Every 6 weeks new missionaries come into the mission…the week before that Mary and I prepare the departure packets for those missionaries who will be leaving. Actually Mary does most of the preparing but I have a couple of things to do. They will be given to the missionaries when they have their departure interview with President Anderson.

  

These are the departing folders that we prepare. Then there are the board pictures of the 9 great, above average missionaries who will be departing. We are very close to some of them including Elders Avila, Rippstein, Bishop, and Taylor. My part of the packet is the finisher DVD that includes all of President Anderson’s letters and lots of pictures from their time in the mission.

 

Another of my tasks is to shift the big board that shows all the missionaries and their departure dates. The top row is of course affectionately known as ‘Death Row’ and everyone dreads getting there. We made it this transfer. Elders Burt, Bloom, Free and Wardell came in to get some supplies and had to look and make comments about the board.

 

In the afternoon we went by the temple site to look at the new banners that we had printed. I think they came out great and we hope that they will help in missionary work. There was little done since we were there the last time so I did not take many pictures. However I thought the crows in the bare tree with the temple spire in the background made an interesting picture.

 Most Mondays after our staff meeting the couples get together at the mission home for a FHE. Lots of good talk, good food and of course some spiritual teaching by President and Sister Anderson. It is a wonderful experience to be with our mission family. Senior couples who the Lord through a prophet have sent here to this part of the vineyard to

 

Mary with sisters DeGraffenreid and Boice are talking to elder Boice. The Sommerfeldts in the foreground with sisters Boice and DeGraffenreid and elder Bare way in the back. Elders Boice and Sommerfeld catching up while elder Evans looks at a picture he just took of me…it did not seem to break the camera.

  

Eating is always a big part of our FHE. Enchiladas, salad, rice, and some delicious desserts. Although mostly sisters are in these pictures, I can assure you the elders got their share or more.

  

There were two tables filled with hungry missionaries…this is the big one. After the food comes the spiritual part – or maybe the more spiritual part would be better – sister Collins and the Bares are watching a video about the Book of Mormon and the gathering of Israel. The Andersons are not only great missionaries and leaders but they are also gracious hosts for the couples and many times a month for gatherings of missionaries. I have told sister Anderson that after their mission she should open a family diner!