Bellotas y Robles

Today was the second day of transfers where the Robles go home.  Robles are oak trees in Spanish.   When new missionaries come they are termed Bellotas (acorns), and then they grow into oak trees by the end of their missions.   So at the final transfer when missionaries depart, they are called Robles.  We had 14 of them leave today- - 12 Elders and 2 Sisters.   Four of the missionaries had parents come to pick them up.   One sister is from Argentina and one Elder lives in another country close by here in South America (can't remember where)  The other two are from North America.  The parents met their children at the temple at about 7:00 p.m. tonight.

The missionaries spend the morning at the mission home having their final interview with the Presidente.   The finance secretary goes to collect their money cards and any leftover cash that they didn't spend.  So I went with Rich today to give him moral support since his trainer was not with him.  It wasn't a very hard job today, but he did learn a few things that will prepare him better for next time.  A fireside and testimony meeting is usually held the Sunday evening before transfers, but because of General Conference they were unable to have it. I don't know if they fit that in today at the mission home or not.  

They are fed a lasagna dinner at noon and a dessert to die for.  It was a huge, gorgeous looking bowl of chocolate trifle.  We should have taken a picture of it. Oh, my gosh, it looked sooooo good!!!!  But we weren't invited to partake.

Then, in the afternoon, they all go to the temple with President and Sis. Argyle. The Latins stay overnight at the hostels (motel-like rooms on the temple grounds, as their flights leave tomorrow).  The Americans are then driven to the airport where they catch their flights home tonight.   They are probably there now boarding the plane.  The missionaries meeting their parents, who came to pick them up, then go off to parts unknown.  

This two day event happens every six weeks.  It is a lot of work and preparation for everyone, but especially for the mission president and wife.  And it is emotional for them to say goodbye to those young people they have worked with and taken care of for two years.  

Obviously since being here, we have learned so much that we never knew about mission life and what is involved in being a mission president.  We are amazed at what presidents and their wives do daily and weekly.  It is a very time consuming job which goes way beyond an 8 hour day, but also is very uplifting and rewarding.

We spent the afternoon plugging away at our jobs.  It takes us ten times longer to do something because we have to redo everything five or six times before we get it right.  If my trainer, Elder Clegg, would have been shipped out, we would have been in serious trouble.  Even though he doesn't know everything about Rich's job, he is at least familiar with some of the things he does so he can answer questions.   Before I ask him to come to my rescue, I try to read the instructions and figure things out myself.   I'm so pleased with myself when I am successful, and so sorry when I have to bother him.   But he says, "That's what I'm here for."   He is great!!  And life is great.  We love being missionaries.