Wednesday, October 31, 2012 Halloween:)! Gee...we thought that now we were in “the city” we would have the fun of Trick or Treators on Halloween. But, it didn’t work out that way really:( Maybe it was because we got home late (6:40 p.m) and the only treators around here go early... but at any rate, we only had one doorbell ring - and the dad wouldn’t let them take more than one candy each:( So, looks like we will be sharing candy with the missionaries for a while.
Here’s a picture of the apartments across from us on Halloween morning:
Lots of leaves:) They almost look like snow falling!
Today was arrival day for 13 new missionaries; as I said to President Young as we were leaving, days like today are the best part of our mission. Serving in the office is very time consuming and often difficult, but we DO have spiritual experiences, or hear of spiritual experiences there...however being present as the new missionaries are going through all of the introductory stuff, watching them work with the APs and trainers during the period that the president is interviewing, and then being a part of the final “pairing” of trainers and new companions, singing the Oregon mission song and feeling the Spirit so strongly as all of this is happening...that is definitely the best part of our mission as far as I’m concerned:)!
Monday was transfers throughout the mission and Tuesday was departures...so both days were quite busy, and I am still working hard to sort out the changes in addresses. We thought everything was pretty much through yesterday except for the new arrivals, but then the president did several emergency transfers last night and even today. But, that is how it goes:)
Just a note...we have started using Preach My Gospel for our morning devotionals in the office; it would be a good thing for everyone to use:).
On to Sunday, November 4, 2012 Wow! November already..time does seem to go by quickly! Re-capping the week in the mission office quickly: The departures/arrivals on Tuesday and Wednesday was a change to the schedule of the past. In the past Tuesday was the departure day and Wednesday was the training day for the trainers, with new arrivals on Thursday. That actually was a help to the office we have now realized because that gave us Wednesday to kind of catch up on the transfers, address & phone changes and we just had to take care of changes because of the new arrivals on Friday. Seemed to work pretty well; this week it seemed like we were in chaos most of the week as changes seemed to just keep coming in the door:)! We did survive it all and have enjoyed having the weekend to recoup.
We said goodbye to my favorite office couple, the Wels, on Thursday night; they had stayed through Thursday day to help with the office training of the new couple (the Terrys) with all the stuff that goes along with new arrivals. It was sad to see them leave, but surely they have been a blessing to many...including me:). We will try to stay in touch. Although staying in touch with people I love does not seem to be my strong point of late.
Friday was a busy day - as stated above - it was also a temple night for our ward, but there was no way for us to go with the work so piled up and I’m not sure my foot would have made it. Although my foot is doing well and I AM thinking I will try putting it in a normal shoe in a few days. Yea me!
Saturday we stayed quite busy doing things in & around the apartment that needed doing. Saturday night we went to the Stake adult meeting at the stake center; they had a social hour first with “light refreshments” - which kind of became our dinner as we just kept working on things here up to the last minute. Dad did settle down in the Lazy Boy to watch the beginning of the Ducks/USC game - but we had to leave at half time. The meeting was a very good one. The first speaker shared a couple of questions to apply to our scripture study which I am trying to hold close in my heart as I read now: What am I learning from this? and How does it testify of Jesus Christ? Good questions.
Next speaker spoke on Faith and referenced Elder Christofferson’s talk from the April Conference - which left me determined to come home and re-read it - even though I think we have read every talk at least 4 or more times. Maybe I should keep count; we read one each evening before prayers...wish I had done that with my family as all were growing up!
Last speaker was the stake president and he spoke on the law of the fast. As he read the verses of scripture my mind was overwhelmed with a new understanding and appreciation of that law. He stated that he believes one of the primary purposes of the fast is to rid ourselves of the curse of greed. Now, that is something I had never even considered before. Think about it. Also, about how much strength we and our children can gain from learning that we CAN control our appetites. It was a great talk - a good evening.
Today was stake conference - by broadcast. While there was some concern over the technical equipment not working at first, it all worked out and it was all very good. I learned that President Kimball had once said he thought the most important word in the English language was...remember. The speaker then pointed out the use of that word in so many places in our scriptures and in the covenants we make. I hope I can do a better job of remembering. A comment by the next speaker really pierced me: Satan can never have a family and he wants yours! Oh my goodness... how that makes me hope that I have been the mother my children deserved and that we have done all in our power to defeat that desire. There was much more that was good; I cannot share it all here.
FUNNY STORY: After conference I was sitting outside the chapel waiting for Dad to finish with the missionaries (he was giving them a new phone). A ward member came over and invited us to dinner tomorrow night and after we had finished talking, I looked over and Dad was standing some distance away talking with two young boys - probably 10 years old or so. I watched as one of the boys picked up the receiver on a wall phone and then began dialing a number (this was a rotary dial phone - not normally seen these days) with Dad’s encouragement. His expression when it began ringing was priceless and he thought it awesome. Apparently he had asked Dad what it was (the phone on the wall) - and didn’t believe him when Dad told him it was a phone:)! That kind of makes me think we are getting old...how many of our kids remember using a rotary phone? Hope you’ll let me know.
Family notes: Jim Jr. tried to call us, but I was in the back room and didn’t hear it ring; probably tried to call Dad too - but his phone was dead. I did get hold of him the next day but they were out to dinner, so I asked for a call back, but life must have intervened...so no news from Texas. Chris has a birthday tomorrow - hope he manages some time off for something fun. I didn’t get a call and didn’t manage to call today, so no news from Wyoming. I connected with Sara as she was driving to Montanna to pick up some thoroughbreds to train, so we can presume she is still working hard on the horse front:). Heard from Emily that they finally got the permits needed, so they are hoping to go back to work on their house; that is a blessing. And...I happened to see the video of Eli on Facebook drumming up a storm. If you have NOT seen it you should definitely go to Em’s Facebook page and find it. I told her she should submit it for “America’s Funniest Home Videos” (I think that is what the show is called.) I love it! Steve and Holly have been quiet this week, so no news from Georgia; I did get hold of Charlotte and she sounded kind of OK - altho has been “spacing out” in her words, so Mom (me) suggested the strange plan of getting a medical check up. Not sure she plans to follow my suggestion. They have been enjoying their fireplace through all the cold rainy weather. Not sure if I ever mentioned that apparently they are expecting to go back east (New York) near the end of summer for Seth to do some work. Sounds like fun trip.
I did manage to talk with Mary a little; she is working lots of hours between Old Navy and Sub Zero, but seems to be holding her own. Not much news in all these words, but it’s my best effort.
Tuesday is the ELECTION! I am hoping for the best and preparing for the worst and leaving it in the Lord’s hands. It will be good to have it over...I think.
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