An MIA Missionary

I held off sharing this story while waiting to know the outcome, so here it it, but not in great detail. After the new missionaries arrived on Tuesday we heard that only 18 had come in. Not good. We were supposed to get 19. So where's #19. No one knew. The other 18 said 19 didn't get on the bus, meaning the bus from the MTC to SLC airport.

After my part of the orientation on Wednesday morning I asked Pres Hansen if there was any word on 19. Nope. Could he talk to our in-field rep in SLC? He's on vacation. When one of the new missionaries came into the office after Transfers I asked if he knew what had happened to 19. He said that 18 were on the main MTC campus and 19 was on the south or west or wherever the other MTC campus is. By the end of the day Pres H had spoken to the MTC who told him 19 wasn't there! Really? Well, where is 19? How do you call a parent and say, "Sorry, we seem to have misplaced your missionary somewhere between Provo and Baton Rouge.

It wasn't until this afternoon that I received 2 emails--1 from our travel lady in Salt Lake, and another with 19's change of assignment. To make a long story short, 19 IS still at the MTC and will be coming in on the next transfer because 19 will be studying Spanish. Honestly, this was the oddest situation and hard to understand how no one knew 19's whereabouts. We can kind of laugh about it now, but we really did have some serious concerns.

The biggest problem now is that takes August's incomings to 25. With 18, the mission home was already bursting at the seams. And the Hansens have 2 daughters coming to visit for 2 weeks in August that includes transfer time. Problem solving! That's what we do best here:)

The Hansen's First Transfer

I know I don't need to say anything about Transfer Day, so here are a few pictures from the best mission day in July.

Sister Astle (left) has been transferred to the West Bank in the New Orleans South Zone. What a sad day:( We always love seeing her and Sister Bailey (right), but now we'll get to know Sister Paige (blue blouse). Sister Black will be Sister A's new companion. Aren't they beautiful?

Sister Hansen is with Sister Smith (left), one of the new sisters whose first companion and trainer is Sister Seegrist, a perfect comp for a new sister and an outstanding missionary.

In the group of 5 sisters are Sister Biver, from France (I wonder if they thought we speak French here), sister McEntire, who tells some of the best jokes ever, but you have to hear her to appreciate them, Sister Chausow (remember the Chausow Family Sunshine Package?), Sister Seegrist and Sister Smith.

In between Elder A and Elder B is President Burkart, the Denham Springs Stake President. He's one of the most proactive missionary Stake Presidents I've ever met, except for maybe Doug Rozsa. He attends transfers so he knows his new missionaries, meets with all the DS missionaries after lunch, and I send him a roster every time it changes so he has all their names and phone numbers.

This is our newest senior couple who are serving in Oakdale. What wonderful people they are! They're from Gilbert AZ and have already served 2 or 3 missions, one of them in the Philippines Temple. We're loving getting to know them and are planning a few weekend activities to show them some of the sights. They have 9 children, 8 living, somewhere around 23 grandchildren, 2 more expected while they're in LA, and most of them live in AZ! They're already made their presence known in Oakdale in a very good way and are meeting, reactivating and loving the people there. Apparently the branch meets in a funeral home, but I don't think it serves that function any more.  I'm sure there'll be more on these great people in the future.

And one final picture of the July go-homes after our temple session. Notice the the Hansen's are still smiling after successfully completing their first transfer, even though their day is far from over. They went home for dinner with this group and a testimony meeting. Then they'll be off to the airport in the morning by 6 am!

