Signing Off

At a recent Mission President's Seminar that we attended a couple of weeks ago, the topic of mission blogs came up. We received council and were cited examples of when information contained in mission blogs were harmful to missionaries and offensive to new converts when pictures and names were available in such a public forum as the internet. I had been considering these things myself, prior to the seminar, and agree that to protect the privacy of all involved, I will no longer be posting on the mission blog. I do, however, want to say before signing off how much we have enjoyed the past 2+ years here in Chicago. I did not think we could ever feel at home anywhere but in California. I did not think we could love 164 young people as much as we do our missionaries. I did not think our love for our family would deepen MORE in spite being AWAY from them. I did know that we would feel the hand of Lord so intensely as we have, as we have tried our hardest to help spread His gospel here in Chicago. I did not know that He would let us feel of His love for us in so many tender mercies each and every day. And to the families of these wonderful missionaries ... thank you... for raising such a mighty force for good. Their examples, integrity and dedication have been a joy to work with!!

H.E.L.P! I'm Stuck on the Merry-Go-Round

This will probably be the world's longest post. If you're reading I hope you have some time. I have been woefully remiss in blogging. I am painfully aware. I have also been stuck on the mission merry-go-round. I am not complaining. I really like the merry-go-round. But sometimes you get stuck and can't figure out how to jump off and take care of some other things ... like blogging. But, here we are, finally, catching you up on the view from the world's most fascinating ride ...

First, a change in assistants ... a fond farewell to Elder David Gates (far right) who returns to BYU, playing soccer and maybe even a little dating. Some girl is going to be very lucky! :) Welcome Elder Castillo (far left). He is a great companion and compliment to Elder McDonnell (middle). They were/are all stellar teachers and examples to all of the mission.

On April 26th we welcomed these 18 diverse missionaries including Sister Mondelli from Italy, Elder Neilsen from Denmark and Sister Pome'e from Tonga!

And said a sad goodbye to these 13 missionaries ... Hermanas Rojas, Jones, and Gailey, Elders Nowell, Matheson, Gates, Johnson, Bench and Whatcott. Hermana Curtis, and Elders Miller, Hunt, and Greenway. We find these goodbyes every six weeks get more and more difficult the longer we are out here!

We spent long hours in the classroom training with missionaries and watching great zone leaders like these (Elder Abe and Elder Johnson) do a wonderful job of training missionaries in their zone.

As did Elder Christensen, and Elder Castillo ....

Elder Gates and Elder McDonnell ...

Elder O'Dell and Elder Nowell ...

And even better is when their zones respond with attention and participation ...

And then role play and practice the training they have received ...

At zone conferences all of the Elders line up for dress inspection. It is good experience for their leaders, who are also their peers, to have the responsibility of performing the inspections. Here Elder Johnson (left) reminds the Elders to leave wristband bracelets at home ...

And we always love it when companions actually LIKE each other. Of course, who wouldn't want to be either Elder Harrison's or Elder Faaumu's companion? Two very likeable missionaries!!

Elder Davidson ... Mom this is for you!!

Rockford Zone Sisters ... love, love, love these wonderful young women!!

The Joliet Zone had no sister missionaries in it ... we have since transferred some sisters in, and they will really enjoy working with this stellar group!

At every zone conference, some wonderful ward provides lunch for our missionaries. It is always a treat to see what they come up with. I am always grateful when someone else is doing the cooking!

And at every monthly training meeting we recognize all of the birthdays for the month with a homemade brownie. These were some of the March birthday brownie recipients.

Here are some other interesting things we saw or did. Above a crash that happened right in front of us as we turned a corner. The gray car rear-ended and then slide under the mini-van. It was a very eerie sight! And surprisingly ... no injuries ...

I drove up to a district meeting to find this sight. Two bikes and a car had been "bunned". I know who the the culprits are, but am bound to silence. All I can say is that the prank was deserved, we all had a good laugh, we all helped clean it up and everyone vowed that the PRANKS STOPPED HERE!

In April we went to the Mission President's seminar in Denver and were able to catch up with old friends from California who have since moved to Denver. In the middle are Paul and Sara Bury and on the right Jerry and Bonnie Curtis. Can I even express how good it was to spend even a few hours of catching up with them IN PERSON??!!

Above are a vase of sunshine and love ... given to me by my good friend and transfer week helper Lois Jean Spencer. Funny how a vase of yellow daffodils can brighten your day in such a large measure!

And so can missionaries who return to visit with a wife in tow! Pictured above are Tyler and Ashley Bell on the right along with our assistants Elder McDonnell and Elder Castillo. Interestingly enough, "Elder" Bell trained Elder Castillo. In mission lingo that makes Elder Castillo his "son". So I guess this is really a family pic!

