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.

Fun week with Katie!

It’s been only a week since I returned from Utah with hugs from my children and grandchildren but it was so wonderful to be with them even if for only a few days.  My last walk along the mountains was beautiful!

I ended my stay in Utah Monday by going to Jim and Jenna’s for a hug and baby cuddles.   While I was there, Kristin and Sophie brought over cucumbers from her garden so they could make pickles.  

Kristin, Sophie, and Jim preparing the cucumbers for the pickle making

That evening I ate an anniversary dinner with Kristin and her husband, Alan, and their children.  We went to a Venezuelan restaurant.  The food was delicious and the company great!

We ate at Venezuela Mia Restaurant and had delicious Friticas (fried yellow plantain) and Cachapa which is a traditional dish made from maize flour from Venezuela. They are popular at roadside stands. They are made like pancakes of fresh corn dough with cheese and corn kernals folded inside.  

A gorgeous sunset to end a wonderful day.

Tuesday morning I flew out with a plane change/45 minute layover in Denver.

I arrived back in Eugene in time to go to an interview where I was able to visit with a few missionaries. 

Sister Crump picked me up at the Eugene airport and got a picture of me standing by the Oregon Buckerette Duck.

That evening, I picked up my daughter, Katie, to begin a fun filled week.  

(It has been a hot week in Eugene with 3 days over 100 and the rest in the 90”s.  It has been smoky and hazy all week too with fires in the area but it was clear enough that I felt comfortable walking in the mornings.  It began to clear a little by Thursday but only a very little.  Even better on Friday but hazy and smoky again by Sunday.) 

We were in the red most of the week.

Red sun on my morning walk due to the smoke

Wednesday we spent the morning in the office.  I did some work while Katie read and visited with missionaries who came and went through the office.   At noon we met Sisters Crouch and Sutherland at Off the Waffle for lunch.

Interesting savory waffles

Back to the office and then tacos for dinner and games before bed.

Thursday we were in the office all day,

Sister Sutherland and our weekly matching outfits.  She wore a great skirt to go with my shirt.  LOL

Thursday evening we met some sisters for dinner in Cottage Grove which is about a 30 minute drive south.  We had Thai food and fun chatter.

Sisters Palmer, Jimenez-Canett, and Richins

Friday I worked more on my weekly report for the President and Sister Cornelius and the area doctor.  We left the office about 2:30 to go prepare for a quick night and day on the coast.  

Sister and Elder Klaass are finishing their mission this week so we got a picture of the “office missionaries” before we left.   Elder Klaass, Sister Klaass, Sister Crump and Elder Crump

We didn’t get out of Eugene until 3:30-4:00.  I had some calls that delayed us a little.   We drove to Bandon.  It is a 2 ½ hour drive.  We arrived in time for a meal in a Mexican restaurant but we were late for the sunset.  It was windy and almost cold but it felt really good after the hot days in Eugene.

I don’t know the name of this bridge but I like it.  It is on the way to Bandon.

We drove to the jetty where we were able to walk down to the water and get some beautiful orange skies in the west over the Pacific.

Coquille River Lighthouse 

Saturday morning we walked from our hotel down onto the beach catching a different perspective in the day light.

     

We spent a couple of hours and covered a good 3 miles of sand along with some wading on my part and more pictures before we had to check out at 11:00.

We went into Old Town Bandon and had fish and chips, walked through the town and shopped in little touristy shops.  It was really fun!

We drove to Cape Blanco Lighthouse but the wind was blowing it seemed with gale storm velocity.  It was difficult to remain upright so we only snapped a few pics from a distance and got back into the car and headed to Florence.

In Florence, we again had fish and chips for dinner.  The second meal was better than the first but when in Rome….   Had to get all of the fresh fish and chips we could.

We walked around Bandon for a little bit into and out of shops and then REALLY blew the diet with ice cream.  No picture though.  Just use your imagination – chocolate peanut butter with peanut butter cups.  You now know my weakness!   Ate it before I thought of taking a picture. LOL

Sunday we attended church.  My ward had a linger-longer after the meetings.  People whose last name started with A to G were to bring main course dishes.  Last name H to N to bring sides. Last name O-Z to bring dessert.   My P name meant dessert so I made chocolate chip coconut microwave bars Saturday evening after we got home.  I didn’t want to heat up the house by turning on the oven and these cookie bars cooked in the microwave are one of my faves.

Sunday afternoon, my sister and her husband, Sister and Elder Barker, arrived to begin their mission.  They will be working in the office taking over as Sister and Elder Klaass will leave Tuesday morning.  It will be fun having my family working with me here in Eugene.  I’ll see them in the office in the morning.

Throughout the week, I’ve thought about my time with my family in Utah, the enjoyment I’ve had with Katie, and now my sister and her husband arriving to begin their mission.  I am so blessed!

My Savior lived and died to show me the way and through His teachings and example, I have the opportunity to enjoy my family through eternity.  I want to do everything in my power to become more like my Savior.  I want to become more kind, loving, and patient.  I want to follow that path of righteousness that will take me home to my Heavenly Father and family.  I want to obey the commandments to the best of my ability and to honor the covenants I have made in baptism and in the temple.   I have much work before me but I trust in the Lord and I know that he will lift and support me in all I do if I do it with righteousness.

I love my Savior.

I love you my family and friends.