Medical

Sister Burton, Sister Powell, Elder Burton

We met with the area physician, Elder/Dr. Burton and his wife on Thursday.  Sister Powell is a newly called nurse helping us in the mission.

Sister Powell is such a delight.

Young Bro. Petersen will be serving with Elder Routledge and Elder Gregory in the mission for 2 1/2  weeks.  

Letter from President Felix

What a revelatory experience it was to be with you all and meet with Elder and Sister Grow and to feel of their spirit and love of the work of salvation.  I would ask that each of you review your notes of what you felt you learned during this zone conference.  I learned that "Hastening of His work" really has urgency written all over it.  We need to understand Preach My Gospel and apply the scriptures therein with those that we teach.  It may be hard to hand off the investigators who are not making progress to the ward missionaries, but we need to be productive with our time and not just visiting because they like us.  I urge each of you to reassess your efforts in planning, finding, teaching, working with members and ward leaders.  The Lord will bless us going forward. 

Please be safe in all that you do: where you go, how you drive, always be with your companion, avoid any communication with members of the opposite sex within the mission, no one other than missionaries should ever be in your apartment with you, and do not accept money or ask for financial assistance from anyone other than your family. 

If returned missionaries call you on the phone or visit you, please ask that they respect your time and purpose. Communications with them should only be on 

P days.

I feel that we have so much to do that there is no time to let down.  We are missionaries of the Lord Jesus Christ in all places, in all things and at all times.  We pray for you multiple times per day.  We are disappointed when others report issues regarding our missionaries not acting as missionaries.  We love you so much and we know the sanctity of your calling.  Be the best you can be. 

There will be double digits in baptisms this week and the Lord is pleased with these souls entering into this sacred covenant.  May the Lord bless you all in His service,

Love,

President and Sister Felix

Mission Tour

Elder C. Scott Grow and his wife trained us for the mission tour this year.  He is in the First Quorum of Seventy.  He has so much experience and we were blessed to have him here.  Sister Grow had a lot of good insight as well.  

He focused his efforts on hastening the work and the urgency of what we need to do--baptizing, reactivating, and working with ward councils.

He took time to train the stake presidencies and their wives in two separate dinner/meetings (one for the south part of the mission and the other for the north).

Simi Valley Zone

Elders Hull, Wickern, Sister and Elder Grow, President and Sister Felix, Hermana Garza, Sister Berry, Elders Bailey, Lallatin

Elders Routledge, Gregory, Gaylor, Hamson, Fernandez, Hall, Harper, Stout, Hermana Griffes, Sister Giambattista, Elders Chatterton, Haines, Bawden, Cantrell

Thousand Oaks Zone

Elders Kuepper, Willis, Weiss, Sister and Elder Grow, President and Sister Felix, Hermana Frias, Elder Leavitt

Elders Hortin, Gibb, Simpson, Forson, Sisters Guthrie, Blake, Elders Parkinson, Powell, Hermana Clark, Elders Potter, Goad

Newbury Park Zone

Sisters Barnes, Rasmussen, Sister and Elder Grow, 

President and Sister Felix, Hermana Tauiliili, Sister Reneer, Hermana Pirir

Sisters Evans, Woodland, Elders Morwood, Anderson, Boyce, Jones, Dorius, Campbell, Hermana Jeronimo, Sister Dearden, Hermana Cuevas

Carmarillo Zone

Hermana Johnson, Sister Olsen, Hermana Keith, Sister and Elder Grow, President and Sister Felix, Hermanas Eames, Brown, Miller

Hermana Wixom, Elder Young, Sister Wilson, Elder Rasband, Hermana Winn, Elders Bradley, Reed, Robinson, Fagan, Agle, Snyder, Fyffe, Deem, Hurst, Deschamps, Law, Toa, Fernandez, Lemus, Garcia

Elder and Sister Stewart

We are singing Called to Serve to the Simi Valley Stake Relief Society who hosted the lunch.

