2 Arriving and a push-up contest

Elder Bird and Elder Gochez in Sevilla

 

 

Elder Lucero and Elder Triana in Algeciras

 

Elder Hooper and Estrada in Granada

 

Elder Rojas, who arrived last week from Mexico, will be working with Elder Mambo in Malaga.

 

 

 

 

Elder Kiffe (left), who arrived last week from the U.S. will be trained by Elder Scheible in Elche 2.

 

 

Now for this week's arrivals!  After a difficult journey here, Elder Sanhueza and Elder Nunez arrived in Malaga from South America.  Both these Elders are from Chile, and have been serving in Peru  while awaiting their visas.  Welcome!

 

 

 

Their welcoming committee at the airport was Elder Peterson, Elder Valenzuela and me. 

 

We took them right over to Specialized Training in Malaga to meet President Deere.

 

 

Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures of them with their new companions!  But here they are:  Elder Sanhueza is companions with Elder Estrada, and Elder Nunez is companions with Elder Hooper.

 

 

At the beginning of January we had 28 missionaries waiting in both North and South America for their visas.  We are now down to 4, and expect them to come very soon.

 

 

In case you're interested, here is what the "Incoming Missionaries" board looks like. When President Monson announced the change in missionary age last October, a wave of younger missionaries and sister missionaries formed.  It takes time for the wave to get all the way to Spain, but it's coming.  In May we have 19 Elders and 14 Hermanas coming in one transfer.  Get ready everyone!

 

 

 As long as we are talking about whiteboards in the Mission Home, I thought I'd show you something.  It started out as a little friendly family thing, but it is growing.  Don't worry--President Deere will beat President Jackson of the Madrid Mission soon.  

 

 I may regret this, but Elders, send me your number!  If you've improved your number, send me your new number.  Let the flexiones begin!

Malaga and Granada Zones

 

21 February, 2013

 



 





 

Elder Mockler, Elder Berrett, Hermanas Lovell and Greenwood and Elder Spainhower enjoying the sunset in Benalmadena. 

 



 

 Five lucky Elders who are about to eat one of Hermana Spainhower's amazing pies--from left to right, Elders Barahona, Spainhower, Seely, Jones and Peroni. 

 

 

 

Two more visa-waiters arrive

Elder Cortes and Rodriguez in Sevilla

 

 

Hermanas Wilcox and Moreno in Malaga

 

Elder Mardones and Elder Oldroyd in Lorca

 

 

We held some follow-up training for our missionaries who arrived right before Christmas.  From left to right:  Elders Valenzuela, Rojas, Vergara, Nally, Seely, Vosters, Crespo, Antezana, President Deere, Elders Blanch, Rodriguez, Fowkes, Wright, Peterson, Read, Briki, and Peroni. 

 

 

When your mission is growing rapidly and visa waiters are getting through sporadically, crazy things happen.  Here are two examples:

 

Elder Kiffe arrived from the U.S. on Tuesday all by himself.  He will be working with Elder Scheible in Elche.  Unfortunately, we couldn't do what we normally do because Elder Scheible wasn't here.  But they are off and running in Elche, and I will get a real picture of them next week!

 

 

 

 

 

 This one is even crazier.  On Tuesday afternoon Elder Rojas from Mexico called from the airport in Madrid, and wondered who was going to pick him up.  Hmmm...good question.  We got him on a fast train to Malaga, and Justin and I picked him up, since President Deere was teaching.  We love getting new missionaries, even if no one tells us they are coming and they are sent to the wrong airport!   Elder Rojas was a good sport about it all.    His trainer will be Elder Mambo, but his first companion was Justin!

 

 

 

 

 

A "3 Generation" photo.  Elder Valenzuela (on the left) trained Elder Keller (middle), who is now training Elder Webb (on the right).  Families are forever!

 

 A fun preparation day in Cartegena.  I love this picture for two reasons:  1) they look so happy, and 2) their chapas are all in the right place!  Good job!  Hermanas Chavez, Castrillo, Meldrum, Torres, and Elders Mora and Smith.

 

 

 Zone Training Meeting in Cartagena.  The Cartagena zone is doing soo well right now!!  Keep it up Elders and Hermanas!

 

 

 A few of our handsome, happy Elders.  From left to right, Elder Crespo, Elder Vergara, Elder Vosters, Elder Oldroyd and Elder Mardones.

 

 

 Elders Ericson and Pascua in Alcoy, a city most of us have not seen yet.  Alcoy, Benidorm and Albacete were reassigned to our mission in December when two Stakes were reorganized into three. 

 

 

 

 

11 arriving and 8 departing

 

 

 

Elder Blanch and Elder Briki (Where's Waldo?) in Aljarafe

 

 

Elder Barahona and Elder Mambo in Malaga 1

 

Elder Jackson, Elder Merchan and Elder Brown in Cartagena 3

 

 

Elders Jones, Rojas and Tenney in Alcazar

 

 

 

Elders Pena and Gibson in Caceres

 

 

 

3 of my 120 favorite missionaries!  Here's Elder Blanch (center) keeping up with the Joneses.

 

Hermana Yardley and Hermana Ramsay looking smart!

 

President and Hermana Deere with Elder and Sister Teixeira during their visit last week. 

 

 

 The craziness continued this week with 11 missionaries arriving from North and South America.  Elder Guiterrez from Peru had been waiting for 6 months!  We are so glad he is finally here.  We also sent home 8 missionaries last week. 

 

 

 Hermana Nelson and Hermana Jarvis will serve in San Fernando

 

 

Hermanas Martin and Brimhall will serve with Hermana Daly in Almeria

 

 

Elder Woodford and Elder Bivens are headed to Jerez

 

 

 Elder Norton and Elder Martinez will be in Sevilla

 

Elder Jones and Elder Powell are staying close in Malaga 3

 

 

Elder Keller and Elder Webb are in Jaen

 

 

Elder Peters and Elder Guttierez will be in Puertollano

 

 

Elder Pascua and Elder Ericson are in Alcoy

 

 

Elder Dangerfield and Elder Roberts are in Alicante 1

 

 

Elder Salmeron and Elder Patterson are also in Alicante 1

 

 

Elder Mora and Elder Smith are headed to Murcia 2

 

Now for departures and reunions!  Here they are:

 

 

Back row: Elders Kirkham, Hunt and Manning. Front row:  Hnas Vasquez and Torres, Elders Walton, Rodriguez, Hafen and Barahona. 

Ok so Elder Barahona is still here, but since he finishes mid-transfer, he came for the festivities with the group.  We miss you Elders and Sisters! 

 

Elder Hunt's parents came to pick him up and take him back to Virginia

 

 

Elder Hafen with his parents

 

 

Elder Manning with his whole family and ours.  And don't worry--he's got his arms around his Mom and sister.  Completely allowed!

 

 

 

Elder Walton's parents. 

 

 

 

Parents, family and friends back home, we are thrilled to have your sons and daughters here.  Know that we love them already.  And just like this mother monkey adoring and caring for her child, we will be here for your new missionary sons and daughters.  Likewise, we will dearly miss those who have gone home to their families.  We entrust them back to your care!