Transfer #13 - 42 New Missionaries- General Conference!

This week I am so very, very grateful that we do not have 42 missionaries that come into the mission on every transfer!  We are grateful for all 42 of them.  We are also grateful that this week is behind us, and that we have all survived!

We had Hermana Clements and Hermana Braun spend the night with us on Sunday night.  Monday morning, the elders picked up Hermana Braun to take her to the airport.  She is now serving in Las Palmas.  I wanted to fold myself up and put myself in her suitcase.  But, instead, I just sent my love to all the people that we love and miss.  Hermana Clements spent the day with Karen, a wonderful lady who was baptized back in May.

Hermana Pack and I headed to the grocery store to get things for our busy two days of cooking.  We were working on the meal for Monday night for the missionaries who were going home.  I made Chicken Bundles.  I found a type of refrigerated dough that is something like crescent rolls.  It isn't quite as light and flaky, but it works.  Hermana Pack made a yummy bread pudding.  I was grateful for the help of these two good elders, Elder Regehr and Elder Daniels.  Caroline didn't get to help until after school, but I always love having her help in the kitchen.

We were two tired but happy ladies at the end of the night!

It is always a little sad to say goodbye to these missionaries.  

Best wishes to them in their new adventures!

  Elders Dampt, Rawson, Rawlinsons, Norrell, Mullins, Pres. Pack, Barahona, Larkin, Mower

  Hermanas Pack, Clements, and Kuhn

It is always a busy night after the testimony meeting as the missionaries weigh their luggage and figure out what to do with their overweight suticases.

These two sweet girls, Hermana Kuhn and Hermana Clements spent the night with us.  We were back at the mission home by 7:00 a.m. so that they could head to the airport.  And I went into the kitchen to start the preparations for the breakfast for the 14 new missionaries who were arriving from the the Provo, Utah MTC.  The Packs picked them up at the airport and they had rented a bus to take them to the mission home.  

The bus then went to Pavones, our temple square, where Elder Larsen performed his magic with the 42 pieces of luggage, and the 84 pieces of luggage of the 28 missionaries that were at the Spain MTC. It took an amazing amount of organization to put the luggage on the right side of the bus and in the chapel.  Elder Larsen was the perfect person for the job.

After the Provo group had a chance to clean up and eat, then the 28 arrived from the Madrid MTC. They met in the front yard, and then they were divided into three groups.  They were taught by the Packs, the APs, and by the office elders, and Elder Larsen and me.

I was very busy in the kitchen preparing barbeque chicken sandwiches, pasta salad, baked beans, and chips.  We also had pumpkin bars.  I sure was glad that we had prepared some of the food the day before.  I was also very grateful that these three ladies helped serve and clean up.

 Patricia, Sister Verbuken, Teresa, Hermana Larsen

Feeding almost 60 people in a home is quite the feat.  We had a marvelous idea of passing their food to them out the window, our on "Walk-Up Window."  Teresa was in charge of getting their forms before they could have food.  It worked great!

Hermana Maza and Herman Weaver

Here are our busy office elders who do lots of work behind the scenes!

 Elders Daniel, Barlow, Regehr, Veiss

And here we have the Packs and the 42!  What a group!

We had the opportunity to take Hermana Milne to the train station.  She is headed to Oviedo to be companions with Hermana Ross.  I was very impressed with this young woman.  She will be an amazing missionary!

Most of the missionaries were able to head to their areas on Tuesday night.  But, the missionaries who were headed to the island and two who were headed up north spent the night at the mission home and left on their trains and planes the next morning.  We had a nice time visiting with these great missionaries. 

And here we have the missionaries and their luggage, trying to get organized for the night.

At the end of a very long day, it is good to be with these two wonderful ladies.

And here we have a glimpse at the relief after the stress of a transfer week of 42!

 Thursday, Hermana Pack and I drove over to Alcalá to have lunch with these two cute hermanas.

