Working with Children Clearance, Pizza and Five Months to Go (wk ending 10 Aug 2014).

Whites and Goodrichs were out cleaning again Monday. It was a regular p-day otherwise with missionaries in and out. Beautiful sunny day but news said it was the coldest August morning in 126 years at -1 Celsius or 30.2 F.

Ameet (the computer guy from Auckland) called to fix the scan situation....we used FaceTime on my iPad and also he hooked up by remote to my computer station, the finance computer, and the Konica printer. His knowledge is amazing and his patience was appreciated.

President called over the weekend asking Lee to confirm that a particular missionary had his 'Working with Children' clearance. Lee checked only to discover the the missionary did NOT have the clearance so President asked Lee to verify that every missionary is current.

I have explained in a past post that each state in Australia requires this clearance for all missionaries and even church members are required to get it. Full background information and two forms of ID plus a fee is collected for each application to work with children.

When Lee took over the position in the office, he didn't go back before his starting date but began from that day forward to insure every missionary application was processed. He found several missionaries without proper clearance so has been working all week to get applications and signatures from missionaries near and far from the office. That's why it's best and most convenient to take care of it upon arrival in the country.

The assistants were in the office for most of the day as they are preparing for MLC (mission leadership council) Thursday. I asked Elder Bingham if he wanted to come over for a "Last Supper" since he is leaving next transfer. He requested my enchiladas for Sunday dinner along with Elder Fepulea'i and Elder Bennett.

I sewed buttons on Elder Bingham's going home suit jacket at lunch and hemmed suit pants for Elder Bush after dinner. Lee was invited to Sammie and Max's for an evening lesson with the assistants but they texted to say President Carter had asked to go and did Lee mind?

Wednesday night I worked on Elder Fepulea'i suit pants again while chocolate/chocolate chip cookies were baking..we didn't have English class since none of our students could attend. Lee went teaching to Rachel and Frank at 10 am and then to Taylor at 11:00 am since she was working during the lesson the night before. Sammie, Max, and Taylor have a 16 Aug baptismal date.

Thursday morning at 8 am the landlord delivered a new heater to be installed by a plumber next Monday. So soon? (Pardon my grumpiness about this....we started having heater problems almost 6 weeks ago and called the landlord immediately, so it has become a frustrating issue). From now on, we'll communicate through Elder White, who does an excellent job dealing with real estate people and landlords on a regular basis.

I had tummy trouble so I didn't stay long at work Thursday. I took a huge platter of homemade cookies as it was MLC for all leaders in the mission (either in person or by iPad...welcome to the 90's!) and had rave reviews on both the snicker doodles and the choc cookies. Went back with Lee after lunch but never did feel great! President called while I was home with questions about the recent "project" results. I was at a a disadvantage since I didn't have it in front of me to refer to.

Came home and went to bed that night. Not sick, just not right. Lee attended his once monthly mission presidency meeting and although the agenda was long, they adjourned by 10 PM. I was out long before and didn't even hear him come in.

Friday: We received happy anniversary calls and texts from our family. It was 8 August and another month has passed by already. Five months to go!

I worked on parting letters for the nine leavers from October transfer so they are ready to mail 1 September to the missionary's bishop and Stake President, plus a certificate of release and letter to the missionary. I spent too much time messing with the new printer as it started dropping toner dots and smears. I eventually got it to work correctly as a result of trouble shooting online. (Thanks to you Judy Salazar!)

Sister White called to ask Lee to take Elder White to a Dr apptointment after feeling extremely dizzy all morning. He has a follow up apptointment Monday.

Our Saturday was typical...talking by Face time to the kids and grandkids as well as my dad before laundry, grocery shopping, and house keeping. I made Sunday dinner cheesecake dessert while Lee was gone in the afternoon getting the van and trailer for the assistants, who were doing service. Elder White ventured out alone across the driveway to bring us a sample of vegetarian lasagna.

In the evening, Lee chauffeured the Carters and the Raesides downtown to the footie game and picked them up again 4 hours later. We tried a new wood fire pizza place and I ordered Tandoori chicken and Lee ordered the Specialii. They were good, but not great and cost $19.90 each for a 12".

Sunday sacrament meeting topic was 'pioneers' and the talks reminded us of the huge sacrifices of the early church members and their families. The talks also encouraged us to be pioneers in our own way, and a darling 12 year old deacon outlined ways he is a pioneer in his life and family.

English class was entitled 'Discussing our Feelings' and we reviewed 'Going to the Doctor.' After Danny told us about seeing a Dr on Friday, and thus using the last lesson during this week, Max reminded us that he had used the lesson from the week before that (Interviewing for a Job) and happily reported that he got the new job! We all had a good laugh wondering how, where, and who would utilize this weeks topic. Danny said a beautiful closing prayer in English.

After a wonderful Sunday nap, I was preparing beef and chicken enchiladas for dinner while Lee called our internet provider to trouble shoot an issue. An hour and a half later, our dinner guests had arrived and were waiting ...so the tech guy said he would call back in 2 hours to finish and he did! After yet another 45 minutes on the phone with Lee, they had the laptop, iPad, and internet all working in harmony. We were very appreciative of the tech's patience, knowledge, and follow up. He even called a day later to make sure everything was still in working order. That's customer service!

After dinner, and my cheesecake cookies for dessert, the missionaries asked us what we've learned on our mission and expressed their love and gratitude for our service. We have become quite attached to these two since we work in the office together and Lee is invited to go teaching with them quite often........... (Plus they LOVE the treats I bake!) It was a great end to another week in the life of a senior missionary couple! I sent extra dinner home with the Elders and took the leftover cheesecake bites for missionaries at the office on Monday.