Last week in April 2012

Here are some photos that do not fit into a separate blog post this week.  We got a food drop on Thursday just before we left for zone interviews...the APs happened to be at the Mission Home for a meeting and were there to help unload.  An assembly line was quickly formed and all was unloaded.



Elder Barrett wore the cabbage leaf that President Taylor stuck on his head. Elder Barrett said his family would love to see that the Arizona Phoenix Mission provides free toupees for all missionaries who need them!!!

It was loads of fun having Braden along for a day of interviews in Cottonwood and Prescott.  He got to do the Cleaning Relay race against his Dad once and against both of us in another.  For not having much experience cleaning, he did just fine!

 Braden also is a second witness that one of our missionaries, Elder Carroll, reminds us of a good friend back in Provo.  We think he looks like Kevin Torgersen...well, what Kevin may look like at age 20!  I love to see Elder Carroll and his smile!

 I got to go teach with Sisters Bruckman, Falke and Parks.  We taught a lesson to Troy.  I don't know if I have ever met someone so sincerely desiring to choose the right in my life.  He can't wait to go back to Church for how happy it made him last week.  We had a lovely discussion with him!

 Sister Parks got to extend a baptism invitation which he accepted...here she is trying to click her heels for joy!

It was a delight to go out with Sisters who light up the very air we breathe with the joy of living the Gospel.  This is something that Troy commented on.  He noticed how happy we all were.  It is how he feels now that he is learning about the Gospel.  It is something we should treasure and recognize how blessed we are each day!

SMILE!

We stayed overnight in Prescott since we went out with the missionaries at night — President and Braden went and taught in a church tour with the Prescott zone leaders.  The next morning we went first to get Braden new running shoes so he would not ruin his Vans...then hiking up THUMB BUTTE near Prescott.  Here is where we realized we have become "lowlanders."  We were huffing and puffing up the steep incline due to the high altitude.  I am thinking..."I run all the time.  I run far.  How come I can't just do this.  I am going to struggle moving back to Provo some day."  It was a good hike for us and a beautiful day!

We have had two visits from returned missionaries this week.  First from Pierce Johnston who left us last fall...and has enjoyed his year at BYU-Idaho.

(I look squashed between all my boys!)

He is doing GREAT!  Makes us so happy to hear how our missionaries adjust back to post-mission life and keep finding joy in living the Gospel.

 Next from Joe Cannon who just returned home to Seattle about three weeks ago!  He brought his parents to see his mission area and to meet us.

We certainly love our returned missionaries and are so grateful to them for WHO THEY ARE!

We are also so grateful to our missionary parents for helping them BECOME WHO THEY ARE!

It would not be a picture of Joe Cannon without a traditional "thumbs-up" picture.

THANK YOU FOR THE VISITS!

Interviews Prescott 4/12

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We finished our interview month up here in Prescott/ Prescott Valley.
What a great group to finish with!

Front: Sisters Falke, Parks, Bruckman, Elders Hilton, Brame.

Back: Elders J. Young, J. Nelson, Carroll, Keele, Bennett, Romrell, Hubbard, Heiner, Hebert, Hohmna, Gillen, Shelton and President T.



Once more, we loved having Braden along today!  He got to shoot hoops all day during the meetings and play with the missionaries during the Cleaning Relay race!  He looks good in yellow gloves!

The Cleaning was intense and FUN!  Once more, messages magically appeared on plates...

...and once more, the group chose to pose for an amazing BEAUTY SHOT!!!  Don't they look great?

Back to work under the direction of Zone Leaders Brame and J. Nelson.  They are enthusiastic and dynamic in the cause of truth!

We love the participation of each missionary as we discuss Gospel principles and how to implement them in our own lives and bring them into the lives of the rest of God's children here on earth.


This truly is His work and His glory...to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

WE LOVE YOU!

Interviews Cottonwood 4/12

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Friday we had the joy of going up to Cottonwood bright and early to start interviews there.  We really love going up there!


Elders Duke, M. Nelson,C.Anderson, Fluckiger, Dye, Cheadle, Morton, Dunn, Fagersten, Bolton, Martin, President T. and Elder Labrum.