Go-Home Words of Wisdom (not in picture order):
Elder Ackerman--Remember where you came from and who you left behind to come here. You are my family.
Elder Willis--Get to know the Savior and His teachings. He will help you love and serve. Cherish the friendships you've made here.
Elder Rennie--Always have hope and remember you can do it! Have a positive attitude. The Lord is always with us. He loves His missionaries.
Elder Hunt--The Atonement is real. Don't worry, be happy. Always be and do your best.
Elder O'Donnell--Be happy! Mission work is meant to be joyful. If you're wondering if it's worth it, it is.
Elder Miles--God has a plan for us and is looking out of us, so be happy--even on lousy days.
Elder Helie--It's good to know it's not the first time we've met nor will it be the last. John 15:13 says "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." You are friends. This is an opportunity to serve each other.We're here for a reason. Love and serve your companions and you'll be successful. Study the Atonement. It's the force behind everything. It will carry you and bless you.
Sister Bristow--Love everyone--those you teach, your district (they're your family). Heavenly Father knows better than we know ourselves and sees our potential.
Sister Wheeler-- When I was set apart my Stake President told me to work hard and be obedient. I've always done both, but this is the hardest thing I've ever done and also the most rewarding. I worked my guts out and am exhausted. The Savior will never leave us. He's with us through hard times and great times. Use your time wisely and enjoy your mission to the end.
Sister Faulk (she spent her entire mission in Opelousas, did great things and became "the face of Opelousas")--Love your companions because those relationships will be eternal. Love your mission because it's an experience unlike any others you'll ever have. You bear Christ's name over your heart. You'll change lives even though you won't see it. Through the Atonement you can do all things.

The July Arrivals

Our 19 new missionaries arrived in Baton Rouge today--2 from Mexico City and 17 from Provo. It took a 12 seat van, 2 trucks, a Highlander and large trailer to pick them up from the airport. I'm not sure who I'm most concerned about--the new missionaries who are running on very few hours of sleep and know no one here except those they came with, President Hansen, who needs to fit in 19 interviews before he goes to bed tonight, or Sister Hansen, who gets to house and feed everyone. One thing's for sure. There aren't 19 beds in the mission home, but the Assistants did take 4 cots from the office over there this morning. Should be an interesting day. Meanwhile, I'm just minding my own business at the office and wondering how next transfer's incoming 24 are going to be transported.

It seems like Elder Navitakula is always getting a new companion. His most recent one is Elder Rothschild, a fairly new elder from Hennifer, Utah. When I asked him where Hennifer is he told me that it's by Echo and Morgan. Oh, super! Now I know exactly where it isn't. :) It's north of Park City and there are more sheep there than people. This was a mid-transfer exchange so Elder R has been her for a few weeks. We actually heard him speak 2 Sundays ago when we went to church in Baton Rouge. In his talk he included 18 points about how to become a good missionary. I was writing as fast as I could but couldn't keep up with him. When I mentioned this to Elder Watkins he immediately got on his phone, called Elder R, then told me he'd write them down for me. Thanks, Elder W, for always bending over backward for me. Talk about accommodating! I will add to this post as soon as I get the list from  Elder R.

This is a picture taken on the Monday before the Wall's went home. The t-shirts say "The Final Ride." I don't think I've mentioned what an avid bike rider Pres Wall is. It was nothing for him to go out on a 15 mile ride some mornings. So, the missionaries took final rides with their districts on his last Monday.

Le Creole Restaurant

Tonight's dinner might just have been the best restaurant we've been to since arriving in LA. We were invited by some of the Baton Rouge 1st Ward members to go out to Le Creole. I don't know what the stripes are on the salad. They sure weren't there when I was eating. Oh, I didn't take these pictures! It just seemed a bit tacky to stand up and start photographing the food. It was an upscale restaurant with 5 star flavor, presentation and service. I ordered the Le Creole salad--mixed greens, gulf shrimp, snow crab, mango, hearts of palm and cane vinaigrette that I'd pay good money to get the recipe. There was also a buerre blanc sauce on the shrimp and crab. Those things in the newspaper are delicious baby biscuits. Yumminess!

Fireworks on the Mississippi

We stopped by the office on our way home from running some errands and the office was full of elders! Four of them had met here after exchanges to switch back to their own companions. This is Elder Sargent, from Idaho, and Elder Anderson, from Wyoming. They're the Tiger Bend Elders here in Baton Rouge.

