Sunday, December 3, 2017

Transfers Week

Transfers are always an exciting time in the mission, and we love to help when we can.  The mission received 4 new precious sister missionaries representing Utah, Canada, England, and California. We also have 3 new valiant elders representing Canada (2) and Utah. One of the sisters served in the Washington Vancouver Mission while she was waiting for her visa. It was so fun to talk with her for a few minutes about Washington and Oregon. 

 We took this very happy, ready-to-work companionship to their home 

in the Boulevard Ward in Kingston.

  

We drove these darling current sisters to their new area in May Pen. 

One is from Jamaica; the other from Trinidad. 

In all the excitement of welcoming new missionaries, there is also the sad part of saying good-by to those  who are going home. 

We will miss these fine young men and women; we've grown so close to them and love them so much. The exiting missionaries always attend a two-day seminar (taught by senior missionaries) on adjusting to being home. They talk about spirituality, education, jobs, dating, and marriage. We would love to go listen in one of these times. 

  

These two sisters were here only 2 months before we came, so we have had many opportunities to really get to know them and serve with them. They are amazing, faithful sisters - going home to Utah and California. 

We spent several days working in our "office" this week with very little travel except for transfers. We were gearing up for the visit from the Caribbean Area Member Welfare Projects Technical Specialists who come from Canada usually twice a year. We look forward to this next week with them. We will take them around the island to visit the functioning projects and to meet with priesthood leaders and groups in the process of project proposals. 

Our office

On Sunday, we attended the Old Harbour Branch and as always enjoyed worshipping and learning with the saints in that branch. 

Sunday evening, we had a lovely dinner at the Mission Home as a farewell with Elder and Sister Brown. They leave Monday to return to their home in Illinois after diligently, lovingly serving in the Mission Office and as Member and Leader Support missionaries. Elder Brown also serve as the Second Counselor in the Mission Presidency, and Sister Brown served in the Mandeville District Relief Society Presidency. Elder and Sister Chandler, who served with the Seminary and Institute programs all over the island also left earlier in the week. Both couples leave holes in many hearts and organizations, but just as with the leaving of the young missionaries, the work goes on pretty seamlessly. We have 2 new senior couples arriving this month; one will serve in the Mission Office and the other will work with Seminary and Institute. We are excited to meet and serve with them. 

President Deans (from Jamaica) who has served as the First Counselor in the Mission Presidency and Elder and Sister Lindberg were also at the dinner. The change in the Mission Presidency counselors was announced in all the units this morning, so this evening was the official turning over of responsibilities. Buddy is the new First Counselor, and Elder Lindberg the new Second Counselor. Each They will have responsibilities for 5 units each, conducting interviews for temple recommends, new missionaries, and Patriarchal Blessings. Somethings are different outside of a stake. For example,  receiving a recommend for a Patriarchal Blessing requires two signatures - one from the Branch President an one from a member of the Mission Presidency. Buddy will work with the branches in Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Port Antonio, May Pen, and Yallahs. 

President Deans, President Pearson, and President Brown

 President Stewart, President Pearson, and President Lindberg

It is such a blessing for us to be able to serve as couples in this wonderful work. We definitely have an advantage over the young missionaries; we got to choose our companions! 

                                         

"Well, that companionship inventory went well."

In our reading of the Book of Mormon this week, we read in Mormon 8:5 some of the most heart wrenching words in the whole book. Moroni has been given the charge for the keeping of the final records of the Nephites from his father, Mormon. He is the last man standing and states, "....for I am alone. My father has been slain in battle, and all my kinfolk, and I have not friends nor whither to go;  and how long the Lord will suffer that I may live I know not."

In our lives, we each have times, like Moroni, where we feel that we are alone. It is in those dark lonely times that we are most in need of reaching out to the Prince of Peace for solace. He who knows us perfectly and took upon Himself all of our sins, sadness, sicknesses, afflictions, and, yes, our times of loneliness, is there with outstretched arms to gather us in, enfold us in His perfect love, and heal us. Each of us pass through the refiner's fire to become purified. Let us not shrink from our trials, but use the experiences of our lives to increase our faith in Jesus Christ, who is mighty to save. While the hurt and anguish of the moment can be overwhelming, keep an eternal perspective and press forward with hope in the future and a better brighter day. 

Many of our problems will melt away if we get outside of ourselves and just serve others, especially those who are the closest to us and depend on us the most. We will love those we serve. As Jesus Christ set the perfect example as He served others, we too can become more like Him as we do good for those we love and who love us. 

President Monson has said, "May we ever watch over one another, assisting in times of need. Let us not be critical and judgmental, but let us be tolerant, ever emulating the Savior's example of loving kindness." As we love in the Savior's way, most of our troubles will melt away and we can have joy and peace in our lives.

Until next week, all of our love......