This week was filled with welcomes and farewells, but we have to remember that with each farewell, a new welcome begins. We had a WONDERFUL welcome late Sunday night/early Monday morning. President and Sister Berrett arrived! We were so excited that they finally arrived in India. Although we were able to communicate with them via email and phone prior to their arrival, things run so much more smoothly when the mission president is in the country. We picked them up from the airport, and we didn't get back to our apartment until about 2:30 a.m. Of course, Sister Tiefenbach couldn't fall asleep right away; Elder Tiefenbach didn't have a problem with falling asleep, but getting up at 7:00 in the morning was difficult. We usually get up at 6:00 to go for our walk, but we opted to forgo the walk that morning. Surprisingly, we were quite alert all day at the office.
As tradition has it when we get new arrivals in the mission, we all go out for lunch. We went to an Indian restaurant across the street from the office. We invited the assistants. They were thrilled to be invited, and we were thrilled that they said yes. Come on, did anyone REALLY think they would have refused? They were very polite, however, and didn't presume they would be invited; they waited for the invitation and smiled when it was offered. We didn't have to coax them at all. You know, sometimes people will say ,"Oh, no, we don't want to impose." But, deep down they are thinking, "But, please don't withdraw your invitation because I really want to come." There was none of that feigned politeness. They came, and they ate heartily at the buffet. We still don't know how the elders can eat so much. We would be sick for sure if we ate so much.
Wednesday, we said farewell to six missionaries: (left to right) Elders Penumuru, Baddireddy, Kant, Kothangi, Sampara, and Raja. Yes, we had to say good-bye to Elder Raja. It is always exciting to have the office busy with many missionaries milling about.
We will always have a special place in our hearts for Elder Raja. Our hearts are becoming bigger and bigger to make room for all the people that we do and will hold dear to us. We pray for his success in his future. We have enjoyed working with him in the office for the past two months.
This was the first farewell dinner that Sister Berrett hosted. Sister Smith and Sister Tiefenbach discussed the farewell dinner before Sister Berrett arrived so she would have some support. Sister Smith was invaluable to Sister Berrett, as she went shopping with Sister Berrett and helped cook the food. Sister Tiefenbach would have liked to have been more involved, but office business always seems to get in the way of doing more fun stuff. We had spaghetti (which is the same meal we had for the last departing missionaries), salads (purchased from a restaurant), garlic bread, whole wheat baguette, fresh vegetables, and banana cake (made by Sister Tiefenbach) with ice cream.
Elder Raja is not a tall man, but he certainly can put away a lot of food. We think that sometimes he can eat more than Elder Ram. We don't know where he puts the food, but it goes some where. He said that this is the only farewell dinner that he is going to have so he wants to make the most of it. He was the last one to finish eating. We were all waiting for him to finish so we could have dessert.
Because Elder Raja was leaving before his birthday on June 1st, Sister Tiefenbach couldn't possibly let him go without making him a birthday cake. He was very happy to have his birthday cake from Sister Tiefenbach.
This was the first farewell picture for the Berrett's. Usually, President and Sister Funk had a group picture of everyone present at the farewell, but Berrett's wanted to do it this way. It is much easier to fit everyone in the picture this way.
For the past week, Elder Kumar (our special Elder Kumar from when we first arrived in Coimbatore who took such good care of us) has joined the Assistants to the President. He will be taking over Elder Raja's place in the office. So, for the past week, we have been entertained by the Three Stooges. With the departure of Elder Raja, we will be down to the Two Stooges, but that doesn't sound right. We will have to think of a different name. If anyone has any ideas, we are open to suggestions. Maybe, the Dynamic Duo would fit. Hmmm . . . But, then again, that sounds too good. It doesn't reflect the weirdness that all the Assistants seem to have. But then again, if you have ever watched the Batman cartoons from many years ago, the Dynamic Duo were a bit weird.
This week, we also welcomed Sister Jackson. She is from Utah, but was born in India. She is the daughter of the former mission president of the Delhi Mission. She arrived the afternoon of the farewell for the 6 elders. She was supposed to have arrived at 4:30 a.m., but as is often the case, her flight from London to Bangalore was over booked, and she did not get a seat on the flight. She was put on the next available flight, which was routed through Delhi. She was SO, SO tired when she arrived. President and Sister Berrett picked her up from the airport and then came to the office to drop President Berrett off so he could continue with his work. Sister Berrett took Sister Jackson and her companion who was waiting for her to the Berrett's apartment so Sister Jackson could sleep. This picture was taken the next day. Taking a picture of Sister Jackson the day of her arrival would have been cruel.
