WASHINGTON D.C. SOUTH MISSION: TRANSFER TIME

Saturday, August 8, 2009

TRANSFER TIME

We had our first transfer 4 weeks ago. It was the BUSIEST week of our mission so far. I thought I better get it here on the blog before our next transfer in 2 weeks. Transfer time is a really incredible time during the mission. First, President Albright and the Assistants spend many hours of prayer and discussion deciding the best way to organize the companionships, the districts, and the zones. Because some missionaries are leaving for home and new ones are arriving it necessitates a lot of changes. The transfer board is where the work is done in Pres. Albright's office behind closed doors. (One of the pictures shows the board). While the men are doing this work, I am busy preparing the mission home with lots of food and clean beds. And Cooking--Lots of it.

This work is finalized and on Wed the fun starts. The new missionaries arrive sometime in the afternoon. On July 8, 2009 we had 10 new missionaries arrive. They were: Sister Banks, Baxter, Bennett, Ferry, and Murray and Elders Brogan, Scott, Gillihan, Jones, and Karren.

They are picked up by Pres. and the Assistants. This time it took a couple of vans and a U-haul because of all the luggage and people. They arrive at the mission home around 5:00 p.m. and dinner is ready.

The office couples came over around 3:00 to help me get ready. There are two dinning rooms plus the kitchen table to we can seat up to 38 it needed. We had 24 for this evening's meal.

That included: The new missionaries, Pres. and I, the Assistants, the office Elders, the Office couples, and Pres. and Sis. Ward and Pres. and Sis Burton.

Every new mission Pres. Wife has to figure out what can be made in LARGE quantities and still be impressive.(haha). And we get to try to keep up with the former Mission Mom and from what I've been told, Sis. Wixom was a fabulous cook. She is so sweet she even left me her recipes which I really do appreciate. The more I hear about her, the more I admire her. They miss you, Sis. Wixom (if you are reading this). Anyhow, we had pork roast, cheesy potatoes, rolls, and 4-layer dessert. They seemed to like it. And roasts are really easy. It was a fun and relaxing time to visit with the new missionaries and let them get to know all of us who are going to be such a big part of their lives for the next 2 years.

After dinner, the new missionaries, Pres. and I, the Assistants, and office Elders went down stairs for a New Missionary Training. It was wonderful. Being only a week into this, the Assistants led the way. They knew all the things to tell them about the first night here. We had each new missionary bear their testimony and I immediately knew we had been blessed with 10 valiant spirits. What incredible testimonies they shared. They are a great group of young adults and will be successful missionaries. Then it was off to bed.

The mission home has a wonderful set up. In the basement are 11 bunks and all the Elders stay down stairs. There is even a bathroom with two big showers. Kind of like a dorm. It is great.

The Sisters stay on the 2nd floor where there 3 extra rooms with twin beds and trundle beds underneath.

You might wonder if I stayed up all night doing dishes. These people are amazing. While we are downstairs having our meeting, the office couples do all the dishes. I am still feeling guilty about it. They are too sweet and I love and appreciate them so much.

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Stephanie Smith Fireside

Last Sunday evening we were privileged to attend a fireside in the mission. It was held at a beautiful old chapel in McLean. One of the pictures shows the inside of the chapel and the wood beams on the very steep-pitched ceiling of the room. The gym is under the chapel in the basement. I have never seen a floorplan like this one. Very unique. This fireside hosted Sister Stephanie Smith. Her story was in the Ensign sometime in the last year. She has a remarkable conversion story. She has held very high government positions and at one time was 5th in command at the CIA. She said something at the first of her talk that I wrote down: she said, "I've been on some remarkable adventures. But no adventure in my lifetime has been as extraordinary and life-changing as my path to conversion and baptism in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. She then told about her introduction to the church. She was at a time in her life with tremendous worldly success achieved after clawing her way to the top without any regard for others, and she felt her life was shattering into a million pieces. At this time she turned to a colleague she admired who was a member of the church. He told her two things. That her Heavenly Father knew her by name and loved her and that Heavenly Father had a plan for her success. The next day he sent her a map to the temple visitor center. She told how when the missionary sisters came to her door, she didn't think she could relate to these young women. The first thing they did was ask if they could sing to her. They sang,"I am a Child of God." That was the beginning of her conversion, a long a beautiful story. You can read it on the web at Meridian Magazine. Her testimony was a real inspiration to me. There were over 350 people there and she does a great missionary work speaking to investigators. What a blessing to have heard her and felt her spirit.

Chelsea Our recent Convert

We have met the sweetest young sister. Chelsea is amazing. She joined the church during the last year and has an incredible testimony also. She never misses any missionary function and we were able to take her with us to the Stephanie Smith Fireside. She also came to the mission home a few weeks ago and we had family night. She gave the lesson and is was unbelievable. She is hoping to go on a mission next year. What a great young woman. This is a picture of her with Elders Ganaway and Gifford.