These are the innocent bystanders at the Portland Temple who became our photographers. Such good sports! The young man just returned from his mission.
Another awesome group of faithful missionaries we will hate to see go. The Rosenthols joined us again and provided their family names. It was good to see them. It was also good to have the Strattons with us.
President's birthday had to include a joke on Elder Leet. Everyone is always looking for a chance to get even with him for some reason.
Elder Leet presents President with his birthday cake at the Lowry's Monday brunch. A memorably experience. "The Old Gray Mare, he ain't what he used to be."
Rick and Dawn Meeves came for a very short, but fun visit. We spent a day at the coast and hiked Spencer's Butte and of course, visited a lot.
This was a week # 6 and we greeted 19 new missionaries, sent home 11, and had a house full of activity.
Specifics for this week – ending 10-25-08
Monday our two assistants had a baptism in the early evening and we went to that. Elder Hall went home this week, so it was especially nice for him to be able to baptize a sweet sister who is around 70. Her daughter is a long-time member and she and her husband had the missionaries teach her in their home.
On Tuesday we sent home our first Elder with a medical problem. He had so wanted to stay and had in fact had surgery in the field three months ago, but the possibility of another surgery and the related recovery time mandated he go home. He called us a couple of days after he was home and told us he had seen a doctor and if all goes like he hopes it will, he will be back in a couple of months.
Specifics for this week – ending 10-25-08
Monday our two assistants had a baptism in the early evening and we went to that. Elder Hall went home this week, so it was especially nice for him to be able to baptize a sweet sister who is around 70. Her daughter is a long-time member and she and her husband had the missionaries teach her in their home.
On Tuesday we sent home our first Elder with a medical problem. He had so wanted to stay and had in fact had surgery in the field three months ago, but the possibility of another surgery and the related recovery time mandated he go home. He called us a couple of days after he was home and told us he had seen a doctor and if all goes like he hopes it will, he will be back in a couple of months.
Later that day we welcomed in 19 new missionaries. They are great and full of life. We have 76 companionships of young missionaries and 41 missionaries who have only been out for 6 weeks or less. While it does make for a few challenges as we try to get trainers for all of these new missionaries - it is great to see their enthusiasm and all the life they bring into the mission.
Wednesday we took the departing missionaries to the Portland temple and had the traditional final day with them. I have determined this is perhaps my favorite day of the whole transfer period. The ability to quietly reflect in the temple with honorable young men and women who have faithfully completed their mission is truly a wonderful experience. Of course, I hate to see them go the next day, but that sweet moment in the temple is so rewarding. I will admit there is a bit of selfishness on my part as well, because I so enjoy the opportunity to be in a place where my cell phone doesn’t ring and I can have some quiet reflective time of my own.
Thursday morning it is so enlightening to me to be able to quietly study the scriptures with the departing missionaries for an hour or so before they go. It is a unique time as they are feeling the pains of leaving and in some ways wanting to stay, and also feeling the excitement of the next stage of their life. We also sent off my final trainer (the second of the two assistants who were serving when we got here) and it was sad to see him go.
Thursday and Friday I spent some time in the office and also in planning out the next few weeks. This weekend Mom and I speak at a stake conference in Bend, so we need to finalize talks and drive up there for a couple of days.
Wednesday we took the departing missionaries to the Portland temple and had the traditional final day with them. I have determined this is perhaps my favorite day of the whole transfer period. The ability to quietly reflect in the temple with honorable young men and women who have faithfully completed their mission is truly a wonderful experience. Of course, I hate to see them go the next day, but that sweet moment in the temple is so rewarding. I will admit there is a bit of selfishness on my part as well, because I so enjoy the opportunity to be in a place where my cell phone doesn’t ring and I can have some quiet reflective time of my own.
Thursday morning it is so enlightening to me to be able to quietly study the scriptures with the departing missionaries for an hour or so before they go. It is a unique time as they are feeling the pains of leaving and in some ways wanting to stay, and also feeling the excitement of the next stage of their life. We also sent off my final trainer (the second of the two assistants who were serving when we got here) and it was sad to see him go.
Thursday and Friday I spent some time in the office and also in planning out the next few weeks. This weekend Mom and I speak at a stake conference in Bend, so we need to finalize talks and drive up there for a couple of days.
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