Our Last Transfer Week

Thank you to a friendly person who took this picture and sent it to my email. This nicely depicts the total craziness that occurs outside the stake center each transfer day. 

I love transfer day.  Even though it's hectic.  However, this one was a little bittersweet, because it was our last.  We received 35 new missionaries, plus a new Temple Square sister.  Wow!  Again!  (We already have 30 scheduled for next transfer in October!)   We received 35 and only 3 went home.

Elder Hamson, back and center, is 7 feet tall.  His trainer is just a

little guy, and everyone laughed when they were introduced and

greeted each other with a hug.  He seems to be A-Okay with

himself.  I think it would be hard. 

 

Orientation meeting was a bit hectic - especially thanks to a copy machine that was far from cooperative.  (We make copies of driver's licenses and passports, no small task when you have 35 missionaries.)  We begin this meeting at 7:30, and the missionaries fill out paperwork and are oriented on mail, vehicle safety, apartments, phones, etc. We barely "made it" in time for transfer meeting, which begins at 10.

President and Sister Castro are amazing!  They do so much!  Yet every time they stand at the pulpit, they beautifully teach with the Spirit and you can feel their great love.  President asked us to bear our testimonies at this, our last transfer meeting. After we walked up to the stand and Elder Mecham began bearing his testimony, President leaned over and asked me to sing a hymn at the conclusion of the meeting.  I sang "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" a cappella.  It was a sweet experience.

The Castro "girls":  Hannah, Pamela, and Nora

(Pamela was visiting for a few days from back East)

 Sister Bartschi (above) and Sister Coleman (below)

They are two of our fabulous Sister Training Leaders

Such great missionaries and friends

As always after transfers, it has been a very busy week.  Sister Truman is ready to "take the helm" at the office.  She is such a lovely, sweet lady.  And very capable. She is nervous (how well I remember how I felt at that point), but she will be awesome!

Yesterday, I went with Randy up to Arroyo Grande and Atascadero to do apartment "stuff," setting up one, picking up bikes and delivering bikes, etc.  I enjoyed going with him and seeing some of the missionaries.  We made several stops. 

We stopped at this place in Carpinteria to deliver a bike.  The elders were not there - they live in a portion of this old house.  We were told that this house is over 100 years old, and several years ago, they moved it from one place in town to where it is now.  Moved this entire house!  Are you kidding me?  I guess the whole town turned out to watch the event.  And look at this evergreen tree!  What a beauty!

Note the vehicles parked nearby to grasp how huge both the tree and the house are

Standing under the tree and shooting straight up