February 2015 Transfer

It was another typically busy transfer day, beginning with orientation at the mission home at 8 am and wrapping it up after 10 pm with the 4 senior couples finishing dinner at Copeland's.

This was an especially difficult transfer, because so many of the missionaries that we've spent a lot of time with and have grown to love either went home or were transferred out of the office and even the Baton Rouge area.

It seems like there's never enough time to get all the pictures I want in between setting up, serving and cleaning, but here's what I managed.

Elder Hale, Elder Puefua and Elder Jones

Elder Dye, Elder Sabey, Elder Netzley, Elder Barney and Elder Smith

Elder Jean Louis, leaving Baton Rouge and going to New Orleans South to be a Zone Leader, and Elder Murhula, the new Assistant taking Elder Morrell's place

One of our newest, Sister Jenkins, with her trainer and companion, Sister Hafford

Elder Brimhall is leaving Plaquemine and going to our old apartment in Marksville with Elder Garceau (standing)
Elder Wittig and Elder Lehr, Baton Rouge Zone Leaders

Sister Call and Sister Merrill, going to Many, and Sister Betts, an Alexandria STL

Wonderful Elder Navitikula is on his way home to Fiji tomorrow

Elder Quist, Elder Sabey, Elder Casillas-our new office elder--and Elder Netzley

Sister Black, Sister Paige, Sister Barclay and Sister Widdison

Sister Dixon and Sister Masteller

Elder Morrell was just transferred to Luling. I'm so NOT happy about this:(

Notes from the Transfer Meeting

Sister Hansen ~ "How we disagree is the true test of how we follow the Savior. It's okay to disagree but not be disagreeable." That was a quote from and old talk by Elder Cook.

Sister Steele ~ "Home is where your heart is." I'm leaving my heart in LA. Never miss an opportunity to make a memory. Sometimes people you don't like at first turn out to be your best friends. If you want to get something from this work, then you have to give something.

Sister Lindstrom ~ The opportunity to serve the Lord full time is incredible. Don't waste a minute! Compared the story of The Little Red Hen with missionary work. You have to do everything yourself and there are no shortcuts--planting, tending, harvesting, etc. But we also get the rewards. You're here and have 2 options--to quit or not quit. Since you're out here, give it all you have. I am trengthened by Paul in Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Because of the Atonement I can do all things.

Elder Hansen ~ The Atonement has changed me on my mission. The Savior strengthens me. Make this YOUR mission.

Sister Brady ~ I've learned to "let it go" and "just keep swimming." You become like a family because of the bond we share. "If it's not hard, it's not worth it."

Elder Larkin ~ I can go home saying, "I did it!" I did everything. I'm going home with no regrets. Keep going in hard times. That's when the miracles come.

Elder Mecham ~ The white handbook tells you how to get blessings from the Lord. I studied it hard in the beginning to try to find loopholes. I studied hard at the end to get blessings. If you think you should ask permission to do something, you probably shouldn't do it. I loved my mission, because I allowed myself to. Open your heart to your companions and to the people. President and Sister Hansen are supposed to be here. They've been given the keys to lead this mission. No one else in the world can lead the LABR Mission. Your love, support and friendship pushed me to the end. 

Elder Porter ~ Make the most of your mission. Be obedient and have fun. Enjoy your mission. You want to look back and say it was the best experience of my life. I used to wake up in the morning pursuing the worng things. Now I pursue the Lord's things.

Elder Navitikula ~ I received my mission call and a call to play professional rugby (with the New Zealand All Black Rugby team) on the same day. I chose a mission, and it has changed my life. I received advice from my grandpa before I came: 1) Remember who you are. 2) Do your best. 3) Love and care for the people you serve and Heavenly Father. I missed my best friends in Fiji. Now you are my best friends. My door is always open if you come to Fiji.

Pre-Transfer Activity

It was a bit like Grand Central Station in here today with lots of missionaries coming and going. These are the seven missionaries who happened to be in the office at lunchtime, so Elder Lauper ordered pizza then proceeded to entertain them with "war stories" about his former profession. Of course, they loved it!

