Transfer week: March 13, 2012 - New Arrivals

It's fitting that we celebrate the arrival of spring with a posting about our latest group of new arrivals.  That's how it feels for us every six weeks - a time of new beginning and springtime in the mission.

This transfer we welcomed missionaries in two shifts. The first group of international missionaries came from the Provo MTC like the other missionaries, but because of late arriving visas, they didn't make the usual flight.

With this group the Washington DC North Mission has had missionaries from 33 countries and 23 states during our time here.

Sister Lin (Taiwan); Elder Seo (South Korea); and Elder Wery (Belgium) arrive one hour before the other group. 

The assistants, Elder Hatch and Elder Pierucci, are there to welcome them.

The rest of the missionaries came in on the usual flight.

Left to right: Elder Winkler, Elder Lanham, Elder Centeno, Elder Moss, Elder Branning, President Matsumori and Elder Hatch.

Waiting for the luggage:  Elder Winkler, Elder Lanham, Elder Centeno, Elder Pierucci, Elder Long and Elder Peterson.

Ready to load the vans:  Elder Pierucci, Elder Peterson, Elder Centeno, Elder Vaterlaus, Elder Winkler and Elder Moss.

Ready to board the vans:  Elder Seo, Elder Lanham, Elder Wery, Elder Wright and Sister Lin - our only sister this transfer.

Last call for luggage:  Elder Centeno, Elder Peterson, Elder Branning, Elder Long, Elder Vaterlaus and Elder Winkler. 

The new missionaries had an opportunity to walk around the beautiful temple grounds.

Left to right:  Elder Branning, Houston, TX; Elder Seo, South Korea; Elder Long, Orangevale, CA; Sister Lin, Taiwan; Elder Vaterlaus, Farmington, UT; Elder Peterson, Clinton, UT; Sister Matsumori, President Matsumori; Elder Centeno, Duchesene, UT; Elder Moss, Laie, HI; Elder Lanham, Blanding, UT; Elder Wery, Belgium; and Elder Winkler, Hesperia, CA.

There is one more missionary in this group.  He arrived one week after the others in order to rehab his shoulder while in the MTC.  We are thrilled to have him here.

A stop at the Visitors Center allows Sister Lin (center) to meet some of the other sisters who are on shift - left to right: Sister Withers, Sister Chan, Sister Bechaver and Sister Miller.

Of course we stop at IHOP for breakfast.  The manager knows us and tries to get us all in one area.

Down the left side of the table:    Elder Winkler, Elder Peterson, Elder Centeno, Elder Moss, Elder Long, Elder Wery, Elder Lanham and Elder Hatch.
Down the right side of the table:  Elder Seo, Elder Branning, Sister Lin, Elder Wright, Elder Vaterlaus and Elder Pierucci.

So to be fair....from the other side...
Down the left side of the table: Elder Pierucci, Elder Vaterlaus, Elder Wright, Sister Lin, Elder Branning and Elder Seo.
Down the right side of the table:  Elder Lanham, Elder Wery, Elder Long, Elder Centeno, Elder Peterson, Elder Winkler.

Ready to eat - clockwise around the table from the left:  Elder Branning, Elder Seo, Elder Winkler, Elder Peterson and Elder Centeno.

Also ready to dive in clockwise around the table from the left: Elder Moss, Elder Long, Elder Winkler, Elder Lanham, Elder Hatch, President Matsumori, Elder Pierucci, Elder Vaterlaus, Elder Wright and Sister Lin.

One part of orientation is reviewing the mission rules that are found in the blue binders.  The blue binders also contains medical information,  uplifting talks and a copy of the mission song.

Left to right: Elder Long, Elder Centeno, Elder Lanham, Elder Wery, Elder Peterson (hidden), Elder Seo, Elder Moss and Elder Winkler.

Did you see the size of the meals these missionaries just ate at IHOP a few hours ago?  It doesn't matter.  They are ready for more food.

Left to right: Elder Vaterlaus (in the background); Elder Peterson, Elder Wery, Elder Pierucci, Elder Seo, Elder Wright, Elder Moss, Elder Hatch and Elder Long.

Left to right:  Sister Lorenzana, President Lorenzana, Elder Winkler, Elder Moss, Elder Pierucci and Elder Vaterlaus.

Clockwise around the table from the left: Elder Peterson, Elder Centeno, Elder Hatch, President Matsumori, Elder Seo, Sister Lin, Elder Long and Elder Branning.

Clockwise around the table from the left:  Elder Long, Elder Branning, Elder Lanham, Elder Wery, Elder Peterson, Elder Centeno and Elder Hatch.

Elder Peterson grabbed my camera and got a shot of me cleaning up.  I guess this proves that I do more than take pictures all day. 

We know that many missionaries arrive knowing how to play ping pong.  However, the way it is played for our activity often becomes a matter of luck as to who remains in the game and who ends up on the sofa.

Elder Wery, Elder Seo and Elder Branning.

This shows how difficult it is to get an action shot.  

So I try to take still shots - which are boring, but at least somewhat identifiable.  The pictures would be better if I used a flash, but then I 'd get kicked out of the room for being too distracting. This game is high pressure!!