The Final Transfer

We've actually just attended the 13th and last transfer for our mission. It's so hard to believe that in a few days we'll be heading west and closing this chapter of our lives. It was good to go out on an excellent transfer--one of the best we've had since Jan. 2014.

Sister Hansen, as always, was brief but to the point. In a Women's Conference she heard it said that many people use the Atonement like a tool box, taking it out for a specific purpose then putting it back in the box. We should be using it like a blanket. It should always be covering us. I wasn't able to find the talk she was referring to, but I'm not ready to give up looking for it.

Last counsel and testimonies from the 11 Jun go-homes.

Elder Drollinger ~ I just feel thankfulness for my mission and the friendships I've made. I've received support from Pres. and Sister Hansen and have come closer to Jesus Christ. I'm grateful for the "missionary library," the scriptures and feel like I must've done something good in the life before this one to be where I am.

Elder Bennett (Braden not Sam) ~ This work is divine. I know that because I've served an honorable mission. (He really has! This isn't a statement of pride but a fact.) We can now take our mission foundation and apply it to the rest of our lives. To the new missionaries, don't waste your mission time. Build your foundation on Christ.

Elder Trainor ~ The best lessons I've ever learned have been learned in the past 2 years. To the new missionaries, for now, this is your family, and you can rely on them. You don't need anyone's approval but Heavenly Father's. Nothing can separate us from the love of the Lord.

Elder Ware ~ Thank you all for your friendship. I know that the Lord is happy with me, because I've done my best. You can learn to love anyone in an instant.

Elder Anderson ~ You can be perfect with your companions, your investigators, with the Lord. As missionaries we're the Lord's representatives. Love the people you serve and serve with. Through the Gospel we can develop ourselves.

Elder Sargeant ~ All of you are called for a particular reason. The Lord will guide you. Your troubles will be consecrated for your good. The Atonement is real. This mission has been a great learning experience. Wherever you go you will make friends.

Elder Garceau ~ The testimonies we've heard are truly inspired, and I add mine to theirs. This is a great work we are engaged in. We're accountable to the Lord for the work we do in our areas. Obedience is important. We need to follow the rules we've been given. You'll never have a bad companion. It might take a little time but they can all be good companions.

Sister Palmer ~ Heavenly Father loves you and is happy that you're here. He knows you and brought you here. I'm speaking to the new missionaries--especially the new (Spanish) Sisters. You'll be serving with my former companions. They are truly my Sisters.

Sister McClendon ~ You are in a very special place. Louisiana has become my home. There are so many people in the South who need the Gospel. I've learned how much love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for us. Being on a mission has helped come to know my Savior, not just to know about Him. He atoned for us because He loves us.

Elder Haynie ~ I want to share 4 things. 1. You don't need to be concerned about what others think about you but only what the Lord thinks of you. 2. The person you're sitting next to right now will be the most important person to you in the next 6 weeks. 3. Life is like a football game. (Since I'm not into football I totally missed the analogy) 4. Bore a strong testimony of the Savior.

Elder Ruesch ~ Success may not be obvious at first. Love your mission. You will only do it once. I'm not saying good-bye because I'll see you again--whether in this life or the next.

Elder Hale ~ I know the Atonement is real. I'm not perfect. We're not teaching perfect people. Christ came to save us all. This mission has changed my life. Pres Hansen will help guide you to success. Listen to him and follow the handbook. Lose yourself in your mission. I can go home without regrets.

Elder Andrews ~ I've learned about the Atonement. I've made many mistakes out here, but the Lord forgives me every time. I can feel His forgiveness when I take the Sacrament. The reason I came to the LABRM is to get to know Him. I know my Redeemer lives. If  He can love me, He can love you. Remember who you are and the price He paid for you.

Elder Smiley ~ Never give up!  A mission is tough but it will change you. All my companions, investigators, members and y'all are a part of me. Each of you is responsible for a certain part of Louisiana, and no one else will do your work. Don't give up. In dark times look to the Savior for light.

Elder Mellor ~ My favorite paragraph in the handbook is about using time wisely. Be good stewards over your time. I know the Lord is happy with me now. I have learned so much from 2 great Mission Presidents. The Atonement is real! Love everyone--the people you meet, companions, and investigators. Be a wise steward in your part of the vineyard. We have to sacrifice for what we want the most.

Elder Page ~ don't be quick to judge others. Don't listen to what others say about people, but come to your own conclusions. The Atonement is real. Quote from Elder Neal A. Maxwell (which I was going to use. My mind was quickly changing gears!) "The Lord does not ask about our ability or inability but only about our availability. If we take care of our dependability He will take care of our availability." The more we give, the more we get out of our missions.

