Rearranging Some Elders

There were some changes in the mission, literally, from the northwest corner to almost the southeast corner.Nice they could come into Baton Rouge to make part of the switch.

Elder Barney, Elder Schaffer, Elder White and Elder Murhula

These geese go to be as early as I do!

We've driven down Sherwood Forest many times, but I never remember to ask Marc to turn into the business driveway in time, and you certainly can't just stop on that nightmare street just because you want a picture of the Canada Geese. (Yes, Michael, I remembered they're Canada, not Canadian, Geese!)  Today, probably because of the massive, slowly moving traffic, there was enough warning to make the turn without someone running into our back side. Just a week or two ago the 2 little goslings were about half the size they were today. And there were a lot more. Maybe there are gators in the pond. I think there are gators in every body of water in Louisiana that's larger than a bathtub.

Spanish Exchange

The Office Elders helped the Spanish Elders move a lady today. She cooked gumbo for them so Elder Drollinger and Elder Page brought some for the OE's lunch. Elder D and Elder P are on exchanges, and they both go home next month. Our Spanish elders are really taking a hit.

I had a really fun phone call today from Carol Olsen. She and her husband, Brent, were the previous office couple and our trainers. They're on vacation in Kauai with the Wall's and were able to see Katherine Stennett and her family last night. She said they were thinking about us and that our mission is coming to an end soon so just called to say "Hi!"

Office Visitors

Elder Lauper and I were reminiscing yesterday about our first day in the MTC. It wasn't just a random thought but came about because the new office couple entered the MTC yesterday. We laughed at how exhausted we were while we were there. On the first full day of classes (Tuesday) we were fed spiritually and physically, but by the time we finished dinner, which was probably 5:30 or 6, we thought we were going to die from exhaustion. I'm sure we were asleep by 8:30. Wow, have things changed! We did receive an email from the MTC yesterday asking us which programs we use here so the Lawes will be specifically trained in those areas. That is such a relief since we'll only have about 2 weeks with them.

It's always fun to have exchanges and see what new faces, or ones we don't see very often, come into the office.

Elder Mills, one of the Zone Leaders in New Orleans, was on exchanges with Elder White, the Senior AP. The other AP, Elder Murhula, stayed in New Orleans with Elder Mill's companion, Elder Jean Louis,.

Sister Ochs, one of the Baton Rouge Sister Trainers, will be in Plaquemine with Sister King. Sister O's grandma is the California Redlands Mission Secretary, but she's living at home and doing a service mission. 

We're always happy to have our Baton Rouge Spanish Sisters, Sister Jewett and Sister Roberts, stop by.  They'll both be released in July. 

"Stop It!"

We had an excellent Sacrament Meeting this morning, but I especially enjoyed hearing from our Branch President, Pres. Hebert. He talked about need to not gossip and used some quotes that I just want to mention.

"The scriptures warn us against gossiping. The Psalmist said it simply: Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. (Psalms 34:13)"

Elder Spencer W. Kimball wrote: "Lies and gossip which harm reputations are scattered about by the four winds like the seeds of a ripe dandelion help aloft by a child. Neither the seeds nor the gossip can ever be gathered in. The degree and extent of the harm done by the gossip is inestimable. (The Miracle of Forgiveness, 54)"

"President Gordon B. Hinckley has said, the snide remark, the racial slur, hateful epithets, malicious gossip, and mean and vicious rumor-mongering should have no place among us."

By avoiding gossip, stopping it when it starts, and turning the other cheek when someone gossips about us, we set an example for others. These actions also help us as a society to be of "one heart and one mind" (Moses 7:18) and as individuals to be worthy to return to live with our Heavenly Father.

And, of course, who can forget President Uchtdorf's 2 word sermon (which he expounded on)?
"STOP IT!"

These are great words to remember.

New Cookies!

Today I made a "new" cookie recipe. This is entirely too long, but I call them the "use up everything you can't take home" cookies. There weren't enough chocolate chips, so they also have heath chips, and chocolate covered raisins. The next round will be oatmeal raisin with raisins, golden raisins and dried cranberries.

No, we aren't eating them all! The office elders got a bunch when they came to figure out why the scanner wasn't working. The rest of the dough will be frozen in rolls to bake for whoever needs them in the next few weeks.

Las Hermanas

Las Hermanas Bailey and McClendon were in Baton Rouge today and stopped at our apartment for a quick visit before driving back to Houma. They're a long way from home but say that the drive is very scenic and beautiful. Too bad they have to go back in the dark.

Hma. M goes home to AZ next transfer, and Hma. B leaves 2 transfers later. I remember when they first arrived, and it doesn't seem like that long ago. Time flies! We're losing so many of our Spanish speaking missionaries. The hermana numbers should be okay, but we aren't getting very many Spanish elders coming in. No Bueno!

Always the Best Part of the Day

I was so excited this morning when Sister Chandler came in with her new companion, Sister Plumb. I even remembered to get a picture, but when it came time to post it I couldn't find it anywhere, and I'm really miffed at myself. I know I took one but don't know what happened. Maybe they'll come in again--soon.

The phones have been pleasantly quiet this week which has allowed me time to update the zone maps, even though I just redid them. Since President Hansen made 5 zones from 6 at the last transfer, it seemed like a nice thing to do for the incoming secretary. It's so much easier to do referrals by just looking at a map of the zone that has all the missionaries' housing locations marked.

Sister Ochs, recently transferred into Baton Rouge, and Sister Butterfield are the BR Sister Trainers. Wonderful Sisters!

Elder Forbush just returned to the mission yesterday. He's awesome, and it'll be great to have him back. He's a threesome with the Assistants until he's delivered to his new area, which is very far from Baton Rouge, on Friday. Also, it's Elder Murhula's birthday today, so the three of them are going out to dinner tonight with the Office Elders.