Lexington and Lexington North Zones Conference - April 12, 2012

 

LEXINGTON ZONE

Above: Elder Murphy, Elder Evans Elder Moorehouse, Elder Anderson, Elder Kowallis, Elder Fegan, Elder Rigby, Elder Berube, Elder DeYoung, Elder Rueda, Elder Allen, Elder Gaastra, Elder S. Tolman, Elder Morriss

Below: Elder Bjorklud, Elder Gill, Elder Quick, Elder Clawson, Sister Clemons, Sister Whiting, Sister Mikami,

Sister Earl, Elder Forsgren, Elder Garrity, Sister and Elder Young, Elder Whetman, Sister and Elder Olsen

LEXINGTON NORTH ZONE

Above: Elder C. Johnson, Elder Barlow, Elder Fegan, Elder Morrison, Elder Hart, Elder Manzano, Elder Funk, Elder J. Cox, Elder  Price, Elder Morriss, Elder Raney, Elder Rowley, Elder Stevenson, Elder Call

Below: Elder Baker, Elder Singleton, Elder Jolley, Elder Migliori, Elder Beagley, Elder Simms,

Sister Waite, Sister Walker, Hermana Gardner, Hermana Velasquez, elder Frisby,

Elder Broomhead, Elder Lytle, Elder Wilson, Elder Granados

        Where do I begin, regarding Zone Conferences that many have said are the best they've ever attended? I’m not sure what made it special, but for what its worth, here’s what transpired:

        After Opening song and prayer, and Recitals, in lieu of a scriptural thought, President Woodbury had pre-arranged for several companionships to great conversion stories they had been a part of, or success at doing the expectation of talking to ten people per person per day outside of tracting, teaching, or member work. It was inspiring and set the Conference off to a good start.

        Dr./Elder Smalley, our Area Medical Advisor, and his wife, took over for 35 minutes, talking about cleanliness, our bodies need for water, and making P-Day a non-heroics or competition day. 

        Sister Woodbury did the traditional talk on a Christ-like attribute, this time on virtue, including her emphasis on not trying to walk too close to the line, keeping safely inside, and always standing in holy places. Her presentation also had the story of Zynock and the Chocolate Chip Cookies, a big hit. 

        After a break, there was an address by the local Stake President or one of the counselors in the Mission Presidency, President Blackwell or President Rennick and a wonderful musical number, often times as a sort of swan song or farewell by a missionary or missionaries having their last Zone Conference. 

        President Woodbury then did Tune-Ups, talking about activities within the Church, getting rid of any unauthorized electronic equipment, making more efficient use of time, being team players an not begrudging having to refer investigators to other missionaries, having enthusiasm even if you’ve talked to someone before, and not becoming discouraged when all you have done is plant seeds.

        Lunch followed, provided by the Stake Relief Society in each area, and the thank-you from the missionaries, the GKLM-style "Called to Serve," which the Relief Society Sisters love.

Elder Hart, Elder Migliori, Elder Baker, Elder Simms, Elder Rueda, President Woodbury, Elder Barlow, Sister Waite, Elder Anderson, Sister Mikami, Elder Murpshy, Sister Earl, Hermana Gardner, Sister Walker

Elder Jolley, Elder J. Cox, Elder Stevenson, Elder C. Johnson, Elder Adsms, Elder Rigby, Elder Moorehouse, Elder Raney, Elder Berube, Elder Migliori, Elder Fegan

Elder C. Johnson, Elder Quick, Elder Rigby, Elder Moorehouse, Elder Raney Elder Berube, Elder Migliori, Elder Fegan Elder Gaastra Elder Clark, Elder Allen, Elder Garrity, Elder Funk Elder Morrison, Elder Baker, Elder Hart, Elder Murphy, Elder Barlow, Elder Broomheasd, Elder Simms, President Woodbury, Elder Morriss, Elder Whitman?

