The Calm Before the Storm

It's the calm before the storm, and we're gearing up.  

        Eight pans of lasagna are in the refrigerator, along with gallon zip-lock bags of cut-up fresh fruit, and salad fixings, cut-up veggies, stacks of drinks, chips, soon-to-be garlic bread, and five pans of Buster pie soon to go in the freezer.  Gallons of chocolate and regular milk, orange juice, apple juice, and big bags of ice are in stock and also giant Costco muffins. (no time for homemade cinnamon rolls) No, its not the end-of-the-world nor is there a hurricane or other natural disaster on its way (we hope).  Instead, its TRANSFERS! 

        Twenty wonderful missionaries are at this moment in the MTC chomping at the bit, anxious to board the plane in the early hours tomorrow morning. And ten wonderful missionaries are currently in the GKLM spending their last Sunday as full-time representatives of Jesus Christ. In addition, twenty soon-to-be Trainers are doing whatever soon-to-be Trainers do, thirty-five missionaries are packing their bags to move to another area, and thirty-five of their companions are saying good-bye and getting ready to see who their next companion will be. 

        And as for the President? He's busy as can be trying to juggle it/them all. By Wednesday there will be 190 missionaries in the GKLM and actually 200 temporarily from Monday night to Wednesday morning! Watch out Kentucky, southern Indiana, and a bit of Illinois: The GKLM is a force to be reckoned with!

A Golden Moment

President and Sister Woodbury with Elder and Sister Golden

        It was a golden moment, or rather a golden three days, when Elder Christoffel Golden, Jr. and his wife, Sister Diane Golden, came to the GKLM and conducted a Mission Tour August 14th through 16th. Elder Golden is a member of the First Council of the Seventy, and as such is assigned to visit various missions during the year. This was our turn. 
        Hosted by President and Sister Woodbury, Elder and Sister Golden began their tour in Evansville on Tuesday, where they spoke, directed, and instructed the missionaries. The scenario was repeated Wednesday in Lexington with two zones and Thursday with four. One of the Assistants conducted and the other gave the Mission Report, rotating responsibilities on subsequent days. The Zone Leaders also did Zone Reports, there were contacting and conversion success stories related, and a selection of missionary testimonies given. 

Evansville Zone
Back: Elder Bradford, Elder D. Gardner, Elder Rigby, Elder Christopherson, Elder Moorhouse Elder Frye, Elder Roth,
Elder Beukers, Elder Nielsen, Elder Draney, Elder Gill, Elder Olsen, Elder Lawrenson
Middle: Elder Hicken, Elder Whetman, Elder Bjorklund, Elder Lutz, Elder Carly, Elder Rasmussen, Elder Carson, Elder Nielson, Elder Estrada, Elder N. Anderson, Elder Leavitt, Elder Dorius
Front: Elder DV Gardern, Elder Shaffer, Elder Blake, Hermana Holt, Hermana Messerly, Sister Woodbury,
President Woodbury, Elder Golden, Sister Golden. Sister Ash, Sister Ford, Sister Leavitt, Sister Dorius

        President Woodbury spoke about the Atonement and how it 1) redeems us from physical and spiritual death after the fall of Adam and all that was lost, 2) it allows us to close the gap between us and God created by our personal sins, and 3) that is has the power to exalt us so we can reach our divine potential.  Also, that the Atonement gives us the freedom to be perfect, that obedience is the freedom to become like God, and that obedience gives us power. 
        Sister Woodbury used the 23rd Psalm as she spoke about coming to know the Savior and how "whoever takes the Son, takes it all."

Elder Carson, Elder Beukers, Elder Moorhouse, Elder Fry, Elder Hicken

        There was a special musical number interspersed and also the singing of the Missionary Medley by the missionaries for Elder and Sister Golden. 

Lexington and Lexington North Zones
Front: Sister West, Sister Earl, Sister Clemons, Sister Mickelsen, Hermana Lawter, Hermana Cross, SIster Woodbury, President Woodbury ELder Golden, Sister Golden, Sister Jensen, Sister Noakes, SIster Ward, Sister Whiting,
Sister Young, Sister Olsen, Sister Selvage
Second row: Elder Shaffer, Elder Gallagher, Elder C. Anderson, Elder Singleton, Elder T. Gardner, Elder Biddle,
Elder Shutt, Elder Granados, Elder Wilson, Elder Roskelley, Elder J. Cox, Elder Musgrave, Elder Lush, Elder Migliori, Elder DeGraw, Elder Downs, Elder Rollins, Elder Stasarks, Elder Youngm Elder Olsen, Elder Selvage
Third row: Elder Bradford, Elder Frye, Elder Forsgren,nElder Minter, Elder N. Anderson, Elder Funk, Elder Evans, Elder Loser, Elder Potter, Elder Stevensonm Elder Rowley, Elder B. Johnson Elder Casteneda, Elder Waddell,
Elder Garrity, Elder Manzano, Elder Taylor, Elder T. Johnson, Elder Richins, Elder Morrison

        Sister Golden spoke about the privilege that is ours to know the Plan of Salvation, and how someone take our place but we cannot be re-placed; each has been called and has specific things they must do and be.

