Hi

Hi Hermana,

I'm writing in hopes you get to read one last email.  For our missionaries, they get ten minutes to email on their exit day, just to make sure someone is going to pick them up at the airport or bus station.  Last exit day one of our sisters (whose family doesn't have email) arrived home and no one was there!  We promise to be at the airport for you.

For me, this has been a great week.  Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday Dad interviewed missionaries.  I talked to them about their language study and gave them cookies--the best job ever.  From the day I arrived, I have felt a deep love for the missionaries, and for the last two transfer cycles I haven't met one-on-one with them.  Sometimes it's difficult for me to understand the Filipinos.  One elder with only a sixth grade education and very little English and a super soft voice may have told me he can't read -- fortunately, later I found out he can only not read in English, which was a huge relief! 

Dad put a continually disobedient Filipino missionary with a strong, huge (6' 5" professional rugby player), obedient, Tongan missionary, Elder Brown, whom we've privately nick-named "Nephi".  The Filipino has made an amazing transformation which we hope will be permanent.  Elder Brown told us that on fast Sunday his companion wanted to go home immediately after Sunday meetings to eat.  Elder Brown said, "No, we'll stay for MCM meeting, " and then, "No, we have an appointment."  Finally the Filipino confided, "I think I'm going to die!"  Elder Brown assured him, "We ate the same things.  We drank the same things. You are not going to die!"  When they returned to their house at 5pm, he admitted this was the first time in his life he had actually fasted.  When your companion is that big and strong, you obey.

We had a break from interviews on Thursday because Dad spoke to 400 local college students in a business symposium in the cultural hall.  A professor who is investigating the church hosted, and the missionaries spoke about faith in Jesus Christ and there were musical numbers about the Savior and opening and closing prayers.  For me, speaking in front of 400 people for over an hour would not be a break, but it was for Dad -- he loved the opportunity to get young people inside the Church, get their contact info, and to teach the zone of missionaries in attendance.

Friday he interviewed our largest zones.  That afternoon he got word that the district president of Baliwag District, who has been suffering from a long-term illness, asked to be released as soon as possible.  Dad got permission from Elder Bowen to call a new district presidency before district conference on Sunday, so he did a lot of research and went up to Baliwag Saturday to call the new presidency and release the old one.  Fortunately, he had the help of his great counselor, President Costales. Then Dad drove for hours to meet with the old counselors to extend releases and arrived home late.  This gave me time to prepare two talks for Sunday,  as all district conference meetings --adult, general, priesthood leadership and YSA--are held on one day.  I was relieved when he told me I would only have to speak in one meeting.

This morning we left very early to be there in time for Dad's 7am meeting.  The 8am adult session went well and I gave my longest talk ever --15 minutes!  After a 10 minute break we started the general session, and after a few minutes Dad leaned over and said, "You'll need to give another talk!"  My first reaction was rebellion, but then I was so thankful I'd followed the prompting to bring my other talk with me.  As a seasoned missionary, it's probably not a big deal for you to speak in church, even on the spur-of-the-moment, but it's still hard for me. 

Dad arranged for me to get a ride home so I didn't have to stay another six or seven hours and wait for him.  He is such a great companion!  I've found that getting outside every morning for a walk in the "nature" of our subdivision is very helpful to me, and he encourages me and even walks with me sometimes.  We're very blessed to have a safe, quiet place to walk because you can't walk outside on the streets--it's way too dangerous with the traffic, as you will soon see.

We are so excited to see you and have you "home!"  Safe travels and we hope we find you at the airport sooner than we found Dallin.

Much love,

Mom

I mainly took photos of missionaries this week -- these are some great elders and sisters.  Some are getting along and some aren't, but they are all trying.  And Dad with the new shaker bottles Dan sent.