March 27 2011

Dear Family and Friends, March 27, 2011

This was change week so we welcomed 13 new missionaries to the mission on Tuesday and then said goodbye to three on Thursday. We received a great group who are ready to go to work. Elders Bowers, Dominguez, Geary, Gillette, Gleason, Hair, Soria, Stewart, Weekly and Wilson and Hermanas Lefler, McGregor and Ramos all arrived on the same flight which was nice . We spent the day with them in orientation, eating and interviews with President followed by a testimony meeting. During the testimony meeting I had this strong feeling of love come over me for these young missionaries who are trying so hard to learn a language and everything else the Lord needs them to learn. It’s an exciting, scary, wonderful , interesting time for them as they begin to learn about the place they will live and serve the people for the next 22 months.

Thursday we said good bye to Hermanas Steadman and Sargent and Elder Moreno. They left with tears as they said good bye to this beautiful county and people. They all served well and are excited for the next phase of their lives. We spent a nice day with them at lunch and in the temple ending with dessert and a testimony meeting at the mission home. Sister Steadman had been ill but recovered just in time to go home with her group. We made three trips to the airport to see everyone off that day. We are lucky we are so close.

This week we also welcomed Elder Curtis into the office as the new secretary. He is learning fast as Elder Stearman is teaching him everthing he knows! That is a big responsibility but the young elders do such a great job in all the many things they have in their job description.

Friday we prepared for district conference in Ca’aguazu and drove there Saturday morning. We had some good meetings and were happy with the attendance. There are so many good people and it is fun now that we have been here a while to recognize more and more people and chat with them. It is always good to see the missionaries also. We have 8 serving in Ca’aguazu including one of our brand new ones, Elder Hair. It’s always nice to check on them after they have been here a days and he is doing well and very positive. His trainer Elder Davis is doing a great job. We returned home tonight and I am ready to drop! I have no trouble sleeping because the days are so full we are worn out by night time! Well , hope you all have a wonderful week . We are so excited to get to watch conference this weekend. The missionaries are excited to bring their investigators and show them what a modern day prophet looks like and what he has to say to the world. Love, Mark and Sandy