Elder Forgren, Elder Murphy, Sister Waite, Elder Broomhead, Sister Mikami, Sister Earl, Sister Selvage, Hermana Velasquez, Sister Walker, Sister Clemons, Sister Whiting, Elder Rowley, Elder Gill

Sister Earl, HErmana Gardner, Sister Selvage, Sister Walker, Sister Clemons, Sister Whiting, Elder Gill, Elder Granados, Elder Beagley, Elder Young, Elder Singleton

Elder Bjorklund, Elder S. Tolman, Elder Morrison, Elder Migliori, Elder Wilson, Elder Hart, Elder Clark, Elder Baker, Elder Garrity, Elder Simms, Elder Anderson, Elder Barlow, President Woodbury

        After lunch, Sister Woodbury got time to practice the Missionary Medley with everyone, and they/we all sounded fantastic.  Elder Beagley performed the daunting task of the piano accompaniment and was incredible. 

        President Woodbury then talked spoke about having a change of heart and what that means in the process of lasting conversion.

        The Zone Leaders took over in break-out training sessions with each Zone, after which the group joined back together for Farewell Testimonies by those who are at the tail end of their missions. After the closing song and prayer, Zone pictures and small group photos were taken in the cultural hall. Prints of photos Sister Woodbury had taken since the last Zone Conference were given out as well as the latest Trumpet newsletter and media that had been ordered. Missionaries, as always, lingered, talking to each other and checking in with former companions and friends, before going back to their respective areas.

Sister Whiting and Sister Clemons

Sister Waite and Sister Walker

  

Sister Earl and Sister Mikami

Elder J. Cox and Elder Jolley

with Elder Whetman, Elder Gill and Elder Beagley in background

Elder Gill and Elder Beagley

Elder Migliori, Elder Gill, and Elder Beagley

Elder Rueda and Elder Jolley

Elder Simm, Elder Murphy, Elder Baker, Elder Raney?,

Elder Clawson, Sister Earl, Sister Mikami, Elder Migliori

Elder Fegan and Elder Morrison

Elder Morrison, Elder Clawson, and Elder Forsgren

Sister Mikami and Sister Waite

Newly arrived Elder and Sister Selvage

and President and Sister Woodbury

Elder Whetman, Elder S. Tolman, Elder Forsgren

Elder Gaastra and Elder Lytle

Elder Morriss, Elder Call, Elder Rowley

Elder Broomhead, Elder Wilson, Elder Murphy, Elder Price,

Elder Raney, Elder Barlow, Elder Frisby, Elder Gill

(It's dangerous telling missoinaries to be themselves...)

Elder Stevenson, Elder Rueda, Elder Berube, Edler Raney,

Elder?, Elder Morriss, Elder Manzano, Elder Rowley

Elder Garrity, Elder Fegan

Elder Simms, Elder Baker, Elder Funk

Elder Allen, Elder Frisby

Elder Beagley, Elder Granados, Elder Rowley

Elder Rowley, Elder Beagley, Elder Singleton, Elder Morrison, Elder Garrity

Hermana Velasquez, Hermana Gardner, Elder Singleton, Elder Granados

ElderBbarlow, Elder Migliori, Elder Wilson, Elder Rueda,

Elder Price, Elder Berube, Elder Stevenson

And darling routine Sister Mikami and Sister Earl

were doing that I had to include

Elder Clark and Elder S. Tolman

Elder Baker, Elder Stevenson, Elder Lytle

Elder Wilson, Elder Rowley, Elder Price

Elder Migliori, Elder Jolley, Elder Gill

Elder Morriss and Elder DeYoung

Elder Manzano and Elder Barlow

Sister Waite, Sister Clemons, Sister Whiting, Sister Earl, Sister Woodbury, Sister Mikami, Sister Walker, Hermana Velasquez, Hermana Gardner

President Woodbury and Elder Gill

        Afterward, Sister Woodbury had a short meeting with the Sisters and President Woodbury met with those needing Temple Recommend renewals and a few other matters. Then it was all over for three months. Everyone went out with new ideas and insights, reminders and renewed determination to step it up and be the best they can be.