San Luis Obispo Zone

Elders Payne, Mackay, Peterson, Sister and Elder Grow, President and Sister Felix, Elders Comin, Stewart, Ruby

Elders Willis, Magoon, Jones, Pace, Dusara, Summers, Sisters Ulassin, Thompson, Hermanas Young, Ricks, Sisters James, Harrison, Elders Walker, Tufts, Waite, Rosenlof

Santa Barbara Zone

Hermanas Soriano, Green, Sister Israelsen, Sister and Elder Grow, President and Sister Felix, Elder Bautista, Sister Orme, Hermana Zarate

Hermanas Shepherd, Clark, Sister Angimarau, Elders Driggs, DeCosta, Leavitt, Martin, Gardner, DuPlessis, Morrell, Santos, Brown, Gruwell, Bartholomew, Clarkson, Moreno, Gregory, Sister Brown, Hermana Wallace, Elder Herrera

Ventura Zone

Sisters Hiapo, Boring, Elder Robinson, Sister and Elder Grow, President and Sister Felix, Sisters Scoresby, Beatty, Coombs

Elders Hale, Gray, Hatman, Corbridge, Liddiard, McKinley, Davidson, Sorensen, Barlow, Lucas, Slaugh, Klingler, Garrard, Hermanas Miller, Hurley, Newland, Huey

Elders Kanenwisher and Yager (at the back)

Santa Maria Zone

Elders Mulford, Carpenter, Hermana Bennion, Sister and Elder Grow, President and Sister Felix, Sister Deitos, Elders Herrera, Fridal

Elders King, Dort, Hermana Killpack, Elders Hunt, Fisher, Beus, Sister Hunsaker, Elders Hidalgo, Lopez, Parrish, Navarrete, Elkington

Sister and Elder Floyd

Moms of missionaries provided the lunch.

2 more

Two more missionaries headed home on Wednesday.  Elder Cavazos's home is in Texas and Elder Phillips lives in Idaho.

We will miss them!

Elder Pace, Elder Cavazos, Elder Peterson, Elder Phillips, President and Sister Felix

Elder Pace will be serving with Elder Peterson.  It will be interesting as Elder Pace has been teaching in English and Elder Peterson was called to teach in Spanish.  They are in an area that has both. We're sure Elder Pace will pick up the Spanish.

Lompoc Valley Branch

Today was monumental in the Spanish Group in Lompoc being formed into a branch.  There were 100 people in attendance.  It was exciting to see the enthusiasm and support that the members have for the new branch.  Presidente Negerete in his comments and testimony said there are three sets of missionaries and he wants more.  

The missionaries serving there know the vision of working with the members and the success that comes.

Hermana Zarate, Hermana Wallace, Elder Moreno, 

Elder Herrera, Elder Bautista, Elder Clarkson

After transfers a newsletter is done for the missionaries.  The following is a copy of the letter President Felix wrote for it:

Dear Missionaries,

This is a wonderful time to serve as a missionary in the Great California Ventura Mission. Last transfer we focused on “being led by the Spirit as we find and teach”.  I pray that you never forget this important aspect of life now and in the future.

As you know, the CVM Target for this transfer is “We are consecrated servants of Jesus Christ.”  Many of you have already studied consecration and you understand that it means “putting both feet in” with all your thoughts, actions, and desires.  A consecrated life is filled with work, sometimes repetitive, sometimes menial, sometimes unappreciated but always work that improves, orders, sustains, lifts, ministers, aspires.

From Preach My Gospel, we understand more about being the Lord’s servants.   

You are to build up the Church by finding “them that will receive you” (D&C 42:8). Such people will recognize that you are the Lord’s servants. They will be willing to act on your message. Many of these people have been “kept from the truth [only] because they know not where to find it” (D&C 123:12). 

