Mission Tour

Once a year every mission in the church has the privilege of having a visit from a General Authority.  We were blessed to have Elder Craig A. Cardon and his beautiful wife visit us for 2 days. He came with no agenda other than to assess our needs and then help us. He interviewed President and I, the Assistants and then had a meeting with all the zone leaders to figure out those needs. He then conducted 2 days of zone conferences and taught doctrine. It was a profound experience. The spirit was the teacher and we were all edified together. He taught us the power of faith in conversion. He taught us the importance of prayer in conversion.  He taught the importance of teaching and baptizing the whole family - especially the father or head of the household.  We are so grateful for these inspired men who lead the work through out the world. 

Thank you Elder and Sister Cardon.

Gainesville Zone



JAX East Zone




JAX South Zone



JAX West Zone

Kingsland Zone

Lake City Zone

Savannah Zone

After transfer meeting the missionaries that are going home meet at the mission home for a dinner and a departing devotional. It's probably my favorite event in the mission. It's a time for these powerful missionaries to reminise and celebrate their sucessful completion of an honorable mission. We shed a lot of tears both of joy of going home and the sadness of leaving. It's quite a mix of emotions. President Barry does a LTC -Life Training Center - type of meeting. He teaches them how to get back into real life and what to expect when you get home. Most missionaries say it's harder to go home than it was to come on a mission. We end the night sharing favorite scriptures and bearing testimonies. There were 15 missionaries that went home this transfer - 4 went a few weeks ago to get into school.

Back Row Left:  Elder Crosby, Elder Craig, Elder Knudsen, Elder Drake, Elder Clements, Elder Jensen, Elder Rhodes
Front Row Left:  Elder Waechtler, Elder Brimhall, Elder Larrocha, Sister Mathis

Good-bye!!  We love you all.  (Poor Sister Mathis, without a companion)
 

Transfers

This transfer was the biggest one we have ever had. With 20 new missionaries and 19 that went home throughout the month it caused a domino effect across the mission. There were very few companionships that were not affected. Transfer meeting is a wonderful time to see old friends and say good-bye to some of the best missionaries this mission has ever seen. We always end transfer meeting hearing the testimonies of the departing missionaries. They have become powerful men and women of God who know their identity and purpose in this life. Enjoy these pictures.

This isn't everyone that was transferred but almost.  We gather before the meeting while President is training the new missionaries. 

 

In July 2011 the Georgia Macon Mission was dissolved and we received the Savannah Zone from that mission.  These are some of the last remaining missionaries that we were privileged to inherit.  They are amazing missionaries
Elder Hall, Elder Lundquist, Elder Crosby, Elder Hunter, Elder Mecham, Elder Cervo 



Elder Buhler, Elder Svedin

Elder Guy and Elder Thomas



We always have to take a Sister's picture.  Sister Waldman, Sister Dunkley, Sister Jensen, Sister Knickerbocker, Sister Barry, Sister Sheffer, Sister Mathis, Sister Rieck, Sister Hicks, Sister Patton, Sister Santos and Sister Crowton. I love these wonderful sisters.

Elder Suttner and Elder Baczuk

Sister Abisai is being introduced and will be trained by Sister Delaplane.  Sister Abisai has a wonderful story.  She came to us from Namibia in South Africa.  She received her call last January and had to wait 9 months for her visa.  But even more amazing she is the first member of the church from her country to serve a mission outside of Africa!!!  And we got her!!!  She is a very humble and powerful missionary.  We love you Sister Abisai. 

Elder Northrup will train Elder Judson

Elder Winward will train Elder Swim.  They are Spanish speaking missionaries. 

Elder Goodrich is introducing and will train Elder Kim

Elder Kiracofe will train Elder Cutler

Elder Robinson will train Elder Ogilvie

Elder Neville will train and is introducing Elder Payne.   This was an emotion introduction.  Elder Payne had to go home from his mission for a year and returned this transfer.  Elder Neville was Elder Payne's trainer a year ago!!!  Now, Elder Neville gets to finish the training.  You would have loved seeing their reunion and when they realized they would be together again.  We were all a little teary with joy.  Welcome back Elder Payne. 

Elder Rowley will train Elder Cockrell

Elder Jones will train Elder Richmond.  They are Spanish speaking

Elder Lang introduced and will train Elder Behymer

Elder Hunter will train Elder Mihu

Sister Richards will train Sister Heslington

Elder Cawley is being introduced and trained by Elder Schuyler.

Elder McFarlane is introducing Elder Christensen and will train him.

This is a happy companionship.  Sister Barton will train Sister Whiting.

Elder Chadwick will be trained by Elder Howell and being introduced by him.

Looks like Elder Weaver is excited to be trained by Elder Wise.

Elder Saynes is being trained and introduced by Elder Phelps.  They are Spanish speaking.

Sister and President Barry are introducing Sister and Elder Farland.  They came pre-trained.  We love the couples in the mission.

Elder Lundberg will train Elder Rockwood and is introducing him