Sister Morris, Sister Butterfield, Sister Lindstrom and Sister Ririe

Elder Hansen, Elder Bennett and Elder Bennett

Our sweet Sister Lindstrom goes home on Thursday and we're really going to miss her. What a great missionary she's been!

Elder Hansen also leaves on Thursday. What a sad week this is going to be:(

Saturday's Conference Continued

I'm trying to finish deciphering notes from Saturday's session with Elder Cook. I should have mentioned on Saturday that Elder Cook invited Elder Hallstrom and Elder Bluth to participate with him in answering the question. Talk about the 3 Wise Men!

Q. How can we help members have a desire to go out with the missionaries?
A. If missionaries are the least bit arrogant it will turn the members off. If they're ward and branch builders, members will realize that they're there to help. Sometimes faithful members are overwhelmed with all that they already have to do. Invite members to pray that someone will be put in your path. A quote from President Kimball--"Work works when wishy washy wishing won't."

Q. For Spanish speaking missionaries most of their investigators are illegals. How do we balance that with sustaining the law?
A. Undocumented investigators are still children of Heavenly Father. Don't feel defensive. As missionaries, you don't have a responsibility to figure out if they're undocumented or not. Don't let it interfere with teaching children of God.

In response to another question that I couldn't quite understand, Elder Cook explained how mission calls are assigned. They have a screen with pertinent information about a missionary (health challenges, language abilities, etc.) but they almost immediately get strong feelings about where the missionary should go. Often it's that a missionary would be blessed to have a particular Mission President and wife. For some they should go to a certain people, culture, heritage or language. You are where you ought to be!

Elder Bluth: "The Lord must really love you if He sent you to this mission. You are blessed to have President and Sister Hansen."

Elder Hallstrom: There's no other organization on the face of the earth that could produce a group like you.  In D&C 44 there's a promise. "...the elders (missionaries) of my church should be called together, from the east...west...north and...south, by letter (your mission call) or some other way.
...Inasmuch as they are faithful, and exercise faith in me, (do something!) I will pour out my Spirit upon them in the day that they assemble themselves together.." We have access to the Spirit today. This meeting only has a purpose if we're willing to do something. We need to change, to make a commitment, refine ourselves. This can be a significant turning point in your life.

Elder Cook's final remarks included the answer to a question asked earlier. One elder said that he has a new set of eyes since coming on a mission and asked Elder Cook if he had a new set of eyes since his calling as an Apostle. Two days before the October 2007 General Conference, President Hinckley called Elder Cook in and asked him, "Will you serve on the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles." An incredible weight comes on your shoulders and I quickly recognized my primary responsibility would be to testify to the divinity of Jesus Christ throughout all the world. I grew up in a less active family and had to develop a testimony on my own. I know the Savior's voice. He lives and divinely guides this Church.

Elder Cook left a blessing on the missionaries and told us "You are where you ought to be."

Elder Cook--Day 2!

Today was the special conference which gave the Baton Rouge Stake the opportunity to hear Elder Cook, from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, speak. After he spoke to the Mission yesterday he held a 4 hour Priesthood Leadership Training for the leadership from 9 stakes. He was able to choose one stake to attend this morning, so lucky us!

To open the meeting, President Riggs talked about "Lehi's Dream and You," an article by President Boyd K. Packer in the January New Era, that he challenged us to read last week in Stake Conference. He pointed out many comparisons to the symbols in the dream--living in a world that mocks morality, being coarse and not refined, mists of darkness, people who hang on to the iron rod but eventually--some sooner and some later, fall away. He gave a personal example of driving home late one night when he was in high school. The fog was terrible and getting worse. Because of almost zero visibility, he eventually had to open the door so he could see the white line to follow, which directed him safely home--much like the iron rod, or the word of God--which will lead us safely back to our Heavenly home.

Sister Peggy Mann, the new Stake RS President, used President Monson's talk from the April 2014 General Conference--Love-The Essence of the Gospel. The gist of it was the "we cannot truly love God if we do not love our fellow travelers on this mortal journey."

