worried for nothing

i have been nervous about august 3rd and 4th since we received our call in december. the former mission president's wife sort of freaked me out about this big lunch and dinner i needed to provide for the incoming and departing missionaries. why did it freak me out? well, i've never really cooked any thing for more than eight people, for starters. i don't have a great reputation for my cooking, for seconds. and i usually have someone to help me if i get in a bind, for thirds.

monday was our first lunch. i got every thing prepared on saturday and sunday, put the baked beans in the oven as we left for the airport, prayed the self starter would actually work while we were gone, and left to meet our new missionaries. they are wonderful! they are ready to take on the mission! they want to share the gospel with every one they can! the mtc is really a wonderful training center.


lunch was a breeze. i had way too much food (yes, i took notes for september). five of our seven missionaries were sisters and they were very helpful in getting things set on the table. after lunch they left for an orientation at the mission office and i had planned to start cooking the sixteen potatoes for tuesdays dinner while they were gone. didn't work. but i still was ok. thought i'd take care of it after they left. when they returned we got pictures taken, post cards written, information gathered, and interviews conducted with the president. we had a little power point/slide show presentation, a testimony meeting and a little pumping up by president bunker, and then it was time for their trainers to come and pick them up! lots of excitement in the air as introductions were made, and current missionaries met the new-bees. then as president announced who would be serving with whom, it was quite fun to see everyone's reactions. as they left, jon looked at me and said, "they have no idea what they are about to face! they are used to cleanliness, fellow members pretending to be their investigators, a perfect atmosphere in the mtc. they are in for a shock!"

no one has called to tell us they are leaving...yet. i'm keeping my fingers crossed and my prayers continuous!

as soon as they left, the doorbell rang and a few of the departing elders were there for their exit interviews. as it turned out, president had arranged for them all to come over monday night, so he wouldn't have to interview them in the rush of tuesday's schedule. surprise, susan! i put my sixteen potatoes on to boil and then i started visiting with all of these fun elders and sister that were exiting. elder earl kind of cornered me and asked me tons of questions to which i was happily answering and jabbering on and on to. all of a sudden, i remembered my potatoes...well, well done. they went in the trash, and all of my plans for getting to the store that evening were blowing up as well. i was completely exhausted!!! before the last of them left, i came into my bedroom, closed the door behind me and hid. how does jon do it?

i set my alarm for bright and early tuesday morning. didn't quite roll out as early as i had planned, but left my house to get the last needed groceries before i started my day of cooking. i decided i might need a little extra help, so i stopped by mcdonald's for a little (a large) diet coke. i seriously wondered if it would be enough to get me through the day. it was perfect! it is only the second one i have had since i arrived. i was in heaven sipping on that straw!


i was done cooking and setting the tables and all by 3. out of the shower and ready by 4. did a little laundry. started the tri-tip around 5:15, and we were eating right around 6. it was smooth. no big deal. why was i worried? i would like to be able to go to the temple with them though, so i am trying to figure out a way to get a meal ready while i'm in traffic and in the temple. any ideas? order pizza? :)

these are a few of the faces from the evening...

elder hullinger. still studying the night before he departs.


the dobberfuhls. a wonderfully, helpful senior couple. they can do anything, even dishes :).


the prez. thinking he is a chef. thanks for the help!


elder singleton. a heck of a nice guy and a powerful missionary.


elder lythgoe. a professional chef (seriously! and yes i was more nervous because he was coming. silly) and a great photographer.


elder earl. my new best friend. he is the reason for the burned potatoes :).


elder mcqueen. isn't he cute? his visa expires six days before the next group goes home, so he actually has five weeks left, but we wanted him to enjoy a departing dinner before he left!


sister mcmillian. a sweet angel.


elder brandt. returning a little early to get home to college. a great missionary.


the whole group!



after dinner we had another power point/slide show and testimony meeting. it was very sweet. i was quite emotional. as you could probably tell, i had a little melt down sunday. unfortunately for everyone, i was sitting at my computer when it happened. it was small. i am really doing well. i just think it was time.

listening to their testimonies really lifted me! you know how it is to listen to a return missionary. imagine that times seven. i gained so much strength and desire as i felt of their testimonies and their absolute love of God and their Savior, and how much being able to serve meant to them. i want to have grown-up like they have when i come home. i have some work to do :).

i don't think i will stress so much in six weeks when we do this all over again. besides, i will have hailey close by if i need her help. hallelujah!!!