The work of an LDS Mission President

President Gordon B. Hinckley, former president of the LDS Church, has been quoted as saying that being a mission president is like trying to keep 200 corks underwater at the same time. That's a great analogy! Someone is always popping up with a problem or concern. This last month we have had two missionaries return to their homes for health problems. One will hopefullly be able to return soon. It's tough to let them go as we need them and love them but they needed more help than we could find for them here. There is much to do with just making the arrangements for them. Along with our normal transfer time when we send home and receive new missionaries, we are at times unable to receive the Americans on time because of visa problems. In September, we received 6 strong Mexican Elders on schedule but we had three different groups come at times that were unscheduled. We received one American alone, then a Peruvian a week after transfers, then 5 Americans a week after that. Each time new Elders come, we need to find them great trainers and make shifts in several companionships to accommodate them. Every six weeks we have a scheduled change. This is a busy time but we are always grateful to receive new missionaries and feel of their spirits and testimonies and excitement about finally being in their assigned area. We are sad to be making plans for 29 of our strongest leaders to return home on October 26th! That will be a dark day for us as we also lose the two assistants who "trained" us in the mission. We'll just send them off with their special dinner and testimony meeting and the next day we'll receive 17 new Americans and 3 New Mexicanos. Just the logistics of those two days has received much attention as we plan how to feed, sleep,and transfer so many in one change. We are never bored! (This photo shows some of the brightest and best on the night before they return home)