Monday and Tuesday were pretty low key days in the office. Well.........wait a sec..........after we put in the time at the office on Monday--what is Labor Day for if not to labor, right? We had dinner that night (5:30) at the mission home with all the senior couples and two other couples who have worked in the mission. Even the sister who just got out of the hospital the day before came!!!!! She was tired and a little wobbly, but it was so good to see her!! I hope it didn't tire her out too much. I made strawberry ice cream for our contribution. It was a HIT!!!!! I must say it was pretty tasty. And so creamy. I was really pleased with it and very grateful that it turned out so well, since I'm not super experienced in making ice cream. We even bought a new freezer and had it sent here so we could make it. (Pres. Hanks had said in a meeting a couple of months ago how much he would love to have some homemade ice cream--hadn't had any for more than two years. So I thought we should fix that!) It was yummy. And I've had comments about it a couple of times later this week. So fun!!
Tuesday was pretty ho hum at the office. It's "temple week", so the missionaries were going to the temple and the Newmans went all day--they have to schedule the couples to go so there will be enough who can stand together. Pres. Hanks really does not want to put his missionaries in that kind of situation! Understandably!!!! Soooooooo............the Newmans were out of the office till about 4:30. That doesn't leave much time to get the day's work done, but we don't get too far behind either.
Wednesday morning we had to leave the office about 10:00 because there were missionaries we needed to see who went to the temple that morning. We were scheduled for the afternoon session. We do two sessions a day: 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. It takes a little time for everyone to get clothes changed etc. because we have to take turns in the dressing booths. And they keep a few dresses/slacks and bundles for the missionaries. A few of the missionaries bring their own, but most don't. And then Pres. Hanks likes to take about 20 minutes and talk to them before the session. That is always a wonderful thing to be a part of.
Someday I'm going to really grow one (or two, or three) of these.........they are so lovely...........
We also went to the office as soon as we could after we finished the session and gave and received hugs from many of the missionaries. They are amazing!!!! Then we had meetings at Ensley--I thought I had a Relief Society presidency meeting (turns out I was a trifle early--a week!!) but Roger had a meeting and I was able to go to the Book of Mormon reading. Again!!! a WOW experience!! I've never seen people so hungry for knowledge and the truth. These are people who would learn much in Primary!! There is one man who struggles so to read. I don't know if he would understand anything reading it on his own........but he's there nearly every week and I can see a little improvement in his reading (there are so many blessings that come from reading the Book of Mormon) and he is always excited--his eyes glow and he sits on the edge of his chair--about the things he is learning. And another good thing.......he's never afraid to ask when he has a question. It is all just such an amazing experience!!
Thursday morning we had to be to the temple before 8:30. It's such a blessing to live so close!! And, again, so wonderful to be there with the missionaries!
Aren't they beautiful!?!??!?!?!!! (Well, maybe not Pres. Hanks......)
A great missionary who is going home next month. This is a great young man! Totally prepared to be a leader in the church whenever the Lord calls upon him........really........prepared for whatever!
Our "Ensley missionaries".......Elder Briscoe, the newest--3 weeks; Elder Tessa, from France, the District leader, a great young man; Elder VanBuren, seasoned and a terrific leader full of love and ability; Elder Fanos, another "star" and yet less than three months in the mission...........I love these guys! I don't know what I would do here if I couldn't hug the sisters! I so want to hug these wonderful young men!
We hurried to the office for a few minutes, then home so I could go to auxiliary training meeting at the Stake Center. It was one of those times when I really didn't want to go, knew I should go even though I was tired, went out of duty and was so glad I went!!!!!! Turns out it was a multi-stake meeting and councilors in the women's auxiliaries were there to teach us!! I got to sit five rows back and listen to Sis. Stevens teach. It was wonderful!!!! Definitely food for a tired soul!!!! I came home strengthened, encouraged, uplifted and filled. What a day!!!!!
Yesterday we left about 8:00 for Bessemer to help some sisters with their bike rack....
...this is the "middle of town".........well, maybe a couple of miles from a busy shopping area! We came back to the office--Roger cleaned up some files in the cars program while I boxed up the "little" things in "my room" and moved them out because they are finally going to replace the carpet in there next Tuesday. RAH!!!! I had kind of decided I would just live with it--that it wasn't so bad--but my shoes got sticky again yesterday and I'm really glad they are going to make the change. Though I'm not all that excited about moving everything out. The assistants are going to get some Elders to come do nearly all of the rest. I left boxes of things........just boxed up the cards, pamphlets and single books......it's hard to explain, but I wanted to "pack" those things so hopefully they will stay nicer. I'm sure you understand :-). I just finished that in time to go with Roger to Oxford--that's east of Birmingham..........Bessemer is south-west but very close. We got to take two very lovely young women to supper last night. So delightful!!! However, it was good to get home and have "nothing" to do........ Another very full, busy week. Looking ahead we are going to have a couple of rather quiet weeks--though we will be getting ready for transfers--which will be the end of the month.........so maybe not so quiet..............I love it!!!!!!
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