Apartment Inspections, Inspire, Baptisms, Stake Conference, and Jail Part 2

This week has brought us a few new experiences.  I think a mission is like that - you never know from day to day what you might be asked to do or what comes along.  We're grateful for opportunities to serve and help out in many different ways.

The week before Transfers we have been asked to inspect the young missionaries apartments.  We were originally assigned six apartments to inspect in our area, but one of the Senior couples had to go home early, so we've been asked to inspect another six apartments in El Cajon, which is about a 30 minute drive north east of us. Stan calls and sets up appointments with the missionaries about a week before so they have us on their schedule, and (hopefully) we meet them with a clean apartment.  We are looking for general cleanliness, we check to see if they have any problems with plumbing, furnishings or  anything else, and basically check on their well being.  We have a check list we go through, and spend a few  minutes teaching them how to clean certain things if they aren't up to spec!  When we arrive, we have a prayer with them, and at the end, if there is time, we ask them to share something they've learned from their scripture study or something unique that's happened that week.  Before we leave, we give them a bag with some treats.  This time we also included the following handout for them to put on their door.  They all really liked it!

Think Celestial!

We were on our second day of inspections, about half way through the day, when we arrived at an apartment of Elders - 4 Elders plus an extra one (he's a traveling Elder who moves around to different apartments every three days or so to help them with their teaching).  Stan started talking with the Elders so I began my inspection of the apartment.  As I walked into the bathroom, this is what I found:

I was shocked, to say the least.  I called for the Elder's to come into the bathroom - they were all chuckling and laughing.  I realized the joke was on me!  Like I said, you never know what you'll find.  Here's a picture of the guilty Elders; don't you just love those smiles :)

Friday evening we attended an Inspire program of music and narration at the Mormon Battalion in Old Town San Diego.  This program is held every month and is put on by the missionaries.  They have a different theme every month.  This month it was "Peace in Jesus Christ".  This was the perfect theme following a week of declared war in Israel.  The titles of the music were "Where Can I Turn for Peace", "Shalom" (a Hebrew word meaning Peace), "Peace in Christ", "Peace, Peace Be Still", and "Let There Be Peace on Earth".  I was so moved by this theme.  I kept thinking about the people in Israel and Gaza and the turmoil they must be in with being suddenly thrown into war.  Even though the world is in chaos, we can have Peace, through Jesus Christ.  I'm grateful for the spirit that I felt that testified this truth to me that evening.

We were blessed to attend two baptisms on Saturday.  One was a man, Kim, that will attend the family ward that meets before us, and the other was a young man, Eric, that will be joining our YSA Ward.  Both men were so happy after they were baptized.  Kim exclaimed "that was great" and "thank you" after he rose out of the water.  Eric also rejoiced as he came up out of the water.  They were both glowing with the spirit.  Here is a picture of Eric with Elders Shelley & Johnson, who taught him, and Kale', who baptized him.  Kale' is a new member himself.  He was just baptized about 11 months ago!  It's so wonderful to see the progress and enthusiasm of these vibrant new members.

We attended Stake Conference this weekend.  It was so good I didn't even doze off!  Our Mission President and his wife both spoke this morning.  Sister Merritt spoke of seeking the riches of eternity and being rich toward God vs. seeking riches to build up our possessions.  Instead of building barns to store wealth like the rich man did in Luke 12, "he layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God", we should focus outward to bless others with the riches of eternity.  

President Merritt told us that he recently got out his Missionary Journal from when he was a young missionary serving in Uruguay.  He shared some of his journal entries, which were filled with the spirit of his missionary experiences.  I thought about my sons, my son-in-laws, and my grandsons who have served missions.  I invite each of you to dust off your Missionary Journal and read and remember the spiritual experiences you had on your missions.  I encourage you to read them to your children and share your testimony of missionary work with your families.

Okay, now the story you've been waiting for:  Jail Part 2:

Last Sunday when we weren't able to get into the prison (read the last Blog), we were told that visiting hours were every morning during the week.  So we drove back down to the Otay Mesa Detention Center on Tuesday morning to see if we could visit with Jose'.  Once again, we were turned away.  Even though we are considered Clergy, they said we had to talk with the prison Chaplain to get permission to come in - he wasn't on site.  So we drove back home, and over the next couple of days, Stan was able to get in touch with the Chaplain and found out that the only way we could get a visit would be for the prisoner to put us on his list of visitors.  In the meantime, Stan contacted the mission president and the Sister Missionaries who were in contact with the mother of the prisoner - she's the one who originally requested we visit her son.  He spoke with the Sisters and they put him in touch with the mother.  We arranged to meet her at the prison Sunday afternoon to see if we could get in.

We met her at the prison gates (not anything like the Pearly Gates, I'm sure!), and went through the two sets of electronically locked doors to get inside.  After giving them our Drivers Licenses and waiting about a half hour, we were given badges to wear.  We went through a security check, like at the airport, and walked up two flights of stairs through locked doors, and finally into the room (cinder block walls with no windows) for visiting.  After a few more minutes, Jose' entered the room dressed in his green prison clothing.  He and his Mom hugged, we shook hands and sat down to visit.

Jose' is about 26 years old.  He's been detained at this prison for three months.  He's been deported, kidnapped in Mexico, dealt with drugs, and is waiting for a court date.  His mom said he has ADHD and thinks he has some brain damage from drug use.  Because of this, he was a little hard to follow where his train of thought was going.  Stan told him that he is loved by God and Jesus Christ, even though he's made mistakes.  He tried to engage Jose' in a discussion, but it was not easy to follow his thought pattern.  He had a tattoo on his hand that he said symbolized Alpha & Omega, which seemed to help remind him of God.  He said he prays over his food, and seems to believe in God, although I don't think he has a very good understanding of who God is, and of His love for him.  

Our visit lasted about an hour.  We felt like Jose' was grateful that we came and shared some messages of peace and the love of God with him.  He was polite, even though he didn't necessarily agree with all we told him. I'm not sure what his future is - he has many challenges ahead of him.  We said a prayer with him, and I think he appreciated that.  

I'm grateful for the freedom I enjoy.  I can come and go as I please, I can look out the windows and see what the weather is like for the day and see the beautiful green trees and shrubs.  I will pray for Jose' and his mother.

I feel like I want to end with a little humor.  This is Preston.  This is what he wore to Stake Conference! He is one of our older Young Single Adults, and has quite the personality.  He's the master of games, and where ever he goes, he has friends.  We're so blessed to get to know each of the young adults, and their unique personalities.  We love them all!