ZONE CONFERENCE: Buckeye/Goodyear and W. Maricopa Zones 8/13

 PLEASE CLICK ON THIS LINE FOR ALL PHOTOS OF THIS EVENT!



Last day of Zone Conferences...we went all the way to the Buckeye Stake Center, way out in beautiful, rural farmland.

We had elders trying on the rack of used suits we brought before the meeting, and finding some great fits!

 We also had Elders shining up their shoes at our "Arise and Shine Forth" shoe shine station!

They were so happy to get shiny and newer elders were learning tips from the older ones...no, Elder Kroeger, that toothbrush is NOT for your teeth!

We had a couple of AMAZING musical numbers today starting with the W Maricopa Zone.  They brought the Spirit so strongly into our meeting!
What a talented bunch of missionaries!

During the morning session we learned about the principle of FAITH.  It was taught simply and with examples.  This is how we learn.
Next we had some great discussion on RULES VS PRINCIPLES  that really helped us understand the WHY of some of the missionary handbook rules, and the why of mission guidelines as well as help us take ACCOUNTABILITY for our choices on so many things that are just not spelled out for us.  When we base our decisions on eternal principles, we cannot go wrong.  Think of the Jews that had 613 rules for the Sabbath instead of one priniciple...KEEP THE SABBATH DAY HOLY.  Which is easier?  Well, it is up to you!  I LOVE PRINCIPLES!

My discussion was on Stress/Rest/ Positive Thinking.  Ask your missionary about ANTS!  I will give you a clue.  These ants you want to SQUASH!

Elders Negative Ned and Positive Pete helped illustrate the power of positive thinking in a skit to introduce my topic.  Is your water bottle half empty or half full????  The choice on how to see it is yours!  Yup, based on the Principle of Agency!

 Lunch was a great time as usual.  We had two full tables of Sisters today...the most I have seen at one conference...and growing!  YAY SISTERS!

We appreciate the wards and Stakes that provide these meals!  I am grateful I do not have to cook every day!!!

 After lunch, we sing a thank you song to our hosting Sisters and then our MISSION FIGHT SONG, which is so great!  We had great enthusiasm today!

 HAPPY AUGUST BIRTHDAYS TO:
Elder Okelberry
Elder Graziano
Elder Livingston
Elder Dickson
Elder Dart
Elder Arave

We sang to them in English/Spanish/Portuguese/Tongan & French

 Elder Lutz and Gerritsen did a musical number to start our afternoon session and it was AMAZING...even set to the tune from Amazing Grace.  Beautiful!

We had our training with this zone to head them towards ONLINE PROSELYTING for an hour a day.  This is a big step for the Church to roll this out and we are one of the first non-test missions to take the whole mission online.  (We are testing digital devices but those are not being rolled out yet.)

Please help your missionary keep this sacred trust to use these online tools to fulfill their purpose as missionaries only...in no way to just communicate or socialize.
Please take the challenge yourself to:
MAKE A MORMON.ORG PROFILE
Make a FACEBOOK PAGE that is worthy of a member of Christ's Church.
Use your BLOG to share what you beleive.
INVITE people to learn what you believe by going online to MORMON.ORG to learn more.
The first word of our purpose is INVITE.  We invite YOU to invite!  MEMBER MISSIONARY WORK IS WHERE IT IS AT!  If you need ideas, ASK YOUR MISSIONARY, THEY CAN HELP!!!