Seems It Never Rains in Southern California..

Rain on our outdoor Patio

   Another week of our La Jolla YSA Mission Journey.  Seems it never rains in Southern California.  But guess what?  It does!  We have had significant rain the last few days and we will see it for the next few, but then it stops!  We began teaching institute classes this past week. While Brother Walton, the institute director, teaches the main class on Tuesday night, we teach both Eternal Families and Saints to smaller classes on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday; typically to students that cannot attend on Tuesday evening.  the classes are enjoyable to teach and the YSA here are super smart. 

   The previous couple, the Butlers, returned for a few days after a Holiday vacation to Hawaii and it was great to be with them. We had a wonderful dinner at a nice LA Jolla Italian restaurant, got last minute instruction from them and wished them well as they returned to Utah. We will see them in a year.  We have known Jeff and Shannon since 1975 when we were next door neighbors and newlyweds. We have great memories of them when we were both starting out with our young families. 

    Julie saw good friends from Kaysville which is always nice. Denise Wright and her bowling team were in town and they invited Julie to join them for breakfast. We hope to see the Wrights when they come to Del Mar. 

   On Saturday, we went to the beautiful San Diego Temple twice;  First, to the grounds to do a service project of taking down the Christmas Lights and Second, to do sealings in the temple. We were amazed at the work that goes into the Christmas Lights; all done by volunteers. 

   On Sunday, we had the sister missionaries along with an investigator for dinner.  He had questions about the doctrine of faith/grace vs works and we had a good 30 minute discussion with him explaining the doctrine.  Lastly, we watched the YSA Devotional with Elder and Sister Renlund with about 25 YSA.  It was a good reminder about having faith to overcome our doubts. It was another good week. 

Julie had a great La Jolla breakfast with visiting friends from Kaysville. Suzanne Jensen, Bev Marcum and Denise Wright. 

Reed in his teaching mode

...And if we only have one or two students, he relaxes a bit 

Jeff and Shannon Butler, as we said goodbye.  They were on their way to the temple and
we look like we are going on vacation. 

  

Julie with a view on the Scripps Oceanview Trail.

We took a 15 minute walk to the Glider Park and had lunch while enjoying the view

Some of our great YSA. Many are Graduate or PHD Students or working professionals.
Jake Orchard

Relief Society President, Madeleine Brown, from Salt Lake and Jenalee Howland
Relief Society Secretary. 

Oscar Song

Dorian Cowell

  

Jared Walker

Sarah Wagstaff, Institute President

Sisters serving in the YSA Ward, Sister Nuusila from Fruit Heights
and Sister Walker from New York City

  

Beautiful Morning at the San Diego Temple

Taking down the Christmas Lights

Cutting tiny little clips that hold the lights in place

Sid Tate from Orem who is studying to be a Math/Economics professor  with Jenalee Howland and
Amy Crocket a Government Contractor

Using pool extenders to get to the high places

Beautiful January Blooms

We had the Sisters and one of their investigators for Sunday Dinner

Our Local Pho Restaurant

Sunday Night Devotional Broadcast