The date was February 28,, 2013, and the location was the New Albany Stake Center. The missionaries of the various Districts of the New Albany and Crestwood Zones had met together for the first Zone Conference of the year... and it was set to be a great one!
The main meeting began with an opening hymn and the prayer by Elder Crook. Everyone stood for Recitals of the Missionary Purpose and Doctrine and Covenants Section 4, led by Elder Hildebrant, then listened to a conversion story by Hermana Holt and Davis, and a contacting success story by Elders Gardner and Beale. 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. Hermana Lawter did a beautiful vocal rendition 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.
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| NEW ALBANY ZONE Elder Leany, Elder Allen, Elder Funk, Elder Warner, Elder Colling, Elder Gill, Elder Murphy, Elder Godfrey, Elder Stohel, Elder Seegmiller Elder Trimming, Elder Hildebrandt, Elder Ahern, Elder D. Gardner, Elder Castillo, Elder Rost, Elder Sainsbury, Elder Moorhouse, Elder J. Johnson, President Woodbury, Sister Woodbury Sister Trimming, Hermana Davis, Hermana Holt, Sister Whiting, Sister Earl, Sister West, Sister Dickerson, Elder Rollins, Elder Gallagher |
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| CRESTWOOD ZONE Top: Elder Greenup, Elder Rigby, Elder Caldwell, Elder B. Johnson, Elder Potter, Elder Murphy Middle: Elder Crook, Elder Beale, Elder Lipsh, Elder Behling, Elder Randall, Elder Blauer, President Woodbury, Sister Woodbury Front: Elder Kidd, Elder Downs, Elder Gardner, Elder Warner, Elder Thomas, Elder Edwards, Hermana Lawter, Hermana Arreola |
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| The wonderful Relief Society Sisters that provided our lunch |
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| "Called to serve Him..." |
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| "Go-o-o-o-o-o forward, pressing forward...." |
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| "As the triumph song we sing - GO BAPTIZE!..." |
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| (Second verse) "GO BAPTIZE!" |
Back together, the missionaries received instruction and training from their Zone Leaders, Elder Rost and Elder Ahern for New Albany, and Elder Thomas and Elder Rigby for Crestwood.
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.
Then, the Zone Conference was really over!
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| Elder Rost training |
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 hearing the testimonies of Elder Funk, Hermana Holt, and Elder Murphy who will be returning home before the next Zone Conference. After the closing song, Sister Earl gave the closing prayer.
Afterward the official Zone Conference was over, 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...
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| Elder Edwards, Elder Greenup, Elder Lipsh, Elder Behling, Elder Potter, Thomas, Elder Downs, Elder Kidd, Elder Rigby, Elder Crook, Elder Colling, Elder Gill |
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| Elder Leany, Elder Hildebrandt, Elder Allen, Elder Ahern, Elder J. Johnson Elder Warner |
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| Demonstrating how to enjoy a cookie Elder D. Garnder, Elder Colling, Elder Moorhouse, Elder B. Johnson, ELder Rigby, Elder Caldwell, Elder Gallagher, Elder Godfrey, Elder Downs |
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| Elder Caldwell, Elder B. Johnson, Elder Randall, Elder Blauer |
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| Hermana Arreola, Hermana Lawter |
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| Sister Trimming feeding Elder Gill a cookie with Elder Trimming supervising |
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| Elder Thomas at top, Elder Potter, Hermana Lawter, Elder Leake, Hermana Arreola, Elder Rigby, Elder Behling, Elder Kidd, Elder Greenup, Elder Downs |
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| Elder Murphy, Elder Stohel, Elder Seegmiller, Elder Sainsbury, Elder Moorhouse, Elder Godfrey, Hermana Holt, Elder Colling, Hermana Davis |
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| Elder Rost, Sister Earl, Sister Whiting, Elder Ahern |
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| Hermana Davis, Hermana Holt, Hermana Lawter, Hermana Arreola |
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| Sister Dickerson, Sister Earl, Sister West, Sister Whiting |
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Sister Dickerson, Sister Earl, Sister West, Sister Whiting
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Everyone left having been fed spiritually as well as physically, with renewed enthusiasm, desires, and commitment to be the best missionaries they can be.
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