This is a beautiful world we live in! The ocean is an amazing thing.
Our beloved, proper zone leaders.
The real thing! What more can I say. Sorry parents, but they just don't lose it. In fact, for some it gets worse. They are a lot of fun. We love them!Our zone leader’s council was great this week! Speaking collectively of this group of leaders, I feel like they are “getting it” better than any other group of zone leaders have at the same time before. Now to those former zone leaders who may be reading this, I am sure you “got it” and I am proud of you for doing so, but in talking about a whole group, a higher percentage of this bunch are firing on all cylinders at the same time. What I specifically make reference to is how prepared so many of them came this week to discuss things they needed counsel or suggestions on in their areas, and to share the success they are having and what is working well for them. In writing this I am keenly aware that it is most likely that I am finally “getting it” and helping them learn how to be leaders and contribute to a counsel with recommendations and not just coming ready to be instructed. I do feel that they are very ready to advance the purposes of the mission in their respective zones this transfer.
We have been to the area of each senior couple in the mission who are or have served here except for one. This week we took care of that by getting out to Lincoln City and visiting with the Kirkhams. We took them and a former senior couple, the Bergshoeffs, out to dinner. The seniors do so good on their own without much need of direction from me, but it was good to get out there and visit with them. Due to the distance, we stayed out there and I had the opportunity to join the younger missionaries in Newport for their companionship study one morning. I had tried to call them that morning and tell them I was coming, but their phone was in their bedroom. They didn’t hear it where they were studying, so when I knocked on their door they were a bit surprised. That companionship consists of a new elder (who has been out a couple of weeks) and his trainer (who has been out 5 months). When it was time for the newer missionary to practice his teaching he didn’t seem to be too flustered by the fact that I was there and he did a great job. I also participated with them in a bit of their weekly planning. It was good to be with them on their turf and see them doing so well.
This weekend our participation in the stake conference we were asked to speak in was rather interesting. The first part of the program had gone over by about 10 minutes, so we knew we were going to need to do some cutting of our talks. The speaker who spoke before us was supposed to speak for 15 minutes and spoke for 30. Needless to say we bore brief testimony and gave the time to the stake president. I felt for the stake president who didn’t know what to do when the person just kept going. I reflected back on my time as stake president and I was so grateful for the way my counselors would handle this. Before the people spoke (and that is the key – before) they would remind them of how long they had to speak and told them they would tap their foot when they had a minute or so left. This normally kept the meeting on track.
Due to our attendances at stake conferences we have not and will not be able to partake of the sacrament for several weeks. This Sunday we were able to find a ward in another near by stake that held sacrament meeting at 1:00 close enough we could get to it. We enjoyed the sprit of the meeting and renewed our covenants by partaking of the sacrament. It was good to feel the sacredness of the sacrament and realize how fortunate we are to be able to partake. Perhaps when I am able to partake each week I get a little causal in the sacredness of that ordinance.
We have been to the area of each senior couple in the mission who are or have served here except for one. This week we took care of that by getting out to Lincoln City and visiting with the Kirkhams. We took them and a former senior couple, the Bergshoeffs, out to dinner. The seniors do so good on their own without much need of direction from me, but it was good to get out there and visit with them. Due to the distance, we stayed out there and I had the opportunity to join the younger missionaries in Newport for their companionship study one morning. I had tried to call them that morning and tell them I was coming, but their phone was in their bedroom. They didn’t hear it where they were studying, so when I knocked on their door they were a bit surprised. That companionship consists of a new elder (who has been out a couple of weeks) and his trainer (who has been out 5 months). When it was time for the newer missionary to practice his teaching he didn’t seem to be too flustered by the fact that I was there and he did a great job. I also participated with them in a bit of their weekly planning. It was good to be with them on their turf and see them doing so well.
This weekend our participation in the stake conference we were asked to speak in was rather interesting. The first part of the program had gone over by about 10 minutes, so we knew we were going to need to do some cutting of our talks. The speaker who spoke before us was supposed to speak for 15 minutes and spoke for 30. Needless to say we bore brief testimony and gave the time to the stake president. I felt for the stake president who didn’t know what to do when the person just kept going. I reflected back on my time as stake president and I was so grateful for the way my counselors would handle this. Before the people spoke (and that is the key – before) they would remind them of how long they had to speak and told them they would tap their foot when they had a minute or so left. This normally kept the meeting on track.
Due to our attendances at stake conferences we have not and will not be able to partake of the sacrament for several weeks. This Sunday we were able to find a ward in another near by stake that held sacrament meeting at 1:00 close enough we could get to it. We enjoyed the sprit of the meeting and renewed our covenants by partaking of the sacrament. It was good to feel the sacredness of the sacrament and realize how fortunate we are to be able to partake. Perhaps when I am able to partake each week I get a little causal in the sacredness of that ordinance.
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