This was the only Cleaning Relay where there were not Sister Missionaries to boost the team!

And they did GREAT!  It required teamwork for the teammates to help along each participant as they got to each station.  I loved seeing how helpful they all were and how they cheered their teammates!

 You can see there was a lot of STYLE in this race.  Elder Bolton is a professional sharpshooter...Elder Martin is a professional "seat-sitter!"


We even had Braden out of school today to come along so that was really fun!

This zone is under the leadership of Elders Fluckiger and Martin.  They did a wonderful job of leading the teaching and learning today!


We love being with our missionaries so much!  It truly brings JOY into our lives to serve alongside them!

Interviews W. Maricopa 4/12

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We were met at the stake center in W. Maricopa by Elders Adona and Estes who were glad to help us load up and take things in...this stray grocery cart seemed like just the thing for all our produce! And this was not even all!!!

 It was another full day of discussion, teaching and learning!

Mixed in with the business from the office that I brought and instruction on cleaning.  We played the traditional CLEANING RELAY for a break in the day.

Elder Hernandez took out Mr. Clean...

 Sister Harding made the toilet paper into the hoop...

 And President Taylor did a great job when it was his turn.  The missionaries love to see us play along with them!!

 Here is the great zone!! In the far back: Elder Condie (with basket on head) and Mendenhall,Middle and front: Elders Burrows, Newton, Neves, Sister Brown, Elder Bartlett, Sister Harding, Elders Grasley, Jeffs, P. Wood, Hernandez, Adona, L. Johnson, Estes and Lemon.

Back in for more great teaching and practicing!  We admire and trust in the zone leaders to guide the zone in key learning experiences!

Loved this shot of Elder Burrows waiting for his interview with President Taylor!
Can you see the love and devotion in the faces of these amazing missionaries who are giving 18-24 months of service totally dedicated to the Lord?
We are uplifted every time we spend time with them.  The goodness rubs off onto us and we go home feeling better for having spent time with them!

Interviews- Buckeye/Goodyear zone 4/12

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Wednesday we met with the wonderful Buckeye/Goodyear Zone.  They are led by Elders  Blackhurst and Hampton, two energetic and dedicated leaders!

They were taught and discussed many key learnings today.

 Elders Nieman, Northrup, Blackhurst, Waynick, K. Gerber, Sis. Pilcher, Elders Choules, Hamblin, Smith, K. Beck, Colovich, Sis. Larson, Elders Doolhoff, Roberts, Robinson, Hampton, Tucker and Jensen.

We had another riotous time in the CLEANING RELAY!  Many Cheerios were swept up, Mr. Clean was shot down, Scrubbies were golfed into the basket, plates were washed and toilet paper shot into the "hoop!"

All were good sports and it was all in good fun!
President Taylor is getting pretty good at it!

Creativity abounded in this zone...from Elder Choules funny comments on the plate...

...to Elder Jensens interpretive art with a potato afterwards at our Farmers Market.
Yes, we had lots of produce and bread to share this week in every zone!

It was another great day in the Arizona Phoenix Mission with another incredible group of dedicated and happy missionaries!

Interviews- Deer Valley/Glendale N. 4/12

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We started this week off with interview day at Deer Valley/Glendale north Zone.

They are under the guidance of Elders Bush and Stephens.
In this photo Elder Stephens practice teaches with Elder Bird to demonstrate an idea.

 The rest of the zone pays close attention and then break into their own practice teaching groups.

Sis. Chord, Elders Giles, Halligan, Bush, Hastings, Rivas, Cecil, Malmberg, Bird, Pres. Taylor, Stephens, B. Johnson, H. Beck, Barrett, Adams, Beeston, Bruegger, Pearson and Sis. Culler.

Elder Beck gives a good toss to the toilet paper...yup, he made it through the "hoop."

 Elder B. Johnson sweeps up all the Cheerios...I tell them it will NOT be the last time in their life they do this. :)

Elder Adams watches and waits for his teammate to be ready to shoot hoops so he can help as back-up.

We had a wonderful day of teaching, learning and playing in the Deer Valley/Glendale North zone here in the great Arizona Phoenix Mission!