Here is President and the Strattons looking for treasure on the beach. Oh how we miss the Strattons already!
I do see this side of them and I don't let it upset me. They are still part boy after all.
See, I know the missionary in them will always return when appropriate, which is most of the time (our current zone leaders).This is the week of fresh starts and new beginnings in the mission. Transfers are now complete, they happened last week, and there is always an excitement in the air as missionaries are getting to know their new companions and meeting the new missionaries in their district and zone. This is the week where each zone meets together for the first time after transfers and holds a combined district meeting and the missionaries work together for half the day. I am grateful for this built-in revitalization process every six weeks. The work always seems to pickup a bit after the unpacking, etc. is out of the way. We now look forward to visiting with all of the missionaries in their new areas starting next week. FYI – typically about 30% of the missionaries change each time, which effects just over half of the companionships each transfer.
This week we also held our Zone Leader Council. During this time we share concerns that may need to be addressed throughout the mission, and look for ways to improve ourselves and those we have stewardship over. As I work with these young leaders I am very impressed with the wisdom they have that is well beyond their years. Their insights to the scriptures indicates clearly to me that they are studying and learning each day. As near as I can tell, they strive to be their very best at all times.
This week we have also had the delightful opportunity to be with some of our family as we welcomed home our son from his mission. The local ward was kind enough to invite him to speak in sacrament meeting and let him report a little of his mission. Of course, he will have the opportunity to do that in Orem in a couple of weeks as well, but we were glad to be able to hear him. In keeping with what has become a tradition in our family our son took his mother to the temple one-on-one for their “date” after he returned home. Our older two sons have each done this and Sister Macdonald has enjoyed that time with her boys. I am thrilled they love their mother and express it in such appropriate ways.
Of course, as we said our goodbyes to our family, as they have now gone home (and to our friends the Strattons as their one-year mission is over) we are a bit saddened. As I tell our new missionaries, if you don’t miss them a little there is something wrong with the relationship. We now look forward to getting heavily involved in missionary work again. These last few weeks we have been to many baptisms and it is fun to see the work progressing. I am happy with the spirit that has been poured out in great abundance throughout the mission and I pray it will continue. I feel like Nephi and can only think to praise my God all day long!
This week we also held our Zone Leader Council. During this time we share concerns that may need to be addressed throughout the mission, and look for ways to improve ourselves and those we have stewardship over. As I work with these young leaders I am very impressed with the wisdom they have that is well beyond their years. Their insights to the scriptures indicates clearly to me that they are studying and learning each day. As near as I can tell, they strive to be their very best at all times.
This week we have also had the delightful opportunity to be with some of our family as we welcomed home our son from his mission. The local ward was kind enough to invite him to speak in sacrament meeting and let him report a little of his mission. Of course, he will have the opportunity to do that in Orem in a couple of weeks as well, but we were glad to be able to hear him. In keeping with what has become a tradition in our family our son took his mother to the temple one-on-one for their “date” after he returned home. Our older two sons have each done this and Sister Macdonald has enjoyed that time with her boys. I am thrilled they love their mother and express it in such appropriate ways.
Of course, as we said our goodbyes to our family, as they have now gone home (and to our friends the Strattons as their one-year mission is over) we are a bit saddened. As I tell our new missionaries, if you don’t miss them a little there is something wrong with the relationship. We now look forward to getting heavily involved in missionary work again. These last few weeks we have been to many baptisms and it is fun to see the work progressing. I am happy with the spirit that has been poured out in great abundance throughout the mission and I pray it will continue. I feel like Nephi and can only think to praise my God all day long!
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