Project 365 X 3

8.21.11

2011-08-21T21:12:00.000-07:00

Today was Stake Conference in Ukiah. Hailey joined us. It was a great meeting. But mostly it was important to visit and hug and strengthen Elder Weiland. His father passed away completely unexpectedly Friday night. He has been blessed with amazing experiences since then, but I am sure he will have a tough road for awhile. I was grateful to be able to spend some time with him after the meeting! We love him dearly and pray for him and his family at this time.

8.20.11

2011-08-20T21:13:00.000-07:00

Today we went to Alyssa and Josh Ogle's sealing in the Oakland Temple. It was so great to be there with them. Hailey was also there doing baptisms so we took her home with us and enjoyed the day together. We are blessed.

6.1.11

2011-06-01T21:45:00.000-07:00

Chelsea Brown, Nate Kitchen and Hailey have been enjoying their new found freedom, being out of school for the summer! It was fun to have them over to our house for a change!

5.31.11

2011-05-31T21:48:00.000-07:00

A few important things today:

1- birth of Baby Kate Lucille Johnson, daughter of Dave and Jennifer Johnson (picture to follow).

2- 65th anniversary of Alden and Carma Stewart.

3- what a girl (Hailey) won't do to keep her insides moving.

5.30.11

2011-05-30T21:56:00.000-07:00

Dinner and Memorial Day Party with these great families, the Satterfield's and the Hardisty's! Thank you for such a fun evening filled with great food, many laughs and a fun, fun time!

5.29.11

2011-05-29T22:01:00.000-07:00

We are really enjoying a visit from my mother Carma Stewart. She is 83 years old and braved the airport alone to fly out and make sure we were all doing o.k. She is in amazingly great shape. We are so blessed to still have her with us!

5.28.11

2011-05-28T22:06:00.000-07:00

Hailey is spending the weekend with Chelsea Brown and Marissa Eaquinto. They went to Chelsea's father's ranch/paradise in Browns Valley, about 1 1/2 hours outside of Sacramento. No cell service, but internet. Interesting for a few teenagers, huh. I think she is having a great time! Can anyone say paintball?

5.27.11

2011-05-27T22:07:00.000-07:00

Last day of school, sophomore year, for Hailey Bunker! Woo woo!!!

Also, Zone Leader Council Meeting today. We love these great missionaries!

Day 53

2010-08-22T08:34:00.000-07:00

I'm a little sad to say I need to stop trying to write on this blog everyday. I hope I can start again in a few months, but we'll see. For all future updates, news and photos from the California Santa Rosa Mission look at http://santarosacru.blogspot.com.

Day 52

2010-08-21T19:34:00.001-07:00

Today we had an amazing experience! We were able to gather in San Rafael (the whole mission) with Elder Robert Packer and Elder Shane Bowen of the Seventy. There was such a great feeling sitting in the chapel with all of our missionaries gathered together. It was like a dream come true for me. I have often wondered how it would be to see everyone, all together, at one time. I wasn't let down. These Elders and Sisters have great power! We sure do love them, with all our hearts!

We were taught and reminded of many important principles that will help us stretch ourselves and become even better and more effective missionaries! I love this work we are involved in. My life is truly being blessed. The gospel of Jesus Christ is true! We want to share it with everyone we meet. We know it will bless their lives as it has blessed our own. May we repent and change and be exactly obedient so that Heaven may bless us with the miracles we desire!

Pictures of each zone are on the other blog: http://santarosacru.blogspot.com/.

Day 51

2010-08-20T19:29:00.000-07:00

Hailey is officially behind the wheel now. She has her driver's permit.
Consider yourself warned! (just kidding!)
She is really a great driver and I feel lucky to have her is taking me all over Santa Rosa.
We are a good team!

Day 50

2010-08-19T19:25:00.000-07:00

Do you SEE what I SEE? The leaves are changing colors! It has been happening for about two weeks now. Isn't it a little early? I have only harvested two red tomatoes this year. Is fall going to come too soon and am I going to get jipped out of all those yummy tomatoes I've been babying for months?

Day 49

2010-08-18T19:22:00.000-07:00

The prettiest pink flowers are in bloom right now. I just had to take a picture of them and share! Santa Rosa is a gorgeous place to live!

Day 48

2010-08-17T17:33:00.000-07:00

This morning Hailey returned to Seminary and Maria Carrillo High School as a sophomore! CRAZY! Is summer really over?

This evening we had dinner with the seven missionaries that will be returning home tomorrow! These are some awesome missionaries! They will be missed! I can't say it more clearly than that. We love each of them with all our hearts!!! May God be with you!

