The Wave Keeps Coming: The July Transfers

        It could easily be termed a tsunami, this wave that started for us in March and keeps on coming. Tsunamis are caused by under sea earthquakes that get the water moving and have long range impact, not unlike the announcement made last October that motivated so many young people to send in their missionary papers. But unlike literal tsunamis that wreak havoc and destruction, our mighty wave continues to be filled with blessings. 

        The thirty-one missionaries who rounded the corner at the Lousiville airport were a sight to behold. Tired from the long day of travel, which began for them at 1:30 am and ended at 4:15 pm, they still radiated excitement and enthusiasm, to finally be here and able to start their actual missions. A few were delayed back at Baggage Claim trying to locate their lost luggage, but most quickly made their way to the fleet of vehicles assembled in the parking garage and hence to the Mission Home about ten minutes away.

While waiting for the arrival, Sister Trainer Leaders,
Sister Mickelson, and Sister Vikari, took a minues to chat
with the Colonel

We temporarily had three Assistants to the President,
Elder Quick, Elder Anderson, newly-called, and
Elder Daynes, heading home in two days 

Yeah! They're here!
Elder Larsen, Elder Adams(?), Elder Black(?)

Sister Rounds, Sister Webster, Sister Bushman, Hermana Binks

Sister Webster, Hermana Binks, Sister Atkin, Sister Anderson 

Elder Lynch,, Elder Engstrom, Elder Hansen, Elder Kaegi,
Elder Co. Johnson, Elder Jonas, Elder Pollock, Elder Ch. Johnson

What an impressive group!

Top: Elder Evans, Elder Kaegi, Elder Hansen, Elder J. Anderson, Elder ENgstrom, ELder Benham, Elder Ch. Johnson

Middle: Sister Vikari, Elder Quick, Elder M. Anderson, Elder Larsen, Elder Adams, Elder Black, Elder Jonas, Elder Lynch. Elder Pollock, Elder Pyper, Elder Vidaure, Elder Spaulding, Elder Moon, Elder Co. Johnson

Front: Sister Mickelsen, Sister Brian, Sister Webster, Sister Winslow, Sister Singleton, Sister Atkin, Sister Ellsworth, Sister Anderson, Sister Rounds, Sister Esquerra, Elder Inga

Coming down the escalator

And coming...
Elder Inga

And coming...
Elder Evans, Elder Fletcher

And coming...
Elder Moon, Elder J. Anderson, Elder Quick

And coming...
Sister Ellsworth, Sister Winslow, Hermana Binks

And coming...
Elder Black

And coming...
Elder Larsen

Still coming...
Sister Bolliger and Sister Bushman

And coming...
Sister Vikari and Sister Brian

We made it down the escalator!
Elder Jonas and Elder Kaegi

        Interviews with the President began immediately and continued until about midnight, while Sister Woodbury did Orientation and procured various paperwork. At dinner we were joined by Elder and Sister Bolliger from the Mission Office, then all moved downstairs for a special skit and Testimony Meeting. Those who had already had their interviews dive-bombed exhausted into bed and the others waited patiently until their turn came for their interview.

At the Mission Home waiting for dinner
Elder Adams, ELder Kaegi, Elder Spaulding, Elder Jonas

Sister Webster

Elder Fletcher

Sister Winslow

Elder Evans

Sister Anderson

Elder Lynch

Elder Engstrom

Sister Singleton

Elder Hansen

Elder Larsen

Sister Rounds

Elder M. Anderson

Elder Vidaure

Sister Esquerra

Elder (Christopher) Johnson

Elder (Cody) Johnson

Sister Atkin

Elder Black

Elder Inga

Elder Adams

Sister Ellsworth

Elder Kaegi

Elder Jonas

Hermana Binks

Elder Pyper

Elder Benham

Sister Brian

Elder Pollock

Sister Bushman

Elder Spaulding

Elder Moon

        Bright and early Tuesday morning we had a hot breakfast followed by Companionship Study conducted by the Assistants to the President and a talk about finances by Elder Bolliger. Happily, the missing luggage was delivered about 9:00 to the relief of the effected missionaries. Lots of pictures were taken individually and collectively, then once again everyone loaded up the various cars and vans for the ten minute ride over to the church across the parking lot from the Mission Office. 

