Monday, February 24, 2014

Feb 2014 Transfer/Testimony Meeting

The line-up of departing missionaries waiting their turn to testify included (from far left on front row)
Elder Peterson, Sisters Bullock, Clement, Nakatsuka and Tuft,
Elders Schoemig, Lanham, Neibaur, Winkler and Centeno


 We said Good-bye to four fabulous "Seasoned Couples" as well as eleven youngsters.
Elder and Sister Jackson

Sister and Elder Porter
Elder and Sister Neibaur

               






                   The Siegs were the fourth couple,
                but were not able to attend this meeting.
Sisters Clement and Nakatsuka watch Sister Bullock

Sister Bullock
Sister Clement
Sisters Bullock, Clement and Tuft
Sister Nakatsuka





Sister Tuft


Sisters Bullock, Clement and Nakatsuka

Elder Peterson

Elder Vaterlaus

Elder Schoemig

Elder Lanham

Elder Winkler
Elder Centeno


Elders Winkler and Centeno

Elder Winkler next to the Neibaurs

The final singing of the Mission Song


February 2014 Arrivals

Sisters Turley, Hansen, Phillips, Black and Elders Simons, Tracy and Fisher
with the President and me at our beautiful temple
From Reagan National Airport,
we took the Metro to the Temple and Visitors' Center

Sisters Hansen and Black, Elders Simons and Fisher
President and me,
Elder Tracy and Sisters Phillips and Turley

Then on to the Mission Home for Dinner, Training & Testimonies

The new crew of seven, plus Elder and Sister Colson
just arrived the same day to serve in the Mission Office

Sister Training Leaders, Sister Leben and Smith on the left
Visitors Center Director, Elder and Sister Eyring
Elder Neibaur in the white shirt with Sister Neibaur in red
Elder and Sister Pearson with the Mission Office, standing
Sister Mercedes Lorenzana on the right

Sisters Phillips and Pearson
Breakfast the next morning in the Mission Home

Elder Fisher took care of the waffles



Elder Simons prepared fruit
Elder Tracy handled the bacon
Elder Fisher, SIsters Phillips, Turley and our daughter Elizabeth











Sisters Black and Hansen with Elders Simons and Tracy
On to the Visitors' Center to meet Trainers and receive iPads



Elder Wood, one of the trainers, and Elder Simons

Sisters Graff, Phillips, Johnson, Black

Elder Johnson will train Elder Simons

Elder Gold will train Elder Fisher


Elder Tracy will be trained by Elder Wood
Sister Johnson will train Sister Black
Sister Graff will train Sister Hansen


Sorry I didn't get a photo of Sisters Turley and Hansen who will be trained by Sister Bascom

Thursday, February 20, 2014

February 2014 Departures Evening at the Mission Home

Valentines' Day Celebration of 
Eleven Missionaries Finishing Valiantly

While they rotate through their departing interviews with the President, each missionary creates a scrapbook page for our Book of Remembrance.



J.S. Armstrong (Pres' Exec. Sec'y) and Elder Schoemig
Elder Vaterlaus

Elder Peterson





Sisters Tuft, Bullock and Nakatsuka
 After dinner, we go around the room hearing everyone's favorite "mission war story"


Elder Centeno
Sister Nakatsuka
Sister Bullock
Elder Lanham

Sister Clement
Elder Peterson

Elder Lanham



Sister Bullock, Elders Peterson, Vaterlaus and Centeno

Sisters Tuft and Clement






Elder Moss


Elder Centeno

Elder Schoemig


Elder Vaterlaus
Elder Winkler





I congratulate them on nobly completing this "victory lap"
which will launch them on to their next adventures

The President explains the service coins
he is about to present
Elders Moss, Schoemig and Peterson




Each coin is delivered through a handshake

Our dear friends, Sister & Elder Neibaur, also get coined
as they complete their invaluable service in the mission office

 Singing the Mission Song:  "Testify of Me"
Elders Moss, Schoemig, Peterson, Centeno, Vaterlaus, Winkler and Lanham

Sisters Tuft, Clement and Bullock
Sisters Tuft, Clement and Nakatsuka







"We are family….. I got my four sistas and me!"
PLEASE go to the CookeCrew YouTube channel to watch these ladies' parting ballad,
"Don't Worry; Be Happy."

J.S. Armstrong has a long tradition (several decades, in fact)
of sharing generously with the missionaries
his Brooks Brother ties and See's Chocolates!

Parting Note
The President and I are hugely blessed to have the services and friendship of
J.S. Armstrong and Sister Connell in numerous administrative responsibilities.
They are each superb!