Transfer Week, Mandarin Oranges and General Conference (wk ending 12 Oct 2014).

It's transfer week! Monday was a public holiday so nothing was open for Lee to do food shopping. There was excitement in the air as missionaries were informed they were "packing" or "remaining." They don't find out WHERE they are being transferred until Tuesdays transfer meeting. Lots of missionaries in and out of the office on their pday.

For the weekly spiritual thought I showed a Mormon Message entitled 'Living with Thanksgiving' where people on the down town streets of New York were asked what they were thankful for.
Even though Australia doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving, changing to daylight savings and the fall months remind me of the season in America. I miss it! We moved our clocks forward last Saturday night for daylight savings time FYI. It really is spring!

Tuesdays transfer meeting was fun as always. Leavers were: Sisters Berg, Christensen, Eldredge, Kafoa, Mansfield, and Hunt, and Elders Dos Santos, Tuigamala, and Faamausili.
They each shared beautiful testimonies after which the Carter's spoke before transfers were announced. Here are the highlights:

Berg: If you want to give light, you have to glow yourself. Thomas S Monson.
You can't show anyone the joy of living the gospel if you don't look/act happy.

Christensen: Three reasons for obedience 1. Scared of consequences 2. Want a reward or blessing 3. Because we LOVE HIM. It takes a willing heart so become something by giving HIM everything.

Eldredge: The ATONEMENT changed her life and her mission.

Hunt: Develop Christ's attributes, it takes effort and intent.

Mansfield: Advice given at home before she came out was Be tough, be patient, be humble, things will work out. We can be happy, it's a choice every single day.

Kafoa: Obedience, diligence, accountability are all a result of our love for God. She has enjoyed seeing people change and Christ healing sick souls.

Dos Santos: There is only ONE true and living mission 😄 (the ZAAM) and disunity and disobedience will destroy Zion.

Tuigamala: Beautiful Zion! Seek to build Zion!

Faamausili: He expressed his love and regard for President Carter as well as his own father. He said God was with him during the joy and struggle in each area he served, Darwin, Hackham, Mildura, Mawson Lakes, Prospect. His point was that God was with him, no matter the place or situation.

We served dinner that night of potato and green salads, coleslaw, baked chicken, rolls, and ice cream with fruit salad topping.

Wednesday began early as Lee had to be at the office by 3:45 am. With a forgotten carry-on at a nearby flat, weighing baggage, missionary tardiness etc they were late getting out of the car park and the first flight was already boarding when the three Americans arrived at their gate to leave at 6:00 am. Elder White made the next airport trip, Elder Hannan took the bus people, and Lee and I took Sister Hunt with us to meet the 1:05 arrivers although she didn't leave until 3:00 to Samoa. Carters and daughters were at the airport to greet the arrivers too, but only 5 of the 7 came in on time. Elder White took them back in the van and trailer and we waited with Sister Hunt until she left. Awhile later, the two delayed missionaries from the New Zealand MTC arrived and we headed back to the office.

The sister is from Singapore and was sent to Alice Springs Thursday and the Elder lives in South Korea on a military base. Both speak excellent English and we enjoyed the interesting conversation about their homes and families.

It was chaotic when we arrived at the office as President had begun personal interviews and Elder Hannan had started the finance talks but Lee nor I were there to do our part of orientation or orchestrate things, nor did anyone remember to take arrival pictures with the Carters. We had dinner at the church scheduled to begin at 6pm but we sat down to eat closer to 7. I surely missed Siste Goodrich's behind-the-scenes kitchen set up and planning because dinner was a gong show too! All's well that ends well but I prefer smoother arrival days.

We knew the Mansfields were coming to the office Wed morning to pick up their daughter for a week of travel before heading back to the USA, but Elder Dos Santos didn't know that his parents were coming from Brisbane to travel home on his same flight. It was a tender scene when he looked up to see them walking toward the front door of the office and we were all in tears as it unfolded right before our eyes. I missed the Mansfield reunion which happened in the car park, but tear streaked cheeks indicated it was a happy reunion too.

The Carters came over from the mission home to meet and greet the parents and posed for pictures in front of the mission sign. Hugs of gratitude and thanks were exchanged and it was fun to share in the beautiful spirit and emotion. We really get attached to these lovely young people and feel like we know their parents through our email interaction and surprise coordination. I found a card and small gift on my computer keyboard later in the day from one parent as a thank you. The other parents brought gourmet chocolates for the office.

We have been off of sugar and chocolate etc since 1 September, but I had a couple of those beautiful chocolates and paid dearly during the night with a super headache. UGH!

Wednesday 8 Oct was another mission hump day! Only two transfers plus one week left!

Friday was quiet as usual in the office. Lee had a board meeting by phone at 5:00 am (1:00 pm a day earlier in Utah) so Elder White took the Carter clan to the airport at 5:15 am for 2 days on Kangaroo Island. I made a million phone calls Friday and compiled reports for President Carter's meetings with the stake presidents next week.

The sweetest most beautiful mandarin type oranges a member brought to the office Friday. They melt in your mouth!

Sister Carter called Friday night from KI worried about an Elder who had some vision problems after being hit directly in the eye at Wed morning sport. He had been trying to speak with Sister Carter for medical advice all day Friday but was unable to make contact and didn't know to call the office in that situation. Anyway, she called asking for input....we told her we would google and call her back. We spoke with the Elder and determined we should take him to the only thing open on Satuday..the emergency room at the hospital. Lee left our flat at 9 Sat morning and got home at 1:30 and the result is an appointment with an opthamalagist Monday morning at 8:30. A sister called with a morning sport jammed/sprained thumb. We prescribed Advil and call us on Monday.

While Lee was gone Sat morning, I did laundry (sheets and towels dried outside on the clothesline...love that fresh feel and smell!) and dishes, and vacuumed, as well as talked to Freddie and finally spoke with Shelby via audio FaceTime.

After a long transfer week, we gratefully grabbed an afternoon nap, then I fixed dinner before Lee went to the church for Priesthood session of General Conference at 6:00 pm. I watched an earlier session while he was gone.

Lee met the Carters at the airport Sunday at 11:00 am and I attended the morning session of conference. We watched the afternoon session at home after a Sunday rest. The assistants showed up unexpectedly at our door at 5:30 pm and could smell the chicken noodle soup we had for dinner. Lee offered them a bowl full with crackers and laughing cow cheese and they loved it! They had come to share the happy news that 8 of their investigators attended church today and they were thrilled!

 

The Carters with their 3 adult daughters

We loved General Conference! We are blessed to have instruction and encouragement from the Prophet and other leaders that help us become more devoted followers of Christ. During this season of Thanksgiving, among other things, we are grateful for General Conference!