Special Sister Training Conferences

With all the Sisters in the mission, most of whom have been here only one or two Transfers, we felt the need to have a special Sister Training Conference, and did so, May 29th, 30th, and 31st. The first was in Lexington, Kentucky, drawing all the English-speaking Sisters in that third of the GKLM. The second was in Louisville, Kentucky, and the third in Evansville, Indiana. The Spanish-speaking Hermanas were not included in this group of conferences since they had had two special conferences in the last few months.

President Woodbury presided and he, Sister Woodbury, the Assistants to the President, Elder Warner and Elder Daynes, and the Sister Training Leaders, Sister Mickelsen and Sister Vikari ran the show, so to speak.

"As Sisters in Zion" was the Opening Song, which the three males especially enjoyed (?), then everyone recited the "Remember This" from the back inside cover of Preach My Gospel that the Sister Training Leaders had asked all the Sisters to learn.

Sister Mickelson and Sister Vikari

Since so many young Sisters are needed right now as Trainers of even younger or newer Sisters, Sister Mickelsen and Sister Viakri began the day by teaching how to train. They had everyone fill out a training survey as to how well they were trained and where there might be skills lacking or not as strong in themselves. They talked about how a Trainer/new missionary relationship is a lot like a mother/daughter relationship, and how in both you need patience, love, trust, support, and communication, and need to pick your battles. They described how Christ is the perfect example of the good trainer as he worked with his disciples. Then they had everyone do role-plays with them being themselves but correcting their companion on their very own weaknesses in a way that they would want to be corrected. They also talked about criticism versus correction.

Elder Warner and Elder Daynes discussed the Prayer Approach in contacting and tracting. "We are representatives of Jesus Christ. We have been sent to you today to bring the Savior's peace and blessing into your home through prayer. May we pray with you right now?" They conducted an ingenious role-play where one Sister contacted another who was playing the role of the investigator, using the prayer approach. Before praying she was to ask the investigator about any concerns or problems they would like included in the prayer. The investigator Sister would then mention an actual concern or problem they were having and the missionary Sister would then pray with and for them. It was an effective and tender experience for all. Every Sister got the opportunity to be both the contacting missionary and the investigator.

Before lunch Sister Woodbury did a Sisters-only talk and discussion about girlie-things and special challenges for Sisters, including relationships with Elders, and members and investigators of the opposite sex, grooming and make-up, and looking and acting our very best as representatives of the Lord and His Church. She also shared her conviction that it is not coincidence that these very Sisters were born when they were born, to the parents they were born to, and had the exact Primary teachers, and Young Women leaders, and Seminary teachers, and other experiences so that when they heard the invitation of the Prophet last October, they would be stirred and respond. She also said that becasue of this, they have all that they need, all the faith, and courage, and strength, to do this, with the Lord's help, and that He would make them equal to whatever they were asked to do.

President Woodbury treated everyone to lunch at Subway, then the conference continued.

Elder Warner and Elder Daynes did a workshop on Contacting Commitments, whether it be to read the Book of Mormon, attend church, and/or make a return appointment. Every Sister got multiple chances to practice in a role-play situation.

A question and answer session followed where the Sisters could ask, by way of slips in the Question box, about things that eluded them or bothered them, or ways to handle certain situations and improve in various areas, with President and Sister Woodbury, Elder Warner and Elder Daynes, and Sister Mickelsen and Sister Vikari providing answers and insight.

President Woodbury wrapped up the day with Final Tune-Ups and closing remarks. In his remarks the President:

-referred to Elder Holland's talk where he states that salvation isn't cheap and that as missionaries we must spend our own few moments in Gethsemane.

-talked about false insecurity that many people have, and the difference between Divine discontent and devilish dissonance to which Elder Neal A. Maxwell referred in his talk, "Not Withstanding My Weakness."

-related how Satan wants us to believe we just can't do this, and that if we feel insecure it doesn't mean we are bad or that we are unique. Everyone feels that way at some time or another.

- spoke about the sons of Mosiah, and how when their hearts were depressed, and they were about to turn back, the Lord comforted them, saying: “Go amongst they brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success.”

- said that we must all go out each day as Alma did. with faith believing that we will find Amulek,

- told them we should not be discouraged if we don’t know everything, that like the Sons of Mosiah, we will receive line upon line, precept upon precept.

- said that it is hard to keep your balance on a bike if you’re not moving and the same goes for missionary work. It is hard to find balance as a missionary unless we are continually pushing and moving forward. So keep moving, going forward with faith, knowing that the Lord is on our side and will not fail us.

In the end, the purpose of the training conferences was to strengthen the skills and enrich the knowledge of the Sisters and build their confidence and faith. In the letters that came to President Woodbury the next week and the one after, many commented how it was just what they needed and that they have taken what they learned and felt to keep moving forward.

Mission accomplished.

Below you'll find pictures of the activities and participants in the three conferences divided into their respective areas.

Lexington:

Sister Minson and Sister Dickerson

Sister Walker, Sister Murphy, Sister Mickelsen

Sister West and Sister Peterson

Sister Newton

Sister Jensen and Sister Horlacher

Left side: Sister Kuenzle, Sister Minson, Sister West, Sister Goodrich, Sister Walker, Sister Newton, Sister Jaco

Right side: Sister Jensen, Sister Horlacher, Sister Peterson, Sister Dickerson, Sister Murphy

Sister Murphy, Sister Peterson, Sister Kuenzle, Sister Newton,

Sister Vikari, Sister Jaco, Sister Goodrich, Sister Horlacher

Sister Jensen and Sister Walker

Sister Newton and Sister Petersen

Sister Kuenzle

Sister Horlacher

Sister West

Sister Myler

Sister Newton

Sister Minson

Sister Goodrich and Sister Newton

Sister Murphy and Sister Walker

Sister Murphy and Sister West

Sister Jensen

Sister Peterson

Sister Jensen, Sister Vikari, Sister Dickerson

Louisville:

Sister Vikari and Sister Mickelsen

Sister Myler

Sister Brooks and Sister Ward

Sister Whiting and Sister Baldwin

Sister McInnis and Sister Stacey

Sister McInnis

Sister Egbert and Sister Logan

Sister Egbert

Sister Myler and Sister Short

Sister Logan and Sister Brooks

Sister Egbert and Sister Tripp

with Sister Mickelsen watching

Sister Lewis and Sister Heywood

Standing: Sister Stacey, Sister Ward, Sister Melendez, Sister Whiting, Sister Brooks, Sister Short, Sister McInnis, Sister Baldwin

Sitting: Sister Vikari, Sister Mickelsen, Sister Tripp, Sister Logan, Sister Myler, Sister Egbert, Sister Heywood, Sister Lewis

Evansville:

Sister Pisciotta and Sister Roberts

Sister Black and Sister Loveless

Sister Pisciotta, Sister Earl, Sister Loveless, Sister Hodges, Sister Williams, Sister Mickelsen, Sister Roberts, Sister Thorne, Sister Black, Sister Vikari