I was able to meet more of the missionaries in person.

Sisters Chaddock and Cummings in Roseburg

I’ll just run through the week for an overview.  Unfortunately, I didn’t get a lot of pictures to document the experiences of the week.   Monday President and Sister Cornelius invited me to go with them to meet and have lunch with the counselors at Family Services who help our missionaries with mental health issues.  It was a nice lunch they offered us (You know I love food!) and we were able to discuss and learn ways that we can help each other to better help our missionaries.

Tuesday I was in the office all day with a weekly planning meeting in the morning to go over the meetings and conferences to be held during the week and to work out any logistical problems in doing the work.

Wednesday was leadership training for the sister training leaders, the zone leaders and some of the district leaders.  I helped with the luncheon set up and some prep prior to the training.  Sister Cornelius made gallons of white bean chicken chili and we had toasted Italian bread, chips, and ice cream.  

Missionaries in the office after training

Thursday, I had a missionary in Roseburg (1 ½ hour drive) whom I felt I needed to see.  President and Sister Cornelius were there for interviews so I got in my car and drove down.  It was nice to see the missionary in person and to help with the needs there.  It was also good to visit with the other missionaries in that zone while they waited for their interview with the president.

At the end of the interviews, Elder and Sister Hopkins came to discuss some things with President.  The Hopkins live near Roseburg.  They oversee the young service missionaries in the area.  I served with the Hopkins in my New York Mission.  I had seen them week before last in the office but it was fun to see them again.

They invited us to dinner at a Mexican Restaurant so the assistants to the president took their vehicle back to Eugene and President and Sister Cornelius rode back with me.  

It was such a great experience for me and Sister Cornelius to visit with the missionaries that I was invited on Friday to go with them to interviews in Coos Bay District in North Bend which is on the Coast about 2 hours from Eugene. It is a beautiful drive over the coastal mountains to the ocean.  I rode in the mission van with President and Sister Cornelius and the assistants to the president.

Ocean views from the van window

A lot of lumber mills and stacks of logs in North Bend

Even though it was late afternoon and summer, it was still misty in some areas along the coastal range

President pulled the van to the side of the road to capture this view

Loved the flowers!

And the big black bees flying all around the blossoms

The bushes were loaded with berries about to ripen

Suislaw River along the highway going through the coastal range

Saturday I attended a three ward pioneer day celebration.

Dinner in the park

Evidence of the brownie that was really tasty  LOL

I have had some beautiful morning walks and the blessing of seeing the sunrise and the wonderful world in which we live.

Dancing sticks along the river bank

Friday morning I walked with Sister and Elder Crump through the wetlands

Amazon Creek

Sunday dinner - Chicken, cranberry sauce, yam, wild rice mix and green beans.

As I’ve walked and with drive time this week I have had a lot of time to ponder why it seems that some people have trials and problems more than others and yet they often hold their heads high and trudge through without complaint.  It makes me admire those who have this ability.

With his permission, I want to tell you about my son-in-law, Jeremy.  He has a rare and recently recognized neurological illness that causes him constant pain. His body temperature regulating system doesn’t function properly.  He is always hot. This has been going on for 5-6 years.  It is difficult for him to work. It is difficult for him to see an end to this trial.  He has been to Mayo Clinic and sees a specialist at the University of Utah but because the disease is relatively new, there are few known treatments.  His doctors are at a standstill in knowing how to help him.

But because of his faith and trust in the Lord, he does not complain.  He has told me at times he is afraid and worried but he never gives up.  He is a true hero in my book.  I know that whatever Jeremy has to face, he will be able to do so because of his faith and trust in the Lord.

I have faith and trust in the Lord.  I have felt and seen the hand of the Lord in my life in so many ways.  Please, if you are struggling with health, a trial or a weakness of any kind, pray and find comfort and strength in the Savior.

On the Church website, I found this information about adversity:

“As part of Heavenly Father’s plan of redemption, you experience adversity during mortality. Trials, disappointments, sadness, sickness, and heartache are a difficult part of life, but they can lead to spiritual growth, refinement, and progress as you turn to the Lord.

Adversity comes from different sources. Adversity may sometimes come because of others’ poor choices and hurtful words and actions. You may at times face trials as a consequence of your own pride and disobedience. These trials can be avoided through righteous living. Other trials are simply a natural part of life and may come at times when you are living righteously. For example, you may experience trials in times of sickness or uncertainty or at the deaths of loved ones. 

Your success and happiness, both now and in the eternities, depend largely on your responses to the difficulties of life.

An account in the Book of Mormon illustrates different responses to adversity. The prophet Lehi and his family had been traveling in the wilderness for several days, using their bows and arrows to hunt for food. The family encountered difficulties when Lehi’s sons lost the use of their bows. Laman and Lemuel’s bows lost their spring, and Nephi’s broke. Hungry and tired, Laman and Lemuel began to complain against the Lord. Even Lehi began to murmur. Nephi, on the other hand, refused to be discouraged. He went to work. He recounted: “I, Nephi, did make out of wood a bow, and out of a straight stick, an arrow; wherefore, I did arm myself with a bow and an arrow, with a sling and with stones. And I said unto my father: Whither shall I go to obtain food?” Humbled because of Nephi’s words, Lehi asked the Lord where they should go for food. The Lord answered his prayers and led Nephi to a place where he could obtain food. (See 1 Nephi 16:15–31.)

When some people face adversity, they are like Laman and Lemuel. They complain and become bitter. They ask questions like “Why does this have to happen to me? Why do I have to suffer this now? What have I done to deserve this?” But these questions have the power to dominate their thoughts. Such questions can overtake their vision, absorb their energy, and deprive them of the experiences the Lord wants them to receive. Rather than responding in this way, you should follow Nephi’s example. Consider asking questions such as, “What am I to do? What am I to learn from this experience? What am I to change? Whom am I to help? How can I remember my many blessings in times of trial?”

