Here is my picture with Elder Benar. . . .

Well, with Elder Bednar and a couple of hundred of our friends. (Back row, right side, just in front of Elders on the Stage) It was quite an experience. We all get in our places then Elder Bednar and his wife, mission leaders, area seventy, etc. come in and a photographer standing on the top rings of a tall ladder takes a few pictures. Elder Bednar and those who came with him leave.  I would say they have done this a few time, LOL. They know exactly how to organize things to go as smooth as possible.

We had a three hour meeting conducted by Elder Bednar. The meeting was very much geared for the young missionaries but wonderful for us all. He is truly a master teacher.  He is also pretty funny. We got to see a different side of him than conference talks. Much of the time was taken up with Elder Benar taking questions asked by the missionaries. He told us all to not to try and take detailed notes but write down what we felt the Spirit was teaching us. My main impression from the Spirit is that God recognizes the desires of our hearts. We are all imperfect and we often make the same mistakes over and over again God takes into account the desires of our hearts. What we really want and who we really want to be. That was conforting to me. Not that all I need to do is desire something without putting in the work but that he knows my righteous desires despite my weeknesses.

As a young missionary Elder Wright was interviewed on his mission by a member of the quorum of the twelve. Times have changed. The Church is much larger and there are more missionaries. As Elder Bednar put it, we will see less of the Quorum of the Twelve travelling the world except when it is associated with the dedication of a temple. He said that because the Prophet has seen fit to bless the world with so many temples that the Twelve are busy dedicating those temples. We are truly getting to see the global picture of the growth of the Church on this mission.

This is a picture of us with Sister Hoover who is going home this transfer. She is from southern California. She has leis made out of candy bars around her neck. This is a tradition here.

Working with the Sister Missionaries continues to be the best part of our mission.  They are great examples to us and it is a pleasure teach with them and help support them.

We will be getting a new Mission President and wife the first part of July. It will be interesting to see how things might change in terms of transfers and travel.  Because of the size of our mission the Mission Leaders do a lot of flying to do interviews and the missionaries fly to most of their transfers.  Love to you all from down under.