 |
The Louisville West Zone
Top row: Sister Jaco, Sister Singleton, Sister B. Bailey, Sister Gates, Sister Pisciotta, Sister Bushman, Sister Kankamp, Sister Ward, Sister Sperry, Sister Black, Sister Byers, Sister Ray, Sister Moskot, Sister Rickords
Middle row: Elder Barker, Elder Holt, Elder K. Jensen, Elder Robison, Elder T. Evans, President Woodbury, Sister Woodbury, Elder Jonas, Elder Sainsbury, Elder Carly, Elder Hicken, Elder Spaulding
Bottom row: Elder Z. Evans, Elder Earl, Elder Pollock, Elder Hildebrandt, Elder Rasmussen, Elder Hancock, Elder Langford, Elder Ott
|
The Louisville West Zone Conference was held this time, not in Louisville, but in Elizabethtown, KY, in the ward building there that is more centrally located to the missionaries in that Zone.
With Elder Evans conducting, the main meeting began with the song, "How Firm a Foundation" led by Sister Bushman with SIster Byers at the piano. The Opening prayer was by Sister Ward with Elder Spaulding following with Recitals, and Miracle Conversion and/or Contacting Stories by Elder Rasmussen and Elder Langford, Sister Singleton and Sister Jaco, and Elder K. Jensen and Elder Pollock. Sister Woodbury did her Cleanliness Report Card, awards, and the Cleanliness jingle, President Woodbury did the requisite auto safety, and Elder Hicken talked about the Media Survey for the Mission Office.
Brother White, the Stake Mission President, talked about the changing standards of righteousness, how Satan is a master of words, for example: fair, equal, innocuous - words that are being used more and more often to justify changing standards, and "Age appropriate " with its rationalization -of a standard that is negotiated down to a variable level of performance. Is there a poison out there that will poison someone under 18, but won't hurt someone over 18?
With Elder Evans conducting, the main meeting began with the song, "How Firm a Foundation" led by Sister Bushman with SIster Byers at the piano. The Opening prayer was by Sister Ward with Elder Spaulding following with Recitals, and Miracle Conversion and/or Contacting Stories by Elder Rasmussen and Elder Langford, Sister Singleton and Sister Jaco, and Elder K. Jensen and Elder Pollock. Sister Woodbury did her Cleanliness Report Card, awards, and the Cleanliness jingle, President Woodbury did the requisite auto safety, and Elder Hicken talked about the Media Survey for the Mission Office.
Brother White, the Stake Mission President, talked about the changing standards of righteousness, how Satan is a master of words, for example: fair, equal, innocuous - words that are being used more and more often to justify changing standards, and "Age appropriate " with its rationalization -of a standard that is negotiated down to a variable level of performance. Is there a poison out there that will poison someone under 18, but won't hurt someone over 18?
"The Choice of Faith," was the title of the talk on a Christ-like attribute given by Sister Woodbury, then Sister Sperry and Sister Black, on borrowed violins, did a glorious rendition of "If You Could Hie to Kolob" with Sister Byers at the piano.
Beginning with a sort of State of the Union, or rather State of the Mission report, President Woodbury began Tune-Ups, along with a request for everyone to fast with a purpose this Sunday, for their own investigators and for the Work in the mission as a whole. Then he regretfully had to address the subject of serious missionary in-field misconduct and transgression. He said he felt like Jacob in Jacob 2 when he had to come down on the people, and had to talk about things that might offend the innocent. Still, he related how the first two weeks of this year were pure agony for him because he not only had to send home a missionary because of what he had done on his mission, but also his companion, who allowed and in some cases facilitated it. The President outlined specific behaviors that he will not tolerate, and had everyone stand up to witness that they have been warned.
On a happier note, had everyone stand again to sing the Missionary Medley, then once again President Woodbury took a turn at the stand, this time speaking about personal sanctification as talked about in Doctrine and Covenants 88:68, seven verses before the scripture much talked about recently, which says,"Behold, I will hasten my work in its time." (:68) "Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him, for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in His own way, and according to his own will." He challenged us to say in our nightly prayers, Wilt thou accept my offering of the best I could do today?"
