At work it was a busy week also with many days going from 7:45-8:30 or nine o’clock. We put in some long enjoyable days with events occurring around Missionaries going home and others coming in to begin their labors. We saw parents arrive on Monday to check in and find out what time they were to be there the next day for the farewell dinner. Julie, little did we know what we were making you miss by taking you away early. I feel sorry for you that you didn’t get to go through the last couple of days with your group. It is a great time for them to see people they came out with, but may not have seen much since if they were on different islands or different areas. They then go up Pratt’s Hill to report to the Lord on whether they had fulfilled the goals they had set when they came out and think about what goal they wanted to set for their next phase of life. At about 5:30-6:00 parents start coming. We had four of the 19 missionaries have parents come to pick them up. We saw one missionary catapult the six foot fence to hug his parents when they arrived. It was so neat. Then they have their dinner followed by a testimony meeting. That night after we are all gone the missionaries get in their pj’s and they sit around the lounge talking and asking the Mission President and Sister Griffiths any questions they want to.
Wednesday morning they are off to the airport, bus station, or away with their parents to life beyond the mission field some knowing what they want and others having no idea. We had one from last group that is already married to his girl that was waiting for him.
About 10:30-11:00 the next group arrives and this time you see different expressions of those with wonder in their eyes about what is ahead and where they will be going. They are fed a sandwich, chips and drink and then they are off to the top of Pratt’s Hill in the rain. They set their goals for their mission. This is the hill Parley P. Pratt climbed when he needed to visit with the Lord.
President Griffiths interviews every new missionary either before they go up or after their welcome to the mission lunch. Then instruction begins with the new trainers on one side of the room and the new missionaries on the other side. Each of the office staff has a part. I tell them about referrals, the mail, and baptismal reports. Grandpa tells them about ordering supplies and working with individuals that have “disappeared” from the church. While this is going on the President finishes his interviewing and then he and his wife and the two Assistants to the President start forming companions. When they have made their selection they announce who will be going where and with who to be trained to be a missionary. This time it seemed to take a long time with the number of missionaries that arrived. We then do all we need to do, like pictures of them with President and Sister Griffiths, their companion, and then the whole group. We were about nine o’clock getting home this night.
The next day is training for new District Leaders from 10:00-3:00 and another lunch for the group. The last of the missionaries leave to go to their areas Friday morning.
Thursday night we joined two other couples in going to see the musical “Oliver” after enjoying dinner together and so we actually left the mission home a little after five but didn’t get home until about 11:30. It was a wonderful evening and the play was great. We do wish we could have sat closer to the front though.
Friday is sure seemed quiet after having missionaries around all week. We caught up on some things that did not get done earlier in the week and started all the letters and paperwork that go along with new missionaries. That evening we went out for dinner with President and Sister Griffiths, and Elder and Sister Graham. It was Elder Graham’s 70th birthday on Tuesday when we were too busy to celebrate. We went to the place we took Lee and Adell for dinner that we love. We had introduced the Graham’s to it and they shared it with the Griffiths.
Saturday brought a day out with the Graham’s visiting Pollok House and gardens’ near Glasgow. The home was wonderful, but we really enjoyed the gardens.
There Peyton, Ethan, and Caleb, Grandma got to climb a wonderful tree like you did. I had lots of fun.
We also visited another garden near there.
On our way home we found the sheep that were painted...this time they were purple.
We had a wonderful day.
Sunday is always a special day attending meetings in Falkirk. They are beginning to feel like our branch family with us knowing most of their names by now. Today the 4 full time missionaries and the 6 branch missionaries got to sing in Sacrament meeting with Elder Rasmussen leading us.
We also get to visit with family on Sunday’s and that is special. We have got to visit with Scott and family so far and tour their new home which is beautiful. Scott has almost recovered from his 52 miles race ran last Saturday in Pocatello.
We tried to talk with Adam and family and Craig and family yesterday, but the connection was bad. Hope it works better next time. We are hoping to get to talk with others today and see how Amy’s trip to Arizona went alone with Ava. Khalil is still flying to Afghanistan. Heather we have not seen any of you on Skype all week when we were home to check. Hope you are back enjoying Kevan, Judy and Brody and all your family are also now at home from their various places. Max we hope you survived being home alone and didn’t have the same experience as the boy in Home Alone had. Have fun all of you that are taking swimming lessons in the next two weeks. We love you so much. Khalil, have fun with your family and the wedding and be safe.
We love you all so much and pray for you daily,
Grandma and Grandpa
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