It’s transfer week!! It is our first time using a new transfer process. It went really well despite some unexpected glitches. Our Provo MTC group was delayed an hour, which we managed well, but our Mexico group didn’t even know they were supposed to be coming to us on Monday (no communication from the MTC to the missionaries). They went to check in for their flights for Tuesday and realized they had 20 minutes to be at the airport. Needless to say they missed their flight but after some scrambling they were able to get on a plane in the afternoon and finally arrived at the mission home at 10pm. We had 16 missionaries in the arrival group, 12 Spanish and 4 English.
We brought the Provo missionaries to our home for lunch, interviews, basic training and pictures. We then loaded them up to go to the mission office to meet their trainers. We have started a fun new tradition of welcoming the new missionaries as we bring them to the mission office. We generally have about 100 missionaries that are come to the office to transfer and we decided to have them line up to sing “Called to Serve” as the new missionaries arrive. I think it not only had a huge impact on the new missionaries feeling welcomed but I think it was a morale booster for those welcoming. Those their for transfers then get connected with their new companions, load up their stuff and head out to their new area. We don’t have to worry about having missionaries staying the night with members and leaving their area unattended for two to three days like past transfer weeks.
We then load up our seven departing missionaries to go back to our Mission Home for our departure dinner, testimony meeting, and FHE like we normally do. Now on the day they leave we head to the temple for an 8am session and it’s an awesome way to spend the last day with them. We were able to spend a little time with them after the endowment so Aaron could give some final counsel and talk about their covenants. I shared with them my feelings of how attending the temple often and participating in the different ordinances will bless them continually when they make the effort. We then had a brief lunch and then headed to the airport. Never easy saying goodbye to our missionaries. We love them all!! It’s an exhausting couple of days, but it’s so much more productive for the missionaries and us. A very good change! One downside according to Jessie is that she doesn’t get to meet the new missionaries. I will look into getting her excused to have lunch with the incoming in the future. ;) I love that she wants that experience with the missionaries.
Another benefit is it has less impact on our family. We were able to go to Bode’s game Tuesday night. A good game not to miss since it was a 6-0 win. Bode tells us he’ll be playing D-end for the rest of the season. I am hoping to see more assertiveness on his part. After his concussion last year, he is not big on tackling. Zac really has stepped up at school academically. He takes the initiative to put the time in for studying which is a lot at Clements. The boys had a fun combined activity at YM/YW on Wednesday, a flour fight. They had a great time. Covered in flour but a fun time! Jessie is so motivated by gymnastics. She tells me how different activities help her with arm strength or balance. I think it’s great she understands why she needs those skills. She also had another fun Activity Days. She is excited to make a dinner and dessert for the family as one of her goals. She already likes the idea of baking. On Sunday, we made Whoopie Pies for the arriving missionaries. That was a fun project for us.
The rest of the week was equally busy with district meetings and our monthly mission leadership council. After one of our district meetings, I met with two companionships on helping them make weekly planning more effective by always planning for finding opportunities. Our MLC was really productive and our leaders now understand how to counsel with one another to help move their individual stewardships forward. After MLC, I went out with the sisters assigned to our ward for a media referral. We went to the wrong apartment complex but we shared a BOM and got a referral for the Spanish elders. We had a great visit with the potential investigators that had requested a bible. We made the most of the referral by testifying of the Book of Mormon and inviting the husband and wife to read the Book of Mormon. Missionary work is hard, but a lot of fun. While I was with the sisters, Aaron continued his Daddy Daughter date with Jessie from last week by going to Storks. Jessie loved it! Jessie and Aaron also went to Dad’s and Donuts at her school this morning. She loved having him there with her. Experiences like these are important to her.
Zac took Bode and some friends to Clements homecoming game on Friday (they left in the 4th quarter as they were getting beat 52-3). His driver’s license has been delayed until Oct 26 (a tender mercy in my mind) as there is a two-hour video he needs to watch before the test; I didn’t know about it and Zac had forgotten about it. We are letting him drive anyway. I loved the messages from Conference and look forward to more on Sunday. We love and sustain our prophets and apostles!