We are very busy doing our work and getting ready for new senior missionaries to come. We decided to clean out the office so they won't be confused by miscellaneous stuff. We are going through all of the file drawers and shredding tons of stuff. We figure we've been here long enough to know if it's useful or not and the new missionaries won't. I opened one big file and felt overwhelmed right away. Man, what is all this stuff? I'll never know what to do with it. But I decided to go after it anyway. In reality, it was really easy. It was mostly 2 drawers full of old stuff from the previous mission. We don't use any of it. We recycled and shredded most of it. We called Salt Lake and found out we only have to save ordinance records for 1 year, so we shredded a lot of that too. Things are shaping up in the office at the Arkansas Bentonville Mission. That's our story and we're sticking to it!
Terra Studios Field Trip
Yesterday we cleaned our apartment and then we went to Terra Studios for a little field trip. It's an outdoor art studio about an hour away. Here are a few pictures. This is where they make the bluebird of happiness.
This is a labyrinth.
Dinner with senior missionaries
In the evening we had a dinner for a few of us outgoing missionaries. We went to a local Italian restaurant and it was so fun to visit and talk. President had us each say something we'd learned or were surprised about. And something that had changed us and we wouldn't ever forget. So much fun to listen to each other!
Our Service Pilot Program
I've mentioned before that we were picked a year ago to be one of 10 missions in the world to do a pilot program of service in our mission. All missionaries do 10 hours of service per week, some are assigned to do 20 or 30. And some are full time service missionaries. Before it ever started, president was having some feelings that we should try doing service in our mission. Then Elder Ballard called him and we were assigned to do that service pilot program. Then we had a senior couple come into our mission who were experts in Just Serve and they took off and got all the missionaries going with service. This is the Lord's work and it's so fun to see all the things that fall together to make things happen.
Our test year has ended and Elder Ballard is happy with our results. I'm including below the letter that President Strong wrote to all of the missionaries about it.
ABM Service Test Update -
Congratulation and Thank you!
Elders and Sisters,
It was almost a year ago we began our service test in the mission. Recall, the purpose of the test was to:
- Determine if doing service made your missions more meaningful and increased the likelihood that all missionaries can successfully complete their missions.
- Build bridges of goodwill and understanding in the communities we serve in.
Since then, you've done a great job going out and getting the job done. Missions have been saved and improved. Hearts and minds in our communities have been changed for the better. We've been sharing your great work with the Church and providing perspective on how you all feel about the test to help them evaluate whether this is something they want to continue and possibly expand.
This week, I received word from the Missionary Department that Elder Ballard has decided the test was successful, is ending the test, and is asking us to continue serving this way as the way we operate permanently. He is very happy with what we are experiencing and doing here.
I am grateful and excited to move to this approach permanently. Thank you to all of you and to Elder and Sister Carr and Sister Strong and to the Smilies and Sister Van Slooten for making this a great success.
An important note. Though this service is not for the purpose of proselyting, we are finding, teaching, and baptizing people through service. A great thing!
I believe this will not only bless your lives, but the lives of the missionaries that will follow you here for years to come.
Much love and gratitude,
President Strong
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