Day 47

2010-08-16T17:28:00.000-07:00

Today we welcomed 12 new missionaries to the California Santa Rosa Mission. They were pretty wonderful...each one of them! I am so excited to see their growth over the next little while. We know they will be blessing the lives of the people here in northern California right away! Welcome! We are excited to have you!

Day 46

2010-08-15T17:15:00.000-07:00

This photo was taken in Vacaville. It is very representative of how all the hills are looking right now. Everything is dry and brown. This year, I know the incredible green that is coming, so I can be patient and let summer have its day.

Day 45

2010-08-14T14:38:00.000-07:00

Today was the baptism of Richard (Rich), in the Bennett Valley Ward. It was such a sweet service! I am always so grateful when I can attend a baptismal service, because the spirit is always felt so strongly and the joy of the participants is so evident! Congratulations Rich! We are so happy for you and your family today!

Day 44

2010-08-13T14:34:00.000-07:00

Elder Watts sent me this picture of the Sacramento Temple. I thought it was really beautiful! I hope you enjoy it!

He was attending the temple that day with Karen Seymour and Elder Sewell. Karen was baptized a little over a year ago and has now been through the temple. What a special day! Congratulations!

Day 43

2010-08-12T14:27:00.000-07:00

This is the lighthouse in Crescent City. This photo was given to me by Elder Hanover. Many, many missionaries have a similar version. It looks beautiful! I can't wait to see it in person one day!

Day 42

2010-08-11T14:22:00.000-07:00

Hailey is playing soccer again! She and I are very excited about it. I have missed watching soccer games over the past few years. Dance sort of took over our lives and I am excited to see her run and play and score on the soccer field this fall. Go FLAMES!

Day 41

2010-08-10T14:13:00.000-07:00

Today Sadie spent mostly with the Sisters serving in the Peterson Lane Ward.

This is Sister Lowder, Sister Gunnell and Sister Bunker. Sadie went to District meeting this morning and then went street contacting with the Sisters. She wore my missionary (flats) shoes with pass along cards in hand and took off walking. I was so proud of her. :) Afterwards they had an appointment and she was able to go to that lesson as well. All in all she had a wonderful day, got over a few fears, and realized again how hard missionaries work each day!

Day 40

2010-08-09T13:58:00.000-07:00

Look who's getting married...Jessie Skotland and Craig Rasmussen! CONGRATULATIONS! We are so happy for you both. May you have a wonderful life and eternity together! We love you!

Day 39

2010-08-08T13:53:00.000-07:00

Sadie and Megan have been here this past week. It is so nice to have them around! Megan leaves tomorrow night as Hailey arrives. We are pretty excited (to say the least) to have her back! I hope these sisters can always have this much fun together! It makes me happy. :)

Day 38

2010-08-07T12:40:00.000-07:00

Today we attended the Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa. I have never seen anything like it before. It is HUGE! I am used to the Lincoln County Fair in Afton, WY...it's a little (a lot) smaller and not so overwhelming. Next year I'm going to have to give it some respect and spend some hours there checking every thing out. We mostly had come to watch some horse racing. We were not disappointed! We were so inspired we came home and watched "Seabiscuit". It was a nice P-day with two of our daughters, Sadie and Megan.

By the way, have I said lately that the weather is perfect? A.ma.zing. We are loving this cool summer.

Day 37

2010-08-06T12:28:00.000-07:00

Elder "Kentucky" Samuel Taylor departed the mission field this morning. We will miss him, his powerful testimony and his incredible work ethic a lot! We wish him every happiness and Heavenly Father's blessings throughout his life. He will be a great force for good I am sure. We love you!

Day 36

2010-08-05T12:20:00.000-07:00

These were our Birthday Elders and Sisters in Rohnert Park today. From left to right: Elder Ward, Sister Anderson, Sister Tonumaipe'a, Elder Robinson, Elder Jones (his birthday is today!), Elder Webber, Elder Wright, Elder Henry, Elder Knowles, Elder Coburn, Elder Berry, Elder Manciati and Elder Snow. We wish you all a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY! We love you!

Day 35

2010-08-04T12:14:00.000-07:00

Wishing a Happy Birthday to our Elders and Sister in Ukiah. From left to right: Elder Gregory, Elder Packard, Elder Elkins, Elder Brady, Elder Menasco, Elder Vigil and Sister Stebar. HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to each of you! We love you!!!

Day 34

2010-08-03T12:05:00.000-07:00

These were our birthday Elders and Sister out in Fairfield today. We were celebrating anyone who is having a birthday from today until October 5th...HAPPY BIRTHDAY! We love you!

