Elder Lamb's anxious parents came to the mission home to pick him up after the closing activities of the night. It was a sweet reunion between longing parents and a worn out missionary.

It is bedding time as our tired missionaries blow up the mattresses and head into slumber land wondering what their reunions will be like the next day. We did hear loud burst of laughter late that night and found out the next day they were reminiscing about the funny things that happened on their missions. Earlier that evening I tried to instigate a new tradition with outgoing missionaries to tell me some of the things that they had done that were under the radar, but they didn't think that would be such a good idea. It would be like your children telling you all the things they did growing up that you had no idea had transpired.

Breakfast consists of waffles with all the topping, scrambled eggs, and Orange julius. Then our missionaries pile all their luggage into the trailer and truck. After quick good-byes they are off to the airport with the assistants. That gives me about 2 hours to prepare the next lunch meal for our incoming missionaries, clean up the house, do the washing of the sheets and towels and get to the airport for our next group of missionaries.

Our outgoing missionaries going through security. Sometimes it works out that they see the incoming missionaries on their way down the corridor and give them a heads up on the mission.

Well Done Thy Good and Faithful Servant

What a telling picture this is! I love it because it truly depicts the 2 years or 18 months that our missionaries serve with all their heart might, mind and strength. These 18-21 year olds leave behind those they love, thier school, and their previous life to serve the Lord. They work long hard days of having doors slammed in their face, rejection, and hot temperatures as they diligently seek out those who have not had the gospel shared with them, in hopes they will be able to "invite others to come unto Christ" and have them enter the waters of baptism. Feeling the true joy and change that the gospel brings to those who accept it, gives them hope that all their efforts are not in vain. Because they know that we are all spirit children of a Heavenly Father who loves us all and desires we can all return to live with him some day through the gate of baptism they labor harder than they ever have in their entire lives. As they go home you can see they have truly worn themselves out in the service of God.

Our New Assistant Elder Wright

Our Newest Assistant is Elder Wright. He took Elder Pack's place as he went out to proselyte for his last 6 weeks in the mission. We are excited to have Elder Wright, along with Elder Lundgreen, assist us in the work. He is a wonderful missionary and great addition to our office.

Our Saturday Hike

Saturday is our preparation day and our new thing is to go on the Saturday hike up Sunrise Mountain (which is really a hill) with friends in the church. Last Saturday we hiked up the Mountain with our Assistants and the Matsen's. Sister Matsen was a powerhouse and it was all I could do to keep up with her. She even did all the talking as we trudged up the mountain. We found a mother owl sitting on her nest, nestled in the Saguaro cactus. The desert is blossoming in the spring and it is a different kind of beauty. After our hike our assistants challenged us to a tennis game. It was fun to swing the racket again and find I still could play. It was the first time I have played since I have been on the mission.

President likes to stick by Elder Matsen as he is a fountain of knowledge of the desert plants.

Mother Owl sitting on her nest in the middle of the Saguaro

Blooming Cactus

Sister's Training Conference

On Friday, we held a sisters training conference at the Mission Home. It was a day for all the sister missionaries to come together to "Fill their wells". We had some instruction on "The Worth of Souls is Great in the sight of God", and also discussed their own self worth, nutrition, exercise, had some good food and enjoyed being together. As the sisters arrived we played a "get to know you game" which connected them with each other. We have 21 sisters in the mission. They are all wonderful missionaries who give all their heart, might mind and strength in their missionary work

"Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God" D&C 18:10

A Cincinnati Face is Always Welcome

Our good friend Chuck Delella was in town and spent the afternoon with us. It was good visiting with him and catching up on the Cincinnati scene. Thanks Chuck!

March Zone Leader Counsil

These are our Zone Leaders who are in charge of the missionaries and the work in their perspective areas in the mission. Every six weeks they meet with the President to be trained in their leadership responsiblities. They are incredible young men who the President relies on greatly.

Preach My Gospel Study Guide Recogniion Awards

In the mission we give our missionaries an opportunity to increase their knowledge of the scriptures and Preach My Gospel (an inspired study guide on how to preach the gospel). We have 5 different levels of recognition they receive on their path to being a Gospel certified missionary. We have had an increase of missionaries who are pushing themselves to receive their recognition. Three have reached level 5. Elder Wilcox, from Australia, achieved level 5 in this picture. In the scriptures it says:
"Neither, take ye thought before-hand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man." D&C 84:85
As our missionaries, study and memorize the scriptures, then when they teach the gospel to others they will be able to recall the words of the Lord in proclaiming the gospel.

Early Good-byes to Elders Stromberg & Wilson

"Well Done Thy Good and Faithful Servants"

We had to send Elder Stromberg (left) and Elder Wilson (right) home a few months early because of some health problems they were having. We were able to have an outgoing dinner for them before they left us. We will miss Elder Strombergs positive attitude and Elder Wilson's strict example of obedience as they return home. Our prayers will be with them in their recovery. We love your elders!

