Good Evening,
As promised, this
is a continuation of the letter I sent just a few days ago. We have had so many
wonderful experiences, but first I want to go back to the transfers. I
mentioned the new missionaries coming in and said briefly that we were losing
many of those who have been here since we arrived. We have become close to them
and it was an emotional goodbye. We had
ten leave; among them Elder Burdette, our first trainer, Elder Bowles, who
taught me how to use the phone in referrals, Elder Fisher, who lives in our old
Sunny Mesa Ward back home, Elder Ruff who ordered more media from me than any
other missionary. He reminds us of our son Jarad….a hard worker and so
caring. Also, Elder Klabacka, who has
been an assistant to the Pres. much of the time we’ve been in the office so we
have worked closely with him and Elder Hawks, who is another hard working
missionary and has become a dear friend. He and Elder Curtis have a fishing
date set up for when we get home. I
could share something special about each one and am holding back tears as I
mention them. A few of them admitted to
being on the verge of tears that day as well. When we dropped them off at the
hotel they wanted to just keep hanging around. They weren’t ready for their
mission experience to close. We love and
miss them.
Usually the
demands of Transfers become even more urgent once the actual day is over as I
then would update IMOS on the computer with all the new information and would
have people calling immediately for a roster with all the changes. This was
always time consuming and a challenge.
For several months, however, Salt Lake has been asking all the Mission
Presidents to take over this responsibility.
Pres. H tried it once soon after I started in the office and it ended up
being such a mess that it took us weeks to get it back in order. I’m not saying it was Pres’ doing; IMOS has
made a lot of improvements since then.
In fact, the last transfer went quite smoothly for me. Now, I don’t do any of it….none. I have to admit I felt a little left out and
I also have to admit, I was a little pleased to see that even the Pres. and
assistants took several tries before they got all the kinks out of the
roster. Another issue this brings is
that while they are working on transfer scenarios the weeks before the actual
transfers many of the programs that the rest of us in the office use are
blocked from us. It’s all a process and is for the good. Everyone, including Salt Lake, will learn and
continue to improve. This means nothing
to most of you, but Sis Sessions, who I took over for, may find it interesting.
My job definition has definitely changed, but there seem to be new things
coming up to still keep me on my toes and Elder Curtis can always use more of
my help. There are changes being made on
IMOS for car care as well. Changes can
be and are good!
The Birmingham
Stake was holding a 9:00 to 3:00 Family History Fair the Saturday after
transfers and I was asked to get a group of missionaries together to help with
the day’s activities. We had Elder C and me as well as two Elders and two
Sisters who serve in that building. We helped put together and serve the lunch
and then were asked to just mingle and make our presence known. Out of the 175 or so in attendance, about a
third were non-members and four of the class presenters were also not members.
We were very impressed with how well everything was arranged and how lovely the
building and displays were set up. They had two or three classes going on each
hour throughout the day. From the few that we were able to listen in on they
were very professionally done. A lot of
good information. Sis Anne Norris from
our Branch had made the whole thing happen and on all accounts, it was a
successful day. We were glad we could help and be a part of it. Our young
missionaries represented the mission well.
People stayed the full day which is always a good sign that things are going
well.
As soon as we
walked in the door after finishing with the Family History Fair, Pres.
Holzapfel called and asked if I would be in charge of the food for another
event coming up the next Wed. The former
Governor of Alabama had called and asked if the Mission would host an open
house for a group of youth from one of the mega Baptist Churches in
Birmingham. His brother is Pastor of the
church and with the political climate these days; he wanted his congregation to
know something about these ‘Mormons’.
This isn’t the first time that President has met with other churches,
but it was the first time a BAPTIST church had requested to come to one of our
buildings. I didn’t have a lot of time
or resources to plan with. They expected
around 30 youth between 14 and 18 years of age plus their leaders. I was warned that nothing I did would measure
up to the grand events of their church (we’re told it looks like a small
college campus) so just don’t have cookies and punch, but also not to
worry….????? Ummmmm We already had plans to be away from the office
much of Monday and Tuesday so I had to rely on Costco – good old Costco chocolate
mousse cake. It was a success and so was the evening.
There was a good
turnout. We met in the RS room where our
Branch Pres. explained how he was called and how all of our leaders and
teachers are regular members of the church who have been called to that
position for a season and serve without pay while carrying on their lives with
normal responsibilities (work, school, parenting etc) Next, two Seminary
students explained how they meet each morning at 6:00 for scripture study. They then showed clips of outstanding youth
that are known nationally and are members of the church. President also talked and explained some of
the similarities of our church and theirs as well as some of the differences. He is so good at this with his great
knowledge of religion and the scriptures. The group was then taken on a quick
tour of the building (as I said, theirs is mega so this wasn’t expected to be
too impressive) They ended in the chapel where the young missionaries sang a
beautiful Christian hymn and then a question and answer time was opened. We had expected the whole evening to last
only an hour, but there was a good interest and many questions were asked. Again, Pres. Holzapfel is the perfect one for
this type of exchange. We were all impressed.
Refreshments followed along with mingling with youth from the two wards
meeting there for YW/YM and Institute.
All good….
Thankfully
because of helping the Sat before I knew where to borrow a table cloth and some
decorations. Taking pictures of the
group didn’t seem appropriate. Chocolate is always a way to win people over.
Paul and the missionaries were great help
We have a Branch
baptism on Saturday morning. I’ll write
about that next time. We’ve had some other good things going on this week, but
this is enough for now. Paul says if he
were writing he would just share spiritual thoughts and events, but for me,
these things are spiritual and have brought joy to our missionary service. God bless each of you. We send our love, Elder and Sister Curtis Mom/Dad
There
were several displays of well known people who came from Alabama…..didn’t know
there were so many in all fields, sports, history, music, government, and so
forth. Interesting
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