Week Ending May 23, 2009 Week # 6

Our new missionaries saw some rain as they arrived, but the sun decided to show now and then throughout the day, a good taste of Oregon Spring.

A cool but beautiful day at the Portland Temple with our departing missionaries and the Dixons, one of our office couples. We even ran into Elder Stout who went home several months ago. I'll get his picture in next time. It was great to be in the temple with our missionaries.

Elder Fowler's family couldn't wait to see him. I've never seen so much love and excitement in the eyes of kids before. It was wonderful!



Elder Fowler's family. Well, some of them. We counted 18. How many do you count?





Gary Stewart and Thales Smith are the salt of the earth and among the best in leadership I have seen. I am so grateful that Tom has them to work alongside him. What a difference they make in the way things run in this mission. Their wives are right there with them--Wow!






There's Tom, Rachel, Ryan and my adorable, little Bennett! We hiked Sweet Creek Falls and went over to Florence. Bennett was the talk on the trail, of course.

Another transfer week has come and gone. Not since I was serving my own mission and maybe when I was in school has time been marked by such regular stops and starts. It was another emotional roller coaster of watching fresh excited incoming missionaries and then seeing people we have come to love so much leave us as they have completed their service. This week’s transfers also had a change in assistants for me. Elder Livingston was released but still has one more transfer and Elder Goldhardt, who goes home in December, has joined Elder Brown. They, of course will do a great job together, but I will miss Elder Livingston, as I do all those who we work closely with when it comes their time to move on.

Sister Macdonald and I noticed something so delightful this transfer cycle. We had three missionaries picked up by their families. One was met at the temple by his parents. It was great watching them unite and be so happy to see one another. He came back to the mission home later in the day for our final supper together and they picked him up again here. That same evening we had another Elder picked up by his parents and his two younger sisters. Again it was fun to watch their interaction and the love they have for each other. However, perhaps the highlight was the last Elder picked up by his family.


We had an Elder from Northern California, who comes from a large family, picked up Wednesday morning. There were 18 people who arrived to get him (his parents, some siblings, some in-laws, and several nieces and nephews). It was wonderful to see the love in this family as they hugged one another. One of the nephews (age 2) tugged on Sister Macdonald’s skirt and when she bent down to talk to him he grabbed her and hugged her and told her that he liked her. They had purchased a small bus, like a shuttle van you take to the rental car counter of the hotel from the airport, to make the trip. - What a memory!


This week I had a presidency meeting with my two counselors. One of the great legacies that President Fugal left for me was calling two great men to serve with. In all of my church callings, and business assignments too for that matter, I have had men better than me that I worked with who provided much help in carrying out our duties. I feel bad that I have never written before about the strength I gather from having a presidency and meeting with them each month or so and talking to them on the phone regularly. Most people know about the mission president and his role with the missionaries, but the mission president also is often called upon by stake presidents in his mission to train local leaders in their missionary responsibilities and to speak in various conferences, firesides, and other meetings. I am assisted in all of this work and much more by two wonderful counselors, Presidents Stewart and Smith. In addition, I enjoy their company and their counsel whenever I have the opportunity to speak with them. I am grateful for the strength and wisdom of men who have served long and well in the church. I have learned to love these great men and can call on them to do anything. They gladly accept and always do a spectacular job. In fact, if I really want the mission presidency to look good I send them instead of going myself. They are wonderful.

On a personal note we were so blessed to have Ryan and Rachel and their little Bennett fly up for the Memorial Day weekend. It has been great seeing them as parents and getting to see how delightful Bennett is. Bennett is our 6th grandchild and first grandson who was born in February. This was our first chance to see him and hold him. He is such a pleasant baby and is almost always happy. They have adapted well to being parents and are naturals in that role.

All-in-all another great week.