TRANSFERS/SISTER TRAINING LEADERS MARCH 2014

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The time has come...
 ...to pair up TRAINERS with their
NEW MISSIONARY! (We never refer to them as "Greenies" or use other mission slang)
It is a little like grade-school square dance with one side of the room looking at the other and wondering who will be their partner for the next 6 weeks!

President Taylor follows the Spirit in assigning trainers to their new missionary.  It is always wonderful to see why some are put with another.

Elder Weiler and I did the training after the missionaries were all assigned and acquainted.  We taught them about the 12 Week Training Program as well as the new Adjusting to Missionary Life booklets that they will follow for the rest of their training and mission.  They are inspired programs to bless these missionaries!

 They learned how to do a Companion Study each day and watched a short training DVD.  After this meeting, it was time to take them into the chapel where the rest of the mission who were involved in either Leadership meeting or Transfer Meeting.  It was a pretty good chunk of the mission this time!  Lots of change.

We believe in the saying THERE IS NO GROWING IN A COMFORT ZONE...so lots of time to grow after transfers!

We also believe in the saying WE ARE LEARNING TO BE COMFORTABLE BEING UNCOMFORTABLE!  Missions are not a time of comfort in many senses...so we just learn to be comfortable with the fact that we will be uncomfortable as we are learning and growing each day!

The New Missionaries and Trainers all came into the chapel as we sang CALLED TO SERVE!

They came in eager to see the missionaries who were there.  We have about 245 missionaries in our mission now...holding at about that number.  So, this is NOT all our mission in this room.  They would not fit!

 Sister Magee was a fabulous chorister!

All new missionaries were introduced by their Trainers, shared a testimony and then sat in the congregation waiting for transfer assignments.

It was a wonderful meeting.  It is obvious that the Lord's hand is in the details when you see who is put with who and where they are to serve.

 After the meeting, we always get a few pictures of the chaos...not so many now that Braden is not here to help take photos, but we love even a feel for how fun it is for them to see each other and for the busy, crazy parking lot full of suitcases and bikes and all!

 LOTS OF SISTERS in this mission!  We are up to about 66 Sisters now!
This may very well be all our Spanish Sisters together...I feel like it is!

 Lots of sheer strength in hoisting bikes and luggage!

 Yes, even for Sisters!  Sisters Wooden and Brewer trying to fit big luggage into small trunk!

And, with all our wonderful Sisters, we have wonderful SISTER TRAINING LEADERS!
Sisters Probeyahn, Jackson, Neary, Summerhays, Carter, E Walker, A Walker and Muhlestein.
Sister Training Leaders go on EXCHANGES with each Sister in the Mission once each transfer.  They meet a great need to take focus and teaching right to each individual like the District and Zone leaders do with the Elders.
We meet after each Transfer to discuss strengths, concerns and focus for the transfer!  Oh how we love and depend on these sweet Sisters!  They are happy and obedient! They LOVE the Sisters they serve!
WELCOME TO:  Sisters Summerhays and E Walker (for her second assignment as STL)

INCOMING MISSIONARIES MARCH 2014

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WELCOME MARCH MISSIONARIES!  We were so excited to get new missionaries in our mission this week!  We have to admit, we are LOVING these smaller transfer groups after all the 20-30 missionary groups from last year!  It is so much more personal and we feel we get to know them better more quickly.

They came a great time of year...it was snowing in Utah the morning they came, and I think it was upper 70's all afternoon here in AZ!

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 WELCOME TO:  Elders Unasa, Stults, Thomas, Sisters Hontanosas, Bailey, Wooden, Harris, Steimle along with Sister and President Taylor in the Phoenix Airport.

We got them all safely down the escalator and got luggage retrieved just in time to get outside in the lovely weather and ready to be picked up by our transfer van and trailer.

 From here we drove through the Tempe Mission, and into our own PHOENIX MISSION!
We have 5 Metro Area Missions here that all converge close to the airport in Tempe...Tempe, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale and Phoenix.  Yes, we all share the same airport for departures and arrivals!  Luckily we are on a 6 week transfer schedule so this can work!

We take our new missionaries to the MISSION OFFICE to meet the couples who LOVE THEM and CARE FOR THEM there.  They learn all about how to use mission debit cards, car and bike care, housing care etc. These couples love and serve them so much!  By the time they leave there, they really feel like they have a support system in place!  We love these couples so much!

From here, we surprise our new missionaries with a trip past the new Phoenix Temple site!  It is really coming along!  Windows are now in the upper spires and landscaping coming very fast!  We love this place and it is the symbol of what we are teaching towards in every situation...active member, recent convert, less active member or new investigator...all need to be working towards attending the temple!

WELCOME TO:
Sisters Steimle, Bailey, Wooden, Harris, Hontanosas, Elders Thomas, Stults and Unasa.

 After some instruction and lunch, it is NAP TIME!

This group did a very good job of napping for a couple hours!  It was so nice out, the elders wanted to be outside, so we brought out the tarp!

 Later, we woke them all up and President began interviewing them all while I was having them write letters home, sign the flag and our quilt, having them make a breakfast casserole for the next morning, prepare dinner and then do the Car and Bike Safety DVD certification.
It is a busy afternoon!

