KEEPIN' ON

Not much to report.  We're still gearing up for the end-of-month onslaught of new missionaries.  At a planning meeting on Monday we spent two hours working out new housing, new cars, etc., when suddenly the President said, "We need a lot more phones!"  I'm sure we still haven't thought of everything.  Two missionaries arrived yesterday and another will come on the 19th, so the total for the 26th is down to 30.  Normally the flight from Salt Lake gets them here around 1:30.  President asked to send them on an earlier flight.  Can you imagine trying to interview 30 missionaries in one afternoon and be able to make companion assignments to begin the next morning?

The mission was audited last weekend.  We passed with flying colors.  The auditor remarked that he couldn't estimate the cost of paying for all the administrative work that is done on a volunteer basis...but he knows the Church could never afford to pay it.  With the increase of the young missionaries, there will be need for many more senior missionaries.  That's a qualified plug for missionary service....make sure you take your own companion.

Speaking of seniors, in April we'll receive 4 single senior sisters under a new program designated as Ward/Auxiliary Support Missionaries.  Working with stake presidents, they will be assigned to specific wards, I suppose much like the innercity missions in Utah.  In other words, they're callin' in the Relief Society, big time.  One of the sisters is 75 years old and has served 7 previous missions.

I've taken on additional duties.  The new car czar doesn't want to deal with bicycles, so he gave the job to me.  I guess that makes me the "wheeler dealer."  I've been coordinating bike sales between departing and arriving missionaries.  I'm still spending time with Sister Langi, of the broken kneecap.  She's a lot of help to me in the office.