OK, guess what today was? TRANFER DAY! and what a day it was. The mission had a lot of changes today. More than we have ever seen. Here are some of the highlights of the day. The bus is at the stake center about 7:15 and cars and missionaries and members driving them, begin arriving. We got down there at 7:30 and this is how it looked.

This is Sister Adamson who came in to work at the VC. She has been a full pros. (proselyting) for the last six weeks and when I saw her at Zone Conference, she said she loved it and didn't ever want to come back to the VC. Well, she is back. She is coming up to Sister Frandsen.

and they grab each other in an embrace. These sisters really love each other. Sister Frandsen had surgery last week. She found a lump in her breast and they took it out. It was benign. We were all so grateful. Anyway, there are hugs all over. Between Sisters and Sisters that is.

This is Elder Olive. It is interesting how you are just drawn to some Elders. I just love Elder Olive. His new companion is Elder Olsen and he just arrived yesterday.

This is Elder Swapp. He is actually in Linda and Fred's ward in Orem. Such a sweet kid. We love him. He has gone out this time. And is on a bike now! The one who rolled the car upside down in the riverbed! He felt so bad but always has this smile on his face. We love him!

Sister Jacobs. Another wonderful Sister. She is going home tomorrow. We are sad. It is really hard to see these kids go home. They feel like our kids.

A Sisters pic. All Tongan kids. Sister Avauli, Sister Punivaha is going home, Elder T(he just arrived yesterday from West Valley City and does not know their language), and Sister Lasalosi. There are lots of Samoans and Tongans who live here and we have quite a few in the mission.
Someone delete this second pic.
The bus was loaded and took off at 8:20. Full of missionaries, luggage, bikes, and supplies. So back to the office we go and wait for the onslaught of missionaries. Today we had a table full of snacks. I made cookies and banana bread, took Rice Krispie treats, there were carrots, all sorts of chips, cup cakes, lots of little donuts. Almost anything your little heart would desire if you were a hard working, hungry missionary!

I just snapped this pic while sitting at my desk. There are probably 25 missionaries in the office at a time and then they switch out and a new bunch comes in. They go to breakfast, out proselyting, to the post, etc. They all have to have a companion and maybe theirs went on the bus, so they pair up with someone else and spend the day.

At 11 we went to the Community of Christ temple and had a little concert. Some of these are missionaries going home and they just got up and sang a bunch of our hymns. It was quite lovely.
These are the Sisters. Sister Burton, Sister Jacobs (going home), Sister Punivaha (going home).

We closed the office at 5 and went back to the stake center as the bus was almost here. All the people out and they begin unloading the bikes. They must have taken 15 bikes off that bus. As the bus leaves at 8:30, it makes a big loop of the mission and drops kids off and picks kids up. They are usually back by 5:15.

Bunches of bikes waiting for their front tires!

Sister Fakai (fa-ka-e) from Australia. She has the cutest accent! And Sister Avauli (ah-va-oo-le). New companions.
Elder Clayson. Notice all the ties around his neck! He told me he has a box with probably 100 ties in it. The guys switch ties with each other all the time and I guess he holds onto the box. You know, even the guys get a little tired of white shirts and suits and a new tie just kind of makes them feel good!
Elder Thomas. He is going home. Hate to see him leave too. And they always have mixed emotions about leaving. Anxious to see their families, but don't want to leave the mission.

Elder Itzep. He reminds us of Pablo. He is from Mexico. An extremely happy, choice missionary. His mother deserted him when he was very young. He has lived in Texas with his brother. A friend is picking him up and taking him back to Texas since he can't fly. I guess he is what you call illegal. How we love him. We would love to take him home with us.

I got this shot of him from a distance. He just wants to stay and be a missionary. He has loved his mission and is one of the happiest, hard workers you could know. I wonder what will become of him now. I hope he can get into the Perpetual Education program and get an education.

He was nearly in tears as he said good-bye.

This is Elder Bradwhar. So gentle and sweet. The one who fell out of the tree and smashed his face. He is doing well.

A big day. Also picked Dad up after he delivered a car to get tires on it, picked up two other senior Elders who took two cars to the body shop, typed in about 10 baptisms (and they take awhile, like 10-15 minutes each). Busy, busy, hectic day. I wore a heat pack on my back all day and it felt so good. And this afternoon the sun was shining. It was so warm you just wanted to stand outside and soak it up. Tomorrow it supposed to drop about 30 degrees with high winds and then snow is predicted for Saturday. No. We are ready for spring.

Loves to all.