Once in a very blue moon we get to do something non-missionary related. Between baptisms on Saturday we were able to meet up with our senior missionaries and explore the Cantigny Mansion and gardens....

Next to President Doll is Elder and Sister Morris, Sisters Beck, Dangerfield, and Heward, Elder Waite, and Brother and Sister Jacobson. Part of the delightful group of senior missionaries we are privileged to serve with.

The grounds and gardens surrounding the mansion were beautiful...

Lastly, in May, we had a chance to have a "meeting" with President and Sister Jones of the Milwaukee Mission (middle) at the Lake Geneva condo of our area seventy Elder Ward and his wife (right). Good food, in a beautiful setting with wonderful people. Not a bad way to have a meeting!

P.S. No, I DO NOT understand why the spacing between pics on my last two blog posts is so screwey. I have spent over an hour now trying to edit, and it looks picture perfect until I publish the post and then it jumps around and does its own thing. Any suggestions out there from fellow bloggers??

It's Been Six Weeks, Really?

I cannot explain it. I have never had this problem before (in addition to the weird spacing between the various sections going on in this post that I cannot seem to correct) ... vast amounts of time ... days and weeks go by and I barely notice. I checked my blog and realized my last post was about the "big snowstorm" over six weeks ago. The missionaries that arrived during that time have been here for a month and half now, and are no longer the youngest missionaries in the mission. We had a new group of thirteen missionaries arrive on March 15th. They actually arrived in two groups of nine and four. The nine caught their scheduled flight at 7:00 am and the four .... overslept. That is a first. We won't name names, but the "travel leader" in that group said he set his alarm (and rechecked it to be sure it was set for the right time) but failed to turn the knob to "on". No missionaries were harmed in the process and we had a good laugh about it as we caught up with them on the next flight arriving in Chicago three hours later. Unfortunately they did miss an afternoon of sight-seeing and a chance to try deep-dish Chicago style pizza! Above is the group of nine doing the hallelujah jump at finally being in Chicago! They were a delightfully happy bunch and it was love at first sight for President Doll and I. We see some strong leadership for the future amongst this group. Above is Elder Lee embracing Chicago, his new home.

And Elders Solomona and Eagar equally excited to finally be here.

But no one could have been more excited than Hermana Elsa Miller who returned to Chicago after a six week recuperative period at home.

Can you tell by the body language that it was a cold and windy day in Chicago? However it did not deter them from seeing the sights of the city ...

Elder Solomona checks out the "lady on the wall" whose expressions change every few minutes and who squirts water out her mouth during the summer months to the delight of children in bathing suits.

Notice the remnants of the dyed green Chicago river for the St. Patrick's Day celebration the previous weekend. Here is Hermana Veliz, Elder Barney, Hermana Miller, and Elders Lee, Eagar and Peterson.

We always think it's fun to see how much looking up the new missionaries do as they see a "big city" skyline, many for the first time.

Elders Eagar and Peterson above ...

Elder Findlay ...

Elder McQuarrie ...

And the next fun thing is to see all of the cameras come out (Elder Eagar, above) as they try to capture the skyline on film for their families to share ...

Elder Lee ...

Elder Peterson and Elder Barney...

Elder McQuarrie and Hermana Miller ...

But mostly it's just fun to see the radiant faces and enthusiasm as they get acquainted with their new home ... Elders Lee and Eagar, Hermanas Veliz and Miller ...

Elder Solomona ...

The next four pictures are the only ones we remembered to take of the four missionaries who arrived late. With all of the scurrying to and from the airport (and to and from the airport!) and efforts to orient, interview and feed, I failed to take pictures until the following day when they were assigned their trainers. So here is Elder Williams with his trainer Elder Runner ...

Elder Isaacson with his trainer Elder Harris ...

Elder Alston with his trainer Elder Oborn ...

And Elder Schofield (far right) with his trainer Elder Senator ...

And as with every six week cycle of receiving new missionaries, we send some home that same week. Here is our seasoned and much loved out-going group enjoying their "last supper".

We spent a very memorable last night together in the mission home. They have each worked hard, grown in stature and testimony and left their mark in unique and individual ways. I always have a hard time saying goodbye, a part of me goes home with them in their suitcase. But they are on to the next important chapter in their lives and they are better equipped to do so after their 18 months/2 years here as a missionary. We love you Sister Clark, Hermana Perez, Elder Hill, Elder Perry, Elder Barker, Elder Cardenas, Elder Howe, Elder Devy, Elder Carroll, Elder French, Elder Gardner and Elder Gonzales. We cannot wait until our paths cross once again!