Interviews complete, MLC, special baptism!

District meeting in the Calgary Zone

This week we were able to complete all of our interviews for the transfer--that is always a good thing!  The change to conduct interviews every transfer instead of once a quarter has been a big blessing for our missionaries.  All of them enjoy having more face to face personal time with Steve, and he also enjoys it.  He is able to help them where they need it, and resolve concerns earlier, and build their faith when they get discouraged.  After over 2 years of interviews I am still trying to figure out my 'role' during them.  I just pray that as I sit with the companion that I will be able to listen and love with the spirit, and if there is something I can say to help them, I will.  I try to find out how their areas are doing, and see who they are teaching and working with--I love to have them tell me about their investigators or less active people they are teaching.
Other times I just listen as they tell me about their families and what is going on there...which I love to hear.  It's fun to hear about siblings getting married, nieces and nephews being born, and all the other things that go on.  But I am also sad when I hear that our missionary didn't receive an email from their family that week--they always try to shrug it off, but inside it hurts.  I am also sad when they tell me of difficult things their families are experiencing; and so I try to be a good listener, and help if I can.  Some have had family members diagnosed with cancer, many have had grandparents pass away, some have parents lose jobs, some have had parents divorce, and a variety of other situations.  All of these things are difficult for missionaries to hear, especially being far from home.  So, we try to love them and help them through it, and encourage them to pray more earnestly, and draw closer to the Lord through their scripture study to get the peace they need.
And sometimes I just sit and have fun with them!
Monday morning before interviews we were able to attend a district meeting in the Calgary zone, which is in downtown Calgary.  We love going to these district meetings and hearing the missionaries teach and train each other.  Elder Chen did a great job as district leader--he had put a lot of thought into his meeting and prepared well.
On Wednesday we had a wonderful Mission Leadership Council in Lethbridge, and it was so filled with the spirit.  These leaders really have good hearts and are trying so hard to not only find people to teach and baptize, but also to minister to the other missionaries within their zones.  They really try to take a personal interest in each one.  We talk a lot about one on one ministry as the Savior did, and how we do that as leaders.  It was a great day, and as we left to drive to Medicine Hat for their interviews the next day we were inspired!
On Friday we had our retrainer's meeting.  It was like a big zone conference!  We had 62 missionaries there--our 31 brand new ones, and 31 trainers.  We discussed what they have learned so far, and the assistants taught about goal setting and planning, and I trained on striving for our Standards of Excellence.  Steve always does a great job in teaching them on the doctrine of Christ and helping them to see that their purpose is to teach repentance and baptize converts, and as we focus on the Savior, and remember that it is His work, we will be able to do that.  After the meeting we had a great lunch and sent them on their way!  Usually we have the retrainers meeting at the mission home, but because of the numbers we had to hold it at the church.
Saturday morning was VERY special for us because our oldest grandson, Miles, was baptized.  We are so proud of him and his decision to be baptized and for the wonderful boy he is.  He is such a delight in our lives, and we have loved him since the day he was born!  We are so grateful for his dad, Neil, who is a wonderful example of a worthy priesthood holder, that could perform this ordinance.  We are grateful for Steph and Neil who have created a home of love, and fun, and filled with the spirit, where our little grandsons can learn and grow in the gospel.  That brings us true joy!
We are so blessed with an amazing family, filled with faith, and devotion to the Savior, and also filled with fun personalities, and incredible love for each other.  As we have been gone from them for over 2 years, we have seen them grow together as a family and take care of each other and step in and help each other.  We are so grateful for them and that we are sealed together forever as a family!  We love them!  We want all of our missionaries to be able to go home and marry a wonderful person in the temple, and raise righteous families and to have what we have been so blessed to have.  We are so grateful for their desire to bring this knowledge of eternal families to the people here in Canada who don't know of it.

Elder Purvis, Leanne Lucas, Elder Misiluki at Leanne's baptism

Sister Grange, Leanne, Sister Kunzler 

Saturday night we were able to attend a baptism of a young single adult, Leanne Lucas.  It was such a sweet baptism.  She had been taught by several missionaries beginning clear last winter.  But through patience, she finally made the decision to be baptized.  It was such a beautiful service.  One gal that gave a talk on baptism was a convert of 6 years, and her talk was just so genuine and sincere.  These young adults that embrace the gospel and are baptized are incredible people!