Sharing our Fruit

Tracy and Ryan returned to Phoenix again to attend the funeral of his uncle who suddenly past away at age 51 just after they left from their last visit here. While they were here, they loaded up the orange boxes again to take the delicious fruit back home to share with their siblings. Everyone has orange, lemon, and grapefruit trees here so it is hard to give it away, and their is too much to eat.

Our tree was loaded with grapefruits and oranges. The new orange blossoms smelled incredible, but as Ryan tried to cut them from the top of the tree, the pollen got to him and he began sneezing.

OUR NEWEST ARRIVALS IN THE MISSION

Ten outstanding missionaries arrived from the MTC and were excited to get to work! Our incoming missionaries just keep getting better and better! The Lord knows there is much work to be done in this part of the vineyard, so he is sending them here to the Arizona Phoenix Mission.

A Happy Mission Mom is one who says "The More the Merrier"! Actually, deep inside I keep thinking that it is 10 more missionaries to add to my missionary medical list but, I do Love My Missionaries!


Once arriving at the Mission Home, our missionaries unload their baggage in the garage, retrieve their information they need for training and are anxious to be fed since they have been up since 4:30 in the morning when they left from the MTC to fly to Phoenix.

Air Mattresses are filled and laid out on the floor, wall to wall, as the tired bodies fall into their slumbers. The Sisters get to sleep in beds down the back hall.

A BUSY FIRST DAY FOR OUR NEW MISSIONARIES

After an everlasting day.....our excited, nervous and tired missionaries close the day by writing their feelings and thoughts in their journals before retiring to the infamous air mattresses. Tomorrow will be the first day of the rest of their mission. Not knowing where they will be serving in the mission or who their companion were, lead the dreams they would have that night.

It was break time and a chance to learn the mission song that Elder Peck, our Auto Coordinator in the office, and previous Mormon Tabernacle Choir member, had just written. President Beck calls it our Mission Fight song because it has a little zip to it.

The next morning for breakfast we show the missionaries how to make a simple, ziploc bag omlet. This is our assembly line to make the omlet before in goes into the boiling water. It is an idea for them to use in the mornings ahead on their mission.


Now, the big moment! On the left are our finest trainers and on the right are our new missionaries. Within minutes they will be matched with their new companions and be introduced to the AP missionaries.

This is President & Sister Lopez. President has three counselors because of the large territory we have. President Lopez handles all our Spanish firesides and Elders. He and Sister Lopez help me for one of the transfer dinners, and prepare carne asada for all the missionaries. They all love President Lopez.

These are our Arizona Phoenix Mission Office Staff. They are wonderful and amazing servants of the Lord who also dedicate their time to build up the kingdom. The Matson's, Peck's and Terry's are amazing couples who contribute so much as our office staff. President and Sister Morris (in the far back) is the counselor in the valley, and President Begay, who is Navajo resides on the reservation. (not shown)

FEBRUARY GOOD-BYES

Our latest outgoing missionaries were Sister Elsworth, Elders Stoddard, Gibson, Wheelwright, Ferris & Petersen. These were great missionaries who made a difference in our mission. On the last night in the mission the evening is theirs to do what they want. It was a quiet group and as I tried to get things going with them...and the hour got later the President accused me of being a rabble rouser.
I think he just wanted everyone to go to bed after our long day. My idea was to have an exciting last night at the mission home before they returned to their homes the next day. President is such a party pooper!

While President is interviewing missionaries inside, others are outside playing Boce ball.

Elder Peterson bought an tasty "Henry Weinhard's" rootbeer as he came out on his mission. Just before he got on the plane he pulled the same rootbeer out of his suitcase and celebrated by drinking the two year old soda.

GOOD-BYE ELDER PACK

Elder Pack has served as an Assistant to the President since we came into the mission. He has helped us so much with the areas and insights on our missionaries and was not only a wonderful assistant but also an exemplary missionary. He was anxious to get back out proselyting before he returns home next transfer. We will miss him.

A Few Medical Challenges

Elder Durrant had an emergency appendectomy on Sunday. I thought his symptoms sounded like the flu that our missionaries have all had. When he told President that he was at a #10 level of pain, we sent him immediately to the ER. Elder Durrant was in the hospital for 5 days recovering. So much for my medical diagnosis. Thank goodness we have a mission doctor I can consult with when I don't know what I'm doing. The day before that Elder Noyce was knocked off his bike by a car and sent to the ER. He has a broken foot and has been a real trooper not giving into the injury and enduring the pain. The day before that Elder Young, who was on the reservation serving, was attacked by a dog. I asked his companion what he did when it happened. He said "I ran and jumped over the fence and left my companion to fight for himself." The next week I sent baggies of dog bones tied with a ribbon to all our elders serving on the reservation. There are so many stray dogs on the reservation. We actually call them the "Rez Dogs" It was a medical challenging weekend for all of us.