Usually you do not know who these people are. They may not immediately recognize that you are the Lord’s servants. They may not understand that greater peace, direction, and purpose in life will come through the restored gospel than from anything else. They often do not realize that they are looking for the restored gospel until they have found it. For example, one convert said, “When I heard the gospel, it filled a hole in my heart that I didn’t know was there.” Another said, “I have finished the search I didn’t know I was on.”

May we continue our search for the elect as noble servants of Jesus Christ.

Love and honor to all of you,

President Dell C. Felix

Mission Leadership

Last Friday all of the district leaders came to the mission office for training.  We felt the Elders were able to understand their role to help the members in their district.

Front row:  Elders Deem, Chatterton, Law, Barlow, Parrish, K. Jones, M. Gregory, Goad, Walker, Anderson, Hale, Clarkson

Back row:  Elders King, R. Robinson, Martin, Hall, Phillips, Gibb, Elkington, Santos, Toa, Dorius, L. Gregory

It was National Donut Day and since it was Elder Yager's birthday the same day we celebrated.  It was a good treat for the day.

Sister Training Leaders

Front row:  Sisters James, Reneer, Hiapo, Hermanas Bennion, Huey, Keith

Back row:  Sisters Harrison, Deardon, Boring, Hermanas Killpack, Newland, Winn

Zone Leaders

Front row:  Elders Davidson, Wickern, DeCosta, Hunt, Kuepper, Young, Boyce, Ruby

Back row:  Elders Sorensen, Hamson, Driggs, Fisher, Hortin, Rasband, Jones, Willis

Assistants

Elder Kanenwisher and Elder Yager

Lunch was chicken and waffles with applesauce and ice cream cones for dessert.

The CVM target this transfer is consecration.

President Felix trained us on being consecrated.  When he asked for synonyms the missionaries came up with:  devoted, converted, qualified, dedicated, willing, all, charity, selfless, sacrifice, saint, passion, focused, immersed, submissive, and righteous.

Neal A. Maxwell said "Increased consecration is not so much a demand for more hours of Church work as it is for more awareness of Whose work this really is."

What is a servant?

Words that were expressed:  aide, mother, companion, friend, minister, desciple, chooses to serve verses a slave, and leader (by example).

President Monson said, "Our missionaries are not salesmen with wares to peddle; rather, they are servants of the Most High God, with testimonies to bear, truths to teach, and souls to save."

President encouraged the missionaries to write quotes, thoughts, what they read specifically for being consecrated servants on a paper that was handed out to be kept in their journals. 

He concluded by saying being consecrated is not just for this transfer but it's for your life.

Mission Presideny

President and Sister Record have put their papers in to serve a mission.  Prior to going out to dinner with the presidency President Record was released as 1st Counselor.  We had a wonderful meal at a chinese restaurant in Santa Barbara.

Stephen & Linda Record, Brenda & President John Moffat, Sister and President Felix

President Moffat, President Felix and President Ridgeway

The Moffats are from Agoura Hills and he will be serving as 1st counselor.

William (Bill) and Ingrid Ridgeway are from Santa Maria and he will be serving as 2nd counselor.

We had the new presidency and wives to the mission home for dinner on the 5th and then the counselors were set apart.  The sisters visited while the men met in the office.

Departing 6/3/15

Sister and Elder McIntosh will be going back to Colorado to close on the sale of their house and then move back to Santa Barbara.  We are happy for that.  We may still get to  "utilize" them.

Sister and Elder Miles have served for 23 months.  They've been a blessing to have in the office.

After transfer meeting all of the departing missionaries came back to the mission home for subway sandwiches.  

Elder Griffin and Elder James

The first time I've seen a nacho dorito sandwich

Elders Spencer, Berg, Sisters Nicholas, Hardman, Elders Griffin, Soubie, Kingrey and Hill

Elders Welker, Harper, Collard, Atkin, Passey, Lee, and Lewis

The Miles really did have a hard time leaving.  They were all packed before going to Orientation meeting for the new missionaries.  They bore wonderful testimonies at the transfer meeting (and I might say held it together very well).  

