Coaching a Team

This was another week of about 50 interviews.  We had so much fun with them.  Their personalities, their energy, their interests, their faith are all such an inspiration to us.!
This week while I was contemplating my role with these wonderful young people, I thought of some of the best athletic coaches I've had over the years or whom I have watched.  We have all these 'players', but though they are playing the same 'game', they are not all playing the game in the same place.  They can't rely on everyone on the team at the same time, they have to rely on just the players right next to them at the moment.  They are literally playing 24/7.
As with any coach, our responsibility is to look at their individual strengths and weaknesses and try to put players together that will have the greatest impact.  In a few cases, we have three together and not two.  That creates new dynamics which have to be considered.

 Here we have a very young looking young man we call our "Iowa farm boy" with a Korean young man several years older.

 Here we have a young Korean sister with a dynamic, energetic Utah girl.

 This group has a Korean raised in California, a Hawaiian girl, an Idaho girl, and a Utah girl.  Some are two transfers in country, some are two transfers from going home.

 We have a young sister from the Philippines and a sister from the east coast.

Here we have a Chinese-American from Hawaii. The picture is of an octopus.  He loves to spear fish and eat octopus.  (Did you know that in order to kill the octopus, you bite it's brain.  We learn something new everyday from these youth.)
Our role is fun in that we have to tailor the coaching and counseling to each of the 112 individuals.  Like on any team, some have more natural talents and need little guidance from us.  However, others are less sure and have played less of this game and need a little more personal attention.  Some have fouled and need some discipline.  Some get a little big in the head and need humbling.  Some are so good, yet don't think much of themselves and need a little pep talk.
Some people would probably look at us more like conductors of a unique orchestra.  However, they play so far apart, music is clearly not the results.  Whatever the metaphor or analogy one may want to use, we are having fun working with these 'players' and watching each one develop their game!
Occasionally, the coach gets a special thank you from the players:

This weekend we didn't take much time to relax because of all that was going on.  The missionaries are being so blessed in their work we could have been in six or seven different venues this weekend and not seen the fruits of their labors.  On Saturday, we were able to witness an 18 year-old young lady enter the waters of baptism with her uncle referring her to the missionaries and after they taught her, he baptized her.  She is a bright light.  Her mother attended and is now showing interest in the message that is bringing her daughter such joy.

The missionaries prepared a musical number to share.

Of course, they love being with the coaches and to ham it up like they would after any game winner!

Each baptismal service usually follows this agenda: 
Start with pictures of the person receiving baptism with the missionaries and or family and friends.  Sometimes unique characters join the photo shoot... This little one's older sister was baptized some time ago and has now brought her little sister to church.

Then there are messages shared and music sang. In this case, the young 10 year old introduced herself and shared her feelings about the day and the good people in her life.

 Usually, the missionaries sing a song sharing their love.  We're amazed at the musical talent of these missionaries. At least three of these young ladies could have been playing the piano here.

Afterwards, the local church ward or branch brings out the food and shares their love through food.  They all know the way to the missionary's heart is through his/her stomach...

We've had a few missionaries put on 40 pounds in six months.  We have to coach them a little differently.  We have one college prospect with a scholarship to play wide receiver, but at the rate he's going he'll be an offensive tackle...

We had our first real snow this week. The temperatures have been cold and we have to be cautious because our missionaries spend so much of their day outside.  However, like anywhere else with snow, when there is work to be done, they love to serve.  It's fun to be with them.

 This coach had a cold flight in for this event...

We traveled over much of the mission again this week and found a few more unique things to share.  We have the luxury of capturing some of these where the missionaries may not be able to or may not think they are so unique any more.
 We have had no idea what this meant, but of course you can find anything you want on Google, right?  Tart Farm

Why put a smell in your fridge or freezer when you can hang out dinner on the clothes line.

 On a downtown street we found architects were bored and decided to show people climbing up a pole.  We saw it in passing and took a picture, no chance to investigate.

Once again, we've had a fun week with our team members.  They are seeing tremendous miracles everyday.  They are showing results that are nearly double what we've seen before in our mission.  They are happy and working hard.  Some areas in which they play are more challenging and need additional coaching or guidance, but their attitudes remain fixed in faith and diligence.  When we leave them, we look at each other and say "Wow, these guys are incredible!"
If you've sent one of your children to play on this team, we thank you.  They are blessing our lives more than we could imagine.  We are seeing miracles every day!

One more interesting story to share before we end.  It made Terri and I really laugh! and excerpt from a letter received earlier this week:
My letters all sound the same, so I will end it a little different this time because a very funny thing happened this week!!! haha Me and my companion were walking and we said Hello to a Grandma and she just in shock, started telling us how handsome we were and how she was so happy!! Keep in mind she was like 80 years old and just bursting out in joy haha!! And when we finally said bye she patted [my companion] and then spanked my butt!!! I was in complete shock and so confused [my companion] and I just speed walked away it was a pretty funny moment.