Weekly Training, March 30-31...

Training at Historic Liberty Jail

We had another good training today! Sister Rice Conducted 

Sister Moulton was the Chorister with Sister Bronson on the

piano.  Sister Gonzalez gave the opening prayer...Next, I gave

a training on Being a True Disciple... Like the Savior told the 

rich man, we should give, "whatsoever thou hast" to the work. 

We need to let go of some things in order to do that... some 

things mentioned are:  A mild rebellious streak, inclination 

to bend the rules, habit of being late, homesickness, ego and 

competitiveness, selfishness, bit of laziness, pre-occupation 

of home, attention and recognition, tendency to compare, or 

even fear... A wise mission president once said, "If you are 

not doing what the Lord would have you do, you cannot 

believe in yourself. You cannot feel worthy to receive God's 

help and guidance...or the faith to pull down the blessings of 

heaven into your life...not because you don't believe in God; 

rather because you cannot believe in yourself.  I told the story 

of Joseph F. Smith going on a mission at 15 yrs. old.  His 

experience turned him into a man and he said, "...that...

witness that I enjoyed at that time has made me what I am, if I am

anything that is good, or clean, or upright before the Lord, if there

is anything good in me.  That has helped me out in every trial and 

through every difficulty."  We often quote D&C 4:2...see that ye

serve hime with all of your heart, might, mind and strength...

Sometime missionaries serve with their might and strength and

neglect serving with their mind and heart.  We went through the

words Paul spoke in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3.  If our heart and mind

are not in the work, we will be ineffective and counter productive.

We will forgo the personal development that happens on a mission.  

It is not just about adapting your behavior to conform to the rules

of the mission and to the commandments of God.  If your heart 

is not right, you will not profit from it.  The purpose and central 

blessing of life is to change...change to become more like Jesus 

Christ.  George did a beautiful job going through the Historic 

Site Guide for Liberty Jail and helped us to pay closer attention 

to the exhibits in the Foyer and History room.  He talked about 

how we could use each of the exhibits to bring out the history 

and purpose for this Historic site.  Sometimes we neglect using

all the exhibits and just go to the map!  He wants the Sisters and

the couples to use what's there to teach not only what happened 

there but why it happened and what was learned.  The doctrine 

or message,that should come out of that room is Revelation, 

Adversity, and the Refining of a Prophet and make it relevant 

to the lives of those visiting...And discern that through the 

Spirit.  He challenged them to do lesson plans for what to teach

in that room.  Next week we'll have someone teach it to us.

Happy Birthday Sister Gonzalez

This is Sister Lovell lighting the candles for Sister Gonzalez's 

Birthday! ...with Sister Gonzalez smiling happily waiting to

blow out the candles...

Sisters Angerbauer, Farnsworth, Udall, Bleak, Gonzalez, Mouton,

Anderson and Rice.

Training at the Visitor's Center

Sister Giraud Carrier conducted...

Time was given to Elder Wilson who gave some counsel on 

how to handle the busload crowds that start coming in spring 

and summer. Sister Johnson gave a quick lesson on the Law

of Consecration.  Sister Vest showed up ready to give a training

if needed.  Apparently, the Sisters Training Leaders invited 

her to come sometime and there was a mis-communication as 

to when, so she opted to do it another time since she needed

at least 30 minutes.  I followed up with my Training on Being 

a True Disciple...George had very little time to do his training 

and wasn't able to do any role playing...

Elder Peterson training on How to Begin Teaching...

Love these sweet faces!! Starting at the left, front row, Sisters

Giraud Carrier, Soutas, Bingham, Larson, Lifferth, Dawson, 

McDonald, Cammack and Davidson.  Back row, left, Sisters

Cooper, Harley (Happy Birthday was sung to her!!), Rust, 

Bench, Edwards, Atkins, Zarate, Guerrero and Eraso.  Sister

Sharp is sitting back behind the sisters...the rest of the couples 

had gone already!  Elder Sharp made carrot cake cupcakes 

for Sister Harley's birthday!  They were delicious! He's a 

good cook!  Loves to bake!

