The Great Kentucky Louisville Mission - 2: Zone Conference Number One

Back: Elder T. Johnson, Elder Faudree, Hermana Wilkinson, Hermana Kearsley, Sister Bailey, Sister Ellsworth, Sister Atkin, Sister Oliverson, Sister Vikari, Hermana Messerly, Hermana Hansen, Sister Anderson, Sister Myler, Sister Rounds, Elder Kaegi, Elder C. Anderson
Middle: Elder Pyper, Elder Knudsen, Elder (Brad) Allen, Elder Pritchett, Sister Woodbury, President Woodbury, Elder J. Anderson, Elder (Bryton) Allen, Elder Tuttle, Elder Huff
Front: Elder Gerard, Elder Souza, Elder Rollins, Elder Thomas, Elder Sainsbury, Elder Adams

Crestwood had its very own Zone Conference for the first time on November 7th. Previously it had been combined with New Albany Zone so we could have just four conferences out of the seven zones. (Evansville had its own because of size and location). Since we now have larger Zones we decided to have seven Zone Conferences, which made for three more full days, but a more manageable size in each and a more productive format for all concerned.

Here are the amazing Elder and Sisters of the Crestwood Zone:
Zone Conference began at 9:45 and ended about 4:30 or 5:00, plus another hour for pictures and visiting.

The morning consisted of the regular opening and Recitals, three miracle conversion or contacting stories, auto safety by President Woodbury, the cleanliness quiz and awards by Sister Woodbury, Tune-Ups by President Woodbury, a musical number by Elder Rollins, training on the new "Adjusting to Mission Life" manual by Sister Woodbury, a talk by President Woodbury, and the Missionary Medley led by Sister Woodbury and accompanied by Elder Thomas. After a break, everyone divided into three groups and had their first rotation of three break-out training sessions. President Woodbury took one group, trained on reactivating members, the Assistants to the President, Elder Anderson and Elder Thomas trained on contacting using the Book of Mormon, and the Zone Leaders, Elder Rollins and Elder C. Anderson, trained on how to become a finely sharpened instrument in the hands of the Lord.

After lunch and singing "Called to Serve" for the Relief Society ladies who provided lunch, everyone moved into their second session, followed by their third. Meeting back in the chapel the Halvorsen's award for cleanest car was announced, President Woodbury spoke about having the eye of faith in missionary work, and the missionaries who are leaving before the next Zone Conference bore their testimonies, namely Elder Rollins, Hermana Messerly, Elder Thomas, and Elder Anderson.

Featuring Elder Pyper, Elder Sainsbury, Johnson

Sister Myler and Sister Rounds

Sister Training Leaders
Hermana Hansen and Hermana Messerly

Elder C. Anderson

Elder Rollins

Elder J. Anderson, Elder Knudsen

Elder Kaegi and Elder Souza

Elder Anderson and Elder Rollins supervising as
Elder Kaegi tries to slice a tomato with a whisk

Elder Adams attempting to slice the tomato with a large serving spoon

Elder Rollins taking one swing down with a sharpened kitchen knife and
making a perfect cut
Lesson - The Lord can sometimes use a dull instrument for his purposes,
but they often make a big mess of it. To be the most effective
tool in the Lord's hands, we must become sharp.

Elder Kaegi is VERY tall...

After lunch and singing "Called to Serve" for the Relief Society ladies who provided lunch, everyone moved into their second session, followed by their third.

"Gooooo forward, pressing forward...."

"Go baptize!"

The centerpieces had a scripture
in the jar vase

Meeting back in the chapel the Halverson's award for cleanest car was announced, President Woodbury spoke about having the eye of faith in missionary work, and the missionaries who are leaving before the next Zone Conference bore their testimonies, namely Elder Rollins, Hermana Messerly, Elder Thomas, and Elder Anderson.

Sister Rounds, Sister Atkin, Sister Bailey, Sister Myler, Hermana Kearsley,
Hermana Wilkinson, Sister Oliverson, Sister Vikari, Sister Woodbury,
Sister Anderson, Sister Ellsworth, Hermana Messerly, Hermana Hansen

As mentioned previously, after concluding the conference, pictures and visiting ensued, along with copies of pictures taken by Sister Woodbury being distributed along with her chocolate chip cookies, copies of the Trumpet newsletter, media and packages from the Mission Office, and the keys to the cars that Elder and Sister Halvorsen had inspected. Oh, and lots of slapping hugs by the Elders with each other, and a more gentle, non-slapping version between the Sisters, before leaving.

Cookie Time
Elder Allen, Elder Huff, Elder Prtichett, Elder Johnson, Elder Tuttle,
Elder Knudsen, Elder Pyper, Elder Faudree, Elder Souza, Elder Allen,
Sister Oliverson, Elder Rollins, Hermana Messerly, Hermana Hansen,
with Elder Kaegi in front

All agreed it was a great conference!

Elder Huff, Elder Allen, Elder Tuttle, Elder Kaegi, Elder Rollins,
Elder Souza, Elder Thomas, Elder Adams, Elder Sainsbury,
Elder Johnson, Elder Anderson,
all happy, until...