God Loves Us - Right Down To Our Candy Bars!
Hermana Ward and Hermana Thurber - Spanish speaking missionaries.
Hermana Ward and Hermana Thurber, two of our Spanish speaking missionaries, were driving down East Gum Avenue in Woodland California, when a car pulled out in front of them, and they crashed into it. Miraculously no one was hurt as the airbags in the cars deployed. Shaken up, they called the police when they noticed Elder Swanson and Elder Bitsoi walking up to them. Miraculously these other two missionaries just happened to have been behind them at the intersection at the time of the accident. They quickly pulled over to be of assistance to them. The Hermanas were so grateful to see them as these Elders were able to give them the emotional support they needed as a witness to the crash and helped them as they reported the accident to the police.
Favorite candy bars of Hermana Ward and Hermana Thurber!
Later that evening Elder Price and Elder Hansen, another set of missionaries, stopped by the Hermanas’ apartment to check on them. The Elders brought with them some candy as a “we’re thinking of you” treat and miraculously the Fastbreak Reeses candy bar and the Butterfinger candy bar they brought were the sisters favorite candy bars! The candy had been purchased earlier in the week by Elder Burrows. The Hermanas were grateful that they had been watched over this day and were so amazed with receiving the perfect treat, they announced, “Heavenly Father knows us so well, He loves us right down to our candy bars!”
Welcome basket for the mission home - Santa Rosa, California!
Speaking of candy bars, I have a basket I put out in the mission home for guests as a little welcome to Santa Rosa. In it I put the visitor’s favorite candy bars along with some apples and soda pop. We’ve had guests the last two weekends. Last Saturday, President Quinn’s sister and brother-in-law Jennifer and Jim Davis came in from Utah and brought with them President Quinn’s mother, Joan. (Caregiver Jessica too.) In addition, Jeff and Laurie Quinn (brother and sister-in-law) came up from Pleasanton California to be with us. It was nice to spend some time all together.
Jeff & Laurie Quinn, Joan Quinn, President & Sister Quinn, Jennifer & Jim Davis. A visit to Santa Rosa, CA.
This past weekend our daughter Katie, her husband Dave and our grandson Mark (14 years old) and granddaughter Grace (5 months) came to visit from Prosper, Texas. They left their other 4 other children home - Caleb, Tyler, Luke, and Lily. They will all come another time. The four of them came this weekend so that Mark could receive his patriarchal blessing from President Quinn his grandfather who is a patriarch in the church. It was so fun to be with them and I was so glad to be able to give Grace some hugs and kisses.
It was a great privilege and tender time for President Quinn (Grampy) to give Mark his blessing. This young man is amazing! He is kind, outgoing, thoughtful and a great example to his siblings and friends. It was a sweet experience as we felt the spirit of the Lord with us. This document will be a treasured blessing that will be a guide to Mark throughout his entire life to sustain and direct him and to let him know of God’s great love for him. Patriarchal blessings are a miraculous testament that God does love and know each of us individually and uniquely and that He wants to bless us. Patriarachal blessings show that God does love us right down to our candy bars!
Mark, Katie, Grace and Dave Anderson - flying into SFO (San Fransico, California)
Mark Anderson our grandson standing by the mission calendar, focusing on the date September 24, 2023 - when Mark will receive the blessing!
Blessing day, Sunday September 24, 2023
Dave, Grace, Katie and Mark Anderson with Sister and President Quinn - Grammy and Grampy!
Thank you for following us on our mission. It was another great week with traveling to the different zones and interviewing and visiting with the missionaries. We’re so grateful that Hermana Thurber and Hermana Ward were not hurt in their accident. What a blessing! It has been wonderful to have visitors come for a few days.
love to all of you, Elaine
