Thursday, February 19, 2015

Specialized Training of January 2015 New Missionaries


Back row L-R:  President, Elders Herring, Lematua, Martindale, Levi, Perrin
Second from back L-R:  Sisters Cooke, Casteneyra, Kirkland, Sundwall, Kennerley, Caldwell, Martinez, Phillips
Second from front L-R:  Sisters Mateaki, Washburn, Del Bosque, Whiteford, Maire, Nolte
Front row L-R:  Sisters Brimhall, Caparas, Gordon, Higginson, Luna-Chico, Hord, Everton

Group discussions on aspects of
Adjusting to Missionary Life







Companion Scripture Chase
(using only one hand from each companion)

Sisters Caparas and Nolte

Sisters Washburn and Everton

Sisters Brimhall and Phillips

Elders Martindale and Perrin

Sisters Caldwell and Kennerley

Sisters Maire and Whiteford

This is how a threesome companionship does this brand of scripture study
Elders Levi, Lematua and Herring 

Elders Martindale and Perrin

Sisters Luna-Chico and Hord

Sisters Sundwall and Mateaki

Sisters Washburn and Everton

Sisters Brimhall and Phillips

Sisters Kirkland and Del Bosque

Competition of First Vision Recitation
Shooting darts at the sequential phrases of the First Vision story scrambled on a board

Sisters Everton and Washburn start to unscramble phrases
while Elder Wilcox looks on

Sisters Gordon and Higginson respond
under  Elder Von Trapp's watch 


















Sisters Gordon and Higginson get the hang of it




Sisters Luna-Chico and Hord

Elder Von Trapp with Sisters Maire and Whiteford


And the winners of this round are… Sisters Everton and Washburn!

Skits by APs that test
companionships' mastery of the white handbook

Sisters Hord and Luna-Chico take on the opposing team of Sisters Washburn and Everton
with APs Wilcox and VonTrapp refereeing 
At the end of the day,
the winning prize of new scarves goes to
Sisters Luna-Chico and Hord






Sunday, February 1, 2015

January 2015 Arrivals

We began 2015 by welcoming in
three new elders and ten new sisters

Back row L-R:  Elders Levi, Martindale, Ekberg, the President, Sisters Maire, Washburn, Kennerley, and Sister Cooke
Front row L-R:  Sisters Luna-Chico, Martinez, Brimhall,  Higginson, Nolte, Del Bosque, Mateaki

Getting directions from the President at the airport
before boarding the Metro




On to the deck of the Metro




Arrival at the temple visitors' center

Back row:  Elders Levi and Ekberg with President and Sister Maire
Middle row:  Elder Martindale, Sisters Kennerley, Washburn, Higginson, Brimhall and Del Bosque
Front row:  Sisters Luna-Chico, Mateaki, Cooke, Martinez, Nolte
Welcome, new mission family members!





Friday, January 30, 2015

January 2015 Departures

Sister Austin joins Elders Hansen, Johnson, Peterson and Whitlock in back
and Elders Farley and Owens in front
at Reagan National Airport just before checking on to their flights home

A few days earlier, 
at the departure dinner at the Mission Home…

… the first order of business is for each departing missionary to create a personalized page for the Cookes' scrapbook...
Elders Owens and Farley
Elder Peterson


Elder Whitlock

Elder Johnson


… and to mark your favorite scripture in the Cookes' set.

Elder Hansen
Elder Farley
and J.S. Armstrong (Pres' 1st counselor & dear friend)

Elder Farley worked especially closely with our dear friend, J.S., and mastered a wonderful imitation of J.S.' "Jimmy Stewart" style of speaking.  We captured a few seconds of it here:



Dinner is a must.


President with Elders Hansen, Johnson, Owens and Whitlock

Elders Farley,& Peterson with J.S. Armstrong, our daughter Elizabeth and Sister Austin


After dinner, it's story time… with each departing missionary sharing one of their favorite funny moments during their mission.


Elder Hansen tells his story while Elders Peterson and Whitlock listen

Elder Whitlock

Elder Farley

Elders Peterson and Hansen

Pres Cooke with our son Howard and AP Elder Wilcox (not leaving yet!)

Elder Peterson


Elder Johnson and J.S. Armstrong

Elder Whitlock

Elder Johnson

Sister Austin

L-R:  Elders Wilcox. Johnson, J.S., Elders Peterson, Hansen and Whitlock
Sister Austin


Elder Owens

Our son Joe listens to Elder Owens
Finally, the President presents service coins
 with a handshake and a hug.

Pres Cooke explains the insignia and significance of the service coins before presenting them individually.

Pres Cooke embracing Elder Johnson after presenting his coin.

Elder Johnson watches as Elder Peterson gets his coin and Elder Hansen waits his turn.


Elder Hansen

Elder Farley

The evening traditionally ends with singing the mission song,
"Testify of Me"
Elders Johnson, Peterson, Hansen, Whitlock, Farley, J.S. Elder Owens, President and Sister Austin

The only problem with letting Sister Cooke accompany is that the song will be …
… very energetic (fast & furious)!

Final Testimonies at Transfer Meeting

Elder Farley
Sister Austin


Elder Johnson
Elder Hansen

Then, off to the Airport!

At Reagan National Airport

With a few minutes before boarding, we enjoyed the "rocking chair lounge" that looks out over the tarmac.


Farewell, dear friends!