Another week of transfers and new missionaries! FUN and BUSY!!

 

Sister Barker first day in the office

Monday was the first day of my sister being in the mission field.  She and her husband, Sister and Elder Barker, arrived on Sunday evening but I didn’t see them until they came into the office to begin their official duties.

Elder Barker is the coordinator of the vehicle fleet and Sister Barker will have many office responsibilities helping Elder Barker, Sister Crump and preparing for incoming missionaries, helping with housing, as well as overseeing meals at zone conferences and other meetings.  It will be great having family in the mission with me.

Monday afternoon I took my daughter, Katie, to the airport.  My blog last week showed the fun times we had during the week that she was here visiting.  Just as a reminder, here is a picture of us on the beach a week ago Saturday.

We stopped at The Dough Co to try out a calzone on the way to the airport.  I was sad to see her leave.  I truly enjoyed having her company.

Monday morning the smoke was mostly gone in the valley giving me a beautiful morning walk.

The missionaries in the zone around the office had a “farewell” potluck Tuesday for lunch.  Several missionaries expected to be transferred and some were finishing their missions.  I was invited to join them.  What a wonderful group of young women and men.

Elder Israelsen  played a farewell tune on his harmonica.  I was too slow and didn’t get the entire beautiful rendition of Amazing Grace. 

Wednesday the smoke was back but I still saw a blue heron on the river side.

I had told some of the sisters about the yummy calzone I ate with Katie so we all went to lunch.

Sisters Eastman, Bowen, Stohl, Hadfield, Crouch, and Sutherland before some were transferred

Thursday I went back for another calzones with two sisters that couldn’t come on Wednesday.

Sisters Tripp and Duncan

Sister Sutherland and I had “uncoordinated” outfits on many days.  We always came wearing the same color or polka dots or….    Sister Sutherland was transferred so Sister Crouch and I did coordinate with her to wear polka dots so we could get one last picture before she left.  I didn’t get the correct time of the departure so I didn’t get the picture with Sister Sutherland.  Sister Crouch and I got a picture to send to her in commemoration.  LOL

Thursday evening I helped with the departing missionary dinner at the mission home.  President and Sister Cornelius always serve a delicious meal.  Smoked brisket and cheesy potatoes with coleslaw is the favorite of all the missionaries so that is usually the menu.  Sister Barker brought a fruit salad (an assortment of melons, berries, grapes) and Sister Crump brought a chocolate sheet cake and ice cream.  I brought a couple bags of ice.  A most pleasant evening as we enjoyed the departing elders and the dinner.  No departing sisters this round.

Elders Packer and Prusso being silly!!

Elder Kynaston  going for seconds on the salad

The departing missionaries and President and Sister Cornelius

My Friday morning walk was still smoky but the white geese were out in force and the sun was RED.  It is so difficult to get a true to life picture of the sun.

Friday was the day that the new missionaries arrived.  We had 20 young missionaries arrive and we will have 2 senior couples this transfer period: Sister and Elder Barker and another couple in a couple of weeks.  The new missionaries meet and eat with their trainers and then there are interviews with the president and a welcome meeting.   I also interview each missionary to see if they have allergies or health problems of which I need to be aware.

Waiting for the arrival of the new missionaries coming from the airport

President and Sister Hopkins with Elder and Sister Barker

Since I didn’t get a full video of Elder Israelsen on Tuesday, I asked him to entertain  us with a tune.  Someone requested If You Could Hie to Kolob.  He had never played it before.  Did an amazing job!!

Missionaries and luggage finally arrived

President and Sister Hopkins (1st Counselor in the Mission Presidency) helped with the luncheon for the new missionaries and their trainers.  They made a delicious soup which went with bread, melon/fruit, and ice cream bars for dessert.

The serving table

I like to catch the missionaries in random pictures

Sisters Adams and Tripp

Sisters Crouch and Duncan

Elders Robison and Petersen

Sister Barker and Sister Jimenez Canett

Sister Barker and Sister Gunn.      Sister Gunn is from St George (Santa Clara).  She was raised there and has known my Aunt Tanga and Uncle Norman since she was 6 years old.   Sister and Elder Barker went to church with Aunt Tanga on their way to the MTC.  Sister Gunn’s mother was introduced to them and she mentioned that her daughter was at the MTC.  She asked them to look for her daughter.  Small miracle:  their first meal in the cafeteria, Sister Gunn was sitting across from them.  That was when they discovered they would be going to the same mission.  Sister Gunn is actually going to Peru but is assigned to our mission while waiting for her visa to come through.  It is a very small world! 

Saturday morning I walked through the wetlands at Meadowlark Prairie/Amazon Creek.   

Later in the day, I went to some garage sales and did some shopping with my friend, Diana.  We had dinner at a Chinese restaurant.    I didn’t get any pictures.

I do love these busy weeks.  I have had quite a few calls from missionaries with health problems but transfer week is very stressful for them.  I am blessed to be here to try to help them.  We have an area doctor whom I can call/text for advice for things that I am not quite sure about so it is nice to have the support and backup. 

Being of service is a wonderful gift and opportunity.  I read a talk this week from the October General Conference given by Elder Steven E. Snow titled Service.

Elder Snow says: 

“What is service, and why is it so important in the gospel of Jesus Christ?

First, we are commanded to serve one another. The first commandment is to love God. “And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”

We demonstrate our love when we help and serve each others.

President Gordon B. Hinckley has said: “No man can be a true Latter-day Saint who is un-neighborly, who does not reach out to assist and help others. It is inherent in the very nature of the gospel that we do so. My brothers and sisters, we cannot live unto ourselves.” 

He goes on to say:  “The Savior taught His disciples this important principle in Matthew:

“Lord, when saw we thee anhungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

“When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

“Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

I am happy that I have the opportunity to serve.  It makes me feel closer to my Savior and to my fellow beings.

I love my Savior.

I love you my family and friends.