One Monday morning when we were feeling adventuresome, we went to San Marcos to take a walk around the lake. I saw it on the map. It looked like we could do it. So we went seeking a spot to park and get out and walk.
Much to our dismay, we had a hard time finding access to the water. It appears most of it is lakefront private property.
Every once in a while we found a spot where we could get near the water as we were walking up and down the streets that were not marked with no trespassing signs.
A bridge gave us good access for more photos of the water.
It was very relaxing and peaceful. Almost makes me want some waterfront property. Almost...
We had two more days of mission president interviews. We were at the Felicita building in Escondido for the first batch of interviews. It was Day 5 of #LightTheWorld which was "Honour thy father and mother." (Matthew 15:4)
After the missionaries wrote their new goal to discuss with Glen in the interview, I put them to work. I thought it would be fun for them to write a note to their mom and dad.
Then I had each missionary hold up the note while I took a picture, then texted it to the missionary's parents.
This elder did a great job despite having a cast on his hand. He only needed help coloring in the Santa cap and the heart. He wrote the rest of it himself.
I could not believe our luck when we saw the cultural hall of that building all decorated so festively for a Christmas party.
How perfect for strategically placing missionaries next to a Christmas decoration to text out their #LightTheWorld photos.
There was even a fireplace, a wreath, a nativity set and a Christmas tree which made for a homey scene.
And a great backdrop for a missionary with a love note.
This sister not only made a love note for her parents,
but she also made one for us. So sweet!!
Don't mind if we do get our picture taken in the festive setting by the Christmas tree.
This elder's mom texted me back saying she is going to use this photo on their Christmas card this year.
Our two assistants even jumped on the bandwagon of sending a message to their parents. They were on the scene doing filming and editing of each missionary for our Christmas mission video.
Once again, just take a moment to appreciate the cute decorations that provided such a great backdrop for this particular activity.
This one drew a picture of him hugging each member of his family.
This sister is from the Philippines.
We were quite amazed at how much artwork the missionaries put into their messages.
This sister is one of our visa waiters who will be going to the Philippines.
The next three notes were in keeping with the #LightTheWorld theme.
This was definitely a super fun #LightTheWorld activity for the missionaries, for their parents and for us as we watched the missionaries work on making their signs and then saw their happy faces as they were being photographed.
The sister in the pink sweater has a hidden talent that is no longer hidden. She crocheted a missionary bag for her companion. The bag is complete with all the various necessary compartments to keep missionary supplies organized. Impressive!
The coloring went on all day long.
He got pretty elaborate with his drawing.
That evening we had an appointment to meet with a couple for Glen to do baptismal interviews with each one of them. The sister missionaries have been teaching them the lessons.
The couple gave the sisters a Christmas gift which was a picture of all the missionaries who had gone Christmas caroling to their home. Believe me, it is quite a feat to get to their home. They live way out in the country in Valley Center and up a very narrow road and and then further up a winding, curving driveway. The caroling was what helped Rob make the final decision to be baptized the same day as his wife.
The sisters had given Debra the small nativity scene which they helped put together for her.
They are very sweet people and have already been getting involved in the ward.
The sisters wanted to document us bumping along in the back seat of their truck having the time of our lives with them.
Actually, we were back in the parking lot where we left our car when we took the photo; but rest assured, we had definitely had a bumpy ride and were glad we were in their truck and not in our car.
