Transfers

We had an unusual transfer this past week.  For the first time since we arrived and I believe since the Deeres arrived, we received no new missionaries!  We were scheduled to get 2 but one had visa problems and one had health problems that precluded his service here.  There were only 2 who finished their missions.   Rod was so cute during our staff meeting.  He went over everyone's usual assignments but put a 'not' in front of each.  You will not be at the train station at 10:00 am President.  APs you will not help with luggage.  Secretary you will not buy donuts.  You get the idea.  I hope we don't forget how it works next time.
We still had to say goodbye to some missionaries serving in our area as they move on to new assignments.

Sister H came to Fuen as a new missionary.  She is a super hard worker.  We will miss her.  Elder G just likes to be in photos.

See what I mean?  We also said farewell to Elder E.



It's a sober moment...Not!

Elder T has to break in a new comp!  You can do it Elder!

We had the sisters over for a farewell supper!

Not bad for a timer photo

On Friday we had a quiet evening.  We ate at an Irish pub.... Excellent fish and chips!

It reminded me of our meal in Gibraltar with Geneva and John.

Then we took a quiet walk on the board walk and out on the jetty.  Now you can see why I will miss this.

Part of the reason we wanted a calm evening is because we spent Thursday looking for an apartment in Malaga.  That would be because We are being Transferred too!!!  Well sort of.  We are expecting a new office couple in less than 3 weeks and had planned on finding them an apt here in Fuengirola.  However we thought it would be more sensible for us just to move to Malaga.  We will be closer to a large group of JAS  (Spanish for young single adults) which is going to be our focus for the last few months of our mission.  The new couple won't have to move twice.  We will just drive into the office when we need to come in, especially the first couple of weeks while they are learning the ropes, but then we will be out of their hair and we can have activities at our place or at the Malaga chapel without the commute late at night.  We would also be closer to Granada by half an hour.  They are part of our stake and therefore we should be meeting with them too at least some of the time.  Sooooo we have begun looking for an apt in Malaga.  We have come across a couple of places that would do, but are small without much of a 'family room' area, so we are still looking.  Keep us in your prayers cause this is a bit challenging.  We really love where we are, especially having internet.  We hope we can get it going in the new place too.  We aren't sure what our little branch will do for music once we are gone.  I guess there are electronic options.  Oh well.  No one is irreplaceable.
I have had the thought often that part of the reason these missionaries are transferred is to remind them (us) how transient everything in this life really is.  We learn to dearly love our areas, members, companions and especially converts, then we must move and learn to love all over again. 
How blessed we are to know that the farewells of this life are temporary, just a transfer or two and we will be together again. 

On a less philosophical note, this is a young lady we have been helping to teach!  She is awesome!!!  When the elders ask a question, her answer sounds like she is a member already!  Rod always just offers her his name badge. She is reading the B of M, praying, and attends both the Spanish and English meetings on Sunday.  She has a baptism date next month!  She even asked to go with the elders to teach someone else they are working with.  This is the fun part!!!
 Well, time for bed.  We love you all and feel your prayers!