CITY OF ANGELS VISIT

John and I were supposed to fly out last Thursday to visit Todd and Megan. Our flight was delayed and so we didn't get to Los Angeles until after 8:00 pm. Meg picked us up at the airport and we drove to BJ's, a restaurant near their home. We arrived in the 4th quarter of the Laker/Oklahoma Thunder game. There were MANY big screens around the room showing the game and there were about 150 - 200 Laker fans watching and eating. 10 brave Thunder fans cheered when their team did well. After we sat, I looked at John and said, "NO FIGHTS!"

I could see his brilliant brain swirling with contentious comments he was wanting to make about the Lakers. He was definitely outnumbered. I was proud of his good behavior. Of course our dessert was Oklahoma BEATING the Lakers. The restaurant really cleared out quickly after the game. We finished eating and went to Megan and Todd's. We were all tired and especially those hard working doctors. Off to bed we went.

Megan was up and gone VERY early and Todd left for his hospital a little later. John decided to walk over to the the mall we had been at the night before where the restaurant was located. I had a bad headache and so I stayed home. John walked and walked and did a little shopping at Target and Best Buy.

Todd was home in the afternoon and so later we drove and met Megan at P F Changs. I love those deep fried green beans and lettuce wraps. It was yummy as always. We were able to eat early and drive back home to watch the Jazz game. YAY a Jazz win. John and Megan went to Pink Berry at halftime and so our dessert was frozen yogurt.

Megan and Todd both had to go to their hospitals and make rounds on Saturday morning. John took another LONG walk while they were gone. We decided to go to Cheesecake Factory for lunch. The weather was warm but not hot and so we sat out on the patio. It was so relaxing and nice to sit and visit and eat good food. John had the catfish and loved it.

Cheesecake Factory is right on the water at Marina Del Rey. I had to take a picture of the boats that were docked.

We stopped and did our Sunday dinner grocery shopping at Ralph's on the way home. The boys had to have a little fun with magazine covers that expressed their feelings.

John is missing Kate on Dancing With the Stars.

Todd chose this magazine....not sure exactly what he wants us to know about him. We will all come to our own conclusions.

Saturday evening was a real treat for us. Todd and Megan have befriended an amazing young man in their ward named Terrence. Todd is his home teacher and he has taken Terrence under his wing. Terrence is 17 and the only member in his immediate and extended family. He read the Bible when he was 12 but felt there were more things to learn about religion and began an earnest study. He happened to know an LDS friend at school that gave him a Book of Mormon and told him he would find the answers in it. Terrence read the Book of Mormon and was baptized at 13. He never misses church. He walks to early morning Seminary each morning by 6:20 at the church and then walks to Venice High School. He is a solid example of strength in the youth of the church. He inspires me and makes me want to be better. We went to watch Terrence as the lead in Seussical at the high school. He has never done this before and he was fantastic. I was so impressed with this young man.

Terrence when he isn't Cat in the Hat

Terrence as the Cat in the Hat

The following is something Terrence wrote on his facebook page.

Jesus Christ taught us amazing things. When I think of the magnitude of the atonement it just blows me away. Jesus Christ laid down his life so that we could live. There's no way we can pay him back. That was an ultimate sacrifice. The best we can do is to emulate him.

When I'm 19 I'll be on a two-year mission to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But I'm also partially on that same mission right now. So if anyone wants to learn about the gospel of happiness say hello haha.

Sunday, we all went to sacrament meeting and enjoyed very good and inspiring talks. Unfortunately, Todd was paged and had to go back to the hospital. He dropped Megan and me at home and John and Todd drove to his hospital. Megan and I finished a delicious pork roast and mashed potatoes dinner. We ate when the men returned and enjoyed visiting and relaxing until we had to leave for the airport.

Thanks Todd and Megan for a great visit. We enjoyed the get-away! We love you!