Senior FHE Dinner with President and Sister Vest...

Cafe Rio Dinner...

We had a wonderful dinner with everyone pitching in and bringing

something for a "Cafe Rio" Salad with Sweet Pork, Chicken, Cilantro

Lime Rice, Black Beans, lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, sour cream, 

Guacamole, and Pico...all on a flour tortilla!  And a variety of desserts!

President Priday, the new Counselor in the Mission Presidency, 

conducted the evening.  He had all the new senior missionaries stand 

to introduce themselves. One of the new couples were from Tempe, AZ.

Elder and Sister Wright.  We had a connection with them...Sister Alonna 

Wright is a cousin to our friend, Diane Johnson.  Elder Mark Wright knew

my family...my mom and dad and sisters and brother.  President Priday 

then had the senior couples who will be going home before our next 

FHE in two months, stand and bear their testimony and experiences 

here.  It's always good to get together with senior couples so we can 

get to know them... 

Here's the group shot...all the senior couples and mission presidency & wives.     

The new couple from Arizona... Sister and Elder Wright with George and I. 

Weekly Training, March 24 & 25...

Independence Visitors' Center

These are the Sisters at the VC this Transfer... From the left, 

start with front row, Sisters Bingham, Eraso, Zarate, Guerrero,

Edwards, Bench, Lifferth Larson, Rust, Cammack, Harley, 

Cooper, Soutas, Atkins, Giraud Carrier, Dawson 

and McDonald.  Sister Davidson was missing because of

taking care of phone issues for the new transfer. :-( 

We'll get her in the picture next time!

We had a wonderful Training from Elder and Sister Wilson on

"What is Zion?" and a training from Elder Johnson about 

"Who was Elias?"  Elias brought back the Promises of Abraham 

and Elijah brought back the Ordinances/authority. 

 Elder Peterson talked briefly about the blessings of Abraham 

and told the Sisters that they they have been held back to 

come forth at this time and they have been called and set apart

to be a part of the Gathering of Israel to establish Zion.  They

should always remember that and never doubt.  He taught 

about discerning what purpose the visitors had in mind as they 

came to the VC.  Again, ask inspired questions, listen, teach 

doctrine and combined it to the History or other parts being 

presented.  Stay with the visitors and be where you can see 

them as they watch or listen to a video or audio presentation. 

You want to discern what they are feeling, etc.

These are the Sisters serving at the HLJ this transfer... From the

left, Sisters Angerbauer, Farnsworth, Rice, W. Anderson, Udall,

Bleak, Gonzales and Moulton.

Elder and Sister Bronson did a Training today on "What is Zion".

They also did a wonderful job.  Sister Moulton did a Training 

on the Christ-like Attribute of Charity.  She helped us realize 

how important it is to have charity in order to be able to have 

the Spirit in our teaching.  Elder Peterson talked again about

the Sisters' need to know that they are here and set apart and 

the Lord will help you succeed in His great work of Salvation!

He had Some Sisters demonstrate how to begin teaching in the

History room...which is the first room they bring visitors to. 

Sister W. Anderson and Sister Rice (the Sister Leaders) were

acting the part of the missionaries with Sisters Udall and Bleak 

being the Visitors.  The SL's did a great job of asking inspired 

questions that helped the acting visitors to open up and be 

receptive to the teaching.  Good training!!

Dress-up at the Jail, March 22...

Historic Liberty Jail

This is a tradition the night before Transfers... All the Sisters 

that serve in the Jail, dress up in period costume and take pictures.

These are the Sisters that have served at the HLJ this past transfer.

From the left, Sisters Malm, Moulton, W. Anderson, Murdock, 

Farnsworth, Brower, Udall and Dawson.

These are the four Sisters leaving HLJ this Transfer... Sisters 

Malm, Murdock (she's going home), Brower and Dawson.

For some reason they thought they were supposed to be really 

serious in this pose! 

Now, that's more like it!  Happiness!

