TRANSFER - LUGGAGE EXCHANGE OR "PARKING LOT PARTY"?

After transfer meeting, everyone heads to the parking lot to begin the confusion of moving luggage, all belongings, and bikes to new vehicles for transport to the new areas. When the transfer involves about 150 missionaries as it did this time, their is a lot of work, packing, and mostly visiting going on in the parking lot. After an hour, I have to put on my "general" hat and start encouraging them to leave. I know they love each other and want to say hello to former companions and friends they haven't seen and so this can be a long process. They departing missionaries are also busy telling everyone goodbye, as they will be heading to the mission home and their final evening in the mission.

The meeting was wonderful. They departing missionaries each share a few thoughts, their testimony and some advice for the "younger" missionaries. They are the seasoned, wise missionaries and have incredible words of wisdom to impart. We have some musical numbers and talks and it is an exciting and spiritual meeting.

This transfer a 10th zone was organized. We now have 2 spanish zones- A North (Old Town) and South (Potomac). We also organized 2 Sister Exchange leaders now. One for the Spanish and one for the English. Sister Larsen and Lee.

Sisters Lee and Larsen with the exchange board.
Elders Jones and Chance Johnson (we have 3 Johnsons)
Elders Toby Peterson (we have 3 Petersons) and Elder Schmidt
Sisters Balsley and Vaitai
Sisters Barrero, Aulava, Malmberg, and Murray
Elders Wallace, Jacobsen, and McFarlane
Elders Slade and Dickson with White in background
Elder Sackett and Sis Albright. We are sure going to miss this elder.
Sisters Trepanier and Spencer with Elder Sackett
Elders Garlick and Harper
Sis Murray with her new companion Sis Malmberg
Elders Tejada, Slade, McFarlane
Elder Logan, a gentle giant
Sisters Nichols and Sorensen and Elder Hill
Elders Holmstead and Sherwani. We are going to miss our wonderful Assistant, Elder Holmstead. He is loved by everyone.
Elders Wallace and Holmstead, both leaving behind big holes and big shoes to fill.
Elder McFarlance. Kind to everyone and a Zone Leader

Elder Hill. One happy elder. A hardworking office elder and District Leader
Elder Robbins- Another hardworking office elder and District Leader