned out MTE(Mission Training Exchanges) from the mission (This is something that had been done with several mission presidents.. no one knew who started it or how and its not in the handbook) we had nothing this week and could get caught up at the office.  Making it a strange week. I went to a Book of Mormon class some of our sisters offer for investigators and new members on Tuesday evenings.  They do a great job and ward members come to support the new members and the investigators.  It was really well done. I also attended our ward RS dinner one night and went to a constitution class with a woman we are trying to interest in the church. This is the same one I have talked about before. I was suppose to be present with the Elders to teach her this week but she cancelled.  Does this sound like missionary work or what?

Dad and I went to dinner on Valentine Day to Anthony's Fish Gratto near the mission home and it was really good. It was fun to have an evening together.  Thank you for your Valentine's.  We did get them and we really appreciate it.  We feel loved.

Friday dad helped the missionaries moved someone in our ward and then we tracked down some crutches for one of our missionaries who cut the bottom of his foot and is suppose to stay off it for a few days. Saw him today and he didn't have his crutches (busted!!)  

Friday night we went down to the Mormon Battalion because we knew some of the general authorities were coming down to inspect the visitor center.  The Sisters did not know in advance So the Sisters who were lined up to do the next tour got to take them on the tour. This is who showed up. An apostle and two seventies

 The sisters who did the tour

 The other sisters who were working the Battalion shift that night 

The Body Guard got picked to play the Battalion Solider

It was a pretty big thrill for them and great for us  too. Doing this job brings you in contact with some pretty wonderful people.  Its always a blessing

This morning we helped clean our ward building and then went to Poway to speak at the conclusion of their day in the mission that the zone leaders organized with the members.  They did a great job.  IT was so well organized and the missionaries did a great job. The youth, RS and Elders quorum members and High Priests were paired up with missionaries to go contact less actives, potentials and whoever they could find.  Then they turned in their results.  It was a good mornings work. They had members stand and tell somethings that happened and it was a miracle morning. The Lord is in the work and it will give our missionaries people to follow up on. It also helps the members have a good relationship with the missionaries. It was really great.

Well that is about it for now. Tomorrow we will go visit some of the wards in our mission in our continuing effort to see all the nooks and crannies.  Tomorrow we speak in Spanish at a Mission President Devotional in our Stake.  January and February had two devotional each month and from here on out it is one devotional a month which will be nice.  So I have a talk written out in spanish and I have been walking around the house pronouncing out loud the words I stumbled on. Last week was Spanish too but President Ross and his wife spoke. (I appreciated the break)  It was in Calexico out in the Valley.  We spent the night there on Sunday last week.  Then Monday morning talked to a couple of missionaries that needed some counseling .  Then drove home pulling off the freeway to investigate areas of the mission so that we can see where missionaries live and look at the ward buildings.  We even crossed paths with one set of Elders.  That will spread the reputation that we are everywhere and you never know when we will show up.

We love you all very much and pray for you all the time.  I know you are all so busy and we appreciate the valentines and messages to us and contact we get. Otherwise it would be hard not to see you as much as we would like too.

love you all

MOM

Best Ward Party Around

We just returned from a ward party in Hillsdale area which the Arabic members hosted and invited the other ward members and their friends too.  They cooked all the food and the Arabic missionaries helped serve. English members showed how they were learning Arabic in their weekly class from one of the new Arabic members, groups danced, the women trilled with their tongues, the food was incredible...baklava, falallas, kabobs, domas, and a bunch of other things I cannot spell or pronounce but it was very entertaining and not your average ward party.

 One of our Arabic speaking missionaries.  This is one Dad called up at the MTC and asked him to learn Arabic. Great Elder

 This is the stake president and one of our Arabic speaking missionaries who dad asked to learn Arabic

In other news we finished up this round of interviews. I have to admit I learn a lot sitting and talking to the missionaries while they wait for their interviews.  They really do tell me a lot more than they realize.  On Thursday I met up with an investigator at the Mormon Battalion with one of her friends.  We have met with her several times and she loves being with us and  watching our videos and apparently bringing her friends to it too.  Just need to convince her it really will be ok if she prays about it. But it was a good experience.
This morning we went to the battalion to check out a new apartment near by because we are getting more battalion missionaries and need more apartments.  Then we walked into Old Town to explore some more.  We found some neat new shops.  We also checked out the Old Presido on the hill behind the Battalion which is where the fort the soldiers went to original stood.  It is an incredible view of the ocean and the city.
This morning we woke up to a marine layer that made it feel like we were in a cloud. All we could see was the fog.  It was kind of neat.

