Transfer week

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Last week I posted a special message from my sister. I hope all of you had a chance to read it. She is really an incredible person.

Last week we did our second round of apartment inspections as this week was transfer week. It was good to see the old adage affirmed that “When performance is measured, performance improves.” We were so pleased to see that every apartment that we inspected was sparkling clean. We were amazed at the transformation we saw between last transfer and this one.

Last week we attended graduation for 6 of our LDS soldiers. We will really miss them, but I think they were very happy to be moving on. Their time here was not always enjoyable.

Soldier with wife and parents

Soldier with his father who came from Iowa to see him graduate

As I mentioned, this week was missionary transfers. I think President Killpack felt that a shakeup was in order for our zone. Of the 10 companionships of young missionaries in the zone, only one remained untouched by the transfer. We had our first zone and district meetings this week with the new companionships and I think it was a good move. The new leaders seem very focused and dedicated to keeping the districts and zone on task. 

One of our soldiers brought his wife and 18 month old daughter down with him after the holidays. She was 9 months pregnant and last week had a baby girl. 

Baby Isla Grace

The father was able to be with them during the delivery and over the weekend but is back on post in training and has very limited time to spend with his family. The ward has stepped up and is providing meals and we are going to stop by to visit next week. We talked with her today and she is doing very well. She has an 18 month old child in addition to the newborn so everyone is trying to keep close tabs on her. The members down here are very service oriented and very compassionate, kind of a trait of good saints.

 Monday, we enjoyed our last luncheon with the old zone missionaries. We all met in Bisbee and went to a historic old hotel for lunch called the Copper Queen Hotel. It is owned by a member family. It is a beautiful hotel and the lunch was wonderful. It was fun to enjoy some time with 20 young missionaries. We really love these missionaries and are so honored to serve with them. They have wonderful testimonies and it is a joy to hear them bear them. 

Sign for Hotel located on Main Street, mining equipment in background

Copper Queen Hotel in Bisbee

Shopper in Old Bisbee

Main Street, Old Bisbee

Some of the local architecture in Old Bisbee

Closed copper mine in Bisbee

Open pit mine in Bisbee

We have one missionary in the zone that we work quite closely with who has struggled. I don’t think he comes from a very supportive environment and was in and out of trouble a lot when he was a teen. A couple of transfers ago, they transferred him down here and placed him with a missionary that has some physical challenges. He is a sweet missionary, but I believe is not easy to deal with or live with sometimes. He is very black and white about things and does not understand sarcasm, subtlety, or any kind of joking. He may be autistic. He takes things very seriously and pretty much says what is on his mind. He is universally loved by all the missionaries, but I think it is difficult to work with him sometimes. Anyway these two missionaries were paired together. About two weeks into their time together, I thought that the troubled missionary was going to leave us and go home. It was obvious that he was having a very difficult time. When the next transfer came up, there was no change in this companionship. Neither of these missionaries was pleased about that. However, during the past 6 weeks I have observed a significant change in the troubled missionary. He has really grown to love his companion and while he still has his moments, when he speaks from the heart and bears his testimony, it is one of the sweetest testimonies I have heard. Someone asked him once, how he ended up on a mission. He said, “I have no idea”. I believe him.  In the past few weeks, I have seen him experience a mighty change of heart similar to that spoken of in Alma chapter 5 of the Book of Mormon. It is a great blessing to see changes wrought, not only in new converts, members returning to activity, but also in the very missionaries who are assisting these individuals to experience these changes.

RoLayne and I took a trip to Tucson today so that Sister Heninger could find a dress for Amy’s wedding. There is not much dress shopping in Sierra Vista.

 This Sunday is our Group Conference, (similar to ward conference). We will have several stake visitors. We may have more stake visitors than soldiers but we are looking forward to it. I had the opportunity to teach priesthood/Relief Society again last Sunday. It is such a fun group to teach. They are very engaged and love to participate. We have a great spirit during our meetings.

Life in Arizona continues to be delightful. I hate to rub it in, but today was sunny and about 75 degrees. One could get used to this.