Returning Missionaries

It's a joy to see missionaries who have gone home. Many decide to come back with their family to visit. It's such a joyous reunion. They spend the time traveling through the mission visiting members they have grown to love and 'their' converts. We remind them when they come back that they are no longer missionaries but are now considered 'friends' of missionaries. The Missionary Handbook says there is to be no contact with family and friends while on a mission. The RM's do their best to keep their distance from the missionaries.

Elder 'Scott' McFarland returned with his family.  President Barry and I had a hard time calling him by his first name.  He will be forever Elder McFarland to us.  From the right:  President Barry, a brother, Sister Barry, a brother, Elder Scott McFarland, Sister McFarland, mother, Brother McFarland, father and a sister. 

A week later we were thrilled to see Sister Shepherd and Sister Waddoups again. They came separately but we planned a reunion all together at a local cafe. We laughed and relived old memories. We love you both!

Left:  Sister Shepherd, mother, Brynna Shepherd-RM, Sarah Waddoups-a sister, Sister Barry, Maren Waddoups-RM, President Barry, Sister Waddoups-mother 

SAVANNAH GEORGIA ZONE - WELCOME TO THE FJM

As of July 1, 2011 the Georgia Macon Mission was dissolved and absorbed into the surrounding missions. The Florida Jacksonville Mission was fortunate to inherit the Savannah Stake/Zone.

We are
 impressed with the level of obedience and the work ethic of this zone. President and Sister Bowman of the past Georgia Macon Mission did an amazing job of teaching, training and nurturing these missionaries. They deserve our gratitude for their consecrated service and inspired leadership.
Thank you, President and Sister Bowman.

On the 1st of July President Barry and I met with these great missionaries and spent a day getting to know each other. We love everyone of these wonderful missionaries. Welcome to the FJM.

This is a very large zone covering a part of Georgia.  They serve from the east coast to Vidalia, Georgia on the west, from Ridgeland and Beaufort, South Carolina on the north almost to Brunswick, Georgia on the south. 



Elder Hunter, Elder Crites, Sister and Elder Baum - Military Relations, Elder Hall, Elder Tomlinson, Elder Mecham - district leader and Elder Hansen

Sister Gneiting, Sister, Liljenquist, Elder Tindall, Elder Wheeler, Elder Hock, Elder Ross - district leader



Elder Fischer, Elder Lundquist, Elder Thygerson, Elder Porter, Elder Mann - district leader, Elder Jones

Elder Cervo, Elder Crosby-zone leader, Elder Kelley-zone leader, Elder Orth, Elder Sauni-district leader, Elder Aiono-assistant

Elder Winward, Elder Leishman, Elder Christensen-district leader, Elder Bingham, Elder Gardner



Happy Birthday to Elder Kelley and Elder Tindall

New Missionaries and Transfer Meeting

Along with the 28 missionaries from the Savannah Zone we also are privileged to welcome three new elders from the MTC. They arrived the 4th of July.

Elder Wise, Elder Moore, Elder Bennion

Elder Moore being welcomed by his trainers, Elder McArthur and Elder Johnson.  They are all Spanish speaking missionaries.

Elder Failner and Elder Snow will train Elder Wise.

Elder Allred will train Elder Bennion and is introducing him here. 
(Elder Aiono is good at pulling his 'Haka' face.  I didn't notice this till days later!)

Here are a few candid shots from Transfers

Elder Engele with Elder Haw and Elder Salvesen on the right.  I think Elder Haw and Elder Salvesen are happy to not be the 'greenies' anymore. 




Elder Taylor on the left.  He is enjoying his last day in the mission.  Elder Wheeler, Elder Hock and Elder Tindall are from the Savannah Zone. (The man without a suit coat is a wonderful member who drove the Savannah elders down. Thank you.) 



Elder Robbs and Elder Clements

Sister Capua, Sister Martins, Elder Johnson and Elder Baker.  Both elders went home the next day.

Elder Wily, Sister Hosea, Elder Taylor and Elder Robbs

Ready to go back to work, Elder Maxfield and Elder Kiracofe.

On to a new mission

I have to admit it just keeps getting harder and harder to say good-bye to OUR missionaries. I am afraid that I shed a tear or two after this group left. We felt like we had put our own children into the MTC. We pray for these missionaries who are entering the LTC...Life Training Center. We love you. Please remember you are a Disciple of Jesus Christ...Now and Forever!

Elder Pelo left a few days before the main group. 

I call this the "transfer board stance".  Elder Pelo, on the left, had been an assistant.  He joined Elder Jacobs, a current assistant, and President Barry in finishing up the last few touches of the transfer board. They spend hours like this staring at the pictures trying to 'feel' where the Lord wants everyone to be.  It's an amazing process.

A few days later the rest of the group gathered for their final day in the mission.  Dinner was first at the mission home. 

Elder Shirley-mission office elder (gratefully not going home!), Sister Shepherd, Sister Liku, Elder Parker, Elder Taylor, Elder Bagley 




Elder Osborn, Elder Baker, Elder Murdock, Elder Jacobs (staying for a while), Sister Waddoups, Sister Shirley, office sister (couldn't do the mission with out her, glad you are staying).



The group was so big (15) that we put some at the kitchen table.

Sister Pedersen, Elder Leavitt, Elder Johnson, President Barry (not leaving :), Elder Aiono (staying for a while), Elder Carney, Elder Webb, Sister Cutler

Council from the President - "How to continue being a Disciple of Christ"

How do you feel right now!



Good-bye dear friends



Powerful Leaders of the FJM

Every other month we had what is called Leadership Training. We invite all the zone leaders, district leaders and sister leaders. A sister leader is a new calling in the mission. They are assigned to do 24 hour trades with other sisters where they work with and teach and train them.

Our wonderful Sister Leaders and their companions - Sister Capua, Sister Martins-Sister Leader, Sister Prettyman-Sister Leader, Sister Fitu, Sister Kitchen-Sister Leader, Sister Hosea

Excited for lunch.  Sister Spackman,, a wife of a local stake president (in red), cooks our lunches for Leadership Training. 

Elder Wilkey and Elder Reid - thumbs up

Clockwise from the left:  Elder Wadsworth (cheese) Elder Summers, Elder Dyerly, Elder Barnes, Elder Hinton, Elder Banner, Elder Bass (cheese again)

A member, Elder Sauni, Elder Wily, Elder Aiono, Elder Allred, Elder Bushman Elder Neville

The FJM Polynesian contingency!  Sister Fitu, Sister Hosea, Elder Sauni, Elder Wily and Elder Aiono.  They are great missionaries.

Elder McArthur, Elder Johnson, Elder Christensen, Elder Hansen, Elder Kelley, Elder Snow, Elder Taft

Elder Elms, Elder Crosby, Elder Failner, Elder Brown (I don't think I have a normal picture of this elder), Elder Mann

Elder C. Graham, Elder Craig, Elder Grant, Elder Mecham, Elder Ross, Elder J. Graham (not related)

Elder Jacobs, Elder DiCristofano, Elder Marquez, Elder Wilkey, Elder Reid, Elder Larsen

Here is everyone together. There is power in this group because they are leaders that lead, love and lift.

They strive to be true followers of Christ.