From left to right: Elder Cox, Elder Marlor, Elder Bosch-bello, Elder Trey Williams and Sister Nestman.

Day 33

2010-08-02T12:02:00.000-07:00

Look who is getting married! Laura Mecham and Robert Collard. We are so excited for them! CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Day 32

2010-08-01T13:00:00.000-07:00

This evening was the baptism of James by his son J. P.. The smiles on their faces say it all! Elder Marsh and Elder McCoig were very happy too. It was a very sweet baptism. James is a wonderful man, the spirit was so strong and the Brush Creek Ward is so excited for him tonight! I was very blessed to be able to be there this evening! Welcome James, we are so happy for you!!!

A family picture: J.P., James and Dianne.

Day 31

2010-07-31T15:51:00.000-07:00

In this photo are Elder Nielsen, Charlotte, Nicole and Elder Abbott. Today Nicole and Charlotte were baptized. This was such a beautiful baptismal service. These new Sisters are already very loved by their new ward family. The young women in the Bennett Valley ward sang a beautiful and sweet musical number and the spirit was so strongly felt as they were baptized. We are so happy for them! Congratulations!

In this bottom picture it is hard to tell who is happier; the missionaries or the newly baptized. I think it is a toss up. These missionaries are doing the greatest work in the world right now, and it is written all over their faces!

Day 30

2010-07-30T15:47:00.000-07:00

Tod and our dear friend Ian Foulke are visiting this weekend. We are enjoying them immensely! If Ian didn't have such wonderful parents of his own, I think we may have tried to adopt him! Thanks for coming to visit!

Day 29

2010-07-29T19:26:00.000-07:00

Day 3 of this weeks training! Today we met with the San Rafael, Napa and Vallejo Zones. President and I are happy to say we survived this week. We are praying the missionaries are internalizing the principles taught. There has been a sweet spirit with us all three days. I know how much Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love their missionaries! It has been burned into my soul on several occasions (including each of the past three days). I am grateful for the power of the spirit to teach me. We are so blessed to be able to serve with them!

On a side note: I have never spent so much time at Costco, loading and unloading and loading up again my car and refrigerators with food and snacks. But can I just say, I am so thankful for Costco! Definitely a tender mercy from the Lord in my life this week. How did we survive before that store came along? All I had to do was wash the fruit and set out all the food on the serving table. No cooking involved...thank you Father.

Day 28

2010-07-28T19:23:00.000-07:00

Today we had the same training meeting (8-5) with our Santa Rosa, Ukiah and Eureka Zones. Even though President is teaching the same curriculum, the days are a little different. The comments and discussions are always a little different. It keeps things interesting for President and I. (do you know, if you click on this picture it will get bigger and you can see everyone a little clearer?)

Day 27

2010-07-27T19:20:00.000-07:00

Today we had an awesome training meeting (8-5) with our Fairfield, Vacaville and Woodland Zones. I absolutely love spending time with our wonderful missionaries!

Day 26

2010-07-26T21:33:00.000-07:00

Tonight we had our farewell dinner for Elder Roger Garcia (West Jordan, UT). He will be returning home on Wednesday. Elder Garcia is a happy soul with a great love for his Savior and the Atonement. He has loved the people living here in California and we love him and appreciate all he has done while he has served as a full time missionary. May Heavenly Father's choicest blessings be upon him as he returns home!

We also had a few more missionaries over so Elder Garcia wouldn't get lonely for some companions! Elder Vigil, Elder Marsh, Elder Garcia, President, Elder Fras, and Elder Frey in the front. We had a nice evening together. What wonderful Elders!

Day 25

2010-07-25T21:29:00.000-07:00

This week we received two wedding announcements from three of our recently returned Santa Rosa missionaries :). We are so excited for them! CONGRATULATIONS!

Kaylee Beddes and Roby McNeel

Danielle Brown and Matthew Pyles

Day 24

2010-07-24T22:43:00.000-07:00

A view of the bridge from the top. Boy, is it windy out there! I never tire of seeing the Golden Gate Bridge and the city of San Francisco. We are lucky to be so close.

Day 23

2010-07-23T22:40:00.000-07:00

Today some photos from Castello di Amorosa in Callistoga. It is a fun tour even if we didn't taste any wine. :)

A little look at how the grapes are coming along!

A view out towards St. Helena and the Napa Valley.

Day 22

2010-07-22T22:34:00.000-07:00

Today we welcomed Elder Dodson (Oregon), to the California Santa Rosa Mission. Megan, my companion, and I greeted him at the airport. I wonder what he was thinking when he was picked up by an old sister and a young one. :) We are excited to have Elder Dodson here serving with us. He is Spanish speaking and eager to work hard!

