Lisa Johnson and Connie Whaley came for a quick visit. We had a great one day trip to the coast with perfect weather.
We needed a picture in front of Andrea's neighbor's beautiful and oversized (by Utah standards) flowers. We just couldn't believe that we were together in Oregon!
If not for the wind, I think Connie and Lisa would have stayed at this lookout for the entire day. None of us wanted to head back to Eugene or closer to their time for them to return to Utah.
This was a week # 2 and we are now back to normal with the MP seminar behind us two weeks now.
Since some have asked - Our normal “complement” or number of missionaries is 184, broken out as follows: 20 senior missionaries; 136 English speaking Elders; 12 Spanish Speaking Elders; and 16 English speaking Sisters. We will be roughly at that number – except for the senior couples (we only have half the number of senior couples and we would love to have more) – at the end of this next transfer. We are not increasing in the total number of missionaries assigned to our mission, but over the last six months or so the number has decreased and they are fixing that by sending extra now. Having this big bubble in two years will be tough. As you remember 22 came in a week ago and 4 of the 21 coming in next month are really part of that group of 22 but stayed longer in the MTC to accommodate their language training. So 26 will go home together in 2010.
Specifics for this week – ending 9-27-08
This is a fairly heavy week of interviews as I interviewed about 70 missionaries while putting a bunch of miles on the car. In this mission we hold a district meeting / training session in each district while interviews are being held. We start that training with some singing and then we study the scriptures with the missionaries for a half hour or so. And we have enjoyed the 7 of those we have had this week. I then have them come out in companionships for their interview. While I am interviewing one of the missionaries Sister Macdonald reviews their area book with their companion and just talks with them, and then we switch. She and I then compare notes at the end of the day. It makes for good insights from both of our perspectives.
A new assignment I have – or at least one I am just beginning to understand - is that I am to sit in with the ZL in as many of their monthly meetings with the stake presidents as possible. That has added another meeting for me while I am traveling into the out lying areas of the mission. So far it has worked out OK. (I do say this with a new level of exhaustion though.)
One of our elders had surgery yesterday to have a cyst removed and will be in the hospital until Sunday. We visited with him last night and will call on him again. He seems to be doing good and is in good spirits.
I just called one of our trainers and his new Elder and I found out they have a first lesson with someone they just met this week and so I invited myself to go teaching with them tonight while Mom is at the relief society broadcast. They seemed really excited, and I hope they are not nervous.
Next week Mom is going teaching with some sisters while I meet with the stake presidents in that area. It is good to go out and see how it is really being done.
Well I think that is a wrap of another week of our life. This mission life is great. One minute I am doing regular mundane business stuff (signing checks, booking hotel rooms, making business decisions on the running of the mission etc.) then I am caring for a sick Elder, and then I am kneeling in prayer with one of the Lord’s chosen and trying to help him become even better. It is great!
If not for the wind, I think Connie and Lisa would have stayed at this lookout for the entire day. None of us wanted to head back to Eugene or closer to their time for them to return to Utah.
This was a week # 2 and we are now back to normal with the MP seminar behind us two weeks now.
Since some have asked - Our normal “complement” or number of missionaries is 184, broken out as follows: 20 senior missionaries; 136 English speaking Elders; 12 Spanish Speaking Elders; and 16 English speaking Sisters. We will be roughly at that number – except for the senior couples (we only have half the number of senior couples and we would love to have more) – at the end of this next transfer. We are not increasing in the total number of missionaries assigned to our mission, but over the last six months or so the number has decreased and they are fixing that by sending extra now. Having this big bubble in two years will be tough. As you remember 22 came in a week ago and 4 of the 21 coming in next month are really part of that group of 22 but stayed longer in the MTC to accommodate their language training. So 26 will go home together in 2010.
Specifics for this week – ending 9-27-08
This is a fairly heavy week of interviews as I interviewed about 70 missionaries while putting a bunch of miles on the car. In this mission we hold a district meeting / training session in each district while interviews are being held. We start that training with some singing and then we study the scriptures with the missionaries for a half hour or so. And we have enjoyed the 7 of those we have had this week. I then have them come out in companionships for their interview. While I am interviewing one of the missionaries Sister Macdonald reviews their area book with their companion and just talks with them, and then we switch. She and I then compare notes at the end of the day. It makes for good insights from both of our perspectives.
A new assignment I have – or at least one I am just beginning to understand - is that I am to sit in with the ZL in as many of their monthly meetings with the stake presidents as possible. That has added another meeting for me while I am traveling into the out lying areas of the mission. So far it has worked out OK. (I do say this with a new level of exhaustion though.)
One of our elders had surgery yesterday to have a cyst removed and will be in the hospital until Sunday. We visited with him last night and will call on him again. He seems to be doing good and is in good spirits.
I just called one of our trainers and his new Elder and I found out they have a first lesson with someone they just met this week and so I invited myself to go teaching with them tonight while Mom is at the relief society broadcast. They seemed really excited, and I hope they are not nervous.
Next week Mom is going teaching with some sisters while I meet with the stake presidents in that area. It is good to go out and see how it is really being done.
Well I think that is a wrap of another week of our life. This mission life is great. One minute I am doing regular mundane business stuff (signing checks, booking hotel rooms, making business decisions on the running of the mission etc.) then I am caring for a sick Elder, and then I am kneeling in prayer with one of the Lord’s chosen and trying to help him become even better. It is great!
1 comments:
Glad to hear the numbers are increasing now of incoming missionaries. Good luck to the Elder recovering from surgery. That is tough.
Lots of Love!
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