Mostly Just Pictures!

We seem to retire at the end of each day more exhausted.  We're sure part of it is the heat, the rest is just all the things going on across the mission.  They are so busy and we do our best to keep up. They have so much talent and so much desire, it's wonderful to be a part of it.

We published the last post and immediately went into a busy week.  We started with a special expanded Mission Leadership Council which included the normal group of zone and sister training leaders and then added the district leaders.  We are introducing a new English program for those interested in learning.  It's something being rolled out across the globe as part of the Pathways program.  There is excitement across the mission to establish a new program.  The old one was pretty tired and needs to be retired...

With the council comes the pictures!

Because we have fewer missionaries, we have combined some zones and districts.  Therefore, the number of sister training leaders is down.  This time, if their companion was not an STL, they didn't come.  We wanted to focus on the roles and responsibilities they all have.  Good meeting!

We immediately went into interviews.  Again, since the number of missionaries is down, we determined to attend their district council, have a meal with them, and participate in a missionary activity.  Unfortunately, because of an emergency issue, we had to skip the activity for both days.  We weren't on top of our game the first day so we missed a group picture with the district, but we got the second day.

We had a great meal with the group above, but again, missed the picture. Won't let that happen again!

We had the good pleasure of attending two different baptismal services where three individuals were baptized.  What a wonderful spirit!  We were unable to attend another one today because of other meeting conflicts.  However, we always try to include pictures...
In this picture, the young lady in the white shirt next to Sister Turner and her younger brother to her left were baptized.  The older brother behind the two was baptized a year ago.  The others are family and missionaries who helped prepare them.

 These four missionaries and others had great roles in preparing them.  The ward they attend has lots of young people who can friendship and fellowship them.

Another baptism with great support occurred in another area. We feel bad we were not able to attend.  So many good things happen with these missionaries.  We wish we could have attended them all.

To give you a sense of the type of weather the missionaries have been working in, here's a screen shot of the weather app for our area.  This is at 7:30 at night!  We're from Indiana and the Midwest seems mild compared to this.

We had a nice visit with some former missionaries who we served with.  This one was here for 10 weeks on a school language program from the University of Utah.

This elder didn't even leave two weeks ago and already came back with his family.  He was a faithful assistant and missionary to the end.  He just had to come back!  We are always excited to meet the parents of those so well prepared to serve a mission.  We so wish we could meet every set of parents!

Well, that's all for this week. We're excited for another one straight ahead.  More interviews and a visit from an Apostle, Elder Gary E Stevenson.  We are indeed blessed.   We look forward to sharing next week!  Thank you for your support!