Elder Epps and Elder Pratt are his new companions. Welcome to Santa Rosa!

Day 21

2010-07-21T22:31:00.000-07:00

Today I introduced Megan to some redwood trees. She was quite impressed! We enjoyed a nice hike!

Day 20

2010-07-20T18:50:00.000-07:00

Today President did some interviews. Someone could do more with my camera than I can. I love some of these pictures. Enjoy!

Elder Larsen, shutting his eyes for a minute!

Elder Epps and Elder Wisniewski.

Elder Pratt.

Elder McArthur.

Elder Reed.

Elder Vigil and Elder Morrison.

Elder McCoig. (such a nice missionary, not sure about the cross eyebrows)

Elder Marsh. (another great missionary, where is your beautiful smile?)

Happy Tuesday!

Day 19

2010-07-19T18:39:00.000-07:00

Today a pretty foggy coastline at Point Reyes.

We can finally say we have seen the lighthouse at Point Reyes. I would say it was worth the drive. Something about the ocean is very settling to the soul. Luckily it wasn't TOO windy or TOO cold. I'm sure that helped!

Day 18

2010-07-18T18:34:00.000-07:00

Today I wanted to share a couple of pictures of some flowers that totally caught my eye! So cheerful and bright!

Day 17

2010-07-17T18:26:00.000-07:00

Today Norm was baptized! Originally he was found while tracting. (I can hear President in my head saying, "Tracting WORKS!") He has been taught by missionaries since 2007. Many had a hand in preparing him for baptism. Congratulations Brother Ross! We are so excited for you today. God bless you. (Bro. Ross is on the right.)

Thank you Elder Abbott for sending me a picture!

Day 16

2010-07-16T18:19:00.000-07:00

Today I am sharing pictures of our children that are visiting. We are enjoying some quality time together. :) We only see Tod for a couple of days at a time, so we try to make every minute count while he is here.

Waiting to eat a little sushi for dinner.

Waiting to get a little ice cream after dinner.

Catching a couple hours on the golf course.

Checking out Dillon Beach. We sure love our children!

Day 15

2010-07-15T15:05:00.000-07:00

Today was our final day of Zone Conferences! It was a beautiful day! We are blessed to have such wonderful missionaries serving with us!

The Vacaville Zone!

The Fairfield Zone!

The Woodland Zone!

Day 14

2010-07-14T14:22:00.000-07:00

Today we had Zone Conference in Napa. It was sweet to be together again! We have the greatest missionaries in the world serving in the California Santa Rosa Mission!

The San Rafael Zone!

The Napa Zone!

The Vallejo Zone!

Day 13

2010-07-13T21:54:00.000-07:00

Today we had Zone Conference. Any day I spend with the missionaries is a great day! It was wonderful to learn and share together today!

The Santa Rosa Zone!

The Eureka Zone!

The Ukiah Zone!

Day 12

2010-07-12T21:45:00.000-07:00

This is Rena Hurd. She finished her two week mini-mission today. She is from Middletown, CA. She was such a wonderful missionary. She had three different companions during her two weeks. For her first week she was serving with Sister Franklin and Sister Tuifua. The second week Sister Tonumaipe'a joined Sister Tuifua and Sister Hurd. They have served in the Rohnert Park 3rd Ward. Thank you Sister Hurd for your wonderful service! We love you!

Day 11

2010-07-11T21:41:00.000-07:00

I thought I would share this picture today of these missionaries that served together in Rohnert Park last transfer. I love these Elders. They are awesome missionaries! Don't let their "hard" looks fool you...they are big teddy bears!

Day 10

2010-07-10T14:27:00.000-07:00

I have been enjoying these beautiful trees in Santa Rosa. They remind me of something that should grow in the tropics. The white flowers on the trees are large and beautiful. How do tropical things grow amongst the evergreens?

Day 9

2010-07-09T14:14:00.000-07:00

Today President interviewed in Vallejo. I sent my camera along. I got some crazy pictures in return. They have just remodeled this old building. They took some great pictures of the chapel. I think it looks very pretty. I hope you enjoy these!

I cannot tell who this is...but it was a pretty cool picture so I included it! ELDER AMES.

I believe this is Elder Jones doing a flip...holy cow...

Day 8

2010-07-08T14:04:00.000-07:00

This is what the sky in Santa Rosa looks like every morning during the months of July, August and some of September. It is overcast until @11. Then it warms up pretty nicely every afternoon. All of May and June the skies are blue and sunny as the alarm clock goes off, but come July, there is a change. Sister Mac tried to explain it to me before she left. She told me that the people in Ft. Bragg said that as the temperatures rise in the east (toward Sacramento) it sucked the marine layer further and further east. So, if that makes sense to you...there you go. Some day I will goggle it and try to understand it myself!

