Busy Week

We have had a busy week.  There is a lot to do to get everything ready for the 25 missionaries coming in on Tuesday.  The president and AP's have been delivering and installing furniture and all of the essentials that are involved in setting up the apartments:  furniture, beds, dishes, etc.  Eight apartments were set up, and we have eight more to do in the next few weeks.  I have been involved with the paperwork that is needed for the new missionaries plus the ones who will be going home this week. 

 

I almost had a meltdown one afternoon, but I was able to pull myself together and keep on smiling.  I put the pressure on myself, but I have wanted to keep ahead of the game so that I am sure everything gets done.  I love the work and find joy in the service, but it is also difficult.  The Lord is in charge and we need to depend on Him for His help.

 

Along with the new missionaries, there will be a lot of transfers this week.  We will have two missionaries staying with us, and two will be with the other Senior Couple, and then the rest of the missionaries will stay at the president's home.  The president's home has four bedrooms upstairs and then two bedrooms plus a family room downstairs -- it will be crowded and some will sleep on blow-up mattresses.  We will be doing breakfast and lunch on Wednesday.  This last week there was a "Return and Report" day for those missionaries who had come out a month ago.  It is a time to do reminding, training, encouraging for the new missionaries and is done a month after they reach the field.  A big lunch was held that day at the mission home.  Sister Wirthlin does a great job, and we are always invited to come so that we can get to know the missionaries.

 

When the missionaries are in the office, there is electricity in the air!!!  They are full of energy and there is never a dull moment.  It is part of the fun of working in the office when the missionaries come.  They are good young men and women and I enjoy seeing them.  One of the AP's is going home this week, and he will be greatly missed.

 

We were expecting a big snowstorm Friday night, so before we came home for the evening we went to the grocery store to pick up a few items in case we were stuck at home for a couple of days.  The snow did come -- 12" worth -- but the road crews get it cleaned up fairly quickly and we were able to do a couple of errands out and about yesterday.  For the most part we spent the day getting our apartment in better shape, and getting things organized a bit better.  We are getting there.  I don't like spots on the carpet, but we will keep it as clean as we can and work on the spots again.  It is very comfortable for us.  Not having our own washer/dryer is different.  We have both downstairs, but the dryer is not working properly.  Dad took the clothes to the laundromat to dry.  We now have to save our quarters!!!

 

We attended the branch today, and it is really interesting.  They are struggling to get members there -- lots of inactivity and many of the  members do not have cars.  The branch is large -- 70 miles by 40 miles -- so the commitment has to be there for the people to come.  We came home and took naps and ate leftover stew from yesterday. 

 

We are always looking at the weather forecasts.  Today was beautiful but cold.  I am always thinking I can go outside when there are blue skies, but the cold is surprising.  We probably will have more snow this week, which I love.  I am not out in the biting cold very long -- just long enough to get to the car to a building or visa versa.  The seat warmers are wonderful!!!  I will admit that I am spoiled. 

 

I am comforted by this quote from Elder Holland:  "I promise you will do things for your grandchildren in the service of the Lord that, worlds without end, you could never do if you stayed home to hover over them.  What greater gift could grandparents give their posterity than to say by deed as well as word, "In this family we serve missions!"

 

Sending our love.................

 

Love to each of you -- we do love getting your emails and hearing about what you and yours are doing.  It means a lot!!!  I hope this finds each of you well and happy.  We pray for each one of you......