SISTER MISSIONARIES

 Dear Family,

Maddie got off to her mission to Scotland and Ireland.  Here she is leaving the Salt Lake Airport (taken with iPhone).  It reminded me of a similar picture but in reverse.  We never saw any of our 8 sons off when they went on their missions.  The nine daughters did not go because of the age requirement and at that time it was felt that they should do other things.

We saw this scene in revers when Mom and I served in the German-Munich Austrian Mission.  We accompanied all the missionaries leaving for home at the completion of their missions and the pictures were similar.  We thought so much of our missionaries that sometimes there was a lump in our throat as they held their passports and turned and waved goodbye. Maddie is in the MTC in Preston and will leave soon for her assignment.

Here she is with her companion in the Preston MTC against the plaque, "Where Ere Thou Art, Act Well Thy Part"  which Maddie's great grandfather, Elder Haight, found for President McKay.

In the meantime, Natalie, Sister Hickey now, is adjusting to the packed MTC in Provo.  It is an interesting time in the church.  The missionary work has shifted to a higher gear and there are new adjustments everywhere.  Here is Natalie in her room in the MTC which she shares with five other sisters!  The dining hall is packed.

There will be 55 new missionaries arriving at once in Natalie's mission in Lisbon, Portugal.  I can't even imaging that!  43 are coming from the states with 30 of those sisters; there will be a dozen locals called as well.  The mission has been preparing for this for a while although I am not sure if they ever realized the exact number.  The church has created 58 new missions in the world with 58 new mission homes and offices.  Quite an unbelievable feat.

Here is a doodle that Natalie sent from some gathering. (I must admit, I did the same in some meetings.)

This is a sketch of her district and you can see what is going on pretty well. There are only a few elder with all those pretty sisters glancing over.

It is going to be interesting out there!

Well that is the update of events.  We go to Bear Lake over Mom's birthday to open it.

Love to all, Dad and Mom