Elder T. Johnson and Elder Forsgren

Elder Gallagher, Elder Potter, Elder Stevenson

       The remainder of the day was in Elder's Golden's hands as he spoke about various topics as he felt inspired in each gathering. Some of the subjects he addressed were: recording what we learn and feel individually because the Lord customizes the effect to the individual; the Holy Ghost and its power to change hearts, and how if we are living righteously, the first thought we have about a question or problem is generally from the Lord, with the second coming from the Adversary: and that God does not appear to the wicked because they would be destroyed in His presence and that the appearance of God the Father and His Jesus Christ to Joseph Smith is a measure of what and who Joseph was. He spoke about how we do not know all that is possible when we are doing the Lord's Work in the Lord's way. He expounded on the Law of Justice and the Law of Mercy, and how grace is the active verb of mercy. The Nicean Creed and the concept of the Trinity was discussed, and how with the Council of Nicea, the doctrine of the Father was essentially removed and with it the truths regarding the Celestial Kingdom. (Most Christians pray to Jesus.) Through Joseph Smith's prayer and subsequent vision the knowledge of the Father was restored and the Celestial Kingdom was once again made possible. I could go on and on about all the things Elder Golden talked about and the answers he provided for the questions of the missionaries, but let is suffice to say that it was educational and enlightening.

 Louisville Central, Louisville West, New Albany and Crestwood ZonesFront: Elder Despain, Elder S. Cox, Elder Dye, Elder Lipsh, Elder Bowman, Elder Smith, Sister Woodbury, President Woodbury, Elder Golden, Sister Golden, Sister Hunt, Sister Nelson, Sister Walker, Sister Roberts, Hermana Gardner, Hermana Arreola, Hermana Velasquez, Hermana Dunlop, Elder Warren, Elder Ipson
Second row: Elder Erickson, Sister Erickson, _____, Elder K. Wood, Elder Dansie, Elder Dimter, Elder  Jolley, Elder Day, Elder Baker, Elder St. Martin, Elder Harshman, Elder Fisher, Elder Price, Elder Clawson, Elder Beagley Elder Molleman, Elder Barlow, Elder Seegmiller, Elder Ahern, Elder Peterson, Elder Edwards, Sister Lewis, Elder Lewis
Third row: Elder Mason, Elder Freestone, Elder Evans, Elder Rich, Elder Daynes Elder Whitehead, Elder J. Tolman Elder Suran, Elder Simms, Elder Clark, Elder Leake, Elder Green Elder Raney, Elder Rueda, Elder Berube, Elder Wight
Fourth row: Elder Earl, Elder Quick, Elder Shaffer, Elder Thomas, Elder Wharton, Elder Allen, Elder Howard, Elder Frisby, Elder Haws, Elder Broomhead, Elder Adams, Elder Ham, Elder Gonzalez, Elder Ferguson-Villegas, Elder Warner, Elder Knudsen, Elder Bradford

        Elder Golden held a meeting with the leaders of the Zones and Districts and also the Trainers either before or after the main conference. He also interviewed a number of missionaries individually at each location and visited several missionary apartments. 

Elder Taylor and Elder Johnson in their apartment

A visit to the Mission Office was likewise on the agenda where he met with the couples serving there and interviewed the Assistants to the President. By request, there was also a stop to see the Louisville Temple. 

        In addition to all the talking and counseling that occurred as we were coming and going to the meetings and at the Mission Home each night, Elder Golden interviewed and counseled President and Sister Woodbury as a couple and individually.

President and Sister Woodbury with Elder and Sister Golden

The three-day experience was intense but also motivating and inspirational. In our wrap-up meeting with Elder Golden, he told us that we are on the right path, moving forward, and doing well with many more miracles on the horizon.

The August 2012 Interviews - Part Two

Elder Duran and President Woodbury

Hermana Velasquez and Sister Woodbury

        The second and third week of Interviews went smoothly and well, just like the first. The routine was the same (see previous post) but the faces were different, each one unique and wonderful. Here are shots of each District, some of the Training given by the Assistants, and a few of President and Sister Woodbury with their terrific interviewees.