On Friday, Sister Tiefenbach was surprised by a birthday cake provided by Sister Smith to help Sister Tiefenbach say farewell to the past year and welcome in another year in her life. (Sister Tiefenbach's birthday was the next day on June 1st.) The cake was also for Sister Judy, who works across in the other office. Her birthday was also on June 1st. Sister Smith got a cake from a nearby place called The Cake Walk. Elder Tiefenbach had suggested to Sister Smith that a blackforest cake would be more than welcomed. It was definitely good. Everyone from the office was invited. Unfortunately, the assistants were not in the office for this celebration. Sister Smith waited for them, but they were held up helping someone move. Sister Tiefenbach appreciated the thoughtfulness and kindness of Sister Smith. We are surrounded by wonderful people and wonderful experiences here in India.
This is Sunil. He is a tech expert, and we always go to him when we need assistance. The tech stuff is not his official job, but we rely on him. Here he is instructing Sister Berrett on using her new iphone. That is the same phone that Sister Tiefenbach inherited from Sister Funk to take all the medical calls from the missionaries until Sister Berrett arrived. Although Sister Tiefenbach liked to talk to all the missionaries throughout the mission, she was more than happy to give up the phone and the responsibility that came with it.
The missionaries couldn't be outdone by Sister Smith. They went out in a torrential downpour to buy a cake and deliver it to Sister Tiefenbach that evening. Sister Tiefenbach heard a knock at the door. When she opened it up, she saw four dripping wet missionaries with big grins on their faces singing "Happy Birthday." The day couldn't get any better for Sister Tiefenbach. We welcomed them in, despite the water dripping off them all over the floor. That didn't matter one bit!
What could be better than this? We thank the parents of these wonderful young men, Elder Ram, Elder Kumar, Elder Aeshamalla, and Elder Prakash, who are so thoughtful. You have raised fine men who are close to the Lord and have developed many Christ-like qualities. They think beyond themselves. You should be well pleased with your sons.
Here is the cake. Although they were so thoughtful and kind, they just had to sneak in a little mischievousness. They put the type of candles on the cake that can't be blown out. Thanks elders!!
They had bought a raspberry chocolate cake, and it was SO, SO delicious. Two delicious birthday cakes in one day is a great way to celebrate a birthday. We provided the ice cream. The elders loved the ice cream. Two of them, Elder Kumar and Elder Aeshamalla, wanted to lick out the carton, but whenever we tried to take their picture doing this, they quickly put the carton down. We never did get a picture with their tongues gliding along the carton licking up any remaining smooth, creamy leftovers.
Here is a display of birthday and mother's day cards that Sister Tiefenbach received in the mail from family members. The messages in the cards and letters were all appreciated and uplifting. These seemingly small things are in reality so important to keep ties with home. It is always a reminder that the eternal unit is the family. Receiving these cards warms our hearts and helps us further feel the love our Heavenly Father and the Savior have for us. Their love is shown by the great plan of happiness they have provided for us whereby we can be united as families forever. What a great blessing this is from our Heavenly Father.
Today was District Conference in Bangalore. The district president was released, and we now have the opportunity to welcome a new district president, President Sunduraj. He is from Whitefield branch. This is a picture of some of the people as they gathered in the foyer after the meeting. Notice the number of young men. There are also many young women. During the meeting, the person conducting mentioned that 22 (22!!!) members of the Bangalore District are currently serving full-time missions. Twenty-two from a district is amazing. Back at home in our stake, we have never had so many young people serving missions.
Usually, missionaries from India don't serve in their home city. But, we have had a few exceptions. Elder Thomas (left) is serving in KGF, which is just outside of Bangalore and is in the Bangalore District. So, his parents were able to see him at district conference. We were happy to get a picture of Elder Thomas with his parents. Elder Jurial (right), is his companion. Elder Jurial served in Coimbatore while we were there.
As we leave you this week, we leave one final thought about farewells and welcomes. We must remember that the greatest farewell we can have is when we put off the natural man, and the greatest welcome we will have is when we accept the invitation of Christ to come unto Him. Let us all seek to live our lives so the Holy Ghost can be our constant companion as we seek to do the Lord's will.
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