Climbing to Higher Ground October 2014 MLC

The Missionary Leadership Council joined together for an early morning hike before we met together.

MLC hikers!  Back row:  Elders Shields, Packard, Doyle, Baggett, Christensen, Saylor, Birrell, Ginos, Ashton, Hill, Gipson, Vassallo, Whitney, Sorensen, Harper, Nash (Elder Dennison back there somewhere). Middle row:  Sisters Moore, Anderson, Williams, Jones, Jones, Petersen, Thomas,  Elder Bashein, Sister Weloth. front Row:  Sisters Washburn, Wade, Chavez, Elders Johnson, Whipple, 

Sister Gates 

Eating breakfast at the trail . . .

Elder Vassallo and Sister Gates

President Johnson, Sisters Jones, Peterson, Elders Gibson and Hill

Elder Saylor, Sisters Jones, Thomas and Williams

Sisters Gates, Weloth, Williams, Jones, Thomas, Jones, Petersen, Anderson, Chavez, Moore, 

    Washburn and Wade

Elders Ashton, Saylor, and Bashien

Sister Johnson with Sisters Washburn, Moore, Gates, Weloth, Williams, Anderson and Elder Gibson

Elder Whitney, Sisters Jones, Petersen and Bashein

Elders Baggett and Whipple

We Bid Thee Adieu

It is such a bittersweet experience as we bid farewell to our missionaries who have completed their service and are heading home!  This time we were able to take them hiking on the trails near the mission home after dinner.

Elder Nash, Sisters Kiinney and Doxie, Elders Slesk, Shields, Boyd, our son Andrew and Elder Olsen

Elders Slesk, Boyd, and Leavitt

Sisters Hill and Thatcher

Top left:  President Johnson, Sister Thatcher, Elder Broom, Sister Thompson, Elder Olsen, Elder Harris

Middle:  Sisters Hill, Doxey, Kinney and Elder Peckham

Front:  Sister Johnson, Elders Boyd, Cooper, Stockman, and Leavitt and Slesk

E Olsen fixing my cupboard with his father looking on!

A very joyful reunion!  Elder Stockman and his parents.

Sister Doxie with her Mom and Sister :)

Elder Cooper and his Mom with Preident and Sister Johnson

Sister Kinney with her Mom and Dad

Back left:  Elders Cooper, Olsen, Leavitt, Broom, Peckham, Boyd, Harris, Stockman, Slesk

Front row:  Kinney, Doxie, Thompson, Thatcher and Hill

WELCOME TO PPM ~ September Transfers

September brought us 20 new missionaries to the PPM!

   Here Elder Gray, Elder Liston and Elder O'Keefe

Sisters Bennett, Palmer, Talbot and Jarvis

Loading up the luggage . . .

Viewing the city of Pittsburgh 

A happy moment together!

Back row:  Elders Hummer, O'Keefe, May, Bramwell, Liston, Schofield, Horsely, Holman, 

                  President Johnson and Elder Andrade

Front row:  Elders Rosen, Saylor, Wilson, Mueller, Gray, Beal, Sisters Palmer, Bennett, Jarvis

                 Talbot and Johnson

Sisters Talbot, Bennett, Palmer, Jarvis and Johnson

Shiny and new!

Lunch time at transfer meeting 

Elder Packard . . . Coming in from Amish country!

Lots of hellos and best wishes during transfers

Elders Searle, Reeves, Thurtle, Boyd and Howell

Sisters Williams, Kuo, Lopez and Hill

An unusual companion for Sister Washburn!

Still hungry? 

Going out with a bang?  Sister Thompson, Elder Broom, and Elder Harris

Elder Smith

Entering in at the Gate

September 19, 2014

Suzanne Thomas' decision to be baptized was a very joyful event in the Pittsburgh 5 and 6th wards!  Suzanne is a great example of faith and diligence.

Stephanie and Bryan Duford with Suzanne.  Good friends!

President and Sister Johnson with Suzanne

Elders Shields and Watts with Suzanne, Elders Hebdon and Nash

Elders Shields and Nash with Suzanne

Elder Hebdon baptized Suzanne

Staying in Shape! (At least trying)

Several missionaries have asked us what we do for exercise.  We are so fortunate to have these beautiful hiking trails just across the street from our neighborhood!  There is also a bike trail just a few minutes down the road.  So we hike some mornings and bike other days.

President Johnson looking for Monarch caterpillars: