Seeking Saturdays:
Often, in order to mix things up, many of our zones will have what they call 'seeking Saturdays' on, obviously, Saturdays. What this consists of is all of the missionaries going to work for a couple of hours in one companionship's area in a Zone. They also call this a blitz, where for 2 hours, one area just gets worked really hard and thoroughly. The companionship whose area is getting worked generally plans the blitz and gives names and addresses of people they want contacted by missionaries, and also other tasks to be completed. Some examples of what I mean are: knock on every house that has Christmas lights up, or contact 25 people on the street, talk to everyone who is walking a dog, etc. It mixes things up and making a game of it makes it fun.
On May 11 we went out with the East Sacramento Zone. The Hermanas were in charge of this one and we were trying to find Spanish speakers for them, but of course we were ready to talk to everyone, Spanish or not. I was blessed to go out with Hermana Bowen and Sister Law. We had a lot of fun together. President and I learn a lot from going out working with these Elders and Sisters. One thing we always learn is that this work is really hard. It amazes me that these wonderful missionaries are so resilient and happy, even when getting rejected. And believe me, they get rejected a lot! If you have never had people turn and run the other way as you approach them, just spend an afternoon with some missionaries. Everyone knows who we are, and many of them don't want to be contacted by us. We keep hearing that people are going to start flocking to the church, and after our seeking Saturdays, Scott and I have joked that the only flocking we see are people flocking away from us when they see us approaching. That is an exaggeration, because we have talked to many nice people, and we even got some referrals each time, but I am SO impressed with the faith and stamina of these amazing Elders and Sisters.
One kind of funny story happened on this day. We were driving in a neighborhood looking for the house of a former investigator and we happened on two yard sales. There were a lot of people at the yard sales, so we figured we would park and head over that way. Smart missionaries go where the people are. We were cognizant of the fact that the home owners were trying to make some money and we didn't want to drive their customers away and so at the first yard sale we headed straight to the check out table to talk with the yard sale purveyors. They were very nice and chatty, they wanted us to buy something and we wanted them to listen to something, so it was very nice. They had a bunch of brand new, in the boxes, covered 9x13 casserole dishes that were beautiful colored ceramic on the outside and cast iron on the inside. They were a really good price and I kind of wanted to buy one. I didn't know if it was kosher, but I told the lady I would buy one of the casserole dishes if they would listen to our message. I think the Sisters about died. We are not supposed to pay people to listen to us, and I wasn't paying them to listen, I was just capitalizing on an opportunity. I was going to buy it whether they listened or not. But, they said yes, we shared our message, they were polite, but not interested, I made my purchase and we were hopefully all better for the encounter. We were laughing as I told them not to do that when I'm not with them, and also, that President Hymas was going to just shake his head and say "only my wife could find something to shop for when I send her out working with the missionaries."
We did find a very sweet, nice young man who was a single parent to his daughter, raising her alone and doing his very best. At first Hermana Bowen said she didn't know if she should take me to this apartment complex. I told her I dared go anywhere she dared go, and so we did. This young man didn't look like anyone I would have known in my former life, but I was filled with such love and admiration for him. He had a rough upbringing and was doing the best he could under difficult circumstances, he loved and adored his daughter and I felt God's love for him. We gave him a Book of Mormon and definitely felt the spirit as we testified. God's love and spirit are everywhere, at yard sales, in sketchy apartment complexes, and anywhere his children are.
The next week we went with the Rancho Cordova Zone and the weather wasn't quite as cooperative, but we still had fun. We worked in the River Park Ward, which covers downtown and midtown Sacramento. I was blessed to go with Sister Durfee, and Sister Tenney, and it was Sister Tenney's last Saturday in the mission. Since it was raining, we didn't find that many people out walking around, and we don't know where everyone was on a rainy Saturday afternoon. Most were either not home, or not answering their doors. We did have a few very lovely conversations with some very nice people who opened their doors to us. We contacted a fairly large group of people who said they would be willing to listen to us if their uber hadn't pulled up at the same time we did. We also saw a rat running across the sidewalk just in front of us. I have a huge fear of rats and I was actually very surprised and proud that I stayed fairly composed. My favorite part of the afternoon was when we were standing on a porch waiting for someone to open, who never did. We were feeling like drowned rats ourselves, and Sister Tenney said "You know what I love? Even though it is rainy and cold and no one is opening their doors to us, or talking to us, I have still felt the spirit so strongly today because we are out trying to do the Lord's work, and when we try, He always blesses us with the spirit." Wise words from a seasoned missionary who has put in the effort to learn those important lessons out here.
Before the blitz and the rain
During the blitz and rain
After the blitz and rain
Baptisms:
I just have a few pictures of a sampling of baptisms that have been held in the past few weeks. We wish we could get to all of them.
Transfers:
We had transfers last week, 10 new missionaries arriving, and 9 departing. The new ones came in on Monday, May 20 and the departing ones left on Wednesday, May 22. The transfer process really starts long before that week as President reads letters and keeps notes on his impressions. We also both get a good feel for things as we go to interviews throughout the transfer. We start in earnest the week before transfers. We begin a fast, along with our assistants on the Monday prior to transfers and we meet to work the transfer board on Tuesday. We have so many things to take into consideration. Just a sampling are: how many missionaries are leaving and how many are coming. We have to find trainers, we have to replace leaders, we have to take into consideration those who can and can't drive, those who can and can't ride bikes due to physical issues, language units, where and with whom they have served before, apartment availabilities, etc. I have absolutely felt the direction of the spirit, sometimes no where is it stronger than while we are working the transfer board. But as President Nelson says "I believe good information leads to good inspiration". Once we think everything is in place, we break our fast with a dinner I prepare, and President sits on what we have done for a few days. He always makes a few changes, due to inspiration he receives as he ponders what the Lord would have us do.
Long ago, our assistants started calling transfer board day, game day. President would them ask them if they had their ankles taped, which they now do every single time.
President felt inspired to release Elder Larsen (middle) after serving for 6 months as our assistant and send him back to Stockton to be a Zone leader for his last two transfers. He basically just switched places with our new assistant, Elder Lilly, who was serving as a Zone Leader in Stockton. To some it may seem glamorous to be an assistant, but they work SO HARD. We are so grateful for all they do for us and for the mission.
(notice the pan the potatoes are in, that's my yard sale find!)
The Friday before the new missionaries come in, we have a big planning meeting with the assistants to set the direction for the next transfer. We make a transfer plan of trainings we feel are needed at MLC and Zone Conference and the focus of the other trainings for the transfer. We have made it a tradition of sorts to go to Jimmy John's for lunch either before or after that meeting, and this transfer was no different.
With the preparations all in place, we are able to welcome our new missionaries, which is one of our favorite things to do.
I don't think anyone appreciates what it takes to run transfers. I know we sent 4 missionaries and I had no idea. It is like a well oiled machine, from top to bottom. I think we have the best senior office missionaries in the world. Each of them has a job and they execute with perfection. From Sister Doig who organizes all of the interviews, travel itineraries, keeps us on schedule and much more. Elder Gunnell and Elder Mair are there to pick up luggage and then are back to training and arranging housing, finance, cars, etc. Elder Goodwin has all of the bikes and 72 hour backpacks ready to go, and Sister Goodwin has a handle on the medical issues before she even interviews them all that night. Sister Gunnell and Sister Mair have the most delicious food prepared when they arrive and also for the next day, along with more office details they take care of that I'm sure even I don't know about. We love them all so much and are so appreciative of all they do. President will often walk into our office and just say "no one knows, do they?" And all of our senior missionaries just smile, because, no one really does know all that it takes to keep a mission running smoothly.
Tuesday we train the new missionaries, we train their trainers, and adding to the well oiled machine experience, our assistants and office elders run transfers. We generally have 5 waves of transfers and how they organize it so those who come in, come in the same wave as those they are going with, is beyond me. It's complicated and oh so efficient. And it's so much fun to be out there watching it all take place. I think I complicate things a bit because I generally talk too much and take too many pictures, and I may make it a bit less efficient, but they never complain about me! And the sisters take longer than the elders, because sisters just love to talk and reconnect. Sometimes it is so sad to see them saying goodbye to beloved companions.
