A New Era - Mission Leadership Council

In the past this monthly council meeting was called "Zone Leader Council" which obviously was for all the zone leaders. The government of missions throughout the church has changed to accommodate the increase of sister missionaries. It is incredible to watch the growth, to feel the excitement and sense that we are seeing the Lord "hasten His work". The new name of this council is "Mission Leadership Council" The new look is - Sister Training Leaders. This is a new calling for sisters. Sister Training Leaders (STL) will do 24 hour exchanges with sisters and help them in their missionary work. They are part of the Mission Council and have a very strong voice in the direction and vision of the mission. Welcome sisters!

Back Standing:  President Barry, Elder Hamilton, Elder Wise, Elder Bennion, Elder Bishop, Elder Erickson, Elder Feliz
Front Standing:  Sister Barry, Sister Heslington, Sister Gilbert, Sister Call, Sister Whiting, Sister Hale, Sister K.Jensen, Elder Housel Elder Tuft
Kneeling:  Elder N.Clark, Elder Huckvale, Elder Lang, Elder Craynor, Elder Coleman, Elder McCarthy, Elder Suttner, Elder M.Jensen

We also have new zone leaders this transfer.  Elder Hamilton, Elder N.Clark, Elder Craynor, Elder M.Jensen

Departing couples

It's hard to believe these amazing missionaries are finishing up their missions. The time goes so fast. It's hard to say good-bye to such dear friends.  Elder Haleck of the Seventy said in April 2012 Conference:  "...Young men, women, and senior couples have answered the call of a prophet of God to serve missions.  With faith and courage they leave their homes and everything that is familiar to them because of their faith in the great good they can do as missionaries.  As they act on their vision to serve, they bless the lives of many and, in the process, change their own lives."    Each of these couples can each testify of this.  I encourage all whose age permits to serve a full time mission.  Even if you feel you are not capable or you are afraid I want to testify -

The Lord can't make the capable willing but he can make the willing capable. 

YOU CAN DO IT!

Elder and Sister Nelson have served a "Military Relations" Mission on the Fort Stewart Army Base in Hinesville, GA.  This is their third mission!!!!  They have had a profound influence in the lives of many soldier and their families.  Thank you so much from them and us! 

Elder and Sister Baker are also on their third mission!  They have served a "Member and Leadership Support" mission in the Dunn Ave Ward in Jacksonville.  They have helped many 'returning members' back to activity in that ward.  Elder Baker also served as a counselor in the bishopric of the ward.  Thank you so much!

Elder and Sister Sparks have served in the mission office of the FJM.  They have done EVERYTHING to keep the mission running.  They are the hard work behind the movement.  Elder Sparks kept the cars running and missionaries driving safely.  Sister Sparks keeps the office stocked, baptisms reported and referrals updated and everything else that we needed done.  Thank you so much.  

 WE LOVE YOU ALL, DEAR FRIENDS!

Mature and Wise!

You see in this picture years of experience in the church, maturity and wisdom.  You see some of the best people in the church, sacrificing their comforts and time with family to lift and serve others.  President Monson said in a talk in the 2000 General Conference:

"May we be wise mariners as we go forth on such a voyage.  Let us be pure vessels before the Lord. Let us recognize and respond to the needs of the widow; the cry of the child; the plight of the unemployed; the burden of the sick, the confined, the aged, the poor, the hungry, the lame, and the forgotten.  They are remembered by our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ." 

This is exactly what these wonderful, wise and 'aged' missionaries are doing!  They are going out and finding the lost and forgotten members of their wards.  They are loving and serving and seeing miracles.  They are bringing many back into activity.  We love them so much!  They are our best friends and fellow servants.   

We met last Saturday for a BBQ outside and training.  Of course it rained hard all day so plans changed but it turned out so wonderful!  We relaxed together and learned together.

Standing from the left:  Elder & Sister Butler, Sister Farland, Sister and Elder Nelson, Elder Farland, Elder and Sister Sparks, Sister Priest, Elder and Sister Draper, Elder Priest, President Colvin
Seated Left:  Elder and Sister Baker, Front: Sister and Elder Rahm; Right: Sister and Elder Faulconer
Middle: Sister and President Barry

We took turns telling about our families, where we serve and the success we are seeing in our areas. This is Elder and Sister Rahm.  They have only been here for a few months.

Eating our BBQ - indoors - Left around the table: Sister Faulconer, Elder and Sister Nelson, Elder and Sister Butler, Elder and Sister Baker



Left: Sister Priest, President Colvin, Elder and Sister Farland

Left: Elder Draper, Elder Sparks, Elder Faulconer, Elder Priest

Blameless before God

As I look at these pictures a flood of memories come back of the 2 years or 18 months service given by these wonderful missionaries. Each one has grown in power and ability. Their parents won't know them!!! They remind me of the scripture in Doctrine & Covenants 4:2 - "Oh ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day." I have no doubt these 8 missionaries could stand blameless before God - right now! Their job now is continue on the path they are on and endure to the end. Our mission vision is " Disciples of Jesus Christ - NOW AND FOREVER". They are on their way! We love you all.

Back left: Elder C.R. Jensen, Elder Ramstedt, Elder Cervo, Elder Gebhard
Front left: Sister Richards, Sister Crowton, Elder Garnica, Elder Riggs

Departing Devotional with President Barry

"The words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do." 2 Nephi 32:3

Gathering at the airport.

These are powerful sisters!!!

Good-bye dear missionaries.  You are missed!!!

Feeding Time!

