Office Life Is Easing Up

5 October 2014 Mission Letter 

It has been a great learning experience the past few weeks.  We are so grateful to have the Shelleys back.   I have learned lots.  First, that I can do more that I thought I could.  With the other Office Couple gone I was forced to do more and didn't have the time to write down everything I did as reference.  But, I did quite well and don't think I messed up much.  Second, that young people can do the work in half the time.  They had the young Sister Missionary  come by and do some of the office work that I couldn't get to.  So I gave them lots of stuff to copy and put in Welcome Packets, New Missionary Binders and Trainee/Trainer manuals.  I had them do enough to keep me going through the next two transfers.  They were so fast I had them do enough for 4 more transfers.  Anything that I had them do they just whizzed through.  So I am now set with a lot of things until next April.  Third, I appreciate Elder and Sister Shelley more than ever.  She is so sharp and good with all the telephone calls and he is always on top of the vehicles.  Also, they have a certain way with the young people and they are loved.  We did the crucial things, but I am afraid they came back to a pile of things to get caught up on.  I feel  we did quite well, considering the fact that we had the Mission Vision (newsletter) and a Baptism Video that were extra stuff for us to handle.  Also, the printer gave us trouble and the computer nearly crashed with all the pictures coming in through Outlook.  We couldn't send anything out for quite awhile one day.  But,  I really can't complain because I think I was extra blessed when I needed it the most.  Also, I've learned that I have quite a knack for investigating things.  I've learned how to process undocumented missionaries (and you know how confusing the government can make things)so they remain here legally, how to resolve  problems about missionaries before they even get here, and solve questions for Stake Presidents about issues that no one has a clue.  Maybe I should have been a private investigator instead of a nurse.  The APs love Elder Stringham and his computer knowledge.  They are always asking him to help them set things up on the computer.  He has simplified my "B" report which is a big deal specific to this mission.  Well enough bragging.  Better be care about pride.  Like our Mission President said, "we have a whole Book of Mormon about such a thing."

In making the Baptism DVD, I saw pictures of all those individuals whose baptismal record I submitted to Church HQ.  That was a special treat for me!  One that particularly touched me was of a young Russian couple.  Sweet story.  Many months ago they were approached by a couple of Sister Missionaries.  She was quite interested, but her husband was not so they stopped having the missionary lessons.  One of the Sister Missionaries who taught them was transferred and  after 6 months in another area, was transferred back to Clinton, IA.  She was not happy.  That meant that she would probably spend her whole mission in only 2 cities.  She complained...more than once.   The Mission President told her that he considered several times of putting elsewhere, but that the feeling was strong that she needed to go back to Clinton, IA.   She did, grudgingly.  The first thing she did was to look up this Russian couple.  They were so excited to see her and did not know how to get in touch with the missionaries.  The husband was ready to learn more.  They were re taught all the lessons and were baptized.  Their new ward loved them.  This next transfer this Sister Missionary and the Russian Couple will leave Clinton, Iowa.  The Sister Missionary goes home and the couple are returning to Russia.  The Lord knows where you should be at any given time and if you heed that prompting,  your life will go as He planned which will bring you the most joy and peace.

On Friday, the missionaries were privileged to see the "Meet the Mormons" movie that will soon be out in theaters.  It is delightful.  It will make you laugh, but bring some tissue with you, too! 

I am very grateful for medical reasons that I am in this Mission.  There are a lot of Med schools around and I think I found a great doctor who will treat my liver and gluten problems.  About 10 days ago I had routine endoscopy and US and all is well.....except for one tiny little issue with varices.  But, this doctor knows of a new procedure to treat them and it is supposed to be very noninvasive. 

We love our Mission President and his wife.  They are great with the youth!  They know how to show them love.  Even those of us in the office get little "love notes" left on our computer or little gifts with Thank You notes.  President Jensen is the best speaker and we laugh and cry in each of his talks.

Us with President and Sister John Jensen

Well, we need to get ready for General Conference!  So much to learn from our Prophet and the Apostles and the other great men who serve the people of this Church! 

We love you all so much!