Since Sister Murdock is going home, we had her take a few 

minutes and talk about her experience working there and what

it taught her.  She talked about us holding on to the iron rod, and 

never lose our way...even when (especially when) we go through

really hard times as did Joseph Smith and others in Liberty Jail.

Her words brought a sweet Spirit to the activity.

Here is Sister Murdock waving her good-bye to the Jail...

I believe the Sisters had an uplifting experience that night!

Transfers, March 23...

We were sad to have Sister Draper leave the Visitors'

Center.  She's been a great leader and wonderful 

example to the Sisters...so full of love and such

a sweet nature.  We love her and will miss her!

Sister Draper did a good job getting Sister Giraud Carrier 

ready to take over leading and training the new Sister 

Leader, Sister Eraso. 

We will have an adjustment going on without Sister

Draper around!

Sister Saling got transferred away from the VC!  We

will sure miss her happy countenance here!

Sister Saling is pictured here with Sister Cooper.

Sister Saling was her Trainer.  I'm sure Sister Cooper 

will miss her Trainer!  She's only been here for 6 weeks!

She will have someone else finish her last 6 weeks of

trining!

Sister M. Anderson is leaving the VC as well.  She is

going to be a trainer in a full-proselyting area for this 

Transfer!  She'll be great, but we will miss her!

Sister Anderson finished Sister Atkins' 12 week training 

this past transfer.  They were so good together!

We sure love them!

Sister Lifferth has only finished 6 weeks of her 12-

week Training.  In fact, President Vest called her to

be a Trainer this transfer!  She's a little frightened, 

but very capable!

This is Sister Lifferth with her Trainer that she will 

miss.  However, they are both training at the VC

this transfer so the will continue to see each otherS

We love them and are glad they both get to stay at the VC.

Sister Murdock finished her mission this last transfer.  She's

been serving at a Sister Leader at the Historic Liberty Jail. 

Sister W. Anderson was her last companion.

We love Sister Murdock and we'll sure miss her!

We knew that Sister Dawson was leaving HLJ which 

made us sad...However, she is now training a new s

Sister at HLJ.

Sister Udall was Sister Dawson's trainee at the Jail.  Sister

Udall is another Sister who only got 6 weeks of training in 

before getting a new Trainer.

Love our Sister Dawson!!

This is our Sweet Sister Malm.  We couldn't ask for 

a more pure heart than that of Sister Malm's.  She 

finished her training and has moved to a 

full-proselyting area.

We will this this tender hearted soul!  Love you,

Sister Malm!

Sister Brower has finished her 12-week training also!

She is well prepared and knows the gospel that she 

so wants to teach to everyone!  She's another pure

heart!!

We love you, Sister Brower and we'll miss you!

Meetings and Visits, March 21...

Independence Attraction Coalition Meeting

We started out our day with an 8:00 meeting held at this 

National Frontier Trails Museum.  It's a meeting where 

representatives from the different Historic sites in Independence 

come together to talk about different activities coming up at 

each of the sites as well as combined events.  Very interesting 

and nice people.  It's fun to be involved in the community.

This is Sisters Harley and Lifferth in the Teaching Center at 

the Independence Visitors' Center.  When people call in on line 

to have an online chat or phone conversation through Mormon.org,

this is the place it happens!  Each of the Sisters assigned to the

VC get to have some time when they are on shift to come into 

this area to answer questions and teach through the internet.  

Great things happen here...even miracles! :-)  We also have one

of these Teaching centers at the Historic Liberty Jail for the 

Sisters that serve at that site!  It's really a great resource for teaching!

When Visitors come to the Center, the Sister missionaries (and

sometimes the Senior couple missionaries) will take a family 

or group on a tour through the different areas here.  This is 

Sister Rust greeting a family before starting a tour with them.

We had lunch today with some friends...Eric and Faith Freestone.  

They served in Greece for 4 years on their missions together. 

They were a senior couple serving there for a year and then

were called to be Mission President and wife for another 3 

years!  They did get to come home for 6 months in between 

the missions to prepare and take care of things at home.  That

was a wonderful hard challenge that they will never forget. 