Different kinds of adversity require different responses. For example, if you are stricken with illness, you may simply need to be patient and faithful. If you suffer because of others’ words or actions, you should work toward forgiving those who have offended you. If you are a victim of abuse, you should seek help immediately. If trials come because of your own disobedience, you should correct your behavior and humbly seek forgiveness.

Although some of your responses to adversity will vary, one response should be constant—your trust in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. The prophet Alma taught, “Whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day” (Alma 36:3).”

I testify that the Lord loves each of us.  He wants us to be happy.  I know that the trials and hard things I have experienced in my life have brought me closer to my Savior.  Were they easy??  No.  But I love my Savior more than ever.  I have grown closer to my family.  I try every day to be grateful for the experiences I have been blessed to have in my life.  I know my Savior lives and that he loves me. 

I love you my family and friends.

Transfer week is in the books!

Elders Packer and Hansen came into my office on Monday morning and asked to get a picture with me in case one or both of them were transferred.  Elder Hansen was one of the first missionaries I met when I came to the mission.

It has been a very busy week and I have loved every minute of it!  We had 10 missionaries complete their missions and 15 new missionaries arrive plus the domino effect of moving people around to fit the needs of the mission and the work.   I am not as involved as many.  The logistics of getting everyone where they need to be in a safe and timely manner is unreal.

We have a geographically large mission.  From Eugene, it is more than a 3 ½ hour drive to the southern boundary of the mission in California.  It is a 1 ½ hour drive approximately to the northern boundary.  East to west, I can only guesstimate but I would say 1 ½  to 2 ½ hours.  Our president, his assistants and the mission secretary all coordinate the effort. 

Missionaries have to be taken to the airport and picked up at the airport and the comings and goings are never at the same time.  Transfer day is actually Thursday.  The assistants to the president and a couple of zone leaders help with moving missionaries and their belongings from place to place.  The mission has a pickup truck and cargo trailer and a passenger van.  The luggage of course goes into the truck and trailer and the missionaries being moved go in the van. 
 

They leave the mission office early Tuesday morning headed south with designated meeting spots in the major towns where transferring missionaries and their belongings can be dropped off or picked up.  They go to Medford which is about 3 plus hours depending on traffic and with stops along the way, it is a time consuming drive so more than the 3 plus hours.

Then they head back to Eugene by a different route.  It usually turns out to be a 10-12 hour day.

Friday is the day the arriving (new) missionaries come and the departing missionaries leave.  I hope this jumbled explanation gives you a preview and slight understanding of the planning this all takes.  And for the willingness and patience of the mission leaders.  Everyone working together makes it happen.

I am at some of the planning sessions but I really just get to sit back and enjoy being around these amazing young people.  

The mission president and his wife prepared a dinner on Thursday evening at the Mission Home for the departing missionaries.  I and the Crumps and Klaass, who are the senior office missionaries, helped with the dinner.

On Friday the new (incoming) missionaries are given lunch at the Stake Center, also provided by President and Sister Cornelius, when they arrive.  Sister Klaass, Sister Crump, and I help set up the lunch tables and get the food set up so the missionaries can eat as a group as soon as they arrive from the airport.   Sister Klaass does most of the lunch table preparations with set up, center pieces, etc.

Tables set up and ready for missionaries

Sisters waiting for their new companions to arrive

Lunch is served

After lunch they are interviewed by the President and I also interview each one to get a health update as to allergies, medications they take, diets, etc.  Elder Klaass helps get the drivers to fill out the paper work so that they can drive mission cars.  

I do believe that there are a lot of prayers offered and maybe even some lost sleep getting everything organized but all is orderly and well managed.  I am always impressed by the way the Lord’s work progresses.

It has been a beautiful week but I’ll admit it is a little hotter than my preferred temperature.  I try to be out the door no later than 5:30 for my morning walks.

Tuesday morning sunrise

First turtle I’ve seen on my walks

Love the flowers.

Saturday morning I walked with Elder and Sister Crump along the Wild Iris Ridgeline Trail.  No wild iris blooming now but still gorgeous.

After my hike, I went with my friend Diana to a few garage sales and then to lunch at Jung’s Mongolian Grill.  YUM!!

Saturday afternoon I went grocery shopping.  My car had been sitting all day in the sun.  It was 105 degrees when I first started it but by the time I had turned on my air and got my phone, it dropped to 103.   I ran another errand around 6:00.  Even after being out and about with the air on, it was 100.  So I believe that was the true temp.  WAY TOO HOT!!!!!

Missing my family and friends and not enjoying the heat but I am happy to be here.

Here are some miscellaneous pics from the week.

Sister Cummings and I matched / color coordinated out outfits one day.  I love it.

Because I often sit in on organizational meetings, the missionaries think I might know who and where people will be transferred.  No one knows that info except for the president and the assistants to the president until Wednesday evening just before transfers.  Sister Crouch came to my office and tried to bribe me with 2 quarters to tell her if she was being transferred.  LOL

Because we didn’t know when we would get to eat together again due to transfers (Sister West was transferred south but did not leave until Friday because she was assigned to a new incoming missionary), we went to lunch on Thursday.  Sisters Crouch, Sutherland, Tripp, and West

The office was a buzz of activity on Thursday with missionaries waiting for companions to arrive from the south, north, east, and west….

Serving the Lord and being a missionary is such an honor and joy.  

I love my Savior.

I love you my family and friends.