THE QUEZON QUIBBLER: Departures and Arrivals

Dear Hermana Hughes,

I hope Hermana Johnstun let you know that we obtained your return ticket to the USA, so she can go ahead and book your ticket from Santiago to Manila. We don't know how long you're staying, so we bought a changeable ticket --lots of options so don't worry about it until you get here.

We had an entire, wonderful day with Dallin last Monday. He took down all our Christmas decorations and put them away and helped me get ready for the departing missionaries, went on a walk and got a haircut with Dad, and we had lunch at the mall. At his request, we invited Sister Cole and her companion over for dinner and FHE and Sister Cole loved her time with Dallin. That night Dad gave him a wonderful father's blessing in preparation for his return home.

We got up extra early Tuesday since there was a black Nazarene march near the airport, and Dallin needed to leave in the Uber early. It was SO hard saying goodbye when he'd only been here for four days. I hugged him hard and prepared for a good cry after he left, but as he drove away I felt a calm and peace envelop me and I knew he would be alright.

And I didn't have time to cry, anyway, because the departing missionaries started showing up at the mission home 90 minutes early! We usually plan on someone coming an hour early, but these sisters were very anxious to go. Since we spent as much time as possible with the family the week before, Dad did all the exit interviews with all 14 missionaries Tuesday AND we had exit/SRT workshops, since the area person who was supposed to do it forgot in December. So it was pure craziness here for the day. We had a nice dinner and testimony meeting and when the vans pulled away at 8pm it was time to get ready for Arrival Day, which began very early the next morning.

Fortunately, the new missionaries showed up after we arrived at the office (sometimes they beat us--the MTC sends them off about 6am) and we welcomed them before we met with the trainers. We received five visa waiters (one for Chile Santiago South), eight Filipinos, one missionary from Ukraine and one from Papua New Guinea. They were very attentive and reverent and stayed awake all through the orientation process. And we've gone a record four-plus days before getting a call from any of them (that came today during church).

On Arrival day, we train the trainers together, meet with everyone for the opening, then Dad interviews while the assistants, office staff and I do an orientation. I have to give a talk on obedience, and three other presentations, including a slide show of our family After the meetings, one of the trainers came to me and said, "Sister Hughes, you were really beautiful when you were young!"

The next day, Thursday--which would have been my Dad's 94th birthday -- was MLC and New Leader Training. I took a record-breaking 30 minutes for my part of MLC to discuss how to persuade the missionaries in our stewardship to be obedient. I was stressing about it the night before because I had not taken time to prepare, and I was too exhausted from Arrival Day to start preparing at 9pm. Dad said, "Relax! You've been preparing all your life! It's a counsel--just lead a discussion." So I got up early and prepared a 5-minute FHE lesson and then the missionaries contributed for the next 25 minutes and taught each other better than I could have. Truly, the Lord gives us each day our daily bread. The assistants did a great New Leader Training and we came home and celebrated. Kind of. I slept in until 6:30 the next morning. It felt great!

So I hardly had time to miss Dallin this week. There's always something happening (except for last week when the family was here it was miraculously quiet.)

A ward mission leader sent Dad photos of a disobedient missionary and he seemed pretty upset as he dialed the number and told me the missionary might have to go home. Then I couldn’t believe how kind and understanding he was on the phone. He was firm and put him on probation, but loving and trusting. After he hung up he said, “I don’t know what happened to me. It was like an alien possessed my body!” Of course it was the Spirit, but it was pretty amazing to listen to the transformation in his attitude. I've seen Stewart be so inspired time after time as he teaches and directs the missionaries, interacts with the members and instructs the office staff. But he still struggles with the bureaucracy, so he won't be translated anytime soon.

He got a texts from a missionary who wants to go home on a medical release but doesn't have enough medical evidence for it. I talked to his companion for a long time yesterday while Dad counseled the missionary, and he talked with his bishop and stake president and Dad finally persuaded him to stay. I was so happy! And then this morning the missionary texted Dad that he changed his mind and wants to go home again. It's so disappointing! I admire God's commitment to agency, because sometimes forcing people to do what's best for them seems like the best option.

The Lord is so very kind to us. We make lots of mistakes, but He keeps blessing us and giving us lots of opportunities to grow, even though we don't like them very much. Dad explained to the missionaries that being on a mission is like going down a river at 20 kph while the people along the bank are walking at 5 kph. We are far ahead of them by the time our service is up because we've had so much opportunity for growth and service. It's super hard, but good. I think.

Dad and I have used the story from your letter twice in our training this week. We love you and appreciate being a part of your growth through your letters. Thank you for your prayers for us. We were so happy to read your letters this week.

Love,

Mom

Who is taller?