8 New Missionaries, 10 headed home, Temple Week, Tuscaloosa with Johnsons
The Senior Missionaries put on the 3 hour orientation for new missionaries after they have had a nice dinner at the Sainsbury's, photos and a night in a hotel. The seniors explain Safety, cars, money cards, nursing processes for medical/mental health needs and apartment cleaning. Elder Barfuss discusses safety with C02 monitors, weather radios, cockroaches and bedbugs, 72 hour kits and apartment cleaning. Sister Ensign discusses proper baptism forms and Sister Barker goes over social media, linen bags and referrals. Elder Ensign discusses the money cards, how to care for them and budget their funds. The nurses discuss Missionary Medical protocols, when to call the nurses, self care and to handle small problems before they turn into big ones. Elder Barker shows a film about the TIWI car monitors, car safety, gas and maintenance and accident protocols. The nurses and President Sainsbury interview each new missionary.
President Sainsbury also interviews each going home missionary and in the evening they attend the Temple together. They have a nice dinner at the Sainsbury's home, where they also have their photos taken and spent the night in a motel before flying home.
After orientation, the transfer meeting begins and Sister Sainsbury talks about her favorite scripture: Isaiah 40:31 "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." She explains how eagles build their nests on the edge of the cliffs and when they teach their eaglets to fly, the parent eagles gently nudge them off the edge and there is only the wind to catch them. The tiny eaglets experience fear before learning to love the freedom of free flight. She says, "So it is with each of you as you begin your missions." President Sainsbury pairs each new missionary with their trainer and they leave the room to move all their suitcases to the cars. Then the rest of the companions are assigned and they are so excited as they hug and go out together. In the parking lot the missionaries are packing all their belongings into new cars and taking pictures. It's a bit like a party with a great deal of energy and anticipation from all the new companionships and area assignments.
New missionaries receive bug spray from Elder Barfuss and a scripture bookmark from Sister Barfuss. Returning home missionary sisters receive crocheted headbands from Sister Barfuss and a hug goodbye. Elders get a hug from Elder Barfuss and a handshake from Sister Barfuss. We grow attached to our dinner missionaries and many who we rub shoulders with on apartment checks, medical appointments, Temple trips, Sylacauga Church meetings, splits, Zone Conferences and Taxi service. These young missionaries are a little like our own children and we grow to appreciate and love them. Elder Barfuss tells them, "I am your DAD on your mission, your worst nightmare if you don't keep your apartment clean!!"
We closed/moved two young missionary apartments in the past week and Elder Barfuss had two missionaries really pitch in on each apartment that was a huge blessing. He treats them afterwards with a little lunch or money for ice cream. Sister Barfuss helped on one apartment and did nursing calls/approvals/ notations and old englished and fixed knobs on a dresser for future use.
The nurses piggy backed as many counseling and doctor appointments as we could with all the missionaries assigned Temple days to save car miles. Sister B attended three appointments with missionaries and our other nurses managed the counseling clinic and attended appointments also.
We were assigned two sessions in the Temple on Thursday to support the missionaries all going. The Temple workers came in on their days off to make the three Temple days possible for the young missionaries. Elder and Sister Barfuss were able to be the witness couple for the second session and be in the prayer circle both sessions. It was wonderful to rub shoulders with Senior couples also and enjoy the peace and joy the Temple experience brings. Many of the missionaries were fasting and meditating for comfort, answers to their seeking and found joy in their special day. It was wonderful.
Last Friday we had to renew a contract in Tuscaloosa and enjoyed a driving tour and a walk by the famous Roll Tide stadium with Elder and Sister Johnson from Cedar City, UT. They showed off the new Institute building and challenged Elder Barfuss to a game of pool!! They will be going home next week and so we treated them to dinner by the Black Warrior River in Northport. Their senior apartment has to be closed down and all the heavy furniture stored for a couple coming in August.
President Sainsbury also interviews each going home missionary and in the evening they attend the Temple together. They have a nice dinner at the Sainsbury's home, where they also have their photos taken and spent the night in a motel before flying home.
After orientation, the transfer meeting begins and Sister Sainsbury talks about her favorite scripture: Isaiah 40:31 "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." She explains how eagles build their nests on the edge of the cliffs and when they teach their eaglets to fly, the parent eagles gently nudge them off the edge and there is only the wind to catch them. The tiny eaglets experience fear before learning to love the freedom of free flight. She says, "So it is with each of you as you begin your missions." President Sainsbury pairs each new missionary with their trainer and they leave the room to move all their suitcases to the cars. Then the rest of the companions are assigned and they are so excited as they hug and go out together. In the parking lot the missionaries are packing all their belongings into new cars and taking pictures. It's a bit like a party with a great deal of energy and anticipation from all the new companionships and area assignments.
New missionaries receive bug spray from Elder Barfuss and a scripture bookmark from Sister Barfuss. Returning home missionary sisters receive crocheted headbands from Sister Barfuss and a hug goodbye. Elders get a hug from Elder Barfuss and a handshake from Sister Barfuss. We grow attached to our dinner missionaries and many who we rub shoulders with on apartment checks, medical appointments, Temple trips, Sylacauga Church meetings, splits, Zone Conferences and Taxi service. These young missionaries are a little like our own children and we grow to appreciate and love them. Elder Barfuss tells them, "I am your DAD on your mission, your worst nightmare if you don't keep your apartment clean!!"
We closed/moved two young missionary apartments in the past week and Elder Barfuss had two missionaries really pitch in on each apartment that was a huge blessing. He treats them afterwards with a little lunch or money for ice cream. Sister Barfuss helped on one apartment and did nursing calls/approvals/ notations and old englished and fixed knobs on a dresser for future use.
The nurses piggy backed as many counseling and doctor appointments as we could with all the missionaries assigned Temple days to save car miles. Sister B attended three appointments with missionaries and our other nurses managed the counseling clinic and attended appointments also.
We were assigned two sessions in the Temple on Thursday to support the missionaries all going. The Temple workers came in on their days off to make the three Temple days possible for the young missionaries. Elder and Sister Barfuss were able to be the witness couple for the second session and be in the prayer circle both sessions. It was wonderful to rub shoulders with Senior couples also and enjoy the peace and joy the Temple experience brings. Many of the missionaries were fasting and meditating for comfort, answers to their seeking and found joy in their special day. It was wonderful.
Last Friday we had to renew a contract in Tuscaloosa and enjoyed a driving tour and a walk by the famous Roll Tide stadium with Elder and Sister Johnson from Cedar City, UT. They showed off the new Institute building and challenged Elder Barfuss to a game of pool!! They will be going home next week and so we treated them to dinner by the Black Warrior River in Northport. Their senior apartment has to be closed down and all the heavy furniture stored for a couple coming in August.
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