A Mission Leader - A Week in Photos
On Sunday we spoke at the Ukiah Stake Conference. We spoke along with President and Sister Hodgman, the Oakland Temple President and Matron. It was made more fun by the fact that the Hodgmans were Hannah our daughter’s Mission Leaders in Provo, Utah. The Hodgmans were fabulous mission leaders to Hannah. Later Sunday afternoon, after meeting with some missionaries, we drove to Eureka.
We stayed over night in Eureka. Monday morning we went for a walk. Mark ended up with a phone call which is pretty typical.
We spent Monday morning, prepartion day, with the Eureka zone playing Pickleball. We have enjoyed getting to know our missionaries through having fun with them on p-days!
The missionaries wanted to show us Moonstruck Beach. I love this photo because Elder Moala is photo bombing it!
We drove back to the Ukiah church building to pick up a missionary to take with us to Santa Rosa. This is the Ukiah Stake Center. I love this Crape Myrtle Tree, common to Northern California, with the beautiful large clumps of pink blossoms out in front of the building.
The next day we spent our time in the mission office at the Badger Church Building. This is what it looks like when you walk in. (Sorry about the blue reflection from the lights.)
We had a meeting at the office with the Assistants to the President (AP’s), Elders Bliss, Carter, and Colling. Elder Bliss is on schedule to return home next week. This is breaking our hearts. He is an outstanding missionary and has been a huge help to us as new mission leaders.
This is the board of missionary photos in order of their release date. This has been a busy week as we’ve prepared for 13 missionaries leaving and 15 missionaries coming next week. The missionaries love looking at this board when they visit the office.
I hosted a brunch with all the senior missionaries to welcome a new senior missionary couple - the Jexes. I forgot to take a photo of the group :( I’ll remember to do that the next time we are together. I made banana pancakes as part of the menu.
Mark and I worked in our home offices Wednesday. This is my desk where I answer emails, make out reports, study Preach My Gospel, write talks, prepare my training material, make phone calls, and go through papers. I have a nice view of our street, Cobblestone Drive. I see a lot of neighbors walking their dogs.. Everyone is super friendly!
Here is Mark’s home office. He is usually up early getting a head start on the day’s work by answering letters that the missionaries write to him each week. He is coming to understand how to use Facebook messaging. I am proud of him, he never used Facebook before our mission.
Forest fires are typical to our mission area in California. During a thunderstorm this week some lightening struck and started forest fires that have now spread. We have had to evacuate some of our missionaries.
This transfer we are losing 7 of our Zone Leaders from our 8 zones. Elder Smart, on the right, is one that will be returning home. He will be missed. He is standing with Elder Barnes.
Elder Anderson and Elder Cordingly are two zone leaders, who are also returning home next week. Two great missionaries!!
Sister Gordon, on the right, one of our sister training leaders will return home next week too. She is wonderful. She is standing with Sister Jensen.
We had a few Zoom meetings this week. Thursday was the Medical Health Council meeting. Pictured is Denise Hansen, our therapist, and Sister Schneider, our nurse.
Denise Hansen does a great job as our therapist.. I work closely with her to help our missionaries who have mental health challenges.
Sister Whalen, on the right, tore her ACL and ripped the meniscus in her knee this week. :( She will have to return home a few months early to have surgery and follow-up appointments of physical therapy. It always breaks our hearts to see a missionary with a serious injury. She is an amazing missionary and will be missed. Also pictured is Sister Holmes.
Friday —-Sitting in the church building mission office going over and over the transfer board. We pray hard to place each missionary with inspiration from the Spirit. Some missionaries speak Spanish, some ride bikes, some need to be trained, some need to do the training, and some need a new area, it can get very tricky placing everyone!
Our mission car.
After getting some referrals, I got my hair cut Friday afternoon. The stylist said, “Would you like some layers?” I said “yes.” I totally thought she meant long layers!! Not quite sure what to do with this?!? I’m trying not to panic.
The facilities manager for the mission home, Don Taber came by this week to look at the home. He said we could upgrade a few things in the home. Don was super supportive and nice. We went out to Home Depot to look at some new light fixtures.
Hermanas (Spanish speaking sisters) Toponce, Gundry, and Moses stopped by the mission home to pick up a book. All three of them are awesome!
Yay for baptisms! We have 28 friends on date for this month. There is so much joy when someone is baptized. Pictured is Sister Chynoweth, and Sister Bennett.
Hanging with Elder Eldredge and Elder Burrows. Two great missionaries. I brought them some homemade chocolate chip cookies as a treat.
We ended the week by speaking in the Winter’s ward sacrament meeting. Later in the day we enjoyed zooming with our family. We love seeing them and catching up!! It was a good week!
We love staying close with family and friends. We hope all is well with you. Please stay in touch. We would love it if you reached out to say “hi” sometime. Thanks!! Same emails and phone numbers.
