After we pick the incoming missionaries up at the airport, we take them back to the Mission Home where we take their picture to send back home to their parents, and then they are treated to a welcome to Texas barb-e-que brisket, baked beans, rolls, potato, green and fruit salad, pretzel jello (Texas style), and then topped off with a Texas sheet cake with none other than blue bell ice cream (and only blue bell will do in Texas).
After lunch we have a getting to know you and testimony meeting, and then head over to the church for some training from Sister Ames and the Assistants and interviews from President Ames. That will usually run into the early evening where they are then dispersed to different places to sleep.
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| One of our new Elders willing to participate in an object lesson training.... |
The next morning we meet back at the church to introduce them to their trainers/new companions! Its pretty exciting and nerve wracking in that they have no idea what to expect, but all the same excited to be there and do whatever is asked of them.
That same day, is when we have TRANSFERS=when a missionary changes to another place, route, or means of transportation during a journey.
This was Sister Ames's first transfer so she was very excited to say the least!! It appeared to be a big reunion where everyone is hugging, talking, giving high five's, laughing oh and moving their luggage from one car to the next. But really in short its taking all the missionaries that aren't training brand new missionaries and mixing them all up according to how President Ames felt needed. I had never seen anything so chaotic move so smooth and efficient! I kept asking, "How do they know what to do, where to go"? Its mostly inspiring to see how happy, kind, loving and motivating these missionaries are to each other and everyone around them.
After transfers are complete, and the new missionaries have been assigned their trainers and all go on their way, we take the missionaries that have completed their mission back to the Mission Home for a quick lunch (and final interview if needed) before we all head to the Temple together.
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| GOOD |
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| BETTER |
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BEST!
We also take our Senior couples that are leaving, and treat them to a nice dinner afterwards. This part is anything but work for us! |
After the Temple we take them back to the Mission Home for a farewell Texas barb-e-que brisket meal, same as the first. Then we have some final thoughts and testimonies, and then its good-bye until they are taken to the airport early the next morning. Its full of a lot of mixed emotions, especially with these missionaries returning home after being gone for so long. But mainly it is a testimony of natures and lives changed forever and many blessed beyond comprehension.
We never said we didn't have any fun- I mostly love how happy these missionaries are after serving, obeying, committing, changing, inviting, and loving.
This is a great way for them to end their mission and we just love it.
