A Mini-Reunion

I Love the South! Where else would you hear someone pray for President Munson and aks that he be blessed?

Just before Relief Society I received a text from Caden Steele. I know Elder Mecham was giving his homecoming talk today so there were several LABRM missionary alumni who were in Idaho. It looks like 4 of them came in from Provo. This group spent the night at the Steele's. They all look great--and happy! Thanks for the pic, Caden!

Katherine Stennett, Kiersten Lindstrom, Chandler Adkins, Caden Steele, Jenna Schmutz and  Billy, Bill, William (or whatever he calls himself) Watkins. I did mention, when Jenna was back in town, that she was dating someone special. Now you know who, and I couldn't be happier!

Finally! A face to go with a name and voice. Meet Grandpa Smith, Elder Holden Smith's gpa. And  that could be Grandma Smith with him, but I'm not saying definitely. Gpa Smith and I have become great phone friends. He told me that they were going to attend Elder Mecham's homecoming, so that's where this pic is taken--Sugar City, Idaho. Before Elder Smith returned to Baton Rouge, Gpa told me that he was praying so hard for Elder Smith to have a good companion. After Elder Smith returned to the mission for the Nov. 5 Transfer and Elder M became his new companion and trainer. Grandpa had his prayers answered in the best way possible, and now Elder Smith is the District Leader and training a brand new missionary. 

A Great Tracting Story

The Prairieville Sister Training Leaders and Plaquettes met at the office today to go on an exchange. While the Plaquettes were waiting for the others to arrive I asked them how their week had been. They just about jumped out of skin from excitement. Yesterday they went tracting in Port Allen and happened upon a man, maybe in his 40's, outside mowing the lawn. They introduced themselves and struck up a conversation, then he said to them, "You're angels sent from God!" Sister Morris thought he was joking around, but he repeated it, and when she looked in his face could tell that he was serious. He said he wants to bring his family to church this Sunday and also wants the Sisters to visit his parents in Plaquemine.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Sunday.

Sister Biver, Sister Butterfield, Sister Lucherini and Sister Morris

Updating the Office Manual

It was so quiet in the office yesterday and today, so I've been taking advantage of the lack of activity to update the secretary's office manual. In a few months we'll be moving on and someone else will take our place, so I decided to see what I've been missing in the instruction book. Fortunately, Sister Olsen did a great job as my trainer. I've never actually even looked in the manual. What I discovered yesterday is that it was made up in 2010--long before the Olsen's or the Gordon's and President and Sister Wall were here! I did manage to find all of it on the computer which is making the task much easier. It all makes total sense to me now, but I'm sure it would have baffled me a year ago.

There have been several policy changes along with some computer updates. But it's a pretty thick binder, and I've spent many hours and have more to come. The bright spot in the day is always the missionaries. These were the only 2 companionships for today.

Sister King and her new companion, Sister Chandler, serve in the Baton Rouge North area. Sister Merrill, the Temple Square Sister who was with Sister King, was transferred to Many--almost 4 hours from here.

Elder Toone and Elder Anderson came in from Amite (an hour away) to get their car registered. I'm pretty sure I've mentioned this before, but here it is again. All of the mission cars have to be registered in this parish, so these elders had to make the long drive into BR to get that taken care of.

Baton Rouge Spanish Missionaries

Tuesdays are District Meetings, so after their meeting and lunch, the whole Baton Rouge Spanish District came into the offfice. There were a few changes at transfers last week, including moving one set of elders out of Baton Rouge. So here's the present line-up.

Sister Jewett and Sister Roberts. I think this is going to be a very fun pair. They've been living in the same apartment with the BR North Sisters but will be moving soon to a different location.  Our mission numbers are dropping so there are a few extra apartments. 

Elder Cunningham and Elder Drollinger are the BR East Elders and Elder Joubert and Elder Horrocks are now the BR South Spanish Elders.

New Plaquemine Missionaries

The invocation in Sacrament Meeting this morning really made me think. Brother Parker said, "We thank Thee for this day that we've never seen before and will never see again." I actually thought that was very profound and contemplated it on and off during the meetings. What can I do in the next 12 hours that will make this day meaningful or productive. By the time we get home I'll have about 7 hours. What will I do with that time that I'm accountable for? Lots to ponder!

Elder Baker, Elder Bracken, our new Elder, and Gavin Hidalgo
Elder Brimhall was transferred to Marksville, and Elder Bracken was transferred into Plaquemine. Unfortunately, his stay will be very short-lived (4 days) as he will be released tomorrow for medical reasons, and we don't know if he'll be able to return or not. His home is in St. George, so we plan on seeing him whether he returns to LA or not:) Gavin is the sole member of the Aaronic Priesthood who Marc teaches every week. He's a very sharp young man with a firm testimony, good grades, and a brilliant future as a musician. The French horn is his instrument of choice, and I've heard that he's amazing. He also plays the piano, and will be 14 in March.

Sister Lou Williams (Gavin's grandma) is one of the pillars of the branch as organist, Primary President and Temple Worker. Not sure what they'd do without her.

Sister Lucherini and Sister Morris
Sister L was also transferred in last Wednesday to replace Sister Lindstrom who's now home. But Sister Lucherini will only be her until the next transfer in March, because that's when she'll be released.

The Travel Trial

What a fun surprise to answer the phone this morning and hear Kiersten Lindstrom's sweet voice. I thought about her yesterday at 3:48 when she and Elder Mecham were due to arrive in Idaho. But what a story she had to tell. I'll try to make it short and not too confusing.

Seven of our eight go-homes flew out of Baton Rouge at 7:30 am, but they were late arriving in Atlanta, and the 3 Idaho-bound missionaries missed their flight to SLC. Elder Hansen was able to get on a flight to Salt Lake with the other 4 who were going there at a later time. Don't ask me why all 7 weren't booked on the same flight, but they weren't. Sister Lindstrom and Elder Mecham went from one counter to another trying to get on stand-by, but all the flights were full. I don't know what time they actually left Atlanta, but they arrived in Salt Lake at 8:30 pm, thus missing any possible connection to Idaho.

Somehow they must've contacted their parents, because Elder M's left Idaho to pick him up in SLC, and Sister L's brother and wife, who live in Provo, picked her up with signs and balloons. They'd also contacted 2 of Kiersten's best friends to come to the airport. Then they drove her to Rexburg, arriving around 1:30 am. When she and I talked, she was on her way to the airport to pick up her luggage that had somehow managed to make all the connections and arrive in Idaho. Not exactly the homecoming that you usually hear about, but at least she's home safely!

It was pretty quiet in the office today, but Sister Carpenter and Sister Pearson the LSU Sisters, did stop by for a few minutes. 

Lots of Changes

Lots of new companionships in Baton Rouge because of transfers. Here's just a few.

Baton Rouge Sister Training Leaders--Sister Butterfield and Sister Biver.

Elder Cunningham and Elder Drollinger--the Baton Rouge East Spanish Elders

Elder Stevenson and Elder Abbott--Baton Rouge North Elders

Three new faces in the office--(standing) Elder Casillas and Elder Ryan (seated) Elder White and Elder Murhula--the Assistants--and Elder Bennett

They're seriously fun!

Sister McEntire and Sister Bailey. Sister B has been a Baton Rouge Spanish Sister since she came out almost a year ago. Now she'll serve in Denham Springs in a new Spanish/English area.