Last Transfer Day in the Mission

This morning we went to the airport to receive the new Latino missionaries.  On both sides of Dad are Elder Mis, Elder Rodas, Elder Caleras, and Elder Barrientos.  Some are from South America.  We fed and trained them and got them out into their areas with their trainers.  They are all good young men with testimonies.  We are excited for what they bring to the mission.

Later that day we returned to the airport to pick up the Americans that were to arrive.  Our assistants, of course, Elder Gonzalez and Elder Mendez, came with us and also Elder Castro who would be the trainer of one of the Americans.  What happened was not unual.  We arrived and the plane was delayed and would not be arriving until about 9:00 pm so....

we took the 3 of them to eat at Carl's Jr.   A real treat for them.  More like a heart attack for us.  Elder Castro asked if the assistants always got to do these things and we quickly assured him that they also had to be in their houses by 9:00 at night unless they were with us.

These are two young men we will miss very much.  Elder Gonzalez and Elder Mendez. 

Finally, the very tired Americans made it to Tampico.  Elder Johnson...

and Elder Olsen.

So enthusiastic.  We took them back to the mission home for something quick to eat so they could get some sort of rest before the training would begin tomorrow.

The next morning we found Elder Gonzalez in the office cleaning the bathroom.  We had asked the office elders to help spiff up the office for the arrival of the Jordan's.  They went the extra mile and took on the bathroom.

Even Elder Castro helped in the supply room while he waited for his companion to be trained.

They even tackled the disgusting mini refrigerator we have in the office.  The poor thing isn't frost free and there are always surprises in it.  I don't think I'd want to leave something in there.  But when they finished it was immaculate.  Bien hecho.

This sweet sister does all the carpet cleaning at the mission home and the office.  She is a wonderful woman with a young, busy family.  Her husband has a leadership position in their ward.  She has been very kind to us.

I just had to include a couple of pictures of what the mission home looked like the week the Jordan's would arrive.  The cleaning crews cleaned out the pantry and every cabinet to clean.  The entire house actually looked like this.  It made the leaving a bit easier.  The place that normally was a refuge of peace for us was a place of chaos.

There were workmen or all sorts cleaning and repairing.  the night before they arrived it was still chaos and we wondered how it was all going to work. 

We actually moved out a few days before they arrived to give the FM group and their crew greater liberty to do what needed to be done and to give us some peace.

The day before we were leaving Mexico, the day the Jordan's would arrive, we just hoped and prayed for the best.

Rosario came to the office to bring us a gift and to say goodbye.

She was not just our housekeeper but a tutor, a protector, a translator, a teacher of the culture and a dear friend.  We may never see her again.  She has tried to get a visa to come to the U.S. and has been refused.  She only wants to come to visit her daughter and granddaughter that live in New York.  We truly love her. 

Two assistants, two trainers (very young in the mission trainers), and two very green missionaries off to the office for training.



And we took them to lunch since we didn't have a house and kitchen to prepare something for them.  We ate at one of our favorite restaurants.  Papalotes serves great Mexican food and feels a little American.  We probably ate there too much.  This is Elder Olsen and his trainer Elder Vasquez.

Elder Johson and Elder Castro.

You can see why we like it so much.  Yes, that's extra quacamole in there.

Pictures in front of the mission office. 

These will be the last ones.  How strange is that?????

Then that evening we met the mission presidency at a steak place that they recommended. 

We love these people.  Brother Gonzalez, the secretary, was out of town but his wife, Gorgiana ( on the left ) came to represent him. 

Three peas in a pod.  These two counselors were there all the way to help with language, culture, districts branches and anything else.  We spent many happy times with these two brethren Pres. Ramirez and Pres. Reynoso.

What would we have done without them??????????????  And they were always happy and ready for a joke or a good laugh.  What a blessing.

Martha and Micaela became dear sisters to me.  We didn't see Gorgiana as much but she loved to tell us of her son who was serving a mission in Salt Lake.  She would bring little gifts to express her love.