After a relaxing day AND a nap, we met the Riggs at their house and headed out for frozen yogurt (where I devoured tart vanilla and mango something or other little balls of juice. I'll try anything with mango!) and fireworks on the Mississippi River. What a delightful evening. The Riggs are so enjoyable to be with, I'm ready to return for a repeat of last night's yogurt, and fireworks are never a disappointment. We were right downtown by the old capitol and walked a few blocks to the levee. After crossing the railroad tracks, climbing through a chain link fence and up the levee, we found great cement seats with a perfect view of the evening's show.

4th of July fireworks never fail to remind me of one of my favorite patriotic locations of all time--Fort McHenry in Baltimore. It's an emotional reminder of how "The Star-Spangled Banner" came to be.

In September, 1814, Francis Scott Key, a young Georgetown lawyer and poet, witnessed the bombardment of Ft. McHenry while under British guard aboard an American truce ship near the Baltimore harbor. His law partner was there to negotiate the release of Dr. William Beanes, whom the British had taken prisoner on their return march from Washington. As the dawn broke on the morning of Sept. 14, Key saw the American flag still flying and was moved to pen the immortal lines which were finished two days later in a Baltimore hotel. Originally entitled "The Defence of Fort M'Henry," it wasn't officially made the national anthem until 1931.

After a much more thorough movie re-creation of the events of Sept 13-14, a huge curtain is drawn to reveal an enormous replica of the flag which was flown over Ft. McHenry (the original is on permanent display at the Smithsonian), while a men's choir sings the National Anthem. Emotions of gratitude and pride for our nation, the Star and Stripes and those who made it possible moves everyone to tears.

Another Muffaletta

We didn't wait long to try Anthony's Italian Deli that the Hermanas told us about last night. I should have know that Marc started tasting it the minute it was mentioned. We went out at lunchtime on errands and ended up at the deli. Our decision is that it was a good sandwich but not quite as good as the one in New Orleans. Now how am I going to make these things when we get home. The meat and cheese won't be a problem, but I'm not sure about the olive salad and bread.

The Smith's and the Sisters

It was just about time to wrap things up and head home when the Smith's came into the office. They're the parents of Elder Quinten Smith, a former visa waiter in our mission, who's now serving in Zimbabwe. Brother Smith is a pilot with Southwest Airlines so, for their 26th anniversary, they came to LA to see where their son had served for several months. They're from Tooele, Utah, but dad's home base is Oakland! Sounds like a great commute.

Not too long after we got home 2 of our sweet sisters dropped by to return borrowed pans and bring us some watermelon and potato salad. How cute are they. It was Sister Astle and Sister Bailey, and what fun we had visiting with them--probably for a little longer than we should have, but it's so hard to let them go! During the visit they gave us the name of an Italian deli in Baton Rouge that makes muffalettas. Mmm! We'll be trying it soon I'm sure. They also shared a spiritual thought with us and we had a great discussion based on John 4:18. "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." I love visiting with the missionaries because of their wisdom and insightfulness. (Is that a word?)

Sister Bailey was raised on a farm in Utah. One of her responsibilities was to feed the animals. I don't know what kind or how many but her activities began at 5:30 am because she chose to go to early morning seminary. In the winters the mornings were dark and cold, and sometimes, probably pretty often, she was very scared because around their property were mountain lions, wolves and other 4 legged critters. She said that she'd often sing the Janice Kapp Perry Hymn, "A Child's Prayer," to help calm her and bring her peace. And it always did.

Heavenly Father, are you really there? And do you hear and answer ev'ry child's prayer?
Some say that heaven is far away, bit I feel it close around me as I pray.
Heavenly Father, I remember now something that Jesus told disciples long ago:
"Suffer the children to come to me." Father, in prayer I'm coming now to thee.

Pray, he is there; Speak, he is list'ning. You are his child; His love now surround you.
He hears your prayer; He loves the children. Of such is the kingdom, the kingdom of heav'n.