March was a Good Month!

Wow!  Time's flying by quickly.  I was told that it would, and I'm amazed that almost two months have gone.  It is a blessing to be busy and involved with the lives of so many wonderful brother's and sister's. 

It's been so good to study and think about the blessings of the atonement this past few weeks!  I'm  amazed that the Savior was strong and valiant in doing what he needed to do for us.  When I think of the mortal man he was, and the pain, anxiety, and suffering he felt I realize that only He could have accomplished that assignment. 

We had the opportunity of helping with the dinner for the YW before their conference address.  It was a blessing to hear Pres. Uckdorf give his talk.  He talked about the fact that everyone we meet in this life knew of the Savior, and what he was going to do for us.  We were ALL there and cheered for Him because of his love and willingness to fulfill His calling.  We wanted to follow him and knew that would be our goal in this life.  How blessed we are to have some understanding of that pre-mortal life!  He didn't send us here to struggle back to Him with no help, but has given us the scriptures, the prophets, and mortal & spiritual angels to guide us.  Yet, also, he has restored the gospel to us.  The same gospel He established when He was here!  I am in "awe" that I have been given so much!


Marjean invited the Lucero's and Mancil's over for Easter dinner.  The three of us had fun making all the preparations together.  Bro. & Sis. Mancil are such a cute couple!  She is the former RS Pres. and has been so helpful to us when we have questions about people we're going to visit.  They took us, and the Elders from the Chinese Ward out to lunch last week  We were all feeling bad for the new Elder in that ward, as he speaks no Chinese at all.  His companion does, but he has felt so lost!  The Mancil's decided they needed to take him out for a "giant" hamburger!

Sis. Mancil was born and raised in Mississippi, and Bro. Mancil somewhere else in the south.  I just love their southern drawl.  It's not so thick you can't understand, but very fun.  They are so "down to earth".  They are caretakers for everyone, and have such cute personalities!  I asked Bro. Mancil a few days ago if he could tell me of a local mechanic that could fix, what I thought was a anti-lock brake problem.  He told me to go to the parts store and they would run a free test for me.  Then he said he'd fix it for me.  I objected, but followed his advice about the parts store.  When I got there, they told me there isn't anything wrong at all!  Much different news than what I got when I was in Salt Lake City, and have been fretting about.  I'm so thankful Bro. Mancil guided me that way!

Easter was a little hard for me as I was homesick.  I spent time thinking about being with my sweet friends and family.  You have all touched my life in so many ways.  Your influence, example, and love have helped me become the person I am right now.  I love you and feel grateful for all you are to me!

Elder Degn and Elder Larson are the young Elders serving in our ward.  We've had so much fun "getting to know" them....kinda adopted them a little!  We've bought lunch for them a few times when they were our riding on their bikes, and taken them cookies.  Elder Degn is being transferred tomorrow and we'll miss him.  They have both been such good and hard working young men.  They've helped me picture what it was like for Shaun when he served in Rio, and what it will be like for Brandon & Cody when they gone on their missions.

Elder and Sister Allen are our home teachers and district advisers.  They have been so attentive to us about getting started in our area, and are consistent in visiting and checking on us. We love and appreciate them already!

Jay and Victoria Smith are the parents of Savannah.  They had to do surgery on her last Weds.  She was in an incubator for so long that it damaged her trachea.  They've been hoping it would fix itself, but it didn't.  We spent all day Weds. in the hospital with her parents.  They are such a sweet couple!  Savannah had to be put into an induced coma for 7 days!  That was so hard on her parents, but I guess she needed to be kept very still while the surgery heals.  We are loving this family so much and hopeful they will accept the gospel someday.  Victoria introduced us to two of her friends that visited the hospital.  She said, "These are the sisters from my church!"  Yeah...a good sign!

                              

                                         

Teresa and Ramon Alarcon are s sweet couple we've met.  They both have Alzheimers but hers is more advanced than his.  They are living with their daughter and her family.  We took Sister Alarcon for a walk in her wheelchair this week.  It was a good day.  She knew he was her husband, and she pointed out her home which is in the same neighborhood.  Other days aren't so good!  They have had a very interesting life.  They are from Chili, and he has served in the Embassy for his country for years.  He spent a lot of time in Washington DC, and has told us about the Inaugural Balls they attended.  I can easily picture them in elegant attire and dancing together.  They have enjoyed traveling a lot together.  He is very loving and tender toward her!

I'm enjoying the colorful touches of Spring here right now.  I thought this tree was so interesting!  I've never seen a tree with blooms on it's trunk!  Also many of the neighborhood roads have full grown trees that arch over them.  There's lots of beauty here...