Each transfer brings something new. This transfer included a late night arrival because of New Year's eve flight prices. But that doesn't dampen the excitement or enthusiasm of the new missionaries. It does change the order that things occur.
The new missionaries walk through the doors by 10:45 p.m.
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| The missionaries left the MTC at 8:30 this morning to get here. |
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| Loading the luggage into cars at night was different. |
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| Elder Parlogean helps put luggage into the van. |
Because of the late arrival, we didn't go to IHOP. Instead, we tackled pizza at midnight at the mission home. That is - the missionaries tackled pizza. I knew better than to think that I could eat that late and still sleep. But they did fine.
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| Around the table starting at the left: Elder Seymore, Elder Parlogean, Elder Queen, Sister Smith, Sister Engman and Elder Sanchez. |
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| Around the table beginning at the left: Sister Engman, Sister Chappell, Elder Sanchez, Elder Standing, Elder He, Elder Bigelow, Elder Christensen, Elder Seymore, Elder Parlogean and Elder Queen. |
We still stopped for the traditional pictures in front of the temple. This happened at 8:00 am. That means the missionaries had been in bed since 1:00 am and were awakened by 6:00 am in order to have breakfast and then travel to the temple. That's one way to get everyone on Eastern time.
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Front row left to right: Sister Chappell, Mesa, AZ; Sister Engman, SLC, UT; President and Sister Matsumori; Sister Smith, El Dorado Hills, CA; Elder He, San Francisco, CA.
Back row left to right: Elder Parlogean, Wonder Lake, IL; Elder Seymore, Queen Creek, AZ; Elder Christensen, Albion, ID; Elder Queen, Yucaipa, CA. |
Then we headed to the stake center where the missionaries were trained.
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| Left to right: Elder Queen, Elder Seymore, Elder Christensen, Elder He and Elder Parlogean. |
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| Elder Standing, Elder Sanchez and Elder Bigelow prepare for the training. |
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| Left to right: Elder He, Elder Parlogean, Sister Engman, Sister Smith and Sister Chappell. |
Following this meeting the new missionaries were able to meet their trainers. This meeting was combined with the usual transfer meeting where all of the missionaries learn about their new areas and companions. Because this meeting is held in the chapel, I didn't get any pictures. However, you should see pictures of the new missionaries and their trainers in a few weeks after they have their training meeting. Look for it then.