Elder Bluth added to what Pres. Riggs began from Lehi's dream. The fruit on the tree in his dream was desirable and made his family happy when they partook of the fruit. It filled their souls with joy. We need to be aware that Satan will disguise things to look good and convince us to let go of the rod. What a sincere and gentle man Elder Bluth seems to be, and he bears a powerful testimony.

After sharing some of his personal background, Elder Cook gave 3 things we should do, no matter where we live.

1 - Build Zion in your hearts and homes. Have family religious observance in your home. (Family Home Evening) In the home, be careful not to be too critical of children but teach them how to correct mistakes. They need to learn. There should be kindness between husbands and wives. They need to be united, and make decisions together. They're equal partners but have different roles.

2 - Be an example in the community. Let people know what you believe without being preachy!

3 - Focus your vision on the temple and temple goals. Do family history together as a family. Do temple baptisms as a family. Youth can have limited use recommends or 12 month recommends. Family history is essential to save ourselves.

Elder Cook has an unwavering testimony of the Savior. He knows His voice and He directs this Church today.

After being well fed spiritually, we had 6 of our sisters over for lunch before they headed home after conference. We don't usually get to invite the missionaries who live outside Baton Rouge, but since they were here for the conference, it was a good opportunity.

Sister Butterfield, Sister Ririe, Sister Lindstrom, Sister Morris and Sister Biver

Sister Lindstrom, Sister Ririe, Sister Hoskins, Sister Butterfield, Sister Morris, Sister Biver

The entertainment committee! Beautiful voices singing "Beautiful Savior." What a treat!

Being Taught by an Apostle

Today was, literally, an experience of a lifetime. The entire mission was invited to a conference with Elder Quentin L. Cook, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Donald L. Hallstrom, a member of the Presidency of the Seventy, and  Elder Randy Bluth, an Area Seventy. Talk about a remarkable  meeting! I didn't even think that they had all-mission conferences anymore, so that was a delightful surprise.

Before the meeting began, all 3 men stood in the front of the chapel and shook every missionary's hand. I thought it was a very heartfelt gesture and greatly appreciated the opportunity. Then we sang the opening hymn, "Behold a Royal Army," and I knew we were off to a powerful start. Hearing 200 missionaries sing that hymn started the tears flowing and almost instantly brought the Spirit. I'd love to reiterate everything that was said, but that' impossible, so I'll try to share a few main points and ideas.

Sister Hansen began, and, as usual, packed great lesson into a short message. She's actually a convert to the Church. Her family joined when she was 16. Speaking from personal experience, she said converts don't understand the long term implications of joining the Church. It's our responsibility to give them that vision. She cited 2 Nephi 2:2. Lehi tells Jacob, "thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain." Trials that we, converts, or anyone experience now will help us later.

President Hansen said that each of us has a different story of why we're in the Church. His family goes back several generation, and he related the story of his great great great grandmother who joined the Church in Denmark. She would go from door to door to get sewing. One winter her legs froze and she couldn't straighten them out. Her father built something for her to exercise and stretch her legs and worked continually to help her. Then she found the Church, but he was opposed to her joining because he feared that she would move to America. When she boarded the train, leaving to join the Saints, he raced his sled to the next train station and begged her not to go, to no avail.

Elder Cook brought greetings from the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve and told us, "You are loved." If you read the last chapter of Matthew, Mark and Luke, and the last 2 chapters of John the message is, almost exclusively, to preach the gospel. Who else, in all the world, can preach the gospel but the Savior's disciples. That's not always easy for any of us because of disinterest, persecution, etc, but we must realize that we are following the Savior.

Then Elder Cook said he had 3 messages for us.
1 - In proclaiming the Gospel you are branch and ward builders. You are not the marketing arm of the Church. D&C 31:7 "I will open  the hearts of the people, and they will receive you. And I will establish a church by your hand." Do everything you can to strengthen and build the wards and branches.

2 - You are the message. You'll always have at least one convert--you! Be spiritually in tune to find those who are ready.

3 - You succeed when you invite; you haven't failed. Share that message with members. They succeed, also, when they invite.

