We take the missionaries to the temple, either Portland or Medford quarterly. We have several groups going to both. The Assistants, Elder Nash and Elder Boyd took a group to Portland and then, while waiting for the other missionaries, decided to take a picture before they headed home. These Elders work so hard for the president! They are amazing!

Then, on Wednesday president Russell and I took another group to Portland. This is most of the group. Once they get out of the temple doors, it like trying to herd cats to get them back together as a group, so not all of them are in the picture.

(President Russell was on the phone, so I  decided to let this be just the missionaries.)

The serious one

The happy one

Just the Sisters (we don't have to herd them,
they just seem to be where they are supposed to be).

We had our quarterly Couples Conference, yep,the same week we sent 30 missionaries home and then welcomed in 7 new missionaries. 

Whew! The office couples will be taking a well deserved day off.

 Elder Taylor is enjoying a conversation with me. Elder Pease is getting some ice cream to make a hot fudge Sundae, with Sister C.(Christensen) and Sister Taylor to the right of her. You can also see our wonderful Erda working over the sink.

Same scene from a little further away. The A.P.'s are enjoying dinner, they came a little later.

It was such a beautiful day that we decided to eat out on the patio. Elder Long is front left, Elder Deal and Sister Deal. Elder Steele and Sister Steele, and Sister Long.

 Sister Pease (Elder Pease is still making his hot fudge Sundae) is to the left with Elder and Sister Drollinger, and Elder Christensen.

We're all having such  good time!

 Elder C. (Christensen) is talking with Elder Long.

 Sister Dixon and I enjoy a photo op. Sister Dixon is such a sweetheart!

 And the Elders have their picture taken with Sister Dixon. 

The senior couples of the Oregon Eugene Mission! The absolute best!!

President Russell and I couldn't love them more! 

Elder and Sister Pease are leaving for home on Monday and Elder and Sister Drollinger are headed home in two weeks, we will miss them! 

We have made eternal friendships with all of these remarkable 

Elders and Sisters!!

Welcome to the greatest mission in the world, the amazing OEM!

 Our new missionaries arrived about an hour and a half late because of a problem in Salt Lake City. We were SO HAPPY to see them finally come down the escalator.

They had some lunch, and President and Sister Russell and the Assistants taught them, and then dinner at the mission home. Later, they each went out teaching with a set of missionaries. They came back and shared their experiences with us.

They were extremely tired and so at 9:00 p.m. we told them to go to bed, there was no resistance.

*-*-*-*-*-*

This morning we all went to the Stake Center and after a short program with several of the missionaries in the area. and some training from our incredible office missionaries they were introduced to their trainers were.

Sister Ansus will be training 

SISTER STEELE!!!!

SISTER WOOD will be trained by 

Sister Clawson!!!!

SISTER FAUSETT will be trained by Sister Adams!!!!

 Sister Didier will be training 

SISTER DOBBS!!!!

ELDER SWIDERSKI will be trained by

Elder Campbell!!!!

 ELDER ADAMS will be trained by 

Elder Earl!!!!

ELDER TREE will be trained by

Elder Bearss!!!!

Our newest addition to the OEM!!!!

With their trainers!!!!

Before they leave for their areas, Elder Nash and Elder Boyd (the President's Assistants) teach them about their new iPads. 

Elder Tree sits up in front with the over-head screen so everyone can see what to do.

They learn quickly.

And then they are on their way!

So....(that's how almost all of the Elders start a conversation) I mentioned that my camera was on the fritz and I had to get a new one. So, here are the pictures I took with the new one at the mission home on the last day our 30  missionaries are here in the Oregon Eugene Mission

Some played a spirited game of Uno.

 Some actually read scriptures!!!

Some played Farkle

Elder Galloway and Elder Sorenson hung out by the front door, maybe thinking of a fast getaway.

 Elder Hyde is preparing pictures for his scrapbook page.

Some played Head Banzz. I can see where Elder Sorenson (who didn't get away), Elder Smith, and Elder Roy may want to take these home and make a fashion statement.