And we also got to visit with the Schwartz for a few minutes.  They are serving as Family History missionaries in Alcalá.

Even though we had finished the 42 transfer, Hermana Pack and I had another couple of big meals to prepare for.  We did our shopping at Makro.  Hermana Pack surprised me by putting this shrink wrapped pig in my arms.  My scream might have embarrassed her a little bit.  And then we were entertained with this fish display.  The stores always have unusual displays in there large seafood departments.

Friday afternoon, Elder Larsen and I went to pick up our renewed residency cards.  It is hard to explain the relief when a missionary gets their residency card and they are "legal."  This is our last time to do this before we go home.

But the fun part was that we were able to see some of the missionaries who have just arrived from the Madrid MTC, who were beginning the process of getting their residency cards.  We will welcome them to the Spain Madrid Mission in 6 weeks.

The Packs invited us over to watch General Conference with them on Saturday.  We have conference every April and October.  It is a two day "feast" when we have the opportunity to hear from the apostles of the Lord and to hear Thomas S. Monsosn, the Lord's prophet on the earth today.  I love conference weekend.

What a beautiful message President Monson gave on Sunday!  I love this man and the example he is of a man who has lived a Christ-like life.  I would like to share just a small part of his message.  You can watch it here.

To be an example of faith means that we trust in the Lord and in His word. It means that we possess and that we nourish the beliefs that will guide our thoughts and our actions. Our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and in our Heavenly Father will influence all that we do. Amidst the confusion of our age, the conflicts of conscience, and the turmoil of daily living, an abiding faith becomes an anchor to our lives. Remember that faith and doubt cannot exist in the same mind at the same time, for one will dispel the other. I reiterate what we have been told repeatedly—that in order to gain and to keep the faith we need, it is essential that we read and study and ponder the scriptures. Communication with our Heavenly Father through prayer is vital. We cannot afford to neglect these things, for the adversary and his hosts are relentlessly seeking for a chink in our armor, a lapse in our faithfulness. Said the Lord, “Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good.”

Sunday morning, the Packs invited all the missionaries over from the San Sebastian Ward.  The Elders watched the recording of the priesthood session of conference at the Packs house, and the hermanas went next door to the bishop's house to watch the women's session of conference from the week before.  

Hermana Pack and I had an adventure at the grocery store as we tried to find a rump roast.  But, we must have been succesful because Hermana Pack made us delicious French dip sandwiches.  I made coleslaw and we had fresh vegetables with precious "Ranch Dip."  Then we had brownies and ice cream for dessert.  It is always fun to be together with these good missionaries!

A very busy week, but we survived!

Busy, Busy Week!

I am so grateful for all the good missionaries that we work with in the office, and the APs, and the Packs.  It has certainly been a combined effort by all of us as we have worked through this week to be ready for the upcoming transfers.  I have always said that many hands make light work.  I know that in this case, it takes many hands, and brains to accomplish all that we have had to do to be ready for the 42 missionaries that will be joining us next week.  

On Monday, our Preparation Day, I had the hermanas over for lunch.  We had chicken salad, crescent rolls, and salad.  I have been so busy lately that I have not been able to spend much time with them. We had a great afternoon, just eating and visiting.  I love these girls.  

While we were eating delicious banana splits, we watched one of my favorite conference talks, that talks about Jim Drinkwater, a small crippled man who became an instrument in God's hands.  This talk and this phrase have continued to be in my mind and heart throughout my mission.  I pray to be like Jim Drinkwater.  You can watch his talk here.

We worked busily in the office all week getting ready for next weeks transfers.  Lots of long hours.

I did take a break to teach with Hermana West and Hermana Harper, but I only got a photo of Hermana Figueiredo and Hermana Olsen.

Thursday morning we attended the 8:00 a.m. session at the temple with our zone.  What a blessing it was to be in the temple with all of these wonderful missionaries! It was a real privilege for us.  We had to leave as soon as the session was over, but I was glad to get this photo of our four hermanas.   

