It seems we have missionaries coming and going ALL THE TIME. When we came here we had the idea that there was a transfer every six weeks and that old missionaries would go home and new missionaries would come. That has not turned out to be the case at all.  The President and Sister Strong always do the big groups on transfers. But, often, we do the ones who come and go in between. On Friday we had a missionary go home. On Thursday I asked President Strong who was taking him to the airport. He said, "That's a good question." I took that as a high compliment since I feel like I ask so many stupid questions that it was nice to be acknowledged as having asked a good question. Anyway, he thought a moment and then said that he and Sister Strong would do it.

I said, "Do you mind if I say 'Darn'?"
       "Why, do you want to take him?"
       "Yes, we always liked taking and picking up."

So he said thanks because they were really busy but didn't want to bother us. Hah!

So on Friday we took this cute Elder to the airport.

It was pretty fun. He said that when he came on his mission he brought eight new white shirts. But he only opened and wore seven. So, on this day, going home, he was wearing a brand new white shirt that he'd saved in the package for two years. It's a miracle that it would fit him. He also said that he brought two suits and completely, totally wore out one but only wore this one a half dozen times or so. So he's going home looking like a new missionary. He was a great missionary and truly returns with honor.

This week we're having one new missionary arrive. (Still no word on who's picking him up.) He's teaching in Marshallese. We have several of these type of missionaries in our mission. Evidently, there are many Marshallese around here; about 10% of the Marshall Islands population.

(You can go here for more info about that. It's pretty interesting)
https://www.aetn.org/programs/anewisland

Anyway, Sister Johnson found out yesterday that the President is creating a new Marshallese area. So at 3:30 Friday she came into my office and asked if we could look at an apartment where we might put a companionship of Elders. It was good and we will sign papers this week (IT'S A SHORT WEEK).  Now we just have to furnish the apartment.

So there's an apartment full of furniture that we're closing. But it's two+ hours away in Branson. We have a pickup truck and trailer for these things but we are so short on cars so the President has given the pickup truck to a companionship of Sisters who work in the office developing teaching methods, etc.  So they've been working on this huge Light the World campaign and this week is when they're scheduled to drive all over the mission spreading the good word. So now we're trying go figure out how to get the furniture from Branson to Rogers. Keith may have saved us though, because he's doing the pass-along cards for their campaign and the cards will be late. It's not his fault.  Blame Fed-Ex. So maybe we'll be able to get the truck on Tuesday or Wednesday.

On Sunday (tomorrow) we're spending our day in Fort Smith scoping out apartments for a Senior CES missionary couple who are arriving in December. We'll also go to church down there.

Anyway, the fun never ends here. We're busy and happy and tired.