HENSLEY'S VISIT TO ARIZONA

The Hensley family were the last to all come to visit us. It was so good to see Ethan & Nicholas and spend some one on one time with them. Their visit fell on Interview Week, where President has to interview all of his missionaries. It is a 6 day process in which I go to help with training of the missionaries also. While we did interviews Tracy & Ryan were able to visit some of his uncles that live here. On Saturday & Sunday, we were able to spend some quality time with them. One day Ryan and Tracy went to the temple in Mesa and I took the boys around the temple grounds and into the visitors center.

Nicholas thought he would see what it was like to touch the sharp needles of the cactus, which of course he never got close enough to experience the sharp prick.

Nicholas and Ethan were here to share Valentines day. These are their Valentine Bears!

On Saturday we all went to the Wildlife Zoo and had a hands on experience with the animals. The favorite place was at the petting zoo. Ryan had to fight off the goats as they continually tried to eat his shirt tail

Time passed too quickly and before I knew it I was taking them back to the airport. This is the hardest part for me knowing that it will be a while before I can have my hugs again. I shed a few tears, got back in the car and snapped back into my Missionary Mom mode, knowing that I had a lot of missionaries to go back to.

PRESIDENT'S GREEN THUMB

For all those who know the President, his passion is growing a garden. We had a beautiful garden in Cincinnati and harvested much from it. Well, with the warm weather and extended growing season here in Arizona, he decided to find some pots and plant some tomatoes last fall. We are now enjoying the fruits of his labors as the tomatoes are ripening. The challenge is to get them picked before the birds taste them first. He is not so happy with our feathery friends.



OUCH!!!!! We were asked to go up to Prescott Valley and attend a Zone Prep Day with our missionaries. It was a snowy day up there which kept us from going on our planned hike with the zone, and instead they played volleyball. I decided It wouldn't be right to sit at the side lines and cheer, no..... I had to get right into the thick of things and dust off my volleyball skills and pretend that I too could play as a 20 year old would play. It didn't take long before my injury happened and my pinky finger began to swell. But no.....I couldn't sit out and let others on to my injury, so I just kept playing. By the end of the activity, it was evident I had done something bad to my finger. The finger swelled so bad that the skin peeled because it was so big. Now I was to be added to our injured reserve. President has banned me now from playing any more volleyball. Actually, he has decided we both would be banned from playing as he too had a few bruises.

Elder L.Tom Perry's Visit to the Mission

It is not every day you get to have an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ dining with you. We had the humbling privilege of doing this on Thursday, when Elder Perry and his wife and Elder Neil L. Andersen and his wife, of the first Quorum of the Seventy and also our Area Seventy, Elder Pickerd, came to the mission to instruct our Priesthood leadership and also our missionaries to become united in purpose in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ in the Arizona Phoenix Mission. With the help of our leadership in our Stakes, and with the help of our members, together we can become one in purpose.
Elder Perry is a man of God. He made us feel at ease and we so enjoyed the opportunity to be with him for a short day. Tyler got a little bonus when he called the mission home and asked to talk to Elder Perry. I just laughed and told him that Elder Perry was here but was resting because of his demanding schedule during the week. He said just have him call me when he wakes up....and I just chuckled. When Elder Perry woke up, I told him that my son had just called and jokingly said to have Elder Perry call. Sister Perry then chimed in and said "I'm sure Elder Perry will talk to him, won't you Elder Perry". President then dialed his number and he was so gracious to spend about 15 minutes talking to him. Tyler has been teaching new missionaries at the Missionary Training Center for almost a year now. He has spent a lot of time developing a model to teach the missionaries how to ask "inspired questions". He has done this with a passion. After Elder Perry finished talking to him, he hung up the phone and said to us, "That is one energetic young man teaching from "Preach My Gospel. Does he ever have time to go to class?" It was a real highlight of his day. The evening went well and I savored the moments we were with him.

Who says We're Not Having Fun........

For the longest time our Assistants have been asking the President to take a Preparation Day with them. For all those who know President, it is get the work done first, and then you can play. This was a rare early morning where we just went to the local park, which stocked fish. All decked out in his fishing gear, the mighty fishermen when out to be "Fishers of Fish". It is a good thing they are better "Fishers of Men" than "Fishers of Fish", because they all got skunked, except Sister Beck who brought in 4 small fish. It was a fun morning of leisure with our Assistants.

A Visit from Cincinnati Friends

Our good friends Robbie and Larry Clark flew in for the day because of business. They were able to drop in and observe a day of transfers as they happened. We were so glad to visit with them briefly. Robbie helped me prepare the dinner while training was going on.

New Missionaries Arrive to the Mission

On Tuesday morning we dropped off our outgoing missionaries and picked up 6 new ones. This was one of our smallest transfers. We were sent some wonderful missionaries who were ready to go out and do some real proselyting. After interviews, a wonderful dinner, and testimonies, our tired elders rested up for the next morning when they would find out who their new companion was and where they were going to serve. President Beck, Elder Bergeson, & Nielsen, ran 3 miles together the next morning.