This game is really exciting and they are all having a great time!

 Finally, they see me with the camera.
Elders Sorenson, Brough, Smith, Roy and Elder Brown. Elder White is in the chair and Sister Stover and Sister Bohannon are in front with Elder Despain.
Elder Thompson is watching from the back in a chair.

Elder Barton and Elder Ricks stop for a refreshing drink of water.

We wish each one of these amazing missionaries the very best as they begin their 'second mission'.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

These missionaries had birthdays in April, May, and June! 

We give them a toothbrush and breathe mints. Some of our Elders (Elder Pickett and Elder Watson) couldn't wait to brush there teeth!

The Coos Bay Zone!

************

On the way back to Eugene we stopped by the ocean.

  The wind was pretty strong!!

*-*-*-*-*-*-*

This area is called the Devil's Churn.

 CORVALLIS ZONE CONFERENCE

We are all role playing how to invite an investigator to be baptized

Obviously a successful role play!




The object lesson

 The Elders on the right won! Good teamwork!

Doesn't Sister Peterson look SO happy for lunch???

Absolutely none of the Elders looked up at the camera while getting their lunch.

 Elders Galloway and Crowell are getting some yummy strawberry short cake.

               

 President Russell with Elder and Sister Deal

 Elder Kelsey (left) and Elder Boyd are listening to the conversation between Elders Huang, Hsiung, and Elder Child.

 

 Elder Galloway has something to say, Elder Ricks is smiling at the camera, Elder Allred is giving the thumbs-up, Elder Crowell is either blinking or eating his strawberry short cake while he naps(?) and Elder Cho is a happy camper after he finished his lunch.

 Elder Harper eats lunch with President Lowary

 Elder Hanssen is always smiling. Elder Losee shows off his cool thumb. Elder Howard gives me a wide grin, Elder Beasley and Elder Nash also have pretty cool thumbs.

Look at all those smiles! Sister Bingham and Sister Woolf, Sister Jones, Sister Peterson (I caught her right as she put something in her mouth) and Sister Chang, our newest United States citizen!

President Lowary in deep contemplation.





And then so happy about that thought.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

 THE CORVALLIS ZONE

`*`*`*`*`*`*

THE EUGENE, SPRINGFIELD, AND SANTA CLARA ZONES

The object lesson gets a little crazy!

Instead of just passing the plate up, the Elders  throw it. And they got some distance!

President Lowary is sitting with all the pretty Sisters

Sisters Linstedt, Adams, Holliday, Stenberg. And Sister Olsen and Sister Burrell

 And now the Elders:
Elder Wong and Elder Colton. Elder Seymour looks a bit scary here. Elder Whitney holds up his thumb and little finger while Elder Kung holds up two fingers. Maybe they are counting to four. Elders Whyte, Hales, and Billmire are just grinning from ear to ear.

 Elder Brough has an easy smile, Elder Peterson is a little cautious with his smile. Elder Hyde is hold up all five fingers! Elder Allen is always smiling and Elder Mata is just about to. Elder Smith, Elder Campbell, and Elder Anderson enjoy their lunches with a smile.

With sandwiches in every hand! Elder Berry, Elder Chia, Elder Allen, Elder Porter, and Elder Reed.

 And now, more lovely Sisters:
Sister Call, Sister Weaver, Sister Chalfant and Sister Woolf. Then we have Sister Rasmussen, Sister Allen, Sister Poulson, and Sister Sowter.

 This is our mix it up table. First Sister Bigelow and Sister Crabb. Then four recent converts. And finally Elder Boyd.

 Here are Elders Jarrard, Godfrey, Black, and Elder Fowler. Then Elder Thacker, Elder Cook, Elder Beasley, and President Russell.

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

 The Santa Clara Zone serious and ...

a little crazy.

 The Eugene Zone normal....

 and slightly nuts.

 The Springfield zone, doing alright, 

 and not alright.

 Elder Black does a selfie.