Sister Weckesser has thumbs up because she is going part Spanish and doesn't speak Spanish, and Sister Graham is from England and is learning to drive on the 'wrong' side of the road, according to her! Look at that smile!
Elder Fischetti and Elder Lilly saluting Elder Larsen as he left his office post and headed south for his new assignment.
And of course, some of his office mommas had to say goodbye.
New missionaries waiting to be matched up with their trainers
May 2019 New Arrivals
Elder James training Elder Lowenthal Elder Steglich training Elder Fonua
Elder Houghton training Elder McLeod Sister Christensen training Sister Hokoana-Yamaguchi
Sister Maldonado training Sister Schaumkel Sister Dickson training Sister Hutchins
Sister Schokker training Sister Straatman Hermana Johnson training Hermana Elizondo
Elder Torres training Elder Bergman
May 2019 departing missionaries
Our departing missionaries temple and departing dinner and testimony meeting
This is my dear friend Gail who helps me with so many things, one of which is our departing dinner. Sister Tatafu served in her ward for a while. And, of course, Elder Lilly had to be initiated by wearing one of my aprons as he helped serve dinner.
As always, it was hard to say goodbye to these stellar Elders and Sisters. We cherish our time with them, and especially the night before they leave. The spirit as they bear their final testimonies is so strong. Definitely a favorite night!
All good things must come to an end
Sister Tatafu
Sister Tenney
Sister Hunter
Sister White
Sister Baldwin
Elder Miller (he's tall)
Elder PalePale
Sister Armstrong
As part of transfers we have a new leader training. We had a large group of new Zone, District and Sister Training Leaders this time around.
Mission Leadership Council:
We held Mission Leadership Council, or MLC today. We love counseling with our mission leaders. We tell them this is their mission, and although we can influence the culture of the mission, they are the ones who really solidify and carry out the mission culture. It couldn't be in better hands.
Visitors:
We generally have a few visitors that stop by, and we have had several over the past few weeks. We love when our former missionaries come back to town for whatever reason. We love being able to keep up on their lives post mission. It is one of the greatest blessings of this calling and we will be forever grateful for each and every missionary we have had the great blessing and honor of serving with.
Sister Simonsen came to visit with her parents. It was great to meet them, to visit, to get some Stockton stories we didn't know about while she was here (that might not have been so great: Yikes), and to catch up on her life post mission. They kind of all love finding their names on our mission banner.
Hermana Alexander and her darling roomates, Sadie and Victoria were on their way back to Utah after coming to see the Oakland Temple open house, and other Bay area things. They stopped by for a visit and of course we had to load them up with snacks to keep them awake for their long drive home.
Sister Wilding and Sister Koller (now Thomas) were in town for a day and I got to spend yesterday morning and afternoon with them. Long, lingering lunches don't happen until they aren't missionaries anymore!
Our favorite part of last week was having Preston here with us for the entire week. He came the day our new missionaries were coming in. Funny story, we thought we had it worked out for an efficient airport pick up, but his flight got delayed and he was smart enough to get bumped to a later flight, pocketing $400. He had to take an uber from the airport to the mission office (can't interrupt the well oiled machine I was talking about earlier) but it was a small price to pay for a few hours wait and an uber ride with his new Chinese friend.
We had such a great time with him. He is a joy to have around. I say life is always better wherever Preston is, he is pure sunshine. He hung around and participated in our transfers, and we were able to squeeze in a lot of card games, a couple of movies, some good food, and a lot of great conversations and just some great Preston time. We love him so much. And we also got to celebrate his birthday while he was out here.
We also hit our tried and trues: El Dorado Tacqueria (which our kids say is what they will miss the very most when we don't live here anymore), Bacon and Butter, and our local favorite, Sienna.
Happy Birthday Pressy Boy!
It's hard to believe we are at the end of another month. Time is flying faster than we can wrap our heads around. We are so grateful for the blessing and honor of serving as missionaries with the best missionaries in the world! Let's bring on June and a new transfer of miracles.
