Transfer Day

Lots of missionaries, lots of bikes.  Lots to move to new locations.  Isn't it great?!!

 

 

 

 

 

 Cool in the kitchen.

 

At last we circle up.

 Sing a song.  Say a prayer.

 Drivers come to the center.  Names are called.

And the next adventure has begun.

It was a very hot day.  The floors were being refinished in the gym so we mostly stayed outside except when we'd slide back into the kitchen for a little coolness.

The senior office couples had provided bottled water and snacks in there. (Thanks!)

It was overcast on and off.  We worried that it may rain while we were all outside.

President McDonough said it would wait until we were finished.

It did.  As the last car was pulling out of the parking lot it rained hard.

We experience many small miracles everyday.

 

 

 

Arrival Night

From the airport it's a short distance to the Brandon Building where we

feed the new missionaries and all the helpers,

give a short overview of the Mississippi Jackson Mission,

and hear briefly from each of these wonderful missionaries.

They have learned a lot in the MTC, their testimonies have increased, and

they have come to us anxious to work! 

 These are the Sister Training Leaders and the Assistants with President McDonough.

They do an overview of the mission while the president interviews each of our new missionaries.

Then it's on to the mission home.

President McDonough continues the interviews.

 We feed them a quick snack of

sandwiches, fruit, chips, cookies, and ice cream.

We want them to feel welcome and loved.

Food.  Right? 



It is a very fun way to begin the mission.  They enjoy becoming acquainted with each other and the Spanish speaking elders who were the first group trained in the Mexico MTC and loved it.

 

The bishop of one ward and a member of another ward have volunteered to house the elders overnight.  We are still indebted to these kind members and getting more so.

These missionaries have been awake many hours.  It was a short night at the MTC before boarding the plane to come to Mississippi.  They are ready to sleep.

It's about 9:00 PM.  The elders leave.  The sisters go upstairs and it gets quiet.

The president, assistants, and sister training leaders then start the process of matching the new missionaries with their trainers.  After prayers and discussion, agreements are reached and the new missionaries' magnets are placed on the transfer board next to their trainers.

Next morning is kind of like Christmas.

New Missionaries Arrive!

What a wonderful sight!

They'll be just fine.

JOY!

Each baptism puts ones feet on the path leading back to our Heavenly Father.

Each baptism is an outward expression of a life changed and good choices made. 

Sometimes we really do want to clap for the pure joy and happiness we feel. (Mosiah 18:11)

We once attended a baptism where they did.

At this baptism people restrained themselves from clapping but many tears of joy were shed.

We love this beautiful girl!  Many do!

(And the cute sister missionaries too!)

Karen mentioned the many missionaries she loved who taught her along this journey.



 It was great seeing the ward members' happiness and support and also

these many gorgeous, handsome missionaries!

Love 'em all!

The VISA phantom strikes again! One more elder leaves us.

This elder has been with us in the Mississippi Jackson Mission since January.

He came wanting to be in Argentina, but willing to do the Lord's will.

He has been a great missionary and an asset to this mission and to his companions.

He will also be an asset to the Lord's work in Argentina and his companions there.

We love him!  We will miss him like crazy!

So glad he stopped by Mississippi on his way.

 



Mission Leader Training, August 2013

Mission Leader Training starts at the mission home on Thursday night

with a simple snack and interviews with President McDonough. 

One of our senior missionaries is very good at telling campfire stories. 

He came once again and entertained while these missionary leaders 

waited for their turns to be interviewed.

 

 After the missionaries are interviewed, they can complete any assignments,

make a few calls, relax for a bit. 

We have family prayer, then sisters leave to 

sleep at the home of one of the office couples (thank you!).

Elders find a spot upstairs, downstairs, any empty couch, blow-up, cot, or bed.

 A released sister MJM missionary is now living in Mississippi.

She came by to say hello and pick up some things left behind.

It is so good to see her!  Love that girl!

 

 Next morning early, the missionaries eat breakfast, change sheets and make beds, then head off to the Brandon building for teaching and training. The assistants, zone leaders and sister training leaders strengthen each other and discuss how to strengthen their zones.

 This sister is over apartments with her husband.

She taught about respect for things that don't belong to us. 

These things could be important treasures to someone else. 

And, by the way, the apartments and furnishings are

The Lord's.

Treat them gently.

Speaking about cars. 

Please slow down.

Please be careful.

Please use, watch, listen to your co-driver who backs you up,

or cautions you in any way.

We have been very blessed to have only minor injuries.

We are so grateful!

Our wonderful young Mission Leaders, August 2013

He's Back!

After surgery and follow-up treatment, this fine elder returned to us!

We are so GLAD!  Lookin' Good.