Welcome, President and Sister Jenkins

 

 We assembled bright and early Monday morning, July 1st, for a weeding service project on the temple grounds.   We were asked to work in the area between the Visitors' Center and the temple.

Pam, the temple gardener in the brown shirt, showed the girls what she wanted them to do.  In some cases she had to show them which plants were flowers and which were weeds!  (Important information to know!)

The sisters went right to work making the grounds look lovely. 

 

These sisters clean the weeds from around the plants by getting right down next to their work.

How come none of my children ever looked that happy when I asked them to weed around our home?

 Sister Noble gives Sister Castillo a big hug with Sister Valladares joining in.  These girls love each other like true sisters.

One of our new sisters, Sister Garcia.

 We enjoyed the hour we spent helping keep the temple grounds beautiful.  The young women have a big day in front of them, since it's their P-day.  Elder Beckstrand looks pretty relaxed though, doesn't he?  We've got a nine hour shift today - maybe he's just resting up so he'll be ready to work at the VC.

 Our new Mission President and his wife arrived in Mesa on June 27th.  Beginning Tuesday, July 2nd they held mission tours for each of the zones.  They were anxious to get to know the missionaries as quickly as possible. This picture shows missionaries from the newly created Alta Mesa Zone and the Superstition Zone. 

 Elder Beckstrand and I attended the final mission tour on Thursday, July 4th.  It was very inspirational and a great way to commemorate Independence Day.  Following the meeting the elders and sisters enjoyed pizza and a large variety of fruit provided by the office staff.
 

On Friday morning, July 5th, the first Mission Leaders' Council held under the direction of President Jenkins met in the Hermosa Vista Stake Center, across the parking lot from the new mission office.  The assistants, Elders Hyrkas and Finlayson, conducted the meeting.

The mission has eight zones counting the new Alta Mesa Zone.  The other seven zones include Citrus Heights, Liahona, Kimball, Pioneer, Mountain View, Superstition, and Lehi.  After the Zone Leaders gave their reports, President Jenkins gave the mission leaders a very helpful training on the purpose of councils and how they function in the church.  (FYI - all of the Sister Trainer Leaders except Sister Remington are Visitors' Center sisters.  Just sayin', we have great sisters who are leaders in the mission!)

As usual, we were spoiled with a lovely luncheon prepared (yet again) by the Mission Office staff.  The sandwiches and fruit were perfect for a hot July day.

Look at the big smiles on these sisters' faces.  They are thoroughly enjoying the food and each other.

 

President and Sister Jenkins got to the serving table just in time - it looks like the food is going quickly!

Sister Evans and Sister Waldron help Elder Evans scoop ice cream into cups for root beer floats.  What could taste better on a day that is 108 degrees outside?

President and Sister Jenkins are excited to be in Mesa working with the wonderful, dedicated missionaries here, and mentioned that they feel blessed to be a part of the missionary effort during this historic time in our church's history. 

                Well, here you have them - the mission leaders for the Arizona, Mesa Mission as of July 5th, 2013.  Not a bad looking group if you discount that strange looking couple on the front row next to President Jenkins.   We're ready and anxious to spread the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of this part of the Lord's vineyard.