Yes, Transfers Again Already

Transfers!  We didn’t get transferred.  Whew!

We were so happy to see six of our Sisters again who had been gone for 3 months.  We missed them!  But two more went out.  At least they are not too far and we hope they bring some of the people they are teaching to the Battalion.  When we are on shift, of course.

We didn’t get any new Battalion Sisters, but the mission got 14 new missionaries.  I took them all on tour while all of the Battalion Sisters were in transfer meeting finding out who their new companions would be and what areas they will be serving in.  The new missionary group I took on tour was a little quieter than normal.  I think they were exhausted.  There were four Sisters and ten Elders.  The printer on our old-timey camera is out of order.  Too bad.  I like them to have a picture of themselves on their first full day in the mission.

I always give my phone to one of the Assistants to the President so I can have the transfer pictures.  This time I gave it to him a little earlier than usual.  I saw him snapping pictures all around so I told him to make me some memories.  He did!  He took amusing pictures and videoed how long it took for all of the Battalion Sisters and seniors to assemble on the steps.  Two minutes and 57 seconds.  He also took a selfie that I think is priceless.

Sister Huang got home safe and sound.  Sister Teanoa had a few crazy twists and turns, but finally got home after 40 hours.  Whew!

We knew Sister Anderson would be going full pross and we wanted to have dinner with her and Sister Dunaway.  We went to a Peruvian/Brazilian place in their area.  Pretty good!  And great company.

We have two new senior couples now serving at the Battalion.  I have only met one of the couples when they came in to get their box of costumes.  We look forward to meeting the other couple and getting to know them all.  The Millers headed home to Arizona on Saturday.  They had invited their neighbor to come and take a tour for the last 18 months. About a half hour before they were done with their last shift, the neighbor came!  Sister Miller took the tour and it was a very happy ending for her mission service. 

Group hug to say good-bye to Sister Miller

This week we went to Balboa Park and of course to the beach!

Sisters Going Home, plus a magnificent sunset

Transfers are next week.  We feel very blessed that there have been relatively few Sisters coming and going on our mission.  There will be a LOT coming and going in the few months after we go home.  We feel so fortunate that we have been able to be with these Sisters for a long time and have gotten to know them so well.

Next week Sister Teanoa goes home to Kiribati and Sister Huang goes home to Taiwan.  We will miss them both so much and wonder if the Battalion can go on without them.  We wonder that every time one of our Sisters must go home.  Both of these Sisters are always willing to take tours and do whatever needs to be done.  And they are cheerful in doing it.

We were lucky enough to have dinner with Sister Teanoa and her companion Sister Larson. 

Sunday morning is our last shift before Tuesday transfers since we work at the temple grounds on Mondays.  We were lucky enough to work with Sister Huang on that last shift.  We did actually see her one more time.  She gave a talk in the Mandarin group and wanted us to come, even though she  spoke in Mandarin and we didn’t understand a word.  Sister Wong from Hong Kong translated for us.  It was a great talk!  And a sweet group.

There is always a farewell meeting at the Battalion for the departing Sisters.  One of the senior couples, the Millers, is leaving a few days after transfers, so they were included.  Sister Miller sang a song she wrote and each of the departing missionaries bore their testimonies.  Then all of the Sisters sang a song to the Millers.  As a finale, Sister Teanoa did a dance from the Islands.  Very cool!  It was a very sweet meeting.  Lots of hugs and tears.

The other night at the beach was one of the most stunning sunsets ever.  And that is saying something because I take pictures of the sunset at the beach every single time I see one!

Our time here is counting down.  We have less than two months left.  The Sisters love to ask, or tell, us to extend our time.  As much as we love them, we cannot.  One Sister keeps asking.  Finally Elder Robinson told her it would take an angelic visitation for us to extend. So last night when we went in the small break room in the back, this is what we found. 

Unfortunately, we still won’t be extending, but what a sweet thing!

Glimpses of Last Week

Here are some events from our week.

The Battalion is open all day, every day of the year.  Over a week ago we realized the window in the Outfitting room was cracked.  Incredible that no one knows what happened!  My guess is that someone hit it with the musket, but that is only a guess.  This means the window had to be sent out for new glass.  Too bad that window is part of the script!  It was rather embarrassing to pretend to be opening an imaginary window, and then close it again when it starts raining in the video.  Ah well.  It is back now. 

I had to take a picture of two pioneers helping to push a car down the street.  Our Sisters saw a need and ran to help, even in their costumes.  They are very good at service!

Elder Robinson gives a lot of advice. 

We finally took the Old Town Trolley Tour after being here for 10 months.  It was really informative and fun.  We hopped off at the Hotel Del Coronado and Balboa Park.  It was great.

This is the beautiful beach behind the Hotel Del

A bakery opened nearby that started in Taiwan.  Many, many Asians love to go there.  You can get pastries yourself or there are large cases where you can order cakes and desserts.  We have been there several times.  We decided to go there after our shift last night so we could bring in some Asian treats for the Asian Sisters we work with on Sunday morning.  We got there at 9:30 p.m. and it was packed!  Most of their pastries were gone, but we managed to get some and stand in a long, long check-out line.  By the time we left, there was a HUGE line of people waiting to get in!  They had to limit how many people could come in because it was so crowded in there.  We enjoyed the pastries this morning with Sister Wong (from Hong Kong) and Sister Chung (from Taiwan).

First, pick up a tray, a tray paper and some tongs.

Second, wade through all the people to find something, or lots of things, that look delicious.

Just know that at 9:30 at night, there isn't the selection like earlier in the day.

How beautiful are these?

Stand in a long, long line to pay.  Then feel sorry for the long, long line of people waiting to get in.

My cousin Becky and her husband Kevin take a “wintermission” every winter to some place a little warmer than Utah.  They came to San Diego and we got to see them!  They went to church with the Goeringers, another senior couple they are friends with from home, and then came to the Battalion.  I gave them the first part of the tour, and when I was called away, Craig gave them the rest of the tour.  It was such fun to see them again!

This week Elder Dallin H. Oaks, one of the Twelve Apostles, came in to the Battalion.  They didn't have time to go through the whole tour, but they got a quick walk-through and several of the Sisters were able to meet him.  Such a great experience!  We wish we had been on shift to meet him, too.
 

It has been raining a little today.  We will take it!  Prayers answered.

Today in Sacrament meeting we sustained a third counselor to our Bishop.  The third counselor was the Group Leader of the new Mandarin unit.  Our Mandarin Sisters are so happy and we consider this a miracle.