Boxing Day 2013.

Missionaries were seated in the chapel by 9:00 am for a multi zone meeting Thursday, December 26th. (Remember Mildura, Mount Gambier, Kangaroo Island, Broken Hill, and Robinvale are all 'far' and do not usually attend zone meetings in Adelaide.)

Office staff and helpers were in the kitchen preparing early so we only got to see/hear small portions of Elder Goodrich's training presentation on the Blue Binder and brief history on the church's Addiction and Recovery program. You'll recall he worked for the church for many years and was involved when the program was implemented. The area Addiction and Recovery Sr. missionaries spoke, and then the young missionaries had teaching and training the rest of the day with a lunch break at 12:30pm.

Remember when months ago Elder Sheffield refurbished the Carter's gas barbecues?  They were in tip top condition to cook the 100 burgers and 100 hot dogs and the men did a great job! We provided macaroni salad, chips, cut watermelon, grapes, apples, bananas, lettuce, tomato and cheese slices, along with the burgers and hot dogs, and water bottles for lunch. We had snow cones for dessert. There were tables, chairs, and blankets outside to sit on and a good time was had by all! One thing we didn't plan for time wise: hamburger and hot dog buns do not come pre sliced, but thankfully, many hands make light work!

 

After the missionaries reassembled for afternoon meetings, the seniors made a million more trips across the parking lot to return leftover supplies to storage, utensils etc back to the mission home, and cleaned the kitchen, gym, and hallways. We disbursed leftover food to the missionaries at 4:30 on their way out the door, and we all breathed a sigh of relief when it was over. It was a long day but the prep and planning paid off and the missionaries were very appreciative as were Pres and Sister Carter.

Lee did all of the food pre ordering and chasing, and used the trailer behind the van to pick up supplies on Monday and Tuesday, with help from Elder White.

We have a little respite now until January 13th, when a member of the area presidency comes for a mission tour. We'll have another multi zone conference with lunch prepared by the office, and there is a senior missionary dinner with Elder Pearson at the mission home that night, plus a trip for the Carters and the Pearsons to Alice Springs and Darwin, as well as other meetings in Adelaide. I can't wait to tell you all about it!