May 9, 2021- We Made It - Week 1- Done!

Hey Everyone,

It has been so good to hear from you this week in various ways. Definitely helps with not feeling so distanced from you.

We made it through week 1. Things are mostly settled and where we can find them in the apartment and we made it through 9-5 M-F jobs.

Our first week has been training with the junior missionaries who have been doing what we will be doing while no one else has been in the office. Sometimes tedious, sometimes helpful.

Dad has a lot to deal with when it comes to the vehicles, so I think his head hurts everyday when we get home. I'm sure he will give more detail when he adds to this email.

I will be doing all things that need to be recorded. Convert info submitted to Church, mission newsletter, mission history that has to be submitted to Church yearly, keeping up with the area book and referrals, taking missionary pictures and all food for various missionary events like transfers and zone conferences. So we will both stay busy.

We had a mission tour with a General Authority 70 this week - it was all zoom. So that meant a 2 hour zoom meeting each day Wed - Fri But his messages were very well thought out and tied together. I think all of us gained in some way by our participation. I left my notes at the office, so I will share some insights at another time.

The other 2 couples that are in the office with us are pretty easy to get along with, so that should make for an okay work environment. I have been walking in the mornings with Sister Blackham, the mission nurse. We seem very similar in many ways. She and her husband, who does finance, are from Richfield UT.

The other couple, the Bredthauers, are from Farmington UT and for me seem a little harder to get to know. Dad visits with them at lunchtime but I don't usually eat lunch. She is the office secretary, so we work pretty close together on some tasks. He is the housing guy.

When Dad asked what I wanted for Mother's Day, I suggested that we go to Maine and get lobster. So Saturday that is what we did! Dad found a place with great reviews and it did not disappoint. Afterwards, we took a walk through the Odiorne state park to the coast of the Atlantic Ocean- a rocky coastline in this location- complete with a lighthouse. I've attached some pictures for you to enjoy.

Well the goal is to not make every email an entire book!! We have had a good first week. We hope all has gone well for each of you. Remember we want to know what you are doing also! This is not just about us - but all of us.

We will stay in touch and look forward to hearing from each of you as well.

Love you lots,

Mom

Hello!

We went from 10 MPH to 90 on Monday, and for me it won't slow down much. I'll have daily, weekly and monthly tasks that require pretty constant interaction with our missionaries--collecting odometer readings and gas receipts, coordinating oil changes, counseling our lead-footed elders and sisters on avoiding getting driving rights suspended, preparing cars for sale,

swapping out newer cars for older, and answering random questions about why gas cards aren't working and why their TIWI (driver monitoring system) is giving them fits. We seem to have a generally conscientious group of drivers, but still have those that like to speed, brake hard, and turn vigorously.

We did enjoy the trip to Maine for lobster and our first view of the Atlantic. We decided the next land mass east of us is Portugal, so nothing between here and there. More weekend trips to follow, built around our Saturday MTC Devotionals. We'll give up a few things like our open time and not being able to leave the mission, but its all good.

Good to see you all this past weekend.

Love, Dad