Our wonderful senior couple missionaries, present and former. How we love them! We could use lots more just like them..jpg)
Part of the Autzen locker room. This place is huge..jpg)
Their workout and therapy facility.jpg)
Nice jump elder!
Can you pick out the team member?This week we held our multi-zone conferences on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in Medford, Corvallis and Eugene respectively. This time of year we are always a bit worried about the snow level at the passes and are happy to report that all of the missionaries were able to make it into zone conference without any travel problems. On Monday night before the zone conference in Medford we were able to meet with the two senior couples who come in for that conference, along with a former senior couple who live in the area. It was good to visit with them and answer couple-specific questions over dinner. It is so good to have senior couples serving in the Oregon Eugene Mission!
At this round of zone conferences Sister Macdonald started the meetings off with a great talk about the need to stop looking back. She referenced Lot’s wife who was punished not for just looking back, but for not forsaking her old home and looking forward to her new assignment / responsibilities. She also spoke of Joan of Arc who in a play depiction said “we all give our lives for what we believe.” Whether we believe in a little or a lot, we give our lives for that which we believe in. She quoted Neal A. Maxwell who said we know we should have our homes in Zion, but some like to keep a summer cottage in Babylon. She set a wonderful tone for all of the meetings.
My two counselors took turns at the conferences and spoke wonderfully on the different choices David and Joseph made when faced with temptation. Since all of us will face challenges and temptations in life, we ought to decide how we will handle them. One emphasized a quote from Brigham Young that said, “The bells of hell toll when we complete another temple.” In like manner the bells of hell will toll when we do something good and disrupt the forces of evil on earth. Another emphasized the need to follow our map in life (i.e. the scriptures and the missionary handbook.) They both did great.
The assistants led a workshop on being bolder by following the spirit and talking to everyone we meet. What we have, the gospel, has eternal significance and we need to be sharing it whenever we can. These young men do so much to lift and love the missionaries! I am grateful for their inspired leadership as they fulfill their stewardship.
I spoke three times. Twice to the general group and once to the leaders of the mission on how to fulfill their duties. To the general group I spoke about the need we have to not "let down" after having a very successful year and to stay motivated for 2010 and beyond. I spoke about the “house” they are building right now that will house their future families and joyful spirits. They need to build it well and not skimp on any of the building materials. I quoted John Wooden who said, “Your reputation is what you are perceived to be, your character is what you really are.” I hope and pray, and truly believe that most of these missionaries are building strong character that will sustain them through life.
On Monday one of the zone leaders arranged with a member of the Oregon Football team who is a member of the church and a returned missionary to give us a tour of Autzen Stadium, where the U of O plays their home games. It is quite a facility! We got to see the indoor practice area and go onto the field. We also saw their locker rooms and their training and weight rooms etc. It was fun being with the missionaries, and I was quite impressed with the behind-the-scenes view of this magnificent facility.
At this round of zone conferences Sister Macdonald started the meetings off with a great talk about the need to stop looking back. She referenced Lot’s wife who was punished not for just looking back, but for not forsaking her old home and looking forward to her new assignment / responsibilities. She also spoke of Joan of Arc who in a play depiction said “we all give our lives for what we believe.” Whether we believe in a little or a lot, we give our lives for that which we believe in. She quoted Neal A. Maxwell who said we know we should have our homes in Zion, but some like to keep a summer cottage in Babylon. She set a wonderful tone for all of the meetings.
My two counselors took turns at the conferences and spoke wonderfully on the different choices David and Joseph made when faced with temptation. Since all of us will face challenges and temptations in life, we ought to decide how we will handle them. One emphasized a quote from Brigham Young that said, “The bells of hell toll when we complete another temple.” In like manner the bells of hell will toll when we do something good and disrupt the forces of evil on earth. Another emphasized the need to follow our map in life (i.e. the scriptures and the missionary handbook.) They both did great.
The assistants led a workshop on being bolder by following the spirit and talking to everyone we meet. What we have, the gospel, has eternal significance and we need to be sharing it whenever we can. These young men do so much to lift and love the missionaries! I am grateful for their inspired leadership as they fulfill their stewardship.
I spoke three times. Twice to the general group and once to the leaders of the mission on how to fulfill their duties. To the general group I spoke about the need we have to not "let down" after having a very successful year and to stay motivated for 2010 and beyond. I spoke about the “house” they are building right now that will house their future families and joyful spirits. They need to build it well and not skimp on any of the building materials. I quoted John Wooden who said, “Your reputation is what you are perceived to be, your character is what you really are.” I hope and pray, and truly believe that most of these missionaries are building strong character that will sustain them through life.
On Monday one of the zone leaders arranged with a member of the Oregon Football team who is a member of the church and a returned missionary to give us a tour of Autzen Stadium, where the U of O plays their home games. It is quite a facility! We got to see the indoor practice area and go onto the field. We also saw their locker rooms and their training and weight rooms etc. It was fun being with the missionaries, and I was quite impressed with the behind-the-scenes view of this magnificent facility.
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