With a full week of zone conferences and interviews, I signed Jessie up for a week long art camp. At the camp, she explored different forms of art each day. She got to use the pottery wheel, paint ceramic pieces, fuse glass, create mosaic tiles and molded clay. She really enjoyed the week of creativity and is excited to pick up her art in a couple of weeks. The boys had basketball training on Wednesday morning but each day they worked out at home, followed by a dip in the pool to cool off.
For this zone conference we focused on the Holy Ghost and how missionaries need this most important senior companion to be with them all the time. Aaron started the conference with 3 Ne 19:9 and asked the missionaries what they desire most. He also used portions of a talk Elder Holland gave at the most recent mission president seminar as he described the ways the Holy Ghost helps them in their service. He listed twelve things the spirit does to help missionaries recognize how and why they need the Spirit to carry the message to the hearts of those they teach. The list included: the Holy Ghost is a revelator and a guide to action, conveys the words of Christ which tell us all things we should do, leads us when we do not know beforehand the things that we should do, prepares people to hear the gospel, teaches truth carrying it to the heart, teaches what to say and how to say it, provides in the very moment of need, purifies the teacher and the learner, intercedes to strengthen prayers, provides language proficiency, brings all things to our remembrance, is the comforter conveying peace and joy. This is a powerful list and for our conference we discussed, role-played, and taught how we and our investigators need the Holy Ghost if we are to bring about the miracle of conversion.
I focused on chapter 9 of PMG, how to find. As a part of it, Aaron and I did several role-plays as we taught these principles. I focused on how finding by the Spirit is just as important as teaching by the Spirit. We wrapped up our zone conferences by teaching how the Book of Mormon is the second greatest tool in conversion and how it has a truly unique and powerful way of bringing the Spirit into the lives of those that will open its pages and read it. Elder Christofferson shared four, 30 second video spots that were created in Australia on how the Book of Mormon speaks for itself. https://www.facebook.com/lds.d.todd.christofferson/ We decided to do a mission challenge where the missionaries will create their own brief video using the same kind of format. We’re going to post them to our facebook page and see if we can get local church members to do the same. It was a great conference.
While Aaron interviewed individual missionaries, I met with the districts to review weekly planning and how it rolls into their daily plans. I always learn from the missionaries in these discussions which allows me to share with other districts and missionaries in the future. Afterwards, I let them ask questions about us and the family in general. They really enjoy learning more about us. Jessie joined us each day after her art camp to do role plays with the missionaries. She loved being an investigator, grandma Susanna or Lona, that they met street contacting or at a door. They got a kick out of her and were impressed with her gospel knowledge and ability to role play. Future missionary in the making.
The boys went to Austin for their high adventure to Lake Travis and apparently are staying in an 18-room mansion on the lake. We have received pictures of them enjoying being behind the boat wakeboarding and surfing. They also are cliff jumping. Allie finished up working at ClubRec earlier this week, interview for a job the next day and got it. She also moved into her new apartment down by UVU on Saturday. Lots of changes for her but she is excited for the new year and the possibilities it will bring. I’m impressed at her determination and independence she has acquired over the last two years. Makes my mommy heart happy.