A Gentle Stirring

An image shot by Vince in the "wilderness" behind

our apartment building here in Goffstown in late autumn.

Vines growing among the trees, entwining together in

absence of any larger, stronger tree nearby to grow up into.

I share it here because it represents the thoughtful ways

that Vince approaches his calling and assignments here.

As mission newsletter editor, I have offered him as VC

(Vehicle Coordinator) half a page space for a message

to the drivers and vehicle users within our large mission.

So far, his "advice" and directives ALWAYS appear with

a scriptural reference and a message. The January edition is

set to go "live" on Monday. His message with this picture

is about relying on each other for strength, 

with accompanying John 15:1 reference.

(I include this picture from our Sunday morning

"Come Follow Me" companion study. If it were a moving

image, you could see Vince gently stroke his palm across

the page as he reads and shares. Unconsciously, he

is demonstrating by this motion his love of the scriptures.)

We have come through another busy "Transfers" week,

as a new "batch" of missionaries arrives from training

in an MTC (usually Provo), transfer adjustments are

completed and announced, and arrangements made for

all whose location assignments and companionships

are being changed, and we celebrate the departing

missionaries who have completed their 18 or 24 months.

Transfer day involves those making changes coming to

the Manchester chapel building where the mission office is

to complete the changes, then departing for new assignments.

Since many of them travel long distances in, and then need

to drive long distances back, the tradition here is to offer

them food to consume here or on the road. Among the high-

lights is bagels from Panera with cream cheese.

Here Sister Sanders helps me bag them, for quick

grab-n-go service - the regular order is 10-11 dozen.

In the gym, the missionaries making adjustments

congregate and visit, greet companions and flight group

fellows they may not have seen recently, say good bye

to the departing Elders and Sisters, and gather their snacks.

 These two shots of the snacks table are practically

the same, but I couldn't find a much better angle to get

all into the shot. Love and friendship are part of

this happy commotion, and we always look forward

to the camaraderie and excitement that they bring.

This transfer, there was an extraordinarily high number

of adjustments made, and it seemed like the mission "pot"

received a gentle stirring - hence the post title.

This week marks the eight-months mark that we have

been serving. As I made mental note of all the young

missionaries that would be coming to Manchester,

I realized that nearly all of the Elders and Sisters that

we had a chance to see in Provo MTC before we drove

out (and they later flew out) to Manchester would be coming.

I was granted the slight delay that allowed us to gather and

celebrate our mission accomplishments thus far with a pic.

Elders Walker, Perrson, Warner; Sisters Warner,

Semadeni, Jossi, Stant and Knight.

Missing: Sister Worthington; Elders Johnson,

Peterson and Sears

A major unexpected change occurred that reassigned

the Assistants to the President (APs) who work here

in the office regularly, apart from usual finding

and teaching duties and activities. We have grown

to respect and admire and rely upon them, as usual.

We say "see you soon" to Elder Crum (shown here [r] with his

newly-arriving companion Elder Sessions who he will train).

And say "hello" to Elder White, who we already know and

love from regular interactions. He now is companion

and AP2 with Elder Beckstrand who formerly

served with Elder Crum.

 Following the older pattern, we traveled with

the three departing young missionaries to

Concord, MA, and visited the Old North Bridge,

this time in frigid cold temps and wind chill.

We also attempted to explore into the Sleepy Hollow

cemetery nearby, but the gates were all closed and locked

and we could see policemen and vehicles in

the near distance. Final stop was to the Alcott home

which was featured in the recently-released movie

"Little Women".

We recognized it easily, of course, when we viewed

the movie as our Friday night date the following day.

(Too bad about the caution tape and repairs being

done on the front steps.) It was after-hours, but we walked

around and peered into windows where we could.

Vince reports he was startled to realize a woman was

inside and moving around, and he at first thought it was

a ghost. But then realized she was using a cell phone -

and thought an apparition unlikely to do that.

Final stop for us as senior missionaries with these

accomplished teachers and testifiers was dinner

at the Old Colonial Inn at Concord.

Among the more difficult things we do is to say

"farewell" to these who depart. We have come to

love and rely on them.

Goodbye to Sisters Goldrup & Warburton and

to Elder Powell.

So, to follow the theme of this blog, I have been richly

blessed and my lamp filled this week by: Elder Warner's

unending devotion and creative, sensitive service;

the love and acceptance of the 90 young missionaries

with whom we visited this week, including those from

"our flight group" last May; from departing Sisters

& Elders who I will miss deeply; and from fellow seniors, too.

And so the Wheel of Time continues to turn.