I began Sister Hannan's training Monday and we were interrupted and
distracted constantly all day long. I managed to show her a few things
so we got a good start. Since it was pday, we had missionaries in as
usual, and a rush after the Christmas program practice.
I received an early morning call asking for haircuts from the downtown Elders, which we did at 2:30 in our garage. We had just cleaned up and were ready to go back to the office when another companionship showed up asking if I would do one more...so that was three haircuts in an hour. The downtown Elders brought their own clippers which made me smile, but they were new and sharp and worked better than my set!
We had two sets of missionaries call Lee to report car accidents Monday. No one was injured thankfully, except cars, and we don't know the extent of the damage until we get the accident reports in to the office. Lee ran errands all morning.
Tuesday Sister Hannan finished writing on the Missionary board cards in President's office while I finished their file cards on my desk. After very transfer, we record the date, missionary's area, zone, and companion, both on the board and the cards. It takes a chunk of time since we have approximately 120 missionaries. In the afternoon we did the letters for new trainers, district and zone leaders, and their parents. Sister Hannan is knowledgeable on the computer and a quick study. We also did the Sheffield's parting letters and I gave them to President to sign.
President and the assistants came to the office at 4:00 to plan MLC, MPC, and other meetings.
Lee is still trading new cars for old ones and figuring out logistics of how to get which car where etc.
Lee had a call from elders who couldn't get the bike combo lock to release after tea (dinner) with members. Lee asked why they weren't using the new steel u locks instead of the old cable ones? Once he arrived to rescue them, he demonstrated how easy it was to cut the cable and they were shocked! Instead of yelling (like I would want to from frustration!) he told them to put their hands out and with a totally straight face, acted like he was going to use the cutter on a finger, and asked who was first? They got the message. Ha!
I received an early morning call asking for haircuts from the downtown Elders, which we did at 2:30 in our garage. We had just cleaned up and were ready to go back to the office when another companionship showed up asking if I would do one more...so that was three haircuts in an hour. The downtown Elders brought their own clippers which made me smile, but they were new and sharp and worked better than my set!
We had two sets of missionaries call Lee to report car accidents Monday. No one was injured thankfully, except cars, and we don't know the extent of the damage until we get the accident reports in to the office. Lee ran errands all morning.
Tuesday Sister Hannan finished writing on the Missionary board cards in President's office while I finished their file cards on my desk. After very transfer, we record the date, missionary's area, zone, and companion, both on the board and the cards. It takes a chunk of time since we have approximately 120 missionaries. In the afternoon we did the letters for new trainers, district and zone leaders, and their parents. Sister Hannan is knowledgeable on the computer and a quick study. We also did the Sheffield's parting letters and I gave them to President to sign.
President and the assistants came to the office at 4:00 to plan MLC, MPC, and other meetings.
Lee is still trading new cars for old ones and figuring out logistics of how to get which car where etc.
Lee had a call from elders who couldn't get the bike combo lock to release after tea (dinner) with members. Lee asked why they weren't using the new steel u locks instead of the old cable ones? Once he arrived to rescue them, he demonstrated how easy it was to cut the cable and they were shocked! Instead of yelling (like I would want to from frustration!) he told them to put their hands out and with a totally straight face, acted like he was going to use the cutter on a finger, and asked who was first? They got the message. Ha!
Wednesday Lee had a 5:00 am airport run but we were both awake at 4. The missionary threw up in the airport (stomach problems plus anxiety) but said he was ok. Once Lee could no longer see him down the jetway, he didn't wait for take-off and drove home for breakfast. President Carter called shortly after to say that the airline had taken the missionary off the plane since he was sick again and re booked him for a 2:00 flight. So 'someone' had to go and wait with the missionary till 2 at the airport OR bring him back to the office to wait. Guess who made trip #2 to the airport?
The Elder rested in the assistants office until time for Lee's 3rd trip to the airport. Lee waited until he saw the plane in the sky before leaving and made stops on the way home looking for Christmas baskets for Sister Carter.
Sister Hannan learned to enter confirmation records in CDE and write new member letters. We also worked in IMOS making reports, printing missionary files for arrivers, editing, plus answering the phone all the while. The day flew by!
Thursday pops and I were out of the house after walking, breakfast, etc by 8:00 am. We stopped at the office to drop off the laptop for the Christmas DVD makers and headed for the airport. AGAIN. Sister Omugtong finally received her visa and arrived at 9:20 am from the Philippines. She was dead on her feet after being awake all but two hours of the last 24. Once we were back to the office and pictures were taken, she was interviewed by President and Lee got her a take out rice bowl for lunch, and then she attended arrivers training for two hours. They came back to the office afterward to collect the bike, bedding, and luggage for both sisters ( the newby and her trainer) and loaded it all into the silver van. Whites drove them to the Murray Bridge Sisters area that was recently closed because so many missionaries went home last transfer. There were 3 sister's areas closed with 7 leavers...so Sister Freeman was in a threesome but now gets to train
in her own companionship with Sister Omugtung.
FYI, training a new missionary is an honor and privilege, as is being a district and zone leader, Sister Training Leader, or assistant to the President. The opportunity is not automatic and the positions have great responsibilities in the mission. It is beautiful as well as an inspiration to see young men and women step up and perform their duties so well.
Friday was Thanksgiving at home, but just a regular day in Australia. We spoke with our kids by FaceTime. We are mindful and THANKFUL for our bounteous blessings including the Savior and his Atonement, our membership in the Church of Jesus Christ and this opportunity to serve in Australia, our family, friends, the USA, our good health, and we could go on and on. We are grateful!
Saturday we were up and out early running errands. I baked red velvet cupcakes for Sister Carter to decorate for Mondays sisters conference. Sister Hannan is making the pasta salad and Lee will pick up the croissants Monday morning for the take away lunch.
Lee purchased American sharp cheddar cheese at Costco for cheeseball after all. The finished cheeseball looked, smelled, and tasted like home! Saturday night we were invited to Lou and Petra's for tea. We took them a cheeseball and gave one to the Carters when we dropped off the cupcakes.
Lou and Petra's house and garden were totally decked out, inside and out with all kinds of Christmas decor. Petra is a gifted hostess and decorator as well. Invited guests were Lou and Gary's home teaching families and us (since we are leaving soon and they wanted to get together one more time) for a lovely meal for 20 of roasted potatoes, ham, beef, and chicken, vegetables from the garden, salad, beet root and greens, and homemade ice cream. Petra has a green thumb and even has her own chickens! Lou and Petra's kindness has been one of highlights of our mission!
Sunday we arrived at church early to greet those we invited to the special Sacrament meeting if they decided to come. Lou did a wonderful job speaking on the first principles and ordinances of the gospels and he likened them to the 4 legs of a table. Faith, repentance, baptism, and the Holy Ghost all are needed to hold up a table and to progress in our understanding and spiritual growth. He shared experiences from his own conversion in February of this year to illustrate his points. He was successful in speaking simply and plainly, focusing on the new investigators in attendance.
The next speaker talked about the Restoration, and the last one spoke on the Plan of Happiness. They covered the topics beautifully, but I was impressed with Lou's ability to eliminate or explain 'Mormon phrases' since investigators would have no idea of their meaning.
He has commented more than once on the 'foreign language' new members must learn. It was a good Sabbath Day and the first Pacific Area invitation Sunday was a success!
The third hour 5th Sunday meeting we watched video of the area presidency reviewing goals set at the beginning of the year and what to DO to accomplish them. The question for consideration was "what level of spirituality are you choosing?" Suggestions were given to help us increase our spirituality and there is no better time than now for self evaluation with action for improvement!
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