SO LONG FARWELL

We  bid farewell to some great missionaries that have truly left a legacy in our mission. They were fierce defenders of the faith and true disciples of Jesus Christ. They spoke of Christ, they taught of Christ, rejoiced in Christ and were examples of His faith and teachings. We will miss them but know that  they will stand steadfast and immovable, and improve the member missionary effort where ever they go. Thank you for your great service. 

February Zone conference

February Zone Conference was on Becoming Master teachers. We ask the question "what do you want them to know? what do you want them to Feel? and what do you want them to do We talked about mastering the lessons, knowing their sequence and thinking of their own personal experience with each one. We ask them to make a teaching journal with all of the concepts and personal experiences they had had with each one so it was already to pull out of their hat. We talked once again about asking good questions to see if real learning is taking place. We played "name that concept" at lunch time and the winners of the game got to put a cream pie in the face of the other team captains. They LOVED it. 

In the afternoon we talked about using the book of Mormon and how to introduce it. We talked about how they need to touch it, read it and feel it. They should never leave them with a Book of Mormon without having a spiritual experience with it. They need to have read something touching about the Savior before you leave them with the commitment to read it during the week. Elder Taylor instructed on the faith to use the tools that we have been given remembering the promises made to us by the Lord through His chosen servant. Elder McKay instructed on Pride. How the Savior had descended below ALL things and are we greater than he? When we think that we know better how to do the work than the way he has instructed us we are being prideful. When we aren't all moving in the same direction in obedience we are wieghing our brother down in much affliction.  

APRIL ARRIVALS

This was a transfer from Heaven. It was the first group in the nine months we have been here that arrived on time. They got here about 1:30 in the afternoon. We brought them to the Mission  home and had some fruit , cheese and crackers and cookies. They had been up since 2:00am. We oriented them while President started interviews. We finished in time for them to take a little nap while I finished dinner. We had a nice dinner and after that we shared our love with them and little bit about us and our vision for the mission. We heard testimonies from our Assistants and all of the new missionaries. They were wonderful testimonies of the Savior and expressions of dedication. They wrote their "I've arrived" letters , opened their new area letters, found out where they were on the map, had a little desert, and off to bed they went. We are very excited about the spirit we felt from this group of missionaries.

Reflections of Christ Concert

To close the "Reflections of Christ" exhibit in Baton Rouge and open it in Alexandria the next night we had an amazing concert with Alex Boye of the Tabernacle Choir, Freddie Ashby, and Clyde Bawden. They  are the musicians that sang , composed, and arranged all of the music for the exhibit. It was a powerful experience none of us will forget. The music is so moving, but what really makes it a powerful tool is the love and light that comes from the testimonies of these good men. We had 400 people in attendance. In Baton Rouge, the missionaries had their own mini concert after in the chapel. They got to sing Called to Serve with Clyde Bawden at the piano and conducted by Freddie. They also got to hear more about Alex Boye's conversion which is another testimony of the power of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives. He told how he was literally kicked out of his house at the age of 16 for joining the church in England. He had nothing but his scriptures. He said they were his mom, his dad, and his pillow. The next night we went to Alexandria where the exhibit was hosted in a First United Methodist Church. That was a miracle in itself. They allowed our missionaries in their church with their tags on. They let us put two huge banners out in front of their church . They helped with refreshments and had their church open every night from 6-9 pm for the exhibit. We had to hold the concert at the stake center instead of their church because of a rehearsal dinner for a wedding . Several of the methodist ladies couldn't attend the concert because they were helping with the exhibit. Alex, Fredie, and Clyde went over to the methodist church at 9:00pm to give them their own concert. I thought as I watched three priesthood holders, on a methodist stage, singing I Know That My Redeemer Lives, that it was a complete miracle. That doesn't happen in the South. Those people , with tears rolling down their cheeks thanked us over and over again for coming and sharing the music with them. On WEdnesday the following week The Reverend Ricky Willis allowed Mark, who flew back in for a meet the artist night , give two one hour talks to his congregation about the experience he had as he shot these photos. THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN EITHER!! By the time the week was over in Alexandria there were 1,200 people that went through the exhibit and 700 of them were not of our faith. We had a private showing for the head bishop of the island of Grenada, who said,"this young man is not only gifted, he was divinely inspired. By the time the week was over, we had created some dear friendships with these good people and they, with tears in their eyes , thanked us for bringing "this holy experience to their church".

Arrivals for February

We greeted another great group of missionaries yesterday. They had been up since 2:00AM but were anxious to get to work . That's exactly what they did. After a little orientation and dinner they went out with the missionaries. they loved it and we got glowing reports from their fellow missionaries. Thanks families for sending them . They are full of light and testimony. 

Reflections of Christ

We have had the blessing of having Mark Mabry's exhibit of Reflections of Christ here for a week now. Mark came last Sunday the 8th and held a fireside as a kick off for the event. There have been miracle after miracle in regards to this beautiful exhibit of photographs of he life of the Savior. Let's just start with the attendance at the fireside. there were 567 people there. They  said it was more that they get at stake conference. It was clear back to the stage. 

We have had four people start the lessons from just feeling the spirit and wanting to know what we believed. We have had people be driving by the chapel and feel impressed to turn in and not really know why. One lady was feeling like she needed something more in her life and saw the story in the paper and was impressed that it would help her find it. She has accepted to be taught. A theology teacher from an Episcopal church came to see it and loved it so much that she brought 50 7th and 8th graders back to see it. They loved it and kept thanking our members that were helping with the exhibit for bringing it to Baton Rouge. It has accomplished so much more that we had ever hoped for. It has brought people to Christ and rekindled their love for Him. It has let our community know how much Christ is at the center of our beliefs and our lives. Mark has been so generous with his time and resources, but mostly He has shared his testimony and humble  example of wanting to serve Jesus Christ.

The Bee Keepers

The annual "Bee Keepers Association " dinner was help at our stake center in Baton Rouge . One of their officers is in our ward. He invited our missionaries and president and I to attend . It was a great evening. They loved the missionaries,we made some new friends, and we found a few people that were interested in hearing our message. One lady (not of our faith)had read the Book of Mormon and had a friend (member)  that hadn't been to church for a good while. She said she was going to have to get her back to church . It was a hoot. They were so nice and we learned a little about bee keeping.