We have had a busy week – there’s always something to do!  At our last Zone Conference, which are always so uplifting, President asked us to consider out of so many people on the earth, what did Heavenly Father see in each one of us that He would place us in the California Fresno Mission at this time?  It is so easy for me to believe that all of the younger missionaries were foreordained to be in this mission at this time.  Their talents and their personalities were needed to find specific people and, they were foreordained to preach them the Gospel! 

When the Spirit reminded me that I was also foreordained to come here, it was harder to believe.  I’m not sure why that was, but it’s interesting to ponder.  This has been such a learning experience!  I’m very grateful to be here – to help how I can.  I love the younger missionaries – I tell them they are my foster kids!  I love the senior missionary couples and my companions as well – they are new friends who have become family.  It’s great to have more come, but so hard to see people leave!  It’s what President Gelwix says each farewell fireside (where missionaries bear their testimonies, and can invite people to see them one last time to say goodbye), that we lose such good people, but coming on the plane the next day will be more good missionaries to pick up the slack.   We all have only so much time – but that’s the same in everything we do, every part of life.

 

In the Orchard View Ward, our new ward, we have been given a list of 14 names of Sisters who need a little extra care, according to the Relief Society Presidency.  We have been to visit 3 of them, but have seen only 2 as one wasn’t home.   We did visit a non-member instead though.   We did leave a harvesting blessing with her (we prayed for her and her family).   We have had a harder time adjusting to this new ward, and were contemplating going to another  where we know the missionaries need some help, but Heavenly Father let us know we are to stay where we are, visit whom we can, help however we can, teach, play, lead, etc.,  so we shall.  It seemed like people were becoming a little more familiar with us today too, so that is good.  We won’t wait around to give help, though!  That’s the best way to feel a part of things!

We asked our District Leader to give us some training about talking with people wherever we go.  It reminded me of K.I.S.S. which according to Daniel is an acronym for Keep It Simple Stupid but I am changing it to Keep It Simple Sister!  I have a tendency to try and teach the whole plan of Salvation when I’m in line at a grocery store…..  not really but almost!  Or it’s the other way, I don’t ask if they want to have someone come talk with them.  It was pretty informative, and helpful,  and yes!  we had role playing!

It has been summer hot here!  UGH!  The week where the temps were 109 or higher was a killer!  I really can’t complain too much, because I don’t get outside for very long too often, but it’s hot going to the car, getting in the car, going to the apartment.  (I know - oh wah!)   It’s amazing when it’s 90 we think it’s pleasant.  For someone that doesn’t like the heat – that IS amazing!

For the 4^th of July, we went to the Sequoias.  Though I had been there before, Sister Ball and Sister Henrick had not.  If you can believe it, I got car sick!  We went through the gate, and I asked if I could get out.... this first picture is right after getting out of the car.  I ended up driving Sister Ball's car.

It was only 85 to 90 degrees in the upper part of the park!  It was great!  Here are a few pictures.  I hadn’t been to the falls, so that was cool!  The falls are down the back side of the mountain, lower in the valley, so it was hotter down there.  I felt like jumping in the water, but I didn’t….

Looks fake to me - cool photo

This was really hard to find footing, and my hips hurt for a couple of days afterwards.  

Gettin' old I guess ....

 

Sister Henrick and I by the Sherman tree, or is it the Grant?

Awesome waterfall!

oops - there's part of my head - my mom seems to take pictures where part of the person's head isn't showing - I'm a little opposite - part of it IS showing

That's the valley we drove down into - you will notice my hair - when it was this short before, someone said I look like a 14 year old boy - I said, "I look 14?!?  Woo hoo!"

Sister Ball and Sister Henrick by the big tree (Sherman or Grant)

At least, not all of me got in the water - this is down stream a little.

We have these really pretty flowers here – I don’t know what they are, but really nice all over the apartment complex.  There’s roses in one area, and other flowers elsewhere – just nice.    There are crepe myrtle trees too.   Apparently though, the crepe myrtle trees are a mess to clean up – I just get to look at them!  

 This is a picture of an entry into a shopping area.  There were flowers and trees on both sides.  There were so many flowers and plants it felt like the Garden of Eden ~

These fine looking young men are 4 of our missionaries.  From L- R is Elder Tausinga, Elder Mecham, Elder Topper, and Elder Tesimale.  They are just a hoot!

These next couple of photos are of our tomato plant, Fred.  The first is before watering when he was pretty young; then after watering; now you can see there are actually tomatoes growing on the plant, where we thought we would be tomato-less for the season, then the last is actually how big Fred really is!  There are 9 tomatoes! I am pointing at one of them - I hope they get big and ripen soon!  Yum!  Fresh tomatoes!

I have been training my replacement - it's kindof a weird feeling, but one that has to happen.  She is a local service missionary who is a surgery nurse with 52 years experience!  I think the Missionaries will be in great hands!  Her name is Sister (Violet) Besser.

Thomas posthumously, graduated with his MBA on May 4^th.  He doesn’t need anything where he’s at, but I just felt that this should happen if it was possible.   I was prompted too many times to ignore, and now, I feel like I have done something for him.  Thank you to Chad and Holly for finishing it up for me!  I am most grateful!  I was going to show some pictures, but I'll have to see if Holly still has them as I can't find them.

It’s getting late – when I started this, it wasn't past curfew - 

I hope this finds everyone healthy and happy!  My time here on the mission is quickly coming to an end.  I would stay forever, but that’s not possible nor logical.  I am so grateful for my blessings, and the knowledge I have, and am gaining.  Life is beautiful!  I am blessed much more than I deserve - I love you all!  Sister Ure