More Interviews, almost done... Three Baptisms

This was another full week of interviews and addressing missionary concerns.  However, we ended the week by attending three baptisms.  A very young woman, a very old woman and a man entered the waters of baptism this weekend.  It was a fun way to end the week.

We can't get enough time with the missionaries and feel of their spirits.  Next week we only have 16 interviews remaining and then the weekend of transfer calls.  The missionaries are always anxious to hear what will happen next in the mission, whether it affects them or not!

We are including these two sisters first because we forgot to take a picture with them during interviews.  We asked them to forward one to us.  We didn't get much time to celebrate the 4th of July, the big holiday of Independence in the US, but they had the red, white and blue going on!

You can tell there are different buildings we visited for each set of interviews.  Some interviews we go to the main building for the zone and all 20 or so come to us.  This time we went to each building where they served.  We try to find something in the background that is fitting for what we do.

 These two and their matching ties were pretty cool.  It was the 5th in Korea, but still the 4th of July in the US...

 These three are together because (as you'll see later) an elder broke his toe and had to come to the mission office for lighter duty.

 These three have been together because of the odd number of elders in the mission.

 Which one do you like the best?  You can tell when Sister Turner is having fun...

 The man with the broken toe.  We've had fun teasing him.  He's continued to want to work hard.

 Some times he gets a little quick with his tongue, but Sister Turner always gets the upper hand.

 Only eight of more pictures from interviews next week.  We hope you have been able to see your son or daughter or loved one.  If not, hopefully next week will get what you need for your special moment.
Here are pictures from the three baptisms.  These were truly joyous moments.

 The man with the flowers above is very close with many members and was very happy to be with them this day.  The watermelon here is delicious!

 The little girl in the middle with all the gifts from her friends is 15.  She has been waiting for two years to get permission from her parents to be baptized.  She has wanted this for so long.  She has so many friends.  There were approximately 20 youth there to celebrate with her.

 This little grandmother was a true joy.  As you can see below, she is now part of a three-generation family in the church.  In one year, they will go to the temple to be sealed to her husband who has passed and then be sealed as a family.  We are connected to the family because the young lady on the right side of the picture below was one of our missionaries and will marry into the family next month.

 

The missionaries always prepare a special musical number for the baptisms.  I wish I could include the number here, but the file size was way too large.

 

While doing my morning run I discovered a few tents like this.  I don't believe they are homeless, but I do believe they may have homes without AC so they come down by the river and sleep out.  It's monsoon season right now, so they put their tent under an overpass and spend the night a little cooler.

 While driving about this week, Terri notice the IV bags around some of the trees.  If you look carefully you can see the tube running to the base of the tree.  With all the rain right now, it may not be necessary, or perhaps it is some type of fertilizer.

 On the picture below you'll notice the super-sized police officer in pursuit.  If you enlarge the picture you can see that it's as though his shoe is the phone to the man's ear.  I haven't taken the time to translate everything, but I believe it's an effort to show how quickly the police try to respond.  This is right at the police station. (More importantly to Terri it is at a bus terminal with underground shopping.  Stalls and stalls.  A delightful afternoon (40 minutes) spent wandering aimlessly in search of hidden treasures. :). (This would also be Terri typing.) :-) You can never have enough smiley faces!

Finally, some times it's necessary to catch a few minutes between meetings or interviews.  I will set my alarm for 20 minutes and be gone in a moment.  It drives Terri nuts that I can drop off in seconds, awake in 20 minutes and be fully invigorated, not groggy or grouchy, just ready to focus on the next task.  Some times the floor is the bed and the briefcase is the pillow. (He was sound asleep when I took this picture.  If you enlarge it you will see that the timer reads 18:36.  Who can fall asleep in less than 2 minutes?)

 We couldn't be happier.  Thank you all for your prayers and your kind comments, many through your sons and daughters.  We are blessed.  We love these wonderful missionaries!