Wednesday-we had Elders and Sisters visit today. Its always fun to visit with them. I received my commissary order today so I have lots of stuff again. It gets depleted soon though. We spent 500 dollars on PACs and DVDs and phamplets and BOM from different languages. We do not have to charge the Elders anymore for supplies< i am so glad.

I left early today to get my hair cut. Dad said I look like Sis. Porth, I was so mad because bless her heart she does nothing with her hair. Men!

We did some cooking to help Kelly out. They are cooking up at girls camp tomorrow night.

The Elders are so disappointed when they dont receive mail, I understand because we do not hear from anyone.

We have a new couple in the office training to take the Porths place. They are really nice. Just a couple of years older than we, yes we still are the old timers. Sis Crotts brings in all kinds of food and is constantly trying to feed us. The Porths have been going to the training meetings to bear their testimonies and say goodbye. I am keeping busy.

Monday reports need to happen. Last week we had trouble with the fax machine and they took all morning.
The reports went well. I think its hard for the Elders to have to fax in the reports before they start their P day. Elder Wright and Davis came by. There are big changes in the wards, creating a new stake. The Elders and the APs were working on those changes. This means that I have to relearn some of the areas and companionships. I have been so busy learning my job that I have let the referrals go. That is that part of my job is to keep the Elders updating their referrals. Elder Davis asked me what the percentage of the zone was and I justlooked at him like Duh. He showed me again what report indicated that and the percentage of reporting was pretty low.
Tuesday I called the zones with alot of unreported referrals and updated some and fix some of the errors, etc. I am anxious to see if it made a difference. I texted them as well and reminded them.
Everyone left w/o helping me figure out the new wards and stuff------

Sunday, church. We are not assigned a ward as yet. We need to be so we can get involved with the missionary work.

The 13th I tried to stay bored so the day would last longer. Danette is going to girls camp so she and Kelly have been busy preparing. We went swimming with Snells and then Maddy cooked dinner. It was yummy! Madison is going to girls camp as well. She is concerned about the 4th year hike but looking forward to it. The Dr. released her to go.

The 9th, 10th and 11th are zone training. One of my jobs is to do commissary. We have 8 zones in our mission. El Paso, Mount Franklin, New Mexico, Gila Valley, Sierra Vista, Rincon, Tucson, and Northwest. I text each zone leader and ask them to give me a list of supplies their zone needs and then I fill the order. The APs take it across the mission. It is a hard job for an old lady. The Book of Mormons come in a box of 40 books. They are heavy! I mark the zone on the boxes and pile everything up for that zone. That happens every month and then there are transfer times too.

Sunday

We went to church and said our goodbyes. WE had dinner for at Whitney's and then started for Az. Danette and I rode in the car, she did the driving. Dad rode in the truck. I kept worrying about him falling asleep. We stayed in Mesquite. Started out the next day after breakfast at McDonald's. We did alot of stopping, we old folks need to stretch our legs. I think we drove Danette crazy. she didn't say anything. We showed her the Belligo, however it is spelled. It is so pretty, she took pictures. I do not like this keyboard, I am typing on my laptop and I hit wrong keys and spaces.
Tues. we headed back to the office and doing that ever since. We usually get home about 6, clean up and go to bed. I have been reading and resting and then to sleep.
We went to dinner with the Porth's, they are nice people but talk about themselves constantly and butt in when your are talking. It gets annoying
Sat. P day, we met Melanie and the children and shopped alittle and had lunch. We then met Snells for a swim. I didn't go swimming because I am not supposed to get my incision wet. Jared took the stitches out Thurs. It is looking good for a scar on your face.

Sat.

We worked in the house and yard getting last minute things finished. We went to an Italian place, Gloria's, for dinner. It was so much fun. They had a young man singing to us as we ate.
We met a couple from the MTC there and visited with them and exchanged e-mails.
It was a fun night.

