Dear Family,
DISCLAIMER; I REALIZE I MAKE MANY GRAMMAR AND PUNCTUATION MISTAKES IN MY LETTERS BUT I AM ALWAYS DOING THIS AT THE OFFICE WITH LOTS OF DISTRACTIONS.
Tuesday and Wednesday we had transfers. Seven missionaries went home and 4 of them are going to BYU. Ten new missionaries came in. It seems that every six weeks we transfer at least half of the companionships. These two days are very long, tiring and wonderful with hellos and good-byes.
President and Sister Maxwell go to the airport each time the missionaries leave. They are usually going to different countries and that means running around a very large airport to get everyone to their destination. Then when they are all at their departure gate they quickly go back to arrivals and wait for the new missionaries. They usually don't return to the office until 1-2 pm. They feed the new missionaries or goldens as they are called, at the mission home. Bless them for being so great and kind and wonderful. They are so spiritual and teach us many lessons by example.
One sister was going to Germany. Her flight was late afternoon on Wednesday. We took her to the airport. Anytime we can see the missionaries off at the airport we jump at the chance. She was a good missionary and we will miss her. Because we took her to the airport we weren't able to meet the new missionaries but we will in two weeks at the "Golden Review" for the new arrivals.
President interviews each new arrival. After interviewing Sister Santos, a new sister from the Phillippines, he called and asked if we could take her shopping for clothes. She is very petite. She didn't even have a coat and only had 2 skirts and 2 tops. It is so cold here that the first thing we bought was a warm coat. We can buy her clothes in the children's department. Her companion, Sister Wairepo is from New Zealand. She also needed a couple of things. President says there are a few missionaries that need help. We put a picture on Facebook of the two sisters with Adrienne and me. Her comment was, "whoever thought shopping would be part of your mission." We thought that was so funny. We are more than happy to help these very special missionaries. Sister Santos has a younger sister who is working to help pay her mission. Both of her parents are dead. There are many missionaries serving who really are dedicated to the Lord. After shopping we took the sisters to dinner. We ate Asian because Sister Santos was missing rice.
Friday night was a great evening at the mission home. President and Sister Maxwell had all the senior couples to dinner. Elder Gifford Nielsen, 1st quorum of Seventy and counselor in the Pacific Asia area Presidency was visiting. Elder Johnny Leota, an area seventy was also there. We talked with Elder Nielsen about the U of U and BYU sports. He said he really liked the University of Utah because it helped him become an All-American quarterback. He then worked for CBS TV in Houston, Texas. He was a sportscaster for 25 years. After dinner both Elders talked. When we are lucky enough to have them in a small setting they are funny, entertaining and very spiritual. They really buoyed up the senior couples and senior sisters. They need more senior couples to serve missions!!!!! Elder Nielsen said that Adrienne and I were very delightful.
OUR MIRACLE;
Richard came church. His wife was working at the cleaners. We told our ward missionaries he was coming so they sat with us during the meeting. He asked many questions during the service. He brought his Bible and the Book of Mormon we had given him. Some of the questions; Who is the Pastor, we had introduced him to the Bishop, was surprised at the suit and tie, where do we put the children during the meeting, who speaks in the meeting, why not the pastor. Anyway he wanted to know everything. He did partake of the sacrament and sang every song. Originally he had said he would just stay to the first meeting. I asked if he would like to go to the investigators class and he said YES. He participated by reading parts of the lesson and asked questions during the class. We invited him to bring his wife and 3 year old child next week. We have prayed that he would feel the spirit and he certainly felt something. He said it was different from the Christian church he is attending. PLEASE KEEP RICHARD AND KEISHA IN YOUR PRAYERS THIS WEEK.
President Maxwell asked us to all read the talk given by President Ezra Taft Benson on the Book of Mormon. "Keystone of our Religion" given in October, 1986.
BY HIS OWN MOUTH THE LORD HAS BORNE WITNESS OF THE BOOK OF MORMON.
1. That it is true (D&C 17:6
2. That it contains the truth and His words (D&C 19:2)
3. That is was translated by power from on high (D&C 20:8)
4. That it contains the fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (D&C 20:9, 42:12)
5. That it was given by inspiration and confirmed by the ministering of angels (D&C 20:11)
6. That it gives evidence that the holy scriptures are true (D&C 20:11)
7. That those who receive it in faith shall receive eternal life (D&C 20:14)
We have put pictures on our blog.
We love and miss you,
The Moms, The Grandmas, The Sister Sisters
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