Finding joy in the variety of the work!

Hello Everybody!

       This  past week was... busy! Started out with dropping all of the departing missionaries off at the airport, hugging the elders we’ve spent almost two years around, and shaking the sisters’ hands. There was a quick second where I almost cried - we love these missionaries! Faithful disciples of Christ. It was a little hard to see them go after being with them, hearing their testimonies, their faith, and miracles they’ve been a part of. They will be great people going forward! 

         So that was at 3:45AM  Tuesday morning. (We’d gone to bed at 11:30PM the night before.) We worked all day and then the most exciting part of the week for us! The new missionaries from the mission training center, eight sisters and three elders, get off the plane and we get to be at the airport when they arrive so we can drive them home. We were standing in the terminal waiting, and their flight had landed. People started filing down the long hallway. We were standing there with President and Sister Lee, and we can’t stand still, just waiting eagerly. A couple passes us and says, “Don’t worry, they’re coming.” Everybody notices the missionaries!

         So then there they come! Smiling, excited, full of energy, a little nervous, but just full of light. It filled the gap that had come from dropping the departing missionaries off that morning. The new elders and sisters are so good - so much faith to be sacrificing so much. The start of a mission is hard, but they were so joyful and ready to serve. Such examples to me. 

        

  Love you all!    - Elder McMullin

Here are some more pictures from the week:

From last Monday, with the departing missionaries at the beach their last day! 

Tuesday was Sister Lee’s birthday. We bought her a dozen roses, knocked on the front door, and I played “Happy Birthday” while Elder Masino sang. She did the mom thing where she put her hand over her mouth and teared up and said “That was so sweet!” even though we probably didn’t sound the best. It’s the love that counts! Anyway, President Lee got a hold of my viola and here he is with some good ol’ country fiddling. We might have to talk about now placement, but he was pretty good for never having picked up a viola before! 

Here’s an exchange with Elder Hansen. We had a great day and taught some amazing people. He’s a naturally caring and loving person - he is great example love of showing love in the way people need it. 

           Same, but more dramatic.