Family, Faith and Fun - Santa Rosa CA

*Diane Romney, Sharilyn Green, Rebecca Taylor, Tane Ockey, & Daryl Hoole with Jennifer Brinkerhoff, Christine Tobler, Jean Harris and Elaine Quinn - sisters and cousins*

*Christine, Jean, Sharilyn, and Jennifer*

Santa Rosa was the chosen destination for my sisters/cousin traditional reunion. The bonus was that I could share my mission experience with these sweet women. It was made extra special by the fact that my sisters were able to drive my 91-year-old mother here from her home in Salt Lake City, Utah so she could also attend. What a joy it has been to show my mother around the mission home and to visit with her about our service here. She and my father were also mission leaders in the Netherlands from 1991- 1994.

Daryl and Hank Hoole - mission leaders the Netherlands 1991-1994

*Mission home in Santa Rosa, California*

I have vivid memories of being in their mission home, seeing my mother working in the kitchen, my father at his desk, and even getting a peek at their transfer board. Having her here at our home on Cobblestone Drive brought all of that back and meant a great deal to me.

*President and Sister Quinn with Daryl Hoole in front of mission home Santa Rosa California*

*Biking on the Vines Trail in Napa Valley*

It was wonderful spending a couple of days showing these women around the area. We enjoyed the redwoods and Bodega Bay. We rode bikes through ten miles of vineyard trails in Napa Valley, and had a yummy meal at Gott’s Roadside. We even stopped for a quick photo in front of the “Parent Trap” house and did a little shopping along the charming main street in St. Helena. My mom especially enjoyed visiting with the missionaries in the office and sharing her recently published book with them.

*Jennifer, Sharilyn and Jean in front of “Parent Trap” home - Napa Valley*

*Sister Cawley, Daryl Hoole, and Sister Nate*

The best part of having these wonderful women together, was the spirit we shared—exchanging favorite things, swapping ideas, and feeling the strength of each other’s faith. We laughed hard and talked late into the evening. My mom spoke tenderly about family members who have stepped away from the light of the Gospel and expressed her faith that they will be drawn back to the Savior and His Church as we each let our light shine. She shared this scripture, along with a photo of the five wise virgins holding their lit lanterns:

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16

*Sister Quinn with her mother Daryl Hoole. Her mother has always been a woman of great faith and light.*

It’s always hard to say goodbye, but even harder when your mother is 91 and the future feels uncertain. I loved being with these sweet sisters and cousins. After spending time with them, I feel inspired to love more deeply and laugh more freely. I can’t wait to check into the many good ideas we shared! As we said good-bye, I enjoyed our tradition of the Dutch Wave, where you stand on the porch and wave and wave and wave while they get into the car and until you can no longer see them as the car disappears down the street. I still have the tender image in my mind of hands up in the air waving as I drove away from their Airbnb in Healdsburg that last night.

*Bodega Bay! Diane, Elaine, Christine, Jennifer and Tane*

It was also a good missionary week! We started Monday with some pickleball—our missionaries keep getting better at the game. On Wednesday, we helped kick-off a service project at a neighbor’s vineyard, and on Friday we held interviews here in Santa Rosa. We ended the week with a wonderful Sabbath day that included Stake Conference in San Rafael and baptisms in Napa.

*Pickleball with Sister Curtis, Pilling, Youngberg and Dyreng with the Quinns*

*Santa Rosa Zone Missionaries ready to help at the vineyard of Dan and Betsy Sanchez*

Getting ready for interviews at the mission home! 😊

*Elder and Sister Somers, The Quinns, Bishop and Sister Walker with Stake President and Sister Burgon at their home in San Rafael. Dinner at the Burgeons after Stake Conference.*

More photos below. Thank you for staying connected with us through reading our weekly mission updates. I hope all is well with you! Have a great week. Elaine

I am excited to announce the “Coming to Know Him” journal prompt for this week.

Here is Prompt #14. It invites you to look at the goodness our Savior wants to extend to you. ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

More missionary photos from the week:

Family, Faith and Fun - Santa Rosa CA

Drinking from a Fire Hydrant - of Spirituality