December 30, 2011

  December 30, 2011

Dear Family and Friends,

      The last couple weeks have been busy with normal mission things and also some special Christmas activities. We held a training meeting with the new missionaries who are serving in and around Asuncion the week before Christmas so we could make sure they are all on the right track. They looked good and seemed happy as they focus on their training program. Their trainers say they are learning quickly and doing well with the language. The Friday before Christmas we attended a Christmas devotional/program in the Sajonia building. There was a nice choir and a group of dancers along with a reading of poetry and a message from the stake president. It was a nice evening and we enjoyed some Christmas spirit! Christmas Sunday we attended in our own ward. We were enjoying the messages of the meeting when we received a note from the Bishop’s counselor asking us to be the two concluding speakers.  We both shared a message and testimony. We have learned to always be ready with a thought or message pretty much anywhere we go.

  After church we went over to the apartment of a couple who are Perpetual Education missionaries for Christmas dinner. We each cooked part of the meal and enjoyed spending some time with the Lucas’. After dinner we came home to make and receive our Christmas phone calls.  It was nice to hear how each family was spending their Christmas.

  This week we had our staff meeting and then on Tuesday went to two district meetings. We try to attend as many of those district meeting as we can. It gives us a chance to see missionaries in smaller groups and see how the district leaders teach and lead their districts. Elder Graham taught a great message and Elder Butcher did well in his meeting also.

  Wednesday Mark interviewed three missionaries who were going home a bit before their group so they could start school in a few days. We took Elders Alexander,Clyde and Watson to lunch and then to the airport that afternoon. Mark also set apart his new counselor in the mission presidency , President Jara, that evening.

   Thursday Mark spent the whole day in interviews and meetings. He left in the morning before 9 and I didn’t see him again until 9 that evening. This was a rare day when we were not together most of the time. I spent the day helping Lidu take down the Christmas tree and put away the decorations. We are seeing more missionaries leave on missions from Paraguay now which is a good thing. When the missionaries are from the districts Mark does the interviewing and helping them prepare . This last couple weeks he has been working with a couple who are almost ready to submit their papers and a couple who have their calls and will leave shortly. This is a great thing for the future of the church here!

  Today is Laura’s birthday and she was enjoying a birthday breakfast prepared by her husband Anson! We are grateful Laura is a part of our family! We love her and are happy for the good things happening in her life.

   Well, as we say good bye to 2011 and hello to 2012 we wish you all a Happy New Year!  We have been blessed by the things we have experienced in this past year and look forward to the things that will happen in 2012! We are grateful for all the missionaries who are here serving the Lord and the people of Paraguay. They are a wonderful force for good and we expect to see great things from them this coming year!   Love, Mark and Sandy