Transfer Week and Christmas Parties

I can hardly believe that it's only 9 days before Christmas.  This month has flown by because we have been so busy!  Also, since there weren't colorful leaves or barely even leaves falling from the trees, or snow, it seems like the months stay basically the same, although it is much colder here now.  We were busy all of last week getting ready for transfers and the week of transfers is just as busy, but luckily we only received seven new missionaries which made it a LOT easier.  So happily we were able to enjoy some Christmas parties with some of the wonderful people we have met here and they really helped to bring in the Christmas spirit.

On Sunday we had the most incredible Christmas dinner at Jay and Valerie Chapman's home.  We just couldn't believe all the amazing dishes that Valerie prepared--roast duck, lamb, rolls, several  Ukrainian dishes (she is from Ukraine), rolls, pie, etc.  It reminded us of the amazing dinners that Jared prepares for us each year on Christmas Eve that we have come to love and look so forward to.  Seated are Glen, Elder Alford, Sis. King,  Zena (also from Ukraine), the Chapmans, Sis. Judd, Elder Vieira, (this was his last dinner with us because he was transferred to the Lone Mountain Zone--we were so sad!) and Jay and Dorothy Burt--the funniest couple we have ever met!  The time spent together at this dinner was simply wonderful.  Valerie even gave all of us Christmas gifts.

Monday was transfers.  We held the orientation for the new missionaries at the Employment Center next door, which made things so much easier.  We were able to do it because with only seven to orient, we didn't need a large room.  I am responsible for the luncheon for these new missionaries as well, and that was easier also because it was just next door.  The luncheon went smoothly, and Glen and I and Sis. Conder did our orientation to this group who seemed excited and ready to do missionary work.  I just love seeing the new missionaries from the MTC!

After their day long orientation, we all went to the church building nearby to do the actual transfers.  I LOVE seeing the enthusiasm of the missionaries to see each other and give bear hugs to each other as they wait to see who the new missionaries are as they are matched to their trainers.  

These pictures don't do justice to the feeling that is there.  I also had to bring all the zillions of packages  and mail to the church to deliver to the missionaries--and as usual, they were SO excited to get their packages and mail from family and friends!  Please remember to send your missionaries packages and cards for Christmas, because does it ever make their day.  Many times when missionaries ask if there is anything for them and I say, "Not this time--so sorry!" And they say, "Where's the love?"

On Monday night we were invited to go to Empty Nester's Christmas FHE at the church by the Burts who were in charge.  We had such a great time there as we exchanged Christmas ornaments and had a little Christmas program and yummy treats.

On Tuesday night it was the Relief Society Christmas party.  We went to three different homes for appetizers, main course and then dessert.  At each home there was a Christmas program and it was just amazing.  At the first home, there was a huge variety of amazing appetizers followed by songs and stories.  Pictured here are my friends, Karlee Phelps, Jill Judd, Diane Christensen and Tamra Lott.  

At the second home was soups and breads, and an amazing talk by Bethany Jones (pictured in front and center) that had us in tears.  There was a knock at the door and a double quartet of men in the stake sang Christmas carols so beautifully that brought such a Christmas spirit!  The third home was equally as wonderful.  It was just a magical night.  I just love these sisters in the Relief Society!

I got all my transfer letters done, the final processing done for the new missionaries, and ALL the release dates changed on IMOS for every missionary (it took me hours)  plus processing all the Christmas mail and packages this week, and we had been working SO SO hard in the office.  Imagine our surprise and happiness when we opened a package addressed to the "office staff" and found Danish treats and cookies and a 4-5 inch solid chocolate of our initials for each of us!!!  It was sent by the mother of one of our missionaries, Elder Hoskins, to thank us for all of our work.  She especially loves the blog that Sister Black does for the mission and the letters she gets from the mission and she just wanted to show her appreciation.  Can you believe how thoughtful people are?  

After this, President Black told me that we will be updating the transfer board (the HUGE board that shows the pictures of all the missionaries (plus when they arrived, when they will depart, their birthdays, and where they are from) because with all the new missionaries that we will be receiving, the transfer board won't hold all of them.  So I will have to make  about 180 new transfer cards and find a way to design them!  AHHHHH!  The transfer board protectors will have to be cut in half (a huge job in itself because they are very thick with a large magnet across the back) and then the new cards put inside.  That, along with processing the 26 new missionaries that we will be getting on Jan. 21.  That also means making 26 new guidebooks--a huge job!  My work is cut out for me for the next several weeks.

On Saturday we attended the Buffalo ward Christmas breakfast.  It was a lot like the Christmas breakfasts that we love in the Canyonwoods ward!  The Young Men and Young Women had decorated and it was so beautiful, and then they put on a nativity with all the costumes and songs and it was so pure and sweet.  We were able to sit by our friends John and Nadia Davies who are not members and have a wonderful time with them.  Oh, isn't the Christmas season just so great?  We have heard nearly nothing about Santa Claus this season and have really seen a focus on the birth of Christ and peace on earth and good will toward men--the benefit of being missionaries, I'm sure.  We have heard beautiful Christmas stories and thoughts in our daily devotionals at the office.  It really is the most wonderful time of the year.