The sisters helping clean up the kitchen after fondue.  The elders stayed with members for the night and the sisters stayed with us.

Hermana Costilla, Sisters Hardman, Nicholas and Draney

Front row:  Elders Berg, Kingrey, Soubie, Collard, Spencer and Lewis

2nd row:  Elders Atkin, Griffin, Harper, Passey, Hill

Back row:  Elders Welker and Lee

One last picture before boarding the bus to go to LAX.  I did good until they started getting on the bus.  They have great adventures in store.  They are all wonderful missionaries.

Transfers 6/2/15

In the weekly newsletter from President Felix he included among other things the following: "It's June and another transfer. With this transfer, we are saying good-bye to 19 missionaries, Elder and Sister Miles from the office and Elder and Sister McIntosh from the Santa Barbara CES and YSA. We all have loved serving with these departing missionaries and wish them well in their new adventures. We will miss them all. We will also be welcoming 7 new missionaries to the Great California Ventura Mission.

  

Thank you for focusing on being "led by the Spirit as we find and teach". I believe that we all had the opportunity to experience how we need to keenly focus on those promptings that we might feel, hear or sense. May we continue to trust in the Lord and follow those promptings.

For this transfer, our CVM Target is "We are consecrated servants of Jesus Christ." In your studies, please find scriptures that will help you remember "having both feet in", serving others and representing Jesus Christ. As you do so, always remember to invite others to come unto Christ towards baptism."

Elder Martineau is being transferred to Brazil.  He received his visa and left on Tuesday before transfer meeting started.
Transfer meeting was amazing with 23 missionaries bearing testimony and two musical numbers.  Hermana Wallace and Hermana Ricks sang Lead Kindly Light and Elder Phillips played on the piano (his arrangement) How Great Thou Art.  Sister Felix shared the parable of the oranges that Randy Ridd talked about in a CES fireside earlier this year.  Basically having real intent and being fully committed because of the desire to do for others.  Because she has such a difficult time at transfer meeting emotionally, she brought a plaque that says "Don't cry because it's over, Smile because it happened."  It helped as she would continually look at it throughout the meeting.
President Felix read from a letter that was sent to him from a new convert encouraging missionaries to find people like her and share the gospel.  A missionary's influence can be felt by many more than one person.  President Felix referred to
Bro. Ridd's experience of returning to where he served his mission in Mexico and finding that one of the families he had baptized was still active and in fact had been instrumental in over 500 souls joining the Church.  Another example was President Felix opening an area in Argentina and 35 years later is now a stake.

Hermanas Costilla and Killpack

Elders Willis, Ruby, Fisher, Reed and Hermana Bennion

Elders Herrera and Parrish

Sisters Hunsaker and Dietos

Elders Bradley and Toa

Elders Bailey, Tufts, Comin and Goad

Elders Walker and Stewart

Elders Barlow and Lucas

Elders Deschamps, Agle and Payne

Sister Woodland, Hermanas Winn, Bennion, Wallace and Newland

Elders Cavazos, Boyce, Agle, Law, James, Hermana Wixom and Sister Berry

Elders Stout and Lee

Sisters Beatty and Thompson, Hermanas Soriano, Keith, Zarate and Sister Boring

Elders Rosenlof and Klingler

Elders Hall and Martinez

Hermanas Cuevas and Pirir

Elder & Sister Miles and Sister and Elder Floyd

Elders Law, Cavazos, Davidson, Fernandez, Parrish, Griffin, Barlow

Hermanas Newland, Winn, Green, Wixom, Costilla, Lauren and Bishop Quezada and Elder Phillips

Sisters Giambattista and Berry

Elders Driggs, DeCosta and Carpenter

Elders Sorensen, James, Davidson and Hermana Bennion

Sisters Boring, Barnes, Hiapo and Evans