Planning Transfers | Bill Baptized | Brother Reed | Home MTC vs. Actual MTC

Hi Everyone!

Question: So, what’s new in Vegas?
Elder Doxey: Today we have transfers and I have to say, they are insanely busy! Simply put, getting to the point of actually making the transfers is the easy part. It’s all the considerations leading up to it that get complex. It is a lot of work. Of course we prayerfully consider recommended updates and changes, but President Reese is ultimately the one who approves and solidifies it all.

Question: That transfer board is such a unique perspective that most missionaries never get to see. What do all the little tags, markings, and indicators mean? 
Elder Doxey: It’s actually a pretty simple way to keep track of a lot of information that can change quickly. It’s a good high level view of things, but there is a lot more that goes on before a change is made. 

“Pink” means they are Sister Missionaries. Someone positioned “Upside Down” means they are new to the area, “Yellow” indicates Spanish speakers, “Green” means they are the point person to drive, “Red” means they are not the point person to drive right now. Nearby you probably see the branch or ward where they are currently serving, the Zone name, what mode of transportation they have (car, truck, bike, bus, walking, etc.). Like I say, it is all considered. 

Question: Wow Elder Doxey! Looks like you’ve been hard at work! How many missionaries total do you have in the mission right now?
Elder Doxey: We have 250. There are 10 that go home tomorrow, and we will pick up 12 from the airport and get them assigned to an area. All we do is get the missionaries to the airport with president. President does their interviews and a Senior missionary couple helps if we’re planning their last transfer (all the details with wrapping up).



There are a few details to communicate and coordinate with meals for those coming and going. Yeah we have a super nice dinner with president’s house tonight. (We are literally going to their house with the 10 finishing to eat tons of good Traeger grilled steaks--we are spoiled rotten.) Then the new missionaries just have like Jimmy John's at orientation and they love it.



Question: What are some examples of variables considered as you consider companionship changes?
Elder Doxey: It’s really everything…time in the mission, trainer/trainee capability, whether or not they can drive or need to be on bikes or walking, housing arrangements (whether they are in an apartment or a home), where those with language skills should be serving, where those with other skills could be more effective, what the branch and ward needs are, where they have served in the past, it’s everything—we pray about it all.

It is quite a process because we have so many in the mission. Specifically, we have to write up exactly what each missionary needs to know about area, ward, house, car, bike, house sharing, car sharing, whose car is in the shop and a ton more. Then there are all the key transfer issues, and then you have missionaries don’t do what they are supposed to do so we have to mop that up. It takes about 3 days to plan all of it out. It is very nice to have these pics on my phone so I can keep it all straight.



Question: The last time we saw a picture of the transfer board in Panama, Pte. & Hna. Garrett had 20-25 Panamanian missionaries there, and several zones had been temporarily closed. I think it is safe to say they would LOVE to see a transfer board like you have there in Vegas!
Elder Doxey: For sure they would! Have you heard any new news from Panama or the Garretts? I wonder how everyone is doing there.










Question: That is a great description of everyone. What a unique, unique, perspective on so many instruments in the Lord's hands. Literally, what we’re looking at is the Lord’s toolbox with church members in the Las Vegas West mission.  Tell us more about some of the people in your photos…
Elder Doxey: Well first, there is Brother Reed. He is a super solid church member and has us over all the time. Great guy.



Question: Who else are you with?
Elder Doxey: Next, there is “Bill”, a guy that was baptized in our zone.



Question: So, it looks like you’re busy, to say the least.
Elder Doxey: We are, even P-days are really busy. Right now Elder Wilson and I are with Sister Reese (President’s Wife) in her car, on our way to another effort. So, I can text right now.



Question from Elder Doxey: Hey, can you remind me, how do we know the Reese’s friends from So. Cal?
Julia: Two sets of our friends were their neighbors--the Darbys (I worked with her Melissa Darby at Edgemont last year) and the Brysons (Karen and her family were in our ward in San Ramon before they moved). 



Question: For transfers/changes do you meet in a big church building, or do you call them all into one building in their area and manage it there? Who makes the changes?
Elder Doxey: To get it started, President Reese first calls all of the leadership to announce transfers, then we call everyone else to specify who needs to be where, when. They all come to the Monte Cristo chapel, and that is where it all happens. We (the APs) conduct most of the meetings.

It’s way, way more simple than the way we had to do it in Panama. Here pretty much everyone has a car and a phone and they literally just pull up, put their luggage where it should go, and ya…they walk into the meeting.

In Panama, a transfer in San Blas meant packing up, sometimes hiking down a jungle path to the boat dock, figuring out the boat / panga schedule (making sure they have gas), waiting for the waves to calm down, finding a pay phone (if you’re not in cell coverage) to call and tell someone you’re on your way, then waiting for a Diablo Rojo (microbus) to show up that can fit in your luggage so you can make it to the chapel on time.

Question: Have you noticed that these "Home MTC" trained missionaries are in special need of any particular training, or are they the same, or are they better trained?
Elder Doxey: All of them (for the most part) have no idea what they are doing when they come into the mission—whether they were in the MTC and arriving in Panama, or they were at a home MTC and arriving in Las Vegas. That part is the same.



What really differentiates one missionary from another is really how much they want to be obedient and pick it up fast. I don't see a huge difference in those who I knew had been to an actual MTC and a home MTC. Like I say, it boils down to obedience, and knowing what they are here to do.

Question: Is John all ready to go?
Elder Doxey: Definitely. He starts the Peru MTC (online) on 10/8/2020. John is working hard with Spanish already. Of course he is playing hard these last few days with friends. He took Edwin and Abraham from doTERRA out to lunch today and gave each of them a Spanish Book if Mormon with his testimony written in it. He was happy they didn’t throw it back in his face. Solid. He will be excellent.

Good to talk. Gotta run.

Elder Doxey