Time to Catch up

Hi everyone, I just thought I would catch you up a bit on our mission life. We had very quiet Christmas. We slept in until 10:00 don't tell our missionaries:) got up  packed up some baskets, and visited several investigators. It was fun. WE really don't have time to do that as much as we would like and spent the rest of the day talking to our family. We have had a huge transfer, of thirteen coming and going. That is like fruit basket turn over. It was little hairy because 3 days before transfers our little office elder ( who is so responsible ) totaled our mission van . The miracle is that NOONE was hurt. It was a five care accident and not one person was hurt even thought the whole front of the Van was peeled all the way up. He was pretty shook up because he is so careful. It was just one of those things. We just had our week of Zone leader council and New Missionary training. After our new missionaries have been out for a week to 10 days we bring them back in with their trainers. They all come here to the mission home and we hear how they are doing them and then catch them up to speed with our member work , and expectations. WE share testimony and instruct them on spiritual matters. WE usually have 30-35 for lunch. This time we had Lasagna, salad, french bread and better than sex pie for desert. Dad couldn't wait to tell them what it was called. Nothing like a little shock value. WE have a really good group of missionaries. WE almost have all of our mission young enough that we don't have any left over "attitudes " from the old way of doing things. WE are gearing up for "Reflections of Christ". Mark is bringing it here  to Baton Rouge on the 8th . He is doing a fireside that night as a kick off. At th closing of hte exhibit on th 19 we are having Alex Boye of the Tabernacle Choir with the musicians that arranged and wrote the music for the exhibit are coming to do a concert. The news paper here in Baton Rouge interviewed me today and they are doing a big story on the exhibit. I know we are going to see some fruit from this effort.  Elder Kukuchi of   the seventy and his wife will be arriving tomorrow for five days for a mission tour. He is doing three zone conferences with us. I am so excited for our missionaries. It will give them such a boost. Elder Neil Anderson came for an over nighter Saturday night. He was in Atlanta for meetings and called and said he wanted to just come and spend the evening with us He was in the mission field with Bill.It was so thoughtful of him to take his time and energy to come. It was a nice visit. The Lakes our wonderful Senior couple that has worked miracles in New Orleans has gone home a few months early due to some business concerns. WE miss them. They have become our dear friends. WE are already planning our home coming cruise. Well I have to say that we love love love Louisiana. and we love love love missionary work. It is a privilege to be in a calling where you see the hand of the Lord so plainly everyday in your life and in the work and miracles that take place. Bill is doing a great job with our missionaries. All of you kids did a great job preparing him. He pretty much has their number, but he also has the patience of Jobe . He has turned quite a few around and they are now having a successful experience. That is one of our main objectives . To help these elders and sisters have as spiritually rich of a mission experience as they can . We want them to know that they can invoke the powers of Heaven on themselves and the people they serve if they will exercise their faith and do as the Apostles of old did "and straightway drop their nets and follow Him." Have a wonderful week and Open your mouth and share one thing you love about the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ with a non member.