Transfers & New Missionaries

The nurses began interviewing the new missionaries the evening before orientation, at the Sainsbury's home, so there is adequate time to review histories and obtain medical information.  It is nice to enjoy dinner with the new missionaries prepared by Sister Morris (cooking these dinners 15 years).  This time Annie Sainsbury was home, their youngest daughter and a joy to meet and visit with.  She served a South America mission, shared her testimony, explained the siblings order and some photos.
Several of our missionaries couldn't remember their medical information and Sister Barfuss had to call mothers to verify.  One Mom asked if we were related to President George Andrew Barfuss? Sister B, replied, "We are related to Andy Barfuss, he is Elder B's cousin."  The Mom replied, "Well he goes by Andy and is our Stake President and my husband is his physician!!" Both Elder and Sister Barfuss enjoyed visiting with her.  Steve really enjoyed sending an unsigned email to his cousin, calling his Uncle Joe and Aunt Sally and finally coming clean with a phone call to his Stake President cousin that just sent us one of our new missionaries!! Steve never knew him by George Andrew, only Andy (Small World!!)
An amazing shuffle of cars, keys, suitcases, bikes and missionaries has to be seamless on transfer day, every six weeks.  Elder Barfuss calls the ones going home with a challenge to leave only memories, not their stuff!! He also delivers requests of housing items.  Sister Barfuss visually checks over faces, speaks to missionaries about health issues and shares otc meds and advice. 
Limited miles on the cars creates careful planning and more biking than before trying to rein it into mission guidelines. The missionaries drive to a hub and bike in areas that circle where the car is parked.  Alabama B Mission is considered a biking mission even though there are few sidewalks.

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