Dear Family,
TRANSFER WEEK
President told us last Monday it would be a smaller transfer and it wasn't. So on Tuesday we had 150 missionaries come to the ward and office. They were all given new companions. We always hope for the best and that they will all be happy.
Wednesday morning at 6:30 am we went to the office and got on a large bus heading to the airport. There were 6 elders and 2 sisters going home. They were all good missionaries and good leaders. Always a happy sad day. Twelve new missionaries came in. Two of them came from the Philippines and as always they came with no coats, hats, or warm clothes. Yes, we will be taking him shopping.
Thursday we drove to Werribee about an hours drive from the office. We went to pick up Sister Greenhalgh and her new missionary companion, Sister Mendoza. Sister Mendoza is from the Philippines. We met them at the ward after district meeting. There were six other elders at the meeting and when they found out we were going to lunch they wanted to come with us. There were four other elders who had just left before we arrived so we called them and they came too. We went to the mall and had lunch at SCHNITZ. We were now 14 people. We told them to order what they wanted. When we went to pay the bill it was $400.00. The elders had each ordered 2-3 meals. We were very surprised but happy to pay the bill. The amazing thing was that they ate every single morsel of food. Next time we will specify one meal per person. We do love all our missionaries. They make us smile.
The girls had a meal and then we went shopping. Sister Mendoza is a very small Filipino, who is very scared. When she arrived Sister Maxwell missed seeing her. She told the Maxwells she was afraid of getting lost. While we were shopping she never let go of Sister Greenhalgh's arm. Sister Greenhalgh is so kind and loving. She is a perfect trainer for Sister Mendoza.
The Stevens couple who arrived in April have now been called to work in the Vanautu Mission. They leave Monday morning. The office staff took them to dinner Friday night. President and Sister Maxwell went with us also. Afterwards, Sister Maxwell went with Adrienne and me to see the movie "Mr. Holmes". It was good but a stark reminder of what old age looks like. Again we apologize for repeats of things we have done and have forgotten. We don't always remember what we did or didn't do.
Saturday, the office missionaries with the President and Sister Maxwell went to the Werribee Mansion and then to Williamstown for lunch. It is a very pretty beach resort. The Stevens wanted to see as much as they could before they left Melbourne.
Again the Snow's invited us for dinner. John Body, his wife just died, was coming to dinner and we were very excited to see him and see how he is doing. We were visiting teachers to John and Rosemary. He seemed good. We are unable to visit him anymore, even though is is 86 years old. Back to the dinner or I should say feast; 4 main entrees, a salad and bread, and 4 delicious fabulous desserts. The patriarch and his wife were also there. The amazing thing is that Sister Snow had a luncheon earlier in the day for visitors.
Mission President's fireside was last night. Adrienne and I made the hot fudge for the ice cream. We also bought Costco cookies. There was a testimony given last night by a Muslim who just joined the church. Two of our sisters were the missionaries. Anyway, it was a wonderful testimony. He knows the Book of Mormon is true, that President Monson is our prophet, and that God is his father. The converts last name was Monson. He jokingly said that helped him make the decision to be baptized. He was a boat refugee when he came. President Maxwell has to give Iranians and Muslims their interviews before baptism. He warns them that they could be killed if they return to Iran. He told us that almost 90% of these members don't want to go back. The convert had taken his suit off before the meeting because he understood he was coming to a Fireplace not a Fireside. What a great experience for us in this mission to see many Muslims joining the church.
Our parting thought for you,
"Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." Deuteronomy 31: 6
We love you all,
The moms, The grandmas, The sister Sisters
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