What Do You Do All Day?

Some while ago, one of my young missionaries quizzically asked me: “What do you do all day?”  I asked Sister Craig that question and she sardonically answered: “I don't hardly know myself!"  The days fly by and we often wonder!  Perhaps I can better answer the question by reporting on our travels this week.

Monday was our young missionaries' Preparation Day, a day in which they do not work until the evening.  They shop, do laundry, call home, play basketball and take a bit of a break.  One of their duties is to write me an email.  So each Monday I read about 185 emails (a few miss writing).  It takes many hours to read them all.  I do not respond to very many, but it still takes the day (and parts of the following days) to read all the emails.  The emails are entertaining to be sure.  The missionaries are generally happy in their work and often tell some of the hilarious things they see and often do.  As you may well imagine, 190 young missionaries get into some pretty funny situations.  I also take many breaks on Monday to visit with the missionaries who come into the office to say hello.  I like to pretend they are there to see me, but in reality, the office is a bit of a gathering place so they come to see who else is there.

Getting some help from Sister Quiballo and Sister Crawford with the cookie making for interviews!

The next four days Sister Craig and I were on the road doing interviews.  Tuesday, we were in Bambang and Solano (almost three hours to the south of Cauayan).  Wednesday, we were in Alicia about 30 minutes from home in Cauayan (we got to sleep in our own bed, yay!).  Thursday and Friday, we were in Tuguegarao ( two and one half hours to the north of Cauayan).  Over those four days, I interviewed ninety missionaries.  Each interview is to last about fifteen minutes, but often they go longer as needs arise.  This takes a while, but it is also a lot of fun to be with the missionaries and see how they are doing.  The new ones are still adjusting, a bit homesick and scared.  I remember those days as a young missionary here.  I was so very homesick and desperately trying to adjust to a new climate and culture.  I fell in love with the Philippines, but it took a while.  Thank heavens for my trainer and friend, Federico Costales.  The older missionaries are trying to stay focused as they become excited and a little scared (well actually sometimes terrified) about going home.  All of these young missionaries inspire me and fill me full of love.

During these interview days we received word that two of our young missionaries lost loved ones back home.  It is so hard.  They worry about family at home and deal with the grief here without being surrounded by family and friends.  I feel their sorrow deeply and try to provide some comfort.  It is hard to watch those you love suffer loss and sorrow.  They bravely soldier on.

Saturday morning I attended CCM, which is a three and one half hour meeting of the Presidents of the 11 Stakes and Districts in the Mission.  It is wonderful to be with these great men and our Area 70 who presides over the meeting.

Elder and Sister Anderson (Area Self-Reliance Missionaries) sotpped by one day to say hello.  Elder Anderson is originally from Barnwell, AB, and is a 2nd cousin to Corinne Yee!

Saturday afternoon and Sunday late afternoon we finished transfers and planned our upcoming Zone Conferences.  Every six weeks we move some of the young missionaries around to new cities to work in and give them new companions to serve with.  We put on average between 15 and 20 hours into each transfer.  I work hard with Sister Craig and my two Assistants, trying to get the transfers perfect.  Transfers are this next week.  We bid farewell to missionaries going home and welcome new missionaries here as part of the transfer.  We assign trainers to the new missionaries.  Transfers are a time of great excitement and stress for young missionaries as they wonder: "Will I move cities?", "Who will be my new companion?" "Will I train?", etc.  It is entertaining as some worry themselves sick.  Others try to get it out of you if they are transferring.  One young Elder became frustrated because he was not getting anything out of Sister Craig (she is a rock) so he quipped,“Well I will ask President because he is easier to get things out of!" Hey, wait a minute....that’s me!

The above is only part of what Sister Craig and I do as we run the mission and preside over 5 Districts.  It is busy, and hard work, but brings much joy.  We love being around these young missionaries.  We also love our senior couple missionaries who bless the lives of our young missionaries, bless us by lightening our load,  and do so much to make this mission run so well.

I think maybe Sister Craig was right.  It is hard to tell what we actually do all day, but at least I tried!