The Middle of the Mission

July 2012, President Uchtdorf gave a First Presidency message in the Ensign magazine encouraging missionaries to always have the attitude that they are "in the middle" of their missions. He explained that in the beginning of a mission, missionaries sometimes feel they aren't experienced enough so they often do not speak with boldness and confidence. At the end of their missions, missionaries might start slowing down in the work, possibly due to thinking of their adventures after their missions. He wants missionaries to always work with the perspective that they are in the middle of their missions - full of confidence, vitality, focus, and energy.

He likens missionaries to us - we might also take the view that we are in the middle of our life journey, and really enjoy the journey, regardless of age: This is Bob and I having fun!

Just kidding!

Back to the Bonham Sisters:

Heidi and Kelli are now more than 2/3rds of the way through their missions, but when I send them an email on Mondays, I always mention that they are in the middle of their missions. It has been a great journey for them, with many more adventures yet to come.

Kelli is in the beautiful area of Woodland, WA. She and her companion, Sister Cone, have enjoyed the lovely people of Woodland. They have taught many people and have had some really awesome experiences!

Kelli was on exchanges, which means she had a different companion for a day or two, and she was able to do missionary work in Astoria, which is on the west coast. It reminded her of CA when we lived near the ocean.

The WA-Vancouver Mission had its one-year anniversary and they celebrated at a beautiful Washington park. Kelli said it was a blast!

I am really into numbers, so Kelli sent this picture of the odometer in their mission car. Sweet!

A sweet family had the sisters over for dinner. The family has three missionaries who have served missions, in fact one son just recently finished his mission, so the mom knew how much we would appreciate these pictures and she sent these.

Sister Bonham:

Sister Bonham and her awesome companion, Sister Cone:

A couple weeks ago a cat came to visit Kelli during study time. This gives a small glimpse into the basement apartment where the sisters live:

Heidi has been transferred to Fontana, CA and has a new companion, Sister Tep, from Cambodia. Sister Tep converted to the LDS church when she was 16 years old. She knew she wanted to serve a mission when she was of mission age. She worked for 3 years to earn the money for her mission. She left Cambodia two months ago, arrived at the MTC in  Provo, UT and began learning English. She is an awesome missionary! Fontana has not had sister missionaries in over five years, and the people of the church have been very welcoming to Sister Bonham and Sister Tep.

Here are some pictures of Heidi with a great companion, Sister Porter - the companion prior to Sister Tep (no pictures of Sister Tep, yet!):

This picture shows a section of their living quarters:

They found a very cool large tree trunk!

The sisters helping someone move. Missionary work gives ample opportunities for service!

It is great to have daughters in the middle of their missions! It is fantastic!