The lighthouse at Formentor, Mallorca

The background shows sidewalk tiles - "rajoles" - that pave the sidewalks throughout Barcelona. They were designed by architect Puig i Cadafalch for the entryway of a home. Since 1915, they have been used by the city to pave sidewalks, and have become emblematic of the city. One of the city's most famous chocolatiers, Enric Rovira, produces chocolate bars in the shape and design of these tiles.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Transfers!

Transfers again! We began doing exit interviews on Sunday and Monday with the 9 wonderful missionaries returning home. Tuesday the day began as Hna. Hinckley and I took our daughter Lizzie and her friend Angie to the airport - they had spent a wonderful week with us - then returned to the office in time to drive to the train station to meet 5 new elders arriving from the Madrid MTC.

In the meantime, Elder and Hna. Lund drove back out to the airport to pick up Hna. Rodriguez, coming back from Italy after being on medical leave for two months and the Ayundantes had a training meeting for the newly-called trainers. It was a rainy day, so we skipped the usual visit to Montjuic with the new missionaries and came directly back to the mission office and home for lunch (during which Pte. Hinckley conducted brief interviews with each of the new missionaries). Assignments were then made, the trainers came up and met their new companions, we had an orientation meeting, and sent them on their way to their new assignments about 4:00 p.m.

We had two hours to rearrange the house, set the table, and prepare for a final farewell dinner at 6:00 p.m. with the returning missionaries. At 7:00 some family members of returning missionaries joined us for a farewell meeting and testimonies, and then we all went down to Plaza Catalunia to "sing for the angels." It continued to rain, but we had a wonderful and memorable evening.

Wednesday morning we were up early and left for the airport at 7:10 a.m., where we said our last goodbyes to nine incredible missionaries! We miss them terribly, but the blow is softened by the great spirit of our five new elders and the return of Hna. Rodriguez!


 A bittersweet farewell in the mission home on the last night in Spain
Elders Miskin, Haymond, Worthen, Dillon, Forsgren, Burton, Davis and Groves surround Hna. O'Neill

Elder Atkin and Pte. Hinckley at the train station awaiting the arrival of the nuevos

 At the train station to pick up the nuevos, we crossed paths with 
several elders traveling to their new areas!

New Companions
Elder Egan and Elder Nasaeth
 
Elder Waite and Elder Gold

 Elder Jacinto and Elder Jimenez

 Elder Moss and Elder Romney

Elder Parry and Elder Sommerfeldt

 
The nuevos and their trainers - about to go to work!

2 comments:

  1. I love this mission so much!!
    -Elder Laney

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for posting the pictures! We love seeing our son just arriving in the mission.

    ReplyDelete