Lights, Action, Camera and more. . .

We have had a busy and varied couple of weeks. We had Zone Conference on Tuesday of this week and it was GREAT! We always feel the Spirit and hear just what we need to help us become better missionaries. We really feel the power of the missionary force when we all come together in Zone Conference. We were encouraged to have more faith and talk to everyone about the Church. We need to find more people to teach. We have some great missionaries that we work with. We had an interview with President Batchelor this week. He is an awesome Mission President. We are really blessed to be here in Arkansas.





We have been busy with YSA Activities. We had a Little Rock Stake Activity last weekend where our young adults made a movie. It was fun watching them work together and share ideas and eventually come up with the finished product. Ernie got into it and was helping them with props, etc. They had him be the commercial in their movie. They all thought it was great. And love to tease him about it. The camera focused in on his cupped hands as he said, "Are you in Good Hands?" That was it. They all had a good laugh when he said it. We enjoyed popcorn and watching the finished product.

This weekend we have had two parties. The Institute Party at the Goddard's and the Ward Picnic that ended up at the Church. With all the rain we have been having, the park we were going to was all mud. It had flooded and earlier in the week the pavillion was under 3 feet of water. We enjoy getting to know the members and the young adults better. The Goddard's have a zip line at their home and the boys enjoyed a ride or two on that. We had hotdogs and enjoyed the evening just visiting. We had a small group. With finals just a couple of weeks away, most of the kids were busy studying and working on papers. We had fun with those who came.

We don't just have party after party even though it sounds like that. We are busy working with our seminary teachers making sure all the make-up work and rolls are in so that the young people can get their certificates and the seniors have everything in order to graduate. We are also working with the priesthood leaders in both stakes to have teachers lined up for next year. We have learned ALOT about what it takes to run the seminary program in the mission field. We really have a deep appreciation for these teachers and young people who get up early every morning and have a lesson before they go to school. We love the spirit we feel when we visit these classes. We love what we are doing!

Edmonton Connection

We are realizing what a small world we live in, especially in the Church. Sister Dyer came to Arkansas a few months ago and recently transferred into our district. She is from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. She is a great missionary and it has been fun to get to know her. Janet served in her ward while she was on her mission. How amazing is that! She was too young to remember Janet, but they had people in common that they both new--the Mo's, the Lawrey's, the Durwoods, and possibly more. I am sure that I killed the spelling of these names. It is great to have a connection to people! We find connections here all the time. Our latest--our Edmonton Connection.

SPRING and a MISSION

I am new at this blogging thing, but I so enjoy reading the kids blogs, I decided to give it a try. I decided that I could update it every P Day and let you know what is going on in our life.

We are fast approaching our 1 year mark on our mission. Next Wednesday, April 16th to be exact. We have had an awesome experience to this point. The best part of the mission is the people we have met. We have met some of the best people. They have blessed our lives in many ways. It is so amazing to watch people come into the Church and see their life change for the better. It is really exciting! We have been moved out of our comfort zone and stretched, but in the process we have grown. We are not the same as we were 1 year ago. We have learned many lessons and have been changed. Our testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ has grown and been strengthened. We love bearing our testimony of Him! We love missionary work and service. We love the YSA's that we work with. They are really amazing! We learn so much from them. We can't forget our dear seminary and institute teachers who are so dedicated to the youth of the Church. They teach us of diligence, love, and service. We love the people, here in the South.

Last weekend we were priviledged to watch the proceedings of General Conference. We attended the Church and viewed it with other missionaries and the members. It is an amazing experience! I know that I have learned more and got more out of conference than any other time in my life. This conference was very special as we sustained our new prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. On Monday in Family Home Evening with the Young Single Adults we talked of what we liked and learned from conference. It was so fun to hear what touched our young adults and which talks really made them sit up and take note. Nicci, a recent convert and Jessica who is investigating the Church really liked Elder Holland's talk. They loved the way he explained continuing revelation and additional scripture. The list of what was liked and what they learned could go on and on. It was one of the best FHE's we have had.

The one thing that we have experienced lately is "Severe Thunderstorms" and Tornados. We now realize why people listen to the weather in the morning and also in the evening here. The weather here can be very changeable. We are in tornado season and they have had 11 tornados in the state recently. Last week we had a tornado develop 3 miles from our apartment. It then passed within 1/2 mile from us. The missionaries who live next door were at our apartment as we watched together the weather updates--well, actually when severe weather storms are in the area that is all that is on the tv. The tornado sirens went off, it was pouring rain, thundering and lightning, and kind of scary. The missionairies were in and out of our apartment, trying to see for themselves what was going on. We went outside this one time and it was very strange, the rain had stopped and it was very quiet and calm. We learned that is not a good thing. A lady in our complex from Arkansas told us that everything is being drawn into the funnel cloud and a tornado is forming she told us that if we hear a sound like a train we are in danger. As we looked to the west the sky was dark and kind of green color. We could see lots of lightning in the darkness. We later learned that we were watching the tornado. It toppled a lot of trees, damaged roofs, etc. and picked up strength as it went along. We were very blessed and were all safe. We survived our first tornado and I don't ever want to get any closer to one than we were. It is amazing the power that these storms have.

Today the weather is absolutely beautiful. Spring is in the air! Everything is turning green and the trees and flowers are BEAUTIFUL. It is a Beautiful Day! We started the day off with our monthly meeting with our seminary and institute teachers. Brother Blain, our CES Coordinator, from Memphis taught us how to be better teachers. His lessons are so good and inspire us to do better. We had a GREAT time together. On this mission we do a variety of things and get to travel the State of Arkansas. We have the best mission in the Church and we love it!!