Day 7

2010-07-07T18:15:00.001-07:00

They're back! These plants are blooming all over town right now. They are big and beautiful and cheerful!

Day 6

2010-07-06T18:06:00.000-07:00

Tonight we had dinner with fifteen departing missionaries! Fifteen! Yes, we love them and we will miss them here in the mission field. BUT, we are very excited for them to return home and be reunited with their families after their years of full time service. They have been wonderful, inspiring missionaries!! May God's richest blessings be upon them as they return to life as civilians. :) Much love!

Day 5

2010-07-05T17:51:00.000-07:00

Today we picked up fourteen new missionaries at the Oakland Airport. We are so excited to have them and it sounds like they are pretty excited to be here as well! If you could only hear their comments and questions as we drive from Oakland to Santa Rosa you would understand what I mean. This is such a long day for them. They are up between four and five am, and they don't get to their places to rest until eight pm. They were pretty weary. The best part of the day for them though was the 2 1/2 hours they spent teaching or tracting or contacting people. At Elder Braegger's first door, he was told by the man who opened the door that he hated Mormons and he better get off his property before he called the police. I don't think it could get much worse than that. It's got to be all up from there! :). Ahh...your first day in the mission field with real people.

Day 4

2010-07-04T23:25:00.001-07:00

The Elders serving in Shiloh Park gave President and I this Happy 4th of July card. I thought it was pretty cute, so I thought I would share it! Elder Harrison is celebrating his 1st Fourth of July. He is from New Zealand. :)

I actually loved celebrating the Fourth of July on Fast Sunday! It was a very spiritual and sacred day pondering the gift and blessing it is to be able to live in America and enjoy the freedoms that we do. It has been a wonderful day. Hope you have all enjoyed it!

Day 3

2010-07-03T23:21:00.000-07:00

Today I got to go to the baptism of Daniel. He was the man that I was able to go with the Sisters in Rohnert Park to teach a couple of weeks ago. It was a beautiful service, and I am so grateful I was able to meet Daniel and his family. They are wonderful people! Congratulations!

Day 2

2010-07-02T23:17:00.000-07:00

Tonight we got to have Elder Brady, Elder Bevan, Elder Menasco and Elder Marsh over for dinner. It was the first time in a YEAR that the President was able to join us for dinner when I have invited the missionaries serving in Santa Rosa. It was fun to be with them, enjoy some food and some inspired thoughts together!

Day 1 X 2

2010-07-01T22:55:00.000-07:00

Today we went to the Oakland Temple with Elder Menasco's district. It was a gorgeous day on the outside of the temple, and a wonderful day on the inside of the temple. We felt very blessed to be there on our one year anniversary!

These are all of our senior couples! We sure do love and appreciate all they do for us and the California Santa Rosa Mission! We sure wish we could get some more couples assigned to us!

As we were taking pictures more and more of our missionaries kept showing up. It was so wonderful to be in the temple with so many! Somehow we missed our missionaries from Ukiah. Sorry!

After our session we found still more coming! The Shiloh Park elders had brought their recently baptized convert (she was baptized yesterday!) to do baptisms for the dead at the temple. That is exciting! This was a wonderful day.

Then this evening we got to have Mark and Gloria Dobberfuhl (Barron, Wisconsin) over for dinner before they depart later this month! We had such a wonderful visit. These are extra-ordinary people! We love them and we will miss them so much when they leave. They have been with us, in the office, since we got here, and they have helped us so much! They are planning to go out for another year as soon as they can get their papers submitted after they arrive home. They spent their first year proselyting, their second year working in the office, and now I wonder what their third year will bring. They inspire me!

Day 365

2010-06-30T20:25:00.001-07:00

This is President's phone. One year ago tonight, it started ringing for him. We have made it through our first 365 days! Tomorrow we will celebrate (sort of). :) We are thankful to be here!

Day 364

2010-06-29T20:14:00.000-07:00

Today I went to District Meeting with Elder Jonathan Norton's district. That district includes the Healdsburg Elders, the Shiloh Park Elders and the Santa Rosa Spanish Elders. It was a great meeting. I was glad I was able to be with them!

Afterward, Sister Giraldo requested a picture of the entire zone before she departs. So here is the Santa Rosa Zone! These are wonderful missionaries!!

