Violaton

A call on Saturday morning from the Ventura City Police informed us of a break in at the mission office. Despite all that could have happened, only the safe was taken, as far as we know.

President Murri was next on the scene, then Elder Finkle, then Sister Murri to check on damages and missing items.

Elder Finkle checking out the damage to our office's front door after it had been shattered. Our new wood door from the inside.

Our new wood door from the outside.

Never did think glass doors were very secure. Not all that confident in plywood ones either.

Rare Sights

This is the hill just across the street from us to the side. It is beautiful right now. The house up there isn't too bad either. This is a clearish, sunny sky in Bakersfield. Yes, I was surprised too, to see that Bakersfield had a sky up there sometimes.

They pulled a switch a roo

Before: Before:

After:

The FM [facilities management] group has talked with us for a long time about updating our yard. It was finally done this week. What do you think?

Romantic as they come

After a long day of interviewing in Santa Barbara we decided to have our anniversary dinner a little early. Our visiting general authority and his wife had recommended The Harbor restaurant in the Santa Barbara harbor. In the process of finding it, we came across this lovely site. Full moon of course, dinner on the wharf over looking the harbor, table for two, succulant shrimp, sweetheart of your dreams by your side, what could be better?

We've got visitors!

We were blessed with a visit from President Murri's parents. They celebrated their 19th wedding annicversary with us on Tuesday. March 3. It was a treat. We had a great Italian dinner with them at La Tratoria in downtown Ventura.


The next day I took them to the Los Angeles Temple. We drove down along the Pacific Coast Highway and it was the most beautiful day we could have asked for. We drove back up Interstate 405 and stopped in Simi Valley to find President Murri and had dinner with him at the Wood Ranch Restaurant. Then we traveled home into the sunset which is not as romantic as it sounds as it was rather hard on the eyes and seeing traffic as we should. Here is a photo of them at the temple.The next day we headed up the coast and President did interviews along the way. The first stop was in Solvang where we had a lot of fun looking around. Not a lot of tourists this time of year, but the weather was perfect again. We had lunch at the famous Pea Soup Andersen's Restaurant. Off to Santa Maria for more interviews. I did office computer work while Irvon and Beverly walked around the area and enjoyed the lovely weather.

Soon we were off to San Luis Obispo where we met up with Charlie Joy. Of course we had to eat again. This time at the Apple Farm Inn. We had a great time talkeing and hanging out with Charlie. He took us down to the Farmers' Market in downtown San Luis Obispo. We found great asparagus, cauliflower, kettle corn, and Girl Scout Cookies! It was great to have some. Now they are $4 a box. When I first sold them 50 years ago, they were 50 cents a box. We finally head back to Ventura and realized we had not taken one photo of our adventure there!

The next day I worked in the office most of the day. Wayne spent the day around Ventura with his parents and they found lots of fun things to see and do besides enjoying just sitting out on the deck enjoying our beautiful view. Here is a photo of them on the deck with their backs toward the ocean. Not the clearest view that day. Dinner was at In and Out Burger since I didn't cook that day.

Saturday we were off on more interviewing adventures. We went to Lompoc, interviewed and had Subway sandwiches for lunch. Went to Ojai taking the road [150] from Carpinteria through Lake Casitas and down through Santa Paula to check out some more scenery that we hadn't seen yet. We actually ate at home.

Sunday we were off to church in Moorpoark where President and I spoke in Sacrament Meeting. Then back to the house to relax. We actually ate at home again. It was great having them here to share a little bit in our crazy lives. We were sad to see them head off on Monday for another adventure of their own.

Surprise

Look what showed up in our garage today!

Oh It is wonderful...

This was our sunset view toward the ocean from our deck this evening.


This week we welcomed back Elder Brewer who had been home for back surgery. It was wonderful to see him again. [See entry on September 14, Extra Goings] We took him right up to Bakersfield, put him with two wonderful companions and gave the one of the largest areas in the mission.

I have been learning a lot in the office. I am grateful for the lap top that I can carry around with me while President Murri does interviews. I am able to send new references to the missionaries on their cell phones and to prepare paperwork for the incoming missionaries.

I am adjusting to having my cell phone be the emergency number for the mission. We have had two parents call with death notifications for President to pass on to their missionaries before they read it in their email on Monday.

We are busy as can be but are having a great time overall. We look forward to visits from Wayne's parents this week . We will celebrate our anniversaries together.