They are serving as temple ordinance workers at the Kansas 

City Temple now.  Eric is also a Sealer there.  They're such

good people and it was so fun for me to get to know them. 

George knew Eric from back in High School.  I'm so sorry

I didn't get a picture taken with them!

Gladys and Paul Lowry Family

We finished off the day having dinner with Gladys and Paula 

and their beautiful family.  They came for spring break to stay 

with some dear friends in Liberty!  It was so nice to have dinner 

and a good visit with them at their friends' home.  The Lowry's 

are such wonderful, dear friends!

Visit to Kansas City Joe's Bar-B-Que, Saturday, March 18...

We'd been hearing about this place for some time!  It's great 

barbecue!  Can you see the line that was waiting outside? It 

took us a good 30 to 45 minutes to get in and order!  It was

really good, but I can't say it beat Q-39! :-)

Here's the inside...you can see the line on the left...still waiting 

to get to the counter and order!

Can you see George waiting while I get us a table? :-)

Visitors from Arizona, March 14...

This family came to visit with their daughter, Sister Hunt 

(next to me) who served her mission here.  She came with 

her father, mother and younger brother.  It turns out that they 

were in my sister and brother-in-law's (Melody and Jay 

Ellingson) ward, until a recent ward split.  Small world!

Weekly Training, March 16 & 17...

These are the Sisters serving at Historic Liberty Jail at the 

Eight Witnesses' Monument.  

We sang, "We'll Bring the World His Truth", had an opening prayer. 

Brother Lovell gave a history to us about the site.  These 8 

Sisters each bore their own powerful witness/testimony of the 

Book of Mormon.  We had a closing prayer and had some of 

my homemade whole wheat muffins for breakfast!  We then 

went to the cemetery where Alexander Doniphan was buried. 

He was a friend to Joseph Smith and the early saints as he helped

them in times of trouble.

Singing...Elders Lovell and Bronson, Me, Sister Lovell, Sisters

Malm, Moulton, Udall, Dawson, Murdock, W. Anderson, 

Brower and Farnsworth, and Elder Peterson.

Elder Lovell sharing the history of the Eight Witness of the 

Book of Mormon and of the area where this monument is today.

Words from Elder Peterson before they the Sister bore their own 

witness/testimony of the Book of Mormon and this great work.

And here are our own "eight witnesses" serving at HLJ. 

Sisters Farnsworth, Brower, Murdock, Anderson, Dawson, 

Udall, Malm and Moulton.  It was a beautiful way to start the

day, even though it was very cold!.  

At the grave of Alexander Doniphan...Sisters Farnsworth,

Brower, Murdock, Anderson, Me, Sisters Malm and Moulton.

Elder and Sister Peterson

Training at The VC...

Training at the Visitors' Center was great too.  Elder and Sister

Sharp gave a presentation on the power of the Spirit in Conversion.

The Sister Training Leaders, Sisters 

Draper and GC, gave a training, also.  They taught on using the

 spirit in teaching and they each had miracle stories about their own 

experiences with listening to the Spirit and having it guide them in 

their teaching. Elder Peterson taught about "How to begin teaching" 

from chapter 10. in PMG.  It's important to show sincere interest and 

love for the guest/investigator and faith in the converting power of 

the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It's important to try to discern their 

needs in the greeting time.  He asked for ideas and listed a 

variety of good, inspired questions to help us get to know

 the visitors' agenda, instead of just following ours! 

We were pleasantly surprised when Sister Vest showed up to our

training.  She left an encouraging message of love and courage. 

We love her so much!  We enjoyed whole wheat muffins that

morning also.

Weather in Missouri!?...

March weather... One day in the 60's and 70's...the next

day it's freezing and snows!  Unpredictable! LOL!

Out our front door as it begins to snow!

Neighbor's yard...

Along the road as we travel to Liberty...

Looking a bit Christmasy outside Historic Liberty Jail.