Here We Are!

This has been quite a month. 
Ed and I have been working hard (with homework!) to learn our new jobs before the couple training us leaves in a week or so,  They have been amazing and we will miss them very much. There are a million details to learn and lots of people to get to know.  What I like about being the Mission Housing Coordinator is being the first person in the mission to talk to all new full time missionaries (or email if coming from another country).  It is fun to tell the how awesome our mission is and orient them to their first 2 weeks as a missionary.  The toughest part is all the documentation involved and keeping everyone up to date on incoming and outgoing missionaries.  Also, we sometimes get missionaries who are on hold for visas or other issues.  Right now no missionaries are able to go to China or Hong Kong (and maybe Japan) due to the awful virus,   The missionaries who are local just stay in their homes (sometimes with the folks they rented it to!).  We always keep some apartments available for the temporary assignments.
There is never a dull day at the Mission Office,  Sadly, there are a number of injuries because of ice or snow covered curbs.  And there have been 4 deaths over the last 12 months, including one last week.  Keep in mind this is an almost 100% senior mission.  The deaths have been due to stroke, dying in bed while asleep and failed surgery. Surprisingly, seniors get hip replacements and other surgery while on their mission.  I would have thought they would travel home.  Of course they take some time to recover before getting back to work.
Many missionaries here extend their missions. Mostly it is because they love what they are doing, but sometimes it is because they have no place to go after their mission, especially single sisters.
We get to go to Idaho Falls for Valentines/President Day weekend to see Laurel & the kids.  It's a blessing to be able to see family.  I know that most missionaries don't get that opportunity and I don't take it for granted.
Ed is doing very well with all his new responsibilities.  He goes to the Family History library 2 mornings a week to work on the Chinese interpretation project, does security/parking permits and scheduling the other days and is assistant zone leader.
We have been happy to see some friends who have dropped by Temple Square,  It's great to see folks we haven't seen for years.  If you are in the Temple Square area, come to the Joseph SmithMemorial Building 3rd floor.  There is a reception dest there and they will let us know you are here.  It is so fun to be in such a popular place.
Speaking of the JSMB, we often go to the 10th floor to watch the demolition of at Temple Square.  We saw them remove the whole south visitor's center.
Like I said, never a dull moment.  This is the Lord's work and we see His hand everyday.