Week 65--Just a typical week

We were bitten by the family history bug!  We've both been feeling like we need to do family history work but we just didn't know how or where to begin (again--we've tried before).  When the Whiteheads came to serve in our mission we learned that they had been family history missionaries before coming here.  They graciously offered to help us "get started."  So last Sunday afternoon, they gave us our first lessons.  John was taught how to do research in Scotland and found his great grandfather!  Each day since, he has been adding tiny pieces to his puzzle.  Anyone who has done family history work knows how fast the time goes and what a long process it can be.

A glimpse into John's office as he receives instruction.

I have always like the painting by Jean-Francois Millet, "The Gleaners."  Beginning this process of family history work has made me feel like a gleaner, going into the fields after the harvest to collect what has fallen by the wayside, to gather my own harvest.  On both sides of my family, research has been done back several generations, so Sister Whitehead suggested the I just find the individuals who need temple work done, which is indicated with a green temple on Family Search.  In just this week, I have found 5!  That's not a bad start for only a few hours of work.


Tuesday we made lunch for MLC, which meant Monday we went shopping for 6 kg of hamburger, 40 buns, assorted veggies, fruit, potato salad and chips.  Sister Youngberg usually makes this meal, but they had visiting family, so we offered.  I used her sloppy-joe recipe and John helped by crumbling the hamburger, which we cooked in 3 batches.  One kg fits perfectly into our frying pan.  It all turned out very well and everyone enjoyed eating out on the patio.  Sis. Youngberg has a helper who set the table and did all the clean up, so our efforts were basically at home and transporting the food.  The hungry group ate ALL the food!! There were 29 people including us and Youngbergs daughter, son-in-law (who were visiting) and the helper, Orashan.

MLC is at the Mission Leadership Council.  I had been impressed with the mission organization and the leadership responsibilities (and training ) the young missionaries receive.  The MLC is composed of the Mission President and his wife, the 2 Assistants, and a zone leader (male) and sister training leader (female) from each zone.  These council meets for a day every 6 weeks to discuss concerns, be trained and to plan and receive assignments for the  the upcoming zone conference.  During the week, along with their regular missionary duties, the zone leaders are responsible for collecting reports from the district leaders, who have collected information from each missionary in their district.  Every 6 weeks they also '"split" with the district leaders,  where each companion spends 24 hours training their counterpart district leaders.  One set goes to the zone leaders' area, and the other goes to the district leaders' area.  They encourage, support, and train, as they do their regular missionary work during these "work-overs" or "splits."  The same supportive training happens with the assistants and the zone leaders, and the regular missionaries.

In addition to this interaction, the president receives a private letter from each missionary every week, to which he responds.   He also interviews every missionary,  every 6 weeks, so he is well aware of their needs, their growth, their successes and their struggles.  His has a tremendous responsibility!  (And that is only part of his responsibilities!)

One Wednesday and Friday we did apartment checks.  Every quarter a missionary's apartment is checked.  They are supposed to clean it every p-day.  Some missionaries do a better job than others, but at least the apartments get cleaned when we come to visit!  We enjoy sharing a spiritual message with these good missionaries to encourage them and compliment them on their efforts.

On our way to check an apartment, we saw this sign.  John asked, "How big do the frogs grow here in Sweden?!"

Wednesday night was Elder Berlin's birthday, one of the Assistants who lives upstairs.  He requested Cafe Rio, like I did a couple of weeks ago and chocolate chip cookies, rather than a cake.  Of course, we fed the whole gang and two extra missionaries who happened to be here!

Elder Berlin and Cafe Rio!  

Elders Beveridge, Lee, Wilson, Berlin, Sirrine, Olson, Harden

Saturday was the baptism of a young man named Jonathan.  He is very serious, thoughtful and has so much potential!  He even bore his testimony at his own baptism!  What an impressive young man!

Elder Olson, Jonathan, and Elder Buchanan

We continue to be grateful to be here, to associate with these fine missionaries, the members and the people we meet.  What a blessing!