Mark had District leader trainings-the first we have done. All the district and zone leaders came. I only went to part of one since Whitney was here. I organized a couple of games for them to do-the purpose to help them get to know one another (they are all spread out), to create unity, and to help them feel comfortable to talk about and ask questions about those things on their minds. The games were "speed dating" or "speed meeting" since it is missionaries. I think they really enjoyed it and it certianly helped create unity. We did it once before in Zone Leader Training and they really enjoyed it. We also did the human knot then Mark talked about working together. Mark did a lot of training on being a leader, how to correct someone if they are misbehaving, how to conduct a baptismal interview, how to do an exchange, etc....I think it was extremely beneficial for the district leaders. Their comments were "that was so much information that I really needed".
I got a call on Thursday from a couple of missionaries. They were riding their bikes and the one in front-Elder Taylor-was worried if he went through the light that his companion wouldn't make it. So he stopped. His companion assumed he would keep going and unfortunately smashed into the back of him, went over the handle bars, hurt his wrist and shoulder, scraped up his face and broke off his three front teeth. Someone watching called the ambulance and they were taken to the hospital. They called me from the ambulance and by then had realized they really didnt need an ambulance, but did say his teeth were really bad. It just so happens that the stake president in their area-President Perez, who is so wonderful (I also just love his wife Mimi)-is a dentist. When they called him he came over with his wife to see the missionaries. It is an amazing relief when the members are our eyes, ears, and arms in the far out areas..it helps put our mind at ease. After I asked how he could leave his work. He said "Sister Palmer it is the most interesting thing. I never have breaks at that time of day, but today I had one. So I called my wife and asked her if she wanted to go and get something to eat with me. By the time she had arrived at my office I had received the call from the missionaries. I looked at her and said 'I think that is where we should go.' We went to the hospital and were able to assess the situation and talk to the doctors. I finished up there about 5 minutes before my next appointment. It was obvious to me that that was where we were supposed to be and the Lord had help arrange it."
The Elder didnt break any bones, but had two root canals and had to have new teeth put on, which President Perez did. At first they thought they would need to be pulled, but they are hoping this will be enough. I am so appreciative of this good man and his willingness to just go and help.
Today we had the very great experience of having dinner with Elder Aird and his parents. He called a couple of days ago and said that B-ball had finished and that he was coming to visit with his family. I love meeting the parents of our missionaries--and Ben Aird's are certainly two of the best. We sure love Elder Aird--he is exceptional in every way.
March 13th
Dad is enjoying having me be his scribe writing his letters to the kids. He used to do just a short paragraph, but now he has my undivided attention sitting next to him in the car-he is getting quite verbose in his letters :) I am still amazed how I can write on my ipad and not get sick.
Transfers went well this weekend. We had 3 elders and 3 sisters come in--just a small group for us. And they are so great. I am so impressed with their preparation. One spanish speaking sister is about 4'10 and was a cheerleader at BYU. One of those happy smiling type. When she saw her new companion- who is amazing-she kind of jumped up and down and said "you are so beautiful" "I am so excited". Another is one of 11 children and quite reserved. Also a very petite sister. I can tell she is not as openly comfortable with people, but smiles and is so sincere in all she says. She will be a great missionary. The third was given a companion that has only been here 2 or 3 transfers. She is quite new herself. After they had talked a while, the new sister said--my companion is way more than I even hoped for. They are both wonderful. It was so sweet to see them all so excited and happy. The elders were the same. One is born in NZ but has been here 9 years-a GREAT young man. One is ranked 5th in the US in tennis and had a sponsor for wakeboarding...he is a happy kind fun young missionary. The other had us all laughing with his amazing ability to analyze and question everything-especially during our FHE game of two truths and a lie. I love all these different personalities. I love our missionaries!
Three New Zealand born--Mark, Elder Manuirirangi and Elder Moleni.
There are two others also in the mission...Elders Vakalahi and Morris.
Our new group. They are all so great. We are feeling spoiled.
Three New Zealand born--Mark, Elder Manuirirangi and Elder Moleni.
There are two others also in the mission...Elders Vakalahi and Morris.
On Tuesday it was a year since my dad died. The family in Utah got together and ate fish and chips--something grandpa always did. I have a favorite memory with him and fish and chips. He came and picked me up when I finished my mission in Spain. We stayed there a few days and then went to England. In the first half hour there we bought fish and chips as we walked on those wonderful streets of England. In England they come wrapped in paper, I think that is what they do in NZ too. We put them all wrapped up in our coats to keep us warm as we picked in them and ate them up. We finished them rather quickly and then passed another fish and chip shop--we looked at eat other and smiled, then walked right in and bought some more. He loved them!
When transfer were over, on our calendar we had three days with very little going on. That was great because we had things to catch up on, district leader training next week to plan, and zone conferences later this month to plan. Also, this weekend we had a speaking assignment for a women's conference saturday morning, Mark had to speak at a youth conference Saturday night, and we have a sacrament meeting to speak at ....so we were grateful for the time to plan. Things changed a bit however on Wednesday morning. I got a call from Elder Eardley telling me that as they walked out of their apartment, his companion slipped and fell and that his foot was turning the wrong way. He ended up in the emergency room, then spending time here at our house for a day and night, then dad took him back in for surgery just before 5 the next day---etc etc. So he spent this time on our couch and I brought him his dinner and we are propping him up with pillows. He sort of looked at us and said--I feel so pampered. He was a very sweet patient. After he left our home a wonderful family took him in. It has been great because if there are any visits that he can go to, his companions pick him up and take him too.
ELDER REIER
ELDER REIER
March 6th
Yesterday morning there was a knock at my door--a quiet one at 9:20 am. I wondered who it could be because no one ever comes by unless we know they are coming. I went and checked and it was two of our returned missionaries--two of our great returned missionaries. They have been gone since September. I was totally a mess-jogging pants and t-shirt, sweaty, and food all over my hands with some of the food I was getting ready for transfer meals. I was so excited to see them!!! And I must say it is so nice to be able to give them a big hug. They came in and I fed them. Then I found out they had been driving the whole night and were going to the temple in just a few hours. So they crashed downstairs for a couple of hours. They are great young men-
Elder Davila and Elder Kelly
Also that afternoon we went to the temple. We got all ready, called and scheduled and were going for our date night. As we showed our recommends, we found out Mark's expired last month (6 days ago). If a recommend is forgotten, they can interview him. But not if it is expired. So...that was a little embarrassing. The two missionaries that had stopped by were there going through with someone they had taught on the mission. They laughed when they saw us enter---and then leave the temple. That very day Mark set up his appointment!
Two of our sister missionaries were put together two transfers ago. Things were not good between them, but both wanted to work hard. Perhaps work was the only common ground they had. One is very feminine and very by the book obedient and studies preach my gospel like it is the scriptures. The other is a great athlete-and really was hesitant about even coming on her mission. I think I have mentioned them to you before. It is just amazing how they are doing. They have learned to take the strengths of each of them, focus on and use those strengths, and do great work together because of it. They have had seven people decide to be baptized in the last few weeks.
Our temple square sister went back to temple square on wednesday with another sister from Tahiti. We got quite emotional--even dad who doesnt that often. We have been through a lot with sister Johnston and have learned so much from her family's great example of faith.
Here are a couple of winter scenes in our backyard.
I always feed scraps to the deer. They love transfers when there are potato peelings in an abundance.
Winter isnt easy for the missionaries, and some have more difficulty than others with the snow. It makes us admire elders like Elder Prosence even more.
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