REACHED OUR GOAL BARBECUE!!!
Last Zone Leadership Conference picture; we always invite a set of sisters!
9 years ago
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Transfers are this week; many changes will be made.
There are different leadership positions in the mission: Senior Companion, Trainer, District Leader, Zone Leader, Traveling Elder, and Assistant to the President. The Traveling Elder is a new position and will be introduced this week. The most experienced missionaries will go into an outlying area that usually doesn’t have missionaries, but does have a branch, for only 3 months. The branch will be preparing people to be taught and receive the missionaries when they come. However, training new missionaries is perhaps the most important calling in the mission As President Howell tells trainers, the new missionary is like a blank CD. The impression they leave will last the entire mission. Trainers are some of our most obedient missionaries.
All missionaries are leaders --- representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ and thereby examples of righteousness, obedience, skillful teachers and able to work well with people. Missionaries love and encourage each other in their responsibilities. They are loyal to the Lord, the Prophet and to their President.
In regards to specific leadership callings, there are times to be called and times to be released. They will not be in leadership positions their entire missions. Most leaders will end their missions as regular missionaries, or whatever else the spirit dictates. Zone leaders become trainers, etc. There is a lot of shifting around. Sometimes missionaries serve well and then desire to be free to concentrate on missionary work. Please know that if your missionary is moved around or released from these positions it doesn’t mean anything is wrong. The Lord is just doing HIS work; everything is right! It is so much better to have fluid movement back and forth between callings, to give more missionaries opportunities. Sometimes, there are great missionaries who are not called into leadership positions. For example, our sisters are some of the most successful missionaries and never hold leadership positions. As we are taught in the church, it is not where you serve, but how that is important. We hope you will praise and encourage your missionary wherever they are, whatever they’re doing!
MMM Missionaries of Mighty Miracles
Here are called-in miracles from your most diligent, wonderful sons, brothers, etc.:
Elder Lambert and Elder Kinnikinni taught a young lady (17) named Monique. Her mom wouldn’t let her get baptized. Monique introduced the missionaries to her friend, who was taught, and set a date set with. Pres. Howell told them to get written permission from the friend’s mom for her baptism, let the other mom know. They did. The mom grudgingly came to the friend’s baptism. There were 100 members there --- they invited the negative mom to dinner after the friend’s baptism. She felt such a powerful spirit, she let her daughter be baptized that very day! She cried during the lesson given after the baptism, as her daughter and her friend changed. Presently, she is taking the lessons herself! THE MEMBERS enveloped her daughter and her into the gospel!
Elder Hawkins & Elder Parsons
Elder Hawkins:
“September 20th we went to a President’s Fireside, where recent converts share their conversion story. It’s a great opportunity to take investigators. We took Hunter Sargent; he is so awesome and excited for his baptism on Sept. 26th! . . . at the end of the fireside, we all stood up and were chatting a bit. I saw Sister King and Siter Chamberlin motioning for me to come over. They intrrroduced me to Taylor. He is about 20. I had noticed him earlier in the meeting, thinking he looked familiar. . . They told me he is an investigator, and I had been the first missionary to talk to him. I remember that night well . . . It was the Monday before our investigator, Shauna’s baptism. On the walk home we talked to everyone, taking an hour and a half; we talked to 30 people on the way. One of those happened to be Taylor. We shared a bit about the church and took his address and phone number. I gave it to the missionaries in his area and basically forgot about it, until the night of the President’s Fireside. Taylor is getting baptized on the 27th. I am so excited for him. . . I could see the gratitude in his eyes, how grateful he was to have found the church.
I know the Lord lives and cares about us. I did nothing to help Taylor; I simply did what I do 30 times a day, invite people to learn more about the truth we share. I know the Lord led him to us. Taylor only visits his mom’s house occasionally, he was out in her garage, working. The Lord knw when we would be there and he put Taylor there at the same time. I could hardly sleep that night I was so happy. I love this work; I love the Lord. He lives, miracles happen every day. Sometimes we see the fruits of our labors 2 months later; sometimes we may have to wait until we reach the other side!
