Transfer Day

For the past two years transfer day involved everyone coming to a church that is central in the mission. We would have a transfer meeting where President Barry teaches, we have activities and President announces new companions and new areas.  It was a big decision but it was right to change our normal and not have transfer meeting.  Instead we had vans that brought transferring missionaries from the far zones to a central church.  At that point they get on another van that will take them to their area.  Once they get into their new zone members come and take them to their area.  It was a logistical feat and we want to thank the Assistants to the President for their brilliant work.  Everything worked like clock work.  Here are a few pictures of the day. 

Elder Huckvale and Elder Bishop

Out of one trailer into another

Elder Craven, Elder Chadwick and Elder Behymer.  Elder Chadwick is being creative with those pillow cases.

Elder Herrick and Elder Feliz

Thank you to all the members who met the vans at the transfer points in every zone to take each companionship to their new areas. 

 

 

Good-bye all y'all. 

 

23 NEW DISCIPLES OF CHRIST!

Look at this fabulous group of missionaries! This is the largest group of new missionaries to come to this mission. Many of them are younger and there is no difference in their preparation and testimony. We are thrilled to welcome this outstanding group to serve in this mission. You will notice that the numbers that are coming on missions will increase from here on out. It's such an exciting time to be serving. We are going to see many, many more people come to know of the Restored gospel because our forces are increasing. Just this transfer President Barry opened up 10 new areas because of the increase. All of those areas are in wards where there is already a set of missionaries so now they have 2 sets - one set of elders and one set of sisters. Think what that will do with the member work that is so active in this mission. It means that the Priesthood and the Relief Society in the Wards can now be fully active in exchanges and working with missionaries. It means that if elders find a single female to teach they can turn it over to the Sister missionaries. The rule is elders can't teach a female unless there is a third man in the room. That made it difficult. So many problems are solved by having sisters and elders in a ward. I hope you can sense how excited we are to be receiving so many sisters and elders. The work is hastening on. The Lord is doing his work. We are thrilled to be instruments in His hands. Thank you, parents and families, for preparing such worthy missionaries.

Back:  Elder Walt, Elder Sharp, Elder Peterson, Elder Lane
Front elders:  Elder Sullivan, Elder Lewis, Elder Wirthlin, Elder Calder, Elder Conant, Elder Meiling, Elder Satchwell, Elder Alvey
Standing Sisters:  Sister Eddington, Sister Montgomery, Sister MacKay, Sister Chappell, Sister Wood, Sister Beesley, Sister Neibaur, Sister Clayton,
Seated:  Sister Houtz, Sister Jenks, Sister Hale

 

We certainly attract a lot of attention at the airport!  We look like a flash mob.  We should all the sudden start teaching and testifying.  That would be fun! 

Elder Lane and Elder Conant share the same birthday and they are the same age. They both turned 19 this day.  So of course we had to celebrate.  How fun to celebrate a birthday by entering the mission field. 

Where did January go?

Dear Families and Friends of the FJM, 

We are still here!  We are thriving and growing!  I looked back in my picture file hoping to find some wonderful pictures to share with you of our activities of the past month...there was nothing.  Unless you would like the see a plethora of pictures of our newest grandson, Wesley Graf, born 25 January but I'm afraid that won't be too interesting for all y'all.  But I'm fixin' here to take a bunch of pictures in February.  (Add a southern accent to the last few sentences to get the full effect).  We have a large transfer next week and zone conferences the week after.  You will see your missionary sometime in February.

We ended the year of 2012 having baptized 532 prepared children of our Hevenly Father.  We are thrilled to welcome them into His kingdom.  The wonderful part of this miracle is that our retention rate for 2012 was 71%!!!  That is a direct result of the powerful teachings and guidance of your missionaries combined with the love and fellowship of the wonderful members in this area!  We are working hard in the FJM to keep our Father's children focused on Jesus Christ and His restored Gospel. 

 

This month a feeling of 'settling in' and working hard covered the mission.  After the New Year we felt our goals were just what the Lord wanted us to accomplish.  Our main goal is for each companionship to focus on the Ward Baptism Goals in the ward in which they serve.  We are working with the members to accomplish this goal.  We are also following the prophets directive to go to the "Rescue".  We are working to find and bring back the less-active members.  This is proving to bring lots of baptisms because less-actives are married to non-members or have non-member children.  They also have a lot of non-member friends.  It's a thrill to see a less-active member find the joy of repentance and re-activation.  It truly is inspired. 

 

We love you all and hope that the blessings of the Lord are flooding your hearts and your families.