The Firsts of the Lasts

I don´t think that I was prepared for how crazy our last weeks would be here in the mission!  We are running!  In the midst of all the running, we have received a few more wonderful missionaries!  Welcome to the best place to serve a mission ever!

Hermana Messer de Nevada

Hermana Ribeiro de Brasil

Hermana Burgos de Bolivia y Elder Cruz de Nicaragua

And one more makes 12

We have had so many incredible blessings on the mission!  Seven of those miracles are the grandchildren that we are excited to get to know when we return.  This little Dalle Mae is such a cutie and going to be a great sister to 3 wonderful brothers. 

Serving with all our heart, soul, might mind and strength, even in the midst of .....vaccinations!

A picture of 5 weeks of conferences.  We have been blessed to be with each missionary and watch them rededicate their time to the Lord.  They are will to give their heart, soul, might and mind to the work, even when they have to roll up their sleeves and get a influenza vaccination!

Ready to lead out!

We were blessed this change to bring a very strong group of new district leaders into the mission.  They are some of the keys to success here in the mission as they meet with the mission each week and help lift and train. We have great confidence in this group and know that they will do exactly that. 

Councilio and I am up to date!

Today we had Councilio.  It was so wonderful to be with these leaders as they plan and prepare to create zones that can accomplish miracles.  Not only that they planned and prepared a big surprise for our 34th anniversary!  We love you, we are proud of you and are so grateful to work with you and raise a standard of excellence here in the mission!

Goodbyes

We love to go to Paulistas resturant and gorge ourselves before we start the flow of tears that will come in hours as we send these missionaries off to families that are anxiously awaiting for their return.  It is always so fun to see how much these missionaries have grown and changed not only spiritually but they literally have grownup before our eyes into awesome adults.  

Hermana Bulaqui returning to the Phillipines

First day

Hermana Polo returning to Peru

First day

Elder Clemente returning to Peru

First day

Hermana Cortez returning to Ecuador

First day

First day for the Beans

Returning to Oregon

Hermana Crapo returning to Idaho

First day

First day

A very unconventional last day, sorry Elder Armstrong we couldn´t send you off to Utah!  We wish you would have been in Councilio!