GOOD TIMES listening to each tell about how they got their call!

 We love having them in our home overnight!  We hope it helps them feel they are part of a family here!

 It was still so nice, that they braved the little chill outside to eat dinner!

 The next morning we were up early, to get in our morning run/walk!  Each missionary is expected to exercise vigorously each morning except Sundays.  It makes a big difference!  They did great!

We got home, got showered and dressed, ate our delicious breakfast and prepared for a morning devotional.  Part of it is receiving a letter from a departed APM missionary...we "Pass The Baton" literally, with letters inside of a baton!
The culture of this mission is loving and obedient.  This group came ready to join in that culture!  They were preparing by reading the scriptures as they waited for the devotional, we were so impressed!

We love these new sons and daughters!  They have embarked on something very new and different for them.  It will be hard.  It will stretch them beyond anything they have experienced before, and some will question if they really wanted to do this...and that is a normal feeling.  But, I testify that they are meant to be here and that THEY CAN DO THIS!  They will grow and BECOME WHO THEY NEED TO BE to survive in a world that is increasingly difficult to navigate without having the dedication it takes to be a missionary.  I know they are here for a reason!  Even our two Visa Waiting elders are HERE for a specific purpose!  They will each learn what they need and have experiences that they need for their futures.  THANK YOU FOR SENDING THEM!  This Gospel is true.  As we are all obedient to the commandments we can be nothing but blessed!  May the Lord bless your families as your missionary serves here!
Love, Sister Taylor

DEPARTING MISSIONARIES MARCH 2014

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Well, the time was at hand for yet another incredible group of missionaries to complete their service here in the APM and continue on in the great mission of LIFE!

We had 9 sons and daughters over last Monday night to celebrate their service here!
I put them right to work planting wheat grass for centerpieces for our upcoming Sister Training next week...check that out in about a week now!

 They all love to come and see their square on our NOW COMPLETED QUILT in the Mission Home.  I will post later about that one...it is a beautiful memory!

Elder Skalka "found himself" here in the Mission Home!

 We take our departing missionaries over for a special view of the Phoenix Temple site...as you can see, the upper windows are now complete, and much of the landscaping is going in.  We are looking at a October-November Open House and Dedication we believe.
The light shining through the windows from behind was stunning!
We have the temple couple at the little visitor center in the meetinghouse tell them what is going on in the construction, so that is always a highlight!
Elders Belnap, Cardoso, Skalka, Bangerter, H Peterson, Pehrson, Scott and Sisters Baumgartner and Vallejo.  INCREDIBLE GROUP!

 Back at the Mission Home, they got to choose a funny and a serious photo op.

 They were proud to be the first ever to do handstands as part of their picture.  We are SO PROUD!

And, in the midst of their "SERIOUS" photo, President Taylor totally photo bombed them!  It was SO FUNNY!
Check out the link for the rest of the photos of the day/night/day!

 That night, the two Sisters, Vallejo and Baumgartner, showed up with hobo packs all ready to leave the Mission Home...they just wanted to stay in AZ!!!
Can't say that I blame them...I feel the same way!

 We had our traditional Cafe Rio dinner, our wonderful testimony meeting and council time with the Mission Presidency and Wives, and then it was time for Family Home Evening.

They chose "Book of Mormon Stories" for the opening song!

 After a short lesson, we played our game...
DON'T EAT PETE!!!

Very fun times!

 The next morning, they were up promptly at 6:15 in order for us to be able to be obedient and get our exercise in before we had to leave early for the airport...daylight savings skips AZ, so we needed an extra hour to pick up early arriving missionaries from Salt Lake.



The Gospel of Jesus Christ is true.  It is as simple as that.  There is NO WAY that over 80,000 missionaries around the world could do what they are doing at this age, and do it so well if it was not founded on CORRECT PRINCIPLES based on the DOCTRINE OF CHRIST  himself.
They know it, they live it, they love it and they follow the Holy Ghost in knowing, living and sharing it!

WE LOVE THEM SO MUCH!

And here we all are in the transfer van headed for the airport.
We cannot even begin to tell you how much we love these young people!  We have a history with them, and it is ALL GOOD!
Each one is going somewhere great, and we are honored to have them in our family!

WE LOVE YOU!!! Welcome home and we look forward to interacting with you in the future!

LEADERSHIP MARCH 2014

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Quarterly we hold a LEADERSHIP MEETING with all our Sister Training Leaders, District Leaders and Zone Leaders.
President Taylor, the Assitants and Myself conduct the training.  It is always a sweet experience to have together these great stewards.

 The Assistants taught the same subject as the day before in MLC.  They taught how to go meet with both ward and stake leaders as well as ward members, to pray with them and bless their homes as well as ask them who else they could go pray with or teach a short lesson.  They offer to help with whoever that person has stewardship over.  For example, for an Elders Quorum President, they would offer to visit any prospective Elders they are focusing on, or any Elder who may have a special need.  They would invite Home Teachers to then be involved in that visit with them.

We practice what we teach.  It is revelation to practice asking people if you can pray for them.