Elder Knudsen and Sister Woodbury

Hermana Dunlop and President Woodbury

Ft. Knox District
Elder Earl, Elder Wuick, Elder Mason, Elder Freestone, Elder Price, Elder Clawson

Old Kentucky District
Elder Gaastra, Elder Robison
Elder Bosen, Elder Rost, Elder Crook, Elder Webb

Training with the Assistants to the President

Deep South District
Elder Rich, Elder Daynes, Elder Raney, Elder Harshman, Elder Colling, Elder Howell

New Albany District
Elder Bowman, Elder Smith, Elder St. Martin, Elder Baker
Elder Lipsh, Elder S. Cox, Elder Dye, Elder Fisher

Kentuckiana District
Elder K. Wood, Elder Dimter, Elder Edwards, Elder Dansie
Sister Roberts, Sister Walker, Sister Hunt Sister Nelson, Sister and Elder Erickson

Corydon District
Elder Barlow, Elder Ham, Elder Warren, Elder Ipson
Hermana Guerra, Hermana Estrada, Elder Beagley, Elder Molleman

Jasper District
Elder N. Anderson, Elder carson, Elder Hicken, Elder Christopherson, Sister and Elder Dorius
Elder Nielson, Elder Carly

River Run District
Hermana Messerly, Hermana Holt
Elder Whetman, Elder Estrada, Elder Olsen, Elder Nielsen

Vincennes District
Elder Draney, Elder Blake, Elder Rasmussen, Elder Gill
Sister Ash, Sister and Elder Leavitt, Sister Ford

Assistant to the President - Elder Shaffer

Assistant to the President - Elder Bradford

Newburg District
Elder D. Gardner, Elder Beukers, Elder Roth, Elder Lawrenson, Elder Rigby, Elder Bjorklund, ElderMoorhouse,
Elder Fry, Elder D. V. Gardner, Elder Lutz

Louisville 4th District
Elder Green, Elder Leake Elder Allen, Elder Howard, Elder Wharton, Elder Ferguson-Villegas

Louisville 5th District
Hermana Velasquez, Hermana Dunlop, Elder Simms, Elder Duran, Elder Knudsen, Elder Warner

Elder Bradford and Elder Shaffer

Hurstbourne District
Elder Thomas, Elder Haws, Elder Frisby, Elder Evans
Elder Despain, Elder Clark, Elder Wight, Elder Berube, Elder Rueda, Elder Broomhead

The August 2012 Interviews - Part One

        The time period when the Interviews with the President are conducted is, in a word, wonderful. To get the chance to met and talk with each and every missionary, one-on-one, is a treat both for President Woodbury and myself (Sister Woodbury).  Meeting with 180-plus missionaries takes some time and involves traveling all over the mission over a two-and-a-half week period, this time three because of a General authority coming to visit in the middle of the third week, but it is well-worth it. I don't get tired of stating the obvious: that we have the greatest missionaries on the planet!
         So while the President is conducting his interview with one missionary, I am talking to another, then we trade, rotating people through until everyone has had their interview. While this is going on the other Elders and Sisters in the District are receiving training from Elder Bradford and Elder Shaffer, our great Assistants to the President. 
        Before this all starts, we get to be a part of each weekly District Meeting which includes Accountabilities, where each companionship reports on their progressing Investigators. This round of Interviews we're seeing the implementation of a standardization of Accountabilities we've begun including reporting on the last week's accountability, the baptism date, this next week's accountability/goal, the Investigator's fellowshipper, and concerns the person has or things they need to overcome. The most common of the latter is the Word of Wisdom and the Law of Chastity. This being the Bible Belt, there is also a lot of Bible-bashing that goes on and there are considerable anti-Mormon forces around us, but our missionaries are strong and carry the Spirit with them, pushing forward and spreading the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ as part of His royal army. 
         Here are photos from the first week of Interviews with more to follow:

La Grange District
Elder Crichton, Elder Murphy, Elder Day, Elder Jolley, ELder Wood, Elder Lowe
Hermana Gomm, Hermana Okey, Elder Savage,  Elder Clarke

Training by Elder Bradford and Elder Shaffer

Shelbyville District
Elder Tolman, Elder Whitehead
Elder baker, Elder Gonzalez, Hermana Gardner, Hermana Arreola

Eastern Parkway District
Elder Bradford, Elder Peterson, Elder Ahern, Elder Ralph, Elder Seegmiller, Elder Shaffer

Capitol District
Elder Lush, Elder Musgrave, Elder Wilson, Elder Roskelley
Elder Granados, Elder Funk, Sister Jensen, Sister Noakes

Winchester District
Sister Ward, Sister Whiting
Elder S. Cox, Elder Rollins Elder Starks, Elder Downs

Beaumont District
Elder Singleton, Elder Casteneda, Elder Rowley, Elder Rich, Hermana Cross, Hermana Lawter

Pioneer District
Elder Taylor, Elder T. Johnson, Elder Morrison, Elder Richins

Bluegrass District
Elder Garrity, Elder Manzano, Elder Anderson, Elder DeGraw, Elder Miner, Elder Gallagher

Richmond District
Standing: An Investigator, Elder Olsen, Sister Olsen, Sister Selvsge, Elder Selvsge, Sister Earl, Sister West,
Sister Mickelson, Sister Clemons
Sitting: Elder T. Gardner, Elder Migliori, Elder M. Tolman, Elder Bratter, Elder Frye, Elder Forsgren

Liberty District
Elder Stevenson above
Elder Biddle, Elder Potter, Elder Loser, Elder Waddell, Elder B. Johnson, Elder Evans, Elder Evans, Elder Shutt,
Sister Young, Elder Young