September 26th through October 2nd

September 26^th through October 2^nd: Monday evening we had planned to go to Victoria Suites, where many of the missionaries live who work in the area offices, to have dinner and to say good-bye to the Daly’s.  Normally it takes 15 to 20 minutes to get there. It was to start at 6:00pm, but we wanted to allow for evening traffic, so we left at 5:20pm.  At 7:00pm we were only ¾’s of the way there and they had eaten without us.  So we decided to turn around and go home.  It took us 25 minutes to get back home.  So after 2 hours of driving, we all had dinner at our home.  Traffic is so unpredictable and you never know how long it will take to get where you want to go.  We had a temple worker say that he had left his house at 5:30am to be at his shift at 6:30am and he arrived at 8:30am.  We all shared what we had prepared to take for the dinner.  I had made a big pot of soup-- radish greens and cauliflower.  It was delicious, if I do say so myself.  

Monday night dinner.

Tuesday we went to visit Rene Cabrera, the temple recorder, and Miguel Pineda, the engineer, from Bolivia temple.  They were here for meetings with all of the temple recorders and engineers from the Central America and South America Northwest Areas.  We learned so much about ourselves, about serving the Lord and about temple work while we were in Bolivia.  In many ways, it prepared us for what we are doing now. It was fun to see them and give then a big abrazo, hug.  

L to R Sister and Elder Winkfield, Mom and me, Elder Hurst, Rene Cabrera and Miguel Pineda.

Wednesday we had the morning shift and presidency meeting.  I also spent some time training our two new sealers.  Thursday we had the afternoon shift. 

From our morning walk.

Some of the beauty of nature here.

These ants are really hard workers.

Right in the middle of the parking lot.

Friday we went to our painting class and then to lunch at the new Panda Express in the Oakland Mall.  It was really good, even if there was a 15 minute wait in line to order.  

This is mom and I singing happy birthday to Maggie, she works in the office at the temple.

Saturday we watched conference and then between the afternoon session and the Priesthood session we had a pot-luck meal with everyone who lives in temple housing.  I made a Chinese dish of chicken and spicy peanut sauce.  

Pot luck lunch/dinner between conference sessions.

I know you think that all we do is eat.  But it is so fun to be together.

We then got dressed up and went to Priesthood session at the MTC.  Sunday we watched conference and enjoyed the talks and the Spirit of the conference in our recliners.  We got to talk to most of our kids and had a lovely day.  Conference is always such a pick-me–up.  We loved it and look forward to studying the talks starting this week.  President Uchtdorf’s talk really touched me and his question of “What shall we give in return for so much?” His question really made me think about my many blessings and the song phrase come into my mind, “Because I have been given much, I too must give.” I know it is hard for our children and grandchildren and us to be separated and we have been away from them for a long time now, but we feel compelled to serve because of our many blessings.  We can never repay what the Lord has done for us and for the many blessing we have received, but we can give what we can.  We are placing upon the alter our time and talents to help build the Lord’s kingdom. We only hope and pray that our sacrifice is acceptable.