I think we say it each week that the week of transfers is one of the most painful, yet happy weeks of a mission president's and wife's life. We say farewell to some and welcome others. It doesn't matter the size of the departing group there are gallons of tears shed. This week only three left. Two returned to their home in the Philippines and the third returned to his home in Canada. We had a wonderful last evening sharing stories and testimonies and a meal while shedding those tears.
However, we also had the joy of welcoming four new elders, five sisters and a couple from Kansas who were born and raised in Korea, but wanted to come home to serve after nearly 40 years in the US. What a great trip to the airport we had. We took extra elders and sisters to the airport with us to escort the missionaries back to the mission home via the subway. They had their first opportunity to talk to other travelers about the message that brought them to this wonderful country. The loved it!
The next day we were able to interview and then match them to their trainer or first companion. We oriented them to the mission rules and expectations and sent them off. Lots of smiles!
They are a handsome group when you put them together with their trainers! They literally are spread to the corners of the mission. We'll have more pictures next month as well have nine elders and five sisters joining us!
We finished up a few last interviews this past week as well. The office elders are like the cobbler's children who have no shoes. They seem to get left to the last. These two are the supply manager and the mission recorder. The mission could not function without them. They help the missionaries get what they need.
These two are our two assistants. Between translation, training, teaching, and guiding us, they are so valuable to our daily lives with the missionaries.
As for fun things seen on our travels during the week, we have a few to add. This first one is a giant blue bear with a little yellow bear on his head. It can be seen on the highway along the Han River on the road to or from the airport. We have yet to learn what it represents. It's a good fifty or sixty feet tall.
While traveling through the big city, we saw this motor scooter with eight or nine 20 Kg bags of rice on it. He was moving pretty slowly with that extra weight. It was about 400 pounds of rice.
We had the opportunity to stop by the Seoul Mission office to pick up some things. We visited with President Sonksen, the mission president and his wife. This picture was with his two assistants to the president. The one next to me is the brother of one of our sister missionaries.
While driving we also had the opportunity to drive past the Blue House. It is Korea's equivalent of the White House where the president of the country resides. Loads of security here to!
The weather is cooling and missionaries appreciate that. Fall is in the air. Two-thirds of the year has passed and it seems like we just celebrated New Years! We are starting the next cycle and looking forward to being with our missionaries in zone conferences and interviews again.
Things seem noisy to the north of us, but things really haven't changed. North Korea has been testing nuclear bombs and firing rockets for years. We are focused on the work we've been called to do. We find joy in every day and hope you do as well. Know of our love and appreciation for your support to Terri and I and to all our wonderful missionaries.
