This week we completed our string of zone conferences. What amazing talents these young people have! They saved the most interesting for last as the zone and sister training leaders, focusing their training on obedience, likening obedience to putting on the armor of God in all we do.
Each of the three districts in the zone were asked to create a breast plate, shield, helmet, feet and shin guards, and girdle about their loins. They were given cardboard, colored paper, tape, box cutters and the example of the zone leader.
This district had the best logo on the breast plate and shield.
This district had the most colorful overall armor.
This district had the best over all strength, including Tony the Tiger on the helmet!
This was the zone leader who was the example. The 네네 Chicken shield was a great hit (Just for Sister Turner). If you don't know what that is, ask your missionary!
They all looked great, however, when it came to wearing the armor in training, it was another story!
To inspire the troops, we showed the brief musical clip "I'll Make a Man Out of You" from the Disney movie "Mulan". As you can see here, some were really mesmerized!
We fed them...
and , they played music for us.( awesome!)
They love their group picture time!
After the training, these missionaries also had a group activity teaching on the streets and then had dinner together. They were supervised, of course, maybe not well!
Sister Turner caught a cold and had to pass on this one as it was 21 degrees and very windy.
Each zone was so unique in their approach to the training and the impact they had.
There always seems to be someone on the floor!
and someone praying!
For sure, we are always entertained.
Some room layouts were better than others and allowed better participation. They so enjoy being together and doing role-playing and interacting. It's always great for those who are a little shy.
Great zone conference with a trumpet and a Harry Potter wand (actually a cooking chopstick).
We do actually do more than play with them. They work very hard and we like to allow them to drop the stress for a few minutes when we get together. We've found It stimulates their creativity and their work ethic. They are learning good things.
It is so amazing to sit down with them for even a moment to discuss someone they are teaching or the miracles that led the person to the missionaries or the missionaries to the individual.
This woman was 30 years in another church, but her son had been baptized a few years ago into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When he started to become less involved and didn't keep the Sabbath she told him she would go to church with him if he would come back to church. He started attending with her in his ward and she started reading the Book of Mormon and through the power of the Holy Ghost decided to be baptized. Her son performed the ordinance.
This young man met the missionaries on the street and started asking so many questions.
This man's wife was baptized earlier in 2017. He came to church with her, but didn't want to be baptized. One day he decided it was time. He had read everything the missionaries had given him and attended church with his wife and son. He called the bishop and said, I'm ready!
There should always be food involved :}. The missionaries in the office saved their money for a more expensive meal and invited Sister Turner and I to come along. Terri determined it was better for the 'boys' to go play and stayed home. (she is saving her money for a shopping spree!!!) We had a great time chatting together and for the mission president to see them work on the road between the office and the restaurant. Amazing!
Another great week has raced by! We are excited for the next week when we start the one-on-one interviews. For us as mission president and mission mom, we get to see how much progress they have made in the last six weeks. It is always eye opening to see how much they can accomplish and how much they can grow. They are great blessings in our lives! More next week.