Elder Sommer and Elder Sabey recently did a church tour, using the 1st lesson (set it up in a member’s home). Sister Lyman, the Relief Society President was there! The spirit was so strong that Sister Lyman wants to share it with all her neighbors. Their investigator is looking forward to General Conference and seeing prophets and apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ!
Elder Fernandez and Elder Dahle are teaching Alberto Torres. His friend, a girl, joined the church in Mexico. He always wondered what made her so happy. She said simply, “ I can’t explain with words, go visit the missionaries.” So he went on Mormon.org, requested the missionaries visit him. They taught him “an awesome 1st lesson.” He had found a lot of faults in churches and knew there was something missing. There was a powerful spirit when they taught him about the Book of Mormon, the church, Joseph Smith and committed him to be baptized on the 10th of October. They asked him a lot of questions; he recognized the spirit of the Holy Ghost testifying to him! He was trying hard not to cry!
Elder Dean Spencer:
The work is still blooming here. We are blessed to find new people to teach each week and the ward is very supportive. Our ward mission leader had a miracle you would like to here about. At work, a co-worker was sharing how cushed she was that her ELCA church passed the recent vote. He listened and asked “What are you going to do now.” She said a few things, but he asked the question more directly two more times. She finally said, “Well I guess I’ll have to find a new church then.” He said he knew a good one she could look into; he set up a discussion in his home with the Elders for next week, a great miracle.
Elder Simpson / Elder Gibson
We took President Howell’s advice the Monthly Laker to give the Branch President and his family a chapel tour. The Branch President said he wasn’t expecting to feel the spirit as strongly as he did. He went on to say that he hadn’t felt the spirit that strong in a long time. At the end, when we asked for referrals, he mentioned a couple of names of people he wanted to ask and have feel the spirit that he had felt. He also stated that he wanted every member of the branch council to thave the tour as well. By giving our new Branch President this tour, we opened up the spirit of missionary work in our little branch. People are excited and the work is moving forward like a steamroller; it can’t be stopped!
Nathan Schreiner
Here is Nathan Schreiner, also an accomplished musician and dear friend to the Mission President's Fireside!
This is John Schreiner; he played for our President's firesides. He passed away August 14th from complications with pancreatitis. He is the accomplished son of a famous father --- Alexander Schreiner, who was the Tabernacle organist for more than 50 years. How he blessed our firesides with his exceptional music and spirit! We greatly miss him, but appreciate the continuing attendance of his son, Nathan, who now plays the piano, rather than conducting the music!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
These three recent members spoke at our fireside on Sunday, Br. Konan, Br. & Sr. Roway. Br. Konan mentioned the fireside, where another convert, Sister Penny Hargraves spoke. He felt a witness of her words, knew the church was true and was baptized right after that. He expressed a desire that someone in the room might feel the same blessing from his words! There was a young college-aged woman from India there Sunday who has been investigating. She just returned from a visit to her parents in India, who were not pleased that she was considering baptism into the church. When Br. Konan said he hoped someone would receive a witness as he spoke, she said that she received her answer as he spoke and set a baptismal date. Miracles such as this happen at each President's fireside --- Heavenly Father can do His work!
Here are the missionaries filling that pit I told you about . . . 
More wonderful, diligent MMM missionaries . . .
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
EVERY THIRD SUNDAY PRESIDENT'S FIRESIDE . . .
Every third Sunday, a fireside is held for investigators and recent converts in the mission home. Missionaries sit on the couches and floor in this sort of pit. The missionaries in the areas around Minneapolis attend with an investigator. They listen to recent converts bear their testimonies. It has a powerful effect upon investigators; they realize others have gone through similar experiences they are going through!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
DILIGENCE
COMMANDMENTS do not make us heavenly, but the Savior does as HE helps us live them!
New Brighton 2
Elders Lambert & Kinnikinni
have 3 date sets
highest teaching companionship in their zone
402 contacts
148 ITL’S
"Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work . . ." D&C 64:33
Blaine
Elders Bond & Eyre
Taught 7 families recently from their ward less active list & have 4 date sets as a result (a family).
Wadina
Elders Butler & Pugh
Never had missionaries just in Wadina. They stopped by an investigator referral!