MTC

Monday the 1st we started in the MTC, Memorial Day. My dance group was dancing in Jackson Hole. We had a short day with an overview and get acquainted day. We received many supplies and teaching aids. Monday night we had the family over for dinner.
Tuesday we started to be taught. I was so stressed and upset. I didn't see the reason for being there, we weren't going to be teaching, I had things I needed to get done, I didn't like the food.
Wednesday through Fri. the spirit over powered me I was amazed at the things I was learning. The role plays were so real. We had about 4 situations to role play and resolve concerns and it was so spiritual. We had great trainers and leaders. I learned so much We also had lunch with Chris everyday.
Wednesday night we went to Dusty and Alexis' graduation. Da nette flew in from Az. She was a life saver. We couldn't have done it without her. I gave her a list

nd when I got home, she had it done. The other kids helped too. My kids are so awesome.

Sunday we were set apart after our block at church. Everyone was there(Utah) It w as very special and we were promised great blessings. I think the Lord loves all His missionaries!

May 21st- We received our Call!!

Guess where, the Arizona Tucson Mission Office. We really did wonder if there could be a change when it actually came. Sorena called from Whitney's and they read the letter to us over the phone. It is exciting and real. We wanted to go home the week of May 24th and get our affairs in order. Our papers said that we would go to the MTC on June 29th President did not like that idea. We left Friday after work and headed to Utah. On the road Pres. called and said we would go to the MTC on Monday. Well I kinda freaked because we already had so much to do and now we would be in the MTC all day. We arrived Sat. afternoon. It was exciting to see our family again! We missed them so much.

We have been learning our duties and waiting for our call. We have name badges and name plates but no authority yet. I feel good about some of the things I have learned and need more time on some others. I have the mail down pretty well. Monday morning reports are going ok. Every other Thursday I have three reports to run and haven't a clue. I finally got some out but not totally correct.

Messed up dates.

The posts about transfer and lunch etc. should have been May 12 and 13th. I really got confused. Then it was Mother's Day which I have already posted.

28th

The corporate office where the mission office is located had a customer appreciation lunch for all the clients in the building. It was catered and very nice. Three free meals this week. After lunch I was walking to the bathroom and noticed signs for a blood drive. I went up and asked if they were taking walk-ins. They had me fill out the paper work and read their stuff. Then it was time. There was a man giving as I was preparing and he almost past out. I got a little nervous but went through with it. I did it in record time for me, five and a half minutes! I told the woman that was helping me that I wanted to give back for my daughter who required two units after her ordeal having her baby. She was so touched, she got a little teary and told me to kiss Gracie for her. She said they liked to hear stories like that, it made they jobs worth while.

April 27th

We were again invited to the mission home for dinner. This time to say goodbye to the missionaries leaving the mission. We had a nice dinner and then had a testimony meeting. I was so glad we got to stay for that because it was very special to hear those Elders and one sister bear testimony and see their maturity compared to the new Elders alnd Sisters. I really enjoyed hearing President and Sister Walker's testimonies and council to these amazing young people.
A word about the home. It is a beautiful home on a hill above 1st and River. It has a dormitory room downstairs that the Elders slept in and the sister was upstairs. All their luggage was in the garage. They have a van that they use to transport them to the airport.
Sister Walker has a manservant who comes in and helps her with the dinners and I think other events. The house is furnished, but they have added some of their personal decorations and pictures.

26th of April-transfer day

Sister Walker invited the Porth's and us to their home (the mission home) for dinner and to meet the new Elders and Sister's coming in the mission. It was very nice. The food was delicious and the company was great. We didn't stay long because they have a testimony meeting and get acquainted with the President.

The workers were here on Sat. Monday we arrived a little early to put things back together. We had everything put back together and then the computers and phones wouldn't work. It took another hour or so to figure out the problem

The workers are coming to remodel our office. They will do it on Saturday so we had to empty the filing cabinets we didn't need and get other things out of the way. We will have new counter tops and new keyboards that are attached to the desk.

Catching up! We have been so busy and tired. I think I am finally catching up and feeling like I can do more than just my day at the office. I have had trouble learning my duties. Some days go ok and others I just want to go home. I have thought about Fran alot and would like to talk to her.