Week Ending January 3, 2009 Week #4

Bennet isn't here yet, but we had to get him something. Rachel was only too happy to be opening presents for the February arrival.

Averi had a difficult time leaving Grandpa's glasses along--and we had a difficult time getting a picture with them on her face. She is really quick and she knew exactly what she was doing. "Ha ha Grandma! Are you going to try again?"

Movie night in Grandma and Grandpa's bedroom. That's where the big screen T.V. is. We had a lot of fun once we got settled in.





We thoroughly enjoyed the visit of two of our children and their families around Christmas, but when we dropped them off at the airport on Wednesday morning, we were immediately back to work (after a few tears). Not that the work completely stopped when they were here. It was so fun to spend time with all of them – especially the grandchildren!

In addition to some office follow-up and Mom catching up with the mission history and medical needs, the assistants and I received the revelation necessary to make transfers. They don’t happen for another week and a half, but it is good to basically know where people will be going. Sometimes I will tweak some of the transfers after zone conferences, which are this coming week, but it is largely completed.

I was reflecting on the time we have now spent here in the mission field. We have now completed six months of service and it has fast become a way of life. We have traveled by car over 16,000 miles in those 6 months, interviewed all of the missionaries 5 times, (there are about 170 of them). This week we will complete our 5th set of multi-zone conferences. We have spoken at about 75 district meetings and dozens of firesides or sacrament meetings, and met with each of the stake presidents numerous times. I have interviewed several missionaries who had feelings of separation anxiety, homesickness, or mild discouragement, and thankfully none have decided to go home. Other than worthy releases at the end of their mission, we have only needed to send home one Elder who needed knee surgery and could not properly recuperate here in the mission field, and he is hoping to return in a couple of weeks.

We have been strengthened by the hand of providence in all that we have done. Of course, I miss my family and the friends and life we left at home, but I know we are where we should be, doing what we should be doing. Last night when I drove up to Salem to visit with an Elder who is quite homesick and thinks his solution might be to return home, I told him that we too missed family and loved ones, but we were here because we knew we were on the Lord’s errand. I think he was surprised to find out that he was not alone with missing family etc. I do hope and pray he will become what he should be.

May those who read this know that we are so appreciative of your support and prayers. We are better people for knowing each of you, or your children who serve in this mission. We know that this work will go forward as the Lord has declared.