A beautiful world, MLC, and Interviews

I just can’t get enough of the flowers, sky, and beautiful world that I get to enjoy every day! This week has been no exception.

Tuesday morning I walked with Sister Barker and Elder and Sister Crump at the prairie. 

The flowers along the path are striking. The yellow common madia and the white wild carrot or Queen Anne’s Lace line the path. There are a few purple/bluish chicory as well. 

The grasses and trees make it a gorgeous walk.

The heron are always a welcome sight. We play the Where’s Waldo game as we watch for our “Waldo” friends.

The sunrise on the prairie this week was spectacular!

The river walk is beautiful in its own way. The walk through the rose garden never fails to delight.

We saw wild turkeys in several locations. 

There are two or two community gardens along the way.

Mushrooms dotting the bank.

The morning sun’s rays cause the water to sparkle.

Wednesday was MLC (Mission Leadership Conference). I helped a little with the lunch that was served but mostly enjoyed visiting with the 70ish missionaries in attendance.

Thursday was interview day for the Santa Clara Zone. Sister Cornelius had waffles again for the missionaries to enjoy while waiting for their time with President Cornelius. It is a blessing to be able to watch these young people create works of art and also to show off their whipped cream eating skills! 

Elder Baker

Sister White

The zone leaders have a role play session with each companionship to help them build teaching skills.

Friday we drove to Corvallis for interviews.

Elder Peterson and his whipped cream abilities on display. 

Sister Cornelius, Elders McIntyre, Peterson, Merrill, Fullmer, and Toone

Role play with the zone leaders, Elders Peterson and Toone, and Elders Tachiki and McIntyre

Elder Fullmer

Sister Boulter

That evening, President and Sister Cornelius provided a meal of smoked brisket, potatoes au gratin, and cole slaw for the stake and ward leaders to help them to learn ways to better help the missionaries with their work and to build a good working relationship. The stake provided dessert. There were over 80 people in attendance.

It was a long day but enjoyable and worth every minute.

Saturday, I hosted dinner for Elder and Sister Barker and Elder and Sister Crump. Elders Petersen and Trotter also joined us. Elder Barker cooked burgers on a little grill that my predecessor left for me. Sister Barker brought chips and burger toppings. Elder and Sister Crump brought potato salad and corn on the cob. I had condiments. It was such a enjoyable meal and time with friends that I neglected to get pictures but I hope you can visualize it in your mind.

My mission will be coming to an end all too soon in just 4 short weeks. As I mourn the end, it is also a joy to look forward to being with my family and friends. It is a gift to me to be able to serve a mission. It brings me happiness and helps me feel closer to my Savior. I feel his love and guidance and influence in my life always but especially in the mission field.

My cousin, Steve Bailey, writes poetry and shares it with me occasionally. This week he sent a poem that touched me as I contemplated the end of my mission and love of the Savior I feel as I serve. 

The Love Of Our Savior (Copyright)

As we grow in the gospel and become more like the Savior,

we can see His Atoning Love for God’s children.

The love of our Savior can be seen in the eyes of a newborn child

and in the arms and the warmth of its new parents.

The love of our Savior can be seen in the struggles of the elderly

by those who minister to their needs.

The love of our Savior can be seen in the labors and hard work of

our pioneers who carved out and settled this land.

The love of our Savior can be seen in the inspired documents

of the founding fathers of this great country.

The love of our Savior can be seen in the knowledge

and technology given to inventors that make our

lives and the spreading of His Gospel easier.

The love of our Savior can be seen in the beauties of the earth,

for God needed a beautiful place for His children to live and grow.

The love of our Savior can be seen through each of us, as we give of

ourselves by ministering to the down-trodden and those in need.

The love of our Savior can be seen and felt by everyone if we

but ask of Him and look for His Atoning Love.

The love of our Savior can be seen in the lives of those who follow

and do their best to minister to others as they

strive to become like Him.

For sharing the gospel and ministering to the needs of others,

is the true love of our Savior.

By Steve Bailey

 I love my Savior

I love you my family and friends.

 

Thankfully I’m healing from my fall

Monday and Tuesday were pretty normal days. I worked from the office and prepared papers and interview materials and things for the 24 new arriving missionaries who would come on Wednesday.

Tuesday morning, Sister Felila who had been serving for several months while waiting for her visa, flew out to her assigned mission in Bolivia. She came by the office to pick up her passport and other papers and I was blessed with a goodbye hug.

Wednesday morning, I wasn’t able to help much other than put a few napkins and forks on tables, because of my arm and brace, as we prepared to serve missionaries who would be training this transfer.

The trainees come to the church and have a training session at 10 o’clock in the morning. Sister Cornelius wanted to feed them breakfast so they came early. There were a lot of helping hands in the kitchen to prepare waffles, sausage, and hash brown potatoes.

Then the tables were prepared for the lunch that would be served for the new missionaries who would be arriving. The trainers helped put around napkins and forks and when it was time, brought food to the table. 

Sandwiches, chips, watermelon and cookies were served to the new missionaries

The trainers and we waited about an hour and a half after the training meeting ended because the flight coming in bringing the new missionaries was delayed so they didn’t arrive when we expected them.

After lunch or during lunch, President Cornelius, President Hopkins (first counselor in the mission presidency), and I interviewed each Missionary. I did my usual Health questions in order to get to know them better.

After lunch and interviews, the trainers and their new companions met together for a session of training with President & Sister Cornelius and President & Sister Hopkins. Then they all departed to their assigned destinations.

That evening the 20 departing missionaries met at President & Sister Cornelius’s home for dinner. They were served smoked brisket, scolloped potatoes, coleslaw, fruit salad and chocolate cake with ice cream.

It was a long but wonderful day being with new and departing missionaries.

Thursday I went to Costco for an eye exam so that I could order new glasses as my glasses were scratched badly in my face plant when I fell. So I’ll have new glasses next week.

Thursday, the departing missionaries were taken to the temple by the president and his wife and when they returned, Elder and Sister Crump, Sister Barker, and I had a late lunch, at about 3:30, prepared for them: pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw and fruit salad with chips.

Something came up at home and I needed to go home and take care of it because it couldn’t wait until I return in September. I received permission to go back to Utah, so Friday afternoon I left for Sandy. 

Before leaving, however, I went to the orthopedic doctor for a follow up visit. My elbow was x-rayed to make sure that everything was healing properly. Good news! All looks good. I can remove the brace when I’m at home or office and not out moving around. So I only need to wear it at night, when I’m walking or out in a crowd, etc. I’m to do arm exercises to get range of motion going back. It’s been very nice to have the use of my arm again.

When I scheduled my flight to Salt Lake, I didn’t think about the missionaries departing for home on Friday, but it ended up that we were on the same flight. What a joy it was to spend a few more hours with them before they went to their homes. It was really fun to walk through the exit of the airport and see all the families waiting for their missionaries.

I was able to get outside the plane and video them coming off the plane. I missed a couple who didn’t make it out in time, but it was a joy seeing them off.

I got home in time Friday evening to organize a quick dinner. Some of my family were able to come join me. After the meal, we sat out on the lawn and chatted while the kids played in the driveway.

Unfortunately I didn’t get all of us that were together included in the pictures. It was a pleasant evening.

Saturday I was able to spend a little time with family, although I didn’t get pictures.

I went to my home ward for church and Relief Society Sunday morning. It was nice to see friends again.

Some of my family came on Sunday evening for dinner. It was great to see them once more before leaving Monday morning to go back to Eugene.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve and work with our missionaries. I am blessed with a wonderful, loving and supportive family and mission leaders.

I send my love to all.

I love my Savior

I love you my family and friends.