INCOMING MISSIONARIES MARCH 2014

 PLEASE CLICK ON THIS LINE FOR ALL PHOTOS OF THIS EVENT

WELCOME MARCH MISSIONARIES!  We were so excited to get new missionaries in our mission this week!  We have to admit, we are LOVING these smaller transfer groups after all the 20-30 missionary groups from last year!  It is so much more personal and we feel we get to know them better more quickly.

They came a great time of year...it was snowing in Utah the morning they came, and I think it was upper 70's all afternoon here in AZ!

 New parents, if you want to get automatic updates when I post, please put your email address in the little box on the blog front page, then when you get an email from "Feedburner.com" to verify, click on the link they send you.  This way, you will get an email each time I post.

 WELCOME TO:  Elders Unasa, Stults, Thomas, Sisters Hontanosas, Bailey, Wooden, Harris, Steimle along with Sister and President Taylor in the Phoenix Airport.

We got them all safely down the escalator and got luggage retrieved just in time to get outside in the lovely weather and ready to be picked up by our transfer van and trailer.

 From here we drove through the Tempe Mission, and into our own PHOENIX MISSION!
We have 5 Metro Area Missions here that all converge close to the airport in Tempe...Tempe, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale and Phoenix.  Yes, we all share the same airport for departures and arrivals!  Luckily we are on a 6 week transfer schedule so this can work!

We take our new missionaries to the MISSION OFFICE to meet the couples who LOVE THEM and CARE FOR THEM there.  They learn all about how to use mission debit cards, car and bike care, housing care etc. These couples love and serve them so much!  By the time they leave there, they really feel like they have a support system in place!  We love these couples so much!

From here, we surprise our new missionaries with a trip past the new Phoenix Temple site!  It is really coming along!  Windows are now in the upper spires and landscaping coming very fast!  We love this place and it is the symbol of what we are teaching towards in every situation...active member, recent convert, less active member or new investigator...all need to be working towards attending the temple!

WELCOME TO:
Sisters Steimle, Bailey, Wooden, Harris, Hontanosas, Elders Thomas, Stults and Unasa.

 After some instruction and lunch, it is NAP TIME!

This group did a very good job of napping for a couple hours!  It was so nice out, the elders wanted to be outside, so we brought out the tarp!

 Later, we woke them all up and President began interviewing them all while I was having them write letters home, sign the flag and our quilt, having them make a breakfast casserole for the next morning, prepare dinner and then do the Car and Bike Safety DVD certification.
It is a busy afternoon!

GOOD TIMES listening to each tell about how they got their call!

 We love having them in our home overnight!  We hope it helps them feel they are part of a family here!

 It was still so nice, that they braved the little chill outside to eat dinner!

 The next morning we were up early, to get in our morning run/walk!  Each missionary is expected to exercise vigorously each morning except Sundays.  It makes a big difference!  They did great!

We got home, got showered and dressed, ate our delicious breakfast and prepared for a morning devotional.  Part of it is receiving a letter from a departed APM missionary...we "Pass The Baton" literally, with letters inside of a baton!
The culture of this mission is loving and obedient.  This group came ready to join in that culture!  They were preparing by reading the scriptures as they waited for the devotional, we were so impressed!

We love these new sons and daughters!  They have embarked on something very new and different for them.  It will be hard.  It will stretch them beyond anything they have experienced before, and some will question if they really wanted to do this...and that is a normal feeling.  But, I testify that they are meant to be here and that THEY CAN DO THIS!  They will grow and BECOME WHO THEY NEED TO BE to survive in a world that is increasingly difficult to navigate without having the dedication it takes to be a missionary.  I know they are here for a reason!  Even our two Visa Waiting elders are HERE for a specific purpose!  They will each learn what they need and have experiences that they need for their futures.  THANK YOU FOR SENDING THEM!  This Gospel is true.  As we are all obedient to the commandments we can be nothing but blessed!  May the Lord bless your families as your missionary serves here!
Love, Sister Taylor