I knew that there was no way I could feed the missionaries on Sunday, so I had them over on Friday. We had Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Burritos, Texas Caviar, Red Pepper Rice, and Chocolate Lush. Yummy!

We welcomed in a new Assistant to the President (AP).)  Elder Koeven will be taking Elder Schwanke's place.  He will be a great addition to our group.

I actually caught these two smiling!

We have been having choir practice before and after church.  The bishop asked me to direct a ward choir for Stake Conference.  Our talent is a little lacking, but we have willing people.  We will pray for the angels to attend us.

 Caroline Pack and Tomo Verbuken

Bayley Woodbury is the niece of Hermana Hunt who was serving in the North.  She is here as a nanny until December.  She is going to start attending our ward.  We had talked on the phone a few times, but it was fun to meet her today.

One last photo with Elder Schwanke before he heads North for his last six weeks!  

We will certainly miss him!

Sunday night we picked up the Hermanas  Hermana Clements flew in from the islands.  She goes home on Tuesday.  She had attended a family night with Hermana Figueiredo and Hermana Olsen.  It was so fun to visit with her.  What a good missionary she is!  We will miss her as well!

Sick with a Cold!

This week I am grateful that I did not stay sick all week.  I started getting a cold on the weekend, and was wiped out by Monday morning.  Whenever I am sick, it always makes me appreciate even more that I am usually a very healthy person.  I am very grateful for that blessing.

Elder Larsen left early for the airport with Chace and Madison and I went back to bed for most of the day.  I HATE COLDS!  I was supposed to be at the Packs house, cooking and getting ready for the leadership council meeting and meal that would take place on Tuesday.  I am glad that the hermanas came over and helped Hermana Pack.  I was sad to miss the fun interaction with those sweet girls.  It was Hermana Packs birthday.  Their family went out to dinner at the restaurant that has a type of Avocado Eggrolls.  They aren't as good as the ones back home, but they are a close second.  Hermana Pack and Caroline were so sweet and brought me some to cheer me up.

I was not 100%, but I was back at the office on Thursday and it was Elder Ruiz's birthday.  I had made him a chocolate cake and then his mother had a cake and ballons delivered to the office.  She also sent two boxes of cupcakes! And everyone was in the party mode!

She also sent cookies to the Packs that had individual letters that spelled "GRACIAS," and balloons.  What thoughtful lady!

I have been asked to direct a ward choir for Stake Conference.  I am a little overwhelmed.  We don't have a lot of strong singers in the ward, and I am not the best choir director.  We don't have much time to practice.  We will need the angels to join us!  I found a song with a nice violin obligato. Elder Ruiz played it for me on the flutophone, so I could hear it with the hymn.  I hope this all comes together.

Elder Barlow's birthday was on Monday, but I was in no condition to prepare food.  So, I brought him some mint brownies on Saturday.  He was happy to receive them!

President and Hermana Pack left on Saturday morning to attend stake conference in the islands.  I would like to have folded up in the suitcase and gone with them.  But, we did the opportunity to stay with Jonathon and Caroline.  I made Jewish Sweet Bread for them, and they loved it, as you can see!

Elder Larsen and I have been teaching a Marriage and Family Relationship class at church.  I taught this class before, but I learn more each time I teach because of the truths of these principles.  I love this quote by President Hinckley:

Elder Gordon B. Hinckley counseled:

“I know of no single practice that will have a more salutary effect upon your lives than the practice of kneeling together as you begin and close each day. Somehow the little storms that seem to afflict every marriage are dissipated when, kneeling before the Lord, you thank him for one another, in the presence of one another, and then together invoke his blessings upon your lives, your home, your loved ones, and your dreams.  God then will be your partner, and your daily conversations with him will bring peace into your hearts and a joy into your lives that can come from no other source. Your companionship will sweeten through the years; your love will strengthen. Your appreciation for one another will grow.” 

How blessed I am to have a wonderful spouse to kneel in pray with everyday.  He is a great blessing in my life!