 It really looked a lot more foggy than this

 Part of the tribute to the Mormon Battalion on the Hill

This statute is on the site of old Fort Statton where the Battalion originally came.

Well that's about all the news for this week. Tomorrow we get to go to our own ward where our missionaries are doing the whole sacrament meeting.  They have invited 13 investigators and asked that we be there. I think we can oblige them.  They are such good missionaries

Then it is off to Imperial Valley for a mission President devotional in Calexico where Dad's counselor will speak (in spanish). We also have a few missionaries to check on so we will spend the night  then head home.  The FM group is coming to do some repairs at the mission home on monday. They are also going to put a new light system in the kitchen. So life stays interesting on the west coast.

We love you all and pray for you.

MOM

Seven months?

Wow we have been here 7 months?  How did that happen? Time flies.
The good news this week is most all the transfers that happened last week everyone is happy with. It's a miracle. We actually find out out how good the transfers are by week 5 when if anything is really stressful they have had it and can't take anymore. So we will see. But so far so good.
I think we are finally getting on time of the flu epidemic too. Until I get yet another call if a poor missionary who is sick. This one was throwing up and I think a bit shocked at me when I told them to go get a coke and sip it slowly. He was less unsure of me when I told him when the leaders travel abroad and get stomach problems that is what they tell them to do because coke is actually medicinal.   And besides that it kills everything in your system.  I am such a great doctor.
This week I dealt with a stress fracture in a missionary who is in a walking area. Dad may have to change that. I also had a missionary who sprained their ankle really bad.  Other than that is was just the usually anxiety and "I am depressed " kinds of things. I am getting use to it I guess. Breaks my heart with some of them.  I just want to write on their hand or some place they can look at it..."BE NICE TO YOURSELF"  you are doing a great job. The Lord loves you!  Missionary work is hard.
Interviews continued this week and we helped the missionaries teach an investigator again at another home. This is our fourth time meeting with her. She won't pray because I think she will find out it is true and she will have to make a decision. In the mean time she likes how she feels around us and the good truths we teach.  Kind of hard to convince them they can feel like this all the time and more if they will just pray about it and find out for themselves. Missionary work is hard.
I had the sisters help me deliver 136 DFG kits to a women's homeless shelter in El Centro. The director was thrilled.  She said they never gets supplies like this and since they can last for so long it is a real bonus. Hope we created some good will for the missionaries in the area. The shelter is connected with the Catholic church. They like our sisters and Elders in El Centro.
You have heard the new meaning for FEMA haven't you?  In disaster areas FEMA now stands for Find Every Mormon Available.  I love it.  Some of our members in our northern stakes went and helped in the fire areas in Lilac and Thomas fire areas.  That is where this saying started.
Mission Leadership Council was this week. I handed out Valentine cookies and candy hearts. Keep the loaded wit sugar is our policy. It was actually Ground Hog day but there is no candy for that.
Dad and I spoke in San Diego North Stake Conference saturday session last night. Today we actually have no speaking assignment. Wow.  San Diego North is getting a new stake president today so we are going to see who it is because we work so close with the stake presidents.
Otherwise i am trying to get my computer to work as it should and we took sometime yesterday to be regular type people.  Kind of nice.
We love you all so much and appreciate all you do for us and your prayers.  You are in our prayers too and we think of you all the time.

MLC in February. I made them strike a different pose. The pictures were all starting to look alike.

Delivering the kits to the Shelter

 More pictures from the Battalion celebration the week before. Some one shared these with us

The Sisters from the Battalion at the celebration last week.

Week one in the six week series

This was week one of the six week series we continue on. First thing Monday transfers are announced.Tuesday we put missionaries on the plane home and pick missionaries up who are arriving in the field.  Then we train said missionaries. Then interviews start again. Monday is the day all the mission hold their breath for. For the few days before President Stubbs is the most intriguing man in the mission. Missionaries gather around him like magnets when he walks into a room in hopes that he will let something slip about their fate in the upcoming transfers.  It is almost funny to watch. We spoke in a Mission President devotional the night before transfers and the missionaries flocked around him before and after.  Then come Monday he is their best friend or they are wondering what they did wrong to incur his displeasure. Although this transfers there were few call or emails in distress. So they are either happy or resigned to the move.
Tuesday we arrived at the airport by 7:30am to start to get our missionaries homeward bound. All went smoothly. Then it is home again under our new scheduling from Salt Lake City. I put together everything we need to feed the new missionaries dinner and we load up the van and drive to a stake center and set it up in a kitchen and set up the next door room for a dinner.  Then it is off to the airport again.
First to arrive will be the ones from Mexico MTC.  There was only one this time.  They have to wait for us for a hour for the rest of the missionaries to arrive.  This time there was also an Elder arriving home from is mission in the Czech republic. His aunt is in our home ward here and he gave a beautiful testimony to our new missionaries to not waste a day,  the time will go fast and we have the most important message in the world. There couldn't have been a more stirring testimony.
Then we took them to the stake center in rush hour traffic (thus the need for a nearby stake center). We feed them. Give them one or two things to fill out,  short pep talk and match them up with their companions and send them off for the night.

