An incredibly busy week with Zone conferences, interviews, and MLC. The focus of our Zone conference was the “Power of Godliness is Manifest in the Ordinances”. For our PMG challenge, I focused on chapter 2, Effective Studies. I wanted to change it up a bit so I spent most of my time on Monday putting together a Jeopardy style game so districts would compete against each other. I think they are going to like it. ;)
Zone conference highlights……
Aaron shared with the missionaries the painting of “La Clairvoyance” that we first used when we arrived in the field sharing Jeannie’s (my mother in law) story from being born in Lake Jackson to her conversion to now. We discussed the importance of beginning with the end in mind and how we need to see all of God’s children receiving all the saving ordinances. We also taught that the power of godliness is actually the power of the Savior’s Atonement (Elder Bednar) and that each ordinance allows us to see how the Savior can redeem and save us
Next up the PMG Jeopardy challenge with the winning team having lunch with us next week. There were a few kinks in the game each day that I worked out at night afterward. Even with the kinks, the game worked out. The excitement and competition was at an all-time high. We have a only a few competitive missionaries. ;) With the PMG challenge, we emphasized that they, as the Lord’s missionaries, need to study each morning with investigators in mind as they focus on the invitations, doctrine, and the blessings they will promise. True doctrine, once understood, has a greater effect on behavior on attitudes than anything else we can do and when we can help motivate people by the blessings they will receive we teach with far greater power.
We then turned our focus towards teaching baptism and had our zone and sister training leaders teach the WHY and the doctrine behind this important ordinance. They focused on areas where the doctrine of baptism is lacking in all other faiths, namely: receiving the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands (no baptism is complete without it), priesthood authority, age, and immersion. One of the best things that comes following a zone conference is when missionaries reach out and say, “we tried what we learned and it worked!”. A set of our elders taught baptism to a woman from Nigeria in their first lesson and before they could even finish she asked if she could be baptized. So Awesome!
We really try to keep the missionaries moving so from there we went into a discussion that tied into their studies in helping their investigators increase their understanding of doctrines and the blessings tied to the doctrine specifically on prayer and church attendance. Aaron put two large sheets of paper on the walls for each table to go and to write down all the doctrines they could find on prayer and the associated blessings with them (from the scriptures and PMG). An example comes from the Savior’s teaching on prayer. The doctrines are ask, seek, knock, and the blessings are receive, find, and it will be opened unto you. I had them find and write down as many as they could and we then went around the room and had them share what they found. They were amazed by how much they still had to learn on prayer and attending church and our invitation that followed was to have them improve their studies in critical areas where they need to teach more boldly, specifically, and confidently. It was a great exercise and I think we’ll see some great improvement in our studies.
Aaron then shared with them the principle of “grit” and we discussed how a pearl is cultured (irritant & time – no grit, no pearl). That lead to our discussion of diligence and recognizing that all of us have the ability to persevere, even when we lack talent. We also reviewed how having a growth mindset allows us to recognize that failure is not the end, but just the beginning. He shared with them the Ted talk on the subject (well worth watching, only 6 minutes - https://www.ted.com/talks/angela_lee_duckworth_grit_the_power_of_passion_and_perseverance ) and they all loved it. Interviews/discussions followed each day of conference
To wrap up the week we had our MLC. We started the meeting with a brief study on finding happiness and living in a manner of happiness. It was a great discussion. We love to see them learn and share with each other principles of the gospel that simply make sense to live. Aaron spent time helping the MLC focused on basic leadership principles and accountability. We role played how to do Sunday evening accountability calls as well as how to make our exchanges more effective. It is amazing to see them move forward with the things they have learned and then teaching and leading their zones confidently.
Date night was so needed. An opportunity to just connect and relax with each other. Ahhhh! My personal plug for date night. It truly blesses marriages!!! It helps you reset and focus on what matters most in life......your relationships. Do it!
Zac has been busy this week preparing for his first golf tournament on Monday. He stayed late each day at the golf course to work on his skills. He’s nervous, hasn’t played much (never has played a complete 18 holes), so this first tournament will be a good learning experience. Clements has won the state championship the last two years and there are nationally ranked kids on the girls team. The coach saw potential in Zac so we’re grateful he made it. Jessie started her tennis lessons and danced all over the court. They do go together, right?!?! Not sure she played much tennis, but she enjoyed it. Bode is enjoying bball and loving early morning seminary. ;) I’m proud of these two boys for getting up at O’dark 30 each morning to go.
I have enjoyed the messages from our leaders during general conference. There is always so much personal revelation that can be received through the word of God through His servants on the earth. I don’t think I could pick a favorite. They all spoke to me, lifted my sights and helped me see where I could make small, simple improvements in my journey here on earth.
As always, we feel incredibly blessed.