Tonight we had dinner with some of our Elders. I forgot to take a picture. :( We had Elder Abbott, Elder Nielsen, Elder Fras and Elder Pratt. They committed me to pray for a missionary experience, bear my testimony and give away two pass along cards within the week. They are good at what they do! (working with members and missionary work)

Day 363

2010-06-28T20:11:00.000-07:00

I have been collecting photos from our departing missionaries for a dvd. This one made me laugh out loud. Elder Brandon Jensen, "bad hair cut - Crescent City!"

Day 362

2010-06-27T20:14:00.000-07:00

These are our fabulous missionaries serving in the Eureka zone. We had a wonderful Stake Conference with them this weekend. They serve among wonderful people living in the Eureka stake. We were blessed to be with them this weekend!

Day 361

2010-06-26T20:03:00.000-07:00

Today we drove to Eureka for Stake Conference. As we started heading north on the 101 out of Santa Rosa, we noticed the hills have really turned brown. The further north we went the more green things turned again. It was 30 degrees cooler in McKinleyville. Sister LaMar shared these photos with me of homes in Eureka. I thought they were perfect for todays post!

Day 360

2010-06-25T19:57:00.000-07:00

Today was our Zone Leader Council meeting. We met at the Yulupa chapel and the sun was shining, so I took them outside for their pictures! They are great leaders in our mission! We are so grateful for all they do for all of our missionaries and each other!

Day 359

2010-06-24T19:50:00.000-07:00

Bishop Freebairn sent President this photo of these missionaries after hours of service for one of his ward members. Thought I should pass it along! Standing: Elder's Morrison, Swapp Tenney, Bisnett and Harrison. Kneeling: Elder Cox, Sister Giraldo and Sister Lowder.

Day 358

2010-06-23T19:05:00.000-07:00

This is what a sunset looks like in Ft. Bragg. It takes my breath away!
photo courtesy of Sister McIntyre.

Day 357

2010-06-22T18:13:00.000-07:00

I have a LOT of pictures to share today!

I visited Sister Bytheway and Sister Green's apartment in Davis this morning! I liked Davis. I got to see a little more of the town, not just the chapel today. That was nice. :)

Then I went to District Meeting with this wonderful district. I like attending this meeting. I get to hear a little about their top investigators, and the missionaries are very specific about things we can pray for them about. Then we learned more about recognizing and teaching others to recognize the Spirit. And of course, Teaching With The Spirit! It was a good meeting. These are good missionaries!

Afterwards, I took all of the Sisters serving in Woodland to lunch. We had business to discuss! We are updating the suggested wardrobe for future Sister Missionaries. I was grateful for their input...and the food was YUMMY!

Next, I drove to Woodland and saw Sister Haslam and Sister Wardell's house. It is so cute! These Sisters take very good care of their homes! I was impressed with all four that I saw today!

Then I got to see Sister Beardsley and Sister T's apartment. I had such a good feeling with each of these companionship's. They are all working hard and they are happy because of it!

Tonight I got to go to a lesson with Sister Tuifua and Sister Franklin in Rohnert Park. We visited Daniel and his family. They were wonderful people! I loved being able to meet them and share a little of the gospel plan with them. When we returned to their apartment, I went inside and checked it out. Immaculate!

Sister Tuifua had to jump in her bed and show me her beautiful Tonga blanket! These Sisters are so awesome! I had a great night!

As we went outside for me to leave, the Elders in Rohnert Park came home. We walked over and visited with Elder Jensen and Elder Taylor, and Elder Harper and Elder Tanner. I almost got them to let me see their apartments with no warning. (Actually I think the Spanish Elders were prepared) Elder Jensen was quite sure he didn't want me stepping a foot inside his door. Do you think my experience will be any different when I am looking at my Elders abodes vs. my Sisters? Hmmm.

Day 356

2010-06-21T18:02:00.000-07:00

Today we said good-bye to Elder Christian Wunderli (Holladay, UT). Elder Wunderli's heart is just about as pure as his eyes are blue. He has been such a great missionary! We love him and we will miss him very much! We pray he can get home and get healthy again, and we thank him for the diligence and hard work and love he shared while he was serving here in the California Santa Rosa Mission with us! He made a difference for "his people", I know! We love you!

These are the Elders that were making changes from one companionship to another Monday morning. They look so good, even on their Preparation Day!

Day 355

2010-06-20T08:51:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day to every father who reads this! Father's are so important in the lives of their children. I know I have been blessed to have a loving earthly Father, and because of that blessing it makes it easy for me to relate to my loving Heavenly Father. Thanks to all the Dad's out there that Love, and Protect, and Provide, and Nurture, and Counsel with their children. The father's I am related to amaze me! Thanks for being great examples to all of your children!