 Some of our departing missionaries

New missionaries listening to the President and a picture of one of our new missionaries.  This was a small group. We sent home a few less than we had arrive. Changes next time   Next time we sent home 10 and have about 21 arrive.  So I enjoyed this smaller group.

Wednesday they come to the Mission Home by 8am to begin training.  I was at the airport again at 8m to see a sister from Temple Square off who was returning to Temple Square. Later at noon one of our senior couples picked up two new Temple Square Sisters who will be outbound with us for two months.

Here is the sister going back to Temple Square. She is a great missionary. She is originally from the Marshall Islands

Here are the two Temple Square missionaries who arrived. We love to get  these sisters. They are ready to work and seasoned missionaries.

Here is the new group all together.  I feed them lunch and about 2pm their companions pick them back up and their are off again.
On Thursday they meet at the Mormon Battalion Historic Site. The New missionaries take a tour while Mark trains the trainers. Then when they are back together they train on the use of electronic devices of which we have a few now in the mission. Smart phones and tablets.   I went to a meeting with my mission nurse instead of  the Battalion this time.  We were comparing notes and figuring out what we may have missed and making sure we are organized. She is a great help to me. We have just gotten through what I think is the worst of the flu epidemic which affected about 20 companionships and us.  It has been bad. I have some ideas to be prepared for the next time.
Saturday was the commemoration of the arrival of the Mormon Battalion in San Diego so they do a big celebration in Old Town. We dressed up in pioneer dress and joined in as well. Our Elders helped set up tents and then became the Battalion in the parade. Our sisters came down from the Battalion and joined in the parade as well. Mark was a judge later at the dutch  oven cook off.  Not a bad assignment.

Then we rested for a minute at the Battalion. That was our P-day and changed our clothes and headed to the airport yet again this time to meet three missionaries headed for the Philippines who have been waiting for their visas in our mission.

Later that evening we went out to Nathan and Nicoles home to see Sarah Giles who was done to see some of her old college friends.  Once again we were treated royally by Nathan and Nicole and had  Another beautiful evening. It is really nice to have family in the area.
We love you
Let me know this week if the blog is not a good place for me to post.  Not many people seem to view it. If you want I can just email you each week.  I know you are really busy so I just want to communicate the best way for you.
Well got to go work on my  talk for tonight
love ya

Onward ever onward

We seem to be over the flu except for some coughing but the work goes on. It was exciting to watch the announcement of the new prophet President Nelson and his counselors. The work continues on without skipping a beat. The only serious question our missionaries had during this period was how do we ask the baptism question about sustaining the prophet when we don’t have a presidency for a minute. So the work continues full force like you expect it to.
Mark has been working on transfers all week. The APs are with him right now going over things to see how it looks and if they have things covered the way they need to.
Yesterday was departure activities which start at the temple early in the morning with our missionaries who we will put on planes Tuesday morning.  There were only 5 this time which makes it a really nice size group and much more personal. One is from Brazil and since it was such a small group we promised him a Brazilian BBQ and it went well. They ate it down so it must have tasted good.  With only 5 people to interview Mark was able to relax through lunch with us and then while he interviewed the departing missionaries we played games. Then the senior missionaries brought us in dinner and we had another great meal. The senior couples who are leaving soon joined us so the seniors in the group ate at the large dining room table and the young missionaries ate outside.  It started to rain last night so it got chilly for San Diego.
We had a really nice testimony to end the evening. It is really touching to find out the hard things some of our missionaries have overcome in order to service and what brought them here was their testimony of Christ. Then you hand them hard things to do here and they do them.  The Spirit was really strong and you realize again what a great blessing it is to get to know them for a while and be here doing this work.

Tonight we speak at Penasquitos stake conference and tomorrow we have a Mission President Devotional to speak at in the evening in Chula  Visita.   So we are back to the speaking circuit.
Here are some pictures. Ok these are totally out of order. But you get the idea. We love you all very much. MOM