This group has plenty of energy and lots of enthusiasm. They were ready to get to work so we put them to work just as fast as we could.
It was a long drive, but we really enjoyed each others company. We really enjoyed the spirit inside the Medford Temple. What a great day!
Elder Lopez was picked up by his sister and her husband. They were so excited to see him. We love to watch .
Elder Bauer was met by several former OEM missionaries at the SLC Airport. I think they've missed each other.
Sister Longhurst's parents picked her up at the mission home. That was a tearful reunion. Now we know why Sister Lonhurst cries so easily.Another transfer week has come and gone. We welcomed in some great new missionaries and sent home a wonderful group of young friends who have become a large part of our life. Three of the missionaries had family pick them up and it was fun to see them interact with each other for the first time in 18 months, or two years. One of my assistants, Elder Groskreutz, cried more than I have ever seen a missionary cry over the departure of his good friends. We are comforted that on the other end there were a greater amount of tears of joy as families and friends greeted their sons and daughters and had a sweet reunion with them. We also know how soon those who are crying tears for their departing friends will become one of those leaving us, and we will have tears for them.
Regular readers will know that we have taken each set of returning missionaries to the Portland Temple the day before they go home. This week I found out on Monday that the Portland Temple would be closed for a couple of weeks, so we made a last minute decision to travel to the Medford Temple instead. Some wonderful friends in Central Point made sack lunches so we could eat on the road and get home on time. The missionaries were very glad to have a chance to end their missions with a trip to the temple. Although the drive was a fair bit further and the timing of the sessions was not as convenient for us, we are glad we made the extra effort and had that sacred time together with our missionaries.
This Sunday was the start of the first half of the year speaking assignments at various stake conferences throughout the mission. We have 15 stakes in the mission and I think all of them have asked for a member of the mission presidency to attend one or more sessions of their stake conferences. Where there is more than one stake conference on the same weekend, one of my counselors will help fill in and speak in our stead. This week we spoke in the Corvallis stake, and it was the first of six conferences we will speak at over a five week period. It is great to see so many good members of the church that we have come to know over the last couple of years throughout the mission, and even better to see our missionaries who serve in these stakes.
Regular readers will know that we have taken each set of returning missionaries to the Portland Temple the day before they go home. This week I found out on Monday that the Portland Temple would be closed for a couple of weeks, so we made a last minute decision to travel to the Medford Temple instead. Some wonderful friends in Central Point made sack lunches so we could eat on the road and get home on time. The missionaries were very glad to have a chance to end their missions with a trip to the temple. Although the drive was a fair bit further and the timing of the sessions was not as convenient for us, we are glad we made the extra effort and had that sacred time together with our missionaries.
This Sunday was the start of the first half of the year speaking assignments at various stake conferences throughout the mission. We have 15 stakes in the mission and I think all of them have asked for a member of the mission presidency to attend one or more sessions of their stake conferences. Where there is more than one stake conference on the same weekend, one of my counselors will help fill in and speak in our stead. This week we spoke in the Corvallis stake, and it was the first of six conferences we will speak at over a five week period. It is great to see so many good members of the church that we have come to know over the last couple of years throughout the mission, and even better to see our missionaries who serve in these stakes.
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