Day 354

2010-06-19T20:56:00.000-07:00

Today President and I had a fun golfing date! Since Tod wasn't able to come to town after all, I talked the President into keeping his tee time and we spent a couple hours on the golf course. It was a beautiful day and he even found some of his old game again!

I was loving the baby deers with all of the spots on their backs! They still amaze me.

Day 353

2010-06-18T20:44:00.000-07:00

Today Elder David Forsgren (Brigham City, UT) returned home!

AND, Elder Joshua Ogle (Castle Rock, CO) returned home!

These are two of our wonderful Spanish Elders! We will miss them very much! We got to have them over to dinner last night with Elder Nielsen and Elder Eccles.

It is getting harder and harder to see our missionaries leave! We pray for these two wonderful "MEN"! May Father in Heaven's greatest blessings be upon them! We love you! Happy trails!!!

Day 352

2010-06-17T22:23:00.000-07:00

Can I hear it for the LAKERS? It will be fun to hear President go after the Laker haters in the mission. We are happy tonight! :)

Day 351

2010-06-16T22:50:00.000-07:00

My first green tomato! Can you see it?

Day 350

2010-06-15T22:47:00.000-07:00

Just an update on what the vineyards are looking like. I don't see the grapes yet...but I'm pretty blind!

Day 249

2010-06-14T19:57:00.000-07:00

A facelift for the office bulletin board. Pictures from recent Zone Conferences!

Day 348

2010-06-13T22:45:00.000-07:00

This is the red, round barn at Fountaingrove, in Santa Rosa. Thought you might like to see it.

Day 347

2010-06-12T20:22:00.001-07:00

Yes! This is President Bunker on his bike! Today, he rode it everywhere he went around Santa Rosa until about 2 pm. He chose the hottest day of the year to be a biker, but he is a warrior! He did it! And I think he looks pretty good on his bike! :)

Day 346

2010-06-11T20:15:00.000-07:00

This morning I went to my first mission office staff meeting. I love the missionaries we have serving in our office. They are wonderful people! I meant to take a picture of the group, but they were all in separate offices by the time I remembered. So, since Sister Lowder, Elder Ogle and Elder Pratt were waiting as I was walking out, I decided to grab a photo of them! Sister Giraldo was having her departing interview as this picture was taken...then it was Elder Ogle's turn. These are all incredible missionaries! We are blessed!

Day 345

2010-06-10T20:08:00.000-07:00

Today I pretty much spent my day at my desk. Catching up! Papers were stacked high, emails needed to be written and responded to, notes needed to be written and mailed, buildings needed to be scheduled, phone calls needed to be made, lists needed to be checked off...it went on and on. It feels pretty good though, to make a dent in all of this! Here's to a cleaning up day! :)

Day 344

2010-06-09T19:56:00.000-07:00

Today we had our Leadership Training Meeting. It was great! The training was wonderful. Great things are happening/changing in the California Santa Rosa Mission. We have the best missionaries in the world serving right here with us!

Day 343

2010-06-08T19:45:00.000-07:00

Today I felt a need to introduce Sadie to the Redwoods. So, after some good cardio exercising this morning, we headed for Armstrong Grove (for a hike/walk). It was a beautiful, warm day. This is what we found...

The chipmunk was almost as exciting as the Captain Lance Armstrong tree.

Day 342

2010-06-07T19:42:00.000-07:00

Today Sadie and I did a little exploring of the area! These are some pictures of the Russian River. When Hailey comes back, we may need her to guide us down the river in some kayaks! :)

Day 341

2010-06-06T19:36:00.000-07:00

Today we enjoyed Stake Conference with the Fairfield Stake! It was my first chance to be with those great people living in Fairfield. We were spiritually fed today!

We also said good-bye to Sister Darley tonight. We will really miss this sweet Sister! She came to take me out my first night in Santa Rosa...I can still see each of the people we taught, very clearly in my mind! God bless you Sister Julia! Happy Homecoming!

Day 340

2010-06-05T20:59:00.000-07:00

Sadie is here to visit. She brought the sunshine with her! Yeah! (she loves me taking pictures of her!)

Time to christen the new bar-b-que! Yummy!

Day 339

2010-06-04T20:55:00.000-07:00

Is this the coolest thing EVER? Our very own CSR brand! Thanks to Elder McArthur and his talented father! We love it!

Day 338

2010-06-03T15:56:00.000-07:00

Today we had Zone Conference in Ukiah! It was a wonderful day together!

The Ukiah Zone!

The Eureka Zone!

The Santa Rosa Zone!

Day 337

2010-06-02T17:39:00.000-07:00

Today we had Zone Conference in Vacaville. Another really great day!