In a talk to Priesthood holders, President Monson said, "...we can bolster human spirits, clothe cold bodies, feed hungry people, comfort hearts, and lift to new heights precious souls." This is a day to do just that, (except clothe cold bodies - it's too warm in Florida). We try to bolster, comfort, lift and FEED. They like that part. This is lunch time at the all day training meeting.

 

 

TRANSFERS

Transfer Day is a joyous occasion as the missionaries travel from all over the mission to meet at the Mandarin Building, load into other vehicles that will take them to their new area. The best way to describe the joy the missionaries feel is in the scriptures. Alma 17:1-3 describes Alma's feelings as he met his good friends, the sons of Mosiah after their service in various parts of the mission. It says: "..as Alma was journeying...he met with the sons of Mosiah...Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation and when they taught they taught with power and authority of God." As I watch these amazing young missionaries meet after months of separation I see in them power and authority, and they do indeed teach with the power and authority of God. It is an amazing reunion!

The following pictures are candid shots of transfers in the church parking lot. 

Elder Thomas headed to the Mandarin 1st Ward.

Waiting for the transfer vans to come

Left: Sister Beesley, Sister Waldman, Elder Craynor, Elder C.Jensen, Elder Madden, Elder Huckvale, Elder Ales

Elder Weaver, Elder Ogilvie, Elder Latu (yahoo), Elder Huntington, Elder Craynor

Elder Swim, Elder McCarthy, Elder Coleman, Elder Peterson, Elder Lane, Elder Sharp, Elder Huntington, Elder Buhler, Elder Ogilvie, Elder Craven

Reunions

Elder Beazer, Elder Eklof

Elder Riggs, Elder Cervo

Beautiful sisters:  Sister Hale, Sister McCracken, Sister Clayton, Sister K.Jensen, Sister Pettingill

Hi Elder C. Jensen

Elder Andrade, Elder Craynor, Hi Elder Lewis, Sister Sparks

Elder Sharp, Elder Peterson, Elder Coleman

Trainers and New Missionaries

It's hard to believe but about 2/3 of the mission are in the 12 Week Training Program as either trainers or new missionaries. It's a thrill to see the quality of missionaries who are prepared and coming on missions. They join an already powerful army and together they are seeing miracles. The second day in the mission is an all day training for the new missionaries. They spend from 8am to 4:30pm in a 'fire hose' training.  The information is coming so fast it's hard to absorb it all.  The greatest part of the day is learning about the culture of the FJM.  They come to a greater understanding of our vision, our identity, our purpose, our motto and the driving force behind missionary work.  At the top of this blog are all of those principles.  It's powerful to hear President Barry teach and lead them to a greater understand of missionary work in the FJM.

 The last few hours of the day is spent with their trainers and President Barry learning about the 12 Week Training Program. As you can see below it included almost 50 missionaries!

 

The highlight of the day is meeting their trainers.  These pictures were taken just seconds after they met.  We have 3 missionaries in the group who are waiting for their visas to Brazil.  We don't know how long we can keep them but we are thrilled to have them for as long as we can.

Sister Abad will be trained by Sister Waldman in Pooler, Georgia

Sister Allred is being trained by Sister Patton in the Dunn Ave Ward in Jacksonville

 

Elder Baczuk (trainer) and Elder M.Smith (new missionary) are serving in Dunn Ave. Ward in Jacksonville

Sister Ashcraft will train Sister Nunes in the Macclenny Ward.  (It was a funny moment and we caught Sister Ashcraft in a belly laugh.)

Elder Beckstead will train Elder Cloud (visa waiter) in the Savannah Georgia Ward.

Sister Beazer will be trained by Sister McCracken in the Waycross 1st Ward in Georgia

Elder Behymer will train Elder Burgan in the Waycross 1st Ward in Georgia

This is Sister Bird and Sister Parmer.  They are both new missionaries.  They were both called to be the trainer of a new missionary - each other!!!  This is the first time this has happened.  The Lord called them and He has great plans for them! They serve in the Hendrick Ave Ward in Jacksonville.  They serve in the same ward as the Assistants to the President so they will have lots of help. 

Elder Bitnoff (visa waiter) will be trained by Elder Belliston in Statesboro, Georgia

Elder K. Bodily is being trained by Elder Meiling in Hinesville, Georgia

Elder Calder will train Elder Forsyth in the Gainesville Florida 3rd Ward.  They are excited to serve close to the University of Florida campus.  Go Gators! 
Go Invest-a-Gator!!

Sister Clayton will train Sister Fife in Starke, Florida

This is the second companionship who will train each other.  Both new missionaries, Sister Dodd and Sister Divis will serve in the Brunswick Georgia 1st Ward. There is a set of Sister Training Leaders who live close by to assist in their training.

Sister Eddington will train Sister Spencer (visa waiter) in the Orange Park 2nd Ward in Florida

Sister Major (trainer) and Sister Toledo (new) will serve in the Gaineville 3rd Ward in Florida

Sister McCann will be trained by Sister Carrigan in the Ocala 1st Ward in Florida

Elder Scribner (new) and Elder Allison (trainer) serve in the Brunswick 2nd Ward in Georgia

Elder Welsh will be trained by Elder Smith in Live Oak, Florida

Sister J. Lewis (new) and Sister MacKay (trainer) look like sisters!  I guess they are.  They are serving in the St. Augustine Shores Ward in Florida

Elder Eppley is being trained by Elder Andrade in the Orange Park Florida 2nd Ward.

Elder Green (trainer) and Elder Solomon (new) serve in the Ocala Florida 2nd Ward

Elder J.Johnson is being trained by Elder Largo in Fernandina Beach Florida

Sister Houtz (trainer) and Sister Whiteley serve in the Palatka Florida 1st Ward