More June Happenings

It's a lot of fun when the sisters come with matching outfits, seldom planned. They are so dedicated and work very hard for the entire day and evening on missionary work. They teach on the phones, Facebook, Skype, in their area, at the visitors' center, and in their wards. They serve their wards and community, lead and participate in meeting and training. They love to be busy and they are.

So we just take a few minutes once in a while for a good photo op and a smile.

Sister Avanesjan and Hermana Orr show their fashion sense.

We dressed for the Arizona summer sun today! Hermanas, Hourrutiner, Castello and Mayorca and myself! So bright!

Hermanas Alcocer and Orr, lovely!

Sister Fry and Sister White, our ward missionaries. They bring their
investigators to the visitors' center. We have had the opportunity to have them to dinner
and get to know them. Great missionaries!

Elder Sorensen came to the center with these two companions. I had to take a picture for his family. He is on the far right and we were in the mission prep class with him! He had his summer haircut and looks very happy doing the Lord's work here in Mesa!

Linford and Mary Louise Beckstrand came for a visit and stayed with us. They were the previous directors.
It was so fun to visit with them and catch up. They took us and Elder and Sister Andrus for a wonderful dinner at the Landmark. No one will forget Elder Ballard's sad expression when he announced he was eating his last bite! He loves the stuffed meatloaf. We played games both nights they were here. It felt so good to laugh so hard. 

With Elder Ray and Sister Maryann Andrus.

The Ballards too!

Surprise! LuAnn Anderson and I were both surprised to see each other at the
Visitors' Center. They came down to visit their grandchildren. Her son travels
for HAFB and has been here for a while. We are both retired. Fun to catch up and meet
her family.

Our ward is also bringing dinner to these two sisters so we had the opportunity to have them
over for dinner a few times. They are VC Hermanas, Hourrutiner and Orr.

Other Activity

 I volunteered at Project Connect. It was amazing. The United Way sponsored it and the church supplied the building and also many volunteers. They helped 350-400 people in need with clothes, food, haircuts, showers, food stamps, tax help, veteran information and assistance, housing, bike repair, birth certificates, and so much more. There were 300 volunteers. They had more clothes than the DI. Our Stake was asked for donations and it was clear they were very generous. They left with hygiene kits, snacks and bus passes, if wanted them. I enjoyed being part of this event. It was so humbling to see so many in need and so many willing to serve them. The idea is to get these people on their feet to stop homelessness in AZ. We signed a privacy clause so I couldn't take pictures.

Elder Ballard Gets His Special Day!

For Father's Day Elder Ballard had his first surprise early in the morning before church when the sisters came by and sang to him!

He got an egg/bacon breakfast, gifts, and best of all calls from his children and their families!

For dinner he wanted hamburgers on the grill. He enjoyed the day feeling special to all of us, because he is!

As I wrote on Facebook:

I also wish him a Happy Father's Day. He is my best friend, a terrific husband, a great father to our children, one that honors his priesthood, a busy missionary, a leader, a man of many talents that he shares with others. I admire him and enjoy his wit. He keeps me centered. Love you Richard!

The sisters sang to him and changed the words in daddy comes home to a great big handshake!
Very special!

This decorated his cubby. So creative!