TRANSFER NIGHT-INCOMING MISSIONARIES

This is the scene on the first night when all the missionaries come into the mission home. After a lovely dinner of carne asada is prepared by Sister Lopez, the wife of President's counselor, they all pull out the air mattresses and have a big slumber party on the mission floor. Tomorrow will be the first day of their mission experience in Arizona.
This the Sister Lopez showing them how to make up their plates of carne asada.
The afternoon that they arrive they have their training in the mission home. They receive instructions on driving, medical, housing and rules of the mission.

INCOMING MISSIONARIES

We received 10 new missionaries, actually only 9 because one of them decided to do a flip at the MTC without shoes and landed on both heels, receiving stress fractures. He actually came a week late.
This is quite a science as we load all the luggage in the back of the AP's trucks. Sometimes we have to bring the trailer to put it all in.

IT'S CHRISTMAS IN THE MISSION....

Our companionships all received cells phones. It was like it was Christmas morning to watch them receive them. Obviously, they are only to be used in missionary work, but they were still excited. This helps them receive referrals via text message, and also helps them to contact their investigators before they go over for an appointment. This is big as it will save us tons off miles (which are limited to each companionship) and also help our Elders who are on bikes to be able to contact people.

Our Wonderful Senior Couples-Zone Conference Lunch

Our senior couples on the reservations are the best. They help our missionaries who are far from us and become their parents away from home. When we go there for Zone Conference they prepare a wonderful potluck meal for all the missionaries. We couldn't do it without their help. Hint, Hint...for all those senior couples out there....your help is needed in the spreading of the gospel in the field.

INSTRUCTING THE MISSIONARIES

While the President is interviewing, the Assistants and I plan out the day to instruct the missionaries. This particular Interview session we taught the Missionaries how to clean their apartments the right way. I put on my apron and told them that I was standing in Proxy for their future wives, to teach them how to clean up after themselves, that included wiping off the toilet seats. One of the problems I found when we went on apartment checks was that they had nothing to clean with except stinky rags and rotten sponges and no cleaning supplies. As you saw from a previous apartment check, some of the trailers were no less than disgusting. I gave out bottles of 409 to help the process. Awards were given out to the cleanest apartment.

INTERVIEWS WITH THE PRESIDENT

Every six weeks we travel throughout the mission to interview our missionaries. It is a 6 day process of about 5 hour interviewing. It gives the President a chance to see how each one is doing and see just if he needs to make changes as our new missionaries come in the next week. They each leave with a treat that day.

OUR QUICK TRIP THROUGH THE GRAND CANYON

The incredible wonder of the world! It was a breath taking experience for both of us to gaze into this beautiful sight.

The President had some rapid heart beats as he watched these big beautiful creatures that surrounded us everywhere. I had to remind him we were here for other reasons than to hunt.
This is the infamous road that President was pulled over by a park control car. As you can see their were many distractions for him along side of the road. When the police came up to the car he asked why he was going so fast. After a short hesitation, I stuck my head toward the window and answered, "we have been on the road for a long time and I really, really have to go to the bathroom." He laughed and said, "That is a good reason". When he took his license and returned from his car he handed the license back and said. "I'm not going to give you a ticket, because I don't want Jesus mad at me". It was all we could do to hold back the burst of laughter. I think we had someone watch over us on that one. After all, I don't think the President wanted to join me in traffic school.

THE ROAD TO KAIBETO

These are the instructions we received from the Elders to get to the church/trailer where they lived.
"Take the main pave road to the store on the left. turn righton diret road past the water tower. continue on the dirt road on the left and follow the bar wire fence until it turns to the left. continue onthe direct road until you see the church and our trailer. Be careful to avoid the deep ruts in the road." This is why the President drives a 4 wheel drive.

DIRECTIONS ON THE "REZ"

Yes, there is even shopping on the "Rez". On the way to Kaibeto to do an apartment check we spotted some road side stands that the Navajo's set up to sell all their beautiful jewelry and pottery. President keeps on asking me "Aren't they basically all the Same? And do we really need to stop to see them all?" You know what my reply was I am sure.