The size of our incoming groups has reduced, probably due to the time of year as well as the fact that we are sizing down in order to get 50 new missionaries and three new zones at the first of July as we take on some of the Modesto Mission, which is closing. So with this group we only had three new missionaries come in. I am used to really big groups, since that is what we have had from the time I got here to just the past few months. Small groups are a new concept and we are still trying to figure out the logistics when we only have a few coming in. This time we tried doing all of their training on Monday night so we didn't have to keep everyone in for Tuesday training.
We picked up Sister Vogt, Elder Rowland and Elder Justice at the airport and drove directly to the temple where they met their new companions. We then brought them back to our home, had dinner, Scott interviewed them and we had all of the training. After all of the training was done, they went to their areas with their companions so they could hit the ground running the next day. It was a long night for them, but it saved the following day for them, so I think it was still worth doing it that way, especially when we have a small group.
Ready to meet their new companions
Hermana Vogt being trained by Hermana Peterson
Elder Rowland and his new companion Elder Manalansang
Elder Justice is being trained by Elder Dougherty. He is waiting for a visa to go the the Philippines, but we are thrilled to have him for as long as we can keep him here.
When we got to our house after the temple that evening, we found this baby rattlesnake on our driveway. We were just a little freaked out and before we could find something to help us dispose of it, it had slithered away into the bushes. That makes for some tense moments taking the garbage out at night on that side of the house. We do not step without looking! We were telling Brother Adam Jones from our ward about that experience a few nights later when we saw him. We were telling him that since the church hires someone to do our yard, we don't even have a shovel or anything to help us defend ourselves against the little rattlers. That night, after we had talked to him, we see something just outside of our front door and opened the door to find this brand new shovel. Brother Jones had seen a need and provided us with the tools we needed. That was true ministering and we were so grateful to him. That kind act touched us deeply and we are so grateful to have such great ward members.
Because we got all of our training done on Monday night we were able to be there for the rest of the mission transfers on Tuesday morning. This system was in place when we got here and we had heard about the efficient manner in which they conduct transfers, but had never been able to witness it because we are always in the new missionary training meeting at the same time. We were blown away with the efficiency of the whole process. The assistants spend the whole prior weekend putting together the schedule. We had a lot of people transferring this time, and so they had 5 'rounds'. They start at 11:00 and have 5-7 cars lined up and ready to go. At the signal, the cars pull up in their line up and those who are transferring get out of their car, get all of their stuff out and move it to the car of the companion they are transferring to. They schedule 10 minutes per 'round' and so we can transfer the entire mission in one hour. It was amazing to watch and so much fun to be a part of. Our son Preston was here last week and he took a time lapse video of one of the rounds. I posted it on facebook and instagram if anyone wants to see it. It was quite impressive. Here are some still pictures of the transfer process.
Waiting for the crew
During transfers we also got our supplies of Books of Mormon for the month, which we were thrilled about. And we had many hands to carry them into the office for us.
As soon as transfers were over, we took the departing sisters to lunch and then headed to the temple with Sister Najera, Sister Wong, Elder Murphy and Preston
We came back to our home after the temple and had a nice dinner and a testimony meeting with the departing missionaries. Another thing they do that night is sign our mission banner.
The next morning we took these three to the airport and sent them home to their families. I had no idea when we came out here how heart wrenching it was going to be every six weeks as we send our beloved missionaries home. It breaks my heart every time. How we love these missionaries and wish for them the very best when they return home to civilian life!
Sister Wong going home to Hong Kong Sister Najera is heading back to Utah
Elder Murphy has been our assistant for the past 9 months. That is kind of unusual, but pretty much our whole mission has been spent with him very close at hand. I told him we don't really know how to do the mission without him. We are going to miss him!
One last pow wow!
We said see ya later to Elder Zoller this week as well. We can't wait to get him back in a few months.
If departure day isn't bad enough, the next day we started the day with a meeting with those who will be going home next transfer. It is a meeting to pump them up for their last transfer and to keep them going strong until the very last minute, but as I walked in and saw 10 of our amazing missionaries sitting there, following sending these three home the day before, it was hard to hold back the tears. People ask me what has been the most surprising thing about our mission and I would have to say I didn't really anticipate how incredibly hard it is to send home these missionaries that we have come to love so much.
I walked into that meeting and there was a beautiful vase of roses sitting at the table where I always sit. Sister Koller and Sister Brown had brought them to me for Mother's Day. That was so sweet and didn't help me with the fact that they were in that departing meeting either.
This was just the first of so many kind notes, cards, texts, calls and videos I received from our missionaries for Mother's Day. On one of the calls I told the elders that I was thrilled to have a couple hundred more people in my family to love and mother and he said "Yeah, and aren't you glad you didn't have to give birth to all of us." My answer was a quick and resounding 'yes'. So thank you to all of our missionaries' moms who did give birth and have given me an opportunity to love your children without the pain of childbirth. Ha Ha.
Friday we had MLC, which is a really great meeting. Sister Leavitt was a new STL this time and we asked her if MLC was what she thought it would be and she admitted she didn't really know what it would be, but that it was just like another Zone Conference. She hit that spot on.
I've stated before that we are studying the Christlike Attributes found in Preach My Gospel so I led a discussion on the attribute of Patience that we have been studying for the past few weeks. Prior to the Patience training, I did a little training on cleaning and organizing. I was so surprised at the passion they had about this topic. There were hands popping up all over the place with Elders and Sisters wanting to add their two cents worth on how this is so important. I made up these slides, so hopefully they will get passed along to all of the mission and the cleanliness level will amp up a bit.
Both sets of assistants did great trainings, one on organizing their areas books and how that can help them be more productive, which leads to more baptisms. And one on setting expectations with their missionaries as well as investigators. Scott talked about A new sense of commitment and raising their sights. Why would someone want to listen to us, and that gets back to the question of Why are you here? We need to know why we are here, and to be here for the right reasons before we can authentically share what we believe.
We had a delicious lunch prepared by Elder and Sister Gunnell, with help in the kitchen from Preston. He was completely impressed by Sister Gunnell's ability to run a kitchen, as am I. They are such great helps to us.
Sister Training Leaders May 2018
Zone Leaders and Assistants May 2018
Sister Baird's last MLC (insert frowny face)
We've been really blessed to have had Ethan with us last week and Preston with us this week. We had to say goodbye to him on Saturday. He is going on an amazing study abroad next week. We love when he is here. In between all of the mission craziness this week we were able to squeeze in a few good dinners, some fun card games and a little birthday shopping.
We dropped Preston off at the airport on Saturday morning and then had a few great baptisms we were able to attend.
Tish is the amazing lady we met up at the temple last week. We were thrilled to be at her baptism, as were Sisters Tatafu, Mitchell and Lund.
Today was another Coloma Day. We were able to take 24 missionaries up to Coloma and introduce them to some California and Mormon History. Thanks to Brother Taylor for being a wonderful guide and for the inspiring stories he told. It was a beautiful and fun day in the mountains.
We started early with breakfast at our home and then drove up to Coloma for the rest of the day.
This happens most places we go!
Panning for Gold. We have all decided it was easier to make money selling the gold panning pans, than actually panning for gold during the gold rush. #notaseasyasitlooks
Inside the Mormon Cabin
Sutter's Mill
We love serving together. We are busier than we have ever been, but we are happy in the work of the Lord. We feel blessed to be here together and to be serving with the greatest missionaries in the world!
