Goodbye Missionaries

Once again, another set of missionaries finds its way out into the Brazilian mission field, also temporarily known as the MTC. This wonderful set of missionaries is so well prepared for the challenges that lay ahead! Unfortunately for us, we only got to work with this amazing district for a short time! Four weeks after they arrived, they had already received their visas and were on their way!

from left to right: Elders forgot his name, Frogley, Wilson, Green (Verde), me, Yorgesen, McIntosh, forgot his name, Witt, e Jones!

Oh man, the name of the companionship of blondies has for some reason escaped me, but these missionaries have been such a pleasure to work with. They are so hard working, motivated, and care so much about the gospel! The have been given some of the most amazing comments during class discussions and are picking up the language so well! We had an amazing experience with two of the missionaries who had been struggling with being able to teach well to investigator needs, so we arranged for two missionaries who had been at the MTC for longer to teach them as if they were the investigators. It was amazing what things they picked up on during that visit that were things we were wanting them to improve upon, but weren't sure how to explain to them how to do it. The picked up nicely on a few things that will be helpful for them to incorporate into their teaching. It was such a neat experience as much for them as it was for us to observe! These missionaries are so great! Even the substitutes who taught them while I was on vacation said how much the just love being with these Elders. They are funny, happy, motivated and obedient, and will be exactly what the people of their different missions in Brazil will need! Boa sorte, missionarios! Amo-vos muito! E espero que tenham muito sucesso na sua missao!  Voces sao maravilhosos! :)

Missionaries whom I love!

Just had to post really quick about my most recent district! It started out as a threesome with Elders Smith, Fenn, and Parke. Then a week later, Elder House came into the MTC and a week after that, He was put in our district! So now we have four amazing missionaries to work with right now. Each one brings something different to the classroom. Elder Smith brings in the comic relief with jokes like "mais ou menos" and "we shuparred." (As me what they mean later.) Elder Parke has just brought so much spirit and love, despite his sometimes sadness and homesickness. He just makes us smile every time we see Him. Elder Fenn is so dedicated and sincere and is just one of the most amazing missionaries I've ever met! He's hardworking and just seems to really understand what being a missionary and teaching to investigator needs is all about. Elder House is very well versed in the doctrine and has a great knack for leadership as well. He is kind and caring and concerned for others and doing what's right. They all are, actually!  We've been working with them on making sure each Elder has an equal amount of time to speak during the lessons and it's been great to see those who tend to speak the language better step aside humbly so their learning companions can have just as equal an opportunity for growth and learning. I just feel so much love for these missionaries and wish so badly that I could go out with them into the field. Perhaps someday, I'll be sending Elders out of "my own." Ha, but that's a long ways away. Until then, I feel so content and happy working with such missionaries full of spirit, love, dedication, and service. Ha, if I could just spend time with them all day, I would, but that definitely would not be a good use of the Lord's time, lol. Elder Smith is leaving us this week, which will be very sad! but it will be good for him since He'll be going to the Missionary Training Center down in Brazil. He'll have a great experience there! I just wish I could express how much I love this work and being so closely involved with the servants of God five days a week. It's such a blessing to be a teacher and I pray this period of my life goes slowly... ever so slowly... for it will last only a short while before I need to be moving on to different jobs and stages of my life. Until that happens, I will keep loving and working with these missionaries. How wonderful they are! If only I could be half as amazing as they are, lol!

My Missionaries

So, I probably shouldn't call them MY missionaries, because technically they should be called The Lord's Missionaries, or their mother's missionaries, or whichever young lady might be writing to them's missionaries, but I just can't help but want to call them mine!
After all, I spend nine wonderful weeks training each one, sitting down and talking with them one on one, trying to help them discover and strengthen their weaknesses and strengths, interviewing, teaching, loving, training, serving... They deserve at least in part to be called my missionaries. (or I deserve...)
Anyway, here they are, the latest bunch, all ready to go into the field after nine long weeks of rigorous missionary training. They speak the language, they teach with love, they search for needs and adapt to them, they trust in the Lord and have faith in his plan. They are ready. :)
But, as usual, I will surely miss them. Good luck out there in Brazil! They await your talents, skills, service, message, and love!

From left to right: Elders Staples, Peckham, Egbert, Evans, Proksh, Wartena- all going to Brazil

This picture is for Elder Staples. He wanted to spread some love. <3 br="br">