Another transfer week come and gone!

Last week we had another great transfer week! We took 19 departing missionaries to the Calgary Temple on Tuesday afternoon, which as I've said before, is always special. I love seeing these missionaries dressed in their white temple clothes! And we then came back to have a yummy meal made by Natasha--and her desserts are even more yummy! I couldn't resist the ones she made this week! Then on Wednesday morning we got up early to take 2 missionaries to the airport early, at 6:00 a.m. After getting those two off, we came back to the mission home and I even got a chance to exercise, before cleaning up and taking 16 more out to the airport to catch their flights. There is such a bittersweet feeling as we send these departing missionaries home. We will miss them, but after listening to their final testimonies and seeing how they have grown throughout their missions, we are excited to send them into their next phase of life. It took us so long to get those ones off that we just stayed there to greet our 12 new ones coming in at 1:30. But by the time they got through customs, it was really about 3:15 or so. We love greeting these new ones and seeing their enthusiasm and excitement. We love welcoming them into the great Canada Calgary Mission.
We took the new ones to the mission home for our regular training with our senior couples serving in the office, and then we had a great meal (again, made by Natasha), followed up with a little more training with the assistants, and then we got them to their hotel for a fairly early bedtime. Then we took our last missionary to the airport at 10:00 p.m. to catch her flight to Mexico! 3 Trips to the airport in one day! Crazy!
The next morning, on our regular transfer day, they were all able to meet their companions and go to their assigned areas. I love seeing this! As great as the MTC is, this is where they really feel like their mission has begun--they are really here and ready to go to work!
It was a good transfer and all went well!
Saturday after transfers we began interviews as we drove to Medicine Hat to participate in a Stake Conference with Elder Brian L. Rawson of the Seventy. And of course, as we got on the infamous Highway 1, the wind was blowing drifting snow, visibility was poor, and we began to wonder if we were once again, going to get stranded on that highway! But, we made it through! We had a great stake conference, and afterwards we were able to FaceTime in and watch the baby blessing of our first little granddaughter, Nina! It tugged at our heartstrings a little (again) to not be able to be there for this special event..but we are grateful for modern technology that allowed us to listen in and hear the beautiful blessing our son-in-law Jordan gave.
President and Sister Salmon invited us for lunch after, along with Elder and Sister Rawson, and we had such an enjoyable time with them. We have so grown to love the Stake Presidents and their wives that we serve with. They are such GOOD people, and we cherish our friendships with them.
We made it back safely to Calgary by 7:00 Sunday evening in time for a 7:00 meeting with our assistants. This transfer we sent Elder Wolfe back out to be a regular missionary, and a new assistant, Elder Chapman was called. We are so grateful for Elder Wolfe's service, and are excited to work with Elder Chapman and know that he will be great, as well. These young missionaries are amazing!
Tuesday we were able to pick up one more missionary, who came late because of Visa troubles, and get him to his companion! So we really had 13 arrive for this transfer.
Today we held our Mission Leadership Council in Lethbridge, and all of our leaders have their new smartphones, and most of our training today was on using these devices as a missionary. We are really so excited for them to have this capability. They are already thinking of wonderful things they can do to further the work, and they have a great desire to be obedient with them. We know as they do this, they will see great things happen. We are so proud of them, and of their righteous desires.
It is a privilege and blessing to serve with them. We just love them.