Wow, it’s transfer week again. I started it off with actually doing something I haven’t done in a while and that was teach in Relief Society. I had studied the lesson a month earlier because a newly married sister in our ward that would have given the lesson had ask me for some suggestions being her first time called to teach in Relief Society. When she realized, she was going to be out of town, she asked if I could fill in. I was happy to help and I think it went well. We had a great discussion. I am loving the lessons in Teachings of the President, Gordon B. Hinckley.
We had 10 new great missionaries arrive excited to share the gospel on Monday. We try to give them a warm welcome to the great Texas Houston South Mission but I can only imagine it feels like a whirlwind of activity when they arrive. We will meet with them on Friday for their new missionary training so they have time to let their arrival sink in and have some missionary experiences to refer to. On Tuesday, we sadly said good bye to 15 of our missionaries after a wonderful trip to the temple and lunch afterwards. Bitter sweet to see them go. Up to this point all our departing elders arrived with the previous mission president, but going forward all them will be ours. Surreal to think our elders have completed two years. Transfers really make our time on the mission fly.
The boys started summer training at Clements this week. They go four times a week for weight lifting and conditioning. Bode is not too excited about the whole idea but Zac will get him there. They also will have personal basketball training with a former European basketball player once a week. They really like him and the skills he is helping them with. They have been spending more time with the boys they know in the Sienna Plantation ward in the afternoons and evenings which is great.
Jessie had an art camp each day this week learning different painting techniques. She loves creating and being an artist. She also started her summer dance class. She has hip hop and jazz twice a week and a musical theater class too. She absolutely loves her hip hop class. The first dance of jazz she was leery of all the across the floor work. She just wanted to learn a dance. I told her that they would indeed teach a dance and her teacher, Jade, did the next day. She was a happy dancer after that. :)
Jessie wanted to do a lemonade stand for Veronica to help her and her family while she has been in the hospital. She invited Avery and Natalie to help her. Jessie made the lemonade and rice crispy treats, Natalie made brownies and Avery made melting bead keychains. They made signs, a cheer to draw in customers and after 2 hours they had made over $100 to give to Veronica. I was pretty impressed with their efforts. She would like to have another lemonade stand so she suggested it for one of their activities for their upcoming Activity Days camp that will be in a couple of weeks.
It has been a busy first week of summer!!