Peoria and Glendale Zone Digital Training 10.31.13

 PLEASE CLICK ON THIS LINE FOR ALL PHOTOS OF THIS TRAINING.  There are photos of each companionship.

Our HALLOWEEN AFTERNOON began much like the morning...with another session of DIGITAL TRAINING, only this time we had a visit from Missionary Department representative Tracy Watson.
He spoke to our missionaries telling them a little about the process of putting out these digital tools to missionaries.  It was a process full of revelation.

He told of how the First Presidency supported the proposal without discussion, they were so committed.  They wanted it done ASAP.
If you listen to Elder Perry's talk in the HASTENING OF THE WORK from the Work of Salvation Broadcast in June, you will hear his comments about the importance of this great era.  He compared it to the coming forth of the Book of Mormon.
To me, that is of GREAT significance.
Your missionary is serving in a monumental time in history!

 First, check out the iPad carved pumpkin that the Phx N Zone left with us for the day!
#hasten

Check out the link above to see your missionary with their digital device.
There were a lot of happy missionaries!

 But then the work began...and believe me, these tools are part of WORK.

We think of them in reference to play...but in the hands of these set-apart-servants-of-the-Lord, they help them be MORE ORGANIZED, have MORE RESOURCES at their fingertips and have MORE TIME to really teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  This truly helps them fulfill their purpose to INVITE OTHERS TO COME UNTO CHRIST.

A room full of excited missionaries with their new devices.

I had to prove in this picture that it was possible to get a photo with Elder Cardwell being serious...(he is second from the left)

 ...but you will see that as soon as he saw me taking a photo, he was back in his usual photo mode, THUMBS UP ELDER CARDWELL!

It was a three hour training on the background of going digital, then the long set-up process, which was just plain work, and then some great hands-on training by a couple of our Zone Leaders who have been testing the devices for 6 months now and have a really good grip on how to do it.

The devices contain an online AREA BOOK that used to be records kept in a big binder with a page for every person ever taught.  Digital will be a great upgrade.
Also, paper planners will be phased out.  All planning is done online as well, with electronic planners.  The Mission President, Ward Mission Leader and Bishop will also be able to see the planner/calendar of the missionaries and schedule them as needed etc.
Please keep in mind that we are still TESTING THIS OUT FOR THE CHURCH.  Our missionaries will be making more suggestions to help them get this tool even more usable for missionaries in the future.  Our district of 10 who have had these tools for 6 months have been INCREDIBLE in sharing insight about how this had affected their missionary work.  They have insightful ideas and have been creative to make things work that were not features but should have been.  They know what the programs need to make them even better and champion the cause to create those upgrades.
They are doing GREAT!  They have such good attitudes about it even though they have to enter in 5 years of data into the devices...and learn something new which can be stressful.  They are eager to help and to learn and they already have ideas on how to make things better.  They truly were set apart to be here at this amazing time in missionary work.  The Lord has prepared the way to HASTEN HIS WORK.  I know that these tools can be used for good.  They have precautions to make them safe for missionaries.  Your missionary is honest and obedient.  This is why they were chosen to be here at this time.  We have complete faith in them.
Does this mean that mistakes will not be made?  No.  But we will learn and grow and be better for what we are learning even if it is hard.
THANK YOU for your great missionary!  We just love them so much and admire them for who they are and who they are becoming!