There are eight missionaries serving in the Firle ward, although the
sister set serves in the Morialta ward also, and both wards meet in the
church building directly across the street from our flat. Last Sunday,
the sisters asked Lee if they could come over for a Priesthood blessing.
We chatted for a few minutes and Lee was honored to give them each a
personal "father" type blessing. Sister Lucas is from Tahiti and Sister Dardon is
from Aetna, Alberta, Canada, which is basically next door to Cardston,
the Sheffield's old stomping grounds. Both girls are beautiful, inside
and out!
Lee met the plumber and electrician for repairs at the mission home and office at 8:00 am Monday morning to start the week.
Monday night was the first senior Family Home Evening at our flat. We had Mexican potluck and the White's, who are from Queensland, had never tasted Mexican food! Sister Salazar made corn tortilla enchiladas, Sister Goodrich made salad, I made the 7 layer dip w homemade refried beans with chips, and the Whites made a lovely cut up fruit mixture over ice cream for dessert.
The lesson was given by Elder Goodrich on the history, design, and scope of the Church Welfare System and Humanitarian efforts. He worked for over 30 years in the church welfare department, most recently as manager of Welfare Square in Salt Lake City so he is extremely knowledgeable about both programs. I came away feeling more blessed than ever to be a member of our church as it not only works to increase our spiritual welfare but also our temporal welfare in times of need. And the humanitarian efforts go far beyond our own membership....you can be assured that with the mega storm a day or so ago in the Philippines, the Mormon church is ALREADY on the ground providing those poor people aid. What a blessing to us and to the world!
Tuesday I woke up to 94 "error" emails and I knew my account had been hacked. Sorry for the
'gong show' and I hope you changed your email password if you got something about opening a google document from me that day.
As I mentioned previously, President and Sister Carter spent the week in New Zealand at an annual Mission Presidents conference for training etc. Those invited were mission presidents, wives, and area authorities and wives from the Pacific area which includes Australia, New Zealand, and all of the islands. They came home physically tired but spiritually fed and grateful for the office staff who work in harmony so the Carters can focus on the missionaries and the work.
We had a couple of medical issues to deal with while they were gone, but we were able to contact the Carter's when necessary. Elder Rapana is still recovering from his broken collarbone, but spent time in the office since he was having quite a lot of pain and not sleeping at night because of it. He was willing to help wherever one arm or hand could accomplish the task and we brought him home for dinner one night. I took him lunch a couple of days, which he appreciated.
Lee made trips to the Dr, post office, airport, bike shop, store, etc. Sometimes we go into the office thinking we'll be able to get this accomplished today only to realize we never even got a chance to work on that at all because something totally different popped up. Every day is different and it's never boring, thankfully! We LOVE the young missionaries and appreciate their kindness to us.
One night Lee's phone rang (it's never GOOD news when you get a call at night) and an Elder had rear ended someone with their car in Mount Gambier. We are so glad no one was hurt, but it's a vehicle issue Lee must deal with.
The church has a missionary car rotation system in place, calculated by vehicle age, miles, upkeep and repair costs, etc and it's time for replacements in this mission. We received 2 new mission cars and 1 van with another on the way soon. The van we are driving has had a good life (according to the above calculations) and will be sold, so we are ' stylin ' in a new white Toyota van.
One day last week was over 90 degrees, and that's the day Lee chose to wash President Carter's car, so it looked beautiful inside and outside upon their return. He also washed Sister Salazar's car as a treat. I deep cleaned and organized the office kitchen area Wednesday morning.
Lee met the returning Carter's Friday morning at the airport. We had visitors at the office that day too; a sister who went home a few months ago from serving in Adelaide, and a girl, who's grandparents served here as a senior couple many years ago. It was interesting talking with both sisters.
It's been 8 weeks since the last transfer (new missionaries arriving, others leaving at the end of their mission, and changes with current companionships). As we get closer to November 20th the pace will increase dramatically. This is my first solo transfer and I hope to remember all that is necessary to have it run smoothly. We have another transfer in 4 weeks (the usual 6 week schedule was twice adjusted because of the mission pres conference). It is challenging and fun to work in the office and my fears about being bored have never materialized. If it's a slow day, I clean or organize something. Plus, the office staff plan, prepare, and serve arrivers and leavers dinners as well as do the grocery shopping the week of transfers.
Sister Salazar is making a Christmas DVD for all of our missionaries and I have asked to work with her. She is also learning how to do a Christmas missionary fireside power point presentation and has agreed to teach me that as well.
