Ft. Smith Zone P-Day

P-day is designed for the missionaries to take care of things like housecleaning, shopping, and laundry and also to relax and refresh from their labors of the other six days.  Although occasionally they may join together and go bowling or to the batting cages, the most common activity for the Ft. Smith missionaries is to spend time at the stake center, playing basketball or volleyball, using the computers to write their weekly letter to the mission president and their families, phone calls with their families, and sometimes just taking a nap on the couches in the lobby.

This past P-day was a bit different.  

First, we all were up by 6:30 am to be a part of the TRANSFER call where the missionaries learn if they are staying here in Ft. Smith or moving somewhere else in the mission.  They also learn who their new companion will be if they are being changed as well as if they are receiving any leadership assignments.  The night before some missionaries put a "guess list" of who was staying and going--one way to manage the nerves of the changes!  We always just stay here, although it is possible for senior missionaries to move, it is very unusual. Seven of our nine companionships changed and Sister Madden and Elder Bigelow were off for their first move within the mission.  Elder Smythe who has served as our zone leader for six months was also transferred.  We will miss all of them so much.

And while they get up that early every day, it is a bit early for me!

Typically, missionaries also have to stay within their own areas on P-days.  However, due to MLC review and the need to do splits (where the missionaries spend the day with another set of elders--either the zone leaders or their district leaders), missionaries arranged to be in Ft. Smith for P-day since it was Elder Miller's last one and it was on a transfer week.

So, we decided another celebration was in order and we arranged a Chinese New Year meal for lunch for our zone.  It was fun to share food and conversation with them.

And they brought treats, too...

Elder Moon made these yummy cookies.

Elder Baggiore made these caramel rolls which I heard were amazing!

And the Mena Elders--Elder Whetton and Elder McKee--brought their box of Christmas and Valentine treats that they have been getting from family (and girl friends) and ward members.  They haven't been eating sweets this transfer so they had quite a collection to share.

Let the eating begin...some even used the chopsticks.

Our red table clothes came in handy once again.

Other P-day activities---

the haircuts outside by Elder Thacker.  His mom is a hair stylist and she taught him how to cut hair for the missionaries before he came out so he has done it every place he has served.

(permission was given to take this picture)

Since it was transfer week and Elder Miller's last week, some of the missionaries brought things for others to sign--books and a flag.  I wish we had done something like that!

9 Square took center stage for awhile.

Elder Simmons isn't a fan of sports, but he is an amazing artist and allowed me to take a few pictures.

With Elder Miller's permission, here is a look at his "teaching" Book of Mormon. It has been well-used and well-loved by Elder Miller during his service here in the Arkansas Bentonville Mission.  He had started a tradition where he had the other missionaries sign his Book of Mormon (in the blank pages at the back) wherever he has served.  So, this book represents many aspects of his missionary service.

Jena joined in the 9-Square....oh, how she loves the missionaries and they love her.

Next came pickleball and these missionaries taught Jena a bit on how to play.

Jena with Sister Madden

And Jena with Elder Miller...we will miss them both and all that left this transfer!

There was also some basketball playing, conversations, phone calls, email writing, and some napping...sweet times with sweet servants of God.

And that is a wrap on P-day in Ft. Smith...they are back to work at 6:00 pm. And we are home to work on Institute for Thursday night  (no Chinese food for them...after two meals and then leftovers, we were ready for some pizza.)