Beginning with a sort of State of the Union, or rather State of the Mission report, President Woodbury began Tune-Ups, along with a request for everyone to fast with a purpose this Sunday, for their own investigators and for the Work in the mission as a whole. Then he regretfully had to address the subject of serious missionary in-field misconduct and transgression. He said he felt like Jacob in Jacob 2 when he had to come down on the people, and had to talk about things that might offend the innocent. Still, he related how the first two weeks of this year were pure agony for him because he not only had to send home a missionary because of what he had done on his mission, but also his companion, who allowed and in some cases facilitated it. The President outlined specific behaviors that he will not tolerate, and had everyone stand up to witness that they have been warned.
On a happier note, had everyone stand again to sing the Missionary Medley, then once again President Woodbury took a turn at the stand, this time speaking about personal sanctification as talked about in Doctrine and Covenants 88:68, seven verses before the scripture much talked about recently, which says,"Behold, I will hasten my work in its time." (:68) "Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him, for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in His own way, and according to his own will." He challenged us to say in our nightly prayers, Wilt thou accept my offering of the best I could do today?"
Breaking into three assigned groups, everyone moved into different classrooms for the first Break-Out session.
Zone Leaders, Elder Earl and Elder Carly did training on "The Ask Principle."
Working with members and increasing out pool for Member Present Lessons was the topic of President Woodbury's training.
Zone Leaders, Elder Earl and Elder Carly did training on "The Ask Principle."
Working with members and increasing out pool for Member Present Lessons was the topic of President Woodbury's training.
The Assistants to the President led an inspiring and insome cases heart-rending demonstration relating to the Atonement. Like in the story of the Seminary class doing the same, Elder Rasmussen was asked if he would do twenty push-ups for each person in the group in turn, so they could have a donut. He answered gladly that he would, every time, even with the later people when he was getting tired and it was taking more out of him. As they watched Elder Rasmussen do the push-ups for them, even if they didn't want the donut, the mood of the room grew more and more somber and more than a few tears were shed. Toward the end, Elder Rasmussen was shaking with the effort, but everyone still got their donut. When it was all done, Elder Hicken and Elder Evans showed a touching video about the sacrifice of the Savior and talked about helping investigators to access the Atonement through repentance.
 |
| A thank-you hug from Elder Hicken |
(Note: Two other Elders went through the same experience as Elder Rasmussen in later sessions, but unfortunately I didn't get pictures of them.)
After lunch and singing "called to Serve" GKLM-style for the Relief Society ladies who so kindly provided our lunch, 
it was back to work in the second and third rotation of Break-Out Sessions.
Everyone gathered back in the chapel for Clean Car Awards courtesy of Elder and Sister Halvorsen, a wrap-up by President Woodbury, a lovely musical number by Sister Moskot, and the testimonies of those missionaries finishing their missions before the next Zone Conference, namely Elder Earl, Elder Robison, Elder Hicken and Elder Z. Evans.
With her trusty tripod and camera timer, Sister Woodbury took a Zone picture (see the beginning of this post) and other shots after the conference was officially over. There were copies of the pictures she had taken recently, along with Ensign magazines, the current Trumpet, and two Sister Woodbury cookies each.
 |
| Elder Earl, Elder Spaulding, Elder Hildebrandt, Sister Pisciotta, Sister Bushman, Sister Sperry, Elder Sainsbury |
 |
| Elder Barker being fed a cookie by Elder Z. Evans |
 |
| The Birthday Girl, Sister Kankamp, showing the effects of her advanced age Also pictured: Elder Evans, Elder Hicken, Elder Hancock, Elder Jonas, Eder Holt, Sister Ward |
 |
| Elder Jonas, Elder Barker, Elder Sainbury, Sister Kankamp, Elder Holt, Sister Ward |
 |
| Sister Sperry and Sister Black Companions who both are exceptional violinists! |
 |
| Sister Bushman and Sister Pisciotta |
 |
| Sister Bailey, Elder Spaulding, Elder Pollock, Elder Ott, Elder Robison, Sister Gates |
 |
| Elder Jonas, Elder Sainsbury, Elder Hancock, Elder Spaulding, Elder T. Evans |
 |
| Sister bates, Elder Hicken, Elder Pollock, Elder Hildebrandt, Elder Spaulding, Elder T. Evans, Elder Earl, Elder K. Jensen, Elder Carly, Elder Rasmussen, Elder Langford, Elder Sainsbury, Sister Ward, Sister Kankamp, Sister Black, Sister Sperry, Sister Moskot, Sister Ray, Sister Bushman, Sister Pisciotta |
I love the snow angel picture at the top of your blog. You are doing such a great job as Mission president wife. Thanks for all these updates.
ReplyDelete