Today was Creek to Bay clean up in San Diego; an apt name for the cleaning of this city. If there isn't a river or creek bed in a canyon, the gully would still carry water in a good downpour and it all goes to the ocean. Our stake sent members to the Canyon Crest Park which includes Chollas Creek where we spent our time in the dry creek bed which is very full of bull rushes, bushes, trees and the debris remaining from homeless camps. We left the natural flora but put into dumpsters tires, mattresses, chairs, bedding, jeans, shoes, plastic of all sorts, stuffed animals, shopping carts, the containers of many meals and in one case the meal itself which had putrified under cover of an old drawer. It was a good morning; we worked diligently and knew we had accomplished something really worthwhile. Although we expected no material reward, Bruce won two tickets to the Natural History Museum in Balboa Park, I scored this great T-Shirt and we got our picture taken with the missionaries who serve in our stake. Afterwards we enjoyed a lunch of hot dogs and hamburgers compliments of San Diego County.
Pictured here is a portion of Chollas Creek with Bishop Martin of San Diego 4th Ward in the foreground with a small portion of what we collected. We filled half a large dumpster with debris that we and another group farther down the creek bed gathered. Thus we cleaned the creek this morning, did our weekly cleaning of our building last evening and this afternoon made bread for tomorrow's sacrament.
A week ago we hosted dinner for the 4 couples who serve in San Diego as Member Leadership Support missionaries. Two couples are new and were asking, "What do we do?" The evening was a combination of swapping stories, assuring that given time they will discover the needs of their ward, and like all other callings as they "go and do" the opportunities will come.
Every week we teach our Egyptian Muslim, two single adult men, one a nurse who can't get Sunday's off yet, the other a man who was raised in the church but has been inactive since he was 17. He wants to come back not only for himself, but to honor his parents who raised him in an active Latter-day Saint home. Each Wednesday we take a new young adult member to the temple to do baptisms and try to take advantage of our time with him to teach the gospel. Last week we toured the Mormon Battalion Visitors Center and this week we will watch Meet the Mormons with him. Being a native of India, he has very little knowledge of the church, just a testimony of its basic truths. The elders in our ward invite us on almost every teaching opportunity. We listen to them teach and add our testimony when invited. In the front row standing, Elder Sheppard is 4th from the left and Elder Davies is on the far right. They are seasoned elders, both out for over 20 months.
As of April 19, I am now responsible for the music presented in the monthly San Diego Mission Fireside. President Schmitt first asked me to take that position when we arrived with the understanding I would begin my service when President Morgan, who is now in the presidency, left to serve as mission president in Chili. It was nice to have two firesides to observe, ask questions and participate only as the organist. With a very straightforward format and only 1 hour prior to the fireside to rehearse our missionary choir, we have to keep things "simple". This is the April 19 program: processional of missionaries singing "Called to Serve" with yours truly accompanying with the organ full throttle; my arrangement of "How Great the Wisdom and the Love" with the 6th verse as the final verse, 3 special numbers, 3 testimonies by new members, 3 videos and a final testimony by President Schmitt and his wife followed by "Did Jesus Really Live Again/Jesus Has Risen" arranged by Brett Stewart as a closing song, recessional of missionaries singing "I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go". Time elapsed: 1 hour 15 max. Each fireside has always been a spiritually rewarding experience. The testimonies, videos and music all convey the priceless joy we find in living the gospel. President and Sister Schmitt teach succinctly and hopefully our music is beautiful and also bears testimony. That is our goal. Each month missionaries audition to perform the special numbers. Probably my biggest challenge will be to handle those auditions with kindness, always teaching the value of beautiful music in conveying the spirit.
To the left is our ward Relief Society President who happens to be the wife of our bishop, serving home made root beer to go with our ice cream at Ye Olde Root Beer Stand at the ward square dance party complete with homemade stick horses for the kids. Fun time.
Sarah and family came on their spring break. We are standing right by the Midway aircraft carrier with a Princess cruise ship in the background. The Midway tour was very impressive. Come for a visit - our neighbor can give you an "inside" tour!
The Quist and Michael Richardson families also came. Just as with the Browns we visited the Midway and the Mormon Battalion Visitors Center and enjoyed late lunch at a great Mexican Restaurant in Old Town. Come and find out for yourself what a great place it is. After the "serious" stuff the kids played in the pool and at pool, both located in our luxurious RV Park.
On a rare free Sunday afternoon we enjoyed a concert at the Spreckles Organ Pavillion in Balboa Park. This is the largest outdoor organ in the United States and concerts are given every Sunday afternoon rain or shine.
Yes, it has been three months since we left home to embark on this new adventure. Each day gives us more opportunity to seek and teach the truths of the gospel. It is good to be fully engaged in serving others.
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