Monday evening Aaron went out with the missionaries in preparation for our visit from the missionary department. The two trainers from the missionary department, Brother Hill and Brother Donaldson, also went out with companionships as well. Tuesday, Aaron and I met with the trainers to discuss what was observed, the good…..the better and the things that could be enhanced. It was enlightening because the things that Aaron and I desired for our missionaries to experience just needed tweaking or fine-tuning. We felt like their visit helped us refine how we teach/share on our purpose, their purpose and the purpose of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They are all one and the same. It was great! We then planned, role-played and planned some more for our training conference the next day. It was so fun and exciting! I think it was fun and exciting for the missionaries too. On Brother Donaldson and Brother Hill’s last night here we all went to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner. A first for the kids because every time we have tried to go at City Creek the wait was at least an hour and a half. We walked right in at First Colony Mall.
A couple of our missionary districts were involved in a great service project this week. There are several companies and community organizations that have come together that reward the inner city students with new bikes for Christmas if they can improve their grades. Our missionaries put bikes and helmets together to help the effort. If you look at the pictures you will see it was a lot of bikes.
Most of Jessie’s end of term testing is happening this week. She has a math test, social studies test, which includes a vocabulary test, journal writing assignment and a spelling bee test. A book report that was due this Friday has been pushed to Monday. That is good for me since it has been such a busy week with the missionaries.
Bode’s basketball games are held on Wednesdays after school. Odd day to me have there basketball games but it’s what they do here. The game was out in the Richmond area. He had a great game and his team won. It was funny prior to the game he wanted me to sign him out so he could ride home with me but then after the great win he ended up riding home with the team on the bus. Funny kid. :)
I attended the Richmond West Zone meeting on Friday. Afterwards I took one of the sisters serving in the trio to pick up supplies from the mission office while the other two followed up with an investigator about coming over to the church for a tour. She had come to church the Sunday before but didn’t have the best experience so they are working on helping her have a better experience. When I returned with the sister missionary, I listened to her about the struggles she was having at home and then shared ways she could work to change them. I didn’t feel like I was helping much but the sisters did. They shared some great insight with her too and feel she is on the road to progressing whereas before they felt she was at a standstill.
Zac had another game this week. Tough loss. He also wasn’t too happy about his performance. We talked about what he did well and didn’t do well and what could make the difference. He talked about what he will do different in preparing for games. It was good to see him work through how he could change the outcome. I see great growth in him. Oh and he is physically growing too. Yeah!! But dang I have to buy him new jeans already. Bleh! Christmas can’t come soon enough in that regards.