TRANSFERS

The past two days have been transfer days. Twelve of our missionaries have completed their service and left for home this morning. Most of them come from the States...primarily Utah...but all are going home with an English accent. (Elder McCrudden might not have an English accent, but he's from Ireland, so I really can't differentiate yet!) They've all served well and faithfully, and are taking home a great treasure...a firm testimony in the gospel of Jesus Christ, the power of prayer, the gift of the Spirit, and the joy of service. They will be deeply missed in the EBM...we wish them continued success and joy in all of their endeavors. We only knew them a few weeks, but we love them already.

This morning, we received six new missionaries from the Preston MTC...five Elders and one Sister. They come from Texas, Wyoming, Utah, England, and the Netherlands. All of the missionaries...including us...were so excited to meet them.

The mission tradition is to have all of the 'greenies' stand on a wall and tell who they are, where they're from, and what part of the mission they'll be serving in. This is followed by a very loud welcome from one and all.

Assistant Bearnson is going back into the field so he can 'get wet' again....he loves teaching the Gospel. We'll miss him in the office...he's an incredible force of energy. We're very happy to have Elder McOmber as our new Assistant. He's jumped right in ready to go, and brings a wonderful spirit with him.President Ogden with Elder Brower and Elder Bearnson.

He's off to baptize the world!!!

(I don't have a picture of Elder McOmber yet...but I will soon!!!)

Transfer days are amazing...it was so wonderful to see the love between the missionaries. We know that wherever they serve, they'll be doing it with diligence and enthusiasm. We wish all of our greenies good luck...we'll be praying for you!

OUR FIRST TWO WEEKS....

I keep promising my children I'll put up a new post. I haven't taken very many pictures...everywhere we go, we're so busy I forget to take any. But I'll post a few, and I promise to be better.

The following picture is of President Ogden and the two men who changed his life forever...Elders Bangerter and Beckstrom. They are the missionaries who converted him 47 years ago. They came to visit us in the MTC...the first time he'd seen them since his family left Florida 6 months after he was baptized.

This is a picture of us with the two young men who have smoothed the way for us ever since we took over the mission...our Assistants, Elder Brower and Elder Bearnson. I don't think you could find better AP's than these two. We're so grateful!

We are so fortunate to not only be in a very successful and obedient mission, with amazing Elders and Sisters, but also a beautiful country with such a rich past of missionary work. This is the Benbow Farm pond, where Wilford Woodruff baptized hundreds of early converts to the church.

The past week was filled with interviews with all of our missionaries...180 of them! While the President did formal interviews with them, I just had a little 'getting to know you' talk with their companions. What a great group! I'm so excited to get to know them all.

We love the Mission Home...its very nice, very comfortable, and very English. The nicest thing about it is that it is right across the street from the mission offices. That saves President Ogden so much time, and it is very convenient for me as well. Our church building is right next to it, another bonus.

(Our living room, looking out the front window.)

We miss our family and dear friends, but feel so grateful for this opportunity and blessing. This past week, I've visited at least two of the towns where my ancestors lived in the 1800's... and beyond. What a thrill that was for me...like stepping back in time.