Evansville Zone Conference

        The date was February 26th, 2013, and the location was the Evansville Stake Center. The missionaries of the various Districts of the Evansville Zone had met together for the first Zone Conference of the year... and it was set to be a great one! 

EVANSVILLE ZONE
Back: Elder Nielson, Elder Woehl, Elder Davis, Elder Brook, Elder Frisby, Elder J. Anderson, Elder Burdge, Elder Rueda, Elder T. Johnson, Elder Stevenson, Elder Tuttle, Elder Dursteler, Elder Flathers, Elder E.C.Anderson
Middle: Elder Murphy, Elder Green, Elder Despain, Elder T. Evans, Elder Garrity, Elder Lowe, Elder Butcher, Hermana Velasquez, HErmana Meek, Sister Long, Elder Long, Sister Leavitt, Elder Leavitt, Sister Woodbury, President Woodbury
Front: Elder N. Anderson, Elder Sansie, Elder Warner Elder Crichton, Elder Beagley, Elder Cox,  Sister Logan, Sister Mickelsen, Sister Roberts, Sister Goodrich

        The main meeting began with an opening hymn and the prayer by Sister Roberts. Everyone stood for Recitals of the Missionary Purpose and Doctrine and Covenants Section 4, led by Elder Burdge, then listened to a conversion story by Elders Stevenson and Flathers, and a contacting success story by Elders Frisby and Green. Sister Woodbury did a segment regarding cleanliness and order which included the Cleanliness Report Card with the highest "G.P.A.'s" being rewarded with containers with half dozen of her coveted chocolate chip cookies. President Blackwell, counselor in the Mission Presidency addressed the assembly then the Newburgh District rendered a  beautiful arrangement of "I Know That My Redeemer Lives." President Woodbury took the stand and talked about physical, legal, moral, and spiritual safety. Sister Woodbury did music instruction including how to read the basics in hymns and how to lead music, as well as led everyone in singing  the Mission Medley she created and had arranged before coming to Kentucky 20-months ago. President Woodbury did Tune-Ups and otherwise instructed and reminded the missionaries about mission guidelines, policies, goals, and improvements. By the time lunch was ready, we were likewise, and eagerly moved into the gym/cultural hall where we found a lovely meal provided by the Relief Society Sisters. As is customary, we thanked these wonderful women for the kindness and work by singing "Called to Serve," GKLM-style. 

        After lunch, the Zone split, one half with President Woodbury and the other with the Assistants to the President, Elder Murphy and Elder Warner. In the former, President Woodbury did training about helping investigators overcome Word of Wisdom challenges, and in the latter, the Assistants trained about effective contacting. When the alloted time was over the groups traded rooms and training principles.  

President Woodbury training

Role Plays
Foreground - Elder Brook and Elder Beagley
Background: Elder ?, Elder Woehl, Elder Evans, Sister Mickelsen,
Elder Davis,  Sister Logan, Elder Frisby, Elder E.C. Anderson?

Elder Nielson and Elder Green with Elder Murphy watching

Role play contactingElder Cox and Elder Dansie

         Back together, the missionaries received instruction and training from their Zone Leaders, Elder N. Anderson and Elder Beagley, and also from the District Leaders, Elder J. Anderson, Elder Garrity, and Elder Cox.  

        Following the Zone Meeting, Zone Conference continued with President Woodbury doing a wrap-up of the day's matters and reminding them of proper protocol for the Saturday Mission Conference with two Apostles. 

         The meeting ended with Elder N. Anderson and Elder Murphy bearing their testimoniesas is customary. Both are returning home before the next Zone Conference. After the closing song, Sister Logan gave the closing prayer.

        Afterward, Zone pictures were taken in the cultural hall along with lots of small group ones. Additionally, Trumpet newsletters, copies of pictures taken by Sister Woodbury at previous events, keys to cars after they had been inspected by the Halvorsens, and two-each Sister Woodbury cookies were given out for the road. She's a softy for all the missionaries regardless of their cleanliness, especially when they give her that pleading, puppy dog look...   

The English-speaking Sisters
Sister Logan, Sister Mickelsen, Sister Roberts, Sister Goodrich 

Elder Dansie, Elder Davis Elder Johnson, Elder Stevenson,
Elder Garrity, Elder Rueda. Elder Crichton, Elder Evans,
Elder Brook, Elder Lowe, Elder Nielson, Elder Butcher

The lovely Sisters of the Evansville Zone
Sister Roberts, Sister Goodrich, Sister Mickelsen,
Sister Logan, Hermana Meek, Hermana Velasquez

Elder Garrity, Elder N. Anderson, Elder Nielson, Elder J. Anderson,
Elder Crichton, Elder Rueda, Elder Murphy, Elder Dursteler

The Three Andersons
Elder E. C. Anderson, Elder J. Anderson, Elder N. Anderson

Elder Johnson, Elder Burdge, Elder Warner, Elder Frisby,
Elder N. Anderson, Elder Beagley, Elder Brook, Elder Rueda, Elder ?,  
Elder Garrity, Elder Green
Elder J. Anderson
showing the newest issue of the Trumpet

Elder Murphy, Elder Cox, Elder Rueda, Elder Woehl, Elder Daivs
Elder Johnson

        You might think that was it, but it wasn't. The Sisters/Hermanas met in the Relief Society room with Sister Woodbury basically to do Sister Tune-Ups and talk about the influx of new Sister missionaries, how they would have to step up as Trainers, and various other changes that are coming soon, including riding bikes in skirts, a first for our mission.

Sister Logan, Sister Mickelsen, Sister Woodbury, Sister Roberts,
Sister Godrich, Hermana Meek, and Hermana Velasquez

Then, the Zone Conference was over!

          Everyone left having been fed spiritually as well as physically, with renewed enthusiasm, desires, and commitment to be the best missionaries they can be.