New Albany and Crestwood Zone Conference - April 11, 2012

NEW ALBANY ZONE

Top: Elder Mason, Elder Lund, Elder Everett, Elder Webb, Hermanas Okey, Hermana Provost, Hermana Estrada, Elder Dnsie, Elder Roskelley, Elder Wiggins, Elder Seegmiller, Elder Fegan, Elder Morriss, Elder Corry

Front: Elder A. Smith, Elder St.  Martin, Elder Banks, Elder Edwards, Sister Noakes, Sister Ford, Sister Hunt, Elder DeGraw, Elder J. Tolmsn, Elder Knighton, Elder Potter, Elder K. Wood

CRESTWOOD ZONE

Above: Elder Peterson, Elder Cook, Elder Musgrave, Elder Wood, Elder Rollins, Hermana Cross, Hermana Guerra, Elder S. Cox, Elder Fegan, Elder Ahern, Elder Morriss

Below: Elder Savage, Elder Bradford, Elder Nielson, Elder Anderson, Elder Day, Hermana Gomm, Hermana Delgado, Elder Schleske, Elder Adams, Elder Warren, Elder Olson

             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. Abinadi didn't know about Alma, did he? You never know when the seeds may sprout...

        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.

Sister Ford, Sister Noakes, Sister Hunt, Elder Webb, Elder Savage,

Elder Anderson, Elder Fegan, Elder Morriss, Elder Knighton

Elder Lund, Elder J. Wood, Elder Seegmiller, Elder Wiggins, Elder Schleske, 

President Woodbury, Elder Cook, Sister Ford, Elder K. Wood,

Sister Noakes, Sister Hunt, Elder Webb, Elder Savage

Hermana Guerra, Elder Dansie, Elder Day, Elder Seegmiller,

Elder Wiggins, Elder Cook, Elder Warren, President Woodbury, Elder K. Wood

Elder Roskelley, Elder Mason, Elder ?, Elder A. Smith,  Hermana Cross,

Hermana Provost, Elder S. Cox, Hermana Estrada, Hermana Okey,

Elder Bradford, Hermana Guerra, Elder Potter

Elder Musgrave, Elder Ahern, Elder Roskelly, Elder Mason,

Elder Dorius----, Elder Everett, Sister Dorius, Elder A. Smith, Hermana Cross

Elder Cook, Elder Corry, Elder St. Martin,

Elder Adams, Hermana Gomm, Elder Warren

Elder Schleske and Elder Peterson

Hermana Delgado and Hermana Gomm

Elder Webb, Elder Dansie, Elder Knighton

        After lunch, Sister Woodbury got time to practice the Missionary Medley with everyone, and they/we all sounded fantastic.  Sister Lewis did the honors with the difficult piano accompaniment and was fantastic!

        President Woodbury then gave a great talk 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. 

Spanish-speaking missionaries

Hermana Gomm, Hermana Okey, Hermana Provost,

Hermana Estrada, Hermana Guerra, Hermana Delgado

Elder Banks, Elder DeGraw, Elder St. Martin, Elder Schleske, Elder Adams

Elder Day, Elder Schleske

Elder Dansie, Elder Roskelley, Elder Nielson Elder Cook, Elder Peterson,

Elder Musgrave, Elder Warren, Elder Potter Elder K. Wood,

Elder Ahern, Elder S. Cox

Elder Savage, Elder J. Wood, Elder Rollins

Elder Fegan, Elder Lund, Elder Knighton, Elder Everett

Sister  Noakes, Sister Hunt, Sister Ford

Elder Cook, Elder Rollins, Elder Musgrave, Elder S. Cox, Elder Potter

Elder Everett, Elder Roskelley, Elder Nielson, Elder Dansie, (? above)

Elder Peterson Elder Wiggins, Elder Seegmiller

Elder Knighton, Elder Smith

Elder Cook, Elder Cox, Elder Rollins, Elder Musgrave, Elder Fegan,

Elder Peterson, Elder Nielson, Elder Wood

Elder Seegmiller

Elder Cook, Elder ?, Elder Rollins, Elder J. Wood, Elder Seegmiller,

Elder Peterson, Elder Smith, Elder Lund, Elder Knighton, Elder Roskelley

Hermana Estrada and Hermana Delgado

Elder J. Wood

Hermana Guerra, Sister Noakes, Hermana Okey, Hermana Estrada,

Hermna Provost, (Sister Ford), Sister Woodbury, Sister Hunt,

Herman Cross, Hermana Delgado

        Afterward, Sister Woodbury had a short meeting with the Sisters and President Woodbury met with those missionaries 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.