Transfer Week #5

There was a lovely Christmas event in one of the stakes. As we entered the church building, we saw this scene.

The chapel was the gathering area for people as they arrived. They were able to look all around at the many nativity scenes on display as they waited.

Then they were moved into the cultural hall which was all set up as a theater where the story of Jesus's birth was retold, complete with beautiful music from the choir. It was performed several times throughout an evening.

It was very well done and a very spiritual experience.

The bishop of one of the wards and his wife were in complete costume having dedicated themselves to putting in the time and work necessary to help make it a stellar performance for all who attended.

We were privileged to have Sister Johnson in our mission for one transfer while she waited for her visa to go to Korea, the land where her mother's family lives.

Our arrival group for transfer week #5 was very small--three new missionaries.

Elder McClellan is our fleet manager for the mission.

It was a total and complete shock when he called one day to report an accident of a mission vehicle. It was the mission truck. Elder McClellan had run into it with his own vehicle. OOOPS!!!!

That had me laughing (belly laugh laughing) for days!!!!

After we got our three new missionaries interviewed, fed and assigned to their trainers, we hurried home to begin preparations for dinner.

Glen loves to serve the departing missionaries a roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn and fruit dinner. Complete with an ice cream sandwich or fruit popsicle for dessert. We were good at keeping the missionary rule of feeding the missionaries between 5:00 and 6:00!!!

We had a big departing group of 16 missionaries--one of them leaves mid transfer in several weeks.

Elder Romney (wearing the rooster/hen apron) is our new assistant. He and Elder Ruhl were the kitchen helpers for the evening. As soon as dinner is finished, we assemble the departing missionaries in the living room for testimony meeting while the assistants do the dishes and clean the kitchen.

Elder Kessler, Elder Ellis, Elder Wockenfuss, Elder Friend, Elder Major, Elder Burrandt

Elder Steiner, Elder Heath, Elder Emerick, Elder Banaña, Elder Merrill, Elder Miles, Elder Acosta

Hermana Kasen, Sister Miraglia, Sister Catenza

Elder Ruhl loves to take selfies whenever he gets a hold of my camera.

He especially loves taking crazy selfies.

 And is teaching our new assistant the art of a good selfie with the MPW's camera.

This is what he was supposed to be taking a photo of...all our departing missionaries when we took them to the temple the next morning before dropping them off at the airport.

The assistants were able to jump in the photo because Elder Acosta's parents were at the temple to pick him up and his father suggested he take a picture of everyone.

I'm sure the families of this group of missionaries are super happy to have them home for Christmas.