Next, Elder Cook opened the time up for questions and answers. The first question kind of took me by surprise.

Q. Why did you come here.
A. The Quorum of the Twelve assigns their members to hold Priesthood Leadership Trainings all over the world, but whatever else they do is up to them. So he requested that we have this Mission Conference and probably the special Stake Conference that will be held tomorrow.

Q. How does obedience correlate with the Spirit of Revelation?
A. Obedience is essential! Some missionaries "get it" early in their missions and others never do, and they struggle against the rules. Giving your will to the Lord is the only thing we can really give Him. You only need to make the decision once that you will be obedient. Revelation comes when we give our will to the Lord. We block the revelatory process by disobedience.

Q. Hm. I didn't write it down but loved the answer.
A. The essence of faith is personal righteousness. Substitute "personal righteousness" for faith in the scriptures. For example Ether 12:15 "Behold, it was the faith (personal righteousness) of Ammon and his brethren which wrought so great a miracle among the Lamanites." Personal righteousness is the key to your success. You're only successful to the extent that we "hear" the Lord. See D&C 76:10, 130:21, 29:7

Q. Why are some less obedient missionaries able to sometime have more baptisms than the obedient?
A. Success may be because the people are elect even though the missionary is not the most obedient.

Q. How do we know we've given ourselves completely to the Lord?
A. Do your best. Don't be overwhelmed, but put forth your best effort. Dont' get down on yourself for not doing everything. You need balance. Don't be overwhelmed by perfectionism.

The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve attend and meet monthly at the temple. One of the Apostles said to President Hinckley when he was about 96, "I wish you wouldn't work yourself so hard." President Hinckley's response was classic. "I want you to know that I want to wear myself out in the service of the Lord. If I die sooner, there's plenty to do on the other side!"

There were other questions, but that's all I'm including. Maybe I'll add them later, and I'll definitely finish transcribing my notes, but I'm done for tonight.

Lafayette Sisters picking up commissary--Sisters Lucherini, Hockemier, Earl and Worthington

Elders waiting for their ride back to the Alexandria area--Elder Sabey and Elder Smith

Sister Call and Sister McMullin, from Many and Natchitoches

The Alexandria Zone Elders, Assistants and Office Elders

Elder Andrews, Metairie ZL, and Elder Navitikula, Luling. Sister Carpenter and Sister Hafford from Hammond and Sister Boehme and Sister Dejourdy from Chalmette. Sister Dejourdy is the Temple Square sister who is now teaching her own referral sent from Temple Square

Sister Arntz, Sister Kongaika-Aholelei, Sister Neeley, Sister Plumb and Sister Abercrombie--five more sisters from the Alexandria Zone

Jenna's Back in Baton Rouge

Another fun surprise today when Jenna Schmutz and her parents came into the office. Doesn't she look great? It's hard to believe that she went home in August and has already completed a semester at BYU-I. She'd attended for 3 semesters before her mission, so she just received her AA degree and will be transferring somewhere that has a good landscape architecture school.

The Schmutz are only in LA for a few days but are enjoying seeing the sights. Tonight they're spending the night with one of Jenna's converts and attending a baptism of a little girl she was close to in the Baton Rouge I Ward.

It was wonderful to see Jenna, to know that she's moving forward in a great way and dating someone special!

No Coincidence

This is a great story that Sister Hansen and Sister M, one of our new Temple Square Sisters, shared with me today. Several weeks ago Sister D, our other Temple Square Sister who was still in Salt Lake at the time, met and taught a lady who was quite interested in hearing about the Gospel. After their visit, Sister D put her name into the referral system. I don't know how long it takes for a name to get from Temple Square to the Provo MTC (where the names are actually sent out) then to the missions, but it was sent to our mission, and I forwarded it to the missionaries in the area where the contact lives. The contact that Sister D had sent happened to be in Chalmette--a district in New Orleans South Zone. Last Wednesday, Sister M and Sister D arrived from Temple Square, and where was Sister D assigned? Chalmette! That was not a coincidence!