Role-plays during Companionship Study

Elder Inga with President and Sister Woodbury 

Elder Pyper with President and Sister Woodbury

Hermana Binks with President and Sister Woodbury

Elder Kaegi with President and Sister Woodbury

Sister Rounds with President and Sister Woodbury 

Elder Pollock with President and Sister Woodbury

Sister Anderson with President and Sister Woodbury

Sister Webster with President and Sister Woodbury

Sister Ellsworth with President and Sister Woodbury

Elder Johnson with President and Sister Woodbury

Elder Anderson with President and Sister Woodbury 

Elder Benham with President and Sister Woodbury

Sister Bushman with President and Sister Woodbury

Elder Moon with President and Sister Woodbury

Elder Spaulding with President and Sister Woodbury 

Elder Vidaure with President and Sister Woodbury

Elder Engstrom with President and Sister Woodbury

Sister Winslow with President and Sister Woodbury

Sister Esquerra with President and Sister Woodbury

Sister Singleton with President and Sister Woodbury

Elder Jonas with President and Sister Woodbury

Elder Hansen with President and Sister Woodbury

Elder Lynch with President and Sister Woodbury

Elder Adams with President and Sister Woodbury

Elder Johnson with President and Sister Woodbury

Elder Evans with President and Sister Woodbury

Sister Brian with President and Sister Woodbury

Sister Atkin with President and Sister Woodbury

Elder Fletcher with President and Sister Woodbury

Elder Black with President and Sister Woodbury

Elder Larsen with President and Sister Woodbury

Far back: Elder Moon, Elder Larsen, Elder Evans, Elder Kaegi, Elder Spaulding, Elder Pollock, Elder Johnson
Back: Sister Rounds, Sister Webster, Elder Benham, Elder Johnson, Elder Jonas, Elder Vidaure, Elder Fletcher, Elder Anderson, Elder Pyper, Sister Esquerra
Sitting: Sister Ellsworth, Sister Singleton, Hermana Binks, Sister Anderson, President Woodbury, Sister Atkin, Sister Winslow, Sister Brian, Sister Bushman
Front: Elder Lynch, Elder Inga, Elder Engstrom, Elder Adams, Elder Black, Elder Hansen

        This was the biggest Transfer we've had not only because of the number of incoming missionaries, but also the departing missionaries and the largest ever number of people being transferred around the mission. The departing missionaries had their chance to give their parting Words of Wisdom, then the announcement was made of the new Elders and Sisters and their Trainers. "Called to Serve" was sung GKLM-style, then the rest of the Transfers were called out. The meeting ended with "God Be With You Til We Meet Again" in honor of those who had finished their missions and were going home the next day. 

Outside before the Transfer Meeting

Elder Cahmbers, Elder Howard, Elder LeFevre, Elder Johnson,
Elder Caldwell, Elder Fackrell

Sister Pisciotta, Sister Short
Wonderful member missionary Sister Blackwell, and Sister Kan

        It took some doing to get the Trainers and Trainees downstairs to their Training Meeting, since everyone loves to see each other and take pictures, but with some nudging it happened. Afterward those involved met again on the main floor for lunch along with the departing Elders and Hermanas, some miscellaneous missionaries, and the kind members who were providing rides. (110 people) 

After Transfer Meeting

Elder Evans and Elder Butcher

Elder B. Johnson, Elder Moorhouse, Elder Behling

Elder Howard and Elder Thomas

Sister Egbert, Sister Brian, Sister Ellsworth, Sister Munk

Elder Carly and Elder Benham 

Elder Roskelley, Elder Lowe, Elder Crichton, Elder Daynes

Hermana Arancibia, Hermana Bunkall, Hermana Carnahan,
Hermana Messerly, Hermana Binks

Hermana Mason and Hermana Evans 

Elder Vidaure and Elder Blauer

Elder Miller, Elder Spaulding, Elder Pyper

Elder Barlow, Elder Hansen, Elder Carson

Elder Moon, Elder Dursteler, Elder Gallager, Elder Stohel, Elder Kaegi,
Elder Tuttle, Elder Carson, Elder Hansen, Elder Johnson,
Elder Crook, Elder Leake

Sister Mickelsen, Sister Vikari, Elder Tracy, Elder Gallagher,
Elder Pritchett, Elder Carson Elder Behling, Elder Skousen, Elder Hansen,
Elder Frisby, Elder Allen, Elder Champion, ELder Beale, Elder Blauer,
Elder Sainsbury, Elder Howard, Elder St. Martin, Elder Vidaure,
Elder Daynes, Elder Leake

Elder Daynes, Elder Rigby, Elder Thomas

Elder Crook, Elder Moorhouse, Elder Rich

Elder Anderson, Elder Stoddard, Elder Benham

Elder Hawes, Elder Larsen, Elder Chambers, Elder Dye,
Elder Fry, Elder Carter, Elder Jacobsen

Hermana Okey

Elder Tuttle and others in front of the Mission Office

        More pictures ensued, this time by the sign in front of the Mission Office, then the new companionships took off to their new areas, loaded up with all their bags and whatever mail, bikes, and packages that were waiting for them.