We are well and happy and enjoy the emails, pictures and videos from our family at home.
We pray for the poor people in the Philippines who are suffering as a result of the recent weather event in their country. We're working hard and appreciate this opportunity to serve!
Lee met the plumber and electrician for repairs at the mission home and office at 8:00 am Monday morning to start the week.
Monday night was the first senior Family Home Evening at our flat. We had Mexican potluck and the White's, who are from Queensland, had never tasted Mexican food! Sister Salazar made corn tortilla enchiladas, Sister Goodrich made salad, I made the 7 layer dip w homemade refried beans with chips, and the Whites made a lovely cut up fruit mixture over ice cream for dessert.
The lesson was given by Elder Goodrich on the history, design, and scope of the Church Welfare System and Humanitarian efforts. He worked for over 30 years in the church welfare department, most recently as manager of Welfare Square in Salt Lake City so he is extremely knowledgeable about both programs. I came away feeling more blessed than ever to be a member of our church as it not only works to increase our spiritual welfare but also our temporal welfare in times of need. And the humanitarian efforts go far beyond our own membership....you can be assured that with the mega storm a day or so ago in the Philippines, the Mormon church is ALREADY on the ground providing those poor people aid. What a blessing to us and to the world!
Tuesday I woke up to 94 "error" emails and I knew my account had been hacked. Sorry for the
'gong show' and I hope you changed your email password if you got something about opening a google document from me that day.
As I mentioned previously, President and Sister Carter spent the week in New Zealand at an annual Mission Presidents conference for training etc. Those invited were mission presidents, wives, and area authorities and wives from the Pacific area which includes Australia, New Zealand, and all of the islands. They came home physically tired but spiritually fed and grateful for the office staff who work in harmony so the Carters can focus on the missionaries and the work.
We had a couple of medical issues to deal with while they were gone, but we were able to contact the Carter's when necessary. Elder Rapana is still recovering from his broken collarbone, but spent time in the office since he was having quite a lot of pain and not sleeping at night because of it. He was willing to help wherever one arm or hand could accomplish the task and we brought him home for dinner one night. I took him lunch a couple of days, which he appreciated.
Lee made trips to the Dr, post office, airport, bike shop, store, etc. Sometimes we go into the office thinking we'll be able to get this accomplished today only to realize we never even got a chance to work on that at all because something totally different popped up. Every day is different and it's never boring, thankfully! We LOVE the young missionaries and appreciate their kindness to us.
One night Lee's phone rang (it's never GOOD news when you get a call at night) and an Elder had rear ended someone with their car in Mount Gambier. We are so glad no one was hurt, but it's a vehicle issue Lee must deal with.
The church has a missionary car rotation system in place, calculated by vehicle age, miles, upkeep and repair costs, etc and it's time for replacements in this mission. We received 2 new mission cars and 1 van with another on the way soon. The van we are driving has had a good life (according to the above calculations) and will be sold, so we are ' stylin ' in a new white Toyota van.
One day last week was over 90 degrees, and that's the day Lee chose to wash President Carter's car, so it looked beautiful inside and outside upon their return. He also washed Sister Salazar's car as a treat. I deep cleaned and organized the office kitchen area Wednesday morning.
Lee met the returning Carter's Friday morning at the airport. We had visitors at the office that day too; a sister who went home a few months ago from serving in Adelaide, and a girl, who's grandparents served here as a senior couple many years ago. It was interesting talking with both sisters.
It's been 8 weeks since the last transfer (new missionaries arriving, others leaving at the end of their mission, and changes with current companionships). As we get closer to November 20th the pace will increase dramatically. This is my first solo transfer and I hope to remember all that is necessary to have it run smoothly. We have another transfer in 4 weeks (the usual 6 week schedule was twice adjusted because of the mission pres conference). It is challenging and fun to work in the office and my fears about being bored have never materialized. If it's a slow day, I clean or organize something. Plus, the office staff plan, prepare, and serve arrivers and leavers dinners as well as do the grocery shopping the week of transfers.
Sister Salazar is making a Christmas DVD for all of our missionaries and I have asked to work with her. She is also learning how to do a Christmas missionary fireside power point presentation and has agreed to teach me that as well.
We are well and happy and enjoy the emails, pictures and videos from our family at home.
We pray for the poor people in the Philippines who are suffering as a result of the recent weather event in their country. We're working hard and appreciate this opportunity to serve!
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