In my practice, I was the member, and the Elder actually prayed for the needs I expressed in our family...they were real needs and the prayer was very real and the Spirit was there in abundance.  I know that Elder will continue to pray for our family.
Your missionaries LOVE the people they serve!

If you click on the link above, you will find your son or daughter during lunch...if they are in leadership at this time.

 We have just enough Sisters to fill a table!

We love singing "Army of Helaman" to those who provide lunch for us!  We ARE as the Army of Helaman!

 And we love our Mission Fight Song!
There is nothing like a leadership council to really belt it out too!

We had breakout sessions today where the APs taught the District Leaders, President Taylor took the Sister Training Leaders and I took the Zone Leaders.  That was pretty cool.  My group was just so focused on how they can SERVE better.
We celebrated how successful they are as leaders and missionaries.  Success is not measured in baptisms...

Oh Boy...memory test for Sister Taylor!  Front:  Elders Parsons and Larsen, Elder and Sister King, Sisters Dayton, Carter, Neary, Jackson, Elders McCuch and Laititi, President and Sister Taylor, President Juchau, Sisters Vallejo, Probeyahn, A Walker and Muhlestein.  Standing below stage:  Elders Miller, O'Neal, Longhurst, S Cardwell, Dobson, Nokes, Wilson, Ford, E Jones, Goldsberry, Weiler, Wrigley, Cardoso, Kroeger, Ure, Barrus, Pratt, Starr, Janzen, Davies.   Sitting on Stage:  Elders H Peterson, Wade, Pehrson, Wardle, Blackburn, Bryant, Dickson, Barlow, Barley, Westlund, Empey, Albrecht, Hicks, Kellett.  Back Row:  Elders Baker, Soper, Bryson, Andrus, Giron, Stevens, Lutz, Bangerter, A Smith, Farnsworth, Parry, Lane, Sillcock, Dart, Rigby, Fackrell, Wainwright, Elliott, Graybill, Leonhardt, Nield, Mullenix, Lower.  Whew!  Know them and LOVE THEM!

It was such a great day of training with this incredible group of missionaries.  They love each other and those that they serve so very much!  We wish you could be flies on the wall to see them in action!
They learned more about repentance.  They learned how important it is to celebrate successes and to use love in correcting and helping struggling missionaries.

They modeled for us some REAL PLAY...and shared experiences that made the difference in their own lives!

We have strong testimonies that the Lord knows us.  He knows our strengths and our weaknesses and he knows that we can do whatever his will is for us.  And we can do it with love.

We thank you again for these wonderful children!  They make a difference for good every day of their lives.  They know how to truly love and serve!  Thank you for modeling that for them!

Mission Leadership Council March 2014

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It hardly seems possible, but it is March already!
I find myself saying that about every new month that slips up on us about now.
HAPPY MARCH BIRTHDAYS TO COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Elder Barley
Elder Nield
Elder Westlund
Sister Jackson
Sister Probeyahn
We love our Mission Leadership Council.  I was gone part of that morning taking our oldest daughter and two little grandsons back to the airport to fly home to New Jersey and all that snow and cold!!!
As you can see, no problems like that here in sunny Phoenix AZ.
President Taylor started off the day with a doctrinal discussion on repentance that I really missed being there for.  I love that I understand that doctrine as one of hope and happiness as we CHANGE and get a FRESH VIEW of things.
Each zone also reports on progress and what is going well in their area, a RETURN AND REPORT.  When I finally made it back home, I was able to review and allow them to be accountable on subjects we have been focusing on the past few months:
Teaching 20 Lessons a Week
New Member Progress Records/Teaching them 90 days
Planning Using VGPTA
Invitations to Baptisms/Using  Baptism Calendar
HOP (Hastening Our Progress) Benchmarks towards Standards of Excellence

Front:  Sisters Carter, Dayton, Muhlestein, A Walker, Jackson, Neary, Vallejo and Probeyahn.  Row 2:  President and Sister Taylor, Elders Parsons, Ure, Barrus, Cardoso, Wade, Wrigley, Bryant, Barley, Barlow, Nield and Larsen.  Back Row:  Elders O Neal, Leonhardt, Weiler, Wainwright, Wilson, westlund, Lower, Dart, E Jones, Wardle, Baker, Andrus and Fackrell.

Lunch is a great time to relax and visit together.  We love having our 4 sets of Sister Training Leaders in our home each month with this council.  They add so much to COUNCIL!

 The weather in March is still cool enough to be outside...hold that thought.

 And President Taylor got some helping hands to fill  a couple coolers with our oranges and grapefruits to take to share at Leadership the next day.

 Many hands do make light work!

They truly got to enjoy the "FRUIT OF THEIR LABORS!"

And to participate in more of the HARVEST!
They ARE professionals!

In the afternoon session, I got to have a breakout session with the Sisters who helped me celebrate successes with our Sisters as well as make some plans for our upcoming Sister Specialized Training this month!

We have urgency in our purpose to invite others to come unto Christ!  We hope you are feeling that urgency as well.  We ask you to keep your missionaries in your home areas busy teaching!  They are ready and eager to share the joy the Gospel brings into their lives.