Our newest AP, Elder Brown. Transfers are hard on all of us. When I got a look at him, I told him to take a nap. He looked at me like I'd suggested he give a sister missionary a big kiss. I assured him it was okay. He wasn't needed for anything else for 30 minutes or so and there he is in a noisy house SOUND asleep, exhausted. I do my best to take care of them mom.
My parents got up early for the drive to the Portland Temple where Jamie and Kim met us to start the long drive home. We took a picture together in the atrium before hugs and kisses goodbye.
Elder Leet cooks a pretty good breakfast. The last couple weeks he was here he could be found in different homes cooking breakfast for people he loved.
Each time we send a group home now it seems more difficult because we know them better. This time I cried off and on for two days. We do love our missionaries. Having the Dixons with us is always a special treat. They are such a great help to us in the office.
Our new arrivals. Another great group, although I will say they were much quieter than others we have had. I'm sure that won't last long. Give them a couple weeks with the other missionaries and lots of things change--for the better.
Again a family issue tops the highlight of the week – and since we believe that families can be forever that’s not all bad – right? Sister Macdonald’s parents visited us for a couple of days this last week. They have served three missions together. In their first one he presided over the Arizona Tucson Mission from 1990 to 1993. They were here when we had our incoming missionaries come in on Tuesday. I think they enjoyed watching some of that, and reliving the pleasant memories of their own mission. We were thrilled to have them here, and we are grateful to Kim and Jamie (Sis. Macdonald's sister and husband) who drove them out here in route to see their daughter’s family in Washington.
The incoming group of new missionaries this week was full of excitement and happiness to be here – as usual. As I get to meet them in person it becomes obvious that the trainers they have been assigned to go to are who they were supposed to go to. I can only learn so much from their picture and brief history that I have before they get here. The Lord knows them and loves them and guides me so strongly to put them with a specific companion and in a specific area where they will get started on the right foot. I have enjoyed the practice that Sister Macdonald suggested to me, of calling the incoming missionaries’ parents on the day they arrive. I am sure the parents feel a bit of assurance from that call, and I love making a connection with them as well.
On Wednesday / Thursday comes the downside of the transfer process. Sending home missionaries that we have come to love. This week’s group was all great – as they all are – but it also included one of my assistants, Elder Leet. I wish I could get as close to all of the missionaries as I get to the assistants, but it just isn’t possible. We, along with the entire mission, will miss him.
Stake conferences: It was a year ago that I was released as a stake president, but we are not lacking for opportunities to speak in stake conferences still. In the last three weeks I have spoken in nine sessions of four different stake conferences and I spoke at a fireside as well. Sister Macdonald has spoken at the appropriate sessions as well. The differences of course are I don’t know the people here like I did the good people of the Orem North Stake after living there for 30 years and being in the stake presidency for 15 years. The other difference is that we almost always speak together and on the subject of missionary work. I still enjoy the opportunity and Sister Macdonald is an excellent speaker and getting more comfortable doing it too. Although we don’t know many people we have run into several former members of our stake from home which gives us a touch of familiarity that is a tender mercy for sure.
When I started this blog idea I had to promise myself I would do it even when I didn’t have time for lengthy entries and I wouldn’t feel guilty if I didn’t have much to say. So I trust the pictures that Sister Macdonald will add will be sufficient to round out this week’s brief entry.
The incoming group of new missionaries this week was full of excitement and happiness to be here – as usual. As I get to meet them in person it becomes obvious that the trainers they have been assigned to go to are who they were supposed to go to. I can only learn so much from their picture and brief history that I have before they get here. The Lord knows them and loves them and guides me so strongly to put them with a specific companion and in a specific area where they will get started on the right foot. I have enjoyed the practice that Sister Macdonald suggested to me, of calling the incoming missionaries’ parents on the day they arrive. I am sure the parents feel a bit of assurance from that call, and I love making a connection with them as well.
On Wednesday / Thursday comes the downside of the transfer process. Sending home missionaries that we have come to love. This week’s group was all great – as they all are – but it also included one of my assistants, Elder Leet. I wish I could get as close to all of the missionaries as I get to the assistants, but it just isn’t possible. We, along with the entire mission, will miss him.
Stake conferences: It was a year ago that I was released as a stake president, but we are not lacking for opportunities to speak in stake conferences still. In the last three weeks I have spoken in nine sessions of four different stake conferences and I spoke at a fireside as well. Sister Macdonald has spoken at the appropriate sessions as well. The differences of course are I don’t know the people here like I did the good people of the Orem North Stake after living there for 30 years and being in the stake presidency for 15 years. The other difference is that we almost always speak together and on the subject of missionary work. I still enjoy the opportunity and Sister Macdonald is an excellent speaker and getting more comfortable doing it too. Although we don’t know many people we have run into several former members of our stake from home which gives us a touch of familiarity that is a tender mercy for sure.
When I started this blog idea I had to promise myself I would do it even when I didn’t have time for lengthy entries and I wouldn’t feel guilty if I didn’t have much to say. So I trust the pictures that Sister Macdonald will add will be sufficient to round out this week’s brief entry.
2 comments:
Glad your visit with Grandma and Grandpa went well! How couldn't it though? Looks like the new AP is sleeping on the job, which is good, he will need a pick me up. Elder Leet is gone, oh that is too bad, he was fun to get to know.
So nice to see where you are and how the missionary work is coming. I must admit to being somewhat envious of your surroundings with all the beautiful colors. I miss that very much. Oregon is truly a beautiful place full of amazing creations. All is well here and we are getting our fair share of moisture. I try not to get used to rain as I know it is not a usual thing. The ward/stake is doing well under the guidance of Pres. Spencer & Bishop Graul. It is weird to see strange people in your home. Take care.
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