Farewell and Gathering

Like all of you we were saddened by the news of the passing of our beloved Prophet, Russell M. Nelson.  We will miss hearing his sweet and clam voice giving us wise counsel bathed in the spirit of the Lord.  What a great man and legacy.  He will surely be missed.  We take great comfort that the Lord is in charge and knows when to call his prophets home and when to call another to lead the church.

On Thursday we held a mission-wide conference where we all gathered together in Santa Rosa.  A gathering of this sort last occurred about 18 months ago in our mission.  We received great instruction from our mission leaders followed by a talent show in the afternoon.  Everyone had a great time and the missionaries love seeing and being with each other.  We loved being with all of them too. The next day, Friday an Elders Conference was held where President Quinn gave wonderful advice to the Elders about being men of action;  to not stand still but to always move forward in faith.  Elder Cawley sat on a panel to answer questions about marriage and achieving balance in life.  Both days were wonderful and we went home just as energized and happy as the younger missionaries.  

Just after the mission picture was taken

Sisters Youngberg, Pilling and Grose having fun with E&S Cawley

Our APs - Elders Parrish and Ritchie waiting for the conference to start

All gathered in the chapel

Sisters McInelly, Jones, Brinkerhoff and Ashton

Sister Meyers at the talent show

Elders Brathwaite and Grover showing off their.... talent

Elder Swindler and Sister Wright performed a couple of amazing musical numbers together

Watching the talent show

Sister Allen is an amazing missionary full of talent

Sister Cawley (shown with Sister Nate) was in charge of snacks which was a big success!!

Leftover snacks did not go to waste - bagged up and taken away like with Elder Charter here

Elders Conference

For the Elders Conference, President Quinn said, "For lunch the men only need pizza and wings; no salad, no fruit, nothing else.  Oh, and we don't need flowers, table cloths or any decorations."  He was correct, of course.  And the pizza and wings were gone in a nano second.

Closing remarks by our wonderful mission leaders President and Sister Quinn

On Wednesday we moved Elders Hales and Carson into a brand new apartment.  

Pictured are all the help from L to R; Elder Shields, Waddoups, Carson and Hales along with Sisters Merrill, Brimhall, Weller and Bartlett 

Of course we were also shocked and saddened by the tragedy in Grand Blanc, Michigan.  We pray for all those impacted.  The world certainly needs the gospel of Jesus Christ.