Christmas Mission Conference

We have had a relatively slow week with Sister Black not feeling well. She is doing much better now. We were able to attend one District meeting and one Companion Study on Tuesday and Wednesday. While Sister Black was sick, I was able to work on a project to update contact information for sending mission reports to the Stakes, Wards and Branches. We were able to attend an historic Christmas Mission Conference on Saturday where all the missionaries were able to come together. It was so wonderful to see all the Elders and Sisters greeting each other and the great time they had renewing their friendships. We had bagels and juice for a light breakfast, individual photos were taken by a professional photographer, then photos were taken of the whole mission, we then went into the chapel and sang Christmas carols, Sister Hale introduced two new Sister Missionaries, there were 6-8 musical numbers by groups of missionaries including songs in Spanish and then President Hale welcomed everyone and showed a talk by Elder Holland that was given at the MTC when President Hale and his family were at the MTC fireside (these talks are normally not available). Elder Holland's talk was so direct and forceful as he challenged the missionaries at the MTC to follow the rules and program. He reminded them that the mission rules were a culmination of 140 years of missionary experience and that we need to do it the Lord's way to be effective. He told a story of a Gospel Doctrine teacher who asked his students if they new anyone that was perfect, thinking that he would get no response. A women in the back of the class stood up and said that the missionaries that taught her the gospel were perfect. He then reminded the missionaries that of course they were not perfect, but in the eyes of young children and those they help convert to the gospel they are. We had a wonderful lunch. At each table were gift certificates to Subway for each of the Elders and Sister which was donated by one of our missionaries family. We also learned that many families sent extra gifts so all of the missionaries would have something to take home with them. We then went back into the chapel and had 2 hours more of musical numbers from groups of missionaries, counsel from our Mission President and then we sang a very touching song. The Sister Missionaries sang parts of "Sisters in Zion" while the Elders sang "The Armies of Helaman". At the conclusion, all of the missionaries knelt in prayer in the isles of the chapel and formed a circle around the whole chapel area. I was asked to give the closing "Mighty Prayer". Needless to say, it was a very spiritual experience and many tears flowed. It was an outpouring of thanksgiving, faith and recommitment to the work of the Lord. Letters in red envelops were then handed out to each missionary. We got one from each of our families. We also got a Christmas card from our Mission President and from the 1st Presidency of the Church. The Elders and Sisters then when to different rooms in the church to pick their Christmas packages from their families. We left the conference physically drained. We are so blessed to be on a mission and to associate with such fine young men and women.

Greetings from Florida

We have had a very spiritual week and were around a lot of missionaries that really inspired us. On Wednesday, we attended a Transfer Meeting in the morning where about half of the missionaries were their with all their luggage, cars and bikes. There were 5 new missionaries (one Sister and 4 Elder) and us who were introduced. There were also 11 departing missionaries who bore their testimony. Then the Assistants to the President announced the changes of leadership and also the transfers in each of the 8 Zones and the missionaries gave their present companions a hug and then greeted their new companions. It was quite an emotional experience. We then heard from Sister Hale and President Hale. President Hale announced that Elder Black had been called to serve as the Executive Secretary to the Mission Presidency and explained some of our responsibilities and that we would be reporting on missionary work to the Stake leaders, traveling the mission to attend leadership meetings and companion study and soon will be introducing the Daily Dose English effort. Later that evening we helped set up and attended a dinner for the departing missionaries and then went to a Finishers Fireside to hear from the departing missionaries. They are remarkable young men (9) and young women (2).
We also had our first companion study and district meeting in West Palm Beach on Wednesday and Saturday. We took treats to both groups which they seemed to enjoyed. On Friday, we attended a Zone Leaders Council and got to hear about the whole mission and reports from the 8 Zones. The Mighty Prayer is really making a difference in softening hearts and generating miracles. We encourage all our family and friends to remember our mission in your prayers. Our Might Prayer is at 9:00 am each morning. These young men are remarkable leaders and were able to answer some very challenging questions from the Mission President. Today, Elder Black had his first experience attending a Mission Presidency meeting. The counselors to President Hale are a former Stake President and a former Bishop.
On the 20th of December, the whole mission is getting together for a Christmas Program and Dinner which will go from 9:00 am to about 3 pm. We are looking forward to it. On Christmas day, we will likely be driving down to Key West, stay over night and meet with the Key West Elder's the next morning in their companion study. The other couple missionaries will also be coming down later in the day to do an apartment inspection and we will get together with them.
We feel really blessed to be serving the Lord full-time and can see the Lord's hand in bringing the gospel to the world. We have met some wonderful people who have just joined the church or are now investigating and the gospel really changes lives. We have a testimony that we are engaged in the Lord's work and that the gospel is true.