Welcome New Missionaries!

This week we received 16 new missionaries from the MTC.  They arrived one day late due to an airport closure in Dallas, TX.  Two mornings in a row they arose by 2AM to prepare to catch their flight.  As you can imagine, they were extremely tired.  We could barely keep them awake for orientation meetings, dinner and evening fireside.  Fortunately, the next morning they looked rested and refreshed.  At the same time, we also received two senior missionaries, Elder and Sister Stillman.  They have been assigned to open up a Spanish branch in Waller, TX.  We are thrilled to welcome these new missionaries to Texas!

Please enjoy a few pictures of the new missionaries' arrival.  We apologize for the delay in getting these pictures posted.  Be watching for our next post which will include new missionaries with their trainers following a session at the Houston Temple.

Elders White, Litton and Simons wait to greet new missionaries

Coming out of the terminal

Gathering luggage

Loading Mission Vans and Trailers

Orientation Meeting at the church

Elder Howe and President Chappell help with dinner at the mission home

Elder and Sister Stillman

Lining up to enjoy a Texas barbeque

Friday morning prior to training meetings

Farewell

Yesterday we said goodbye to 8 wonderful missionaries - Elders Esplin, Batt, Scoresby, Keliipuleole, Mackey and Maughan, along with Sisters Taylor and Martinez.  Elder Mackey, an ASL missionary has been transfered to the Washington Everett Mission to help create an ASL branch program there.  We enjoyed a nice dinner, temple session, fireside and breakfast together and each missionary was interviewed by President Pingree.  We will miss these good missionaries and wish them the very best as they return home to their families.

Elders Batt, Scoresby and Keliipuleole

Elder Batt and his father

Setting future goals

Outside the Houston, TX Temple

Elder Esplin

Last goodbyes at the airport

Final Interviews, etc.

Practicing First Lesson

Interviews in Woodlands, TX

Conroe Missionaries

Elders Bitton and Batt learn how to iron a shirt at mission home

Elders Webb and Bartholomew

Missionaries attend baptism at Melbourne chapel

Elder Holmes with Ward Mission Leader

Elder Michelsen with local bishop

Elders Howard and Struthers

Elders Michelsen and Holmes mingle with members after baptsim

Missionaries in Melbourne chapel

Another Week of Interviews

Interviews continued this week for missionaries living in the Cypress, Klein, Houston North and Houston West Zones.  We also said goodbye to Sister Young, a senior sister missionary who served in the LDS Employment Center.  We appreciate her humble, faithful service and will miss her happy, cheerful disposition.  She was a dear friend to us all!  Please enjoy a few pictures from the week, including a picture of Sister Young after her departing interview.

Pingrees with Sister Nance and Sister Young (right)