The Vacaville Zone!

The Fairfield Zone!

The Woodland Zone!

Day 336

2010-06-01T17:25:00.000-07:00

Today we had Zone Conference in Petaluma. What a wonderful day!

The Napa Zone!

The Vallejo Zone!

The San Rafael Zone!

Day 335

2010-05-31T17:11:00.000-07:00

Today we had some very special visitors!!! President's two sisters, Michele and Mary, and our niece Melanie. How great it was to spend a few hours with them! They cheered and uplifted and blessed us with their love and wisdom. We love them. Each one!

This next photo is SO these two when they get together! I had to share it!

Day 334

2010-05-30T16:59:00.000-07:00

All her bags are packed...she's ready to go!

I have mixed emotions saying good-bye to Hailey. She is my little side kick. Now I'm going to be President's little side kick. :) I hope she has wonderful experiences in all she has planned for the summer. We love her so much! She adds a little life and light to our home!

These were all of her papers from ninth grade. They found their way to recycling today! She is the most organized person alive! I love it!!!

Day 333

2010-05-29T21:30:00.000-07:00

This week we said good bye to Elder Hubbard (Grand Prairie, Canada) -from the office at least! He was released as an Assistant to President Bunker. He has served for seven and a half months! He has been wonderful in his service, to our missionaries and to our family! I think he is really ready to be back in the field full time and is excited to be in San Rafael for the next little while! We are so grateful for Elder Hubbard and we will miss having our resident Canadian and hockey lover close by!

His new companion is Elder Kartchner (Mesa, AZ). They will be a great team! San Rafael will be so blessed to have them leading there!

We want to welcome Elder Abbott (Garner, NC) as President's new Assistant! We are very excited to work closely with him and have his experience and love and faith bless our missionaries! He will be working in the Bennett Valley Ward with Elder Nielsen (Sandy, UT).

Thank you Elders for all of your wonderful help, counsel and assistance! We love you!

Day 332

2010-05-28T21:00:00.001-07:00

Today was Hailey's last day of ninth grade! School's OUT for SUMMER!!!

Today was also Zone Leader Council Meeting! Here is a picture of all the leaders! They are an amazing bunch:).

Day 331

2010-05-27T20:56:00.000-07:00

This is Sister Nipko! She has joined our office staff and is working as our vehicle coordinator. Sister McIntyre is out in the field (in Ft. Bragg) for her last transfer. Thank you Sister Mac and thank you Sister Nipko! President Bunker and I couldn't do this without everyone's help! Welcome to the Mission Sister Nipko!

Day 330

2010-05-26T20:40:00.000-07:00

Today we got our tenth missionary, Elder John Frey. He will be Spanish speaking. We are so excited that he got to come so quickly. He needed a doctor's OK before they would send him out from the MTC. We are grateful he is here. It was wonderful to meet him today.

Elder Zufelt will be a wonderful trainer! Don't they look happy together?

Day 329

2010-05-25T19:07:00.000-07:00

Tonight we had dinner with our eleven departing missionaries! Look at them carefully...can you see His image in their countenances? It is there. These missionaries were exceptional, and we will miss them! It was such a great evening, to be able to be with them, and hear about their experiences and feelings. Every single one of them has grown and changed and learned so much over the last eighteen and twenty four months. We loved spending the evening with them, and look forward to a day when we will see them again, and..."we will rejoice exceedingly...because they will still be our brethren and sisters in the Lord." (Alma 17:2) May God be with you all! We love you!

Day 328

2010-05-24T18:56:00.000-07:00

Today we greeted nine new missionaries at the Oakland airport! Yes, it is May 24th, and their plane was delayed because it had to be de-iced before leaving Salt Lake City. What is with all of these late snows?

Anyway, we got another great group of missionaries. We love to feel of their excitement and anticipation as they arrive! I know they will all grow and learn and change and love "our" people here in Northern California! We are excited to be able to work with them over the next years!

Day 327

2010-05-23T18:46:00.000-07:00

Before my grandchildren arrived, I was a little worried. In every conversation I have with Lauren she asks me about my "pet reindeer". I hadn't seen them recently. I didn't know if it was the appearance of the sheep, or if I just wasn't out at the right time of day, but I hadn't seen them lately. The first morning the children were here we went out to look for them and...we found them!!! Any time we would go out on the back porch we would see at least three deer. They are growing their antlers right now and they look kind of fuzzy instead of hard. I'm so glad they were here for Lauren and Beau to see!

Tonight we said good bye to the Gardineer's. It was a pretty quick visit, but it sure made Hailey, Papa and I happy! Thanks for coming!