Welcome to the best mission in the world, the OEM!!

 We usually take the first picture of the new missionaries at the airport, however, it was raining pretty hard (not unusual for Oregon), so we waited until the next morning as we were getting ready to leave for the stake center where they will meet their new companion/trainers.

Elder Bowers is with his trainer Elder Hatch. They will be serving in Corvallis. 

Elder Lambert is with his trainer Elder Watson, they will be serving in Springfield. 

 Sister Doxey will be training Sister Hepworth and they will be serving in Santa Clara.

Sister Jones will be trained by Sister Asregadoo and they will be serving in Springfield. 

 Sister Mills will be trained by Sister Vance and they will be serving in Roseburg.

 The newest missionaries in the Oregon Eugene Mission!

 With their trainers.

And, they are off to their apartments!

Elder Lambert starts to load his suitcases and bike in the car (Elder Arias looks on)

 Sister Asregadoo and Sister Jones are already packed up!

Sister Doxey and Sister Hepworth discussing their plans to get on their way.

 Another parting shot.

Elder Lambert is SO excited about the snack the office missionaries made for him.








Elders Bowers and Hatch and Sisters Vance and Mills are already on their way to their apartments.

It's transfer time again. It's every six weeks, but it seems like just last week we had the last transfers!

 Sister Erda Johnson and Sister Rose Younger use their collective talents to make the dinner for the departing missionaries wonderful. Every dinner Sister Johnson makes the most unique table decorations. The theme of this transfer is Happy New Year complete with a top hat and lots of glitz.

While the missionaries are waiting to interview with President Russell, some play games. Here is Elder Workman and Elder Eldridge on the floor and Elder Gurvine getting comfortable on the sofa. You can just see the back of Sister Bingham's head. 

 Another view and Sister Newell has joined them.

 I ask each missionary to make me a scrapbook page. This is so I have something to remember each missionary by. Most have already done one and some are doing them here at the mission home. 

 Welcome to Elder Hinton, the president's new assistant!

 It's always great to look back at the scrapbook pages other missionaries have done. Here is Sister Adams, Sister Bingham, and Sister Didier as they are looking back at companions that have already gone home.

Another game! Left is Elder Smith, Elder Eldridge, Sister Newell, Sister Didier, Sister Bingham. Sister Adams (standing), Elder Workman, and Elder Gurvine.

 We say good-bye to (back left) Elder Wong, Elder Smith, Elder Gurvine, Elder Harper, Elder Eldridge, Elder Workman. (Front) Sister Adams, Sister Didier, Sister Bingham, and Sister Newell.

 And, of course, the crazy picture!

After we returned from the airport, Elder Harper's father came to pick him up. It was a pleasure meeting Brother Harper.

We will miss all of these missionaries and wish them the very best as the begin their "second mission".

We have our temple trip with the departing Elders and Sisters at the Portland temple.

Every time we have an AP go home we take a picture in the car with the one departing in the very back. There is not a lot of room in the back, but Elder Workman looks comfortable. We welcome the president's newest assistant: Elder Hinton (behind President Russell). He will work with Elder Whyte.

We will miss you Elder Workman!!!!

January 2016 MLC

Always have to get a selfie with Elder Black, and for one of the last times, with Elder Harper who goes home in a few weeks:(

 Lunch break: Sister Steele (right) is teasing Sister Allen. Sister Didier and Sister Holiday are getting their lunch. We always have the Sisters go first, you can see the Elders in the hall behind them dying of hunger.

 What a surprise; Elder Black! This was a fantastic meal  fixed by our amazing office senior couples! They are so wonderful!!

 Sister Adams, Sister Fausett, Sister Doxey, and Sister Lindstedt are ready to get their food.

Sister Lindstedt is with Sister Chang and Sister Yeung.

 




Elder Thompson, Elder Losee, and Elder Best smile...well, kind of.

 On the left is Sister Ansus, Sister Steele, Sister Allen, and Sister Connelly. On the right; Sister Bingham and Sister Geisler. They are so happy all the time!

 Elder Losee is serving in a town called Lakeview. It's basically in the South Pole (the southern most part of Oregon) where there is lots and lots of snow. We don't get to see him much, so here's a shot of Elder Losee!

 The cute Sisters: (left) Sister Woolfe. she set a goal to find 9 new investigators every week and she made that goal! She had her gall bladder removed two weeks ago and she still found 9 investigators that week! Sister Newell is going home on the 12th, Ugh! Sister Rasmussen, Sister Lindstedt. Sister Yeung, Sister Chang, and Sister Newsome.

MORE cute Sisters; Sister Didier (also going home), Sister Brownlee, Sister Holiday, Sister Adams is going home, and Sister Stucki.

Our Spanish Elders: I would like to say we caught Elder Adams (right) off guard, but he saw me coming. To the right of him is Elder Arias, and on the left is Elder Perrine.

 Elder Kelsey on the left, Elder Bearss ( maybe he thinks if he closes his eyes whomever is touching his shoulder will not see him?) Elder Enman, and Elder Davis.

Is that Elder Black again???

 Interesting reaction to having their picture taken.

I did catch Elder Workman, the president's AP, off guard! He is multitasking. Unfortunately,he is also going home!

 Elder Whyte is either pondering his lunch, or just gazing off into space.

Elder Mata's friends have probably gone back for seconds.

Elder Tonini and Elder Porter have finished their lunch and are just happy. 

 The apple in the mouth seems to be the theme of the lunch break.

 Yep, apparently if you don't have an apple in your mouth you are definitely missing out.

Elder Godfrey and Elder Thompson are having fun, but Elder Best is not (probably because he doesn't have an apple). 

 Now, why would you sit with your lunch on your lap when you have a table and a chair in the next room?  Maybe they are 'roughing it'.

All smiles!

 Deep conversation between Elder Whyte, President Cropper and President Lowary.

Our Chinese Elders! I had to go find them!

 Our leader: President Russell!

Elder Cho is quite happy himself!

The northern mission leadership

 Our northern leadership getting crazy!

Our southern mission leadership

 ...and they too get a little crazy.

 It takes a few minutes to get everyone back to their seats to continue.

Elder Workman is getting them back on task.

It takes some time.

And we are ready to learn! 

This MLC was great! We have wonderful leadership in the OEM, this is what makes it great!