Great week of interviews and the Temple

We got to spend time with about 70% of the mission this week between interviews and the temple.  We'll get all the rest and spend time at the temple with some we interviewed last week.  The only down side this week was that Terri was sick the day we were scheduled to go to the temple.

I had to get one picture with her that day as well.  She and Minnie curled up on the couch for the day.

It wasn't the same at the temple without her, but I did have to get a pose with the sisters in the trees as Sister Turner would desire... 

 I don't know if we got everyone, but we tried.  Some were in a hurry to get on with their Preparation Day and didn't want to hang around, but we tried.

So you can see the real them, we even took a brief video recording for your viewing pleasure.  It appears it would be better to slow down a little bit when filming ;)

We have one elder from the Philippines who didn't have a winter coat, but an elder who went home left one here and it fits him nearly perfectly. He can wear his suit coat under it.  He is so happy!

We had a fun visit with a sister who returned home last transfer, but came back to visit us at the temple because she misses us (at least that's our story!).

We get so many interesting emails from the missionaries explaining their experiences.  We thought this one would capture the width and breadth of some of their experiences:

"I am in a really good mood this morning! This week was really fun in all sorts of ways. We were able to meet with our investigators and have some really solid discussions about the Book of Mormon, the Church, and all sorts of cool stuff that we do as missionaries. We've had a lot of weird moments happen though. From a woman offering us peanuts, to getting pulled into a pub with a bunch of drunk hikers, to mango smoothies with a man who has seen missionaries for years but never really wanted to talk to any of them, we've certainly run the gambit of things getting offered to us."

We are continuing to do interviews in the apartments.  You'd be proud.  There are a few that need a little more time and sweat, but overall, we've been pleased.  The pictures we get with them are loads of fun!

 Would your sons be brave enough to have sunflowers on their apartment walls?

 Pikachu didn't show up well on the window, just his eerie presence.

 Nope, none of us can really play, they're just in the house. Fan dance anyone?

 Sometimes they just get excited and we have to temper it...

 This is an amazing house with a Korean, a Filipino, a Chinese Hawaiian, and a Hawaiian Hawaiian.

 They really are all kids!

 What's a president to do?

 

 Sometimes they use special tools to hold up the art work, in this case magnetic darts...

 Some miss their cats and so they make up for it...

They bring in some of the most unique things off the street.  It's hard to see, but this is a grill from a Hyundai sedan.  we are thinking Christmas ornaments.....

We took the time to visit with two of the senior couples this week as well.  Dinner is always a nice way to visit with them.  We have one more couple for next week.  The first couple just arrived two months ago, we're excited for them.  It has been wonderful to get to know them.  The missionaries love when they come to their apartments.  This sister makes the most amazing Korean foods.  They are amazing missionaries. 

 This wonderful couple arrived just before us and their 18 months is about up.  We will be sad to lose them on Thanksgiving Day.

 The Church has announced increased efforts to use social media to make information available to the public.  It's a great tool for helping those seeking for the truth, but "know not where to find it."
We have conducted three training sessions.  This is an attentive group we were able to attend with.

We love the old architecture of the cities.  As mentioned in an early post, we visited the walled city of Hwaseong in Suwon.  Recently, driving through again we had a better angle on this old city wall. It was mostly destroyed by time and the Japanese occupation, but has been redone nicely.

Finally, to make you all proud, we have an unpaid promotional spot for the favorite food of the mission.  Some even came up with a dance to go with the song you hear on the phone when calling to order.

Next week's blog will have more interview pictures and temple pictures.  The weather is turning a bit colder, probably similar to what you're seeing.  The winter coats, gloves, scarves, boots, etc. are all coming out.  It is a beautiful time of the year.  We hope to capture a few pictures of the changing leaves. 

We want to share a personal treat for our family.  Our eldest granddaughter Lillian was baptized a week ago.  All her dad's siblings were able to travel to Indiana from Utah and Idaho for the special occasion.  A couple of the spouses could not come because of the tiny children not wanting to make the nearly 50 hours of driving for a two day affair.  However, they truly had a great few days together without us.  We participated through technology in the middle of our night.  What a treat for us!

 The proud mom and dad on her special day.

 Pacer game with the Utah cousins.  Thank you Goodwill for the extra jerseys...

 The weather was perfect for time on the playground for the kids.  How we wish we could be with them.

Please know of our great love for what we're doing, especially wearing the name tag as representatives of the Savior and brothers and sisters to these wonderful missionaries. Until next time...