She has a date set for Sept. 26th. Went to an excommunicated member’s house, taught him / his son / both committed to baptism on Sept. 26th.
They were teaching a less active, who loved the lessons & invited her friend (she turned into a member present). Sept. 8th they committed him for baptism on Sept. 26th!
Elders Chamema & Bott
We love the church tour & have used it for every investigator but one & have 4 baptismal date sets because of it! A less-active member invited her neighbor to come hear the lessons; his baptismal date is October 3rd!
Pres. Smith in Duluth:
My desire is to make this area GROW; there are 30 stakes in this mission!
Thunder Bay
Elders Kanno & Jepsen
Found 3 new investigators last week & 3 more at the beginning of this week!
Katherine Baxter, an investigator called them. She had met with the missionaries several years ago. She had a dream that she needed to read the Book of Mormon & be baptized. She has a strong testimony of restoration & a baptismal date of October 5th
Elders Fawson & Meyers
Took Bishop Hilton over to meet the Lo family, who had baptismal date set. The missionaries asked if they were coming to church Sunday; “maybe” was the reply. Bishop Hilton bore his testimony about how he gained his faith, as they read several chapters in the Book of Mormon with them. When they teach, the whole family of 10 (7 at home) comes in; they love the lessons & help teach each other. They said they would be there on Sunday, for sure!
Pres. Foote in Rochester:
Numbers tell a story.
Sisters Shakespear & Hope
One of our date sets has investigated forever. The Relief Society President, Sister Bauer set a date with her on Sunday, the very week when we were able to get 20 lessons & 300 contacts. It is so neat to see how the Lord puts everything into place. We also recently found two families we are teaching!
The Lord wants us to train & use members. The sons of Mosiah brought 1,000’s into the church using members!
Elders Hill & Hunter
Yesterday on exchanges with Elder Vang, we taught a 10 year old girl, her less-active parents have been meaning to have her baptized, her date set is now Sept. 26th! Meanwhile, we’re activating her parents!
Elders Fernandez & Guillory
On exchanges they went to check on a referral from the Nauvoo Pageant. She had met with missionaries before; they committed her to baptism. The spirit was so strong!
Elders Cutshall & Madsen
While teaching a less-active girl in our single’s ward, we resolved some of her anti-Mormon dad’s concerns. He stood up at the end of the discussion & said, “if only every Mormon was like you guys!” We were grateful to change his opinion!
Hudson
Elders Pugmire & Blume
Elder Pugmire quoted Rachel Brown before she was baptized as saying, “This is the first time in my life I have felt God’s love for me!”
Elders Jensen & Pollastro
An investigator said recently: “What is all this anti stuff about your church? I don’t believe one word!”
Your testimonies are the Lord’s media campaign!
Elders Clark & Rutter
Great companionship UNITY=being in tune!
Elders Sommer & Hardy had 3 baptisms in Eau Claire / 10 member presents weekly; they had faith to FIND.
Elders Varner / Sorenson
501 contacts
5 new investigators
185 ITL’S
HURRAH FOR ISRAEL & ISRAEL’S SERVANTS --- the missionaries in MMM! How beloved you are to the Lord and Master, your families and us ---
We love & pray for you Sister Howell
Dear FAMILIES of Missionaries and Friends,Most of the pictures I'm adding to the blog today are of Zone Activities. They are only quarterly and nice to have in the summertime. These are pictures of missionaries in the Rochester Zone. Elder Lo, Elder Marsh and ?
Sisters in the Rochester Zone --- Sister Shakespear, Sister Cuoto . . .
Sisters in the Rochester Zone --- Sister Shakespear, Sister Cuoto . . .
The office went to breakfast for Sister Corcoran's birthday. She's on the right, sitting next to Lorri Beth, our daughter! Sister Corcoran is the mission nurse and is heaven-sent!Dear Parents,
I have just begun blogging. I plan on being more informative about what is going on in your son or daughter's mission. I have just returned from an amazing Mission President Conference held in Nauvoo and will give you more news of how this mission works, etc. on my P-day! I hope more of you will check it out! HURRAH FOR ISRAEL and your wonderful missionaries, who are a precious part! Love, Sister Howell
Friday, September 11, 2009
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