Transfers!!

Dear Family,

Our new housemates are here.  We drove up to Birmingham to meet the Sisters and show them the way to Camden.  We had not been to Transfer Meetings before.  WOW!  What a spiritual HIGH.  We drove up to the building and the whole front entry inside and out is filled with suitcases and stuff!  We went inside the door and the buzz of excitement was electrifying.  The Young Missionaries talking and laughing like they hadn’t seen each other in years.  Once we entered the chapel, excite4d chatter changed to an excited anticipation.  At this point, each Missionary just knew he/she was to be transferred to a new area, but they didn’t know where.  As we waited to start the meeting, President Hanks told us there had been a big accident on the freeway ( No injuries) but that two companionships had not yet arrived.  He asked that we sing some hymns while we waited.  Grandpa and I were sitting on the second row, just behind the NEW Missionaries that had just arrived the night before.  We started to sing, then Grandpa leaned over and said “Don’t sing...just listen”  What a beautiful heavenly choir of Missionaries.  We just sat there with tears rolling down our cheeks.  In this world were there is so much unhappiness and such unrest....and there we were with about 150 wonderful, happy young brothers and sisters in the Gospel.  It was so wonderful; I can’t even begin to explain. At one point in the meeting, the AP stands at the pulpit and on the screen behind him, he pulls up the pictures of the new companionships and announces where they will serve for the next 6 weeks.  In this quite room, the two names called, stand up and find each other with a hug and a strong pat on the back and move to their new seats together.   After a very powerful and motivating meeting, we have the final song and prayer and move outside to the parking lot.  It looks like a Stake Camping trip as the missionaries get all their gear, match up with their drivers and help each other pack BIG suitcases and all their other stuff into TOO small of cars....but every piece gets tugged, pulled and punched till everything is packed in.  Slowly the cars and vans leave the parking lot and TRANSFER is completed.  For 6 weeks.!   We will NOT miss another Transfer meeting while we are here....even though it is  2 ½ hours away.   

Our Sisters are terrific!  Sister Conant is from Bothel, Washington and Sister Houston is from Kaysville.  They are diligent and hard working.  Right this minute, they are in the other room singing a hymn before they start their planning meeting for tomorrow.  They went out tracting after we had our Sunday dinner and found a Lady and her son who want to hear more about the Gospel.  Saturday they had a wonderful experience with one of our less active couples.  The Camden Branch and the Town of Camden are blessed to have all of us here.   

Again, we thank you for keeping us posted with pictures and texts.  It was great to see Derek arrive home and watch as you each welcomed him.  We could feel of your love and excitement to see him.  Aunt Marilyn said his Homecoming was wonderful and how good it was to be there with family and friends.  We love you!!  Grandma and Grandpa