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| The famous world missionary map: pointing to our mission |
Since Saturday, June 24, 2017 at 2:35 p.m., we have
been at the 2017 Seminar for New Mission Presidents. We said good bye to
Christiaan, Emiline, and William, which was very difficult. After huge hugs and
kisses and tears, Emiline said, “You know, I’ll be 11 when you arrive home.” We
hope to see her often during the next three years.
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| Darrel, Joanne, and Anna Rose: The Drop Off at the MTC |
Anna Rose drove us to Provo and dropped us off at the
Provo Missionary Training Center (MTC). People swarmed the car, took our
luggage, tagged it, and then hauled it away for safe keeping while we checked
in. One of the helpers there took our picture. We shed a few more tears as we
said good bye to Anna Rose. We love her and thank her for her generous support
these last few weeks. We could not have done it without her and her sweet
family.
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| The Worth of Souls..... |
The moment we walked into the MTC was magic. Everyone
knew our names. We received our name tags and then headed to check in, which
was simple and easy. We then boarded a bus for the hotel. Our rooms were not
ready so we boarded the shuttle and headed back to the MTC. Then the
incredibleness began!
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| Elder and Sister Cook, Elder and Sister Hallstrom, and President and Sister Hammon |
What a marvelous four days. From inspiring talks and
conversations with the Twelve Apostles to lunch, dinner, and breakfast with
them and other General Authorities to meeting with the sole missionary still at
the MTC heading to our mission to a missionary fireside with Elder Bednar to a
tour of the new buildings at the MTC to meeting many of our new missionary
president colleagues to studying and pondering the numerous teachings we received—all
of it and much, much more have inspired us and taught us what we are about.
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| The Seminar Room |
A few of the topics of the sessions included:
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| The Brethren.... |
A Vision of the Work
The Faith to Teach Repentance and Baptize Converts
One Together in the Work
Preparing to Teach
Interacting to Edify
The Divine Companionship
Treasure up the Words of Life
The Power of the Book of Mormon
Balancing Family and Missionaries
Teaching Missionaries the Power of the Word
The Power of His Word Which is in Us
Mission Leadership
Caring for Your Missionaries
A Christ-Center Mission Culture
Personal Priorities and Holy Purposes
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| Elder Bednar. Photo from: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865683877/A-diverse-group-of-new-mission-presidents-gather-for-annual-seminar.html |
One of the phrase that Elder Bednar used to introduce
President Eyring was this: “Isn’t it important that the Lord trusts us to do
this hard thing.” We know Heavenly Father trusts us to do His work in California with all of His/our missionaries.
The Seminar was phenomenal! We enjoyed it thoroughly.
After we arrived home last night from our final meal and testimony meeting with
Elder Ballard, Joanne and I just sat here, quiet, trying to absorb everything
that has gone on this week. One thing we do know is this: We love Heavenly
Father and Jesus Christ, and we love our missionaries even though we do not
know them—yet.
We know that we “can do….we must do it.”
Stay tuned. More to come!
P.S. For more information about the Seminar for Mission Presidents, click on http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865683877/A-diverse-group-of-new-mission-presidents-gather-for-annual-seminar.html.
