Can you believe the impact that the announcement by Pres. Monson changing the age of service for missionaries has made? We learned from several sources that in a typical week there are 600-700 missionary applications, and that in the two weeks after the historic announcement there were 4,000 applications each week! Bishops and branch presidents have been burning the midnight oil trying to interview all these new prospective missionaries--especially sisters. It seems as though missionary work will be hastened to prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Savior! And those missionaries will have to be better prepared at home before they enter the MTC. The MTC will have to accommodate all of these new missionaries and teach them in a shorter time, and the missions of the world will have to prepare to take them in. And the impact on this mission? President Black received word that this mission will add 100 new missionaries to the 150 that we already have! Think of that. . . more housing, more trainers, more of everything. It's exciting and at the same time a little scary to prepare for them all! We know how much work that is now!
On Monday night we had senior missionary FHE at the mission home. We talked about the sacrifices of early missionaries in leaving their families to serve missions, specifically Heber C. Kimball and Brigham Young when they left for England being sick with malaria and their families were also sick. This picture shows them rising from their wagon beds and giving Elder Kimball's family a cheer--"Hurrah for Israel." And then how this story affected Feki 130 or so years later with Elder John Groberg on the island of Tonga, that was shown in "The Other Side of Heaven." These stories mean so much to me!
A new senior sister arrived in this mission, pictured in the center. (Except it looks as though we weren't quite ready to have our picture taken.) Her name is Sis. Splain, and she will serve in the employment center. What a great addition she will be. I just love the sisters who serve there!
On Tuesday we had a real treat--we were able to go to dinner with our wonderful friends, Scott and Diane Jacobson! It was so good to see them! Diane flew in on Tuesday to meet Scott, who had already arrived Sun. night--only to find that his luggage had been stolen at the Las Vegas airport! We learned later that the Las Vegas airport has one of the highest rates of luggage theft in the country and guess who is doing the stealing? The airport employees! Travelers beware--don't bring your nice luggage to Las Vegas! We were so sad at their loss, because important things were in their suitcase. After dinner, we showed them our "missionary apartment". What a fun night we had with them. We weren't quite ready for this picture to be taken, but it was the best one we have!
On Wednesday night it was the ward trunk or treat party at the church. It was fun to mingle with the ward members and meet more of them. Here we are with Elder Vieira and Elder Alford, who we just love! We also had them over for dinner on Sunday and it was so fun to be with them. They were going to bring a part member couple with them, but one of them had surgery just two days earlier and they couldn't come!
On Friday, we didn't have to go in to the mission office because it was "Nevada Day"--a state holiday celebrating Nevada getting statehood. We were able to go to the temple with Scott and Diane and then eat at the temple afterward--a yummy meal! It was so great to be with them--it really renewed us. Thanks Scott and Diane for the visit!
On Saturday, we did go to the office because we still had so much work to do to prepare for transfers, which are TOMORROW!! I had to go get the supplies they will need for their new living quarters and get the lunch items that will be served, because I am in charge of that lunch for the new missionaries coming in at their orientation meeting held all day. We're excited to meet these new missionaries! Please pray for us that their arrival and orientation will go smoothly!
Wow! Exciting that you are going to get 100 new missionaries! You are greatly needed to take care of them! We love you!
ReplyDeleteIt will be so fun to see how this new announcement changes the missions of the church. Hold on tight. I think you two are going to be swamped.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun opportunity to go the ward trunk or treat. Our ward's party was held on Saturday. We sat next to Lisa and Adam. I hope they send you pics of their costumes. They were amazing... a little disturbing, but amazing. :) Lisa had a baby coming out of her tummy and Adam had several contractor "injuries". :) They are both so creative and we love having them here. Take care and have a great week!