The Week of 36 Credit Cards (Give or Take 😉)
As I sat down to download pictures in anticipation of writing this week’s blog post, I realized I only had two photos — both taken for the new missionary orientation slideshow. Since they pretty much represent our entire week, that’s all you get!
We’ve settled into a steady routine of getting to the office around 8:00 or 8:30 each morning and staying until 5:30 or 6:00 in the evening. There has been no shortage of work to do.
Because we arrived near the end of the month, J.D.’s first major task was reconciling all the credit cards — and when I say all, I mean hundreds of submitted receipts matched to card charges. This includes about 25 fuel cards, 7 island cards, 2 mission office cards, and 2 mission leadership cards. It was a daunting project, but after him working on it alone all week, we tackled it together on Friday and are nearly finished! Next on the agenda is improving the process to make next month’s reconciliation a little smoother.
Meanwhile, I’ve been diving into the complex world of visas and alien registrations for the different countries within our mission. This mission is uniquely intricate. Not only does it include two countries (Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia) and two U.S. territories (Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands), but we also have missionaries serving from 21 different countries — each combination with its own visa regulations and requirements. Keeping every missionary legally where they need to be is quite the responsibility!
In addition, I’ve been purchasing plane tickets, managing schedules, tracking supply orders, and looking for ways to streamline office procedures wherever possible. I truly enjoy the work — especially the blessing of being busy and feeling useful.
Our weekend was just as full. We moved apartments (same complex, just a different unit) and had the opportunity to speak in church. We are grateful for the chance to serve in whatever capacity is needed and hope our efforts in the office are making a difference.
We love being busy, and we’re thankful for the opportunity to help.


That reminds me of a military person stepping into an office of confusion and getting things straightening up things rapidly. Except that you are doing it on your mission supporting all the missionaries in that mission with all the diverse situations they face. Well done.
ReplyDelete