Sister Woodbury, Sister Kankamp, Sister Bushman

Sister Woodbury, Hermana Messerly, Hermana Binks, President Woodbury

Sister Woodbury, Elder Carly, Elder Benham, President Woodbury

Sister Woodbury, Elder Behling, Elder Adams, President Woodbury

Sister Woodbury, Sister Egbert, Sister Brian

Sister Woodbury, Elder Champion, Elder Johnson, President Woodbury

Sister Woodbury, Elder Crichton, Elder Black, President Woodbury

Sister Woodbury, Sister Rounds, Sister Dickerson, Sister Singleton

Sister Woodbury, Elder Stohel, Elder Moon, President Woodbury

Sister Woodbury, Elder C. Anderson, Elder Johnson, President Woodbury

Sister Woodbury, Elder Knudsen, Elder Inga, President Woodbury 

Sister Woodbury, Sister Munk, Sister Ellsworth, President Woodbury

Sister Woodbury, Elder Jacobson, Elder Engstrom, President Woodbury

Sister Woodbury, Elder Jonas, Elder J. Johnson, President Woodbury

Sister Woodbury, Elder Loser, Elder Pollock, President Woodbury

Sister Woodbury, Elder Crook, Elder Spaulding, President Woodbury

Sister Woodbury, Elder (Tyler) Johnson, Elder Kaegi, President Woobury

Sister Woodbury, Sister Short, Sister Winslow, President Woodbury

Sister Woodbury, Elder Carson, Elder Hansen, President Woodbury 

Sister Woodbury, Elder Robison, Elder Fletcher, President Woodbury

Sister Woodbury, Sister Esquerra, Sister Roberts, Sister Atkin,
President Woodbury

Sister Woodbury, Sister Tripp, Sister Webster, President Woodbury

Sister Woodbury, Sister Jensen, Sister Anderson, President Woodbury

Sister Woodbury, Elder Blauer, Elder Vidaure, President Woodbury

Sister Woodbury, Elder Hawes, Elder Larsen, President Woodbury

Sister Woodbury, Elder Tuttle, Elder Co. Johnson, President Woodbury

Sister Woodbury, Elder Butcher, Elder Evans, President Woodbury

Sister Woodbury, Elder Stoddard, Elder Anderson, President Woodbury

Sister Woodbury, Elder Meisel, Elder Pyper, President Woodbury

After serving here for eight months as a Visa Waiter,
Elder Castillo finally got his visa to Argentina!

Hermana Okey, Hermana Gomm, Sister Woodbury, President Woodbury, Elder Johnson, Elder Rigby, Elder Moorhouse, Elder Leake, Elder Rost, Elder Gill, Elder Beagley, Elder Ferguson-Villegas, Elder Rowley, Elder Dye, Elder Ahern, Elder Howard, Elder Daynes

        After a brief stop at the Mission Home, the departing Elders and Hermanas traveled to the Louisville Temple for a special session just for us. 

At the Louisville Temple
Top step: Elder Halverson, Elder Leake, Elder Moorhouse, Elder Rigby, Elder Bolliger
Third step: Sister Halverson, Elder Johnson, Elder Castillo, Sister Bolliger

Second step: Elder Howard, Elder Rost, Elder Beagley, Elder Ahern
First step: President Woodbury, Elder Ferguson-Villegas, Elder Gill
Front: Sister Woodbury, Hermana Gomm, Hermana Okey, Elder Rowley, Elder Dye, Elder Daynes 

This is what it looked like right above us

        Back at the Mission Home they had dinner with us, Exit Interviews with the President, a tender and moving Testimony Meeting, and a few group parlor games.

One more "Missionary Medley" for the road..

.Elder Gill, Hermana Okey, Hermana Gomm, Sister Woodbury, Elder B. Johnson

Elder Beagley at the piano caption

        Wednesday morning, after breakfast, it was time to say good bye to the wonderful Elders who comprised the August 2011 arrival group, and the Hermanas from March 2012. As hard as it was to say goodbye, we did it with love and appreciation, for all the good they did, and the men and women of God their service made of them. 

Elder Daynes

Elder Beagley

Elder Howard

Elder Moorhouse

Elder Gill

Elder Dye

Elder Leake

Elder Rost

Elder Rowley

Elder Rigby

Elder Ahern

Elder Johnson

Elder Ferguson-Villegas

Hermana Okey

Hermana Gomm

We'll miss them!

Elder Beagley and his parents