Our Arrival

When we FINALLY arrived at the Detroit Employment Center, we were greeted with a wonderful surprise! The whole center was decorated with flowers and signs welcoming us on our mission. We had so much fun on our first day!

This sign read: "We had to jump through hoopes to get you here." :)
and there were more signs....

The wonderfully talented and compassionate people we are blessed to work with in the Detroit Employment Resource Center. Director Doug Mallory & Associate Manager Susan Shafkalis

We believe we are in a fantastic area where our director has magnificent vision on how we in the Church must serve those in need. He presses for personal action beyond the study of principles and theory. We are quick to help those who suffer from a death in the family. We were reminded that the personal impact of the loss of a job is next only to the loss of a loved one. We must respond likewise to those who have no job. It is clear we need to respond to those with employment needs with the same compassion and actions that we would give to those who suffer loss of a loved one. The Employment Resources can help us all to know the skills needed to help those with employment needs.

Goodbye Again

After 1 week and 5 days at the Provo Utah Missionary Training Center, we got in the car and headed for Detroit. After 4 days of traveling across the country, we rested for a day outside of Akron with our daughter Laura and her husband Brian. They live just 3.5 hours away from our Detroit Mission, so we are happy to have them so close (and they are even more excited to have us so close)!

We've said goodbye and then goodbye all over again with many of our children, but now we are finally headed to do the mission field to do the Lord's work. We can't wait!

Dear friends leave for Denmark!

On the bus - farewell friends!

The Rays with fellow Denmark destined missionaries leaving early early early in the morning!

New Arrival

550 missionaries arrived at the MTC today. It was powerful to see all these young men dedicate their lives and sacrifice so much to the service of the Lord.

Above is our Grandson Jonathan arriving at the MTC. Each new Elder that arrives is hosted by an 'experienced' Elder (one who has been there a couple weeks already) so that the new arriving Elders don't feel lost and are well taken care of. The Elders with jackets are the newbies and the ones with white shirts are the hosts.

Jonathan N Hoopes dedicating his life in the service of the Lord

Erick Garlock, Jordon Overstreet and Jonathan Nat Hoopes all friends from Mesa flew into Salt Lake together. They were picked up at the airport by our other grandsons TJ, Garret, Colin, and Chandler, who brought the Elders to the MTC.

Grandparents and Grandsons celebrating a monumental day: Proud to be with our new missionary Jonathan Nat Hoopes, July 28, 2010. Group picture of us with the Sheffield boys Colin, T.J. Garret and Chandler Hoopes.