July 31, 2011

July 31,2011

Dear Family and Friends,

This week was full as we welcomed 20 new missionaries on Tuesday. We had a fun day welcoming them ,orienting them and Mark interviewed them all.Wednesday we held the training meeting for the new missionaries and then they were off to their areas to begin working. This group seemed well prepared again by the MTC. We are so happy with the changes we have seen in the newest groups of missionaries. This group was happy and so ready to go to work. After the new missionaries were off to their areas we spent the day at lunch and the temple and a testimony meeting with the 18 missionaries who were finishing their missions. Thursday we went to the airport three different times to say goodbye to our missionaries who were heading home. On the last trip I stayed an took a flight home also. It was strange to leave the mission and especially to leave my companion there. I was greeted by two daughters and 6 grandchildren at the airport...What a happy sight! Our days will be full as we finish plans for the weddings and all the other activities that go along with this happy time for our family.

This week we said goodbye to Elder Rockwood who was serving as financial secretary. He served well and did such a good job ! Elder Fowers our record keeper is now training Elder Gleason who will replace him once he is trained.

The children are beginning to gather and by the weekend everyone will be here. We are missing Mark but know he is where he needs to be. It's nice to be here and spend a little time before the marriages of Laura and Sara before the big days. I met Laura's fiance Anson and spent a nice evening with him and the rest of the family Sunday evening. I'm anxious to meet Daniel when he arrives this week also. It was so nice to go to church and see everyone in the ward. We are grateful for the good things happening for our children . The messages in sacrament meeting today were focused on the importance of the temple and covenants.Perfect for two soon to be endowed daughters! Mark spent the day in Coronel Oviedo interviewing and having priesthood meetings there. Tomorrow he will have a zone leaders council so he will spend the day teaching and counseling with the leaders of the mission. Hope everyone has a great week! Love, Mark and Sandy