Elder Caina ~ I love my Savior and am grateful for everything He has done for me. All my trials moved me to my success through Him. (Elder C lost his voice yesterday and wrote out his testimony. Elder Mellor read it for him.)

Elder Stewart ~ Quoted from a Jedi "if you strike me down I'll be more powerful than you can ever imagine," apply this to your mission. Whenever you have difficult days, don't let it get you down. I know Jesus is the Christ. He bled from every pore. He chose Joseph Smith to be the Prophet of the Restoration. It's a great feeling to see someone change for the better. Take your message to everyone.

Sister L ~ I know I spoke and bore my testimony, but had to make adjustments at the last minute because Elder Page used the quote I'd intended to use, and I completely forgot to use the favorite Dr. Seuss quote. It looks like the Lord wanted me to be more reliant on him, and I was! But here's the Dr. Seuss quote. "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."

Elder L ~ shared the Aesop's Fable of "The Four Oxen and the Lion." A lion used to prowl about a field in which 4 oxen used to dwell. Many times he tried to attack them; but whenever he came near they turned their tails to one another, so that whichever way he approached them he was met by the horns of one of them. At last, however, they fell quarreling among themselves, and each went off to pasture alone in a separate corner of the field. Then the lion attacked them one by one and soon made an end of all four. United we stand; divided we fall. Then he applied it to missionary work. We live in perilous times. The adversary (hungry lion) is continually looking for ways to disrupt our lives and our companionships and finds every way we're vulnerable. As missionaries, we that are serving now, have served or will serve, are a family and need to be strong, stick together and be united. 

In the Mission Home with the newest LABR missionaries--Sister Langford, Sister Lanning, Sister Amezcua and Sister Jackson

Sister Holt, from St. George, who attends SUU in Cedar City.

Hermana Alder and Elder Masima

Elder Carter and Elder Stucki with Pres. Hansen

Hermana Topolovec and Sister Hansen

Elder Drollinger, Elder Horrocks and Elder Martell

Sister Smith (her younger brother's best friend comes into our mission next month), Sister Hunter, Sister Encizo and Elder Haynie

Hma. Bailey, Hma McClendon and Sister Hunter

Sister Frederickson and Sister Morris

Elder Horrocks, Elder Bennett, Elder Taylor and Elder Caldwell

Sister Lanning and Sister Kerr--going to McComb MS. Sister K just finished her first 12 weeks, and now she's a trainer!

Sister Woodward and Sister Langford--the Lafayette Sisters. Sister W came out with Sister Kerr and will be training Sister Langford

Elder Stewart, Elder Trainor and Elder Condie. Funny story about Elder Condie--during the Transfer Meeting Elder Condie's new companions were announced (he'll be in a threesome) but the new comps weren't at the meeting. They just stayed in Lafayette, an hour drive west of Baton Rouge. When he asked Pres. Hansen how he was supposed to get to his area, Pres. Hansen said, "We're giving you a backpack and a bag of cheerios!" It got a very good laugh.

Elder Toone, Elder Sargeant and Elder Anderson

Elder Olchewski and Elder Toone--going to Mandeville

Sister Baird and Sister Jackson--the Luling Sisters

Elder Armstrong and Elder Morrell, companions for 2 transfers, are being separated. Elder A will stay in Luling with Elder Barney, and Elder M is moving to Oakdale to serve with Elder McArthur. The Hastings are very excited to also be serving with Elder M!

Elder Gordon and Elder Makin--the Gonzales Elders

Hermanas Palmer, Topolovec and Bailey

Hma. McClendon, Hma. Vasquez and brand new Sister Holt, who's absolutely full of life!

Elder Barbeau and Elder Ralph have been serving together in Eunice, but Elder Barbeau was moved to Liberty MS with Elder Southward. Here's another good "Transfer Tale." Elder Barbeau comes from Quebec, Canada and is a native French speaker who didn't speak English very fluently when he came out, but his English has definitely improved. So when Pres. Hansen announced the new Liberty companionship he said to Elder Southward, "You'd better brush up on your French." Elder S came right back with, "Je parle français!" (I speak French.) Whoa! The things we learn about our missionaries. I since have learned that Elder S has had 4 years of French.

Elder Hillam (Metairie) and Elder McArthur (Oakdale)

Most of the LABRM Senior Missionaries--The Pollard's (Service Missionaries over housing), The Bible's ((Military Relations Missionaries at Ft. Polk), The L's (about to be missionary has-beens), the Lawes (the new Office Couple), President and Sister Hansen and the Hastings (MLS Missionaries in Oakdale).  The Nelson's (Morgan City MLS) had gone to their car, and the Paulsen's (CES Missionaries in New Orleans) aren't ever able to come to transfers, because they teach classes on Wednesday.